Coles Fine Flooring Interior Design

Understanding the Psychological Effects of Color

Colors can have a very strong affect on the human mind and the types of choices we make throughout our day. The human eye reacts instantly in response to colors which greatly impacts our purchases, especially when it comes to flooring.  Here are some common associations with basic colors and how they affect us psychologically.

colors 300x120 Understanding the Psychological Effects of Color White – Relaxing, projects purity, cleanliness, and neutrality. Doctors don white coats, brides traditionally wear white gowns, and a white picket fence surrounds a safe and happy home.
Blue – Peaceful, seen as trustworthy, dependable, and committed. The color of ocean and sky, blue is perceived as a constant in our lives. As the collective color of the spirit, it invokes rest and can cause the body to produce chemicals that are calming; however, not all blues are serene and sedate. Electric or brilliant blues become dynamic and dramatic — an engaging color that expresses exhilaration. Some shades of blue may come across as cold or uncaring.
Yellow - Optimistic, enlightenment, and happiness. Shades of golden yellow carry the promise of a positive future. Yellow will advance from surrounding colors and instill optimism and energy, as well as spark creative thoughts.
Red – Dynamic, stimulating.  Red is inherently exciting and the amount of red is directly related to the level of energy perceived. Red draws attention more than any other color
Green – Soothing,  Green is the pervasive color in the natural world, making it an ideal backdrop in interior design because we are so used to seeing it everywhere. The natural greens, from forest to lime, are seen as tranquil and refreshing, with a natural balance of cool and warm (blue and yellow) undertones. Green is considered the color of peace and ecology.
Purple – Mysterious, embodies the balance of red’s stimulation and blue’s calm. This dichotomy can cause unrest or uneasiness unless the undertone is clearly defined, at which point the purple takes on the characteristics of its undertone. With a sense of mystic and royal qualities, purple is a color usually well liked by very creative types.
Orange - Energizing, There is usually strong positive or negative association to orange and true orange generally elicits a stronger “love it” or “hate it” response than other colors. Fun and flamboyant orange radiates warmth and energy.

Top Ten Window Treatment Trends for 2011

provenance cordlock diningroom 4 copy 300x235 Top Ten Window Treatment Trends for 2011Window treatments often turn into a design challenge or major investment, but if you neglect your windows in favor of a different design focus, you’ll be left with a bare view. Whether you find yourself needing to freshen up your current window treatments, or are starting from scratch, here are this year’s top 10 trends to help you turn any window into your new favorite focal point.

10. Organic Materials

Bring nature indoors by using organic materials to decorate. Exposed wood grain in blinds and natural woven shades are joining the ranks of bamboo as popular choices. Wood is making a huge comeback in decorative hardware, while bamboo, birch and maple are the materials of choice for the newest finials and pulls.

9. Color

One of the quickest ways to update a window is with colorful treatments. Blue is becoming the new “red” in the window treatment industry, with a variety of ocean hues in teal, aquamarine and soft green. Soft lavender and gray, dusty hues round out the soothing part of this palette. Persimmon, orange and gold will be popular jewel tones, while brown continues to dominate. Brown has been, and continues to be, the new basic color.

8. Luxe Fabrics

Luxe fabrics are exactly as they sound — opulent and showy with bold colors and textures that beg to be touched.  Luxury fabrics key in this category are silks, velvets, damasks, fur, leather and suede.  While the overall design trend leans toward simplicity, this trend will remain popular with those who desire embellishment and luxury.

7. Bamboo

Zen-chic bamboo in Roman shades and decorative hardware will continue to be a popular trend. Bamboo is popular for its sustainable, environmentally-friendly quality.

6. Velvet and Grosgrain

Like luxe fabrics, velvet and grosgrain are a luxury trend taking cues from the fashion industry. Grosgrain, a strong, closely woven ribbed fabric usually made of silk or rayon, is used as a ribbon detailing on blinds and drapes. Velvet banding can also be used as detailing, or as ladder tape to cover up route holes for string in blinds.

5. Sleek Lines

Simple, sleek lines are dominating window fashions in everything from flowing drapes to chrome decorative hardware. Creating sleek silhouettes against a window instantly lends a clean, modern look to any window and room. A quick way to get truly streamlined treatments is with popular panel-track systems.

4. Bold Prints

Bolder and bigger prints with texture are top choices for window treatment fabric. Bright floral designs that attract traditional tastes and graphic geometric patterns that offer youthful spunk are some of the bold prints being seen on windows lately.

3. Silk Panels

Silk has exploded onto the scene and is still going strong. Silk is a pricier option for window treatments, but the shine and luxury of the fabric instantly wakes up a dull room.

