01 Nov 2018

Taking Your Cabinet Design Up A Notch

Kitchen cabinets were originally designed to give the homeowner a more efficient kitchen space by creating storage options and increasing kitchen functionality. While homeowners still prefer a kitchen space with ample cabinet space for storage and functionality, many homeowners also want to create a more beautiful space with their cabinets.

While cabinet choices are nearly endless for kitchen spaces, homeowners can take their kitchen cabinet design to a new level by choosing the right cabinet millwork and hardware. Fayetteville Granite has some ideas on options that could help you create the beautiful kitchen space you desire.

Millwork traditionally refers to building design elements that were made completely out of wood. For most homeowners at the turn of the 20th century, all of the building elements of a house were made of wood. Today the term millwork can also include building elements made of other synthetic materials. In cabinetry and kitchen space design, some options include crown molding, scribes and valances. Crown molding millwork joins the top of your cabinets to the ceiling to create a smooth, elegant look. Scribes are small pieces of molding that fill in gaps between the cabinets and appliances or ceilings. Millwork valances are attached to the bottom of cabinets to hide lighting and any unfinished space.

When it comes to hardware on their cabinets, homeowners have an array of options to choose from, including hardware design and colors. Kitchens can be transformed with a simple design change in the knobs and pulls on cabinets and drawers. When considering the aesthetic you are hoping to achieve in your kitchen, do not forget the knobs and pulls. They can really make a kitchen space pop. Also consider the functionality of your cabinets and drawers by choosing high quality guides for drawers and concealed hinges for your cabinets.

Many homeowners underestimate how much their cabinets and cabinet hardware choices can contribute to the overall look of their kitchen spaces. If you are ready to take your cabinet design up a notch in your kitchen space, Fayetteville Granite would love to help! Give us a call today in Fayetteville, North Carolina at (910) 483-0468.

01 Nov 2018

Countertop Care This Holiday Season

In the United States, two of the biggest holidays for food consumption are Thanksgiving and Christmas. It is estimated that every Thanksgiving, nearly 46 million turkeys are served, and that during Christmas season, Americans drink about 122 pounds of eggnog. Meals tend to be more robust during the holidays when around 150 million people will be traveling to see family and friends all across the nation.

With so much food being prepared for family meals, it is important that holiday hosts take special care of their countertops during the holiday season. Creative Stone has a few tips on how to care for your countertops when big meals are being prepared.

Clean Up Spills Immediately. The potential for spills on your countertops is great during the holidays when so many different dishes are being prepared. It may be tempting when a spill happens to just wait until all of the food preparation is done to clean it up. Resist that temptation. It is always best to clean spills up as soon as possible to prevent any countertop damage, especially if the substance was dark in color or could stain if left to dry.

Do Not Set Hot Dishes On Countertops. As soon as a hot dish comes out of the oven or from the stove, protect your countertops by placing a trivet or heat resistant surface between the countertop and the pan.

Seal Your Countertops. It is a good practice of every homeowner that has invested in great countertops to seal your countertops periodically, or at least once a year. Sealing your countertops prevents a lot of damage to them, and ensures that they last for a very long time. You will be so glad that you took the time to do it!

Clean Your Countertops Responsibly. Most countertops made of nearly any material require a simple gentle cleanser and water to clean them. Resist the urge to use harsh countertop cleaners. When cooking with raw meat or any other food that could cause sickness or contamination, use cutting boards or a preparation surface other than your countertops.

Your countertops can survive for a long time with these simple tips for their care. The team at Creative Stone hopes you have a great holiday season, and if you are looking to invest in high quality countertops for your home, we would love to help you find the perfect choice! Give us a call at (910) 491-1225.

31 Oct 2018

Tips For Protecting Your Laminate Floors This Holiday Season

During the Thanksgiving holiday, it is estimated that nearly 51 million of Americans will travel for vacations or to be with family and friends. That number is close to double when you consider the Americans traveling for Christmas only a month later. If you are a homeowner with an investment in laminate flooring, and you are hosting family and friends this holiday season, Magnus Anderson would like to offer you some tips on how to protect your laminate flooring from the increase in home traffic and more.

Adopt a Front Door Policy For Shoes. Ask guests to kindly remove their footwear when they enter the house. This especially comes in handy when the weather is wet outside, or when guests are wearing shoes with pointy heels on them. If you are going to instill a front door policy for footwear, be sure to protect the laminate flooring near the front door by placing a towel or floor mat down to put shoes on. Keep the space dry from rain or snow.

