8 June 2018 Practical Mudroom Ideas – the Gateway to the Home

Practical Mudroom Ideas – the Gateway to the Home

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A mudroom is often considered the gateway to the home as you want them to create a smooth transition from outside to inside. And, because of that, you want a mudroom to be functional as well. Here’s some practical mudroom ideas for easy cleaning and organization.

At The B & C Floor Store in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, we install tile and vinyl in mudrooms. Tile is the most durable but vinyl has quickly become a great choice for mudrooms due to its durability and ease of cleaning. Plus, since you will often be entering with wet or dirty shoes and if you happen to have pets – you will want to have a mudroom floor surface that’s easy to stand up to the mud and grass that’s sure to be trekked inside.

Practical Mudroom Ideas for a functional gateway to the home

If you’re looking to create a welcoming mudroom that’s also efficient for your home – you might want to consider a few of these practical mudroom ideas . . .
1. A coat rack is always a smart idea. It can be a freestanding coat tree or wall mounted.
2. Create a sitting area by incorporating a bench. This can even be used as additional storage underneath.
3. Add shelves on wall or built in to fill with baskets for each family member. This will help minimize clutter (think hats, gloves, scarves in the winter, sunscreen and sunglasses in the summer)
4. Custom built-in entryway cabinets can create the look of furniture that matches the home.
5. Add hooks to the walls for quick grabbing of jackets and backpacks.
6. Hang a memo board on the wall for quick reminders so nothing is forgotten as you leave.
7. Create shelves that become mail slots for each member of the family.
8. A long bar on the wall with S-hooks can hold book bags and umbrellas.

If you’re ready to see all the choices available to you for practical mudroom ideas, be sure to give us a call at The B & C Floor Store. We’re ready to help you create the ultimate gateway to your home. You can reach us at 603-436-9686 to set up an appointment or please stop by our showroom to see the latest mudroom ideas.

Filed Under: Entryway, Flooring Tagged With: , , ,
22 October 2015 Your Carpet Installation Was Perfect. Now What? – Extending the life and quality of your carpeting

Your Carpet Installation Was Perfect. Now What? – Extending the life and quality of your carpeting

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carpet-photo-01a You selected the carpet for your home, and it’s now been installed. You are excited about the end result, and now you want to maintain it. Just how do you go about extending the life of the carpet in your home and protecting your investment?

What are the four types of cleaning?

There are four different types of cleaning that the carpet requires. The most basic form of cleaning is vacuuming. The carpet has to be regularly vacuumed to remove the dirt regularly. In high traffic areas, the carpet may need to be vacuumed more often. If done regularly, up to 95 percent of the dirt could be removed from the carpets. Spot cleaning is performed when there is a spill. This could involve blotting a spot with a damp white towel. Spot cleaning should never include rubbing or scrubbing because this could cause the stain to settle further into the carpet. Interim cleaning is another form of cleaning. This form of cleaning targets soiling, and the equipment used is capable of targeting dirt buried deep into the carpet. Restorative cleaning is a deep cleaning treatment process that is performed by professional technicians as well. Households with pets, young children and members with allergies may need restorative cleaning more often than other households.

How to extend the life of the carpet in a home

There are several things that one can do to extend the life of the carpets in the home. How long the carpet lasts in a home depends on how often the flooring is cleaned. In following these tips, one can extend the life of the carpet.

Carpet Installation & Maintenace (Maintenance) Tips

Deep cleaning should be done periodically. Periodically deep cleaning should be done on a semi-annual schedule. Annually to semi-annually is the recommended cleaning schedule for most households.

Eliminate spots and spills immediately. The spots are removed immediately with a spot cleaning solution. These cleaning solutions are available at most grocery stores and are often quite effective in removing the initial stain.

Use carpet padding throughout house. Carpet padding in homes is used to absorb some of the impact created with regular traffic. The impact of daily traffic causes the fibers to become weaker, and padding addresses this by limiting the impact from walking and running.

Use matting near entries. Every area should have matting at every entry in the home. Giving people the opportunity to wipe their feet at each entry point offering access to carpeted areas limits the amount of dirt an area is exposed to over time.

