Today we’re talking with Southern Kitchen & Bath showroom manager, Lynay Armbrester, getting to know a little more about their business and customers, as well as current kitchen and bathroom trends. Southern Kitchen & Bath is the showroom for Southern Pipe and Supply, which for the last 30 years, has been helping people in the Anniston area outfit their kitchens and bathrooms with custom plumbing fixtures, tubs, toilets, and appliances. They have many items in stock but can pull from a large warehouse in Mississippi and special order from many major vendors such as Kohler, Delta, and Brizo. Southern Pipe is also the only dealer in the area of the high-end luxury Viking appliance brand.

What types of services and supplies do you offer?
We sell almost anything plumbing related—toilets, tubs, faucets, sinks. We do sell a few brands of appliances too.

Who is your typical customer?
We deal with a lot of builders and plumbers, but of course walk-in customers too. Typically, either a builder or plumber will send in their customers to pick out what they want—faucets, toilets, tubs, etc.

What do you see trending in bathroom and kitchen design?
Definitely free-standing tubs. Everybody wants one of those at least in their master bath. Finish wise, we’re seeing a lot of chrome, shiny finishes. Even gold is popular again, kind of getting more contemporary, away from old, traditional looks. People will put different finishes in every bathroom. As for showers, lots of people want rain heads. Custom showers in general are pretty popular, with people putting in multiple shower heads, hand-held showers, and body sprays.

​For kitchens, mostly people are going towards farmhouse sinks and anything undermounted. People are going with solid surface countertops like granite and quartz. They also tend to put the same plumbing finish throughout a kitchen.
 
We’re also a big seller of Viking appliances, the only dealer in the area. Their ranges and appliances are really nice for people that like to cook a lot. Their ranges have higher BTU’s, so they cook things faster. They also give a nice industrial look to a residential home.

What’s your favorite thing about your job?
When people come in here with an idea of what they want, I like to be able to help them put all of that into real life. I can help them choose everything that’s going to coordinate and match. I like being able to help people get what they want and see it come together.
 
The customers that bring in samples and pictures are really easy to work with because they already know what they want. It’s not a lot of staring at faucets, for instance, and trying to decide what color they want and what style they want. A lot of people, because of things like Houzz and Pinterest, they get on there and know what they want. The hard thing sometimes is though when they come in with a picture of something I’ve never seen before, and they want you to find it. For instance, I had a customer wanting a satin brass finish for her kitchen-sink, vegetable sink, pot filler, and butler pantry sink. She wants all those to match in a bridge-style faucet. I was able to find it, but we’re not sure if it fits in her budget.
 
What are the most important points for your customer to remember about their project?
Think about everything you’re putting in your house and make sure it’s something that’s going to last. If you plan on staying in the house any length of time, be sure you’re getting good quality products so that you’re not having to replace things.
 
If you’re getting ready to have Abbey Carpet remodel your bathroom or kitchen, don’t forget about your fixtures and appliances! Go see Lynay at Southern Bath & Kitchen at 800 Gurnee Ave., Anniston (256.237.5415), for the latest styles, highest quality products, and personalized service.

A new year is here, and it’s time to talk trends! From natural looks and textures to patterns and environmental consciousness, let's take a look at the top-emerging design trends in flooring for 2019.

Go Natural.
Natural, textured looks are in! Wood or wood-look flooring (like vinyl, tile, or waterproof flooring) with imperfections and variations lends a rustic, nature-inspired vibe to any room. Look for products with hand scraped and distressed features that add character and originality. Think about taking wood where it’s never been before. With today’s options in waterproof flooring and wood-look tile, you can get the wood look you’ve always wanted, even in your bathroom! This collection from Mannington is beautiful!

Lighten Up!
We’re seeing the continued rise of grays, along with light wood washes, ashes, and blondes. Opting for a lighter shade of flooring lends a clean palette for any design and brings an airy essence to any space. For a rustic theme, look for a flooring with more of the textures we mentioned like hand-scraped planks and wire brushing. If you’re looking for a more modern design, go with planks that are smooth and less distressed. Explore this look with Mohawk’s RevWood Collection.

