Pass On This Viral DIY Project!

Last week we came across a viral TikTok video of a DIY project that caused us some concern. In it, a woman encouraged home owners to purchase MuscleBound, a sticky tile adhesive, and to stick the tiles right onto it (without mastic) for a DIY backsplash. If you’ve been following our blog for a while, you know that we like to encourage DIY projects, as long as people are safe and informed. This DIY project however, was extremely misleading and we would not recommend this tiling method to anyone for the following reasons: 
 

1. Uneven Grout Joints 

Any experienced tile setter will tell you that achieving those straight and even grout lines takes finesse and experience! Because tile (even the Subway tile from the video) is never perfectly uniform, grout lines don’t naturally appear straight by simply stacking tile like the video insinuated. Thin set or mastic allows installers to make subtle adjustments to each tile, giving the appearance of perfection! This sticky adhesive will not allow the installer to make these slight changes. What you’ll end up seeing with this method is strange, wavy grout lines. If you look closely at the brief image this DIYer shared, you’ll see the beginnings of these wavy grout lines. Compare it with the photo below and you’ll see those straight grout lines we’re after!

2. Walls Aren’t Always Flush!

The other reason that professional tile setters use mastic is that walls and surfaces are often not flush and even. When an installer encounters uneven surfaces, they can use their mastic to cushion certain areas to help even everything out. Again, this sticky mat allows very little adjustment. 
 

3. Short Lived Success!

The beauty of tile is that it lasts and lasts…and lasts. We estimate that one of these MuscleBound backsplashes will only hold up for a handful of months. Soon, tiles will begin to crack due to natural movement, and eventually entire sections will begin falling off. For all of the time and effort it takes to tile a backsplash, we recommend making sure it lasts! Here is an unfortunate review from someone online who tried the “recommended” Musclebound method. 

4. Water and Steam Will Wear Down Backing

Tile is very popular in rooms of the home that hold moisture. The material holds up to splashes and steam if it is installed properly. With this DIY method, the only thing holding the tile to the wall is an adhesive that will eventually wear down with the presence of moisture. While it may seem like the grout she adds after will help the tile stay in place, that is not the case. Grout is not a bonding agent; It is just a filler. It will be of no help once that backing wears down.

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All in all, we don’t want any home owner spending considerable money to purchase DIY materials, only to need to call a professional to fix the job in the end. While we appreciate this woman’s tenacity and creativity, certain construction projects really do need to be done the right way!  It is important for us all to remember that influencers on social media are not always experts, and sometimes the old fashioned way is simply better!

Tips For Hosting An Unforgettable Thanksgiving!

It's early October and some of us are already excited for one of our favorite holidays; Thanksgiving! We love this holiday because it involves food, family and gratitude! However, if you're the one that will be doing the hosting this year, we know that the holiday can stir up some anxiety too. So we've compiled a list of some tips to encourage and excite you; and maybe even take away some of the stress that might be setting in this October!

1. Settle On Travel Plans Soon!

NOW is the time that family should be booking flights or setting time aside from work if they will travel over the long Thanksgiving week. So, have those conversations with loved ones as soon as possible so that you can plan your calendar, decide how many meals will need to be coordinated, and see whether you might need to take some days off of work yourself!

2. Start Tackling House Projects Now!

Most of us have cleaning and organizing projects that we want to tackle before company arrives. Perhaps we need to clean out a guest room, re-paint a bathroom, or finish some minor repairs in the home. Either way, giving yourself at least a month to complete some of these larger projects will save you from a pile-up of tasks and stress in November.

3. Simplify A Few Meals!

When visitors will be in your home for days in a row, food is a huge topic of consideration. With all of the planning and work involved in Thanksgiving dinner, give yourself a break and simplify meal plans for the days surrounding Thanksgiving! Our extended family likes to take turns preparing breakfast when we're all in the same house. You could also consider having a pizza night, or you could schedule to eat out for a meal at least once! Whatever you choose, don't be afraid to ask your family members for help! Together, the pressure of constant food preparation can be alleviated so there's more time to enjoy the quality time under one roof!

4. Consider Easy Welcome Gifts!

Make a fun "Welcome Basket" for the kiddos (or adults!) coming over! For kids, I love ordering festive Oriental Trading crafts in advance, to give the kids something to do immediately upon arrival. The Dollar store is a great place to find craft items and goodies for children too! For adults, (especially those who live out of state) we love buying inexpensive gift cards to In&Out Burger or our local coffee shops so guests can explore nearby! Welcome gifts are not about lavish gifts, but small tokens to make your guests feel loved!

