Hemphill’s Rugs & Carpets Receives Houzz’s 2013 ‘Best Of Remodeling’ Award

Costa Mesa, CA –  January 21, 2013 – Hemphill’s Rugs & Carpets of Costa Mesa, CA has been awarded  “Best Of Remodeling” 2013 by Houzz, the leading online platform for residential remodeling and design.  The floor covering showroom was chosen by the more than 11 million monthly users that comprise the Houzz community.

The Houzz “Best Of Remodeling” award for 2013 is given in two categories: Customer Satisfaction and Design. Customer Satisfaction award winners are based on homeowner members who rated their experience working with remodeling professionals in 12 categories ranging from architects, and interior designers to contractors and other residential remodeling professionals.  Design award winners’ work was the most popular among the community of 11 million monthly users, also known as “Houzzers,” who saved more than 124 million professional images of home interiors and exteriors to their personal ideabooks via via the Houzz site, iPad/iPhone app and Android app.

“Our business model has always been about price, service and selection.  The fact that we won the 2013 ‘Best of Houzz’ Customer Satisfaction award certainly confirms that we are doing things right,” stated Brett Hemphill, owner of Hemphill’s Rugs & Carpets in Orange County, California.
“Houzz provides homeowners with an in-depth, 360-degree view of building, remodeling and design professionals through images of their work, reviews and an opportunity to interact with them directly in the Houzz community,” said Liza Hausman, vice president of community. “We’re delighted to recognize Hemphill’s Rugs & Carpets among our “Best Of” professionals for exceptional customer service as judged by our community of homeowners and design enthusiasts who are actively remodeling and decorating their homes.”

With Houzz, homeowners can identify not only the top-rated professionals like Hemphill’s Rugs & Carpets, but also those whose work matches their own aspirations for their home. Homeowners can also evaluate professionals by contacting them directly on the Houzz platform, asking questions about their work and evaluating their responses to questions from others in the Houzz community.

About Hemphill’s Rugs & Carpets
Hemphill’s Rugs & Carpets offers of 70 name brands of carpet, area rugs, wood, accessories and specialty flooring.  The showroom is recognized by the Wools of New Zealand as Showroom of Excellence Premier Partner.  The showroom offers floor coverings that offer great value and exceptional styling.  Hemphill’s Rugs & Carpets offers quality products from around the world including the USA, Tibet, New Zealand, Holland, Brazil, Argentina and more.

About Houzz
Houzz (www.houzz.com) is a leading online platform for home remodeling, providing inspiration, information, ‘advice and support for homeowners and home improvement professionals through its website and mobile applications. Houzz features the largest residential design database in the world, articles written by design experts, product recommendations, a vibrant community powered by social tools, and information on more than 1.5 million remodeling and design professionals

From Farm to Floor

THE FARM

Banks Peninsula Wool Growers are a group of 19 Banks Peninsula farmers united in a desire to grow the value of their strong wool.

In 1990 Mark Shadbolt and group of farmers in the Southern Bays Discussion Group got together on a regular basis to talk farming. Over the years it became clear that to increase the price of their wool they needed to work together. In 2006 the group decided to explore options to raise wool returns. In 2009 they formed the Banks Peninsula Wool Growers Ltd to pool resources and start getting things happening in the marketplace.

They wanted to do that – not only to increase the value of the wool but also strengthen their farming community and uphold farm practices that would ensure farming on the Banks Peninsula would stay viable.

The group realized they had to take a long term view. The aim was to try and grow profits over a 3 to 5 year time frame. The idea was to link with manufacturers and retailers in the international marketplace and to establish long-term supply contracts.

The groundwork to get there has involved getting the quality of what they produce recognized. They’ve worked with industry groups like the former Wool Partners to help with that. Wools of New Zealand emerged as the obvious partner to link their wool with the international markets. They’ve also established their own brand –Banks Peninsula Farms – as a selling point for themselves and their region. Wools of New Zealand is a NZ marketing and wool sales company jointly owned by the farmers. The company takes New Zealand wool from the farm to the floor.

The farmers believe they have wool that sets them apart. They say it is high quality. Because of weather, soil and farm practice they believe they have a particularly bright strong and white wool. Their fiber is tested by Laneve, but they also set themselves further standards.

