"Florence M."

Meet Florence, an older lady whose husband of almost 55 years passed away not long ago.  Florence has decided that the house in Walden, New York where she had so many fond memories now feels too big and too empty so she is selling it and moving to a smaller place in Montgomery.

While Mr. M. was around, the fact that Florence never got a driver’s license was not a problem; he took her everywhere she needed to go.  Now things are different.  When it came time to select new carpet for her townhome, she remembered that years ago she and Mr. M. had some work done by Carpet Network.  She wondered if the “nice young man” would be able to help her again.

Greg Klink

Greg Klink, one of the owners of Carpet Network serving in the Middletown, NY area took Mrs. M.’s  call.  He offered to pick her up at her home, take her to her new residence so he could measure and she could select the carpet.  When he arrived at Florence’s home at the appointed time, he noticed some packing boxes.  Florence admitted she needed to have them over at the new place.   Greg answered, “No problem,” and promptly loaded the cartons into his Unicell vehicle.

When they arrived at her new townhouse, Florence was able to see the carpet samples in her rooms and envision how she would make this new place her own.  Greg advised her on performance expectations and best places for the seams so she could make the best choice.

"Frank and Martha H."

Greg’s next stop that day happened to be an older couple from Fishkill, NY.  When he arrived at their home, Mr. Frank H. greeted him at the door.   Frank promptly introduced him to his wife, Martha, who not only was confined to a wheelchair, but seemed to have Alzheimer’s.   Frank thought that if he spruced up the place a bit, Martha might feel livelier.  Frank had picked out some tester paint samples but had not gotten a chance to paint them on the wall.  He showed them to Greg and asked his opinion.  Greg offered to show him what the different testers looked like, so he painted the colors on the wall.  He patiently and confidently guided the couple through coordinating their favorite paint color with a carpet that would compliment it.  With the extra help, Mr. And Mrs. H. were pleased with their decision and are looking forward to installation.

These small acts of kindness and consideration might typically go unnoticed except to the people whose lives it touched and made a difference.  Give Greg a call at 845-342-1646.

This blog is brought to you by the people at Carpet Network.  The stories are true but the customer photos are representations to respect the privacy of the people featured.

Do you enjoy working with your hands?  Do you like providing a finished product that requires skill and knowledge?  Do you like working with people?  Flooring installation is a rewarding career for individuals that answered “yes!” to these questions.   It involves physical activity, creativity, attention to detail, and mathematics.  The rewards can be substantial for well-trained, ambitious individuals as well as the satisfaction of a job well done.  As with many trades, the flooring industry is always looking for qualified people.

Today’s consumers want someone who is prepared to provide exceptional craftsmanship for products that they have carefully selected and anticipate enjoying for many years.  Carpet Network promotes engaging the services of certified floor covering installers.  “The only way floor covering dealers can grow,” says Lenny Rankin, CEO of Carpet Network, with more than 20 years experience in the shop-at-home home flooring industry, “is to upgrade the installation process. Despite the fact that most of the installers are independent business owners, they are still the most important part of our team. By recognizing them, we are able to show them how important they are to the success of our business and their importance to our customers.   We can do this by supporting their efforts and recognizing their talents.”

There is a real need for men and women who qualify.   This trade provides an avenue for young people searching for a rewarding occupation and those who are changing careers.  The future of the business they create is unlimited.

If you or someone you know would like to investigate what programs are available in your area, contact the Certified FloorCovering Installers.

This article is brought to you by the people at Carpet Network.

With busy lifestyles, the ability to shop at home is a luxury service that anyone can enjoy.  No more visiting multitudes of stores and then going back several times to work out the details.  Why waste time when you can have a true shop at home professional come to your home?

A shop at home floor service makes the process simpler.   The shop at home professional will bring many samples so you can see how they look in your home with your lighting and furniture. Although brick and mortar stores often have what they consider a shop at home service it is usually limited to how many samples they can fit in their van or their car.  The shop at home professional has a special traveling “showroom” with as many samples, if not more than a brick and mortar store. They are prepared to provide you with everything from expertise on choosing the right flooring, to design advice and professional installation.  Basically a “one stop shop.”

We know that flooring is a big decision and the true professional will not only have hundreds of products but will measure and assess your site conditions in one easy step.  If  convenience and expertise is what you want, then shop at home floor covering is the way to go.

What should you look for in a shop at home?  The same business credentials that you would look for in a brick and mortar store.  The shop at home professional is prepared to earn your confidence and make your at-home buying experience a simple and enjoyable process.

