You can have a classy home on a modest budget. A beautifully modern home, tastefully done, is possible. Even on a prudent budget. Start your home makeover with simplicity. A crowded, cluttered up room full of decorations and furnishings and furniture looks tacky in comparison to a simple, almost spartan home.
The trick is to go minimalist.
The time for lavish spending on white elephants is over. Now is the time to learn from the Shakers and go simple. Form and function. Everything should have a reason to be in a room. Everything in the room should go with the decor and the color scheme. Pare down your furniture and furnishings to the bare minimum. Keep only the best items which go with your color scheme and with the style of your home.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Monday, March 8, 2010
Floor Tiling
When thinking of a good spruce up to your New York home, one of the home improvement projects to consider is flooring. It is said that the floor, together with the walls, are great contributors to the ambiance of any room. So when having your floors re-made or when constructing a new home, it is crucial to be able to distinguish which flooring type is best for your home. And to be able to know which is better when talking about two of the most popular types, tile floor and laminate floor, this article lays out the qualities of each according to various categories.
Style
Both laminate floor and tile floor boasts of an extremely extensive variety of texture and look. With any of the option, the designs that you could come up with is literally limited to one’s imagination. In the past, laminate was just a replicate of popular wood flooring; but technology has enabled it to realistically copy the look of natural stone and even tile. Tiles that are made to look like marble and other more expensive stone flooring types can fool even experts on first glance. There are also certain types of tile that has been engineered to closely resemble wood.
Installation
Because it has been manufactured in smaller sections with a design integrated with an interlock system, laminate floor is much easier to install through a method known as floating installation. On the contrary, many experts agree that one of the hardest to install flooring is ceramic tile floor which, together with other types of tile is continually coming in much larger sizes.
Style
Installation
Bathroom Floor Tiles
If you're currently thinking about updating or redecorating your bathroom there are tons of bathroom tile designs that you can look at that will compliment your bathroom well. Some people go for a total overhaul in their bathroom to give it a new look. You don't always need to go that far though. Sometimes just laying new tile and adding some new or fresh bathroom accessories can make your bathroom look totally new feel to it.
The days of "hospital white" tiles in all bathrooms are far behind us. Today, you have many bathroom tile design ideas in a wide variety of colors and textures to create many different effects - regardless of the size or shape of your bathroom. You will need to take extra time to decide on the exact ambience you want in your new bathroom in order to narrow your choices down to the point of perfection.
You can either tile the entire bathroom, or just a partial area. The tile and design that you choose will ultimately change the entire look of your bathroom. When making your selection, take into consideration the cost of installation and maintenance. You want to have bathroom tile that is pleasant to the eye, long-lasting, and is safe for you and your family to walk on. Some stores sell wall tile as discounted floor tile. You won't know the difference until you step on it and take a hard fall on the floor.
Bathroom tiles come in ceramic, natural stone, porcelain, and terracotta. Prices will vary based on the design, type and manufacturer, so do your homework before making a selection. You will want to make your selection based on your budget and desire. You will want to ensure that all of the tiles have come from the same batch, avoiding a difference in sizes, texture or quality of the tiles you're buying.
The days of "hospital white" tiles in all bathrooms are far behind us. Today, you have many bathroom tile design ideas in a wide variety of colors and textures to create many different effects - regardless of the size or shape of your bathroom. You will need to take extra time to decide on the exact ambience you want in your new bathroom in order to narrow your choices down to the point of perfection.
You can either tile the entire bathroom, or just a partial area. The tile and design that you choose will ultimately change the entire look of your bathroom. When making your selection, take into consideration the cost of installation and maintenance. You want to have bathroom tile that is pleasant to the eye, long-lasting, and is safe for you and your family to walk on. Some stores sell wall tile as discounted floor tile. You won't know the difference until you step on it and take a hard fall on the floor.
