Accidents Happen, We’re here to help!

Accidents happen, especially around the holidays, which is why Shaw Floors created an iPhone app to help fight carpet stains. In order to keep your carpet looking its absolute best, quick and effective stain removing is crucial. There are around 1,000 stain removing techniques at your fingertips with this app.

Here are common holiday items and quick tricks that you can use to keep your carpet looking beautiful through the holiday season!

Pumpkin:

1.     Scrape or blot up excess spill.

2.     Apply detergent with a damp towel. Blot; don’t rub.

3.     Apply water with a damp towel.

4.     Blot; finish with a weighted pad of towels; if stain is still present, continue as follows

5.     Apply detergent solution with a damp towel; leave on for 3-5 minutes. Blot; don’t rub.

6.     If stain is removed, finish with a water rinse. Blot, then apply a pad of weighted paper towels. If stain is not removed, continue as follows

7.     Apply hydrogen peroxide/ammonia solution; let stand for 2 to 3 hours under a weighted sheet of plastic wrap.

8.     Repeat application of hydrogen peroxide/ammonia solution and allow to dry under weighted plastic wrap until removal is complete.

9.     Apply water with damp towel.

10.  Blog; finish with weighted pad of paper towels.

11.  To neutralize the area, apply white vinegar only after stain is removed.

Cake:

1.     Scrape or blot up excess spill.

2.     Apply detergent with a damp towel. Blot; don’t rub

3.     Apply water with a damp towel.

4.     Blot; finish with a weighted pad of towels.

We are here to help keep your carpet looking great and radiant this holiday season. Contact me with all your carpeting needs in time for your holiday guests to arrive!

Don’t forget that our flooring specialists at StarFloors are always here to answer any questions and concerns you may have regarding your area rug choice. We are available toll free at 866-503-STAR (7827) or on the web at www.starfloors.com. You can also submit your questions to us at www.facebook.com/starfloors or on twitter @starfloors_

Current Trends and Area Rugs by Shaw

The evolution of trends continues with every passing season. Each new year brings the excitement of change and new inspirations. This is a look at what we will be seeing in 2012.

Color

Neutrals have warmed up and taken on a natural tone this year. Oatmeal, mushroom, and bark pair beautifully with brown-infused grey and silver. Metallics such as copper, gold, and platinum make for a gorgeous accompaniment to this palette.

Jewel tones are heavily saturated, lush, and luxurious. Peacock turquoise, emerald green, indigo, and burgundy wine can be combined for over-the-top opulence or paired with a neutral for a dramatic contemporary feel.

The cosmetic palette is feminine and delicate. Coral, blush, smoky amethyst, aqua, and pale lemon are soft and subtle. Pair cosmetic colors with opal, khaki, or grey, and this palette takes on a modern tone.

Global references can be seen in combinations of citron, teal, magenta, deep plum, and bright orange. These colors alone or together are vivid, exotic, and vivacious.

Style

Ancient cultures and faraway lands continue to inspire. Centuries-old techniques and ethnic patterns are being revisited and revised this year.  Ikat and ombre looks are paired with all color palettes. Paisleys have been updated, and tribal references have been taken in a graphic direction.

The crafting movement has kept its warmth and hominess, but added an edge for the modern household. Quilting patterns and linear motifs have gone contemporary. Dip dyes, ombres, and space-dyed yarns create that not-so-perfect look associated with one-of-a-kind or handmade items. 

This year, botanicals have taken on Asian and Indian influences. Abstract and painterly techniques lead the way for contemporary floral collections. Line-work graphic motifs, as well as traditionally drawn flora and foliage, are also making an appearance in today’s marketplace.

Shaw Living continues to incorporate the most up-to-date trends into rug design.  This makes adding an area rug the easiest and most economical way to update any space.  And the Shaw Living assortment of area rugs (over 6,500 skus) offers something for everyone - traditional, transitional or contemporary and everything in between.  There is also a vast array of color, sizes, shapes, and price points.

Shaw Living is a domestic manufacturer specializing in machine woven area rugs featuring environmentally friendly products and top brands. 

Make plans to visit us today - Express your style and update your home with area rugs.

Please visit shawfloors.com for more information and "like" us on facebook.com/shawfloors.