They have an extra focus on clip preparation, a dip residue test, low pesticide use and a range of other on-farm practices that they believe set them apart.

Other selling points for the Banks Peninsula Farmers brand include:

- Distinct location, free range, sustainable, extensive farming operation, QA , stable genetic base, stable farming system, multi-generational farm.

- End consumers will be able to pinpoint the farm their carpet was grown on.

The problem is that in the US only 3% of the carpets are wool.  Consumers in the United States need think about sustainability.  I believe that New Zealander’s are at the forefront of self sufficiency, lifestyle and sustainability.   A look around their county quickly gives this impression.

Mark Shadbolt is a fifth generation farmer on this land. He farmed it with his Dad until he retired at age 88. Now Mark and his wife, Biddy, farm the 2,000 acres which overlooks Akaroa Harbour.

The farm still has blocks of native bush and there are crystal clear natural springs throughout, providing water for animals and people alike.

The farm runs from sea level to about 2,200 feet, which makes it steep hill country, and the tops of the hills are often dusted with snow for a couple of weeks in the winter. They run deer, sheep and cattle together, which we find helps with pasture management and better feed utilization.

THE FLOOR

Hemphill’s Rugs & Carpets is one of the largest retailers of wool carpet and area rugs in Southern California.  The showroom is recognized by the Wools of New Zealand as a Premier Partner Showroom of Excellence.   The showroom is filled with great wool carpet products from Stanton, Karastan, Fabrica, Masland, Nourison, Woolshire, Bellbridge, Couristan, Radici, Unique Carpets, Robertex, Carousel, J. Mish, Godfrey Hirst and more….

Christmas 2011

2011 Birth of a new Christmas Tradition

As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high
gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods –
merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American

labor . This year will be different . This year Americans will give the gift of genuine
concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift
giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by Americans hands . Yes
there is!

It’s time to think outside the box, people . Who says a gift needs to fit in
a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper?
Everyone — yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut . How about gift certificates
from your local American hair salon or barber?

Gym membership? It’s appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some
health improvement .

Who wouldn’t appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, Ameriocan owned
detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a
book of gift certificates .

Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plonking down
the Benjamines on a Chinese made flat-screen? Perhaps that grateful gift
receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or
driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course .

There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants — all offering gift
certificates . And, if your intended isn’t the fancy eatery sort, what about
a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint . Remember, folks this
isn’t about big National chains — this is about supporting your home town
American with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open .

How many people couldn’t use an oil change for their car, truck or
motorcycle, done at a shop run by the American working guy?

Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services of a
local cleaning lady for a day .

My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young guy who is
struggling to get his repair business up and running .

OK, you were looking for something more personal . Local crafts people spin
their own wool and knit them into scarves . They make jewelry, and pottery
and beautiful wooden boxes ..

Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave
your server a nice tip . And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at
your hometown theatre .

Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands ..

Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chinese
lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of lights, about
fifty cents stays in the community . If you have those kinds of bucks to
burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG tip .

You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American pockets so that
China can build another glittering city . Christmas is now about caring about
us, encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away to follow
their dreams . And, when we care about other Amerifcans, we care about our
communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn’t imagine .
THIS is the new American Christmas tradition .

Forward this to everyone on your mailing list — post it to discussion
groups — throw up a post on Craigslist in the Rants and Raves section in
your city — send it to the editor of your local paper and radio stations,
and TV news departments . This is a revolution of caring about each other,
and isn’t that what Christmas is about?

BUY AMERICAN – BE AMERICAN – The job you save might be your own.

Made in the USA – Carpet & Hardwood Floors

….made in the USA.  Much like Starbucks and their campaign to Create Jobs in the USA, Hemphill’s Rugs & Carpets is encouraging clients to purchase floor covering that is Made in the USA.  Our showroom is filled with great products that are made here at home and create jobs for our citizens.  For example, Karastan rugs and wool carpet are  made in Eden, North Carolina.  Many of our wool products are made in the USA including those from J. Mish, Hibernia Woolen Mills, Woolshire, Robertex, Fabrica, Masland, Unique Carpets, Prestige, Concepts International and more.   In addition, our nylon carpet offerings are almost exclusively made in the USA.  We offer items from Moda, Masland, Dixie Home, Fabrica, Camelot and Unique Carpets.

