Cold Weather Flooring Options Guaranteed to Keep Your Feet Cozy!

Wake up to warm floors and wide grins with the best cold weather flooring options!

As the winter gets colder it becomes more and more important to keep your house warm and cozy. One of the best ways to ensure that your home stays warm and keeps the heat circulating is to have the appropriate cold weather flooring!

Mudrooms

The weather during the colder months can be quite unpredictable; one moment it’s sunny, the next it’s raining or snowing! It’s very important to think of your flooring during this time and the wear and tear that it may endure throughout the fall and winter months. Boots and shoes can get covered with dirt, mud, and abrasive salt and chemicals used to clear and melt snow. These substances are detrimental to many types of flooring. They can scratch floors and cause stains that are difficult to clean up. Consequently, a good option might be to create an area in your house that traps the dirt and grime: a mudroom! For more information on these types of remodels, please see our blog article all about mudrooms.

Vinyl Flooring

One of the best cold weather flooring option for your home is vinyl! Vinyl flooring is great with foot traffic and it is hard, durable and water-resistant. Not to mention it has the luxury of looking like hardwood flooring and it’s very easy to clean! The newer vinyl floor options are great for all types of weather but they are durable enough to handle a messy snowy winter.

Radiant Heat Flooring

Another great suggestion for certain areas of your home include adding in the luxury of radiant heat flooring. Imagine stepping out of your master bathroom shower and not getting cold feet! Radiant heat flooring is a great option for your master bathroom that you should consider when remodeling your bathroom. Radiant heat flooring is a luxury that you will never regret adding to your bathroom remodeling plans, especially on those cold winter mornings. No more tiptoeing across the cold tile with freezing feet!

Abbey Design Center carries all these types of flooring! We offer a wide selection of the highest quality flooring for every season, so you’ll never be without options. We have designers that can answer all of your questions and help you make the best decision for your home. Additionally, you can visit one of our two showrooms in Leesburg or Sterling to get a look and feel for every type of flooring; therefore, you’ll be 100% satisfied when you make a decision. Hurry in and make an appointment to see us!

Black stainless steel is next year’s stylish kitchen appliance theme!

Black is the new chrome! Brand new black stainless steel appliances are all the rage because they have a smudge-proof finish and make an eye-catching addition to any kitchen! Not to mention, they are also a hybrid of the popular matte black color and every homeowner’s go-to appliance style: stainless steel. Black stainless steel is fingerprint proof and is said to be a softer and warmer alternative to traditional stainless steel. These types of appliances are perfect for the more modern kitchen due to their sleek design and contemporary build!

The look and feel of black stainless steel

Black stainless steel appliances may mostly appeal to those with a more modern style taste. Nevertheless, their color and finish make them extremely versatile for any homeowner. These types of appliances provide you with creative freedom in other areas of your kitchen! For example, black is a very versatile color so these appliances can complement just about any other color, and because of their matte finish, they are neutral and stick out in the most subtle way! Adding the color black to your kitchen also provides you the opportunity to add a dash of color with your backsplash or kitchen accessories. Doing this will really add that extra pop to your kitchen!

Stay in style with Abbey!

Whatever your taste or style, Abbey Design Center can help you design an amazing kitchen that works for you and your family. We want to keep you up to date on the latest trends and adding in neutral colors to appliances is one way to add a modern touch to your redesign. Our designers are experts with many years of experience and they keep up to date on the latest trends. If black stainless appliances draw your interest, we can help you design a kitchen that works perfectly with that look.

Abbey Design Center can make your kitchen look like it belongs in a magazine! We know exactly what you need from countertops and cabinets to the best type of flooring. We are the kitchen remodeling experts, at your service! Our showrooms allow you to touch and feel the latest looks before you buy them for your own home. Tell us about your dream kitchen and let us get started on a design for you as soon as possible! Make an appointment with us today and we’ll help you design, craft and build the perfect kitchen for your home![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Keep Your House Spotless with a Mudroom!

Say goodbye to messy floors by installing a mudroom!

It’s not uncommon to have people walk around the house with their shoes on. As the seasons change and winter rolls into town, tracking snow, mud or slush becomes a real concern. Even with secluding the outside debris to your front doorway, your home can still look uninviting and be a hassle to clean every day. Thankfully, Abbey Design Center offers an alternative solution to clomping your dirty boots outside on the welcome mat: the mudroom!

What is a mudroom?

While the name might not be pretty, that doesn’t mean the room itself can’t be! A mudroom is a second entrance to your home; a small and efficient space that helps keep the house clean, organized, and free of clutter. It’s a room that not many homes have, but numerous people dream of having, as it allows for an efficient and beneficial way of keeping your house cozy and clean all year round.