2. Luxury Tech

As society increases its obsession with ‘gotta-have-it-gadgets’, people counterbalance with organic and natural products in their homes, and window treatments are no exception.  Window blinds can now be controlled via remote, a light switch or even the Internet. But just because your windows have gone high-tech, it doesn’t mean they have to be stark and uninviting. Layering fabrics with high-thread-count cottons is one trend sure to cozy up a window.

1. Green Design

Green design is becoming a popular trend from consumers looking to combat allergies to those looking for heat- or cold-repellant window panels.  Honeycomb shades, the third most popular window treatment Shades and blinds have always been about keeping light out, but now they can also save you money on your heating bills. Honeycomb shades are a great example of where tech meets nature.  Performance fabrics have also gone “green,” with anti-microbial, anti-fungal traits woven into the yarn or offered as a topical spray. Stain-resistant and mildew- and mold-resistant fabrics are also popular picks for allergy sufferers. Even the environmentally conscious will feel right at home with non-toxic dyes on fabrics.

Carpet Color Trends for 2011

Warm Colors – Warm colors can range from the very lightest of yellows to the very darkest of reds.  When choosing a warm color we think of oranges, reds, and yellows . When applying these types of color choices to a carpet, the warm colors translate into browns and rusts.  The darker medium browns and rusts will anchor your room and these darker warmer shades will make the room intimate, especially if you continue on the warmer theme on the walls as well.warmcolors 300x118 Carpet Color Trends for 2011

Neutral Colors- Neural colors can be warm or cool.  When we think of warm neutrals we think of beige’s and tans and when we think of cool colors we immediately think of gray.  Both of these color families, tans and grays, are excellent carpet color selections.  For those of us who would rather consider these choices safe or boring, by selecting a subtle pattern or an obvious textures we can step up the look for a bold and fresh look. The majority of carpet selections fall within the neutral color palette but this does not mean the room’s interior would or could be any less exciting or interesting depending on what we pair with our neutral carpet; we are just using our carpet as an canvas.

neutralcolors 300x114 Carpet Color Trends for 2011

Cool Colors – Cool colors also run the gamut from light to dark.  In choosing a carpet color in the cool family you will need to consider the lightness or darkness of the color as well.  The obvious choices in the cool family are the blues and greens.  Choosing a darker shade of blue or green will still provide you with a cool feeling but the darker the shade, the more grounded your room will feel.  The Lighter the green color, the more open and airy the space will appear. Cool trends also are represented in more neutral tones.  Adding gray to a shade of green will still produce a cool color, but it will be less green and for some people a color that is more usable.

coolcolors 300x112 Carpet Color Trends for 2011

Bold Colors- Bold color choices are made by those of us who know what we are doing or perhaps just think we know what we are doing.  At least we know what we like!  Applying a bold color choice to a carpet selection may man a bright red but could also mean choosing a stark white carpet in a darkly painted room.  Success is pairing bold colors with the most suitable of partners when it comes to your total combination of carpet, paint, fabric, and accessories. Availability for bold carpet colors may appear narrow in comparison with neutral carpet colors, but bold color offerings are highly researched to be as close to trend colors as possible.

boldcolors 300x115 Carpet Color Trends for 2011


Stop by one of our seven showrooms for a full selection of the latest fashion statements for your home.

Warm neutrals can also be achieved be graying down the oranges and the browns. The grayer the warm color, the more neutral it becomes.  Warm beige’s are achieved by lightening the brown and adding gray.  These warm neutral carpets are the most versatile.

Stop by Our Custom Window Treatments Department!

Coles offers Hunter Douglas custom window treatments that feature the industry’s largest selection of sheers, shades, honeycombs, blinds, and shutters!  These window treatments are custom built expressly for your windows and manufactured in the United States according to the highest standards of quality. Coles even offers state of the art technology in window treatments with the power rise 2.0, Hunter Douglas’s patented battery operated motor offers the convenience of technology without cords or additional wiring for easy operation with a simple touch of a remote.

Sheers

Our collection includes shadings, sheers, louvers, and panels and features a wide selection of soft fabrics, including opaque, translucent and semi-sheer materials.

1 Stop by Our Custom Window Treatments Department!

Shades

Offering stylish design, energy efficiency, sun protection, and privacy, our shades will beautifully cover virtually any windows.  We offer roman shades, roller shades, pleated shades, honeycombs shades, horizontal shades, and vertical shades.

2 Stop by Our Custom Window Treatments Department!

Honeycombs

Innovator of the first honeycomb shade, Hunter Douglas continues to offer the best in class with a honeycomb shade collection that delivers the industry’s highest energy-efficiency rating.

3 Stop by Our Custom Window Treatments Department!

Blinds

Ideal for horizontal and vertical windows and representing the industry’s largest selection of genuine woods, aluminum, vinyl and fabrics, Hunter Douglas sets the gold standard for window blinds. We offer both horizontal and vertical blind styles.

