Brighten Up Your Home!

With spring on the horizon, many of us are looking for ways to bring light and freshness into our homes. Most of us begin by addressing paint and lighting to brighten up a space. While these are excellent places to start, flooring can be one of the most important and overlooked elements to consider when looking to bring an open and bright feel in the home. Here are three ways to utilize flooring to brighten up your space! 

1. Wide AND Long Planks

In the last decade, many have sought out wide-plank flooring, believing that it will make their space appear larger. While this is true, there are other considerations to address. When it comes to wood planks or imitation wood planks, the seams are going to really impact the overall affect the flooring has on a space. More prominent seams are going to draw attention from the eye downward, creating the allusion that a room is more closed in and limited in space. Less prominent seams draw our eyes upward giving the allusion that there is more space in a room than there actually is. Homeowners that choose planks which are both wide and long, will have the fewest seams and therefore, a more open feel.  By creating the allusion of more space, your home will automatically feel more bright and airy. 

2. Low-Pile Carpet

We all love plush carpet! For spaces that we are trying to make feel more cozy and warm, soft and plush carpet is the way to go! However, sometimes homeowners may be looking to carpet a room while still giving it a bright and open feel. Low-pile carpet is the way to go here! Home offices, small bedrooms, or family dens are great places to try out low-pile carpet. Choosing a lighter tone for you low-pile carpet will also brighten up your desired area and make your space feel bigger! Plus, low-pile carpet holds onto less dirt and dust, resulting in literal freshness! 

3. Choose Balanced Colors For YOUR Space

As a rule, lighter colors will tend to make a space feel bigger! However, simply choosing white floors, walls, cabinets, etc. will not always create the fresh and bright look that many of us desire. When we visit a home that already has mostly light tones, we actually encourage them to go with a richer, textured floor. This is because we all need warm colors to ground our modern spaces and bring in fresh notes of nature. In contrast, a home that already has a fair amount of vibrance, warmth, and contrast, could likely benefit from a light or medium color on their floors. Deep tones do not always mean that a space will feel small and dark. It’s all about balance! 

As spring draws near, we hope you’ll call us if we can help give you a fresh start and brightened space! Flooring can have such a profound impact! 

Magnificent Holiday Homes

Parents will do almost anything to give their kids lasting memories. Marketers have always known this fact and much of the advertising around the holiday season focuses on emotional family connections around a plentiful table or Christmas tree. Who doesn’t love these scenes? The image of children running into the living room in their matching initialed jammies is enough to make even the Scroogiest Scrooge crack a smile. The sight of a grown man weeping as his wife surprises him with a new truck topped with a red bow on his driveway is hilarious and heartwarming. These holiday depictions are simply wonderful and also, they are designed to make the viewer believe that purchasing a product will produce a lasting memory for a loved one. So many people criticize the materialism of Christmas — believing that it is motivated by selfishness and greed. In reality, much of the materialism of the holidays comes from the earnest human desire to convey love to those we care about the most. What a wonderful prospect! What a worthy endeavor to spend our money and time on! The question is, do these marketers get it right when they tell us that certain products will give our families the ecstasy-filled holiday memories that they promise? 

    Many of us adults would do well to look back at our own childhoods to see what made us feel loved and happy during the holidays, or rather what made the holidays stressful or unhappy. Few children will likely remember their grandmother’s tablescape on Thanksgiving, but they may remember her inviting them to stand on a stool at the kitchen counter to help her peel potatoes or apples. Few children will remember the sheer number of Christmas gifts at any given year, but they may remember a particular gift that was so very sentimental to them — a gift they knew their parents worked very hard to bless them with that year. Few children have ever wished for new Christmas lights, a new tree-topper, or new Christmas stockings. Instead, it’s the familiarity of these objects that produces the nostalgia and excitement. 

For those of us who have had truly disappointing or painful holidays in the past, they likely had little to do with the sub-par quality of products and had a lot more to do with unexpected life events, relational difficulties, or feelings like loneliness or anger. All of the presents in the world could not help a child coping with their parents' divorce, for example. A man grieving the loss of of his mother may have difficulty enjoying the expensive cigar he was given in the same way he used to. In reality, the emotional outcome of the holidays is largely out of our control — a fact that marketers and corporations aren’t interested in publishing in their ad campaigns. So what makes a home magnificent during the holidays? What will matter to our children and loved ones this Thanksgiving and Christmas? 

    Likely, the best gift we can give our families is presence of mind, patience, and genuine thoughtfulness.  A child’s memory of playing with their parent on the messy Christmas floor will likely outlive the video a parent may be taking on their phone from the couch. A heartfelt letter from a husband about his love and gratitude for his wife will likely bring the tears of joy that the jewelry store promised their diamonds would produce on Christmas morning. Responding with grace and patience when a family member says something off-putting at the Thanksgiving table is an invisible gesture that is far more weighty and profound than the brass candelabra. 