Upgrade the vacuum in a home. A quality vacuum protects the piling in the carpet from wear and tear. More dirt can be removed on a much deeper level if the right vacuum is used. Generally speaking, the more expensive vacuuming systems are much better at targeting dirt well beneath the surface.

Establish no carpet zones. In preventing people from wearing carpet in a high traffic areas, oil, dirt and grime is less likely to make it to the carpet. The carpet is cleaner because it is exposed to dirt far less often.

A professionally installed carpet is the first line of defense in protecting the flooring. The real work comes with regular maintenance. Regular maintenance includes vacuuming, spot cleaning, restorative cleaning and interim cleaning. All forms of cleaning are necessary to keep the flooring looking its best for a longer period of time.

photo-carpeting-thumbnail Daughter's Bedroom

Filed Under: Carpet, Flooring, Stair Runner, Stairs
31 July 2015 It’s Summertime…

It’s Summertime…

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And the living is easy….  As the jazz song goes from play “Porgy and Bess” written by George Girshwin in 1935. Summertime is a great time to kick back with family and friends. If you have a floor or tile home project that is preventing you from having guests over,  now is a great time to tackle those home projects. The days are longer, the weather is perfect and you can pace yourself at whatever speed is best for you.  We are here to help you from a do-it-yourself project to guiding you through the flooring options to the installation done by our experts.

Not only are we going to help you with your floor or tile project, we are also going to help you with summertime no-sweat, no-nerves summer gathering ideas for your family and friends (see below). Have them over once your project is complete or better yet, invite them over and have a do-it-yourself project party where everyone helps to get the project done.

For some ideas for a small summertime project, here are photos from a few of our do-it-yourself customers that just bought flooring from us:

Do it yourself tile flooe

do it yourself wood floor

 

 

american flagSuggested Summertime Entertaining Ideas

Music:
Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong – “Summertime” from Porgy and Bess
Rosemary Clooney –  “Come On a My House”
Nat King Cole –  “Those Lazy Hazy Crazy Days of Summer”
Eddie Cochran – “Summertime Blues”
Bryan Adams  – “Summer of ‘69”
Kid Rock – “All Summer Long”
Guess Who – “American Woman”
American Authors -”Best Day of My Life”
Colbie Callait – “Brighter than the Sun”
Lorde – “Team”
Nico & Vinz – “Am I Wrong”

Food:
Mini Beef Sliders with Caramelized Onions, Melted Cheddar Cheese and Garlic Aoli
1 1/2 lbs ground beef
2 1/2 tsp Montreal Steak Seasoning (divide in half)
10 slices good cheddar cheese
1/4 cup butter
1 large red or yellow onion sliced very thinly into 1/4” rounds
2 tbs. butter
1/2 cup good mayonaise
1/2 cup sour cream
1 tbsp. dijon mustard
2 tbsp. capers
1 tbsp. garlic paste
salt and pepper to taste
1 package mini slider buns

In a bowl combine half of the Montreal Steak Seasoning with the ground beef, and shape into 10 patties about 1/2” thick.

In a large skillet, melt butter and add onions and remaining Montreal Steak Seasoning, salt and pepper to taste. Cook onions until caramelized

In a small bowl add mayonaise, sour cream, mustard, capers and garlic paste, mix well add salt and pepper to taste.

Cook burgers on the grill until cooked to personal preference,  add cheese until melted, place slider on a bun add the garlic aoli. Serve with green salad and or potato salad. Enjoy!

Drinks:
Sparkling Melonade with Mint
5 cups roughly chopped melon (watermelon, cantalope or honeydew)
3 tbsp. fresh squeezed lime juice
4 tsp. pure maple sugar or you can substitute with honey
Handful of mint leaves
2 bottles sparkling mineral water
Vodka optional

In a blender, put the mellon, lime juice and maple syrup and blend on high speed until smooth, add a few of the mint leaves and pulse a few times just to chop the mint.

Fill a glass about 2/3 up of ice cubes add melon mixture and top with sparkling water and stir. Add a mint leave for garnish. Add vodka if desired.

