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.

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!).

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.

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.

Hardwood flooring is one of the most popular floor coverings on the market. The classic wood look has always been a buyer’s favorite, and now there’s more than one way to get that wood look in your home.
Laminate, sheet vinyl, LVT, WPC and even tile are all stepping up their games in wood-look styles and durability. With these new players out there, why does real hardwood remain on top?
 
One reason real wood remains popular is aesthetics. Many floorings come very close to duplicating the textures, stains, and characteristics of real hardwood, but they’re still not the real deal. Home owners know this and often lean toward hardwood for their home because of the beauty and resale value it adds.
 
As far as your options with hardwood, there are solid and engineered planks. Plank sizes can range from 2-1/4 inch to 6-inch planks giving you a variety of looks, including the popular random-width category which mixes plank sizes. Solid hardwood can be stained and refinished many times, while with engineered hardwood, you may only be able to refinish it once. Also depending on your climate, you may need to take into consideration the size of your planks and which hardwood type is less or more susceptible to swelling and shrinking. To learn more about hardwood types, including climate effects, check out this post.
 
These are just a few reasons why hardwood floors remain a very popular and sought-after flooring. So, if your considering hardwood floors or maybe have discovered your home has been hiding them under some other flooring, consider the benefits of wood floors and the beauty and value they bring.

Modern Industrial design encompasses the feel of the city and is often made up of a clean-lined design with brick, metal, and wood textures. Do you have to be in an old brick building in the city to achieve this look? No, let's take a look at how you can use flooring and other fun accessories to turn any space into a city escape.
 
As mentioned, the main components of modern industrial style are brick, metal, and wood textures. All of these textures can be achieved with tile. Specifically, we’re going to look at Daltile's 2”x8” Brickwork Terrace tile and Yorkwood Manor 6”x36” Pecan tile. Brickwork Terrace offers a distressed brick look often seen in traditional metropolitan architecture like factories and lofts. It’s an ideal tile for accent walls and backsplashes. Yorkwood Manor Pecan tile comes in large planks and is most often used on floors for a distressed, reclaimed wood look; however, it can also be applied to walls to really make a statement. Both of these tiles come in various shades and color combinations to suit whatever design you’re going for.

If you own a business, you know the effect a first impression can have, whether you’re a retail, medical, or service-based establishment. People are drawn to and enjoy being in a business that is clean, comfortable, and appealing to the eye. Flooring plays a big part in that aesthetic, but in addition to looking good, businesses experience a lot of traffic and need durable flooring.
 
Commercial flooring is often thought of as generic and bland. There hasn’t always been a wealth of options for durable flooring that could meet a business’s needs and be stylish. These days though, there are a lot more options as the flooring industry is revolutionizing flooring to be both durable and beautiful.
 
A go-to for commercial flooring is often carpet or carpet tiles. One of the many brands we offer is Mohawk’s ColorStrand SD which is equipped with colorfastness to sunlight, atmospheric contamination, and harsh cleaners. It’s also great against stains with its Protection Plus Soil and Stain Resistant Technology. ColorStrand is guaranteed not to wear more than 10% of its surface pile weight for the life of the carpet (it lasts!), and it’s also equipped with Weldlok Plus backing. Weldlock Plus is an advanced, high performance backing system designed to provide long-term carpet durability while delivering sustainable benefits. ColorStrand SD is also an easy, direct glue down or stretch in installation. To see more of the ColorStrand line, click here.

Most of us are familiar with shag carpet, characterized by having a deep thick pile, giving it that shaggy look. Shag carpet has been around longer than most realize, dating back to Ancient Greece. Of course, this style of carpet was very popular in the 60’s and 70’s, then it experienced a sort of “fall from grace.” Now, once again, shag carpet is experiencing a new birth in the design industry. So, what happened?
 
Shag carpet got a bad reputation thanks to the design trends of the 60’s and 70’s. During that time, everyone was experimenting with their artistic, adventurous side which brought us many cool things but not so much in the interior design world. You've probably been in or seen a home from that era with hideous, bright-colored shag carpet, maybe even in rooms it should not have been in like the bathroom. Unfortunately, this is what people often think of when they hear the words “shag carpet.” In addition to these pre-conceived notions working against it, shag carpet also has a fairly high pile and not a high twist level in strands (long strand carpet is very durable with high twist levels, not so much with a lower twist level). Its thick strands make it easily crushed and damaged and very hard to clean. Do these facts mean you have to give up on the plush softness, comfort, and texture shag carpet brings to your home? No. While you can still purchase shag carpet in today’s styles and colors, another option to consider is frieze carpet; it’s basically the new shag.
 
Frieze carpet is generally constructed of thinner fiber strands than traditional shag carpet. Frieze is characterized by long fibers that have high twists, contributing to its durability. A standard carpet strand is most durable on its side not its top, so frieze’s long, high twist strands that lay on their sides make for a very durable carpet. The long, loose strands also help to conceal stains which make it perfect for high traffic homes.
 
Frieze carpet comes in just about any color you can think of. It’s commonly found in multi-colored designs which heightens its ability for hiding stains, making it perfect for homes with kids, pets or high traffic areas. Frieze carpet adds a plush warmth, texture, and style to any home, whether you have it wall-to-wall or as an area rug. Also, frieze is great for stairways because it's long fibers hide seams and also give added traction underfoot for safety.
 
The “shag” or frieze carpet look is enjoying a massive resurgence in home design. Carpet manufacturers continue to up their game with gorgeous patterns, designs, and colors in this style. Stop by our showroom today to see our selection!

Textures are an important element in home décor. Accent pieces, artwork, throws, pillows, and even flooring can provide texture, warmth, and style, helping to transform your house into a home. When it comes to textures in flooring, most people immediately think of hardwood or tile. Today though, other flooring options like vinyl and laminate are engineered with distressed and hand-scrapted looks that make it hard to tell the difference from real hardwood or tile.
 
Most people think of laminate, vinyl tile, sheet vinyl, and vinyl plank as being smooth with little to no texture and limited patterns. What you may not realize is that today’s vinyl and laminate are very realistic with looks that make it hard to tell they’re not the real deal. Depending on the look you want to achieve in your space, you may want more or less texture. Wood and tile looks with more grooves and textures tend to look more realistic and are often used in rustic design schemes. For a modern, streamlined look, go for less texture.
 
Some examples of textures are:
 
Wood-look:

• Light texturing, subtle appearance like that of wire brushing
• Medium-level embossing, follows the grain pattern in the wood species for extra character.
• Heavy embossing, creates the look of high textured hand-scraping.

Tile-look:

• Light embossing achieves the gentle detail seen in smoother stone looks, like granite or concrete.
• Medium to heavy embossing is used to mimic the appearance of cleated or roughly-hewn stone.

When you’re looking for a wood or tile look in vinyl or laminate, remember smoother and lighter textures lend themselves well to an open, modern designs with clean lines. More textured planks or grout grooves will add realism and complexity to your décor for a rustic look. There's a whole new world of vinyl and laminate, come see what we have in store for a beautiful look in your home.