Bobbie McCloud of Designworks walks us through what it takes to put together a wonderful Master Bedroom. Bobbie offers us some simple tips to help make our bedroom feel like a retreat.

In this video Beth Haley shares some wonderful insight on how to go green easily.

1. Are you the Brady Bunch or Empty Nester’s? This is important because some carpets are easier to clean and maintain then others. For instance, wool carpet is very cleanable, but is more difficult to maintain then nylon and polyester. Most of the families that buy carpet at Textures like easy care, so we recommend a synthetic fiber that wears well and cleans great.

2. What is your budget? Carpet is a very affordable floor covering, but prices range drastically. Many people may not realize this when buying carpet the for the first time. Carpet is sold by the square foot, and you have to remember that you will need cushion and installation as well. Typically a good carpet will be about $3.50 per square foot installed. That means for an average family room (400 sf) you will spend $1400.00.

3. Carpet is the foundation for a rooms decor. Do you want to make a statement or do you just want it to blend? If you are doing multiple rooms, you may want something different in each area. Textures clients typically use a patterned loop in living areas and something soft and traditional in bedrooms.

New carpet makes such a difference in a home. Please remember that it is a large undertaking and investment, so be try to be prepared. Textures will be happy to walk you through the process and answer any questions you may have.

We are, however, blessed in Nashville. Nashville is #11 in the top 15 housing markets in the United States according to Builder Magazine.

Here are the top markets:

1. Houston, TX
2. Austin, TX
3. Fort Worth, TX
4. San Antonio, TX
5. Dallas, TX
6. Raleigh, NC
7. Seattle, OR
8. Indianapolis, IN
9. Fayetteville, AK
10. Washington, DC
11. Nashville, TN
12. Denver, CO
13. Charlotte, NC
14. Wilmington, NC
15. Myrtle Beach, SC

A healthy housing market creates many ancillary jobs for our local economy. It also means that the suppliers to the industry are healthy and can provide quality, affordable homes to our community.

Recyclability – The floor made with post-consumer or post-industrial recycled material. Ideally the materials can even be recycled again into additional products, such as certain carpet fibers.

Rapidly Renewable – Floors are considered “green” if they can be quickly replenished. Bamboo is cut and then grows back from the same stump; sometimes at four feet per day. Wool carpets obviously come from sheep. There are durable, attractively priced carpets made of corn fibers.

Regional – Is the material made or distributed close to home, defined as a 500 mile radius of your location? In the Tennessee area, that might be oak floors, certain tile products or carpet products out of Georgia.

That’s the “Three Rs”; basics to being green. Textures Flooring is a good source for more specific green product ideas.

 What a beautiful and grand entry to a home.

The Master Bath was truly special. Our installer Warren did all of the work and he is a true craftsman!!

Nashville flooring choices are diverse and unique. We will post different projects here so you can get some ideas for your project.

Textures most popular. Nice and Chunky!!

 Sisal can be used as an area rug, installed wall to wall or installed on steps. Sisal is available in many colors and can be bordered with bindings such as leather or wide cotton.  Many designers will even use fabric, and then they can coordinate a rooms upholstery and area rug. Sisal’s  usually a gold color; however metallic colors are becoming very popular.

Great copper tone. Classic look.

Textures  has a custom workroom that can produce a rug in any shape or size. Our master craftsmen can also install sisal on steps, and this is not an easy thing to do. We recently installed a set of steps for Bobbie McCloud, owner and chief designer at Designworks. Her design included trimming the sisal with leather and then we studded the border with hammered copper furniture tacks. Stunning.

Such a great look. Notice the craftsmanship!!

Black wrought iron stair rods really complete the look beautifully. Installing Sisal in a room wall to wall is fantastic as well. It is soft on the feet,  creates a warm natural feel. Sisal is not appropriate for all rooms though and is not easy to clean, so it is important to consider it’s application. Sisal is also not known to seam well, so consider seam placement in an application. Textures offers sisal up to 16′4″ wide and sometimes it is possible to eliminate seams altogether.

If you are looking for a great foundation or finishing touch for your rooms design I urge you to consider a great looking sisal rug.

Red wine, OH NO!

Nothing is worse than fixating on a repair or chore that requires a lot of money to fix, but is not in the budget. I know for a lot of people stained carpet is a source of embarrassment when entertaining, and right now it is not possible to replace it or even spend the few hundred dollars for cleaning. I have listed below a great spot cleaning method for synthetic fibers (nylon, polyester, etc.). All that you will need is some elbow grease.

In Nashville carpet is still the most popular floor covering sold. Not only does it provide warmth, softness and durability, carpet provides options. Today’s styles are fantastic, combining elements of natural earthy looks with designer lines and striations. Carpet mimicking sisals or sea grass offers a low profile look that can either be the highlight of a room or a subtle backdrop.

Hardwood flooring is an elegant and time-tested floor covering that is always popular. Wider planks and exotic wood species are today’s calling cards. Brown tones are also very popular; think walnut or saddle colors. Distressed floors mimic a classic-aged look providing a unique ambiance and additional warmth to any room.

Stone and tile are durable and timeless. It is hard to imagine a more beautiful floor than natural stone. People love the feeling of bringing nature into their homes and a stone floor accomplishes that. Earth tones are the obvious colors for this material, and size does matter. Stone is available in all sizes from a mosaic to large slabs. The space should dictate the size and pattern.