When booking the appointment with your shop at home professional, be sure and ask for licensing if applicable in your area and testimonials from satisfied customers.  Shop at home professionals realize they have been invited to your home and come prepared to build that important trust factor.  Remember, since they are a shop at home service, 70-80% of their new customers come from satisfied people like yourself.  They are prepared to provide you with information such as photos from past jobs so you can see the quality of their work.   The shop at home professional will be prepared to walk you through every step of the process and be available during and/or after the installation to make sure everything goes smoothly.  They are aware that not only are they providing a service but building new friendships.

“Our business is built on one premise”, says Christine Rankin President of Carpet Network a shop at home flooring and window treatment service with over 30 years experience.  “Besides our cutting edge products, providing the best customer service is our most important product.  We realize it’s a privilege to be invited into someone’s home and we take that privilege seriously.   As we know, we only get one chance to make that most important first impression.  For the 5th year in a row, Carpet Network has been honored with the designation of being in the top 50 franchises for the past 5 years.  This honor is due to the outstanding customer service commitment of our franchisees to all of their customers.”

Want the process to go smoothly? There are things you can do to help prepare yourself for choosing new flooring.  Determine how much you want to be involved in the process, will you rip up you existing flooring, move your furniture, provide your own installation and be available to do a final walk through after the job?

What about our “Green presence?”   To Carpet Network , green is not only a color but another important part of our life.  For further information on our green commitment visit http://www.aboutgreenfloors.com/.

Want to be in touch with a Carpet Network professional in your area?  Contact either by phone
1-800-821-1635 or info@carpetnetwork.com or  http://www.carpetnetwork.com/ under “Find a Dealer.”

This blog is brought to you by the people at Carpet Network.

You remember in August, Mohawk had Ricko the Rhino live on their SmartStrand Carpet and after that time, a lucky team got to clean the carpet and it looked like new.  The product is amazing!  You can check out the SmartStrand Challenge here.

Most recently, Shaw Floors set a world record but not for producing the most carpet or anything even remotely related to flooring.  Their Guinness Book of World Records is for the largest pie fight!  Yes, I said Pie Fight!  The event had over 400 participants and 1,200 cherry, chocolate and apple pies.  Yum!

The January 7th event was coordinated to promote its Anso nylon products.  Anso nylon is known for its durability and ease of cleaning but this event gave Anso nylon a new name.

After 3,000 pounds of pies had been thrown, trampled and ground into the carpet, Shaws cleaning team got to work and made it look like new.  I think this product would make it in my house with two kids and two dogs!

Check out the video and see how the Anso Nylon carpet looks like new after a thorough cleaning.

What a mess!

This blog is brought to you by the people of Carpet Network.

Bayernhof Museum

Carpet Network’s Bob and Janine Klein have a stellar reputation as flooring professionals in the greater Pittsburgh market.  So, when restoration work was needed at the former home of Charles Brown III, founder and CEO of Gas-Lite Manufacturing, Carpet Network was the company selected to handle the technically challenging installation.  In his will, Charles Brown III directed that his collection of old, rare automatic musical instruments be restored and his house opened to the public as Bayernhof Museum.  This massive collection is displayed in almost every room in the house, making any work in the museum a delicate proposition.

“Our crews exercised extreme care ensuring not to disturb these irreplaceable antique mechanical music machines.  Scheduling of the work required careful planning by our office staff to accommodate the tour schedule of the museum.  In appreciation of the high level of service, our installation crew was treated to a private tour where the curator showed us the many hidden secret staircases and revolving bookcases that exposed secret passageways to an indoor cave complete with stalagmites and stalactites. The passageway eventually lead to an indoor swimming pool and gazebo.  The museum also features an observatory with a fully operational high powered telescope to gaze into the heavens,” says Bob Klein.

Hartwood Mansion

Preserved within the the Allegheny County Park system is Hartwood Acres encompassing 629 acres.  It is one of the largest and most spectacular country estates in the region. Hartwood consists of a stately Tudor Mansion (erected in 1929) which, houses an excellent collection of original English and American antiques.   In 2005 a ceiling collapsed and a major renovation was needed. Not only did the caretakers need quality workmanship but they needed a quick turn around due to their special events planned for the Christmas Holiday season.  They called Bob and Janine Klein from Carpet Network because they knew they were able to make that happen by their deadline.

