Flooring
Carpets & Rugs
Absolute Flooring of Yorktown
1735 Front St.
Yorktown Heights
(914) 245-0225
www.absoluteflooring.com
Still cringing every time you walk by the scuffmarks from last year’s Super Bowl party? Are you ready to take a sledgehammer to those water stains? Not sure whether it’s bad enough to warrant a complete replacement? With its selection of vinyl, tile, hardwood, laminate, carpet, and ceramic flooring, the team at Absolute Flooring can answer all of your questions—or, in the rare case they wind up stumped, put you in touch with someone who can. Since every product comes with an installation warranty, it’s hard to go wrong.
A.T. Proudian, Inc.
736 Main St.
New Rochelle
(914) 632-4848
120 E. Putnam Ave.
Greenwich, Connecticut
(203) 622-1200
www.atproudian.com
New Rochelle has undergone its fair share of transformations over the past 85 years, and A.T. Proudian has been around to witness most of them. Following in the family business in Dikranagert, Armenia, Aram Thomas Proudian established the highly regarded rug company on Main Street in 1923. (A second location, in Greenwich, was opened in 1975). Service operations include expert restoration by native crafts people and hand shampooing and cleaning of Oriental rugs and tapestries. The showroom features wall-to-wall carpeting and Oriental and other area rugs and provides services including appraisals, consignments, and the purchasing and trading of carpets from individuals as well as entire estates.
The Caravan Connection
Hills
(914) 666-0227
www.caravanconnection.com
Caravan Connection owner Michael McRee discovered a passion for Oriental rugs pursuing another profession: a West Point graduate, he was sent to Turkey by the U.S. Army. He and his wife, co-owner Mary Lynn, returned home eager to share the love and knowledge about these woven works of art. Today, Persian Gabbeh and Tibetan rugs are all the rage at Caravan Connection, which has been a go-to source for Oriental rugs in Westchester since 1979. Winner of Westchester Magazine’s 2006 Best of Westchester honors for best rugs (Reader’s Choice) and best rug cleaners, the company carries Oriental rugs from Megerian, Renaissance, Abadjian, Jerry H. Aziz, French Accents, and Tufenkian, among others. The experienced staff does custom coloring and sizing, and helps clients choose weaves from Pakistan, India, Egypt, Turkey, Iran, and China.
Carpet Trends
5 Smith St. Rye (914) 967-5188 www.carpettrends.com
When high-profile interior designer and author Chris Madden needed floor coverings for her newly renovated Purchase digs, she went to Carpet Trends. This in-the-know decorating pro knew she’d find plenty of top choices there: carrying more than 50 rug and carpet brands—including bestselling Ralph Lauren and Nourison—the company also specializes in wood, laminate, vinyl tiles, and linoleum flooring. Wool rugs from New Zealand are a prime attraction at the company, which has been serving Westchester for 51 years. This 2005 Best of Westchester winner focuses on high-end homes, but has options for all budgets. Tip: use Carpet Trends’ online “visualization tool” to see what their products would look like in your own home. Simply upload a photo, kick off your shoes, and enjoy your free virtual shopping spree.
Cornell Carpet & Design
226 East Main St.
Mount Kisco
(914) 241-1227
www.conrellcarpet.com
Handmade, silk, and eco-friendly wool carpets are all the rage right now, according to third-generation owner Peter Dipaola, and Cornell Carpet & Design has them and more. In the business for more than 80 years, the company is a Westchester Magazine Best of Westchester recipient for best carpet selection, recognized for its all-embracing carpet selection, from custom wool to commercial nylon (and everything in between). Employing its own installers for better price and quality control, Cornell Carpet & Design has had its work photographed for several major publications and stocks lines such as
Schumacher,
Creative Flooring Ltd.
145 Kisco Ave.
Mount Kisco
(914) 666-6679
Argentine cowhide is the latest arrival at Creative Flooring, and according to employees, it’s a hot ticket. Coming in a variety of colors, it makes an exotic and untamed design statement. In addition to wool, nylon, and natural fiber, the custom carpeting company also carries vinyl plank (the look of hardwood without the maintenance) and fiberglass flooring. Owners Rob and Susan Kraft provide binding, serging, and hand-sewing services, as well as custom area-rug fabrication.