And while a good amount of wood is imported, Hemphill’s Rugs & Carpets is proud to offer products from Richard Marshall, Private Selection and Moda Hardwoods that are made in OUR great country.  A recent business trip to South Carolina afforded me the opportunity to tour the manufacturing facilities of Moda Hardwood floors.  This is a state of the art production facility that has created jobs for those workers displaced by furniture makers sourcing their products from China versus North and South Carolina.

We invite you to visit our showroom and check out all of our great MADE IN THE USA products.  Are you out of the area?  Shop for unique area rugs online at Hemphill’s Rugs .

HEMPHILL’S RUGS & CARPETS  230 EAST 17TH STREET  COSTA MESA, CA  92627  949-722-7224

Miele Vacuum Wins Stuff We Love Award

The Miele Cat & Dog S7 upright vacuum cleaner was just awarded the iVillage “Stuff We Love” Award.

Why We Love: Leave it to Miele to come up with a vacuum that not only powerfully sucks pet hair, dust and dander from carpet, but also absorbs animal odors. It comes with five tools, so you can clean every crevice and even use it for the car. Plus, it’s ultra-quiet so as not to frighten your furry friends.
Cool Fact:The vacuum’s high-tech AirClean filtration system retains 99.95% of particles and contains a charcoal cassette that naturally absorbs odors from the dust bag

Hemphill’s Rugs & Carpets is an Authorized Miele Vacuum dealer.   BUY ONLINE with FREE SHIPPING. Also, Miele vacuums are recommended by the Wools of New Zealand for use on wool carpet.

Check out the video replay from the NBC Today Show.  The vacuum is discussed at the 4:00 minute mark on the video

J.D. Power & Associates has ranked Miele upright vacuums #1 – beating Riccar, Dyson and Shark.  Read more HERE

HEMPHILL’S RUGS & CARPETS  230 EAST 17TH STREET  COSTA MESA, CA  92627  949-722-7224

The Great Indoors Closing California Stores

Another “Big Box” home furnishing store is closing.  This time it is The Great Indoors.   All of their California locations will soon be gone.  A similar story to the Home Depot Expo which exited the retail scene a few years ago.  Our showroom experienced an increase in business when Expo closed and we have already felt a positive impact since the recent announcement from The Great Indoors.

In both cases, Karastan, Masland and Fabrica seemed to be the carpet lines that Expo and The Great Indoors tended to show.  The amazing thing is that the consumer thinks that the Big Box stores offer the best prices and selection.  However, our showroom offers over 80 lines of carpet, area rugs, wood floor, premium vinyl products and more.  Our prices are competitive.   And, where we really shine is customer service.  If you read the reviews, I think you will learn what caused the demise of the home furnishing Big Box stores.  Their “rebates” and price guaranteed tended to be complicated and angered their customers.

I like the concept of the 3/50 Project which promotes the concept of purchasing from locally owned businesses.  It shows the benefits of what happens to our economy when consumers shop with local businesses.  When $100 is spent with a local business, $68 stays in the local economy versus $43 with national chains.

Need floorcovering?  Stop by our showroom.  We would love to meet you and show you all that we have to offer.  We are open to both the public and the trade.

Discover price, service & selection at:HEMPHILL’S RUGS & CARPETS  230 EAST 17TH STREET   COSTA MESA, CA  92627   949-722-722-7224

 

Chinese Wood Flooring Imports Hit With Tariffs

Buyers of engineered wood flooring that is imported from China will likely see a large price increase in the coming months.

U.S. manufacturers of wood flooring will receive some relief after the Commerce Department decided this week to impose steep countervailing duties on Chinese imports of the products.

The Department ruled that duties of up to 27 percent can be imposed on Chinese imports of the product to offset the illegal subsidies those companies receive from the government. In all, 127 companies will be affected.

The Commerce Department is also looking into illegal anti-dumping allegations against those same Chinese companies.

U.S. manufacturers Anderson Hardwood Floors, Award Hardwood Floors and Shaw Industries Group initiated the process and are asking for anti-dumping duties totaling 281 percent. The Commerce Department is expected to wrap up its review of those charges sometime later this year.

The domestic industry claims that the Chinese government has used a host of illegal tactics to boost the domestic industry. That has resulted in China gaining a larger U.S. market share, up to 47 percent last year from 43 percent the year before.

