Orange plaid.  Yep – that was a component of the old carpet we found at Foothills Golf Club.  Need we say more?    This was our 4th project for Ahwatukee Golf Properties – the company owns a total of 5 golf courses – and we were thrilled to be a part of their new look.  (Confession: we kind of enjoyed ripping up the old carpet.  Cathartic all around …)

BEFORE:

You see why, right?

We thought it would be interesting to let some of our customers do the talking on our blog.  They get the credit for our success – and, they hold our feet to the flooring!  So we took a few minutes  to chat with the folks who manage the club’s events to give us a little insight into their perspective from the other side of the carpet.

“A lot of us have an emotional attachment to this upgrade,” said Laurie Strickland, the club’s Events Coordinator.   Her partner-in-crime, Kelli Walsh, the club’s Catering Manager, agreed.

“For more than 7 years, we heard we were getting new carpeting – and we’d needed it for the past 10.  What we had was worn and dated, but there were other priorities, so we had to make choices.”  (Yeah – we get that!  Right, homeowners?)

New ownership took over in December of 2011, and once we were invited to bid, it didn’t take long for the team to award the job to us.  (Note:  Repeat business rocks!)  It was so much fun to transform this spacious banquet hall and restaurant to match the beauty of the lush landscaping, and the caliber of food and service.

DURING:

By January 2012, President Terry Dugan invited the staff to collaborate in choosing the new design.  “We knew we wanted something modern, chic and fresh – and all of us really appreciated the opportunity Terry gave us to have a say,” Laurie told us.

“Plus – the Dugans were married here, so the room held a special meaning.  It was so sweet to watch them take a spin down memory lane on our new, permanent dance floor,” Laurie said.

Aside from luscious golf courses sprawled against a picturesque backdrop, Foothills Golf Club opens banquet space for scores of events each year – weddings, private parties, business conferences and more.

Laurie and Kelli told us the best part (still) is watching the brides’ eyes light up when they see the flooring, which also extends into the Bridal room.  “Some of them had taken a leap of faith and signed on before the carpet was installed.  They loved it!!  Now, when we offer tours – we’ve got a whole new sense of pride.”  Don’t forget about the groom!  Check out their new digs as well!

(Left to right:  Kelli and Laurie.  Don’t they just look happy??)

“We were pleasantly surprised to find that the project went so fast.  We were under the gun to get the job finished before a wedding that weekend.  The crew was professional and efficient,” Laurie said.  Now, I’m blushing like a new bride!

Sometimes we forget that we’re not just laying carpet.  We’re breathing new life into an old space, creating opportunities for a business to grow – and in this case, a beautiful palette against which life’s precious moments are celebrated.

Drum roll, please!!

AFTER:  And wa-la! The finished product!

Foothills Golf Club scored a hole-in-one with their gorgeous choice – “Baroque,” from Durkan’s hospitality line.  Here’s the finished product – what do you think?  Isn’t it pretty?  (Yes – we’re biased.)  Now don’t you want to go play a round of golf, then enjoy lunch at the restaurant while you stare at this pretty floor?  (Or is that bad manners??) Or better yet, throw a party in the ballroom?

As they say – a bad day on the golf course is better than a good day at work.  Go ahead and make a tee time – and  tell ‘em Traci sent you!

Making your living (and work) spaces more lively,

Traci Tartaglio & Team, Ahwatukee Carpets, 480.598.9811

Check out just a few of what the gurus have to say:

“… If we want to direct our lives, we must take control of our consistent actions.  It’s not what we do once in awhile that shapes our lives, but what we do consistently.”

-Tony Robbins

“You’re the same today as you will be in 5 years, except for the people you meet and the books you read.”

-Sharon Lechter, Three Feet from Gold

“People become successful the minute they decide to be.”

-Harvey Mackay

“I do not know anyone who has got to the top without hard work. That is the recipe,  It will not always get you to the top, but it should get you pretty near.”

-Margaret Thatcher

Now, I’m not claiming I’m in the league with these guys (and gals) – but, I’ve managed to keep the doors open and the lights on for 2 decades, so I figure it means I’ve learned a thing or two about success.  And while I believe the secret sauce to success has many ingredients, I’d like to pass along one of my favorites.

SShhhh…. Are you listening?