Clean Up Spills Quickly. With a house full of guests, the chances are greater for floor spills. It is imperative that you clean up spills of food and drink quickly to prevent the possibility of stains or any other possible damage to your laminate flooring.

Seriously Consider a Tree Skirt. Many homeowners opt for real Christmas trees during the month of December. They look beautiful and they smell great. However, real Christmas trees also shed needles regularly and there is always the threat of overwatering while caring for the tree as well. A tree skirt will help to keep both tree needles and water off your laminate flooring.

Stop Damage From Your Furniture. Lots of families have had to maneuver furniture around their homes to accommodate sleeping and eating arrangements for visiting family and friends. Before you scoot furniture around your laminate floors, place felt pads under the legs to prevent any damage to your floors.

Magnus Anderson hopes you have a happy and memorable holiday season this year. If you are looking for gift ideas in the coming weeks, may we suggest the gift of new floors? We would love to help you find the best flooring options for you! Give us a call today at (910) 483-0468.

08 Oct 2018

Kitchen Remodeling Ideas For Your Home

When it comes to remodeling spaces in homes, American homeowners remodel their kitchens more than any other room. The National Association of Home Builders estimates that over eighty percent of home renovations were done in the kitchen. At Fayetteville Granite, we have spoken to countless customers over the years about their goals for renovations in their kitchen spaces. Since our expertise is in countertops, flooring, backsplashes, cabinets and sinks, we have had the opportunity to be a part of some really impressive kitchen remodeling projects.

If you are looking to start your own kitchen remodel, we have a few suggestions for taking your kitchen design to the next level. You can start with new countertops. If you are looking to upgrade from laminate countertops, you cannot go wrong with granite, quartz or marble countertops. All are high quality materials that are resilient and easy to care for. All three come in almost countless colors and designs. Match your new countertops with an upgrade to your kitchen cabinets. Switch to an open shelf design, or choose doors that are frosted or clear glass. If completely replacing the cabinets is not an option, simply paint them a new color that will pop against the color of the countertops.

If you change the color scheme of your cabinets and countertops, then you may also want to upgrade your flooring choice as well. Between laminate flooring, tile, hardwood flooring and many other choices, you will be able to find the perfect flooring solution for you that will help to create a stunning kitchen look.

Once you change out the cabinets, the countertops, and the flooring, you may want to update your appliances to create a cohesive look. The only thing left to do after all of those renovations is to change the paint color if needed.

If you are interested in getting started on your kitchen remodeling project, give Fayetteville Granite a call at (910) 483-0468. Our team of skilled professionals has helped many homeowners remodel their kitchen spaces. Our experts are ready to assist you in bringing your dream kitchen to life!

08 Oct 2018

The Importance of Sealing Granite Countertops

Granite countertops have been the most popular choice in countertops for homeowners for many years. Although there are other high quality choices on the market today for countertops, like marble and quartz, granite countertops remain the top choice. Granite countertops are so popular because they look great, are tough and are easy to care for. Granite countertops have also become more affordable over the years, helping them to become an industry standard.

Although granite countertops are resilient, they still need to be sealed every once in a while. Many homeowners will choose to seal their granite countertops every 6 months to a year. The process is not a difficult one, but it is important in order to protect the granite countertops from sustained spills or substances like oil that will permeate the granite.

Homeowners can perform a simple test to see if their granite countertops need to be sealed or not. In a small area of the counter, place a couple of drops of water. In another small area, place a couple of drops of a cooking oil. If the oil seeps into the countertop and the water does not, the granite counter needs to be sealed.

Before you apply a sealant, make sure the countertop has been clean for 24 hours. Clean the surface with a combination of gentle dishwashing liquid and vinegar in a spray bottle of room temperature water. Wait 24 hours before proceeding because it is imperative that there is no moisture present before you seal the counter.

When you apply the sealant, you will want to wear a pair of good kitchen gloves and make sure there is plenty of ventilation in the kitchen. An open window is necessary for ventilation, but if rain can get on the countertop then open windows in a room nearby. Apply the sealant from one end of the counter to the other in a circular motion and then wait the allotted time stated in the manufacturers directions before wiping the counter down with a dry, clean cloth.

Granite countertops are made to stand the test of time. With just a little effort, homeowners can keep their granite countertops looking brand new. If you are interested in granite countertops and how to take care of them, we would be glad to help you. Give Creative Stone a call at (910) 491-1225.

