A Natural Selection – Bamboo

A Natural Selection – Bamboo

Dover NH FamilyThe Family of Dover, NH
This wonderful couple’s family home had a fire that destroyed the upper level of their house. It was such an unfortunate and devastating experience for them but in the end it had a positive outcome. They were able to reconfigure their kitchen and their master suite to what they always dreamed of and their house became a home once again.

As soon as the renovation started so did the healing process. And we were thrilled to be part of it.  We replaced all of their flooring using cork, bamboo, tile and carpet. We are delighted to share photos with you of all the rooms we installed flooring and tile but we really want to talk more about bamboo and the wonderful benefits and qualities it offers, it is a natural selection!

                                                                                                    BAMBOO

Bamboo floor in kitchen

The family’s new kitchen with natural 3” solid strand woven bamboo flooring.

The growing popularity of bamboo floors is used as an alternative for flooring due to its similarities to hardwood and its unique renewable source of material. Bamboo is one of the fastest growing plants in the world. As a grass, bamboo grows much faster than wood and can be harvested without the need to replant because the root system is left intact. It has a comprehensive strength that is higher than wood, concrete or brick and has a tensile strength that measures up to steel. Not only is it eco-friendly, strong and durable, it now comes in a variety of colors and is easy to install.

We used natural 3” solid strand woven bamboo flooring in the this new kitchen. The warm contrast of the natural bamboo floor against the dark cabinetry makes this kitchen welcoming for family and friends.

We have provided below some of the bamboo floor choices available. There are many more to choose from and we hope you will stop by our showroom to look at the options available to you. You will not be disappointed!

Bamboo floor hand scrapedBamboo floor acorn Bamboo floor natural

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are the rooms and products we used in completing the Dover family home.

            ENTRANCE STAIRS – CARPETED
 Dover home entry carpet

 

 

 

 

                                DINING ROOM
Dining Room

 

 

 

 

 

 

MASTER BEDROOM – Carpet installed in bedroom and walk-in closet
Master bedroom

 

 

 

 

 

 

Master Bathroom – Tile throughout the bathroom (shower, shower floor and bathroom floor)
Master Bathroom

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAUGHTERS BEDROOM – New Carpet Installed
Daughter's Bedroom

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAUGHTERS BATHROOM – Tile Floor
Daughters Bathroom

 

 

 

 

 

                  GUEST BEDROOM – New carpet installed
Guest Bedroom

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                     POWDER ROOM – Cork Flooring
Guest Bathroom

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Flooring with a Timeless Presence for Any Kitchen

Flooring with a Timeless Presence for Any Kitchen

Did You Know That Cork is Green?

Green is not just a color anymore, green is symbolic for eco friendly materials. One remarkable eco-friendly material solution for flooring is cork. It is the unique cellular structure of cork that gives it exceptional characteristics and benefits. It is estimated that there are over 200 million microscopic air chambers in a cubic inch of cork that provides comfort, resilence and recovery as well as thermal insulation and sound control.

Cork flooring is becoming more and more popular in renovated and newly constructed homes. There are many colors to choose from and it goes well with classic to modern decor. Cork floors are soft underfoot yet durable and easy to maintain. These great features are what sold our customer on the cork floor featured in the kitchen below.

It’s soft muted color provides the perfect contrast against the deep chestnut wood accents of the cabinets and compliments the stainless steel appliances beautifully. Each of these elements combined together creates a sense of harmony that gives this room a warm feel.  It allows the light to be reflected gracefully giving a sense of open and airiness. if you are thinking of putting cork flooring in your kitchen, please stop by our showroom so that we can show you many options that are available to you to suit your budget and style.

Before                                                                                                                                  After

Kitchen tile to cork Before_WM Kitchen cork after_WM

What is the best floor for my basement living space?

What is the best floor for my basement living space?

Basements generally have some moisture so the flooring must be chosen carefully. It is important to understand the moisture level in your basement and how you want to use the space.  Here are some of the options:

  • Carpet is a warmer solution but can absorb the moisture and may mildew over time. Loose laid carpet squares are a great option because they can easily be removed and re-installed before mold occurs.
  • 36032100022-Tigerwood-ExoticHardwood and laminate are not ideal products because they are moisture sensitive. Before these products are installed it may be necessary to seal the concrete. With carpet, hardwood and laminate it is essential to run a humidifier in the winter and a dehumidifier in the summer to keep the moisture level constant.
  • Cushion vinyl is another option because it can be loose laid over concrete. It doesn’t absorb moisture and can easily be removed or peeled back to dry.
  • Porcelain tile is a great option because it is water-resistant but can be cold on the feet. Add an area rug for warmth and design.

There are positives and negatives for each flooring so before choosing a floor, come in to see us so we can guide you to the best floor for your style and the conditions in your space.

How to Clean Hardwood Floors

Bona Cleaner

I hear people talk about using vinegar to clean their hardwood floors. It is a great inexpensive, eco-friendly cleaner for tile floors or other surfaces but not for hardwood. Vinegar is acidic and can cause discoloration and/or break down the finish.  Stick to products that are recommended by the manufacturer such as Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner, a Greenguard Certified Product. It is easy to use and will help protect the finish without leaving a dulling residue. For a light cleaning I just spray a little bit of the cleaner on a mop head, for more in depth cleaning just spray the floor and wipe up with a mop. It’s easy and painless. Just the way I like it!

 

 

Shopping Tips

Before you shop for flooring we would like to offer some suggestions to ease your shopping experience.

Put together a bag or folder and include all or some of the following items:

• Swatches of fabric (or a pillow) from your sofa, curtains or bed linens

• A sample of your desired or existing paint color

• A sample of your kitchen counter top and/or cabinets

• Colors and/or flooring from an ajoining room

• Pictures of flooring that you’ve seen in a magazine, online or friends or family member’s home

• Room dimensions, including closets, hallways, and stairs (incude width and number of stairs) to assist us in providing you with an estimate for the flooring you are considering

Keep the entire bag or folder in your car for your spur of the moment shopping opportunity!

The more you bring, the easier it is for us to help you find the right product, style and color to match your decor.