5. Delegate Thanksgiving

Dinner Responsibilities! This may be our most important tip: Take your loved ones up on their offers to contribute to Thanksgiving dinner! Even for those traveling a long distance, you can delegate drinks, store-bought items, or simple side dishes like salads and simple veggie sides!

6. Plan Yourself A Break To Regroup!

Another important tip for the leader of hospitality in your home: Plan one family outing for everyone but the host during the weekend. Because our space can get messy FAST with a house full of people inside, we always plan an afternoon when one of us can stay behind to pick up, re-group, and maybe get a load of laundry done! You'd be surprised how valuable and rejuvenating just a few hours can be for the homeowner!

If you're hosting Thanksgiving this year, we hope you are able to let go of the pressure of perfectionism, and embrace the chance to love on family members in a way that brings you joy and gratitude. Flooring Direct Temecula wishes you a happy Fall and an even happier Thanksgiving!

"The greatest moments in life are not concerned with selfish achievements but rather with the things we do for the people we love and esteem." - Walt Disney

Where Did Gray Floors Come From?!

This week, we stumbled on a fantastic article in “The Atlantic” about the phenomenon of gray flooring in American homes over the last decade and a half. Having witnessed the beginning of this design trend and its gradual exit, we found a few things from the article that rang true and we wanted to pass them along.

The Influx of “House Flippers”
Over the last few decades, house flipping has grown in popularity, even with those who’ve had no prior industry experience. In recent years, as the market has become quite difficult for buyers, house flippers found ways to entice buyers to consider their properties. Isabel Fattal wrote in her article about some of the difficulties recent buyers have faced: “Housing is very expensive, and what you get for your money is worsening. Homes are old, and the buying or renting public is used to newness. If you can create a sense of newness inside these older homes, you can charge more.” She went on to explain that flippers who were looking to make a profit had to find ways to make a home look shiny and new, all while spending as little as possible. THIS is where gray floors came in!
Gray flooring, in particular, is a rather new flooring trend. Historically, homeowners have wanted more neutral and earthy tones on their floors - browns, creams, rich wood tones, etc. Gray represented something new and modern. It wasn’t that orange wood of the 90’s and early 2000’s or those overly warm tones our grandparents used in the 70’s with their shag carpets and terra-cotta. Gray represented unnatural, which at the time signified newness. Flippers were able to bring in gray tones with inexpensive laminate, tile, or carpet, and home buyers pounced! These homeowners, sometimes falsely believed that those gray tones symbolized a full renovation, which attracted them to neighborhoods and older homes that they normally wouldn’t consider. Flippers found that cool gray tones and fresh paint were keys to their success!

HGTV Targets The Working Class

We cannot overemphasize the profound effect HGTV has had on our culture in the last few decades! Though there were a few home-improvement shows before the 90’s, (“This Old House” for example) they weren’t featuring home design in the same consumeristic and accessible way that we see today. In the 2000’s, home design shows began to blow up and their job was to showcase simple and affordable ways to bring luxury to their lower middle class and middle class viewers. Brand new wood floors are not accessible to the average lower middle class family, so instead, they showcased alternatives like vinyl and laminate. Back then, imitation wood products were not as advanced as today’s products, so instead of using wood-like tones in their shows, HGTV home designers pushed gray-toned laminate and vinyl in their projects. In her article, Isabel Fattal also reminisced about the influx of “barn doors” and farmhouse decor we saw on these shows, which warned up their gray aesthetic.

It was fascinating to hear a writer’s reflections on what might be behind our cultures’s design trends and it even helped us to see our modern design trends in conversation with the past. Perhaps our return to more natural tones and materials is in response to our collective obsession with gray ten years ago! Either way, we must admit that we still see some homeowners who showcase gray tones beautifully in their spaces. There are not absolutes when it comes to personal design style, and there are certainly ways to work in gray tones that feel current and beautiful! What are you thoughts on the color gray in homes? We’d love to hear your feedback!

Renovating In The Name Of Love

More often than not, families are actually renovating their homes to better the lives of their family members -  not to simply increase the value of their homes. In the spirit of Valentine's Day, we thought we'd focus on the ways many of our customers have designed their homes with their loved ones in mind.

A Couple Finally Prioritizing Themselves
It's common for Mom and Dad to focus on perfecting the shared spaces of their home before treating the master bedroom with the attention it deserves. This selflessness is a wonderful quality and renovating major rooms in the house first makes a lot of sense. However, we love when an older couple tells us that it's finally time to rip up the old carper in their bedroom or upgrade the master bathroom into the oasis they've always dreamed of! Making the bedroom a restful and peaceful space is definitely an investment in the name of love!