Mudrooms are used for much more than dealing with grime or soot from the outside. They usually come furnished with hooks, racks, cubbies and lockers. That way, people resist the urge to throw their coats, scarves, or umbrellas scattered throughout your hallways. They are the perfect place to help keep your children’s belongings organized as well. Each child can have their own hook and cubby to keep their homework and their coats, hats and boots in an organized place so they will also always know where to find their important items when getting ready for school. Benches are a common feature as well, allowing people to take off their shoes in comfort. This also helps reduce foot traffic and outside contaminants on your flooring. Some mudrooms even function as a space to install your washer and dryer, allowing for a grander layout within the rest of your home!

Do mudrooms have other uses?

Many, actually! Mudrooms are used for much more than just dealing with grime or soot from the outside. They usually come furnished with hooks, racks, cubbies and lockers so people resist the urge to throw their coats, scarves, or umbrellas scattered throughout your hallways. Benches are a common feature as well, allowing people to take off their shoes in comfort. This also helps reduce foot traffic and outside contaminants on your flooring. Some mudrooms even function as a space to install your washer and dryer, allowing for a grander layout within the rest of your home!

Another great thing about mudrooms is that you can customize them entirely to your liking! With Abbey’s help, we’ll create the best mudroom for your home, both functional and aesthetically pleasing for your family. We offer a wide and beautiful selection of tile flooring options that would fit perfectly in your mudroom. Even better; tile is extremely durable and easy to clean! Abbey Design Center features two showrooms in Leesbrug and Sterling where you can get a feel for our professionalism and expertise before making a decision. We want to wow you the minute you walk through our doors. That way you’ll know when our remodeling process is complete, you’ll receive the exact same feeling through your own doors! Make an appointment with us today at Abbey Design Center to get started on designing a new mudroom that benefits your friends, family, and your home!

Rustic 101: A Guide For Kitchen Dream Themes

The rustic kitchen: an enchanting work of art!

What does your dream kitchen look like? Do you know the feeling you want your kitchen to evoke but aren’t sure how to put the details into words? Don’t worry; you’re not alone. Many customers come into Abbey Design Center with an idea of what they’re looking for, but can’t quite pinpoint the specifics. Whether you want a kitchen that feels like summer, spring, or something more classic, we can help! At Abbey we’ll do our best to not only deliver your dream kitchen right to your doorstep, but also provide you with explanations of the latest remodeling themes so you fully understand what style you’re seeking. Today we’ll be taking a look at the snug and pleasant rustic kitchen remodel!

The feel

A rustic kitchen feels like an endearing cabin in the woods. The theme is typically defined with words like vintage, antique, and cozy all year round! A rustic kitchen provides the comfort of a toasty fireplace right after stepping out of a biting blizzard. No other theme is quite as enchanting, and walking into your house will always feel like you’re home.

The elements

In order to fully capture the majesty of a rustic kitchen, there are a few elements to keep in mind. For starters, you’ll need wood furnishing, and lots of it! Wood cabinets, cupboards, flooring; whatever suits your fancy. If you’re looking for a rich red tone for your furniture, woods such as cherry, gum, or elm are your best bet. Rosewood and mahogany are highly valued for their ingrained patterns and gorgeous dark streaks. Just keep in mind that different woods range in price. You can pair wood finishes with warmer colors as well, like a deep cherry-crimson paint or a rich olive tone. Make sure you keep some variation in the kitchen though; swap the countertops and backsplash to a different material to break up the constant texture and add definition to the theme.

As far as furnishings go, the more age, the better! A full fireplace can be a large commitment, though. Nevertheless, we can install modern wood stoves or fireboxes as the perfect finishing touch. Old-fashioned cabinet latches also provide a rural charm to the kitchen. As far as lighting goes, barn lighting can be an enchanting source of illumination. Kitchen islands or breakfast nooks made from reclaimed wood give off a snug sort of vibe, too. Nothing quite says cozy like dining in the kitchen!

If any of these ideas sound quaint or charming to you, consider a rustic-themed kitchen! Abbey Design Center can walk you through the remodeling process and help you pick out the perfect kitchen theme for you and your family. Now when people compliment your grand kitchen remodel with a certain “je ne sais quoi”, you’ll be able to tell them exactly the word they’re looking for.

The enchanting properties of bamboo flooring!

Bamboo flooring may seem like an illusion at times. It’s actually a type of grass, while having a similar look and feel to hardwood flooring. Bamboo grass can live on for years, made from one of the fastest growing plants in the world. If you’re looking for an eco-friendly and durable flooring choice, look no further! Quality bamboo flooring is captivating, affordable, and magnificent – it’s even 160% more durable than oak hardwood floors, which are prone to nicks, scratches and water damage. If hardwood floors don’t fit your budget, just “shoot” for bamboo!