Filed Under: Ceramic Tile, Flooring, Hardwood
8 June 2015 HARDWOOD FLOORS INSTALLED In MAINE

HARDWOOD FLOORS INSTALLED In MAINE

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We Floored You!

Who doesn’t love hardwood floors! You can always find a variety of choices in hardwood flooring to enhance your decor and add richness to any room,  no matter what decorating taste or lifestyle you have. Hardwood floors come in a wide variety of wood species, colors, finishes and widths, which means that you don’t have to have the same as your neighbors or friends.

We want to share with you today, 3 hardwood installations we did in Maine, 2 were in York and the other in Kittery. Each of them chose a different species of wood; One chose 3 1/4” Solid Natural Hickory in the Family Room, the other 3 1/4” Solid Yellow Birch, Coastal Grade in the Kitchen, Hall, Bedroom (and adding tile in an entry that abuts the new wood floor)  and the third chose 3 3/4” Solid Natural Strand Woven Bamboo in the Living Room, Hall and custom made stairs treads.

Take a peek…

When you are looking to renovate or update your home, your floor is often the best place to start. Changing the flooring in your home will add style and function with ease. There are so many different types of wood to choose from and Hickory floors are gaining popularity, it is becoming the go-to-choice for many homeowners that are concerned with style and cost.  It is important to understand that durability and strength are a must when you are searching for the best floor option. You want your new floor to be able to stand the test of time no matter how much foot traffic your home sees. There are many exotic hardwoods from around the world but Hickory is known as the second hardest type of flooring found in the United States.

It is almost impossible to go wrong with hickory flooring. It is lighter in color, which is what many homeowners like most about this hardwood type. It has the ability to add warmth and light into just about any room.

York, Maine – 3 1/4” Solid Hickory Natural

Hickory Floor

 

 

3 1/4” Solid Yellow Birch, Coastal Grade

Yellow Birch,  Coastal Grade is a popular choice among those desiring diversity in a floor’s appearance. The richest option for those looking for color contrasts, character and intriguing grain patterns, this grade will show an occasional mineral streak or a knot, which we feel only add to the species’ character and charm.

Yellow Birch Hardwood

 

3 3/4” Solid Natural Strand Woven Bamboo

Twice as hard as oak, strand bamboo is an optimal choice for busy homes when durability is needed to stand up to the wear and tear of family foot traffic, active kids and even pets. Here are some before and after pictures:

Before & After #1psd

 

Before & After #2

 

Before & After #3

Filed Under: Bamboo, Flooring, Hardwood Tagged With: , , ,
27 February 2015 New England Style Kitchen – Durham, NH

New England Style Kitchen – Durham, NH

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A couple came to our store after purchasing their home is Durham, NH. They decided to renovate their kitchen first, it was the most outdated room in their new home  The husband spearheaded the design but both husband and wife decided together on all elements of their newly renovated kitchen.

They got their ideas and inspiration from magazines, the internet and Houzz. The original kitchen was fairly closed in and they opened it up for a roomier feel with more storage. They really wanted tile flooring with a New England flair.  They wanted their new floor to withstand high traffic and hide dirt that can be created by their son and Great Dane. To give a more cohesive look, feel and flow of the kitchen area, they decided to run the tile from the kitchen into a bathroom and entryway.

Great Dane in KitchenTheir choice of tile:

Dal-Tile 4” x 8”

Style: Union Square

Tile Color: Courtyard Red

Grout Color: Silverado (this grey colored grout was chosen to hide dirt and create a contrast with the tile).

The tile was installed in a basket weave pattern with grout boost for grout protection.

The paint color they chose for their walls was Williamsburgh Pratt & Lambert: Palace Chambers Yellow Medium to compliment the floor and assist with the New England flair that they were looking for.

kitchen

 

The next project for this couple will be installing a beautiful stair runner for their foyer stairs. We cannot wait to share that with you on another blog post. Stay connected!