A Grandchild's Happy Place
There are few loves in one's life as great as the love of grandchildren. Therefore living far away from your grandchildren can be incredibly difficult. One way we've tried to remedy this is to have frequent visits, with our kids and grandkids spending weeks at a time in our home. So what a pleasure it will be to transform an extra room  into a bedroom for our two granddaughters. We'll start with fresh paint and brand new carpet and then will happily comb through Pinterest for girly ideas, all while humming a familiar song! ". . . Rain drops on roses and whiskers on kittens, Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens. . .🎶"

A Spouse Rooting For Their Partner! 
Many of us know- Working from home can be incredibly difficult! It is so refreshing when a husband or wife is the one pushing for the renovation of their spouse's home office. One way of rooting for your partner's career or side hustle is by helping them turn their space into an inspiring place to focus on their work.  Sometimes it's as simple as installing a door and other times it might mean refreshing the flooring, paint, or office furniture. Whether it's a big or small investment, helping your partner with the function of their working space is incredibly kind! 

If we can help you tackle any hand surface needs in your home, please don't hesitate to reach out! You know us - We LOVE what we do! 

Our 2022 Flooring Trend Predictions

Each year we take a stab at some of our own design predictions for the coming year! We base these off of observations from the market at large as well as trends we've noticed from our own customer base over the past year.  We hope one or two of these trends might inspire you to branch out a bit this year and flex those design muscles in your own space!
 

1. Statement Marble

White quartz and marble have reigned supreme for the last 5-10 years and while homeowners are still loving the luxe look of stone, they’re looking for a new and fresh take. In 2022 and beyond, we predict that we’ll be seeing more creative versions of marble and quartz.  Our customers love quartz for its durability and affordability compared to marble. Plus, adding stone to a kitchen in particular is a surefire way to add value to a home!
 

2. Neutrals With A Touch Of Glam

The past few years, we’ve been moving away from sterile white minimalism and bringing natural tones back into the home. The neutral warm colors are here to stay, but in 2022, we’re bringing in luxurious metallics like brushed nickel and brass to elevate our style! So the hardwood floors or LVP you invested in a few years ago are still very much on-trend, but if you want to change it up, you might bring in some shine with unique kitchen hardware, lighting, or furniture! 

3.  Carpets With Subtle Pattern

Carpet trends move incredibly slow compared to other design elements, so there are rarely dramatic changes in the word or rugs.  However, we are seeing more widely available carpet products with very subtle patterns. Stripes and checkers are just a few examples we’ve been noticing! This is a great trend to try out in an office, nursery, or staircase - It will allow homeowners the comfort of soft carpet, but won’t leave the space feeling flat or dull. 

4. Art Deco Tile

Interesting curves and geometric shapes will be popping up in all sorts of design elements this year. Tile in our bathrooms and kitchens will draw inspiration from the Art Deco era in its colors and patterns! Backsplashes, shower walls, and even statement flooring will show off this fun trend!

5. Natural Materials

For a few years now, we’ve been seeing more and more customers value organic materials that come into their home.  In 2022, homeowners will continue to value raw natural elements - Clay, stone, real wood, wool carpets, exc. We’ll continue to see a departure from products like “wood tile” and cheaply made vinyl that gained popularity in the past. However, be prepared for an increase in price if you're set on the "real thing" when it comes to flooring! 

At the end of the day trends are supposed to be fun! There's no need to upend your entire home to keep up with that year's trend, but it is fun to bring in an eye-catching update now and again! We wish you all a wonderful year and please let us know if we can help you with any flooring updates!

Celebrity Flooring & The Future Market

A few weeks ago, we read an article about a well-known HGTV star coming out with her own line of flooring.  We were surprised as most celebrity designers tend to release home decor products such as bedding or furniture when they come out with their own designs.  However, after further thought, we realized why this made sense and why many will likely follow suit. 

Us older folks can probably remember a time when flooring choices were much more limited- It seems like we all had the same orange-toned shiny wood flooring, and stone bathroom tile. It seems that nowadays, homeowners are beginning to see their flooring as a creative expression vs. a basic necessity in the home. And with that desire to have unique beautiful flooring comes the need for a greater variety to choose from. 

 
This shift reminds us a bit of what we've seen with wallpaper in the last decade. Wallpaper has gone through fazes—Our grandparents made bolder choices with their walls that homeowners used to snicker at when touring outdated homes. Wallpaper then went through quite a dull phase from the late 80s to the early 2000's when everyone seemed to have the same basic wallpaper until it wasn't on trend to have wallpaper altogether. Then in the last 10 years, wallpaper has become arguably bolder and more unique than it’s ever been before. 