Because – well; that’s it.  Listening.  And it’s a skill not everyone comes by naturally.  Plus – when you’re passionate about a product, service or cause, we often want to talk that as opposed to listening to the people we want to buy.  I could talk about carpeting all day – but really, my customers are more interested in telling me about their home, project, or office move.  I’ve got to stop, shut my mouth, and listen.  Like I mean it.

Sometimes, for example, my customer might insist this pattern’s got it all going on:

When it seems clear to me that this is really what she needs:

But it’s not up to me to decide – unless I’m invited, which gratefully, I often am.  But first I have to listen, ask questions and affirm my customer’s needs before I can make suggestions.  In other words, shut my mouth, and allow the customer to talk more than me.  When I ask all the right questions, I don’t have to sell my product so hard – the content of my questions implies I have the right answers.  And that applies to many areas of life – not just sales.  What happens when you listen, really listen, to your kids?  Or to someone who’s very likely got some good advice for you?

So I’d like to add my name to the mix gurus who’ve got wisdom to dispense:

 “If you want to become successful; close your mouth, and listen.  Repeat as often as necessary.  Listen with same passion and energy with which you speak.”

And you can quote me on that!  Now – what do you think?

Making your living spaces more lively,

Traci Tartaglio & Team

Ahwatukee Carpets

480-598-9811

Her love for him stands strong, like a granite stone, withstanding hurricanes of hardships and tornadoes of turmoil throughout their lifelong journey.

Ok, it’s a little sappy, we admit. Roll your eyes with us a little.   But, like lasting love, granite is solid and resilient. It’s why we love granite here at Ahwatukee Carpets!  The strength, durability and beauty of granite make it the perfect addition to any home.  Come on.  Stop being mad at your kitchen and take the plunge!

What is granite, anyway – and why does its presence grace so many Phoenix kitchens and bathrooms?  Because it delivers quality AND beauty.  Granite’s got it all.

-       Granite is made of silica, quartz and feldspar; these were, at one time, a flowing mass just like lava.

-       In its cooled state, granite becomes very dense and beautiful, making it the most resilient substance for counter-tops or flooring.

-       Granite is a natural stone, so it does not stain easily.  Its density and dryness help prevent mold and bacteria from growing.  (Score!)

-       Granite resists bubbling, cracking, burning, and bacteria, which make it a popular choice for kitchens and bathrooms.

-       Granite is one-of-a-kind; each slab or tile carries its own distinctive design in a variety of colors to create just the look and feel you crave.

We know you think of Ahwatukee Carpets for premium flooring, but do you know we also showcase a broad variety of counter-tops that include granite, glass, and also Formica, Silestone, Wilsonart and Living Stone for bathroom and/or kitchen upgrades?  Well, now that you know, tell your friends.

We’ll help select the perfect granite for your lifestyle, and together, we’ll generate some creative zenith and create a unique and beautiful design.  One you’ll fall madly in love with!

Making your living spaces more lively,

Traci Tartaglio & Team

Ahwatukee Carpets

www.ahwatukeecarpets.com

Shop Local!

And not just because this happens to benefit me as the owner of a tenured small business, Ahwatukee Carpets.  But because I think we should all band together to help one another out by spreading the message.  And of course, by recommending other locally owned businesses to friends, colleagues and customers.  Definitely to customers!

The “shop local” movement’s been gaining steam across the nation.  Organizations such as Local First Arizona, the 3/50 Project and Small Business Saturday are making real progress in extolling the virtues of buying local. Tough economic times have made us re-examine our priorities, and forced us to analyze our spending habits more closely.  This is a good thing; adversity always breeds growth and new perspective, when handled with care.  Do you agree?

Making an intentional effort to shop locally means better service for consumers, and often, competitive prices.  When local business owners thrive, we re-invest that money into their own communities and create more jobs.  Plus – our sales generate more tax revenue.  Our customers can sleep better at night, knowing their money was stewarded with care.  That’s a long way for a dollar to go!

So if you’re a small business owner, please chime in.  Leave a comment here or on our Facebook page, and tell us what your business brings to the table.  Or give a shout-out to another local business you’d like to support.  (That’s just good Karma!)  Plus – check out Phoenix Shops Local.com for a complete list of locally owned businesses. “Like” their Facebook pages and make comments – you both win exposure!