4 Stop by Our Custom Window Treatments Department!

Shutters

More than a classic look that never goes out of style, Hunter Douglas custom shutters provide superior sun protection, light control, and privacy. Available in premium hardwood and poly-satin, hybrid compounds, our interior shutter collection features classic styling (including plantation shutter styles).

5 Stop by Our Custom Window Treatments Department!

Schedule an appointment today!

Contact Denise Fletcher at 619-276-5140 ext. 536

Decorate your Home for the Holidays with a New Area Rug from Coles!

Afshan1 232x300 Decorate your Home for the Holidays with a New Area Rug from Coles!

Looking for an easy way to change the look of your home in time for the holidays?  When it comes to area rug sizes and shapes, the details & different options can oftentimes be overlooked. There are now many shapes available other than rectangles, but many people do not think of these alternative shapes when shopping for a rug. Here are some things to take into consideration in order to find the area rug shape that will not only best suit your room, but enhance the look of your overall décor.

Rectangular area rug shapes are the most common, and are a traditional, versatile choice. They can work in almost any room, and can help in making a room appear larger.

Square area rugs, like rectangles, are versatile enough to work in most settings. However, they give a more balanced look because of their symmetry, and can make more of a statement.

Round area rugs are a great solution for rooms of an unusual shape. They also work well with round dining tables, as long as the rug is large enough that the chairs can be pushed back without landing off the rug’s edge.

Oval area rugs are the pairing between the organic feel of round rugs and rectangular. They work in the same instances where you would use a rectangular rug, but add more interest, and elongate the space they’re put into.

Hexagon, octagon, and free-form shaped area rugs are not very common, but are very unique and eye-catching. They capture attention and create a dramatic effect in foyers, under dining tables, and on stair landings.

Runners are elongated versions of rectangular area rugs, which are perfect for hallways & stairways. They “lead the way” visually, creating a natural path along a set area, & often making spaces appear longer.

Reclaimed Wood Flooring

WEK3 08 03 226x300  Reclaimed Wood Flooring

An Eco-Friendly Solution

Reclaimed. Re-purposed. Recycled. Whatever you name it, aged wood is in high-demand. This is for a good reason — it’s an economical, sustainable and soulful alternative to fresh-sawn lumber. Reclaimed wood is wood that is extracted from useful substances or from discarded materials and are then restored to a usable condition. By rescuing wood from destruction and re-crafting it into one-of-a-kind antique flooring, we recycle premium species and decrease environmental damage. Look for these unique products and learn even more information by visiting one of our seven stores.

From Shag to Chic

Over the past few decades, shag carpeting has greatly diminished in popularity. Once a trendy and readily available carpeting option, shag-style construction is now mostly isolated to area rugs, rather than wall-to-wall carpeting. Although shag is now considered passé by some, there are other long-fibered carpeting options- and shag has, in its decline, led to the development of 2 new textured styles-Frieze and Cable.

21 Trav 00665 GNXXXXX A 300x250 From Shag to Chic

Frieze carpet is one of the most popular options in carpeting today. Fibers constructed with a very high twist level gives this style carpet its distinct, curly appearance; the long fibers are tightly wound until they actually curl over themselves. The twisted tendrils of frieze carpeting also enable it to withstand traffic, and resist footprints well. This is a carpet option that offers excellent wearability and comfort.

17 TwisSho 9435 GNXXXXX A 300x250 From Shag to Chic

Cable style carpet is a thicker, straighter carpeting choice than frieze. A lower level of twist, and denser, wider yarns make this a very soft, sumptuous carpeting option. Because cable carpeting is so cozy and plush, it would do well in bedrooms or other areas where relaxation and comfort are key. Keep in mind that the lengthy fibers can matte or bloom under heavy traffic, losing some of the look or texture over time.

Protect your Floors by Decorating with Area Rugs

smallerroomscene 232x300 Protect your Floors by Decorating with Area RugsThe entrance to your home can be a sign of welcome and warmth, a sign of what is to come.  Your home should be an inviting place, where people feel comfortable gathering.  There are a number of things you can do to spice up your front door area to make it more pleasant.  One of these tricks is to add an area rug in front of every door.

Colors and designs can turn your barren stone or empty wood floors into something that has life and vibrancy. Besides being used outside the front door, entry rugs can be placed at other entrance points around the house such as the backyard and garage.  You can also use rugs in your kitchen in front of the sink, or even under your dining room table for a touch of elegance.

Try placing rugs in any other high traffic areas of your home to prevent any wearing on your floors that lie beneath the rug.  Area rugs serve a more utilitarian purpose aside from decoration.  By placing rugs at every entrance, you can greatly reduce the amount of floor cleaning you do.  If everyone in your home works together and wipes their feet on the rug, you’ll notice a lot less dirt in your home which means less scratches and dust on your floors.

