When you’re choosing flooring, narrowing down your choices and making the final decisions can be a real challenge. If you’re concerned about handling this process, let us provide you with a couple of steps to make deciding easier for you.

Studies show that people find it much more difficult to choose from among 30 choices than five or six. If you’re looking at more than six or eight options and it’s hard for you to narrow them down, you can use this next approach to trick your mind into looking at fewer options at a time. Take your final selections and separate them into sets of two. Then, looking only at one set a time; choose one of the two to keep in your stack. Have your salesperson run off with the other ones before you start second-guessing. By the time you finish, you will have cut the options you’re considering in half. Repeat as necessary until you only have three or four choices left.

If you’ve narrowed down your choices and are still having trouble, it’s time to try decision tactic number two – reverse decision making. Instead of picking the one you want, eliminate the one, or two, or three you don’t want. Of your final choices, one of them will stand out as the one you can’t eliminate. That’s your best choice.

Remember, all of your selections will look beautiful in your home. Don’t think of this as a source for stress but an opportunity for fun.

For part 1 this series, click here.

Are you in the middle of making design decisions for your new or newly-renovated home and finding the process overwhelming? The wealth of choices available to us today creates challenges as well as opportunities. Let’s look at a couple of techniques to help you determine what you really want, whether you’re talking about flooring, countertops, or any other option.

It helps to make some decisions before you walk into our showroom. When you go to buy clothes, it’s easier to start when you know you need a sweater and you can head right to your size. Have you decided on the type of flooring? Consider your family’s needs and your budget, and if possible make this choice before you start shopping. Then, you have more definition and purpose when you start your selection process. You can start the process by browsing out product catalogs, here. (there’s a product catalog for each category)

Don’t allow yourself to get distracted from your goals. Flooring displays are inviting, and you may find yourself wavering from your decision. At that point, ask yourself whether this is a reasonable opportunity to consider another option. If so, talk to your salesperson about your choice, and whether the other option is a viable one for you. Draw on our expertise to help you narrow your choices.

Remember, no matter how much you love everything in our showroom, you can’t take it all home! Make your broad choices and stay focused. Your decision process will become fun rather than frustrating.

We are here to help, all you have to do is ask!

Another customer was nice enough to share their experience about a recent project. We always love these types of testimonials because you don’t have to take our word for it, you can read for yourself how another person like you feels about a particular product! Please read below:

Dear Martha,

By the way, we really like all of our new KitchenAid appliances.  The only thing we don’t like is the ice dispenser on the frig is a quite noisy; but other than that they are all wonderful!  And, I must say – we went from a deep frig to a counter depth frig, and the configuration of the freezer really allows us more storage than we had before.  We really don’t notice any much difference in the frig side and the door storage is very accommodating.

The double oven cook SO evenly, and having the programmable features has been awesome.  Now, when we have the family over, I can prepare something ahead of time, put it in the oven and set the temperature – cook time – and stop time, and it is ready when everything else is.  The smooth glass on the oven door is SO much better for cleaning up any spatters.

And, I must say, you were so right about the dishwasher.  Although you do have to get used to the fact that ALL ‘energy efficient’ dishwashers run for a much longer time; the dishwasher cleans very well, and we use the utensil rack at the top all the time, as well as the adjustable top rack.  It is so much more ‘user friendly’ than any other dishwasher we have ever had.

Sorry ~ don’t mean to go on and on – but we are so happy with all of these appliances!

Thanks,

Gerry & Diane, Glendale, AZ

Have you ever seen the HGTV program “Design Star?” The home improvement and decorating channel has its own reality show, and 12 designers compete for their own program on the network. The first challenge faced by the new batch of contestants last week involved decorating a bedroom to match the style of another designer in the group. Some variation of this “white box” challenge occurs in every season of the program.

After watching, it made sense that a white box approach could make flooring decisions so much easier. This doesn’t mean that you should paint your room white, but removing distractions and other style elements may make the basics of the room clearer.