Dilmaghani & Company
540 Central Park Ave.
Scarsdale
(914) 472-1700
www.dilmaghani.com
Bringing some presidential polish to the carpet business, Dilmaghani recently presented one of its trademarked Cyrus Crown Sarouk rugs, accepted by Bill himself, to the Clinton School of Public Service Library in Little Rock, Arkansas. It’s not surprising that Clinton chose Dilmaghani, as the company is known for its large stock of mansion-sized rugs. Started by Mehdi Dilmaghani in 1921, the company now boasts one of the largest inventories of Oriental rugs in the tri-state area—so large, in fact, it has a warehouse outlet store on Route 22 in Brewster. Contact them at (845) 279-5600 if you’re interested in trolling this hit-or-miss site.
Fovama Oriental Rugs & Carpets
of Westchester
1088 Central Park Ave.
Scarsdale
(914) 725-2424
www.fovama.com
Fovama’s website is a literal inventory of its massive number of offerings, which means you can tiptoe through the often overwhelmingly process of shopping for rugs at your leisure. And when the company sells Couristan, Shaw, Kane, Staton, Wunda Weve, Godfrey First, Nourison, and others in addition to Orientals, that tiptoe can be a slow dance indeed. Fovama also can fabricate elegant European-inspired carpet designs for difficult hallways and staircases.
The Golden Horn Oriental Rugs
(914) 670-6666
www.rugrestoration.com
Worn, faded, cut, ripped—if you’re holding on to a rug that’s seen more trouble than Britney Spears, the Golden Horn is the one to call. In the
Kalaydjian Oriental Rugs
761 North Bedford Rd.
Bedford Hills
(914) 666-7571
Next time you’re at Kohl’s checking out that new Vera Wang line, take a few more steps and pay a visit to mother-daughter team Alice and Lisa Kalaydjian. Sixth- and seventh-generation owners of Kalaydjian Oriental Rugs, they import from as far as India, Tibet, Turkey, and China. The store stocks all kinds of antique rugs, including the Khorassan —which, Alice says, is “used by royalty”— and 18th-century tapestries. On site, a master restorer works by hand to create museum-quality restorations. Can’t find the time? Kalaydjian will open on Sundays or evenings by special request.
Kanter’s Carpet Service
99 Fulton St.
White Plains
(914) 949-6517
www.kanterscarpet.com
Winner of Westchester Magazine’s 2007 Best of Westchester award for best carpet shop, Kanter’s has been owned and operated by the same family since 1948. In addition to rug cleaning and repair, Kanter’s has more than 3,000 carpet samples to play with (even if you looked at 10 a day it would still take nearly a year to test them all out). Ask about its admirable collection of remnants.
Rug & Home Gallery/The Rug Lady
50 Lafayette Pl.Thornwood (914) 741-2486 or 877-RUGLADY
www.rug-lady.com
In the time it takes you to return from a weekend getaway (think HGTV’s “While You Were Out”), mother-daughter team Antoinette and Louise Lombardi will transform your guest room from top to bottom. Antoinette (a.k.a. “The Rug Lady”) has supplied New Yorkers with new and antique rugs for 25 years. Following in her footsteps, but to a slightly different beat, Louise (“The Room Girl”) will top off her mother’s work with stunning makeovers, from artwork, plants, and accessories to custom window treatments. Contact Louise for an in-home consultation or visit the gallery for the latest handmade or Nourison rugs, among others.
Sam’s Floor Covering
285 Central Park Ave.
White Plains
(914) 948-7267
and
80 East Route 6
Somers Commons
Baldwin Place
(914) 628-4100
www.samsflooring.com
If it’s new and innovative, Sam’s has it. And Sam’s knows that wood flooring is timeless, but laminate flooring is functional, so he stocks up on both, with brands such as Armstrong, Wilsonart, Quick-Step, Faus, and others. Family owned for more than 60 years, Sam’s also carries all types of carpeting, runners, vinyl, and wood flooring. The company’s veteran staff is as good as it gets. And with family in every store, you’ll have no trouble feeling at home in any of the several showrooms.
Scandecor Rugs
1999 Palmer Ave.
Larchmont
(914) 833-3200
www.scandecorugs.com
Green is the new black, and if you thought it ended with energy consumption, think again. Scandecor’s new line of papertwine rugs will extend that “I’m-doing-something-good-for-my-planet” feeling all the way down to your toes. Made entirely of paper with non-toxic backing, they are soil, oil, and water repellent. Owner Marjatta Rautionmaa-Dick also calls attention to Scandecor’s collection of hand-tufted wool and new cotton rugs. You may just join Scandecor’s clients, such as Woody Allen, Walter Mondale, Phil Donahue, and Barbara Corcoran, who know that Scandinavian home design will always be ahead of the curve.