Don’t forget that our flooring specialists at StarFloors are always here to answer any questions and concerns you may have regarding your area rug choice. We are available toll free at 866-503-STAR (7827) or on the web at www.starfloors.com. You can also submit your questions to us at www.facebook.com/starfloors or on twitter @starfloors_

How Winter Weather Effects Your Floors

Winter is just around the corner, and StarFloors wants to help you maintain and protect your beautiful hardwood floors during this chilly winter season.

It’s important to remember that hardwood floors are natural products that already carry moisture. As the moisture in the environment changes, so does the moisture in your hardwood floor. It's natural for your hardwood floors to adapt to these environmental factors with the seasons. However, sometimes these natural adaptions can lead to bigger issues.  By protecting your floors this winter, you can avoid such issues so you can enjoy your hardwood floors all winter long.

StarFloors team of experts complied their most commonly asked questions to assist you in maintaining your floors' natural beauty this winter.

How does cold weather affect my hardwood floors?

As the winter rages on and temperatures drop, you may begin to notice cracks in your hardwood floor. If you live in an area that is especially dry and arid this is  very common. 

As the air dries out, so will the wood. Your floors might begin to shrink causing the appearance of cracks between the boards.

What causes the cracking and shrinking in the hardwood floors?

Turning your heat up in your house will cause the inside air to dry out thus pulling the moisture from the floor. As the temperature outside drops below freezing, the moisture in the air will be very minimal and drop as snow, frost or ice and this may cause the shrinking and cracking in your hardwood floor as well.

Are there solutions to preventing or minimizing cracking and shrinking hardwood floors?

·         By using a humidifier in your home you can drastically minimize the effects of the cold weather.

·         By sealing up cracks around windows and doors, this will reduce the drafts coming into your home.

·         Have all family members and guests remove their shoes at the entryway on a mat, the standing water can affect the finishing on the floor as well as seep into the cracks causing possible bacteria and mold growth.

The cracking and the shrinking of hardwood floors is not permanent. As the temperature and the humidity levels begin to rise, the wood will absorb that moisture and return to its original state.

Don’t forget that our flooring specialists are always here to answer any questions and concerns you may have regarding your area rug choice. We are available toll free at 866-503-STAR (7827) or on the web at www.starfloors.com. You can also submit your questions to us at www.facebook.com/starfloors or on twitter @starfloors_

A Floor Without A Rug is Like a Kiss Without a Hug!

Have you ever looked at a room and knew something was missing? Chances are that an area rug will be your solution to tying your well decorated home together.  Area rugs do more than merely cover your beautiful floors; they offer style and functionality to your living space. StarFloors provides an array of area rugs including various sizes, colors, textures and patterns all designed to match your home décor.

Now is the perfect time to give your bare floor a complete makeover before your holiday guests arrive. As you may know, StarFloors offer an extensive selection and variety in area rugs. Some things you may want to consider when deciding what area rug to purchase are:

1.       Aesthetics: color, texture, design/patter, luster, appearance or “look”

·         Desired Ambience

·         Color Selection

·         What pattern, style and texture will match my home?

2.       Appearance:

·         Durability

·         Color retention

·         Texture retention

3.       Primary end-use considerations:

·         Traffic Level

·         Projected life span

·         Moisture/weather

Our floor specialists are here for you! They will provide you with their knowledge of area rugs and work with you to ensure your area rug is exactly to your liking.

Once you have picked out your perfect area rug to match your living space, it is important to know how to clean and care for your area rug.

·         Vacuum high-traffic areas frequently and less frequently used areas on occasion

·         Clean spills by blotting as oppose to rubbing and scrubbing

·         Use a pad underneath your rug to prevent slipping and to provide greater comfort, pads also help prevent dyes and colors from bleeding through to the floor below

·         Rotate rugs every 6-12 months to prevent uneven wear

Don’t forget that our flooring specialists are always here to answer any questions and concerns you may have regarding your area rug choice. We are available toll free at 866-503-7827 (STAR) or on the web at www.starfloors.com. You can also submit your questions to us at www.facebook.com/starfloors or on twitter @StarFloors_

StarFloors Pink-Out Day! Supporting Breast Cancer Awareness

 

  

Dallas Office Staff

StarFloors Annual Pink-Out Day was a huge success!

