How to Choose Carpet A NEW COLOR AND STYLE CAN TRANSFORM YOUR HOME The decision has been made. You want to purchase new carpet and the time is now! Your mind is already shifting into fast forward with such issues as: Light or dark colors? Soft and velvety or tight and firm? Smooth or textured? Wall to wall or bordered? There's so much to consider. HOW WOULD A DESIGNER DESIGN MY SPACE? If a designers were to help you design your home, they'd begin with you. So you begin with you! Put yourself through an initial interview - ask what a designer would ask. THE INTERVIEW Start with the size of your family and the age of your children (if any). Are there pets? Is there the possibility for grandchildren or elderly parents moving in? Are there family members living outside your home who should be consulted? Are you doing one room, several rooms, or an entire apartment or house? Now take a hard look at how your family lives. In which rooms do you spend most your time? Is your living style relaxed or formal? Do you like everything in its place, or do you consider a casual room more comfortable? Do you entertain? Are the groups small or large> How often do the children bring friends home? There are practical matters you must consider. THE MAGIC OF COLOR You may have heard that dark colors make a room look smaller. It's true. So you should stay away from dark colors, right? Wrong! If your objective is to create a warm, cozy and sheltered look, a smaller "feel" is exactly what you want and dark, rich colors, like hunter green or burgundy, can work great. If a dark color March 2011 is what you love, and it helps you capture the mood you want, go for it! Pastels and color tints tend to enlarge a space. These colors create a restful and soothing mood. They're ideal when you want a formal, orderly and romantic tone. Strong contrasts of color are lively, exciting and energetic and can be a bold statement for your family's style of living. Color can also change the feel of a room. In rooms facing north and in cool climates, you can "warm up" the room with a warm color scheme featuring reds, yellows, oranges, peaches and apricots. In south-facing rooms and in warm climates, a room can be made to feel more comfortable by using colors such a blues, purples, greens and teals. WHICH COLOR IS FOR YOU? If you're redecorating, often and existing fabric or a cherished piece of furniture can be a starting point and can stimulate your creativity. Working around an existing piece is an excellent way to start when making your color choice. Important: It is rarely desirable to match a color exactly. More visual interest is created by blending colors. Carpet color is an emotional issue. But, with these color selection tips, you can enter a carpet retailer with more confidence! THINGS TO DO BEFORE YOUR NEW CARPET ARRIVES If painting, do this first and save some paint for touch up. Find out in advance who is moving the furniture. If it's the retailer, it's only fair that they charge a fee for the labor. Know who is removing the old carpet. Some retailers charge for this service, others don't. Check the clearance at the bottoms of doors and make sure the doors swing freely over the new carpet. If not, arrange to have the door bottoms trimmed. WHERE SHOULD I GO TO PURCHASE FLOOR COVERING? Always buy from a reputable deal- er. If in doubt, contact the Better Business Bureau. Independent dealers are a good bet. They usually have a wide selection of custom goods at their disposal, plus better-grade carpet pads and qualified installers. Many also have decorators who will come into your home to help coordinate the carpet with the rest of the decor. Independent dealers also have the product knowledge to help you match the right carpet to your particular needs. THE TOP FIVE THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW 1. Determine whether you are doing one room or several. 2. Know which colors are right for you. 3. Decide whether you want casual or formal carpeting and which type of carpet you prefer. 4. Avoid cheap carpet. It's easy to spot. 5. Buy high-quality padding. It will extend the life of your carpet. www.havredailynews.com 24