Hemphill’s Rugs & Carpets offers a variety of wood flooring options including imported engineered floors from Garrison, Provenza, Greenwood and others. In addition, the showroom offers wood floors made in the United States including Richard Marshall, Private Reserve and others.

HEMPHILL’S RUGS & CARPETS
230 EAST 17TH STREET
COSTA MESA, CA 92627
949-722-7224
www.RugsAndCarpets.com

What The Heck Are V.O.C.’s?

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s) are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids and include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have adverse health effects. Concentrations of VOC’s are up to ten times more concentrated indoors than outdoors. They’re emitted by a wide array of products such as paints and lacquers, paint strippers, cleaning supplies, pesticides, building materials and furnishings, office equipment and adhesives. Organic chemicals are widely used in household products. Paints, varnishes and wax all contain organic solvents as do many cleaning, disinfecting, cosmetic, degreasing, and hobby products. Fuels are made up of organic chemicals and all of these products can release organic compounds when in use. Of the many products used as interior furnishings, Carpet is among the lowest emitters of Volatile Organic Compounds. And even that number dissipates as new carpet is exposed to routine maintenance and the environment.

As examples, some relative emissions are:
Paints 100.0
Adhesives 72.5
Wall Coverings 8.3
Wood 1.0
Carpet 0.5
(with paints rated 100)

So-called new carpet odor is usually caused by minute but very odorous quantities of a by-product of the latex used in the back, 4-PCH, which is not harmful and will dissipate with good ventilation within days.

Moth resist agents used on wool carpets are increasingly applied using low (or zero) effluent techniques and, once applied, are totally safe to humans and pets.

Because wool carpets soil less rapidly than man-made fibers, the reduced use of cleaning chemicals makes a positive contribution to the environment.

Sick Building Syndrome is not related to the type of pile fiber used in carpets.

Carpets are not implicated in Legionnaire’s Disease.

Did you know…Wool actually assists in stabilizing the relative humidity in buildings by absorbing or releasing moisture during periods of high or low atmospheric humidity?

There are several gases produced by the burning of fossil fuels and by emissions from certain building components that pollute the indoor air. Among these gases are nitrous oxides, sulphur dioxide and formaldehyde. Scientific studies have shown that wool fibers absorb these gases, thereby purifying the indoor air and improving the health and well-being of building occupants. Wool chemically reacts with these gases, neutralizing and binding them irreversibly in structure.

Natural fiber backings, as in those made from jute or cotton, have a similar beneficial effect.

Nylon fibers have a much more limited ability to absorb these gases, having a much slower rate of absorption and being unable to reduce the final concentrations to the very low levels achieved by wool.

Heating of wool carpets — as in by underfloor central heating — does not cause significant quantities of the gases to be reemitted into the atmosphere.

Karastan Rug & Carpet App For Your iPad

Installing the iPad App

This lesson will show you how to access and install the iPad app to integrate on your iPad

Type in karastanonthego.com into a new Safari window

Click the “+” icon and then click “Add to Home Screen”

You can name this anything. We suggest “Karastan OTG”.

The widget will appear on your home screen, press it to enter.
Your all done!

You now have the catalog beautifully integrated into your iPad.

All Karastan Wool Products Clean Air Certified

Karastan said it has become the first company to carry the Wool: Clean Air Certified label on all of its wool carpets and rugs, a program managed by Wools of New Zealand.

Products approved to carry the Wool: Clean Air Certified label are tested by a certified independent laboratory and must pass VOC emission testing for 13 contaminants.

In addition, the products are required to meet scientifically established testing standards that verify reductions of VOCs, including formaldehyde, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide, in the indoor environment.

“Wool has incredible attributes that deserve to be recognized,” says Connie Berry, director of marketing for Karastan.

“As the largest manufacturer of wool carpets and rugs in America, we applaud Wools of New Zealand for giving wool a greater voice. Solid scientific backing and high testing standards give the Wool: Clean Air Certified label impressive credibility that we are proud to carry on our products.”

In addition to meeting the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) LEED point requirements, the certification also meets the standards for California Section 01350 and Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS).

Carpets and rugs containing a minimum of 50 percent wool are eligible for the certification.