Customer Appreciation Event

In addition to their work in mansions, the Klein’s also help customers who live more normal lives!  They have worked with countless satisfied customers over the years and show their appreciation of their support by holding their Customer Appreciation Event.  The most recent event, held in 2008, marked the Klein’s 10th Anniversary in business. Held at the Diamond Run Country Club, customers enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and live music.

With their expertise, the Klein’s have been able to allay the concerns of customers such as Mrs. “J” who wanted to be sure that her family would not be exposed to any chemicals as she planned for her carpet replacement.  Bob and Janine were able to show her products that helped her make the best choices for her family and also contributed positively to the environment.  They were able to provide empirical data by the manufacturers so she was comfortable with her decision and extremely satisfied with the outcome.  By providing this kind of personalized service, they are able to handle each customer’s questions and concerns individually and sensitively.

Janine and Bob Klein

It is with that same kind of sensitivity that the Klein’s work with the customers referred to them by Restoration Companies.  Janine empathizes, “These homeowners have endured a loss, and are in emotional distress.  They did not expect to have to make changes in their environment and because of unforeseen circumstances find that they need to replace what was once familiar.”  Bob and Janine take the burden from the homeowner by visiting with them at their convenience and helping the make selections that work within the framework of their insurance claim and getting them back to life as they once knew it.

A couple of local charities that the Klein’s support through personal volunteer work and also by supplying flooring materials at or below cost are:

The Lighthouse

At The Lighthouse, [Come join our community where neighbors help neighbors during times of need] people can find a variety of services that can make their lives easier.   In addition to the Transitional Housing program and  Food Bank, The Lighthouse offers used furniture, appliances, and vehicles; computer classes; and emergency monetary assistance for those in need.

Hosanna Industries new construction and home rehabilitation programs offer safe, habitable housing to low and very low income, elderly and single-parent households without regard to race or creed.  Since 1990, it has served over 1600 households and provided over 100 homes across the nation.  Hosanna Industries interests are  fundamental.  They rebuild roofs where buckets once collected the rainfall, make homes easier for elderly people to care for, paint houses suffering from years of poverty and build wheelchair ramps for the homebound.  They meet the housing needs of families living in old trailers patched together with duct tape and cardboard boxes.  They answer “Hosanna!” cries for help every day.

Lastly, Bob and Janine are active members of the Bakerstown First Presbyterian Church.

This blog is brought to you by the people at Carpet Network.

Natural Birch

We are just at the beginning of heating season and in many areas of the country, that can coincide with reduced humidity levels indoors.  Just like people, wood floors need normal living conditions to function properly.  Typical recommendations are between 30 and 50 percent relative humidity and a temperature between 60 to 80 degrees.

In climates where low relative humidity coincides with the heating season (in the Northeast and Midwest for example), a whole house humidification system that turns on with the heat can really help.  Whole house humidification systems that aren’t dependent on heat are available for arid climates such as the Southwest (at minimum, small portable humidifiers can also be used).  Keeping humidity levels constant – even if they are on the low or the high side – is better than a roller coaster of relative humidity levels.

Lack of moisture can cause a host of problems for wood floors.  Once issue is the appearance of seasonal gaps between boards.  In some areas of the west where relative humidity levels can be as low as 4.5%, floors experience “dry cupping” which happens when the top of the boards is drier than the bottom of the board.  Typically the cause of the imbalance is excess moisture from the subfloor but it can also happen because of excessive drying on the top of the board.

In conclusion, maintaining the relative indoor humidity in your home can have an added benefit, as you make the wood floors, wood furniture and cabinetry in your home more comfortable, you will be more comfortable too!

This blog is brought to you by the people at Carpet Network.

The Grahams - Kandice, Monica, Scott, Payton and Boe

When Scott and Monica Graham were researching businesses back in 2003, they were looking for a franchise model that would allow for growth, support their family, eventually be able to include their three children and would allow time to be active participants in their Loveland, Colorado community.  Carpet Network offered all that they were looking for and more.

Chris Brock

Since their humble beginnings in 2003, they have grown to be recognized as one of the most reputable businesses in Larimer County.   Monica’s area of expertise is in marketing, sales and networking.  She has been tireless in her efforts to make Carpet Network a household name in Larimer County.  Scott takes care of operations, finance and sales.  Their individual skill sets compliment each other amazingly well.  The second generation of the family brings tremendous energy to the company.  Boe, the eldest is the jack-of-all-trades, filling in whether he is needed in the warehouse or on an installation.  He is available to be dispatched at a moments notice helping everyone stay on task.  Kandice, their 21 year old daughter, shows a professional presence and competence beyond her years and is working as one of the Office Managers, sharing responsibilities with long time, loyal employee, Chris Brock.  The youngest, Payton is a senior in high school this year.  She participates on a competitive traveling soft ball team, which Scott carves out time to coach.  Earlier this summer Payton hit a grand slam homerun (on her birthday, no less!) advancing her team by four runs.   She also caught the third out that ended the game.

