3 Carpet Do’s and Don’ts

Mulling over whether to install carpet in your home? Flooring is an important investment, so take the time to do your research. Brook Brown, Vice President of STAINMASTER shares a few helpful tips before you decide.

• Durability and maintenance: Not all carpets are made the same, and you have to do your homework on its maintenance and durability. Carpet stains are the last thing you want to deal with, so find out what kind of stain protection a carpet may have and how long you can expect it to last. “What makes STAINMASTER so different is the proprietary research and technology behind its nylon 66 fiber (one of the most durable fibers used in flooring), and that’s also what’s behind its best-inclass warranty,” Brook says.

• Quality and professional installation: Find a durable carpet that’s going to stand up to daily wear and tear from your pets and kids, and hire a professional installer. “You can buy the best carpet you can find, but if it is not installed correctly, it can have costly consequences,” says Brook. “You get what you pay for with flooring. It’s the thing you come into contact with more than anything else in your own home— reconsider skimping on it.”

• Your unique flooring needs: While carpet can work for almost any space, from main living areas, stairs and hallways to bedrooms and closets, other factors such as owning pets or whether anyone in your family has allergies come into play. Products like STAINMASTER® PetProtect, which resists pet hair and reduces odors, and STAINMASTER® LiveWell™, which fights dust and allergen particles, and resists stains, are good choices. “It’s all about the homeowner understanding what is right for them,” says Brook.

HOTEL FEEL. Layers of soft textiles and colors such as the denim-look bedding create a relaxed, boutique hotel feel.

|TOP LEFT| ADDING HEIGHT. In one guest bedroom, a pink feature wall was fashioned using vertical trim from Woodgrain for a more formal look.

|TOP RIGHT| PRETTY IN PINK. The downstairs powder room features pink diamond tiles with a glazed terracotta style from Crossville Inc., which makes a big statement in this tiny space.

GLAMMED OUT. Terracotta-style and stone-colored tiles from Crossville Studios create a diagonal stripe for a modern spin on traditional flooring in the upstairs bath. Industrial vanity lights from Golden Lighting add a modern edge. The sleek vanity and faucets are by Signature Hardware. White diamond tiles create a chevron pattern in the shower (reflected in mirror).

|TOP| KID FRIENDLY. Custom double bunk beds in the bunk room are kid-friendly, but can be used for adult guests as well. Lamps from Golden Lighting are installed bedside and the modern STAINMASTER carpet used in all of the upstairs bedrooms adds texture.

|BOTTOM LEFT| BASKETWEAVE PLEASE. Imitation wood tile in a mosaic basketweave pattern and porcelain slab shower wall from Crossville Inc., brassy pendants from Golden Lighting and coordinating vanity mirrors, shower fixtures and faucets from Signature Hardware give the master bath an elegant, modern-rustic spa feel.

|BOTTOM RIGHT| NEUTRAL AND NATURAL. “The matte finishes of the Golden Lighting wall sconces play really well against the Cherokee Brick [in this guest bedroom]. With a neutral palette, you can play a lot with natural textures,” Rachel says.