    Our team at Flooring Direct Temecula is in the business of improving family homes. By that, we mean that we can install gorgeous wood flooring, we can create the walk-in shower of your dreams, and we can put plush carpet in your baby’s new nursery. However, the real improvement that happens in family homes is done by the family members that do the hard work of loving each other each day. That part of home improvement, we leave up to you. So during this holiday season, we hope that the magnificence in your home has more to do with you than with us! 

2024 Fall Trends

Every fall season, we like to get our creative juices flowing by looking into the newest cozy trends! Here are three fall decor trends that we’re seeing in 2024! 

1. Natural Materials + Whimsy

It’s fall… pumpkins, leaves, and other whimsical classics are here to stay! However, this year, you’ll see pumpkins made of wood, terra-cotta, and wool. You’ll see glass leaves, and spooky decor made chic and simple. You’ll see wreaths made of flax, fabrics, or iron. If you’d like to add some elevated pieces to your fall decor, think festive elements mixed with modern materials! Mixing in some of these more natural looking pieces with your vibrant and nostalgic gems will create the perfect balance of old and new. 

2. Subtle Oranges, Plums, and Blues

3. Faux Florals

Whether it’s Pottery Barn, West Elm, Target, or Walmart, you’ve probably been seeing these faux stems everywhere! The name of the game here is less. Capturing this look is not so much about having an entire faux bouquet like we may have done in the 90’s, but it’s about having a few tall, simple, and high-quality stems that effortlessly fall out of a vase or decorative vessel. If these faux stems are not your thing, opt for real stems from places like Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, or even your own backyard. Things like eucalyptus, rosehip, or other fall branches can be purchased fresh and they’ll last much longer than conventional flowers. 
 
 Have you seen any of these fall trends this year? Which is your favorite? This is truly the season we want our homes to be beautiful, cozy, and fresh so if we can help get your home holiday-ready, please give Flooring Direct Temecula a call!

Bring Terrazzo Tile To 2024!

Terrazzo tile took the hard-surface world by storm five or ten years ago! Terrazzo is an artistic composite made from chips of marble, glass, quartz, or other materials which creates a one-of-a-kind surface! Because of the range of aesthetic possibilities with terrazzo, we think it can be a timeless addition to any home! Here are some tips for using terrazzo!

One way to ensure that your terrazzo looks modern and fresh is to look for colors that match today's trends! Greens, browns, subtle reds, metallics, and warm whites are all colors we encourage our customers to explore in 2024! Try searching for terrazzo that has these tones within it! 

Another age-old tip for home deign is to stick with neutrals. Bold statements are important in the aesthetics of a space, but neutrals are timeless and will carry your home through all sorts of trends. Neutral terrazzo tile can bring that high-end look we all associate with boutique hotels and upscale spaces!

Being selective with the ares where you'll use this unique tile is key! Perhaps you want something more neutral for the floors throughout a home, but are looking for more visual interest in a backsplash, bathroom, or mudroom. Terrazzo will tend to look more fresh and modern when used in moderation in areas which naturally need more pizazz!

We hope these tips will give you the confidence to try out terrazzo tile in your own space! Our flooring experts have all sorts of recommendations for durable and affordable terrazzo products! Feel free to call us if you'd like more info!

A Waterproof American-MadeProduct Spotlight!

Who says patriotism ends when the 4th of July is over? Not us! Today, we are spotlighting an American-made product line that checks a lot of boxes for a lot of different customers. Here are a few things we love about Eternity Flooring's AquaFi Performance Laminate!  

1. Waterproof Technology

    Eternity Flooring's waterproof flooring is unmatched! Their AquaFii technology contains revolutionary aqua fiber composite which gives this flooring the power to deter moisture! Our customers with pools, young children, and pets especially love waterproof flooring as well as property owners and landlords! 

2. GREENGUARD Gold Certified Flooring

   A GREENGUARD Certification means that both the item and its manufacturing process were tested and reviewed by a non-profit organization for over 10,000 chemicals and VOC emissions. GREENGUARD certified products meet all industry standards for low emissions. With Eternity's Aquafi Waterproof Performance Laminate, customers can have peace of mind, knowing that their loved ones will be safe with this low-exposure flooring! 

3. Made in The USA

    Unfortunately, in our day and age, many of our goods are manufactured over-seas to keep costs low. Eternity Flooring is breaking that mold and showing that you can carry affordable American-made goods! Their AquaFi USA Waterproof Performance Laminate is a great option for those who'd like to support products that are manufactured, distributed, and sold within our country. The in-house manufacturing is part of what makes its GreenGuard certification possible! 

4. Beautiful Options! 

 For a laminate product that has so many features, there is an impressive amount of colors to choose from! With tones from ultra-cool, to warm and moody, there is truly something for everyone! Here are a few of our favorites, but click here to see all of the colors in this line! 