08 Oct 2018

How To Properly Treat Flooded Carpet

Just a couple of weeks ago, North Carolina was hit hard by Hurricane Florence. While there was a lot of structural damage done by high winds, billions of damage was caused by flooding in residential areas and business centers alike. If you are a homeowner or a home builder that was personally affected by Hurricane Florence, our hearts go out to you. We hope that you can rebuild and repair what was lost or damaged quickly and smoothly. The team at Magnus Anderson is here to help you in any way we can.

Our staff are experts in flooring. We love to find our clients the right flooring for them, whether it is wood, laminate, carpet and so much more. In today’s market, there are so many high quality options for carpet flooring. When flooding happens many homeowners wonder if they will have to discard their carpet flooring and replace it. The answer depends on a couple of factors. If the carpet flooring has been flooded for more than 24 hours then you run the risk of mold developing. Obviously, the longer the carpet has been flooded or wet, the more risk there is. It also matters what kind of water has flooded the carpet flooring. If the carpet was flooded by water that was pretty clean then there is a chance it can be saved. In the case of hurricane flooding, the flood waters could have been contaminated by sewage and it would be best to get rid of the carpet for safety purposes.

If you decide to attempt to salvage your carpet flooring, we highly recommend that you hire professionals who are skilled in cleaning carpets that have sustained a high level of water damage. They will know the best ways to dry the carpet, deep clean the carpet, and dehumidify the carpet. If you want to save the carpet, carpet professionals are your best chance.

If you decide to replace your carpet flooring, Magnus Anderson would love to help you with your choices. Give us a call today at (910) 483-0468.

22 Aug 2018

Making The Most Of Your Kitchen Cabinets

The list of kitchen cabinet choices for homeowners is growing every day. From short cabinets, tall cabinets, open cabinet design and kitchen drawers, deciding which cabinets to go with for their kitchen can be a daunting task for homeowners who are looking to update their kitchen space. While the type of cabinet is important in the design of a kitchen, there are a couple of style elements that can take a great kitchen design and bring it up to a whole new level.

For starters, every cabinet and drawer needs good hardware. Some say that drawer and cabinet hardware is like the jewelry of the kitchen. Instead of traditional knobs, more modern options for kitchen hardware are nearly endless. These include drawer pulls or knobs made in different colors and finishes, and hardware made out of nontraditional materials. Homeowners have a great opportunity with their choice of kitchen hardware to really make their kitchen space fit the aesthetic they were hoping for.

Another option for making the most out of kitchen cabinet design is to add over the counter or under the counter lighting. This accent lighting is easier than ever before to install. Some types of accent lighting for the kitchen include rope lights strategically placed under or above cabinets, small track lighting or individual battery operated lights attached to the bottom surface of the cabinets, or long tracks of lights that run the length of a set of kitchen cabinets. For homeowners who choose cabinets with open space or frosted glass panels, the accent lighting can be attached inside the exposed cabinet space so that the light comes through the cabinet space instead of above or below it.

Some homeowners will elevate their kitchen cabinets by installing a backsplash underneath the cabinets. Depending on the color of the cabinets, and the colors in the backsplash, this will add depth to their overall kitchen feel or the kitchen will feel more open and modern.

When it comes to highlighting your cabinet choices, there is no shortage of ideas. If you are considering an upgrade in your cabinets, give Fayetteville Granite a call at (910) 483-0468. We will walk you through the process, from consultation to installation.

22 Aug 2018

Saving Countertops From Common Kitchen Dangers

Kitchen spaces are arguably the most important room of a new home build when attracting home buyers. Prospective homeowners love to see an attractive kitchen designed with functionality in mind. They understand the value of a great flooring choice, modern appliances, well thought out cabinet space, and durable countertops. Once they move in though, the challenge is to maintain the value of the kitchen by properly caring for its’ elements.

Many popular countertop options today got their popularity because, not only were they attractive, but they were fairly easy to care for as well. However, whether the countertop is made out of granite, quartz, marble, butcher block, or laminate, there are certain things that will cause wear and tear on the countertop to occur.