Our guess is that homeowners want to be able to share that their flooring stands out from the others! Maybe they've purchased flooring from their favorite celebrity deisgner, or they can say that their floor was made from sustainable materials, or perhaps they can show off their handmade one-of-a-kind tiles! This demand for diversity will open up the market for creatives and innovators to bring us some incredibly cool flooring designs. If we're right, it's going to be an exciting time to be in the flooring industry! 

What are your thoughts? Would you seek out flooring from your favorite interior designer or HGTV star? Or are you more inclined to stick with traditional flooring designs? Let us know!

5 Ways To Keep Your Fall Decor Chic and Tasteful

Fall is officially here and if you’re anything like our family, you can hardly wait to fill up the trunk of your car with pumpkins and squash to deck out your home. There’s no wrong way to celebrate this time of the year, but if you’re looking for a fresh and modern take on Fall decor, we thought we’d share some of our favorite ideas here! 

1. Expand Your Color Palette

When most of us think of Fall, we think… orange.  Orange tones in the home can be rich and beautiful, but too much of it can start to look a little matchy-matchy and lose that cozy, luxe feel you may want to create in your home.  Working in plum tones, navy, and blacks can really give your decor a unique and lively feel - In fact, adding in these colors will make it easier for you to transition your decor into the Christmas season!
 

2. Get Yourself A Few New Throw Blankets

We don’t all have the budget to go out and replace our furniture, our rugs, or our dishes every season.  However, a throw blanket from Home Goods, TJ Maxx, or even a thrift store (All it needs is a good wash!) can make a lovely impact in your space without breaking the bank.  The right faux fur throw can instantly elevate your room’s design and a classic plaid will never go out of style!

3. Display Natural Elements

Think literally about Fall! In the season of Autumn, things are falling off trees, the weather cools down, and the color around us begins to fade.  Bring in some of those outdoor elements in creative ways - Organize pinecones in a glass vase on your mantle, bring in some firewood and display it in a gorgeous basket, or have you kids find you some beautiful dry leaves to display in a frame.  The possibilities here are endless. 
 

4.  Get Your Carpets Cleaned! 

This might be an unexpected tip, but when Fall hits, many of us start spending more time inside - Our kids will be all over the floor working on homework, watching movies, and playing with toys.  Starting the season off with fresh carpet or rugs will make your space feel a whole lot cleaner! 
 

5. Bring In White!

So much of Fall decor is rustic, colorful, and textured!  With all of that pattern and color, your design may become muddled and messy.  Bringing in a white throw pillow, bedspread, or even white pumpkins will keep things chic and modern!  Plus, white is timeless, so you can work it into your decor all season long!
 

We hope this gave you some inspiration to lean into this season with joy and creativity! And as always, if your home needs a more permanent refresh of flooring, give us a call or request a free quote from our website anytime!

Kids Need Inviting Spaces Too!

Are your kiddos finally out of the house and back to school?Are you looking for some cool ways to motivate them academically or creatively? Well, now that they're out of the house for a bit, it might be a great time to brainstorm about these ideas.  

Perhaps you have a child that needs some extra motivation to read- We recommend some cozy pillows, soft carpet, and a new bookshelf for inspiration!  Maybe you have an over achiever who needs to prioritize some creative play and rest - We recommend reorganizing their desk to accommodate some art supplies and maybe adding a fun diffuser for relaxing oils.
 

We at Flooring Direct Temecula love helping with children's rooms and can provide you with a neutral canvas of vinyl or carpet that would only take a day to install! Then, you can continue to refresh the room accordingly! 

No matter what your child's age, have fun and let your creative juices flow. The end result could mean organization, high marks on homework, fun sleepovers, and sweeter dreams! Call us today to get started! 

"When you finally go back to your old home, you find it wasn't the old home you missed, but your childhood." - Sam Ewing

Increasing The Value Of Your Home

Will Flooring Increase The Value of Your Home?

Sure, we all want to update our homes, but for many of us, a serious cost needs to prove a solid investment for us in the long term. Based on a recent survey done by the National Association of Realtors Research group, we've narrowed down the strongest investments homeowners can make in terms of home improvement!