Stairs

 

Filed Under: Flooring, Tile
2 February 2015 New Tile Flooring Finishes Like Distressed Brick and Wood Add Character and Durability

New Tile Flooring Finishes Like Distressed Brick and Wood Add Character and Durability

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Lots of new trends, exceptional products and flooring wow-factors are taking the flooring industry by storm. Talking turkey about the latest and greatest, top-notch tile flooring finishes opens new doors and new tile flooring options in Portsmouth. Ready or not, here they come!

New England Charm Demands Durability

Extreme temperature changes, rain, snow and flooring maintenance concerns can give home owners a lot to think about when purchasing new tile flooring. Durability is a must where foot traffic and seasonal wear and tear come in the picture. Fear not – tile flooring with the designer look of distressed hardwood planks has finally arrived.

The enchanting character that distressed hardwood tile invites into a space offers more than aesthetic appeal. It brings modern style with a rugged twist to the table where no man has gone before. No more warping. No more splinters. No more scratches, cracks and crevices to scrape the dirt and grime from. Owners get nothing but extra tough, traffic-tested, beautiful durability to create the most livable and lovable spaces available today.

Plank sizes come in many different widths and lengths to accommodate the pickiest tastes. Multicolored plank tiles and monotone colored plank tiles each add their own variety of visual and wonderfully touchable textures to suit every space. Grays, whites and browns are just the beginning of appreciated style. A whole host of patina-inspired tiles superbly portrays stunning quality and variety.

Mix It Up with Distressed Brick and Cobblestone Finishes

Chicago - Old Chicago 8 x16

Chicago – Old Chicago 8 x16

Chicago Stateside 9 x 12 Hexagon

Chicago Stateside 9 x 12 Hexagon

Chicago Southside 9 x 11

Chicago Southside 9 x 11

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today, tile flooring appreciators are re-awakening to the sophistication and demand for highly functional flooring. Gorgeous, distressed brick flooring adds a solid statement of strength, consistency and energy to any room, patio or driveway.

Nothing captivates that old-fashioned feel more than brick and cobblestone touches. Days of old fashionable and alluring detail with charismatic flooring appeal.

Clay brick tiles sporting natural color sprays within each brick is nature’s way of providing tough, yet stunning flooring capacities. Cobble stone flooring choices exhibit another breed of fabulous flooring options all their own. Adding the flair of authenticity by donning a well-worn look delivers a daring yet hopelessly romantic magnetism to all types of living spaces. Various textures, colors and sizes make for truly intriguing flooring design.

Today’s flooring selections offer more promise and satisfaction than ever before. With savvy style and superior tile durability on your side flooring problems are no longer under foot. It’s time to get creative using the newest and greatest tile flooring finishes you’ve been waiting for. The only distress you will experience is the amazing tile finishes you love.

Filed Under: Ceramic Tile, Flooring, Hardwood, Hardwood Tile Plank, Kitchen, Porcelain Tile, Tile
29 September 2014 Installing Hardwood Flooring Can Improve The Value of Your Home

Installing Hardwood Flooring Can Improve The Value of Your Home

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1 Backsplash - Portsmouth

Solid Ash Hardwood

Buying a home will be the largest purchase you will ever make in your life. Therefore, you would be wise to try to maximize the value of your home in any way you can. This will pay off if you should decide to sell your home at some point in the future. There are many ways you can go about increasing your home’s value. Some are more costly than others. The installation of hardwood floors is one of the most popular ways that people have been doing this. Let’s take a look at why having hardwood floors installed in your home is a good idea and what you need to know before you undertake such a project.

According to a survey that was conducted by the National Wood Flooring Association, 82 percent of real estate agents interviewed for the survey believed that homes containing hardwood floors usually sold faster and for larger amounts of money than those that did not. It is very clear that a hardwood floor is a key element in attracting the attention of potential buyers. Not only will a hardwood floor make your home more valuable, it is also easy to take care of.