Westchester Carpet Company, Inc.
785 White Plains Rd.
Scarsdale
(914) 723-2070
Want a floor that reflects your unique style as well as your car, clothes, and furniture do? Westchester Carpet owner Barry Newman may be just the guy to see. “We can fabricate anything,” he says. “Any way you want it.” While that may not include weaving a giant portrait of Fluffy into a million woolen fibers, it does mean that Barry and his crew will put several pieces of carpet together for a custom striped or otherwise artistic look only you will have. The company has a wide selection of wools and borders, and offers a shop-at-home option for customers who are physically unable to leave the house.
Hardwood Flooring
Antique & Vintage Woods of America
2290 Route 199
Pine Plains
(518) 398-0049
www.antiqueandvintagewoods.com
Kermit may have said it isn’t easy being green, but nowadays green is not only easy, it’s all the rage. While this concept is still new to many of us, Antique and Vintage Woods of America founder Dale Mitchell built his first environmentally friendly home over 25 years ago. Having grown up during the Great Depression, he learned early on the value of recycling. The company salvages wood from countless sources—old barns, mills, homes, and even bowling alleys—and gives it new life, from flooring to paneling to cabinets. Notable projects include antique oak floors for Richard Gere’s home and hand-hewn beams for Robert DeNiro’s compound, both in New York.
East Coast Wood Floors, Inc.
1 Odell Plaza
Yonkers
(914) 964-7070
www.eastcoastwoodfloors.com
Cherry, maple and walnut…it sounds like one of Emeril’s scrumptious desserts. Tack on the word “antique,” and you’ve got just a fraction of the types of reclaimed wood East Coast offers its customers. Taken from old warehouses and factories, reclaimed wood saves a piece of Mother Nature from rotting in a landfill. The company also carries various flavors of unfinished, pre-finished, and engineered wood. Also big is radiant (underfoot) heating, which the company says can be done with any material, keeping your toes toasty all winter long.
Empire Hardwood Floors LLC
120 St. James Terr.
Yonkers
(914) 776-5832
www.empirehardwoodfloors.com
Empire Hardwood Floors founder Michael Barrett posits that if you choose the right wood and maintain your floor properly (his advice: use mats by the door and sink and recoat every few years), wood floors can last forever. He’s been in business since 1982 with many happy customers who rave about his work, so we’ll take his advice.
Hardwood Flooring, Inc.
Elmsford
(914) 592-7900
(800) 328-9067
Borders are common on invitations and along the tops of walls, but what about under your feet? Hardwood Flooring, with more than 65 years in the industry, will customize any floor border or design to your liking. The pros handle all the installation, sanding, and finishing, so you can rest easy as your ordinary wood floor transforms into something a bit more exotic. Hardwood Flooring carries Mirage, Bruce, BR-111, Somerset, Natural Cork, Pergo, and Anderson.
Savino Brothers Hardwood Flooring Contractors Inc.
633 Saw Mill River Rd.
Ardsley
(914) 693-0360
www.savinobrothers.com
Rather leave your maple floors scratched than don the armor needed to keep your kids out of the TV room as the finish dries? Never fear, if the Savino Brothers start in the morning, the floors will be ready to walk on (with socks) in less than four hours. The company also uses a system that eliminates dust and toxic fumes. Its refinishing credits include maple flooring at the historic Chappaqua train station, 157-year-old spruce at the Irvington Historical Society’s McVickar House, and the 5,570-square-foot Westchester County Center gymnasium.
Suburban Floors
13 Columbus Ave.
Mount Kisco
(914) 666-6166
www.suburbanfloors.com
According to the crew at Suburban Floors, cork floors are natural, renewable, resistant to wear and tear, and often used in soundproofing. It’s just one of many underfoot materials—among carpets, rugs, laminates, vinyl, tile, and wood—offered at this well-stocked store. Co-owner Jeffrey DeFrancesco says a highlight of the coming season is a new felt-like rug collection from designer Liora Manne. “It feels like the padding under carpets, but in beautiful colors and styles,” he says. It’s one of many examples of how Suburban Floors aims to catch the trend before it even becomes the trend, seeking customers who are open to thinking out of the box.
Westwood Flooring Supply, Inc.
www.westwoodflooring.com
Want to refinish your floors without turning the kitchen into the Sahara? Westwood uses a system that almost entirely eliminates the dust caused by traditional sanding. This family-owned and -operated business boasts an extensive warehouse and elaborate showroom in Ossining. Recent expansion has added tile and stone as well as granite countertops to the showroom. Westwood also installs hardwood floors, and offers free measurements and estimates.