Ready, set, GO!  How about passing along our blog to 2 other business owners?  Together, we’re better.

Your local source in premium flooring, counter-tops and cabinetry,

Traci Tartaglio & Team,

Ahwatukee Carpets

480.598.9811

www.ahwatukeecarpets.com

Think about it – we stroll across our carpet in the same shoes that trudged through the grocery store parking lot.  Our kids traipse through the house leaving remnants of the germ infested playground.  We eat over it.  We work out and sweat on it.  We even change stinky diapers on it. 

And then – we lie down and rest our heads on that same carpeting??!  (Sorry to bring it up, but someone has to.)

Of course put that way, it might be difficult to relax with your head so close to all of that icky-ness.  The carpets in our homes filter dust and microbes and germs – and they stay put in the depths of your flooring until we dig them out.   Which takes a lot more sucking power than the average vacuum cleaner provides.

To find out how to keep that all-important filter clean – let’s take a minute to exam the varied types of carpet cleaning around Phoenix.  (Bear in mind, check your carpet manufacturer’s warranty. Some require maintenance with a certain type of cleaning process; not doing so could possibly void the warranty.)

1.  Dry cleaning your carpet can be great when there isn’t time to let the carpet dry.  A specially designed powder substance is sprinkled over the carpet, to which soils and dirt are attracted like babies to pacifiers.  Then, a powerful vacuum sucks it all up.

2.  Steam cleaning your carpet is an excellent way to say goodbye to unwanted filth.  A mixture of hot water and cleaning solution is forced into the carpet using a mighty machine and then is extracted from the carpet making the carpet look cleaner, smell cleaner and most importantly, steam cleaning your carpet gets rid of those pesky germs!

3.  Shampooing your carpet will definitely provide a nice odor and a clean look for a short time.  But don’t be fooled!  Although it will appeal to the senses, the germs will still be thriving and multiplying while you bask in the fresh scent.

Wouldn’t it be great if we could constantly buy new carpet?  (Yeah – we like that idea, too.)  Not likely?  Maybe not, but you can keep your carpet like new for years to come by having it professionally cleaned every 6 months.

We’d say you can rest your head on that!

Are you in search of a trusted, affordable, quality carpet cleaning company?  Just give us a call, and we’ll refer you to a few of our local favorites!

Making your living spaces lively,

Traci Tartaglio & Team

Ahwatukee Carpets

Your choice of color for your flooring says a lot about you.  (Based on our non-scientific formula, that is.)  Spring has sprung, and if you’re itching for a change, check out some new ideas and give yourself permission to have a little fun.

Warm:  Ranging from pale yellow to oranges and reds, these translate nicely for carpet into rust and browns.  If these catch your eye, you’re smart, brooding, and typically cautious – but have a wild side, like a sexy librarian.  When she takes off those glasses – well, this is a family blog.

Cool:  Blues and greens typically define the ultimate in cool couture.  This spring, create a more spacious vibe by lightening them up.  Clearly, if these colors strike your fancy, you’d rather be relaxing by the beach, getting inspired.  Create a space that reflects your passion for food, literature and music.  (Are you really buying this?)

Bold:  Bold colors often reflect a striking or unexpected choice, such as pure white against a darker paint color.  If you’re into bold colors, we don’t have to tell you what it means.  You already know.  Let’s just say – there’s no shortage of confidence there!

So, are you ready to take the plunge and change up just one room?  We say, choose something that reflects your taste.  Your style. Your personality.  And make sure you take a good look at the carpet color choices around Ahwatukee.  Now, you know what they really say about the owner!

Making your living spaces more lively,
Traci Tartaglio & Team, Ahwatukee Carpets

More and more of our customers are faking it.

Loads of people from the Midwest and east coast yearn for the warm look of the homes they left behind.  Wood flooring does the trick, lending a hearth-y feel to our desert landscape.

Still – not everyone chooses hardwood flooring for scores of reasons, including cost, maintenance, and the dents, nicks and scratches that come with the thundering herd that is your family.