Depending on the countertop material, the kitchen dangers will vary. However, for virtually all countertop options, promptly cleaning up any spills, especially those from dark substances like coffee or wine, will keep the countertop from becoming stained. Also, not all countertops are heat resistant, so a good practice in any kitchen is to place hot pans or dishes on pot holders or trivets instead of directly on the counter surface. Equally important for most countertop options is to only use mild soap and a non-abrasive cloth or sponge to wipe down the surface. On countertop surfaces such as butcher block, it is crucial that kitchen users keep the area sanitized. Using undiluted vinegar is a safer option then traditional kitchen cleaners and disinfectants.

A number of the common kitchen dangers that can damage countertop surfaces can be completely avoided by sealing the countertops, and then resealing them over time when necessary. In today’s market, most kitchen countertop materials are built to last a long time. By taking proper care of them, homeowners can enjoy their functionality for many years to come.

Are you looking to install new countertops? Creative Stone would love to help you find the perfect countertops for your kitchen. Give one of our knowledgeable professionals a call today at our Fayetteville, North Carolina location by dialing (910) 491-1225.

22 Aug 2018

Laminate Flooring Options For Your Home

Laminate flooring is a popular choice for many of today’s homeowners because it is affordable and it is fairly easy to care for. In today’s market, there are quite a few laminate flooring options for homeowners to choose from. Whether you are looking for a more rustic feel or you think you would like a more modern look in laminate flooring, the floor experts at Magnus Anderson in Fayetteville, North Carolina can help you find the right type of laminate flooring for your home.

When it comes to installation options for laminate flooring, the three main types are glued laminate, glueless-click and pre-glued. Of the three options, glued laminate will probably take the most time to install and could be the mostly costly. Pre-glued laminate comes with glue already on the joints that just may need to be moistened before putting together. Glueless-click laminate flooring makes up the majority of all laminate flooring on the market today. These laminate flooring pieces click into place and are easy to install, making them the most popular choice among homeowners.

The texture and style of the laminate flooring you choose will determine the aesthetic of the room or rooms that they are installed in. Popular style choices include laminate flooring that looks like real wood, ceramic tiles and even stone. When it comes to texture, homeowners can choose from laminate flooring that is smooth, embossed or hand scraped. While hand scraped laminate and embossed laminate mimics the feel of real hardwood floors, smooth laminate flooring tends to provide a clean, sleek look.

If you have decided to give laminate flooring a try in your home, Magnus Anderson is here to assist you from beginning to end. Let our knowledgeable professionals help you choose the laminate flooring that will be the perfect match for your living space. With so many options to choose from, we guarantee that you will not be disappointed with the finished product. Come visit us in our showroom at 6253 Raeford Road in Fayetteville, North Carolina or give us a call today at (910) 483-0468.

25 Jul 2018

Countertop Options For Your New Build

When constructing a new kitchen, there are many features to consider. From appliances to cabinets and flooring, all of the choices made have a big impact on the overall feel and functionality of the room. Countertops are no exception. In many ways, the countertops chosen for a kitchen construction project can make all the difference in the aesthetic of the room. In today’s market, there are many different options in countertop materials that are sure to make any homeowner happy. These options range from traditional choices like laminate and tougher materials like granite and quartz, as well as, fairly newer options like glass countertops, wood countertops or stainless steel countertops. Below are some of the options available to homebuilders.

If you are looking for a more affordable option for your countertops than most, laminate is a great way to go. Not only are laminate countertops friendly to most budgets, but the design possibilities are nearly endless. You can install laminate countertops in unique designs and colors, but also laminate countertops come in material that resembles the look of wood or quartz countertops.

If durability and ease of care are the priority, you cannot beat granite, marble or quartz countertops. The natural material is nearly indestructible and they are very easy to clean and maintain. Nowadays, pattern colors and design are more diverse as well.

Many homebuilders and contractors will choose wood countertops for the kitchen area. Wood countertops offer a rustic feel to most kitchen areas that they are installed in. Wood countertops are great for prepping food for cooking and they withstand high temperatures well. Wood countertops are also not as pricey as granite or quartz may be.

Stainless steel countertops are also great for prepping food, as easy cleanup of the steel material makes it one of the most hygienic options for countertops available to homebuilders.

Glass countertops are a fairly newer trend in kitchen countertops, but homeowners are choosing them for good reason. They are stain resistant and extremely easy to care for, and since they come in many different design options, they can fit into any design plan.

If you are looking for great countertop materials and options on how to install them, Creative Stone would be happy to help you! Come see us at our Creative Stone location in Fayetteville, North Carolina or give us a call today at (910) 491-1225.