While many businesses are struggling, the Graham’s Carpet Network franchise is enjoying growth and will close out 2009 with a hearty revenue increase. They have been able to surpass some of their financial goal posts already this year.

Recently their expertise was challenged by participating in the annual “college turns” at Colorado State University in Ft. Collins and at Colorado University in Boulder – a marathon of 25 to 50 units at a time re-carpeted in a matter of hours.   Diligent planning for weeks in advance was the key to the success of this momentous project.  Inventory of carpet and cushion was stockpiled, an assembly line management process was developed and the right amount of people power was secured.   It took incredible team work – 15 crews of installers consisting of 2 to three men each and a team of facilitators to keep everything moving – ensuring that students were able to move into their new living quarters on time and without a hitch.

For the last six years the Grahams have helped many families beautify their homes whether it be a customized project or something more modest, they have thousands of satisfied client advocates.  In addition to their impressive portfolio of Carpet Network’s mainstay business, residential remodeling projects, the Grahams have added a contract division this year.  Heading up that division is Carla McCubbins, a professional with over 12 years of  flooring industry experience.  Since she is meticulous about taking care of the needs of  commercial accounts, Carpet Network has been awarded contracts with the local housing authorities in Loveland and Boulder and the Laramie school district.  Their relationships with property management companies and insurance restoration providers has proven that Carpet Network can indeed provide superior service on many levels.

Close to their hearts is the third criterion for going into business, that they would be active participants in their local community. There are three non-profit organizations that they volunteer with. First is C.L.E.A.R., the Coalition of Loveland for Education, Awareness and Resources in the fight against methamphetamine (meth).   CLEAR is a coalition of individuals, organizations and partnerships created to inform all citizens in Loveland about the devastating impact meth has on not only the user, but on families, the community and society as a whole.

Realities For Children is a marketing and promotional company dedicated to serving the needs of abused and neglected children in Larimer County.    Through business membership, they are able to provide ongoing emergency funding, education, sponsorship support and special activities for at-risk children – when there are no other resources available.   This private membership-based organization effectively creates a safety net of services to provide for the most vulnerable members of the community.

Lastly, The Angel House and Angel Village provide shelter, meals, comprehensive case management and mentoring for homeless families with children.   It’s a part of the Interfaith Hospitality Network.  Funding for The Angel House is obtained through United Way of Larimer County, grants, foundations, fund-raising events, and the generosity of individual and corporate donors.

Monica says it best when she says, “Even though we put a lot of time and energy into this business, to be able to give back is a blessing.”

This blog is brought to you by the people at Carpet Network.

Take a 2,800 pound black rhino (named Ricko) and install SmartStrand carpet in his enclosure at The Birmingham Zoo and document his activity for 14 days in mid-August.

After the laughter settled, the idea must have gotten traction, because all the world will get to look in on the moment-to-moment activities of Ricko the Rhino.  Starting on Friday, August 14th through Friday, August 28th, we can see the good, bad and most assuredly, the very ugly trampling of all sorts of rhino debris up close and personal.  Seems to me that ten minutes would do plenty of damage to suit my taste, but heck, if Mohawk can get two weeks of voyeurism going, why not?

I for one, can’t wait to see how the carpet cleans up!  Knowing that Mohawk would never put themselves into a compromising position I fully expect the results to be exceptional.  For those homeowners who don’t have a rhino living with them clean up is typically a matter of warm water and mild detergent or Mohawk FloorCare™ Essentials spray cleaner.  This will be the ultimate test of SmartStrand®’s superior stain resistance  (which is engineered into the fiber and will never wear or wash off).   The fiber even resists the discoloring effects of bleach.

Hats of to those who came up with this marketing idea, it should be a wild ride!

This blog is brought to you by the people at Carpet Network.

Mark Priewe

No room poses a bigger threat to safety than the bathroom.  Slip and fall accidents when entering and exiting the bathtub contributes to nearly 25% of hospital admissions for people age 65 and older and the most common result is a hip fracture.