When it comes to installing a new hardwood floor or refinishing an older floor, here are a few things you should keep in mind. There are many options to choose from regarding hardwood floors. These include hand-scraped, engineered, solid, prefinished, unfinished plank and many others. It is easy to become confused by all of these choices. Some of the things you will need to consider as a homeowner prior to selecting a type of flooring are issues such as your family’s lifestyle, how level your floors are, the condition of your current subfloor and humidity levels. If your basement is where you do most of your TV watching, an engineered option is recommended because of its ability to be installed over concrete. It is able to tolerate expansion and humidity better than solid hardwood.

If you want to have hardwood floors installed in your bedrooms or your main living areas, you can select either solid or engineered hardwood, prefinished or unfinished hardwood.   Installation of prefinished hardwood flooring is quicker and easier than unfinished hardwood because the finish is already applied at the factory.   It will not need to be sanded and finished on-site which eliminates noise, dust and toxic smells that go along with installation of unfinished flooring.  Once the prefinished hardwood is installed you can walk on it immediately whereas unfinished floors take about 10 hours or so to dry depending on humidity levels.  Installation costs are typically lower for prefinished hardwood versus unfinished hardwood floors.  Warranties for prefinished typically range from 25 to 30 years whereas unfinished flooring may need to be refinished more often.

Ballantyne 021

Samoan Mahagany

 

We are now living in a world that is more conscious about protecting the environment than ever before. If you are a person who wants to go green in terms of your home improvements, you will be happy to know that there are a wide variety of eco-friendly hardwood flooring options available to you such as bamboo.  If bamboo is not an option for you look for the stamp of approval of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). The FSC is in charge of overseeing sustainable forests where the natural environment is always being supervised and trees are replanted.

There is no question that a hardwood floor is a wonderful addition to any home whether you want to sell or stay and enjoy it yourself!  It is beautiful in appearance, very easy to clean, will impress potential buyers and get you more money if you sell your home. There is really no downside to installing a hardwood floor.

Filed Under: Bamboo, Flooring, Green Products, Hardwood
25 September 2014 Wood Textured Ceramic Tiles Provide NH Homeowners With Durability in High Traffic Areas

Wood Textured Ceramic Tiles Provide NH Homeowners With Durability in High Traffic Areas

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The Benefits of Ceramic Tile with the Beauty of Wood – Wood Textured Ceramic Tiles

Replacing your home’s floors can be stressful and expensive, but it can result in gorgeous new floors for you and your family to enjoy.  With the amount of time and effort you spend replacing your home’s floors, you understandably want to make a decision that will result in floors that you can enjoy for years to come. While there are many materials options available for you to consider, many homeowners are overwhelmingly making the decision to install durable wood textured porcelain tiles in their high traffic areas.

There are many lovely flooring materials that you may be interested in installing in your home, and some of these include real wood and carpeting. Each type of flooring has its appeal, but also has drawbacks that should be considered. A common issue with some flooring materials stems from the fact that they do not hold up well in high-traffic areas, such as family rooms, hallways, entryways and kitchens. You may love the warmth and beauty of real wood, but you may cringe at the thought of your wood floors showing wear due to foot traffic, scratches from your pet’s toenails and more. Carpet is another option, but can show wear patterns in high traffic areas. More than that, carpet also is prone to staining, and it may hold onto odors from drink spills, pets and more.

Why Wood Textured Ceramic Tiles Are the Best Option
With these factors in mind, you may rule out options like hardwood floors and carpeting from contention, but you may discover that wood textured porcelain tiles are ideal for these areas of the home. These are specially engineered ceramic tiles that offer all of the benefits of durable, affordable ceramic flooring coupled with the beauty of real wood. Some homeowners believe that these tiles will not give the same overall look as real wood however wood textured tiles carry the same sheen, texture, size and shape as wood. And they will not scratch, stain or show other signs of wear.  Grout lines can be minimal and can be matched to the surface of your tile.