If you’d like to see some samples from this line in person, head to our Temecula showroom and our Flooring Direct Temecula team will be there to assist you! 

3 Ways To Bring Vintage to 2024

Let's be honest -- vintage NEVER goes out of style! Particularly in 2024, we are seeing a plethora of vintage and retro trends. Many homeowners are bringing these beloved looks into their artwork, wallpaper, and furniture, but did you know that you can achieve that retro/vintage look with your flooring as well? Here are 3 ways homeowners can use their flooring to create a nostalgic feel. 

1. Retro Penny Tile

Penny tile is a beloved classic! Neutral-toned penny tile will bring a retro vibe to a space while not clashing with more modern aesthetics. This tile can be used on floors, backsplashes, and floors. Despite it's dainty size, this tile is more durable than you think and it is an excellent addition to any areas where moisture is present! Here's an example of a penny-tile product from Dal Tile!
 

2. Distressed Hardwood

Part of the charm of hardwood floors is the lived-in feel! If you’re not lucky enough to have gorgeous antique hardwood hiding under your carpet (like we see on HGTV!), there is a way to bring this charm into your home with new wood. We recommend a rich-toned, distressed wood —This means that the wood will come built with those charming signs of weathering that warm up the look! Here's a distressed hardwood product we love! 

3. Retro Patterned Tile 

If you’re looking for a pop of color or visual interest, you might consider using a patterned tile that pulls from vintage trends. Geometric patterns, star bursts, and certain floral designs are examples of patterns that bring funky retro flare. Here's a funky geometric tile from Emser Tile, and here's a matte porcelain tile from Tile Bar!

If we can help you or a loved one feel more at-home in a space, give us a call. Transforming family homes is what we love the most! 

2024 Design Trend Predictions

Every year, we like to try our hand at predicting the new year's trends! After watching our customers and flooring manufacturers this year, we’ve come up with 5 trend predictions for 2024! 

1. Modern Western 
 

Maybe it’s because of popular shows like Yellowstone or maybe we’re having a renewed appreciation for our Western American roots, but the Western aesthetic is coming to 2024! We think we’ll see this trend in rugs, upholstery, woodwork, and art! This trend will stray away from a hokey cowboy aesthetic, but will pair western details with modern design! 

2. Brown Tones

The last design decade was practically characterized by white! Folks that still love neutrals but are looking for some warmth will utilize brown tones in 2024. We predict that we’ll be seeing paint with more brown undertones, gorgeous brown tiles, and of course brown in our wood flooring! We will also see brown couches in a fresh and modern way this year.  

3. Large Format Tile

We saw a shift to large format tiling last year, and this trend continues in 2024. The larger tiles give a luxurious look and minimize grout lines which makes cleanup a breeze! We will see this trend in bathrooms, laundry rooms, and even kitchens! 

4. Paint Colors!

More and more homeowners will be making bold choices with their paint colors this year. While most will go with tranquil and soft colors, it will still be a departure from the white walls of the last decade. Calming blues and greens will be popular choices in dining rooms, bathrooms, and offices! 

5. Real Craftsman Wood

We saw products like LVP and wood-look tile explode the last 5 years! When products like these blow up, we see the real material grow in desirability and we predict this will happen with wood flooring. Homeowners that may have not cared about having real wood will want their flooring to stand out from the rest! Though real wood carries a higher price tag than laminate or LVP, we’ll see more homeowners making the investment this year. This trend will also carry into furniture choices as homeowners pass on fake wood and opt for craftsman pieces. 

What are your thoughts on these 2024 trend predictions? Will you try your hand at any of them? If Flooring Direct Temecula can help you achieve any of your design goals this year, please give us a call or visit our Temecula showroom at your convenience! 

Long Live The Checkered Floor!

The checkered tile floor has been a staple look throughout many decades. Though it is timeless, there are particular ways it is showing up in modern home design. Here are three fresh ways you can try out checkered flooring in your own home! 
 

1. Aim for an Antique/Vintage Effect 

Choosing tiles that are meant to look aged can actually modernize the checkered trend! The ultra bold and shiny checkers can look a bit dated so some texture and imperfection can really soften the effect. This tile from Merola Tile is a great example of this antique checkered look! 

2. Consider A Softer Color Scheme

Black and white checkered floors are simply iconic, but to bring some softness and interest to your checkered floors, think outside of the box! Sage greens, light blues, and peach-toned neutrals are good places to start. These large format tiles from Bedrosians Tile are a perfect example of how a checkered floor can be both dynamic and soft at the same time.

3.  Lay The Checkers Diagonally

One of the benefits of checkered flooring is the freedom you have to design your layout. Our tip is to have your installer lay your tiles with the corners pointing with the flow of your room. The diagonal effect will elongate the room and dull the harshness that can commonly be associated with checkered floors.


