Not a “scam” but more of a marketing ploy to prevent you the consumer from shopping using the old “apples to apples” comparison technique. It is kind of like buying a mattress, you can find the same mattress under 10 different “names” depending on where you shop. In the case of carpet, the most prevalent use of “private labels” is found in the big box retailers and large buying group stores like the Carpet One Chain of carpet stores. In this case, Carpet One uses the Bigelow label as if Bigelow made the carpet, when in fact, Carpet One bought the name Bigelow from Mohawk industries and can use the “Bigelow” label on any carpet they choose. Yes, Bigelow is an old-time mill, but they don’t make residential carpets anymore. Furthermore, Burlington Industries sold the “Lee’s” name to carpet one, and thus, like the Bigelow name, we will see carpets with the Lees name on them that are made by any mill Carpet One selects. Private labeling is now so prolific, that most larger carpet dealers use some sort of private labeling to keep true comparison shopping to a minimum.

The most important day in the life of your new carpet is the day it is installed. The professional carpet installer, or carpet, is seldom given the respect he deserves. Installing carpet in a residence requires a complex knowledge of people skills, technical ability, craftsmanship, as well as a strong back. If the person who comes to your door looks like Kerbo�chances are you are not going to get a very good installation.

The most important tool your carpet will use is the power stretcher! Today’s backings do not allow the use of a�knee kicker�alone. If you do not use a power stretcher, your new carpet will develop wrinkles in less than six months. Gone are the good old days of soft flexible jute backings that can be “Knee Kicked” in. Jute is not often available for carpet backings in this country.

The second most important tool your carpet will use is his brain. The man who is a��will be able to visualize the correct layout of your carpet, thereby optimizing the use of seams in your new carpet. His expertise will make sure all the material is running in the correct direction. If a��tells you that a carpet is nondirectional, run from this person; he is lying to you.

Wood floors add natural beauty and timeless style to any decor. Whether your home is traditional or contemporary, brand new or centuries old, wood floors offer endless design possibilities and make it easy to fit your home’s needs and personal style.

DURABILITY: Today�s wood floors are designed to withstand the traffic of busy families, including man�s best friend. Wood floors are extremely durable and can look beautiful for decades.

BENEFITS: You probably think a lot about whether the food you eat is safe. But how safe is the flooring surface in your home? Wood floors improve indoor air quality, which makes them a healthy option for your little one�s first steps and beyond.

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS: Wood floors are the most environmentally friendly flooring option available. Because wood floors can last for many generations, they require fewer raw materials � and produce less landfill waste � than other flooring options.

ADDED VALUE: When the time comes to buy a bigger home or to downsize, homes with wood floors sell faster and for more money than homes without them. When maintained properly, wood floors can last hundreds of years.

Laminate A-Z

3 TILE IDEAS FOR LUXURY LIVING ROOMS

Although living rooms have evolved from more formal decor, you can still inject a sense of luxury when you upgrade your living area with tile. Designing an elegant yet comfortable living space where your family can gather can be practical and grand with Marazzi tile. A mixture of stylish furnishings, your favorite�art, accessories, and the right Marazzi tile will give you a personalized room to enjoy. Here are three tile ideas for today’s luxury living rooms.

1. ELEVATE YOUR DESIGN WITH NATURAL STONE

Today’s luxury living rooms are spaces where you and your guests should always feel at home. To achieve a high-end, comfortable atmosphere without a feeling of rigidness, choose a stone-look tile that incorporates the modern feel of natural stone. For bold elegance, choose�Archaeology, a porcelain tile that features the distinctive look of travertine in a 13 x 13 size. With this stone-look tile, you’ll benefit from the easy maintenance and durability of porcelain paired with the most updated interpretation of nature’s beauty.

2. USE DARK WOOD LOOK TILE FOR A RICH LOOK

The look of dark, polished wood adds richness, texture, and warmth to your living room. Harmony comes in dark walnut tones and is just one example of a Marazzi wood look tile that works well in luxury living rooms. The rustic look of�Urban District: STX�� one of Marazzi’s most popular wood looks�� also blends beautifully to convey an air of sophistication and luxury. Our advanced three-dimensional printing technique places the texture and natural grain of wood on a porcelain tile to create a material that works perfectly in your most elegant of living spaces.

3. INCORPORATE PATTERNS AND ACCENT TILE FOR ELEGANCE

To set your luxurious living room apart, incorporate the latest Marazzi floor tile designs. Explore new shapes and sizes, such as larger-format tiles or linear planks. Our modern tile shapes and sizes go beyond the classic square style and allow you to create exciting patterns to add contemporary flair to your living room. The�Haven Point�series, for example, offers both chevron and honeycomb patterns to add�drama�to your high-end flooring designs. For a more artistic, handcrafted look, consider mixing multiple tile sizes in your living room�on both the floors and accent walls.

Today’s definition of luxurious style is changing. If you’re designing a living room, aim for understated elegance over flashy design. When selecting flooring, remember natural stone and other rich materials can elevate the look of a room.