Are you building a new home, a first time or move up buyer, or simply renovating your current home? The bedroom is your personal oasis and should reflect your style and taste. Often, we are guilty of choosing the perfect paint color, bed, bedding and furniture, but overlook flooring. Technically, choosing your flooring should be one of the first choices you should make. Think of the process as building from the ground up.

In your bedroom, the first thing your feet touch in the morning is the floor, and the last thing they touch in the evening. Floor choices will depend on design, taste and individual life style. Think about your daily life, do you only use the bedroom for sleep, or do you spend a lot of time in your bedroom? Do you have small children? Do you have pets? Do you take meals in the bedroom?

• Carpet – Carpet is still very popular for bedroom flooring. Carpet is soft and cozy with many styles, designs and colors. The choice of carpet padding affects the softness under your feet, while insulating and keeping your feet warm. Carpet is also an excellent choice for sound proofing, especially if the bedroom is upstairs. Some drawbacks for carpet are they get dirty quickly, hold dirt/dander and require frequent cleaning. Carpet is also less expensive than hardwoods, but not as durable and must be replaced periodically.

• Hardwood – Hardwood is a popular choice for it’s inherent beauty and style. Hardwood offers many choices based on type, design and color whether traditional, pre-finished or distressed looking hardwood. To soften the look and feel of the bedroom, placing an area rug in the bedroom is always an option. This allows you to add an additional design element of color, texture and defines the space especially for a large bedroom. Some drawbacks of hardwood floors are they scratch, offer very little padding, do not insulate and can be noisy. Something else to keep in mind is that hardwood does increase the value of the home.

Please let us know if you made the right decision for you and your home. We love to hear from you!

It is always a good idea to add plants to any interior space. Indoor plants supply interiors with improved air quality. Indoor air quality is often poor, due to inadequate circulation. The air can become stale if the doors and windows are not opened often. Have no fear, plants can easily solve this problem. This read will give you some ideas about how to place plants in specific rooms.

The kitchen is a great place to have an indoor herb garden. Fresh herbs smell amazing. They make cooking fun. There is no need to spend a fortune on fresh herbs at the grocery store. Herbs are pretty easy to maintain. They thrive in pots and simply need to be watered daily. If there is a window over the kitchen sink, this is the perfect place to add little pots of herbs. Even if you don’t cook, herbs will provide your space with clean air and a fresh smell.

Showcase larger potted plants in the living room. This space is where family gathers and entertains. Where there are higher ceilings, add some height with plants. This could be a potted tree or even bamboo stalks. Put plants in attractive planters and place them on the floor. Just make sure there is a tray under the planter if there is drainage. A tray to catch the runoff water is a necessity. Nice leafy plants look attractive in larger spaces. Smaller succulents, that don’t require lots of water or light, can be tucked into shelving or book cases.

The bedroom is at great place for a nice rosemary plant. This herb gives off an amazing relaxing smell. It also doesn’t need a lot of maintenance. Rosemary is used in linen spray and bath balms because of it’s ability to soothe the senses. Bamboo stalks can also be used in bedrooms they require little water and light. You can place stalks in any kind of planter and enjoy them as they grow!

Deciding where to place a potted plant basically can be determined by how much maintenance it requires and if the space has adequate natural light. Do the research and find a potted plant that fits the need for any room!

When it comes to selecting tile for your home, there are a lot of great choices out there. Two of the best types on the market today are ceramic and natural stone tiles. Here is a little more information on each variety of tile to assist you in choosing the best materials for your lifestyle.

Ceramic tile is pretty popular, and for good reason. Once sealed after installation it becomes water-, scratch- and stain-resistant. This material is divided into two categories: porcelain tile and non-porcelain tile. Both are created using the same method, but porcelain tile contains 50% feldspar, which is a mineral that crystallizes during the heating portion of the tile-making process, giving it a different appearance than it’s non-porcelain counterpart. Traditional ceramic tile, or non-porcelain tile, is made with red, white and/or brown clay, minus the feldspar. Both are available in glazed or unglazed versions. Glazed options include high-gloss, semi-gloss and matte.

Natural stone is also very popular, but each type differs in and water-, stain- and scratch-resistance. Some materials are also more high-maintenance than others. If you are considering a natural stone look in your home, educate yourself on the upkeep of each variety to be sure you are making the right decision. Natural stone options include: Granite, Limestone (Travertine being the popular choice), Marble and Slate. Granite is one of the best choices available since it can stand up to heavy use without causing damage once it has been polished. Its density makes it durable and it comes in a wide range of colors. Travertine with it’s beautiful earth tones is considered a little more delicate tiling option as it is softer and prone to scratches and staining if not properly maintained. Available in textured and polished versions, it is not recommended for use in high traffic areas. Marble is also a more high-maintenance natural stone choice as it is softer than granite as well, but with proper regular sealing can be enjoyed for a long time. Finally, slate is a great option for resistance to wear and tear as it dense like granite and extremely durable. Slate is naturally textured but can be smoothed down if you prefer.

Come down to our showroom today and let us help you pick the proper tiling material for your home today!

Developing a design scheme requires much effort. With decisions and dollar signs constantly filling your mind it’s easy to forget how fun decorating can be! Organizing your decor around a specific theme is a good way to enjoy decorating. It also allows you to create a space that’s unique and a reflection of your personal style.

When centering your decorating around a theme can help with making decisions on color selection, furnishing and accessories. This type of design scheme can work for an entire house, or for a designated room. Below are some tips to keep in mind when decorating around a theme:

• When designing a room around a theme be careful not to overdo it. Too many accessories can make the space appear tacky and cluttered.

