Traditional Staircase by South East Interior Designers & Decorators Alexander James Interiors

For households with pets and young children, carpet for stairs can protect the hardwood from scratches, marks, and other consequencesof a well-loved and lived-in house. The cushioning that carpeting provides can ease falls and prevent slips. Additionally, stair runners and carpets can add a pop of color or textured design element to an otherwise simple space. A bold pattern or color on the stairs can set the mood of a house from the second you walk in the front door.

There are some considerations to make when decidingwhich type of stair carpet is right for your home. First, looped carpet piles are not ideal for houses with pets, as their claws can get caught in the fibers. This causes damage to the carpet, and can lead to injury if your pet loses their footing and takes a tumble down the stairs. Also, while sisal or grain sack carpets look great in coastal areas like our home of Wilmington, North Carolina, these rugs can be slippery, which would not be ideal for small children who might not have great traction while running down the stairs. Stairs are one of the most high traffic areas in the home, so you?ll want a fiber and color that will hold up under heavy usage. If your family wears shoes in the home, consider a darker color that will hide dirt and stains between cleanings.

Whether you?re building a new house or just redoing your old one, choosing a carpet dealer is a huge decision. Before you buy, it?s important to consider this: All carpet isn?t made alike, and neither are carpet dealers. Here are a few major things to keep in mind as you make your decision:

These are just a few key considerations when choosing your carpet dealer. Interested in learning more? Head down to our showroom in Wilmington, NC to look at our products or speak with our expert flooring specialists.

Marine carpeting is used in boats and marine facilities, such as boat docks. While some people use indoor carpeting for these applications, marine carpeting is more durable and much safer. Marine carpeting is only available at select carpet stores, and some stores will even do the carpet installation for you. Professional installation of marine carpeting is recommended to ensure that the carpet is installed safely and will last a long time. And, while glue-down boat carpeting can be installed by the owner, snap-in carpet mats must be done by a professional who has the necessary tools and skills.

Here are some benefits of using marine carpeting:

• Durability: Durability is key when you?re dealing with both fresh and salt water. Marine carpeting is resistant to UV radiation. This keeps the carpet from fading and prevents sun damage. It is also mold-resistant and mildew-resistant.
• Safety: For flooring that comes in constant contact with water, traction is key. Marine carpeting provides excellent traction in otherwise slippery areas.
• Maintenance: Regular cleaning of marine carpeting can be done with a water hose. For more difficult cleaning, you can use a scrub brush or sponges to get the surface completely clean. The great thing about this type of carpeting is that it is resilient to stains, and bleach can often be used in the cleaning process.
• Variety: There is a wide range of colors and patterns available in marine carpeting. This makes it easy to match carpeting with boat interiors, or to use the same color scheme with a dock and its surrounding facilities.

Join the Dark Side: The Benefits of Dark Wood Flooring

What if I have a small space?

Here?s the trick: dark wood flooring is a great way to make small spaces, such as condominiums or beach houses, look lush and expensive. It?s not the size of the space that determines the success or failure of a dark wood floor ? it?s the amount of light. Whether your space is a bright dining room with excellent track lighting or a bright chandelier, or a living room accented with a big bay window, a well-lit space is the key to rocking these deep, dark wood floors.

Doesn?t it show scratches?

The truth is that yes, dark wood flooring does show scratches slightly more than its light cousins. A small price to pay for that kind of drama, we say! But if you?re truly concerned, never fear. First of all: all wood floors show scratches, and we recommend keeping your wood floors in tip top shape regardless of the color. Whether scratches are apparent or not, get your wood floors retreated by a professional every few years to ensure they remain in top condition.

How dark is too dark?

This one?s up to you! For some, dark wood simply means a deep, lush stain that still shows the wood?s natural grain; other go fully black for real drama. Dark wood floors in a shade that matches wooden mantelpieces, doors, molding, or banisters can really jazz up a place. Make that contrast work for you with white furniture and bright, clean, geometric glass. Or stay natural with your dark stain and use more organic, earthy shades to create a warm, cozy woodsy feel.

Do dark floors cost more?

No more than professionally lightened ones. Altering the color of your flooring in any way has a cost, but it?s absolutely worthwhile to make an investment to your home that you?ll love, every time you look at it. Naturally colored floors are always going to be the most affordable option, but to get the floor you want in your home, opt for woods that match your own personal design aesthetic.

Creative Ways to Use Carpet Tiles

Go coo-coo for checkerboards.

One of the simplest ways to arrange carpet tile is also one of the most visually striking. Take two bright, vibrant colors, and lay them out in an alternating pattern. This works best in rooms that are already fairly monochromatic and clean in design. For example, a room with white walls and black furniture can be elevated tothe next level with a chessboard pattern.

Let the room inspire you.

In a room with several, less contrasting colors, homeowners can still use a carpet tile pattern to pullthe room together. Choose your colors from some of the room?s best and brightest elements ? a statement sculpture, a painting, or favorite piece of furniture. Tie the whole room together with four to six featured colors of carpet tile.

One pattern, different ways.

Carpet tile can do a lot with just one variety. A pattern of stripes can be laid two, three, or even four different ways to create a visually stunning layout with perfect color and pattern unity.

Create a custom rug.

Carpet tiles are also perfect for those awkward spaces requiring that elusive rug you just can?t find. Carpet tile arrangements allow homeowners to pick the color and size they want, and even use a variety to create the perfect patchwork-style rug with a modern finish.

Define a space.

In open floor plans, use a carpet tile pattern to define space. Carpet tiles under the couch or the dining room table can distinguish one part of the room from another, creating visual differences that differentiate each area.

Play it safe?for now.

Perhaps the mostpopular way to arrange carpet tile is simple and clean. If you?re not into patterns and designs, arrange the tiles to create a standard, one-color carpet. The size and spacing options make it perfect for oddly-shaped rooms, and the tiles are easier to remove (and replace) than standard flooring. Lay down a single color carpet for now, and let your mind go wild with the future possibilities!