I was in shock yesterday when I went to an appointment for Refinishing hardwood floors in Westchester.  My customer seemed nice, and he was asking the right questions (e.g. water based vs oil based poly, what sheen level to use, etc).  He had checked out our online reviews, too.   I gave my estimate, and he said that sounded high.  This is not the typical response I get.  Usually, I hear, "That sounds reasonable."  Most of my customers get 3 estimates and I probably win around 60% of the jobs.  Yes, there are times where someone does come in lower...but usually, when this happens, it's usually around 10% lower, but it's still fairly close.   I was in shock yesterday, when he shared the other estimate which was 60% lower than mine!  Yes, 60%.  He swears it includes furniture move, which ... 02/18/2013

What is the difference between red oak and white oak hardwood? Oak flooring is the most popular species of hardwood here in Irvington NY.  Oak is a very practical wood, is readily available (grown and made in the US), very affordable and very easy to stain so you can find the color you prefer.  But many consumers don't realize that there are 2 species of oak - red oak and white oak flooring.   If you are installing new hardwood flooring everywhere, either red oak hardwood or white oak hardwood will work, and your choice will probably be dependent on which look/color you prefer as well as the price (the prices of red oak/white oak fluctuate, so in general there is not usually a major price difference, but this can vary slightly at any given time frame or based on the brand/grade/width of... 01/18/2013

If you're looking for a light colored hardwood floor, consider maple  flooring for your home in Irvington NY. Maple flooring is a light blond color with low graining. It’s a light, smooth look that can open up any room and give a modern, contemporary and northern European feel.     Maple flooring is harder than oak. On the Janka hardness scale, Maple is a 1450 vs. red oak which is 1290. Maple is lighter than oak flooring and its grain is smoother.While traditionally a light blond color, the shade of maple flooring can differ depending on its age and the area where it was grown. Maple’s appearance also differs based on how the trees are cultivated. Flame maple, quilted maple and bird’s eye maple are 3 different types grain patterns that will give your room 3 different looks.     Maple fl... 01/13/2013

What are the advantages of Oak Hardwood Floors for your home in Irvington NY? Oak is the most popular species of hardwood flooring here in Irvington NY. If you see hardwood in a home, chances are it's oak. Why is oak hardwood flooring so popular? 1. Oak flooring is very affordable since it's grown in the US and is  abundant. Oak hardwood tends to be less expensive compared to the other species (such as maple, hickory, brazilian cherry, etc). And, in Irvington NY, it's very readily available to get unfinished oak hardwood flooring. Often, unfinished oak flooring (that is refinished and stained on-site) is a bit less expensive than prefinished oak, especially as you go wider in the plank size.     2. Oak flooring is the standard of hardness, and oak tends to hide scratches well. On the Ja... 12/15/2012

I have buyers looking to purchase a large, move in ready townhome or single family house with prominent Hudson River Views... easy access to train and highways is another requirement... they like all of the villages but would prefer Irvington, Sleepy Hollow or Tarrytown... they are cash buyers and they can move and close quickly... please contact me if you have one for sale that fits the bill or if you are entertaining the idea of selling yours... thank you for your consideration...     12/09/2012

November has come to a close, so it's time to look back to see which posts from the month did the best.  This is a good way to see what is working/what isn't as well as to provide a bit of extra link juice for the top posts.    I hope I can find a gas station with gas today  This of course expressed some of the stress trying to find gas right after the hurricane.  The situation actually got much worse a day or two later and many areas went to rationing.  I believe as of a few days ago the rationing was lifted in either all or most of the areas.   GaGa for Google + - Who to follow + Tips 11/13/12  This was the first of my new weekly series where I'm providing a few weekly tips to help you get acclimated to Google +.  If I had to prioritize time on across all of the social media networks,... 12/01/2012

 In Irvington NY, dark hardwood floors are very stylish. Many of my customers love the dark look...they even ask for Ebony. Dark hardwood is sleek and stylish, and it gives your Irvington home a sophisticated look.   How do you get dark hardwood flooring?   Most dark hardwoods are stained to make them darker. There are many species/types of wood that can achieve this look.       1. The most common dark hardwood flooring is oak that is stained with a dark brown stain such as Ebony (the darkest stain) or a slightly lighter with a Jacobean or Dark Walnut stain. Many customers who are seeking a dark stain want "pure" brown with no hints of red. And, these 3 stains seem to achieve that goal well. The above 2 pictures are ebony.   Even if you have red oak flooring, these dark stains will drow... 11/24/2012