• Utilize colors. Don’t be afraid to try different paint colors. Whether it’s brushed or rolled on bright colors can be a good way to add emphasis to your theme.

• Choose a theme that has personal meaning.

For an example, we’re going to discuss the beauty of Miami and how you can incorporate this in your decor. If you enjoy bold and bright colors than this just may be the perfect style for you.

How can you implement Miami’s style into your decor?
Colors
Colors that represent Miami are:
– Neon purple
– Neon green
– Neon Orange
– Yellow
– White

Lighting
When selecting a lighting scheme, you should utilize lots of natural sunlight.

Furnishing
Try organizing furniture in a way that allows for spaciousness. You want to make it as airy as possible. When selecting furnishings, don’t be afraid to implement a pop of color. For instance, a pink desk with a white chair can create a unique look.

And remember to have fun while you are doing it!

This dining room is traditionally decorated with a modernized twist; which is the very definition of Transitional. Traditional elements of this room can be found in the casework, moldings, windows and lighting. It is the other elements in this room that make it a transitional styled room.

For starters this dining room is painted a warm, yet bold color; which is very dining room appropriate. No matter the interior style, feel free to paint the walls with a deep and inviting color.

Ditch the traditional wooden dining chairs and use a traditionally styled, fully upholstered chair. The frame of these chairs can be considered modern, with their clean lines and tapered legs. However the fabric selected is a traditional textile with traditional brass nail head accents. Just make sure to select a chair fabric that is durable and stain resistant. If the fabric is not already stain resistant, you can have it treated to be. Using a fully upholstered chair for all seating adds actual comfort and a visually pleasing look!

The large traditional mirror that is leaning against the wall adds beauty and opens up the room. Placement of the mirror lends a transitional effect to the whole room. Being so large in scale, it really reflects the natural light and makes the room feel very open and spacious.

Having the bamboo shades behind the traditional drapery give the windows a transitional look. Mixing these two types of window coverings changes the overall look of the large windows.

This dining room shows an equal mix of traditional elements with a modern flair. Decorating any room in your home can be made to look transitional. This is a wonderful interior design style that allows people to live in traditionally styled homes, with an updated look. Just remember to try and achieve a healthy balance of both traditional and modern. Feel free to use traditional pieces that have been refinished in a modern style!

Selecting appropriate flooring for your home is no easy task. It requires much more than just deciding what products simply compliments the interior of your house. Durability, costs, materials are additional factors that influence the decision making process. In this article, we’ll consider both the advantages and disadvantages of the most popular flooring options.

Laminate Floors
Laminate floors are a synthetic flooring product that can be found in homes all over the country. What are some of the advantages of having laminate flooring in your home? Laminate floors are super durable. It has tough external layer that is coated with resin which makes the flooring products scratch and impact resistant. Laminate is the perfect flooring option for homes with children. While the benefits of laminate floors are numerous it does have it’s disadvantages. Once laminate becomes heavily worn it cannot be refinished instead you’ll be forced to purchase new flooring. The worst thing about laminate floor products is that water can cause it to swell and buckle. Also, laminate flooring does not add to the resale value of your home.

Carpet Flooring
Perhaps the biggest benefit of having carpet flooring is that it is the most comfortable type of flooring. Carpet can provide additional insulation. Carpet flooring is flexible because they are available in a variety of colors and patterns that add dimensions and warmth to any room. However, carpet has many disadvantages. It requires a lot of maintenance. Carpet is sensitive to moisture and stains. Professional help is necessary to keep carpeted floors in optimal condition.

Vinyl Flooring
Much like laminate floor, vinyl flooring is durable. It’s comfortable to walk on and perfect for households that experience a lot of traffic. Maintaining and installing vinyl is easy to install. You can purchase vinyl flooring in all types of patterns and simulations of natural wood. While vinyl is durable it is susceptible to damage by sharp objects. Constant exposure to sunlight can cause vinyl floor to fade and wither which is why vinyl flooring is not suggested for outdoor spaces.

Hardwood Flooring
Hardwood floor products is manufactured in many different shades and colors. The color tones can be easily updated by refinishing the surface. Hardwood floors can dramatically add to the resale value of your home. Since hardwood floors are derived from natural materials it can be relatively expensive. Also, hardwood requires occasional waxing to keep its shine.

Laminate is no longer just a counter top material, as it was in the past. With new technology in the manufacturing business, companies have found a way to use this material as an affordable alternative to real wood and other types of flooring. This material is very durable and scratch resistant. Read on and find out if this solution is right for you!

First you need to know what laminate flooring is actually made of. There are several layers to this material, which makes it stronger and more durable.

The top layer (which gives it the strength) is melamine resin. Melamine resin is a durable material used in affordable cabinetry. The resin has been treated with high levels of heat, which in turns gives it durability and scratch resistant properties.

The surface of laminate, the part you can see, is a high quality photograph of a particular type of flooring, most commonly wood. The melamine resin is basically a clear coat that is applied on top of the photograph; which is how it is protected from wear.

The core is typically made of high density fiber board. In most cases there is also a layer of plastic, on the bottom, which helps protect the material from moisture.

There are several styles of laminate flooring you can choose from. Read on to find out which type may be right for you.

Embossed surfaces are raised and resemble tile. Normally they are cut into square or rectangular strips. Generally speaking this type of flooring has a very textured look.

Smooth laminate is a kind of flooring that closely resembles ceramic or marble floors.

Patina is the newest type of laminate flooring on the market. This style tends to look like distressed wood, textured natural stone or antiqued metal.

Distressed laminate is also relatively new on the scene. It usually looks like rough sawn or hand planked wood.

Chances are if you are in need of an attractive floor, which is durable and cost effective; this is the material for you. It is available in so many types and styles that the options are basically endless!