Besides price, olefin carpets have other benefits as well. They are extremely colorfast even when subjected to direct sunlight or even chlorine bleach! This is because color is introduced into the material while it is still in a liquid state (solution dyed), prior to extrusion into fiber. Other characteristics like static and mold-resistance, make olefin carpet a valid contender for screened-in patios, basements and even recreation rooms.

Still, olefin carpets do have some challenges—of which you need to be aware. They are significantly prone to oil-based stains, which can become permanent. The fiber also has a low melting point, which means that friction from something heavy being dragged across the carpet can actually melt the fiber, causing permanent “gouges” in its face. Finally, olefin fiber is extremely subject to crushing and matting, especially in areas where you experience high traffic.

Why does this help? Well, how often do you look at your carpeting at table height? Placing a sample at the installation angle will enable you to see how the nap of a carpet or the curve of a tile looks on the floor. Color and tone can also look different with angle and distance. You want to position the sample so that you can more easily visualize the whole room.

Stand with your feet at the edge of the sample and look down, then step back a few feet and look across at the sample. This can be particularly helpful when selecting grout color for tile. Once you’ve done this with your final choices, you may very well find your decision is obvious. At the very least, you have more information for making your choice.

You can take the same approach for a kitchen or bath, although it’s a bit trickier. Get some friends to help you hold your samples at the right angles and distance from each other, then step back and look. You won’t have the whole picture, but you will be closer to it, making it easier to take those additional steps to visualizing the end result.

Recently The Water Quality Association has done a very in-depth study of the Problem of Limescale and the lose of energy efficiency and life cycles of household appliances. Their results showed a lose of Energy Efficiency and costs increases of 25%-40%, In Boilers, Hot Water Heaters, Dishwashers, Washing Machines, Faucets, Shower Heads and the like.

Their Study showed that Tankless Hot Water Heaters, that are being pushed heavily by Energy Star as Top Rated Energy Efficient Systems actually will shut down in 19 days if they are not protected against limescale buildup.

Recently The Consumers Report.Com did an article on the actual costs of a Tankless Hot Water System, and it showed that the systems must be flushed out at least once a year if not more at a standard cost of close to $350.00 per flush.

If the Tankless Hot Water System is not protected from Hard Water / Limescale Buildup,“The Manufactures Warranties are Voided”. Therefore the Consumer would have to pay out of their own pockets the cost of replacing the Heat Exchanger in the unit.

We hope this information has been helpful to you!

What’s the coolest thing you can do with your old fridge?

Old refrigerators waste energy and cost you money — especially in the summer. SRP will pick up your old working fridge, recycle it and send you $30.

Check out the latest in refrigerator art now through Aug. 23 at the Arizona Science Center. Twenty-eight local artists and celebrities teamed up to produce original art pieces that showcase the beauty of old fridges.

Visit fridge-a-thon.com for information.

Check savewithsrp.com for more money-saving offers and energy-saving advice. ]]> http://blog.arizonawholesalesupply.com/2010/07/whats-the-coolest-thing-you-can-do-with-your-old-fridge/feed/ 0 http://blog.arizonawholesalesupply.com/2010/07/making-the-right-design-choice-%e2%80%93-part-2/ http://blog.arizonawholesalesupply.com/2010/07/making-the-right-design-choice-%e2%80%93-part-2/#comments Thu, 22 Jul 2010 00:55:22 +0000 Shannonbilby http://blog.arizonawholesalesupply.com/?p=123 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.

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

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.

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