Grab a box and pull the accessories out of the room. Without those smaller elements, the space will be easier to read. Now grab the light chairs and tables and remove them. Finally, if there is any furniture or window treatments that you plan to replace, cover the furniture with white sheets and remove or cover the drapes.

Step back and take a look. This is your room pulled back to your own white box. Pull out your samples and lay them in the middle of the room. Do you have any magazine photos of floors you’ve been considering? Cover the furniture in the photo with your hand and hold the page up to look at as you walk around the room. If you don’t have flooring samples or pictures at home, take a number of photos of the space to bring with you when you look at flooring.

You’ve brought your room down to its bones, and the right flooring should be a much easier decision. And here’s the good news, your room is now half ready for the installation!

Understanding Color: Warm vs. Cool Colors

Often decorators will mention that a particular color is warm or cool. This can be confusing, particularly for those of us who haven’t taken art since primary school. Understanding the difference and meaning of warm vs. cool colors can be a helpful addition to your bag of tools when you are making decorating decisions. The good news is that this concept is easy to learn and apply.

Warm colors are called that because they are the colors of a sunny day. Yellows and oranges, as well as affiliated colors such as orange-reds, yellow-greens, and browns, constitute the easiest to spot warm colors. Cool colors reflect a rainy or foggy day. Blues, purples, turquoises, and some blue-toned reds and pinks make up the cool collection. Colors can vary in their warmth and coolness, so don’t expect to recognize every color as warm or cool right away. If you’re not sure, compare it with others in the space.

Warm and cool colors from a decorating sense behave very differently. Warm colors seem to approach you. They are inviting and energizing. Cool colors are distant, and create a sense of serenity. Because of their characteristics, warm colors work well in dining rooms or areas where conversation and energy are valued. Cool colors are effective in bedrooms, where the goal is to relax and fall asleep.

Most rooms have both warm and cool colors in various combinations. Rooms that are all one or another can be uncomfortable, although you may not be able to determine why. Cool colors keep a warm room more under control, and even a few warm color elements, with their relatively strong visual impact; help a cool room seem more welcoming.

If you’re planning to make some color changes, factor the balance of cool vs. warm colors you want in each room. Experiment by removing a number of warm or cool pieces from a room, to see how it affects the feeling of the space. By factoring in the level of warm and cool color elements in your home, you may be surprised to discover how much more effectively you can capture the feeling you want in each room.

Exclusive Invitation from iSearchDecor and Arizona Wholesale Supply

Host: iSearchDecor and Arizona Wholesale Supply Company

Location: Arizona Wholesale Supply Company

15125 N. Hayden Rd., Suite 117

Scottsdale, AZ 85269 US

When: Wednesday, June 23, 6:00PM to 8:00PM

Phone: 480-619-5505

iSearchDecor and Arizona Wholesale Supply Company cordially invite you to an exclusive networking opportunity to Mix and Mingle with fellow industry leaders and experts.

Learn about iSearchDecor and our exclusive network of locally-owned home decor business partners.

Browse through the extensive and breathtaking Arizona Wholesale Supply showroom and view premier kitchen appliances, flooring, and more!

iSearchDecor will be announcing a new synergistic business initiative exclusively available to iSearchDecor Affiliates who are realtors, interior designers, home décor merchants or service providers targeting new home buyers.

Enjoy Appetizers and the exclusive Hidden Gem Martini Bar!

Please RSVP by June 18

Join us for the Dacor Lunch and Learn

Date:
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Time:
11:30 to 1:00pm
Location:
Arizona Wholesale Supply – Scottsdale
15125 N. Hayden Road Suite 117
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
Please RSVP to Michelle Von Tersch:
michellev@awsco.net or 480.596.0092

Introducing the 2010 Sub-Zero Dream Kitchen Contest!

Inspire. Create. Win.

Get Inspired from photos of award-winning kitchens to new outdoor kitchens, find your kitchen inspiration.

Start planning your Dream Kitchen with the help of tools on the Sub Zero Site.

Then, you can WIN your Sub Zero Dream Kitchen!

For more information: http://www.subzero.com/dreamkitchen