Ceramic Tile Floor
While carpets, vinyl and laminates are fine, for a beautiful looking floor you should consider installing a ceramic tile floor. Learning how to install ceramic floor tile can be a fun project, especially for people who love the do it yourself jobs at home. The history of ceramic goes back over thousands of years and it is a very old craft that humans have been doing for a centuries.
Installing a ceramic tile floor does not take a very long time and if you ask a professional ceramic layer, they can tell you that the process of preparing an area is very important, which is why it is the longest part of the project. Make a plan and cut the pieces before you begin the task of installing ceramic tile floor. It can be frustrating at times but after you learn how to install ceramic floor tile, the job will be much easier and the finished results will look spectacular.
The first thing that you should do before installing ceramic tile floor is to remove every item and furniture that you possibly can. You want the room cleared completely so that you can have access to the entire floor. If you are tiling the kitchen floor, all of the standing appliances will need to go and this includes the stove, refrigerator, dishwasher and oven. For a bathroom you will need to take out the wall molding, toilets and sinks. You want the tile to fit every where in one seamless motion.
If your floor already has vinyl on it, you will need to have it cut up and tossed away. The adhesive of the vinyl will also need to be removed and you can scrape it or give it a good sanding to make the floor level and even. A great substrate to use for a tile laying project is sheetrock but when tiling a kitchen or bathroom, you should consider using backer boards because it will last longer in moist areas.
The center of any room is the best spot for a spectacular layout, so you should begin to measure and create your floor plan. Try not to have cuts that are too thin around the rooms' border. Be aware that you need to leave room and spaces for the grout when it is added later on.
Installing a ceramic tile floor does not take a very long time and if you ask a professional ceramic layer, they can tell you that the process of preparing an area is very important, which is why it is the longest part of the project. Make a plan and cut the pieces before you begin the task of installing ceramic tile floor. It can be frustrating at times but after you learn how to install ceramic floor tile, the job will be much easier and the finished results will look spectacular.
The first thing that you should do before installing ceramic tile floor is to remove every item and furniture that you possibly can. You want the room cleared completely so that you can have access to the entire floor. If you are tiling the kitchen floor, all of the standing appliances will need to go and this includes the stove, refrigerator, dishwasher and oven. For a bathroom you will need to take out the wall molding, toilets and sinks. You want the tile to fit every where in one seamless motion.
If your floor already has vinyl on it, you will need to have it cut up and tossed away. The adhesive of the vinyl will also need to be removed and you can scrape it or give it a good sanding to make the floor level and even. A great substrate to use for a tile laying project is sheetrock but when tiling a kitchen or bathroom, you should consider using backer boards because it will last longer in moist areas.
Kitchen Floor Tiles
Floor tiles are a sort of flooring that are fixed to the floor of a building to form a cover. The word flooring can describe any sort of cover that has been fixed to a floor. Flooring is also the verb that describes the act of applying this covering. People may distinguish between 'floor covering' and general 'flooring'. When this occurs the latter refers to a fixed covering, whereas the former refers to a loose covering.
Lots of materials are used as flooring, including vinyl, carpet, rugs, wood, ceramic tiles, terrazzo, linoleum, stone, clay, or some sort of chemical coating. The price and the room's environment can affect the choice of flooring material. Moisture, comfort, endurance, and the effort it takes to clean should all be considered. For example, a room which is prone to condensation should not have wood flooring.
Carpet is a sort of covering that is basically a woven sheet of fibers, either natural or synthetic. A carpet that is said to have been 'fitted' it is permanently fixed to a floor with glue or more often nails. An underlay is usually installed beneath the carpet to protect against wear and tear.
Rugs are similar to carpets, as both are a sort of soft covering. A Rug is normally smaller than a carpet and is usually laid over an area that has already been floored. A Rug may be fixed to a floor or simply placed and allowed to move freely.