​Add Pattern.
Tile obviously lends itself well to patterns and design, and this year’s trends do not disappoint: geometrics, stenciled designs, mosaics, squares, herringbone—the possibilities are endless. Even wood flooring is getting in on the act with layouts ranging from a diagonal pattern to herringbone and chevron motifs. We love this design from Marazzi.

​Patterns, shapes, and texture are also big for carpet, which continues to carry favor with consumers. In addition to being a top choice for warmth and comfort, carpet is now a top choice for personalization. Animal prints, stripes, geometrics, and variations in pile lengths and fibers allow homeowners to customize their space to their heart’s content. Take a look at this one from Stanton.

Be Responsible.
Today’s consumers aren’t just concerned about all of these aesthetic features. They’re also choosing to be environmentally responsible with their flooring choices, and flooring manufacturers know this. In shopping for wood floors, look for those made from sustainable or recyclable materials, bamboo, cork, reclaimed or engineered wood, and certification by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). You can also find many brands of carpet now being made from not only sustainable and recyclable materials, but they’re also being manufactured with environmentally responsible practices. Check out DreamWeaver’s PureColor or Mannington’s hardwood policy as excellent examples of environmental responsibility.

So, are you ready to re-do your home this year? You can find all these trends and so much more in our showroom. Give us a call for a free estimate! 256.231.0008.

It’s never ending. It lurks in corners and mocks you. It multiplies overnight and haunts your dreams. It’s the dreaded “L word”: LAUNDRY!! Though some of you may bask in the scent of freshly laundered sheets and take pleasure in neatly pressed shirts, I would venture to say the majority of us would rather spend our afternoon baby sitting howler monkeys than devote another minute to washing and folding. What to do? Well, since the task is pretty much unavoidable, let’s look at some ways to make it a bit more bearable and beautiful.

For starters, let’s examine the laundry room itself. Is your space dull, dingy, and completely utilitarian? Research shows that whether it’s employees, students, children, or animals, they thrive in stimulating and creative environments. Cue the laundry room makeover! Here are seven steps for revamping your laundry room. 

2. Floor it. Here’s another chance to get stylish! Go with a bold, decorative tile or vinyl, or even a wood or brick look. Flooring should be both beautiful and functional. Make sure it’s waterproof and easy to clean. Adding a cute rug adds a touch of flare!

3. Store it. Storage, storage storage! Don’t let those mounds of clothes overtake you anymore. Invest in or DIY a laundry basket storage area to keep both clean and dirty clothes separated and ready to wash and fold. Also consider cabinets, shelves, and baskets to house all your detergents, softeners, and stain removers.

4. Hang it. A drying rack and hooks are essential to any laundry room for hanging your line-dry items as well as storing hangers. There’s nothing worse than trying to untangle hangers carelessly tossed into a laundry basket! Take a look at these!

5. Press it. So, if you haven’t caught on to wrinkle-free fabric, or if you’re just a bit OCD, you’ll need an ironing board. Carve out a niche near an outlet to store your ironing board so it’s handy and ready to go. No more lugging it into your bedroom or kitchen.

6. Fold it. If you have space, a countertop or table is a wonderful addition for folding laundry and keeping it off the couch. It you have front-loading units, a countertop installed across the top is super convenient. If you have a free-standing sink, consider incorporating a vanity/extended countertop not just for folding but for help with scrubbing those extra-tough jobs.

7. Tile it. Last but not least, if you have the space, install a tile backsplash or even tile a whole wall or two! It really finishes off the look. 

​For more ideas, examples, and DIY projects for improving your laundry room, visit our Pinterest Board!

Baby, it’s getting cold outside! Fall is settling in, and winter is on the way. Make sure you stay warm and toasty inside your home by focusing on three key elements: flooring, drafts, and thermostats.
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Flooring

Carpet is an obvious choice for warmer, insulated flooring, with hardwood, laminate, and vinyl all beating out tile in the warmth category. If carpet’s not your thing, here are a couple things you can do to warm up whatever you have underfoot.

1. Get a good rug. Never underestimate the power of a good rug to add not only warmth and softness to a room, but also texture and style. It’s also a good idea to invest in an anti-slip pad to go under your rug to provide extra stability on slick floors. 
2. Invest in heated floors. If you have tile, you already know that it can be considerably colder than other hard surfaces like wood, laminate, and vinyl. If your rugs just aren’t cutting it, and you find your feet are freezing, consider something like the Schluter Floor Warming System. This unique system of heating coils is installed under your tile with an “uncoupling membrane” that means no cracked tile or grout! It also features an optional programmable, touch screen thermostat and power module. 