Another way to protect your floors is by placing an area rug pad underneath your rug.  This will prevent the rough backing of your rug from sliding around and scratching your floors. Coles has your basic area rug padding available, as well as an upgraded pad that provides cushion as well as protection.  Rug padding not only protects the floors beneath an area rug, but the area rug itself.  Area rugs are a beautiful way to liven up your living space, but always remember to protect the floors beneath to ensure years of satisfaction.

leggett amp platt rug pads cush n hold.LP12.1.800 Protect your Floors by Decorating with Area Rugs

Interior Decorating Trends for 2010

interior design 300x224 Interior Decorating Trends for 2010The problem with identifying ongoing interior design trends is not that there’s a lack of them. There are plenty of current fads to pick from, but the trick is to determine which of these trends have some staying power. While many trends are fleeting, some are rooted in the actual times and the bigger changes that are going on in terms of the public’s cultural interests, environmental concerns, and consumer budgets. Whether we like it or not, social and economic trends have a sizable effect on trends that occur in the world of interior design and home décor. With that said, here is a list of some of the biggest trends in interior design today that seem to have enough staying power to last through 2010.

Color Design Trends

The first big color trend that is expected to continue into the New Year is a move towards aged, distressed color finishes that are reminiscent of past times. Shades in earthy brown and aged greens, as well as smoky blues blue hues will continue to be popular for wall paints and fabrics. Lenzing Fibers, a cellulose fabrics manufacturer and retailer, reports that many of the colors that are going to continue to be seen in fabric design revolve around the earthly elements. Colors based on the colors of nature, i.e. minerals, soil and plants. Metallic colors are also expected to be a continuing trend in 2010. Pantone, the global organization that analyzes and sets color standards for each fashion season, says that the eight key color palettes for the New Year include: Greenmarket, Gatherings, Transformations, Pastiche and Ambiance, to name a few.

The Old is New Again

Antique and vintage interior décor pieces add a bit of warmth and human soul to a home, and in the past year, the urge to revisit the past in new design settings has been increasing and the trend seems to be ready to continue into the New Year. This also explains the rise in thrift store and consignment store shopping, as well as the surging of sites like 1stdibs.com. This same trend in revisiting the pasts design aesthetics has led people to revisit their own past heritage when designing the interior of their homes. A return to one’s roots is a growing interior décor trend. People are looking for Native American, aboriginal and tribal colors and patterns that employ bold hues and geometric shapes.

Going Green

A few years ago, green living was a brand new trend in the world of interior design. Now, it might be more accurate to call it a staple of contemporary design aesthetics. As we head into 2010, green design is still growing and shows no signs of slowing down. Green construction and building materials have become a huge part of the home improvement marketplace, a trend that will hopefully continue not just through 2010 but for many years to come.

Environmentally friendly paint, cloth fabrics, furniture and flooring materials, and energy saving lighting alternatives are just some of the green elements that are factoring into today’s interior décor fashions. Characteristics of green products include sustainability and a minimum emission of volatile organic compounds that could be harmful to people and the environment. Another design trend that is related to recent green living trends is the increased use of re purposed or recycled furniture and design accessories. Reusing, repainting and refinishing old items can give them new life and help avoid unnecessary waste.

Mixed Fabrics

The trend of mixing colors and texture when picking out a living room’s decorative fabric pieces looks like it’s going to continue well into 2010. A room with matching textures tends to get old after a while. Layering different textures of fabric creates a more interesting arrangement. Try mixing and matching satins, furs and cotton fabrics to see what you like, and feel free to incorporate patterned fabrics as well.

Layered Flooring

A home’s floor is as much a part of its interior design elements as the walls and furniture. Adding patterned mats, decorative carpets, area rugs and other decorative elements to your floor will give it a rich layered look that will in turn lend warmth and coziness to your home. Runner carpets for stairways and hallways are also back in style. Layered flooring started to grow as a trend in recent years and it seems poised to be a big part of 2010 interior design landscape. In a tight economy, layering your existing floor rather than replacing it with a new one is a money-saving way to completely renovate the look and feel of your home interior.

Commercial Carpet Tiles

Sync Up 237x300 Commercial Carpet TilesWe’ve discussed the pros, cons, and appropriate applications of commercial carpet. One other option when considering commercial style carpeting- an option that has skyrocketed in terms of popularity and availability- is carpet tile.

Carpet tiles are exactly what they sound like: smaller squares of carpeting, which are installed by laying them together, like tiles. This type of carpeting allows for creating patterns of infinite customization.

The biggest incentive to utilize carpet tile, rather than broadloom carpeting, is the ease of installation. The flooring can be installed quickly, and can be completed when offices are closed, to avoid business disruption. It can be installed section-by-section, meaning that less moving of furniture is required. And if one section of carpeting eventually gets stained or otherwise flawed, it’s a simple process of removing the affected carpet tiles, and replacing them with new ones- no cutting or measuring required.