If you're looking for something entertaining this weekend, check out the local production of 9 to 5 The Musical.    All the information is included on the flyer - Friday, Saturday 7:30pm and Sunday at 2:00pm. Join us at Irvington Town Hall Theater, 85 Main Street, Irvington, NY visit the website at http://irvingtontheater.com or call 914-591-6602 11/08/2012

I have to say that I'm amazed at the clicks and calls we are getting from my blog on TheFlooringGirl.com.  It's actually fun to look at the statistics weekly because they keep growing.  (I have a hunch this trend will not continue over the holidays, but here's to hoping).  We are now well over 13,000 hits a month (and we seem to be growing 600-800 hits/week).   1.  Red Oak Flooring vs White Oak Flooring - What's the difference? 10,911 hits (written 1/8/12).  This compares to 8,292 hits a bit over a month ago.  The article explains the 2 different species of oak hardwood.    2.  Oil vs Water based polyurethane - what's the difference? 7,672 hit (written 12/4/11) compared to 5,184 hits mid Sept.  This post seems to generate the most phone calls, including the super nice customers I met wi... 10/23/2012

It is with great pleasure to announce that Debra Goodwin has joined our Irvington NY office. Debra has been a top producing agent with one of the largest real estate companies in Westchester County for several years and we are so happy that she has decided to join our ever growing family at William Raveis Legends Realty Group. 10/15/2012

If you live on the east coast and  you take photos - you learn to work with high cloud cover and make it work for you.   Westchester NY is no different particularly if you are photographing something on the Hudson River or the Long Island Sound. This time I used HDR-lite  and allowed myself a bit of poetic license with the color.  The clouds were a deep color, but perhaps a tad less vivid in real life. This was the case last weekend when I was taking photos on the Hudson River.  I admit I was tempting fate by playing a game of "chicken" with an on coming storm.  Oh - and I made it back under cover before the storm hit.  Don't know about the people in the boat though.... However the water was quite calm unlike the heavier storms a week earlier.   © 2012 - RGHicks - http://fotosonthefly.... 10/07/2012

There are those who mock the importance of the public sector.  Often when they do, they take direct aim at institutions of knowledge such as our public libraries.   Personally, I don’t want to live in a world when a place where much of our collective knowledge is curated, cataloged and disseminated is considered unimportant.  Perhaps we don’t “go to the library” as much as we used to, but we “visit” the library online, can download ebooks and utilize its knowledge base to better ourselves.  Libraries also offer a quiet place for youngsters to study.  Something many of our less fortunate American youngsters do not have at home.   One might even say that an attack on our public libraries is an attack on the upward mobility.  And they aren’t just for the underprivileged, I grew up fairly w... 08/26/2012

Everything you ever wanted to know about Carpet runners. In Irvington NY, carpet runners for the steps have become more and more popular. What are carpet runners? A carpet runner goes on top of your hardwood steps. Unlike wall to wall carpet, carpet runners cover most of the step, but still show the hardwood on either side. They are bound on the sides for a finished look. Why are carpet runners so popular in Irvington NY? Carpet runners serve 2 purposes: 1) they make the stairs safer - they help prevent slipping and 2) they add a decorative element. By having a some sort of carpet on the steps, it adds traction and friction so you are less likely to fall, especially if you are wearing socks in your home. Also, it makes it easier on your feet, knees and back when you are walking up and d... 08/01/2012

Recently I have been working more and more  with real estate photography, and since twilight photography of home exteriors is big in the real estate market, I am practicing low light photography whenever the opportunity presents itself.   The Hudson River at sunset provides a near perfect venue for such practice and the results have been getting better over time.  This picture was taken in Irvington.  In this case the Tappan Zee Bridge is facing north, but it was mainly the panorama of the water view that I was after.  I used HDR with care and restraint, and the result (I think) is pretty compelling. Irvington is  a very popular destination town for buyers looking for a place to put down roots in Westchester NY. The location can not be more ideal – and the views speak for themselves.  F... 07/31/2012