​Drafts

Do you find yourself asking, “Where’s that breeze coming from?” Then, you probably need to check doors and windows for drafts. Make sure your insulation and weather stripping are intact. About a quarter of your home’s heat can be lost through the roof if not properly insulated. For drafty doors, look for something like this fleece draft guard to block the air flow. Curtains or window coverings are also good for keeping drafts out, but when open, they can let in sunlight which instantly warms up any room. Also make sure to reverse your ceiling fan direction to clockwise so that it pushes cold air up and warm air down.

Thermostats

Speaking of warming up, investing in a programmable thermostat allows you to be comfortable in your home and also save on your energy bill! Once you get that heat blowing, make sure vents and radiators are open and not obstructed by furniture or objects. Always make sure to change your furnace filters to keep your system running an optimum performance.
​
Check out this article for a suggested programmable thermostat schedule as well as other tips on keeping your home warm during the colder months.

The popularity of wood-look tile has sky rocketed over the last couple of years, and rightly so. Advances in technology have led to unparalleled realistic wood looks in both porcelain and ceramic tile. Add to that an expanding line of varying plank lengths and widths, and you would be hard-pressed to tell which is tile and which is wood. What is perhaps most important, though, is that wood-look tile gives you that wood look without the worry. Tile is highly durable, standing up to scratches, dings, dents, and moisture far better than wood products. It’s both pet and allergy friendly and can easily be cleaned with regular sweeping and mopping.

But, don’t be limited by traditional thinking. Just because wood usually goes on the floor, wood-look tile can go places wood can’t (think bathrooms, showers, and even outdoors!). Browse through the gallery below, find your inspiration, and give us a call when you’re ready to get started! 

Are you ready to make a bold statement in your home? There's no better place to add some spice to your life than in the kitchen! If you're tired of traditional, bored with basic, or wiped out with white, we've got your back. Browse through the photos below and learn how to add a little kick to your kitchen. (Several photos are linked to their original sources for more fun info!).

Granite continues to come out on top as the preferred choice for kitchen and bathroom counter surfaces. The most obvious reason for granite’s popularity is its visual appeal. Granite is a unique natural stone with wide variations in color and pattern. There is a granite to suit any home décor. A slab can boast rich earth tones like vibrant shades of green, blue, and yellow, to more basic black, white, and beige tones and anywhere in between. Granite encompasses so many colors and also patterns vary from bold with veins or color flecks, to more neutral, clean lines.
 
Aside from the unmatchable beauty of granite, it’s also very practical because of its durability. Granite is tough, resistant to staining and etching, and won’t scorch if you happen to place a hot object on it. Maintenance is also easy. Once the granite is professionally installed and sealed, it only requires a wipe down with a damp cloth and gentle, non-abrasive cleaner.
 
Another aspect of granite that makes it a popular choice is its longevity. Granite countertops will last a lifetime or more when properly taken care of, including being sealed every two to four years. Man made surfaces are not as durable, and though the initial cost may be cheaper than granite, they may have to be replaced or show signs of wear long before a granite surface. In addition to style, durability, and easy care, granite will add lasting value to your home, making it a good investment for years to come. Visit our website to find out more!

Summer’s almost over, and fall is right around the corner. For many, fall is a favorite time of year. The cooler temperatures, falling leaves, and the smell of pumpkin spice just makes us feel warm and fuzzy inside. Often, these fall feelings carry over into our home décor.
 
This year a popular home décor trend is all about the use of textures and shapes, along with organic accents. You can accomplish this look using touches like wood accessories, furs, plants, tribal or animal art, and textured fabrics. Other great choices are chunky, oversized pillows and throws (think cable knit) and soft rugs in warm, organic colors like oranges, reds, and browns. Cork flooring is an excellent complement to this design. It’s neutral and earthy (and sustainable!) but also comes in many unique patterns and textures. Walking on cork is quite comfortable as well, lending a cozy feel to your home. Other excellent, earthy flooring choices are bamboo or exotic woods like acacia.
 
