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A Night at the Gala

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Recently, a group from our ICC family was honored to attend the Carmel Gala, an event to raise awareness and funds for the Carmel Youth Assistance Program.  This program is close to our hearts that helps children and families to connect with and afford a multitude of services.  We believe the best way to inspire the future is to help those around us today.  

We want to send out a big thank you to our employees who took the time to attend this event, hang out with one another, and to celebrate this amazing cause in our community!  Our group at ICC is amazing!

Choosing the Right Hardwood Flooring for Your Home

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Photo: Armstrong Prime Harvest Maple Solid

When updating the flooring in your home, it is best to choose a material that will not only make the space beautiful but also be an attractive option that will appeal to future buyers in the event of a resale.  One of the most timeless flooring choices available is hardwood.  It gives any home a natural look that will never go out of style.  Trends will come and go, but home-seekers will always love the look that hardwood brings.

 

Hardwood flooring is available in solid or engineered form. Solid hardwood is made entirely of a single piece of refinished wood whereas engineered hardwood has a solid wood core with a hardwood veneer on the surface. Both have their benefits, so it depends on which area of the home you wish to install this type of flooring.

 

Solid hardwood has the benefit of being able to be sanded down and refinished if you ever want to change its look. Engineered hardwood is a great choice for easy installation. Solid hardwood performs well in low moisture areas while engineered hardwood can withstand a little more wear and tear because of the way it is constructed.

 

Once you’ve decided which type of hardwood installation you want to use for your home, it’s time to choose your material. Here are a few great suggestions:

 

Red Oak: A popular choice for its durability and longevity, it’s unique grain pattern and bright color gives the room character while working well with traditional decor.

 

White Oak: White Oak has more subtle, golden tones, but it is harder on the Janka scale than it’s red counterpart.  It is also better at absorbing stain color.

 

Black Walnut: This is a darker wood for a more exotic or dramatic look in your home. It is very durable as well as shock resistant.

 

Hickory: This choice in flooring has the largest amount of color variations. Installing wider planks will bring out its beauty and distinct look.

 

Maple: A durable choice in flooring with a light color, some boards can vary from straight, uniform lines to distinctive “birdseye” patterns in the grain.

 

Cherry: It’s rich, reddish-brown hue adds warmth to a room while it’s uniform, straight grain provides continuity in a room’s design.

How to Decorate Like a Designer

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Designers and decorators have certain methods and tricks to make an interior look complete. Read on to find out what how to make your interior look like a designer came in and styled your space.

Start at the bottom.  The floor of a room is the foundation for any design.  Updating the floor in a room can be the first step in a magical transformation.  The type of floor in your space will flavor any subsequent décor, so choose wisely.  Hardwood floors lend a classic or formal structure to your room, while carpet creates a soft, comforting atmosphere.

Lighting is important. Multiple light sources in a room are a must. It is important to have a ceiling fixture. Lighting that is wired in should be on a dimmer if possible. This allows for appropriate lighting control during day or night. Accent lighting is also important. Table lamps, floor lamps, wall sconces and under cabinet lighting are all considered accent lighting.

Authentic artwork adds character to a room. Not all art needs to be original, but adding an original can help make the space unique. Sculptural pieces are also a way to add character to any space.

Accent with some black. All rooms need a little black. This color is a way to outline or highlight furnishings. Black can create a contrast between any other color. An easy way to add black is by selecting black frames for art. You can also incorporate a black by adding floating black shelves, or a black bookshelf.

Draperies really polish off an interior. They add the finishing touches all rooms with windows need. Window treatments are important. An undressed window looks naked and unfinished. Floor to ceiling draperies adds a designer look. Make sure that the main living space in your home has window treatments.

Every room should have something unique in it. That can be an antique or a flea market find. This could also be a unique planter, housing a dominant plant in the room. One of a kind or unexpected items gives a space a sense of identity.

A coat of paint can do wonders for a room. There is something special about painting a room. Builder’s white is so generic. Painting a room gives the space a sense of identity and can really help tie in the color scheme. The wall color can be subtle or bold; it will make a world of difference if it has a coat of paint selected just for your space.

Do as many things in this read as you can. If possible try and accomplish them all. Your room will thank you for it!

Natural Inspiration

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Vast open spaces are perfect for creating a coastal-inspired space. It emulates the wide open spaces of beaches and open waters of the ocean. When there are ample windows, like in this room, there is no feeling of separation between nature and structure.

