When you’re looking to buy new carpet for your home, seek out carpet manufacturers who are CRI certified such as all Shaw, most Mohawk, and select Beaulieu products. It is important to purchase your carpet with a CRI certified manufacturer because of the enormous waste that carpet production creates. If this waste is not dealt with properly (in accordance with CRI standards), carpet wastes go to landfills in massive quantities; this is obviously not good for the environment. However, there is hope! CRI certified carpet manufacturers recycle their carpet selvedges, trimmings, and shearings, in the following ways:

• Fiber and yarn that cannot be reused in manufacturing is recovered for use in other products.
• Excess carpet is cut into rugs and mats and sold for other uses.
• Waste carpet trimmings, backing and yarn often are sold to recycling plants to be processed into such items as carpet cushion, furniture battings and cushions, reinforcing filler for concrete, fence posts, road underlayment, plastic lumber and automotive parts.
• Polyethylene packaging, used to wrap carpet yarn spools and other raw materials, is recycled into plastic pellets to be sold to extruders of film, plastic wrap or plastic trash bags, or it is used in molded items.
• Other materials used in the manufacturing process, such as cardboard, paper, aluminum, wooden pallets, yarn cones, roll cores, liquid containers, raw material packaging and scrap metal, are either reused or recycled.

Together, the CRI is working with certified companies to address the challenges of collecting, sorting, transporting, and recycling post-consumer use carpet. CRI certified companies have collection sites in place and are developing means to separate carpet components and recover polymers; working towards recycling fiber back into fiber and turning Nylon 6 into new fiber.

The industry as a whole is experiencing a heightened sensitivity toward the urgency of recycling carpet scraps. Not all companies have the resources to follow-through, but the CRI certified companies such as Shaw, Mohawk, and Beaulieu, are actively engaged in recycling materials both pre and post-consumer use. Be kind to the earth and be kind to your feet with CRI certified carpet!

Thanks for reading. Elimnate Carpet Waste with CRI Certified is a post from Nest Expressions

The new ClearTouch yarn system also boasts exceptional softness. The extra softness is the result of the yarn’s fine-denier filaments. The smaller denier produces the supple touch, while advanced yarn engineering, including optimum twist levels, accounts for the superior durability.

Further differentiating ClearTouch carpets from conventional PET products is the company’s patented R2x™ Stain and Soil Resistance System for enhanced protection against spills and tracked-in dirt. Shaw’s ClearTouch PET Polyester carpets are the industry’s top performers and the only fiber in the industry that is 25% engineered from recycled materials. Next time you are wondering why it is worth recycling your plastic water bottle you can think of Shaw’s ClearTouch PET Polyester carpet fiber and know that your recycled water bottle can be turned into a luxurious, high performance carpet.

Thanks for reading. Carpet Made From Recycled Water Bottles is a post from Nest Expressions

Thanks for reading. Silhouette LiteRise Wins 2012 Product of the Year is a post from Nest Expressions

Purchasing Bliss carpet with Silver Release is an exceptional choice because its engineering is based upon scientific principles. Silver has long been recognized as a powerful antimicrobial element and has been used in water preservation since ancient times. More recently, zinc and copper have been found to have strong antimicrobial elements as well and Bliss has combined all of these elements in Silver Release to create an unparalleled antimicrobial carpet treatment. Silver Release converts the same moisture that the microbes use into powerful ions that bind to the microbes and inactivate them. Silver ion technology is widely used in other antimicrobial applications from surgical masks to laundry equipment.

Because it’s added to the carpet fibers during the manufacturing process, you don’t need to do anything to activate the treatment. The treatment will constantly be working as long as your carpet is installed. What a relief to finally have a carpet fiber system that can take care not only of itself, but of your hygiene and health, too! For a fresher, healthier feeling home, there’s no better carpet fiber system than Bliss carpet with Silver Release. Next Time a traditional carpet retailer tries to tell you that Nylon is still the only option; we hope you think twice and remember that there are many fabulous fibers, especially Bliss with Silver Release!

Thanks for reading. A Carpet That Will Clean Itself: Bliss Silver Release is a post from Nest Expressions

Proper cleaning with a CRI tested and approved vacuum effectively sucks up the dirt and dust from the carpet, locks it in the machine, and keeps it out of the air. In addition, scientific studies now show that carpet is one of the lowest emitters of volatile organic compounds (VOCS) into the indoor environment. Carpet has recently been proven to emit less VOCS than other flooring products and wall paint.

Many carpets are now Green Label and Green Label Plus approved, indicating a low emission of VOCS. The Green Label carpet program has had such a positive impact on the indoor environment that the American Lung Association advocates the use of Green Label carpets in its Healthy Homes programs.

Call and ask your Nest Expressions Professional for more information on Green Label and Green Label plus carpeting or schedule a free in-home consultation to have a professional come to your home with samples!