Bold on black is another popular style this fall, involving tasteful contrast. The look is easy to achieve, still keeping a neutral base with black, white, and golds or browns but throwing in some bold, dark aspects with pops of color. Make a statement with navy, violet, or berry colors for sofas, chairs, or accent pieces, and throw in a few black and white pillows with graphic text. Dark or black stained wood floors or even grays are perfect for this contrasting look. All together this look really compliments fall’s contrasting beauty.
 
Finally, whatever style you choose, make it your own. Create looks or vignettes of things you already have. Put your flea market finds and personal treasures on display so that your home tells the story of who you are. Mix up vintage and modern items for an eclectic, homey vibe.

​More often than we’d probably like, we find ourselves in the laundry room. It’s often a dreaded chore, but it must be done. Does your laundry room leave you feeling lost in a sea of mismatched socks, towels, hampers, and stinky gym clothes? If so, we hope to share some tips to make your laundry room inviting and efficient. 
 
No matter what the size of your laundry room, one of the most important features is storage. The area above the washer and dryer has so much potential for this. This is a great spot to hang a clothing rod, a shelf with baskets, or even install a cabinet unit to store supplies within easy reach. If your laundry room has room for counter space, utilize it for a folding area; or, if you have a front-loading washer and dryer, you can also consider installing a countertop above your machines. This also makes for a great folding and sorting area. Need drying racks? Two space-saving options are a hanging rack that folds out from the wall or a pull-out drawer rack.
 
Of course, we can’t talk laundry without mentioning clothes hampers. A stylish free-standing clothes hamper can add a personal touch to your laundry room. This kind of hamper comes in many shapes, textures, and sizes ranging from wicker to plastic, and even metal. If you need a more space-efficient hamper, you can put those floor cabinets to good use by installing a pull-out, drawer-style hamper. Another option is a floor unit with cubbies for laundry baskets.
 
Another crucial element to your laundry room is flooring. Laundry rooms are exposed to water, chemicals, mud, and dirt, so the flooring in these spaces needs to be durable. There is also potential for water leaks from the washing machine and scratched floors from shaky machines. Here are some flooring options to consider for the laundry room:

• Ceramic or porcelain tile (water resistant).
• WPC (waterproof) flooring, rigid core, or vinyl planks
• Luxury vinyl (waterproof)

 
All of these options are available in wood or tile looks and even decorative patterns.
 
With the right storage, organization, and a little style, you can make your laundry room more efficient and enjoyable. Call us today to get your project started! 256.231.0008.

​Muddy shoes and backpacks with overflowing school supplies--is this what you see when you walk into your house? Entryways and mudrooms can get messy and cluttered, especially with school back in session and kids coming and going. In this blog, we’ll look at what you can do to make either your entryway or your mudroom stylish, durable, and functional.
 
Mudrooms are usually a small room or area near an entryway where people generally tend to discard their items in a hurry. So, how can you foster tidiness in this space? Functional storage is the key, one of the most useful mudroom items is a bench with cubby storage. A bench makes it easy for all to remove their shoes, and hooks and cubbies are perfect for hanging back packs and helping keep items off the floor. You can really express yourself in these little areas of the house because they are generally separate from the rest of the living spaces. Use your imagination and make a fun and welcoming space with lots of color, accessories, and even a fun rug.
 
Not every home has a mudroom but still has a need for a functional entryway. Just like mudrooms, your entryway needs storage too. You can use a small bench with decorative storage baskets underneath and hooks on the wall above to create useful storage in a smaller space.
 
In addition to storage, both entryways and the mudrooms need durable flooring because these areas are subject to a lot of foot traffic and outdoor elements. A favorite flooring option for these spaces is tile because it’s durable, easy to clean, and comes in many styles.
 
Tile is not your only option though. There are so many flooring types now that can handle heavy traffic and even water, just as well as tile. Two very popular alternatives are WPC (waterproof or rigid core flooring) and luxury vinyl or luxury vinyl tile. Both of these options come in wood and even tile looks. If you do decide to use hardwood, consider investing in a stain-resistant or outdoor rug to protect your hardwoods from damage in this area of your home.
 
If you’re ready to give your mudroom or entryway an overhaul, stop by our showroom, and one of our flooring advisors can help you pick out the perfect flooring for your space!