To say Abbey Van Horn has built a solid foundation in her line of work would be an understatement. As the owner of Meyer Skidmore and Company, a flooring business that’s been enhancing homes in Boulder and Longmont for nearly 50 years, her journey is the ultimate “working from the ground up” success story we all love to hear.
More than a decade ago, when she accepted an Office Manager role at the company, Abbey knew little of the flooring world. But, step by step—and with each new project—her passion and expertise within the industry continued to grow. Under the guidance of a boss-turned-mentor, she mastered the logistical side of the business while refining her ability to create a seamless customer experience.
Down the road—following countless floor installations and restorations—the founders decided to hang up their hammers after more than 40 years in business. Abbey couldn’t let the legacy of Meyer Skidmore slip through the cracks. Seizing the moment, she made a career-defining move.
“The owners wanted to retire and enjoy life outside of work,” Abbey recalls. “They were planning to close the doors, but I asked if there was a way to keep it going. They were thrilled and agreed to sell me the company—so here we are!”
A New Era
While the Meyer Skidmore namesake remains, Abbey has expanded the business beyond its hardwood roots. Under her leadership, the company now specializes in tile, carpet, and epoxy flooring, continuing its tradition of quality craftsmanship with a broader range of expertise.
With her at the helm, Abbey’s small but mighty team of four has mastered the art of adaptation, receiving well-earned recognition along the way. They were named the 2020 and 2023 Boulder County Gold Daily Camera Award winner for “Best Women-Owned Company” and recently took home the prize for the 2024 Boulder County GoldPeople’s Choice Award for “Best Hardwood Flooring.”
To keep pace with an ever-changing industry, the team made two game-changing moves: relocating from Boulder to Longmont and replacing the traditional showroom with an on-the-go mobile studio. The switch not only cut overhead costs but also made the selection process easier and more convenient for clients—a win-win for both business and customers.
“A few months ago, we decided to make the big switch and go with a fully mobile showroom,” she explains. “We still have thousands of samples, but now we bring them directly to our clients' homes. This makes a huge difference because the look and feel of a sample can change drastically depending on the space. In a traditional showroom, the lighting won’t be the same as yours, the wall colors will be different, and the kitchen cabinets might not match at all. Seeing it all in your own space is a huge help.”
Old Floors, Timeless Trends
While a new floor installation is always a fun project for the Meyer Skidmore team, Abbey prefers the process of restoring an old hardwood floor to its former glory. “One of the biggest misconceptions we hear from clients is, ‘This floor is over a hundred years old—there’s no way to save it,’” she explains. “But the truth is, hardwood floors can typically be refinished five or six times in their lifespan, and most older floors have only been sanded once. That means they still have plenty of life left in them! Restoring them always brings a lot of joy, and then choosing a stain color becomes a fun part of the process.”
Speaking of, Abbey is excited to see that the grey-stain trend is starting to fade, and in its place, warmer tones—reminiscent of flooring trends from the 90s and early 2000s—are making a strong comeback. "Warm browns are really making a splash," she says. "People are looking for a timeless, 'forever' color, and light, bright natural stains will always have a place."
Elevating Design
Although hardwood floor renovations will always be Meyer Skidmore’s signature, many of Abbey’s clients seek her out to level up their homes by redesigning their staircase. “Stairs can be a total statement piece of your home,” she explains. “It’s almost like a piece of art, unique to your space.”
Abbey and her team have recently been swapping out traditional staircases for exposed, block-tread designs to create a more open and airy feel. “It really opens up the space, and the stairs become a striking focal point instead of just a plain, carpeted set of steps.”
For older homes where an exposed staircase might not suit the style, Abbey recommends painting the risers in an accent color. It’s a quick and easy way to make your staircase stand out and add character to your home.
A Master of Her Craft
Abbey’s journey with Meyer Skidmore shows how passion and dedication can truly transform a business. Starting from the ground up, she learned every aspect of the flooring industry and used that knowledge to guide the company into a new era with innovative solutions, like the mobile showroom. Her path shows that taking the time to truly master your craft is not only a solid foundation for growth but a smart way to build something that stands the test of time.
To learn more, visit MeyerSkidmore.com.
To say Abbey Van Horn has built a solid foundation in her line of work would be an understatement. As the owner of Meyer Skidmore and Company, a flooring business that’s been enhancing homes in Boulder and Longmont for nearly 50 years, her journey is the ultimate “working from the ground up” success story we all love to hear.