1. Kitchens, Kitchens, Kitchens
It's no secret that the heart of a home is the kitchen! So for buyers envisioning making their own family memories in a new home, the kitchen can easily be the make-it or break-it feature. Gorgeous marble, timeless stone, or a vibrant backsplash can turn an average kitchen into a major selling point!. In the NARR's 2019 survey,they found kitchen upgrade and complete kitchen renovation to be the top two strongest investments in overall home value! Homeowners should feel confident that even a few modern kitchen upgrades will add immense impact and value to their space!

2. Hardwood Flooring
Hardwood flooring isn't for everyone. For one thing, it's not always a budget-friendly option, and two, wood requires maintenance that many busy families aren't prepared to commit to. BUT, hardwood flooring adds timeless and beautiful character bringing instant luxury to any space. It will last through countless eras and design trends and though it may show wear & tear, buyers will look past that in ways they won't for other flooring types. Choosing the right wood for your floors could be the difference between a strong housing offer or a weak one in the future! New wood flooring ranked as the number four most popular project to attract potential buyers in the 2019 study by NARR.

Other honorable mentions from the study go to bathroom renovations and hardwood re-finishing! We hope that these findings might help on-the-fence homeowners decide if their updates are worth the cost in 2021! Specializing in hard surfaces and offering unbeatable value, Flooring Direct Temecula would love to partner with you in adding value to your home!

As always, please stop by our showroom or give us a call anytime if you'd like our help enhancing your space!

2021 Design Trends

5 Flooring Trends in 2021

Every year, our team makes our predictions for trends we'll see with flooring in the coming year! In 2020, we all spent much more time in our homes, which has naturally brought about fresh ideas and newfound creative muscles for homeowners to flex! Here are five trends we think you'll see in flooring design next year!

1. Natural Materials and Craftsmanship
Perhaps we can thank the pandemic for this design movement: We all want sturdy homes now, filled with materials that call to the beauty of the natural world! After spending much more time in our houses in 2020, we all want spaces that inspire us and give us room to breath. Thats where rich woods, strong stone, and earthy terra-cotta come in. We're going to see more homeowners willing to pay the extra price tag for these natural materials that provide character, texture, and depth to their home's design. We'll see this trend in backsplashes, floors, and beams especially!

2. New Takes on Subway Tile
The obsession with subway tile has been dwindling for the past year or two, but for folks who still love the simplicity and dimension it can add to a space, we have plenty of alternatives that won't seem outdated! Zellige tiles, also known as Moroccan tiles, are going to pop up everywhere! These gorgeous tiles are actually made of clay and are often handmade and hand-glazed, giving spaces artful design and body. Homeowners should know coming in though, that true Zellige tiles aren't uniform. No two tiles are exactly alike, which is going to lend to mismatched edges and a highly textured affect. If you're looking for the something easier to clean with more uniformity, we suggest going with a ceramic tile that's similar in finish to the Moroccan tiles, but less expensive!

3. A Return To Rich Tones and Warmth
The last few years, many of us wanted our floors to be as airy and minimal as possible. This year we are going to see more bold choices with wood, laminate, and vinyl. We're welcoming back the rich golds and browns of hardwood, and our floors are going to be the stars of our homes instead of background characters. Longer planks are here to stay, but we might see wide planks make a comeback as well!

4. Sustainable and Eco-friendly Carpets
With a growing concern for the environment and overall health, homeowners who love the feel of carpet may opt for sustainable options this year! Carpets made of recycled materials will become more and more popular, as they're giving a second life to previously used materials. We'll also see more manufacturers carrying carpets made of natural materials like wool, jute, and sisal. While many of these options may come with a higher price tag, homeowners will be pleasantly surprised to see that some non-toxic, sustainable carpet products can still be quite affordable!

5. Nostalgia & Eclectic Design
Perhaps the stressful events of 2020 are responsible for our reclaimed desire for these old and homey design elements! Elements we once disliked in our parents' or grandparents' homes , we are now welcoming into our spaces in small ways. Installing retro tiles into our bathrooms, going with a colored carpet in the office like our grandfather had, or choosing reclaimed wood from decades past are just some ways homeowners are infusing nostalgia into their homes. For folks who still love the look of shiny new floors, they may implement this design trend in their decor instead - pairing antiques with their newer design elements or moving away from mass-produced modern artwork and bringing in family heirlooms and older fine art!

We hope that these predictions sparked some inspiration for those of you looking to make some changes to your home in the new year! Please remember that the team at our Temecula showroom is here to help you generate ideas, create solutions, and work with any budget you may have! We'd love to assist you in creating the home of your dreams this year, starting with your floors!

As always, please stop by our showroom or give us a call anytime if you'd like our help enhancing your space!