All accross the nation StarFloors staff members supported the cause by decking out in pink attire and participating in a "Decorate for the Cause" Contest.

Colorado Territory Manager celebrates Pink-Out Day!

Corporate Offices in Dallas Celebrate Pink-Out!

Senior Territory Manager, Erin Watkins, with her Pink-Out Showroom on Wheels!

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month educates women about the importance of early detection. More and more women are getting mammograms to detect breast cancer in its earliest stages. As a result, breast cancer deaths are on the decline. Encourage the women in your life to get mammograms on a regular basis. For more information visit http://www.nbcam.org

 

Decorate for the Cure Winner, Tony!

 

Making Our Mission Go-Pink!



StarFloors Go-Pink Day!

 



 

Decorate for the Cure Contest Facebook Fan Page Winner, Laura!











Which Carpet Fiber is Right for You?

When shopping for carpet, it’s important to think about how your carpet will perform once installed. Two carpet samples may look the same, but there are many differences between the fibers that make up that carpet.

Some carpets look new for a long time, others look old within a short time. The difference is in how well they resist soiling and matting. Most carpets do not wear out. They get soiled, change surface texture, and mat, which makes them look old. Take the opportunity to review the information to help determine which carpet fiber would be best for you and your living space or work space.

FIBER OVERVIEW

Carpet Fiber	Advantages	Disadvantages
Nylon	Nylon carpet wears very well. Nylon provides great style and lots of diversity, it is also the most widely accepted and used carpet fiber. Nylon is easy to clean, extremely strong, resistant to matting as well as moths, moisture, and mildew. Third and forth generation nylon is static resistant and nylon is considered to be a very eco-friendly "green" fiber.	Nylon tends to be more expensive and can be stained by oil and grease. Nylon also degrades and fades in sunlight.
Polyester	Polyester performs and wears almost as well as nylon, and polyester resists stains better than nylon fiber. Polyester is fade resistant and a cost-effective choice for you living/work space. Polyester has a soft luxurious feel, it has excellent resistance to abrasion, and excellent resistance to mildew.	Polyester fiber traditionally does not have the same wear reputation as nylon, but has improved tremendously with new polymers in the last decade. Additionally when polyester has exposure to sunlight, the fiber weakens.
Polypropylene	Very cost-effective The most stain resistant fiber Additionally, polypropylene is colorfast, a strong fiber, soil and water resistant, has good stain resistance, no static problem resistant to moths and mildew, and can be used as an indoor or outdoor carpet.	Polypropylene is limited to mostly loop construction and does have some color limitations.Depending on the carpet construction, polypropylene can tend to mat. Ask your flooring specialist for more information regarding your polypropylene carpet selection to see if this is a factor to consider.
PTT (Triexta)	PTT performs well in high traffic and has a soft hand.	Cannot be stain treated.
Plushes (Cut Piles)	Plush carpet offers timeless style and a great value.	Not as unique as other carpet types.
Cables	Cable carpets are very stylish and have a good hand.	Cable carpet fiber is more costly than other carpet options and has some performance limitations.

Loops	Loop carpet fiber provides excellent performance in high performance areas because it minimizes the appearance of footprints.	Loop carpet does not feel as luxurious to the touch as other carpet fibers.
Friezes	Frieze carpet provides great performance and a soft hand. Frieze carpets are very trendy and offer many stylish options.	Frieze carpets tend to show more footprints than other carpets and can are more costly than other options.

Wool	Wool fiber is crush resistant, has limited pilling problems, wool is very durable, and is very eco-friendly.	Wool soils easily and must be imported because domestic fibers are finer and weaker thus making it more expensive than domestic fibers.
Acrylic	Acrylic fiber has a wool-like appearance with low moisture absorption and cleans easily. Acrylic fiber has good stain resistance and is resistant to moths and mildew as well as  to sunlight damage.	Acrylic fiber is not as strong as other synthetics produced in short fibers and crimped poor resistance to matting stained by oil and grease.

 

Don’t forget that our flooring specialists are always here to answer any questions and concerns you may have regarding your carpet choice. We are available toll free at 866-503-7827 (STAR) or on the web at www.starfloors.com. You can also submit your questions to us at www.facebook.com/starfloors or on twitter @StarFloors_