Wood textured ceramic tiles are becoming increasingly popular for use in New Hampshire homes today because of the durability, affordability and overall style of the tiles. The good news is that the popularity of this material has led to even greater color and style options. If you want to enjoy the benefits of ceramic tile with the beauty of wood, you can take a closer look at some of the beautiful wood textured ceramic tiles available today.

image-5

Guest Bathroom in Stratham New Hampshire

image-1

Tub Walls: Maine Tile 20″ x 20″ Porcelain Tile w/ Delorean Gray Grout

image-4

Bath Floor: Madiera Beige 5″ x 31″ Porcelain Tile w/ Standard Gray Grout

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Bathroom, Flooring, Hardwood, Porcelain Tile, Tile Tagged With: , , , ,
31 July 2014 Give Your Home a Face Lift with New Flooring!

Give Your Home a Face Lift with New Flooring!

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We are the flooring showroom NH residents trust! Our enormous selection includes all the most popular flooring products available today. You will find hardwood, carpet, tile, vinyl, green flooring and stair runners in a variety of styles and colors so there’s always something that matches your budget and home décor taste!

Flooring has a major impact on the look and comfort of any home. Aside from the ceilings and walls, the floor is one of the largest parts of any living space. Its color, texture and overall appearance can completely change the tone within a room. Make an area cozier with the rich wood grain found in classic hardwood or create a new, exciting space with ceramic and glass tiles.

Flooring Advice You Can Trust

Our high quality products aren’t the only reason we are the flooring showroom NH families prefer. Our knowledgeable staff understands the importance of picking out the right type of flooring while staying within budget. We can provide expert advice and make recommendations that will help make your floor shopping experience as stress-free as possible.

We want to work with you to ensure that you find the perfect product that meets your needs and exceeds your expectations. No matter what your requirements may be, our staff is always available to listen and suggest the best flooring to achieve the look you want in a product that will last. We also can create beautiful area rugs and stair runners that will enhance visual appeal and add a layer of protection that will prolong the life of your floors.

Professional Floor Installation with Options

We also offer reliable floor installation services that are available to residential, new construction and light commercial customers. Our hardworking team makes sure that your flooring is installed the right way so you can get back to doing the things you love with minimal hassle. Customers who visit our flooring showroom in our Portsmouth NH location can also purchase products from us for self-installation projects. Whether you want to handle it on your own or prefer to have a professional do the work, we can accommodate you!

Find the Perfect Floor Today!

If you haven’t visited our flooring showroom in our Portsmouth NH location, now is the best time to stop by! You can see many flooring types featured and feel the quality of each product. We will even loan floor samples for free so you can see the product in your home before making a decision.

New floors can increase property values and make your home more inviting. Start the process of improving your living space by visiting us for a free consultation with one of our flooring experts!

IMG_0447 IMG_0445 IMG_0444 IMG_0442

Filed Under: Carpet, Ceramic Tile, Cork, Flooring, Green Products, Hardwood, Laminate, Vinyl
11 July 2014 Our Journey to Rye New Hampshire

Our Journey to Rye New Hampshire

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The Perfect Entryway

The search for the perfect entryway started with Houzz and ended with us.  This Rye, New Hampshire customer wanted to welcome her guests with more than just her open door.  She wanted a warm, stylish entry to stand the test of time and  her choice… classic polished hi-gloss black and white tiles.

The histrionic floor pattern consisted of 12 x 12 Roca Orion Polished (hi-gloss) tiles in the colors of Anthracite and Nieve with Bostik French Gray Grout. The tiles were installed on a diagonal from the front door to the small bathroom at the end of the entryway (including 3 closets). Our Rye, New Hampshire customer was thrilled with the final installation and we are thrilled to share the outcome with you (photos below).  Black and white flooring fits the bill in so many different interior design styles and in this entry and small bathroom, the dramatic sightline feels classic and glamorous. The perfect entryway!

Rye New Hampshire Black & White Tile

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Black and white tile floors were very popular in the Art Deco era and a perfect example is seen in the photo below of the Clariges in London with the original tiled floors. Elegant, timeless!

black and white tiled floors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

black & White tiled floor

 

Here is another example of a black and white diagonally laid floor (original to this c1917 house)

by Kim Hendrickson-Radovich of
Kim E. Courtney Interiors, in her own
historic home in Huntington Bay, NY.

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Ceramic Tile, Flooring Tagged With: , , , ,
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