As fall approaches it brings with it new trends for interior design of South Cariboo homes.
The fall and winter months are the ideal time to think about a little bit of home renovation as the cooler weather forces us inside. The Free Press talked to two home improvement companies for advice and to find out what the local trends are
Ganesa Wiens, sales manager of Lee's Custom Floors, said she has noticed a recent trend of customers moving away from vinyl flooring in favour of laminate. Lee's Custom Floors provides a wide range of flooring materials from carpeting to hardwood and vinyl to laminate.
"Now that there are waterproof options for laminate, it (laminate) has a little bit more dimensional stability," Wiens stated, noting for the last few years, vinyl has been king.
Wiens attributes the continued popularity of vinyl and laminate to the fact they can be installed by the customers themselves relatively easily. She noted laminate and vinyl are also easier to care for and maintain, unlike other flooring options like hardwood.
Some people are surprised that Lee's Custom Floors still sells carpets, Wiens said. She explained that because of how cold it can get in the Cariboo during the winter, many people still want carpets for their bedrooms or living rooms.
In addition, the company sees a fair amount of orders for porcelain and heated floors. As for tones, Wiens says that for several years, purchasers have been into gray and cooler tones, but now warmer tones are becoming more popular.
Warmth is also playing a role in the types of blinds and window shades people buy in the South Cariboo according to Shauna Bolton, one of the co-owners of Ashcroft Interior Blinds. While based out of Ashcroft, Bolton does business across the interior and said purchasers in 100 Mile House seem most interested in cellular and honeycomb style shades which are designed to be energy and heat-efficient.
"They give single or double and even a triple cell layer of insulation at the window, and they can dramatically reduce the hot and cold air from entering your rooms in both summer and winter months," Bolton explained, noting that the amount of rebates available is helping drive the purchases.
The most popular blinds being sold, meanwhile, are simple classic roller shades - which she says are popular due to their minimalist look for people who want to go for a more modern design.
"The lake homes we do throughout the whole Cariboo - they choose them because they can cut the glare from entering in your house - and they still can really enjoy their lake views," Bolton said.
Bolton recommends for those purchasing blinds for the first time to make sure they ask what the warranty specifics are - specifically on the cords. She states that she had personally seen too many people having no warranty and regretting it.
"They've already invested $1,000 outfitting their home. And then two years later, they're replacing it," she remarked.
In addition, she believes that people should be asking dealers to make two to three choices on "the fabrics and styles of the brands" at the very least - stating that they should make them work to earn their dollars.
For those looking to update their flooring, Wiens states that people should think about what their subfloor is, how much money they want to spend on floor preparation, how much they want to spend on their chosen flooring and ensure they are working with a reputable contractor.
"Know your own limitations when it comes to installing flooring, some things are much more complicated than others," stated Wiens.
Bolton invites anyone interested in getting new blinds or window shades to reach out to Ashcroft Interior Blinds at 250-457-7195. Meanwhile, Lee's Custom Floors can be reached at 250-395-3551 or via Facebook and Instagram.