What are the benefits?

One of the main benefits of good bamboo flooring is its sturdiness, and resists expanding and contracting from temperature changes. It installs just like hardwood and can be nailed, glued and set to your liking! Another wonderful benefit of bamboo is that, if properly cared for, it ages beautifully and lasts as long as traditional hardwood floors. Bamboo is a trendy flooring option that comes in many different varieties of styles as well as colors. Being a low maintenance flooring option, all it takes is mild soap and a mop to have your floors sparkling!

At Abbey Design Center, we can help you find the perfect quality bamboo flooring for your home! Make an appointment with us today and we’ll get started on a plan to install your new bamboo flooring in your home! We would love to be your resource for any type of home remodeling, from Kitchens to Bathrooms and Basements. Abbey can handle it all with ease! We have two conveniently located showrooms where you can try before you buy! Our showrooms have beautiful displays that will show the many styles to choose from. Furthermore, our talented and experienced designers are available to help you with the decision process. We’ll be there from concept to completion.

A Fireplace Adds Toasty Comfort For Your Basement!

Add style and warmth to your basement with a fireplace!

Winter is coming! Or rather, it’s already here. Everyone is looking for different ways to stay warm and cozy. Warm up in style by adding a fireplace to your basement! A fireplace is a stylish focal point and a great addition when you are remodeling your basement. It can add that extra warmth and coziness that makes your basement the place everyone wants to gather all winter long. Whether it is wood-burning or electric, you can structure the room to make your stylish heat source the center of attention.

There are many different ways you can decorate the area:

You can add a mantle large enough to hold decorative candles.
Subtle pops of color help bring focus to the heat source.
Hanging an attention-grabbing picture above it can provide elegance to the room and conversation for your guests.
You could even mount a television a few feet above it to ensure that the heat source will be the focal point of the room.

Accessories aside, another unique way to draw attention to your fireplace is to build and design around it! For example, floor-to-ceiling stone can completely alter the dynamic of a living space, adding a grand element to the heat source. However you decide to decorate and embellish your basement is completely up to your own personal style. Call us at Abbey Design Center and we’ll help you build and design the fireplace you’ve always longed for. We’ll bring luxury and warmth to your remodeling project that will make you never want to leave your new space!

With Abbey Design Center, installing a fireplace in your basement couldn’t be any easier and stress-free! Make an appointment with us today and we’ll get started on a plan to add and install a new fireplace to your basement remodel!

Discover The Best Backsplash Options For Your Kitchen!

Choosing the best tile backsplash for your kitchen:

A backsplash is the section of wall behind a kitchen sink or kitchen counter. They help protect your walls from grease stains and cooking oil, and also look fabulous doing so! A tile backsplash adds just the right amount of style to a kitchen. Your kitchen’s tile backsplash acts as a focal point in the room, catching the attention of any guest. Most people tend to lean towards tile as the material for backslashes. It’s easily adapted for different styles, fits most budgets, and also offers a wider range materials to use. Nevertheless, you may be wondering what sort of tiles are in, or a best fit for your home. So without further ado, Abbey Design Center presents some of the best and most popular types of tile backsplashes available!

Tile Backsplash Options:

Laser-cut tile backsplash

These clean-cut tiles are both elegant and made with precious materials. These tiles form intricate patterns and shapes, resulting in a visually stunning puzzle. Laser-cut tiles can be one of the more unique designs to choose from, in addition to showcasing your own creativity and preference. Nevertheless, their price reflects their intricacy, especially when made with materials such as gold or silver-backed glass.

Herringbone

This type of backsplash zigzags into a beautiful pattern, adding lots of texture while keeping installation simple. Herringbone transforms the perception of any space to make it look larger than it actually is. Perfect if you want to give your kitchen that regal finishing touch!

Diagonal tile backsplash

Take a checkerboard pattern and turn it on its side! Diagonal tile backsplashes add subtle dimension and interest to the design of the room. A bit more work is required due to the additional cuts on the top and bottom, as well as the 10% extra material needed to make it work. Although the cost may be higher than other tile options, the results are stunning, and makes the investment well worth it!

Custom mosaic tile backsplash

Do you feel like the designs in the books you’ve been looking through aren’t the right fit for your kitchen? Or you do you just want something that no one else has? Consider custom mosaic tiles to add some artwork to your kitchen. You can have an artist, designer or anyone you wish draw up the design. Then, watch your masterpiece come to life!