Wood flooring comes in two different categories; planks and parquets. Many different sorts of wood are used, though builders tend to use hardwoods because of their durability. Bamboo is also used, though this is not a real wood. It is more versatile and can come on a multitude of colours, textures and patterns. Laminate is even more durable than hardwood; and so is often used in place of wood flooring. Laminate floors are made of MDF that is coated in plastic and slotted together to form a surface.
Ceramic tiles are thin pieces of clay that has been fired and sometimes coated in a glaze. These pieces are fixed to the floor with a mortar and sealed by grouting the edges. Tiles come in many varieties including quarry tiles, terracotta tiles, and porcelain tiles.
Lots of materials are used as flooring, including vinyl, carpet, rugs, wood, ceramic tiles, terrazzo, linoleum, stone, clay, or some sort of chemical coating. The price and the room's environment can affect the choice of flooring material. Moisture, comfort, endurance, and the effort it takes to clean should all be considered. For example, a room which is prone to condensation should not have wood flooring.
Carpet is a sort of covering that is basically a woven sheet of fibers, either natural or synthetic. A carpet that is said to have been 'fitted' it is permanently fixed to a floor with glue or more often nails. An underlay is usually installed beneath the carpet to protect against wear and tear.
Rugs are similar to carpets, as both are a sort of soft covering. A Rug is normally smaller than a carpet and is usually laid over an area that has already been floored. A Rug may be fixed to a floor or simply placed and allowed to move freely.
Wood flooring comes in two different categories; planks and parquets. Many different sorts of wood are used, though builders tend to use hardwoods because of their durability. Bamboo is also used, though this is not a real wood. It is more versatile and can come on a multitude of colours, textures and patterns. Laminate is even more durable than hardwood; and so is often used in place of wood flooring. Laminate floors are made of MDF that is coated in plastic and slotted together to form a surface.
Marble Floor Tiles
Marble tile flooring can be a good alternative to hardwood flooring and it can also be inexpensive too. You can purchase it in a number of locations in a variety of different patterns and sizes.
Sometimes it is a good idea to replace the flooring that you currently have. Over the years your floor goes through quite an ordeal. This can leave it looking dull, chipped and damaged and it can be hard to repair. So replacing it is often the best idea and it doesn’t have to be as expensive as you think either.
Why Marble Floor Tiles Are Worth Considering
If you are thinking of replacing your flooring then marble floor tiles could be an option worth considering. They are stylish, easy to clean and they come in a variety of designs. For example, the tiles can either be rough or smooth and they often have a pattern on them which can include hand painted designs. Obviously the more complex the pattern, the more expensive the tiles will be, and the pattern which you choose will depend upon the room that you are placing them in.
For example, if you are placing the marble floor tiles in the kitchen you will want a pattern such as leaves or perhaps plain tiles are more your style. In the living room a nice swirl pattern on the tiles could go well. Take you time to know what effect you are after and look around at the options available to you before you make a decision.
You can purchase marble floor tiles from a number of different locations including local hardware department stores and on the internet. You should ideally measure the area where the tiles are going as they are usually sold in square feet and if you do not know what area you need to cover, you will not be able to purchase any.
Sometimes it is a good idea to replace the flooring that you currently have. Over the years your floor goes through quite an ordeal. This can leave it looking dull, chipped and damaged and it can be hard to repair. So replacing it is often the best idea and it doesn’t have to be as expensive as you think either.
Why Marble Floor Tiles Are Worth Considering
If you are thinking of replacing your flooring then marble floor tiles could be an option worth considering. They are stylish, easy to clean and they come in a variety of designs. For example, the tiles can either be rough or smooth and they often have a pattern on them which can include hand painted designs. Obviously the more complex the pattern, the more expensive the tiles will be, and the pattern which you choose will depend upon the room that you are placing them in.
For example, if you are placing the marble floor tiles in the kitchen you will want a pattern such as leaves or perhaps plain tiles are more your style. In the living room a nice swirl pattern on the tiles could go well. Take you time to know what effect you are after and look around at the options available to you before you make a decision.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
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