It’s getting closer to summertime, and many of us are dreaming of blue oceans and sandy beaches. While we can’t always make it to the beach, we can bring summery, coastal vibes into our homes by incorporating an Old World, Mediterranean style.

Mediterranean décor consists of bright colors mixed with Old World elements. It’s basically the opposite of modern, with lots of textures, colors, and curved shapes. The general color scheme for this look utilizes Terra cotta, turquoise, rust, and yellow all contrasted by bright, clean whites. You can find many elements of Mediterranean décor in tiles like terra cotta, hand-painted, aged, and Moroccan tile. While some may think these materials can be expensive and hard to find, we have several products that offer the perfect match.
 
Tesoro’s Grunge Oxid, Cuba mix, and Havana series of tile make a great combo for backsplashes or even accent walls that exude Old World charm. In addition, Mannington’s Deco Steel luxury vinyl is a beautiful option for kitchen or bathroom floors to give a space the look of unique, hand-painted tiles at a fraction of the cost. Aged or distressed wood also plays a part in Mediterranean design. A flooring like All South Floor’s Gulf Coast Driftwood is an excellent option for an aged wood-look to give your space an open flow and balance out high-patterned tiles. Finish off your look with European style accessories, and don’t forget to throw in some wrought iron.

These floorings and tile offer just one example of how to achieve a Mediterranean look in your home. Keeping these design principles in mind, you can explore other options in our showroom or on our website at shopabbey.com that work together to achieve your desired look.

At Ted’s Abbey Carpet & Floor, we’re more than just floors. In addition to building and installing showers, backsplashes, and tubs, we also install granite countertops. Just like new flooring and tile, granite countertops are a great investment that adds value to your home. Granite is a beautiful and strong natural stone that’s popular in areas like kitchens, baths, bars, etc. We offer a good selection of top quality granite, installed by professionals.
 
Today we have the privilege of talking with long-time customer, Sherry Ward, about her experience with granite countertops from Abbey.
 
What did you think of the selection of granite countertops at Ted’s Abbey Carpet & Floor?
 
"They had just what I needed. I love the granite I picked, and my sales person even helped me to match it to my décor in the kitchen.”
 
Was your installation timely and professional?
 
“Yes, the installers were great, and they finished my very large kitchen in less than a day.”
 
Would you choose Ted’s Abbey Carpet & Floor again for counter tops or other home projects?
 
“Yes, I’ve been very impressed and happy with all the work I’ve had done by them.”
 
At Ted’s Abbey Carpet and Floor, we treat our customers like family and want you to trust us for your next project. Whether it’s floors, baths, kitchens, etc., stop by to see how we can help you, or call us today to schedule a free estimate. 256.231.0008. 

Open floor plans continue to remain a popular interior design element. They allow for a seamless flow throughout a home and lend themselves well to a feeling of unity, conversation, and fellowship with family and friends. Whether you have a home with a large, open space or a smaller home that is cozier, the right use of flooring can open up your design.
 
One way to achieve this is by installing the same flooring throughout your space. For some, this may seem unusual because we are often accustomed to tile in the kitchen and bath, hardwood in the living room and hall, and carpet in the bedrooms. Good flooring choices to take throughout the whole house are LVT (luxury vinyl tile or plank), WPC (wood polymer composite), and sheet vinyl. These flooring choices, depending on brand, are either waterproof or water resistant and very durable, making it possible for them to be installed anywhere in the home. Each of these products are also able to be installed without transitions, thus creating a continuous flow. In addition, these products all come in wood or tile looks, perfect for whatever design you’re going for.
 
Tile is also an excellent flooring choice that can literally be installed anywhere in your home. Today’s gorgeous, stylish wood-look varieties go with any décor from rustic to modern. The options are pretty much endless with tile, whether you’re looking for a natural stone look, classic design, or something sleek and bold. Tile is easy to clean and maintain, no matter where it’s installed.
 
Laminate and hardwood also lend themselves well to open, common areas of the home, with certain considerations. Engineered hardwood is a better choice than solid if being installed in potential wet areas like kitchens. Any spills or leaks should be cleaned up quickly, and you should only use a damp mop when cleaning. Many types of laminate now come with water resistant properties, but care should also be taken in not exposing laminate to large amounts of liquid. We do not recommend laminate or hardwood for bathrooms, but they’re great for the main living areas of a home.
 
So, our takeaway tips are:

• Try the same kind of flooring throughout the home for a streamlined flow.
• Flooring such as WPC, LVT, and sheet vinyl can be installed without transitions which creates a continuous feel room to room.
• Tile can be installed anywhere.
• Take precautions against moisture when installing hardwood or laminate.