It’s why so many people are opting for tile that looks like wood.  Yep – they’re posers.  In a good way!  Here’s a few compelling reasons to choose tile that looks like wood flooring:

• Tile is termite proof.  One less problem to deal with in your daily round.
• Tile Cleans Easily.  Got a string mop and warm water?  Swab the deck and move on to other fun stuff, like folding laundry.
• Tile’s got Style.  At Ahwatukee Carpets, we carry a variety of colors, styles, widths and lengths to match your look.  And we know your look is fabulous!
• Tile really can look like wood.  We’ll prove it.  Come take a look at our selection.  (No harm in doing research!)
• Tile’s more budget-friendly.  That’s a nice way of saying tile that looks like wood is cheaper.   More scratch for you to spend on fun stuff, like a new air conditioning unit.

Have we convinced you yet?  Tile that looks like wood flooring may not be the real deal, but it’s the next best thing.  Some think it’s even better.  You be the judge!

Making your living spaces lively,

Traci Tartaglio & Team

Ahwatukee Carpets

It’s true – you have a lot of options in Arizona for flooring, cabinetry and counter-tops.  Around here, we’re big believers in smart shopping.  So we thought we’d just go ahead and help you out in your competitive analysis.  Check out our Top 10 reasons for choosing Ahwatukee Carpets – Yes; we’re a little biased!

10.  We’re not a “Big Box” Retailer.  Yes; this is an asset.  You could tackle the maze over at the BIG chain stores.  You might get a good deal.  But we can compete on price.  Can they compete on service, dependability and knowledge?

9.  Service, service, service.  It’s what separates a locally owned business from our competitors.  We take care of you.  We’re neighbors – we care about how your project turns out.  (In fact, we hope you invite us to dinner in your new kitchen.)

8.  If we make you mad, you know where to find our President.  And that’s at Starbucks every morning at 8:15 am, to be exact.

7.  When you spend your money here, it stays in the state coffers. And Arizona needs the revenue! The money you spend here gets funneled back into local businesses.  (The Purple Skirt, Ruffino, and many others.  Let’s just say, store owners around town know me by name.  I’m just doing my part!)

6.  Value, value, value.  Think our prices aren’t competitive because we offer boutique-style service?  Wrong.  Fewer employees and less floor space mean our prices are down, just not dirty. (We just don’t like that word.)

5.  One-stop shop.  You’re busy.  Visit our one single location for counter tops, flooring and cabinetry.  With the time and gas you save, you can go out to lunch or score some very cute high heels.  Or just be very responsible and save it!

4.  Licensed, bonded and insured.  Use caution when hiring anyone to come into your home and install or repair anything.  Around here, we safeguard you and your home from theft or injury.  We’ve got the paperwork to prove it.

3.  Selection.  If we can’t match your vision – well, we don’t know.  It’s never happened!  Let’s just say we have plenty of connections.  If it’s not here in the showroom, we can get our hands on it.  We carry top name brands from the finest manufacturers, so from traditional to contemporary, we’ve got you covered.  (Hee hee.)

2.  Design.  We challenge you to find another flooring company locally that’s as passionate about design.  When you do business with Ahwatukee Carpets, you work with our President.  (Again – me.) I’m invested in your project’s success.  I can help design the exact match to your needs for functionality and budget – plus, create a look that’s uniquely yours.

And – drum roll please – the Number 1 reason to shop at Ahwatukee Carpets…..

FUN!  In addition to superior service, competitive prices, a premier selection and a killer installment staff, we make your shopping experience FUN.   Conversation.  Laughs.  Maybe even a little gossip.  Promise not to tell, though, OK?

Making your living spaces more lovely,

Traci Tartaglio

Owner & President, Ahwatukee Carpets

Subflooring.

Most often found in 2-level homes, the subfloor is the layer(s) of materials (usually plywood laid on top of boards that rest on top of the floor joists) that line your tile, linoleum or wood flooring.   And of course with time, subflooring is prone to distress. (It probably doesn’t like its subservient status to flooring.  Who wants to be, “sub” anything??)

Subflooring is especially vulnerable in bathrooms –especially the flooring that surrounds the toilet.  Undetected, water damage soon gives way to rot, so keep an eye out for bubbling, or else your 3-year-old could easily hammer a hole into the floor while he’s helping daddy “work.”  Other areas vulnerable to rot include basements, crawl spaces and the ceiling underneath rotting subflooring.