Stone & Tile
Alise Marble & Granite
393 Adams St.
Bedford Hills (914) 666-8946
Although Alise prides itself on its craftsmanship—all of which is done onsite—manager Philip Vetere says the stones it imports are often beautiful enough to be placed on the wall as a piece of art. Catering to upscale residences, the company imports stone slabs from all over the world, carrying everything from intricately detailed mosaics (mounted on mesh for easy installation) to shimmering glass tile that reflects light to distinctive porcelain, all from prestigious companies such as AKDO, Cosa Marble, and Atmospheres Stone & Design.
Amazing Tile Design, Inc.
7 Addison St., #7
Larchmont
(914) 833-3227
www.amazingtile.org
We know why the company is named “Amazing Tile Design”—basically “ “Distinctive, Colorful, Contemporary Tile Design” was just too much of a mouthful. Want to see what they can do? Amazing Tile Design has an in-house designer who helps the visually perplexed with both designs as well as with poring over the company’s overwhelming supply of marble, granite, onyx, limestone, travertine, ceramic and glass tile, and mosaics.
Amendola Marble & Stone Center, Inc.
560 Tarrytown Rd.
White Plains
(914) 997-7968
www.amendolamarble.net
Understanding that lugging slabs of stone to and from White Plains every other day could be a tad trying, Amendola has posted online nearly 100 granite, marble, and Silestone “swatches” to give its clients a head start. With an onsite fabrication shop, the crew can turn whatever you choose into a variety of products, from vanity tops, bar tops, and conference tables to fireplaces, showers, and walkways. Got a grasp on aesthetics but unsure of, well, much else? Amendola’s website also provides a crash course in care, tips on what should (and shouldn’t) be installed where, and the difference between natural and engineered stone. The company also carries travertine, limestone, sandstone, and slate.
Artistic Tile
65 Tarrytown Rd.
White Plains
(914) 422-0041
www.artistictile.com
Is it the tile that’s making your heart pound, or that gorgeous model lying across it? Artistic Tile’s ad campaign, “Let Us Fashion Your Dreams,” almost turns tile shopping into a guilty pleasure. Founder Nancy Epstein travels to exotic locales such as Tunisia, France, Israel, and Brazil to scout out the next tile trends. And with new collections such as La Leaf, Pampa Leather, Goldstone, and South Sea Pearl, the products are as chic as the company’s showrooms (where wine is served in the afternoons, coffee in the morning). In another attempt to beautify the world, Artistic Tile has a company policy that gives back to charities, including $100,000 to the Israel Emergency Campaign.
Carminart
61 North Saw Mill River Rd.
Elmsford
(914) 592-6330
www.carminart.com
Few may think of the tile industry as chic, but listening to Carmine Solimine, Jr. talk about tile is like listening to Marc Jacobs talk about his spring line. Solimine says the trends coming out of Europe right now are “modern and minimalist,” and cement tile is “very hot.” Founded by Carmine, Sr. in 1949 as Agency Tile (the company became Carminart in 1978), Carminart boasts a 6,000-square-foot showroom stocked with an array of tile collections, from stylish metal and glass to classic ceramic and limestone to uncommon contemporary bamboo. The store recently added a high-end plumbing showroom as well, to ensure your fixtures are worthy of your very fashionable tile.
Eastern Stone Fabricators
26 Valley Pl.
Larchmont
(914) 637-3600
and
52 Cottage St.
Port Chester
(914) 937-2100
www.easternstoneny.com
It’s a 2,000-year-old industry and, while the art of stone hasn’t changed all that much, Eastern Stone Fabricators is on to something innovative and new. The general idea is that if you can draw it, the company can build it. After transferring your physical design into a digital format, Eastern Stone Fabricators uses its Water Jet to create unique shapes in tile, stone, glass, plastic, wood, and even steel, coming within 3/1000 of an inch from the original design.
Elon Tile & Stone
13 Main St.
Mount Kisco
(914) 242-8434
www.elontile.com
Much is new at Elon Tile & Stone this year, from four new bathroom vignettes to honed slates to a recent venture into exterior pavers. Also as of late: pyramid-shaped 3D mosaics of several types of stone (including Ming green, alabaster marble, and honey onyx) and a basket weave-style combination, both primarily used for wall applications in the shower or kitchen, and similar round mosaics that can be use