I took this shot just outside the Red Hat last night.  You can see the NYC skyline in the distance.  THe clouds were hanging around ominously, but they didn't get too up close and personal...which after the crazy storms we have had was a GOOD thing.   I tried to take this picture using HDR, but it didn't work that well in the dark.  So this was a simple photo done under a long exposure.  The Red Hat is a famous restaurant in Irvington that is often patronized by the Rockefeller family.  © 2012 - Ruthmarie G. Hicks - http://fotosonthefly.biz - Allrights reserved.    07/27/2012

Are you looking to sand and refinish hardwood floors in Irvington NY?   It's amazing what a difference refinishing your hardwood flooring can make.  Your floors will look brand new and you even have the option to change the color.  You can go light, dark, mid tones, or red tones. It can really give your home (or room) a whole new look.   If you have hardwood underneath your carpets, we can restore the beauty of the hardwood underneath. It's amazing what a big difference this can make in your home.  And, believe it or not, it is usually less expensive to refinish your floors than to recarpet.  Refinishing your wood floors will also improve your home's value and it will be easier to clean and maintain.   At Floor Coverings International, we are a shop at home service.  We will bring the "... 03/05/2012

Many of my customers need to replace the flooring or carpeting in their basements after flooding and water damage.  Once they’ve lived through a flood, and the ensuing damage and smell associated with this (not to mention costs), they are often looking for water proof and water resilient flooring options. One of my recent customers in Irvington NY 10533 had a bad flood.  She called me thinking she wanted tile flooring in her basement.  But, it was cold in the basement and she was thought if she did tile she would do radiant heat to warm it up.  I said, sure we can help you with the tile and radiant heat, but it's going to be expensive...especially considering it's a basement.  She had another issue, too...she couldn't find a tile she liked to go with the stone/granite fireplace...everyt... 01/31/2012

Gorgeous Updated Half Moon Coop Apartment 124 South Buckhout Street, Irvington, NY 10533 View Map This spacious Halfmoon Coop Apartment has it all. End Unit with direct Hudson River Views. Absolutely move-in condition. All new electrical and plumbing. New kitchen with Stainless Steel appliances and new bath. Lower level unit with river views. Sit on your patio and enjoy the sunset. European washer and dryer in unit. Entry Hall opens to large open Living Space with Dining Area. Great for entertaining. Hall leads to Bath, Master Bedroom and 2nd bedroom. Beautiful hardwood floors throughout. Best 2 Bedroom in the complex. Close to Village with lots of restaurants shops and Metro North.This is a must see!! Details Asking Price: $249,900 Sq. Feet: 850 Bedrooms: 2 Bathrooms: 1 # of Floors: 1... 10/17/2011

Celebrate Children's Book Day: Next Saturday 9/25 at Sunnyside in Irvington NY Got kids?  Grandkids? Know any kids? Even young at heart? Then make plans to be at Washington Irving's Sunnyside next Sunday, September 25th for Celebrate Children's Book Day. From noon to 6 pm the grounds of historic, romantic Sunnyside estate will host over 60 children's book authors and illustrators, many of whom reside in our own backyard. There will be readings, demonstrations, signings, magic, and even music-provided by Irvington's own Carole Demas and Paula Janis-co-creators and stars of the beloved TV series, The Magic Garden. A day spent celebrating children's books would not be complete without some very special guest appearances, so also look to meet up with Clifford the Big Red Dog, Bunnicula, Fra... 09/18/2011

Are you looking for flooring for your Westchester home in Irvington NY 10533? We know there are many choices..and sometimes the process can feel overwhelming. Whether you're looking for hardwood floors, tile, carpet, laminate flooring, or if you just want to refinish your hardwood floors, Floor Coverings International can help make the process fun and simple. We are a shop at home service. Our tagline is "We bring the store your door." This is important because first, you can see the colors in your lighting and color coordinate with paint color, cabinets and furniture. Second, it allows us to provide a true estimate for you. And, third, of course it is more convenient this way. We provide guidance - Which is the best type of flooring for your environment and your budget? We'll help expl... 09/14/2011