If the flooring in these areas seems springy, or you’ve had leakage problems, it’s worth the time to check it out.  You can remove wood flooring to take a peek and reinstall, or pull back carpeting, but once you’ve lifted linoleum or tile, you’re committed!  So be certain you’ve got some credible evidence for going in – such as a surface that seems uneven, softer to the touch, or bubbled.  Rotting wood does need to be repaired or replaced to prevent further damage, but be certain it is truly distressed – does it break, crack or crumble easily?

Now of course you could tackle this project by yourself, or, you could hire a reputable contractor.  At Ahwatukee Carpets, we gladly take on small jobs, and can repair most sub flooring issues, in addition to replacing a small area of flooring such as in a bathroom.  (It’s why we always suggest you keep any extra flooring material from each new job – you never know when you’ll need it!)

So – is your home harboring a dirty little secret?  It’s worth investigating!  Do you have any tips to share, questions to ask or comments to make?  Chime in – and as always, come see us on Facebook!

Making your living spaces lively,

Traci Tartaglio

Owner & President, Ahwatukee Carpets

Why is that - and what does it have to do with flooring?

Nothing, really – but let’s face it.  We’re all a bit distracted this week.  Wrapping up projects at work, wrapping presents, wrapping our heads around spending several days with our beloved family members.  Of course we love them.  But it seems every family has stories about Christmas gone wrong.

So this year, we thought it would be fun to get the conversation going.  What tips or  quotes do you want to share to help families keep the holiday spirit alive in the midst of Aunt Joanne’s penchant for gossip?  Grandpa’s snoring?  The kids fighting over who has to sit at the kids’ table?  You know the drill!  Check out some of our suggestions for keeping the peace, and your sanity intact as you try ever so hard to make all things merry and bright.

1.  Make Peppermint Fudge.  Seriously – peppermint is known for its calming properties.  Try this recipe.  It’s easy-peasy, to boot!  (We suggest you break these babies out when someone brings up the subject of politics…)

-Ingredients:  1 package chocolate chips, 1 tsp. peppermint extract, 1 can Eagle brand sweetened condensed milk  (You don’t have to buy Eagle brand.  But why take a chance?)

-Combine all ingredients and stir continuously over a medium heat until smooth and congealed.  Pour into a 9×9 pan lined with foil or parchment paper.  (Top with crushed peppermint – looks so festive!)

-Refrigerate for 2 hours and cut into chunks.  Accept the accolades graciously!

2.  Invite senior family members to rat out the kids’ parents.  Grandparents love to talk about the old days , and kids love stories about their parents.  Invite Grandma and Grandpa to rat out mom and dad with tales of their stints on the naughty list!  (This helps parents remember that although we expect great behavior from our kids, we weren’t always exactly angels for our parents!)  

3.  Play Charades/touch football/cards/Wii.  Let the games begin!  Everyone wants to relax, but lack of inertia breeds fertile ground for conflict.  Get everyone together for games the whole family can play.  Get moving and boost those endorphins, or get lost in a good game of cards. Then, follow up with a movie everyone can appreciate.  (Our pick:  It’s a Wonderful Life)

4.  Take 2 hot toddies and call your best friend in the morning.  Well, we do believe you should “eat, drink and be merry.”  Don’t take it too far, though, or it’ll have the opposite effect.  A little well-timed cocktail hour will put everyone’s spirits at ease.  Later, hide in a closet and call your best friend to vent about your brother-in-law’s crude jokes.  It’s good to vent!  It will make her feel better about her own dysfunctional family.

5. Take turns counting your blessings.  It sounds cliche, but when you take a moment to remember your many blessings, it’s awful hard to fight.  (You can silently give thanks that these family get-togethers come around just once or twice a year.  We promise not to tell!)
Even the most loving, compatible, forgiving families experience Post-Holiday-Stress syndrome.  (PHSS)  Take heart – we’re all in this together.  Enjoy the blessings of family, and if you’re hosting, treat yourself to a trip to Ahwatukee Carpets after the holidays.  We can’t promise next year’s family gathering will be a smooth one – but we can make sure everyone’s got a soft place to land.
From all of us at Ahwatukee Carpets - we wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, or whatever is meaningful to your family!

See you in 2012!

Making your living spaces lively,

Traci Tartaglio,

President & Owner, Ahwatukee Carpets