Extending the wood floors up the wall further unifies this space. It creates a focal point and creates a pleasant contrast between the wood paneling and the white fireplace. Notice that the paneling is extended to the ceiling. This creates a feeling of being enveloped by the space. There is a further sense of bringing nature indoors.

The use of green accents works well with the blue of the ocean. Green pops of color on the pillows and the palm contrast nicely with the natural surroundings and textiles. Black casings on the windows provide a bit of an architectural detail with the use of clean lines. It also breaks up the vast ocean and creates a pleasing design on the floor to ceilings windows.

Minimalist design plays up the natural surroundings and makes this space calm and relaxing. All of the clean lines work well together. There is plenty of natural light and open space. Natural elements can really be enjoyed here. There is no need for an excess of accessories or artwork. The natural surroundings are acting as a majestic work of art alone. Other pieces are not needed.

Notice the firebox is extended to the edge of the hearth. This falls right in rhythm with the natural horizon line, created by the ocean. Elongating this feature makes the design look like it is floating. This design creates a pleasing focal point for this minimalist contemporary space.

When you have a home in the middle of nature, the best thing to do is accentuate its natural beauty. There is less need for material things to fulfill the interior’s potential. Highlight the views outside whenever there is a pleasing view! Showing off an interesting backdrop will enhance the interior immensely. 

How to Remove Easter Egg Dye from Carpet

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Spring is here and with the flowers and fresh air comes Easter.  Dying Easter eggs is a fun-filled traditional activity to share with children. However, it can be stressful when that colorful dye reaches your carpet. Have no fear, we have a recipe to remove dye stains from carpet!

As soon as you realize a spill has occurred, it is important to act! The longer a stain goes untreated, the harder it is to remove. Use paper towels or a clean rag to absorb as much of the dye as possible. Blot the stain, do not rub it.

It is important to follow the measurements for the ingredients below.  Heavier concentrations of cleaners will not help, but could have negative outcomes for your carpet! Mix as directed.

To clean a dye stain that has just happened, it is best to use the soap and water route.

Mix 1 teaspoon of clear (fragrance-free and dye-free) dish detergent per one cup of luke warm water. Rinse with lukewarm water. The area may need to be rinsed several times. If the area is not rinsed properly it can cause dirt to stick to the fibers; which will cause rapid spoiling.

For tougher stains, rather than use the mix above, try this ammonia-based solution. Mix one tablespoon of ammonia per one cup of water. Test this in an inconspicuous area first, as ammonia can cause a color change to the carpet.

Have you found this advice helpful but need guidance on even more types of stains?  We have a large reference on our website for Floor Care and Stains.  If you can’t find the help you need on our site, please feel free to contact us or come into one of our locations!  We are always happy to help.

Pulling Inspiration from European Kitchen Design

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Redesigning your kitchen is quite the task and there are multiple style options to choose from. There may be a common theme that runs through your neighborhood which might tempt you to stick with what you know, but why not try something new? Using popular European kitchen design can help set your home apart from the rest while giving the room a much-needed update. 

 

The style most closely resembled in these types of kitchen designs is known as the modern look. While minimalistic in appearance, this format is meant to keep surfaces looking clean while using cabinetry and other storage ideas to create a high-functioning space.   European kitchens tend to be smaller in size so using this format is popular as it is an easier way to keep the room less cluttered.

 

Busy-looking wall decor and shelf figurines are unnecessary. Less is more when it comes to this design.  If the room is on the smaller side, the minimal decorations will help enhance the space, while using lighter colors for your cabinetry or flooring will help even further.  Having a contrast between a dark and light material will also make the space even more striking when balanced properly.

 

Modern kitchens tend to utilize more synthetic materials like concrete, plastic and glass which can give the room a cold feeling. This is counter-acted by implemented a few natural elements into the layout to soften it up a bit.  A natural wooden serving tray or hanging potted herbs can give your kitchen an earthier look. Cabinets can also have a natural wood front while the siding and back remain synthetic.  Get creative and mix things up!

 

Consider the items you own and the most convenient way to access them. Use this in your design to customize storage drawers and utensil holders. Pots and pans can have roll-out shelves installed in their appropriate space to save you from having to pull everything out to reach them. Knife blocks, cutting boards and assorted ladles and spatulas will all have their designated space. All you need is a little inspiration and organization to make your European kitchen design happen!