Thanks for reading. Breathe Easier | Carpet Myth Debunked is a post from Nest Expressions

SmartStrand carpet is made with DuPont Sorona renewably sourced polymer, which is made in part from actual corn—the same kind you grow in your garden. It also uses less energy to produce. It marks the first time that a luxuriously soft carpet offers durability and stain protection, while also making less of an environmental impact. From field to floor, SmartStrand carpet is the perfect solution to life’s unpredictable moments and environmental concerns.

To prove SmartStrand’s unsurpassable durability, Mohawk initiated The SmartStrand Challenge by installing SmartStrand carpet in a Rhino pen at the Birmingham Zoo. Ricko the Rhino romped around, ate, relieved himself, and lived his 2,800 pound life on the SmartStrand carpet for 14 days. In the end, not even the rambunctious Ricko and his daily mudbaths could challenge the durability and resiliency of the SmartStrand carpet fiber. Simple hot water extraction and regular maintenance removed Ricko’s mud-caked tracks and bodily waste to reveal a carpet as sparkling as the day it was installed- simply amazing!

One of the most popular SmartStrand selections is Guided Path, surely you can see why! Because of its stylish appeal, unsurpassing durability, and use of renewable resources, SmartStrand is one of the best carpet fiber options on the market. If you would like more information on the industry’s top fibers, please contact Nest Expressions at (724)449.1100 or info@nestexpressions.com and look out for our next few blogs!

Thanks for reading. The Best Carpet Fibers: Mohawk’s SmartStrand is a post from Nest Expressions

Thanks for reading. Decorating Inspiration: Bronzed Pastel is a post from Nest Expressions

Ready for a summer look? I know, it’s only April, but I can’t help myself! Inspired by Hunter Douglas’ updated Plantation Shutters, I used wicker, bamboo, woven lily grass, and pomegranate accents to create a room suggestive of summertime leisure. The textures used are key contributors to the atmosphere and I intentionally selected unique textures that represent grass to convey the energy of the summer season. The floor, couch, coffee table and lamp have sandy undertones and the white shutters, chair, and plant holder represent open air, akin to the open air that breezes through sand dunes.

I chose pomegranate as the primary accent color because it draws out warm undertones from sandy beige hues. In addition, I subtly incorporated a citrus orange color because it is harmonious to shades of pomegranate.  No summertime scheme is complete without a live green plant. We must celebrate the fact that summer is full of green and vitality by incorporating at least one house plant into any summer-inspired room.  I know the Pomegranate Dunes interior scheme is slightly premature, but come summertime you now have the inspiration to create your perfect leisure room! Enjoy!

Thanks for reading. Decorating Inspiration: Pomegranate Dunes is a post from Nest Expressions

The Rustic Plum interior scheme combines earthy neutrals with complimentary colors, plum and soft green. The soft green tones in the sofa and vase are reminiscent of a grassy pasture, lending a sense of freedom and vitality. The beige chair, cabinet, and Hunter Douglas Roman Shades anchor the room by providing a rustic, relaxing base tone suggestive of natural wonder. Beige and green tones combine to create the perfect rustic canvas for plum accents. Although Plum is used subtly in this scheme, it is on stage, bringing completion and intrigue to this room. The detailing on the weathered white accent piece adds intricacy that contributes to the atmosphere of authentic beauty. Rustic Plum is an excellent color scheme selection for any room built for reflecting, relaxing, unwinding, and having down-to-earth conversations.

Thanks for reading. Decorating Inspiration: Rustic Plum is a post from Nest Expressions

The Aqua-sky Duette Honeycomb is a casual, cool, and crisp colored shade that looks its best when complimented by tangerine and harmonious green accents. Cream colored neutrals are typically used in calming and traditional areas so looking for accent pieces that have traces of cream in them (such as the green floral area rug and the red and orange floral painting) will enhance the sense of traditional tranquility provided by the Aqua-sky Duette Honeycomb.

A Cream-toned Shaw Ceramic floor is the perfection flooring selection because it provides warm undertones and structure to balance the cool calmness suggested from the Aqua-sky Duette.  The Dark Brown table and cream tinted light fixture bring components together by combining the crisp structure and enchanting warmth that is conveyed through the Tangerine/ Aqua-sky color scheme.

The Tangerine Sky interior scheme is a paradoxical masterpiece that combines warm and cool colors, crisp and tranquil structures, and represents a casual sophistication difficult to achieve. At Nest Expressions, we are eager to help you make flooring and window treatment selections that will enhance several dimensions of your home and save you from spending extra dollars on design consultants. Call and schedule your free in-home flooring and window treatment consultation and browsing appointment today at (724) 449.1100 or e-mail Nest Expressions at info@nestexpressions.com.

Thanks for reading. Decorating Inspiration: Tangerine Sky is a post from Nest Expressions