Mark Priewe, representing Carpet Network in the Green Bay, WI area is doing his part to help prevent accidents for his customers.  Mark has assisted many of his clients with the design of beautiful custom shower replacements for their bathtubs.  Mark’s expertise at suggesting long term solutions  keeps people in their homes enjoying peace of mind without sacrificing their desire for  a beautifully custom tile designed bathroom.    The clients whose rooms are spotlighted below,  were concerned about their future, one by preparing for possible physical limitations and the other as a result of dual hip replacements.

Not only is Mark interested in providing an aesthetically pleasing solution, he ensures that the craftsmanship is long lasting and hygienic by using the Schluter-Shower System, a complete waterproofing system for maintenance-free tiled showers. This system helps ensure success by eliminating the risk of failures due to vapor and/or water penetration.

From these room scenes, you can readily see that porcelain tile can be adapted to suit any décor, whether it be a traditional art deco design or something with warm neutral texture and accents.  These examples are of modest sized bath spaces but by featuring a shower, the space is visually enlarged.

Notice the attention paid to the slightest detail,  such as the octagon shaped tile accenting the arch above the shower and the use of the striking black tile to draw the eye to the step up and the shower seat as well as to highlight focal points.

With the beige tile Mark used a variety of shapes and directions to create interest as well as a terrific insert tile for the border.  The use of the diagonal orientation of the tile on the floor visually opens up the  space giving the impression that the room is larger.  By carrying the wall tile to the ceiling, the room is not only easy to clean, but does not need any addition ornamentation.  It has a clean, crisp, contemporary look that is now safe and functional.

Here is a quote from the happy homeowner: 

“As we age, (and we all do), our bodies start to fall apart.  I have a double hip transplant which was making it quite difficult to get in and out of the tub.  You and your crew have now made my life so much easier with my new walk in shower.

My bathroom is the talk of the neighborhood.  It is truly gorgeous.”  J. -  Green Bay

To contact Mark Priewe, call 920-434-3401.

This article is brought to you by the people at Carpet Network.

Jan Vanderspek

Spotlight on Carpet Network’s esteemed elder stateman, Jan Vanderspek from Eugene, Oregon.  Enjoy!

What does 78 years old look like?  If we are talking about many of today’s active 78 year olds, it looks younger than ever!  Never content with not ‘being in the game’, Jan Vanderspek, the most senior Carpet Network franchisee, works on his flourishing business in conjunction with his wellness lifestyle.

There is nothing “retiring” about this lively gentleman.  When many individuals of a certain age look to drop out of their working life, Jan embraces it because it affords him the opportunity to engage in a business that he enjoys tremendously.  Jan explains, “With 53 years of experience and knowledge it would be a shame to waste it.  Besides, I just love what I do!  I really enjoy working with people to improve their environments.  Carpet Network also gives me the freedom to enjoy the lifestyle that I want.”

Tai Chi

Yoga and Tai Chi play a large role in Jan’s lifestyle of fitness.  Yoga, with its primary health benefits being flexibility, strength and balance, is how he spends the first half hour of each day.  At least three or four days per week, Jan incorporates the slow and fluid movements of Tai Chi, which requires concentration, control, co-ordination and balance. This combination of mental and physical activity works to harmonize the mind, body and spirit and promotes feelings of well-being.  After years of practicing, Jan is able to balance on one foot for 10 to 15 minutes, an incredible feat at any age!

Eugene, Oregon boasts that it is the “world’s greatest city for the arts and outdoors”.  Jan takes every bit of that to heart.  He spends one afternoon each week at painting classes at the Emerald Arts Center.  Weekends will often find him bicycling on the path along the Willamette River.   At the health club Jan swims for 45 minutes twice a week.

Eugene is also a very environmentally conscious region, so Carpet Network’s focus on eco-friendly floor covering definitely suits the local home and business owners who want to preserve the beauty of the area for generations to come.

Jan is just as committed to community involvement.  He is involved with the Chamber of Commerce, the Lions Club and volunteers with Meals on Wheels.

Jan was born in Holland and survived the German occupation there in his early years.   He came to the United States in 1957 to Illinois where he began his career in floorcovering.  He has lived in Eugene for over 15 years with his wife, Barbara.  They have two children, five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.  They are devoted to their family and spend quality time with them whenever possible.

Jan Vanderspek teaches us to live every moment to the fullest, he will tell you there is not enough time in each day to accomplish all of the wonderful things that he wants to do.  Who wouldn’t want to live a life so full of joy and productivity?

Jan can be reached at 541-302-8000.

This article is brought to you by the people at Carpet Network.