What are your thoughts on checkered floors? Is there a place in your home that you would consider trying out this look? If we can assist you in any part of your flooring journey, give us a call!  

Flooring Inspired By Your Favorite Designers

  For homeowners who are still figuring out their personal design style, we love to ask them who their favorite designers are! Sometimes the designers we're drawn to have captured a look that reflects our own aesthetic tastes! Here are 5 popular designers and some flooring options we'd recommend to fans of their work. 

1. Joanna Gaines
Best known for her sensational show Fixer Upper, Joanna Gaines' design style took over the industry with her take on "modern farmhouse"! Her use of recycled materials, iron hardware features, and bright rustic spaces have created her signature Waco-based aesthetic.

If you're a fan of Joanna Gaines, we recommend a medium toned engineered wood like this one from Provenza's hardwood collection. This engineered hardwood will give you the same rustic look as traditional wood for $5.99 sq/ft instead of $11. These engineered floors have a great wear layer and can be refinished in future decades! 
 

2. Studio McGee

Taking over the Target Home section, Studio McGee has captured homeowners with her neutral colors, use of wicker and beachy woods, and modern furniture pieces. With nods to the beauty of the rustic west, many American families feel at home with her designs! 

If you're a fan of Studio McGee, we recommend a modern light-toned wood like this European White Oak from Bravada Hardwood. While this designer is a big fan of refinishing floors, we highly suggest a product like this that is treated in the factory prior to installation. It will last forever!
 

3.Property Brothers
 The Property Brothers specialize in that signature West Coast vibe that many of our California customers love! They specialize in light, bright, contemporary design. Hints of mid-century decor and pops of color bring balance and textural interest to their spaces!

If you're a fan of The Property Brothers, we recommend a bright contemporary bathroom tile with some subtle textural interest. This product from Emser Tile looks like custom hand-made artisan tile but can be purchased for under $7 sq/ft. 

4. Martha Stewart

 Martha Stewart’s aesthetic showcases elegant coastal elements with heavy inspiration from country cottage living. Fans of Pottery Barn and understated elegance love her unique style! 


For fans of Martha Stewart's style, we recommend a simple and chic tiled backsplash. Subway tile is a timeless and traditional option for kitchens, but choosing something with a bit more visual interest will emulate Stewart's signature high-end aesthetic! We love this product from Dal Tile.

5. Erin Napier 

Erin Napier and her husband have brought Mississippi beauty to America, showcasing a vibrant southern color palette, vintage accents, and cozy spaces with a lived-in feel. This care-free design is particularly popular among young families! 

If you're a fan of Erin Napier, we recommend a hand-treated hardwood like this product from Provenza's Antico collection. Napier is always looking to restore old hardwood floors, but for folks without existing hardwood, this product will give them that same antique look and finish! 

Which home designer is your personal favorite? If we can help you emulate any of your favorite styles and designs, please don't hesitate to call. We can help bring that on-screen magic into your very own home! 

Is Your Company Office Stuck In the 90's?

We recently finished a flooring update for a local company's office. The customer was looking for something that felt luxurious yet professional so they went with Timber Hickory wood from MSI. With how wonderful the finished product looked, we couldn't help but remember the less wonderful offices of the past! Take a trip with us down memory lane!

1. The 1980's
Though they may not appear fresh and fun through today's lens, offices in the 1980's were all about inspiration and modernity. Pops of color, geometric accents, and patterned carpet were popular with office design in this decade! Company's were looking to bring a bit of drama into their offices to set them apart from the competition! 


 
2. The 90's
In the 90's, some office spaces leaned towards cozy and inviting while more technology-focussed spaces focussed on neutral colors and simple design. Fake plants became quite popular in those more common office spaces along with that orange-toned wood furniture. In more technological offices, you might find a pop of color in the carpet, but the focus was on those "highly developed" computers!

3. The Early/Mid 2000's 
In the 2000's we see an emphasis on light and windows for the first time! Sleek white or black office furniture became a mark of a high-end office space, and there was a movement away from wooden office furniture. While cubicles were still popular, we began seeing less claustrophobic takes on the cubicles from decades past. 



3. The 2020's
Today's corporate offices are more communal than ever before. While higher-up employees may have their own office space, a majority of associates are often sharing a work area these days! We are also seeing an emphasis on luxury in the work place - wood floors, quartz countertops, and inviting furniture pieces are seen throughout many offices these days. We are even bringing in real plants to the workplace again to bring life and color!

Here's a peek at the local office we helped out this month.
You'll see quartz countertops in the corner, wood floors, and plenty of light! 

If you have a commercial space in need of a flooring update, we'd love to help you! Businesses are often the heart of local communities and caring for them is also a way of caring for the people they serve!