22 Sep 2023

Kitchen remodeling begins and ends with your cabinets and countertops

Kitchen remodeling begins and ends with your cabinets and countertops. As the two main components of your kitchen, cabinets and countertops provide the foundation for aesthetic appeal and design in this gathering space. When considering kitchen remodel, the question that plagues many homeowners is whether to replace or refinish.

Kitchen Countertops

Because kitchen countertops provide the working surface in your kitchen, they must be durable and allow for easy maintenance and cleaning. Many homeowners choose to completely replace their existing kitchen countertops with natural stone surfaces when remodeling, which increases the value of their home. There are three main types of natural stone available for kitchen countertops:

Quartz – This popular stone is available in many colors and patterns. It is also resistant to damage, heat, and easy to clean, making it a popular choice in kitchen countertop remodeling.
Granite – Because this natural stone is so heavy, it is resistant to nicks, scratches, and heat. It is also easy to clean.
Marble – Many homeowners choose marble when remodeling their kitchen countertops, but we advise using this less durable stone in low traffic areas when remodeling your kitchen.

Kitchen Cabinets

Perhaps the most difficult decision homeowners face in kitchen remodeling is whether to refinish their existing cabinets or to purchase new. As kitchen cabinets are often the most expensive purchase in kitchen remodeling, you may want to consider refinishing your cabinets instead. Just be sure to clean the cabinets thoroughly before beginning the refinishing project. If you opt to buy new, plan to allocate funds toward the most high quality kitchen cabinets you can afford, noting the durability of the finish and the quality of the materials used.

From choosing your kitchen countertops to deciding whether to purchase new kitchen cabinets or to refinish, Fayetteville Granite is there for you. We’re happy to offer guidance and professional service throughout your kitchen remodeling project! Call us for more information, (910) 483-0468.

21 Sep 2023

Choosing hardwood floors

Choosing hardwood floors for homes and offices isn’t anything new, but did you know that this staple in home design can be more versatile than you think?

Your design choice for hardwood floors will impact the overall aesthetic of your home or office. From furniture placement to the overall feel of your space, the pattern of your hardwood floors is the foundation for your design.

Hardwood floors are traditionally laid out in a straight pattern, with the boards being uniform in shape and color. This design is useful if you desire a simple or contemporary home design, and it’s the least expensive option when installing hardwood floors.

If you like the look of simplicity and uniform color for your hardwood floors, but you want a little more detail or an old world feel, the random pattern is your best option. Much like the straight pattern, these hardwood floors are installed in parallel lines, the only difference being that the boards themselves have differences in width.

Other layout options demand attention, which is useful if you want to feature your hardwood floors prominently over other design elements. Choose from diagonal hardwood floor installations or parquet and herringbone patterns for a touch of luxury and elegance in your space. You can also create custom designs like puzzle pieces or mosaic images. The options for hardwood floor design is endless!

Whether you’re designing around your hardwood floors or you just want them to be an accent to the rest of your home design, Magnus Anderson can help you discover the hardwood floors that are perfect for you!

20 Sep 2023

Mixing Quartz and Granite Countertops

Who says you have to choose quartz OR granite? At Creative Stone, we say, “why not both?” The growing trend in home design is two tone countertops, or combinations of different types of natural stone in different patterns and colors.

Imagine you want to install a beautiful granite countertop throughout the kitchen, but it’s just not within the reaches of your homeowner’s budget. Instead, choose to install a cheaper quartz stone for the perimeter countertops, and only install the more expensive granite option for the floating island countertop.

The benefits don’t stop there! Maybe you have the budget, but your homeowners just don’t have the time for maintenance and care. Marble isn’t as tough as quartz or granite countertops, and it certainly isn’t as durable. Still, many homeowners will push for the beauty of marble in their kitchens. A compromise could be to install marble in less used areas of the kitchen and to install granite or quartz countertops elsewhere.

Think about location. Areas near the oven and sink are more prone to grease splatter and spills, so consider quartz or granite countertops for easy maintenance and high durability for these areas. In general, the perimeter a kitchen will see more use and have the most potential for damage and getting dirty. Granite and especially quartz countertops are resistant to staining, scratches, and heat, making them ideal choices.

Take the stress out of the decision by eliminating the need to decide between quartz or granite countertops! This modern trend to combine stone in kitchen countertop design is growing and is a creative, fun way to get the most out of your countertops and your budget.

Contact Creative Stone, and we’ll help you find the quartz or granite that’s best for your unique project! 910-491-1225

01 Sep 2023

Hardwood and Carpet and Tile – Oh, My!

At Magnus Anderson, we understand that when it comes to your home, you want nothing but the best. If you’re interested in redoing your floors, there are various options from you to choose from, which is why we offer them all. We understand that choosing can sometimes be the hardest part, so here’s some information on different flooring options to assist in narrowing down your search!

Hardwood

Besides it’s beautiful finishes and being able to easily keep them clean, hardwood floors offer various other benefits. Hardwood floors are resistant to stains and spills, which we know may be a common occurrence with little ones running around the house. Another benefit is that they don’t hold in dirt and dust, which can be a huge upside to those who are allergy prone.

Although accidents do happen, and scuffs and dents can occur, you can simply sand your floors down, smooth them over and refinish them. It is rarely necessary to have hardwood floors completely replaced.

Carpet

Carpeting comes in so many beautiful colors and textures that it’s almost more difficult to chose the exact carpet you want, instead of which type of flooring to choose from. At Magnus Anderson, we offer a large variety of carpeting to fit any lifestyle and style. Benefits of carpeting include how quiet it can be to walk on them, and how comfortable it can be to lay on them. Next to tile or hardwood, they provide a feeling of warmth as well.

Laminate

Water and scratch resistant sound too good to be true right? Well we’re here to tell you it’s not! Not only do they offer those two amazing benefits, but they also won’t fade in the sunlight like some of the other options. If that’s not enough to convince you, laminate provides easy installation, lower costs, quick maintenance and even expands more easily than hardwood without the fear of damage! If that hasn’t sold you, we don’t know what will.

Tile

Tiles biggest benefit is that it offers the largest variety in color, shape and size! The beautiful designs are endless! Tile flooring is easy to keep clean and very cost effective. Ceramic and porcelain options provide an incredibly long lasting and durable flooring; and let’s face it, who doesn’t love that? If that’s not motivating enough, tile flooring is actually a healthy option. Yes, that’s right, healthy. How you ask? Because they can help preserve your indoor air quality. Due to the way tile is created, it has little to no volatile organic compounds, which can contribute to various health issues.

If your home is in the need of new flooring, or you’re just ready for a change, look to the professionals at Magnus Anderson to provide you the highest quality, at affordable prices. We service Fayetteville, Raleigh, Wilmington and various other cities through North Carolina! To learn more visit us online today at magnusandersonnc.com, or call us to make an appointment at (910) 237-6749. With a reputation for providing the best flooring solutions, we promise you won’t be disappointed!