How Abbey can help you:

At Abbey Design Center, we make the process of choosing the right tile backsplash for your kitchen easy for you! We can have your kitchen looking stylish and modern with the tile backsplash of your dreams in no time. Make an appointment with us today and get started on your new tile backsplash for your kitchen!

Space Optimization – The Kitchen Triangle

Are you having trouble with the spacing of your kitchen? Can you not prepare food efficiently? Space Optimization is crucial to a kitchen that can be navigated through well without too much hassle. Believe it or not there is a formula to your kitchen space! It is called the work triangle. The work triangle consists of three main areas: the food storage area, cleanup, and cooking areas. If these three areas are properly spaced in your kitchen it will make it easier to navigate around your kitchen.

The Work Triangle

It is important that there is an imaginary triangle with direct lines pointing at these three areas of the kitchen. One rule to the triangle is that the total length should be about 26 feet or less. No single leg should be shorter than four feet or longer than 12 feet. The triangle legs should be located near the island or the countertop where you plan to make the food in the kitchen. This makes it so you can grab the food from the storage area, quickly turn around and set it on your preparation area, and then once finished cooking, clean up the area. The triangle should be close to the countertop, but at least a foot away, to make sure that it does not interrupt the flow of the kitchen and to make sure it does not harm the design of the kitchen.

This triangle has rules to it, but they are important, and will significantly enhance your experience in the kitchen. Space optimization is very crucial to your kitchen! Let Abbey Design Center help you either build, or remodel your kitchen. Our representatives are experts in this subject. Call today to set your appointment, one of our representatives will visit your house and give you an idea of how your kitchen will look with your new triangle.

From Outdated To Updated; It’s Time To Remodel Your Kitchen

Here are some old styles that mean it’s time for you to update!

Is it time for a change? Remember your grandparents’ colorful kitchen decor. Old styles used to be in, but the times are always changing and so are the styles. It’s out with the old and in with the new. Don’t get stuck in the past.

Rustic is out and modern is in. Wood paneling is being replaced by sleek, modern styles such as whites and grays. Ceiling fans are being updated to chrome, matte colors. Cabinets are being refurbished from darkened wood to painted white.

1970s:

Older homes tend to have smaller kitchens with dark wood cabinets and formica countertops that have seen their fair share of meals. Usually, the kitchen shape doesn’t work for the functionality of the home and looks outdated. Flooring in a 1970s style kitchen is normally a deep yellow or brown, which looks stained.

1980s:

The 1980s kitchens got brighter and chicer with cooking shows becoming the new trend on television, homes upgraded their appliances and brightened up their kitchens with light colored cabinets. During this time the trend of larger countertop space for food preparation erupted within the home. The 1980s is also notorious for everything being in color, so kitchens often reflected this with pinks, purples, yellows and blues gracing the kitchen one way or another.

1990s:

The 90’s was the beginning of the granite countertop trend. Homes became bigger and so did the kitchens. Decorative lamps and suspended bar-like lights became the focus for lighting. Cabinets went back to the wooden style, but a much lighter wood this time. Colors also calmed down to neutrals such as light brows, whites and grays. Gone are the crazy colors of the 1980s.

Today’s Kitchens:

Today, kitchens are twice the size of what they were in the 1920s. The kitchen has become the heart of the home–a space to not only dine but to relax and entertain guests. Kitchens have incorporated eating spaces with kitchen islands and dining areas with the open concept style. Styles are much more modern with neutral colors, and appliances have become the real focal point, the bigger the better!

Bring All The Stops Right In Your Basement!

One look at our home theater design and you’ll never leave!

Are you tired of going to the movie theater every Friday night? Well we have a solution for you! Let our designers make a cozy home theater design for you. With our design team we can have a theater up and running for you to enjoy with your family. These theaters can be used for a variety of things, not just films. Football games for the upcoming NFL season, video games, or even television shows. The theater will be great for everyone in the family.

The Bells and Whistles

These home theaters can be set up in multiple different ways, either a full length couch or more of a classic movie theater look with single seats. It is all up to the customers preference, let us work for you and show you the best options.

The television, and the seating is not the only thing that will be movie theater quality. The surround sound speakers will enhance any movie. Let Abbey Design Center’s design team make a visit to your home to give you an estimate and a good idea of where the theater can fit into your home. Our designers will teach you about how we can incorporate a theater into your home. Each home is very different and it is our job to make a theater room that fits well with your home. The size of the screen, the types of speakers, and the seating are all things that go into making a room that is right for you.

At Abbey Design Center we have a team that can come to your house and set you and your family up with the theater of your dreams. Movies transport you into another world, so make sure you have a theater that will take you there. Make that dream theater a reality and contact Abbey today.