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Clutter: It’s Time to Let Go

Saturday, January 5th, 2019

Rachael Ray Home by Legacy Classic Furniture Bedroom Panel Bed with Brass Finish Wood Accents and Storage Footboard, Queen 5/0 8100-4125K is a bed which doubles as a storage unit.

Have you noticed lately that you have more than one of everything? If you see a stack of magazines that haven’t been read for a while or a pile of papers that remain untouched for many months (and, yeah, they are kept together with old bills), then it’s time to admit that clutter is slowly taking over.

 

Visual appeal should not be the lone reason why you should begin your New Year with a decluttering project. More than this, decluttering could also relieve stress, make you feel more peaceful, while it can also improve your personal relationships.

 

It’s Time to Socialize

 

Yes, it’s the New Year so forget about your worries on your hosting embarrassments. Don’t wait for many more months before you begin welcoming and entertaining guests once more. And don’t even think of abandoning the idea of welcoming guests in your home because it’s never healthy.

 

If you’re also thinking that hosting a party is as easy as shoving all your clutter in the basement, then pretty soon, you’ll notice that the molehill has become Mount Everest.

 

It’s time to face the problem and begin rummaging through your stuff. As you free up space, you will soon notice that you’re starting to feel the confidence to let in some guests once more.

 

It’s Time to Relax

 

Clutter does have a tendency to hold you back. In fact, many people admit to feeling uneasy inside a messy home. They also feel that they are not able to relax when their eyes rest upon stacks of papers or baskets of dirty laundry. After all, who could recline and enjoy a book when there are hordes of work to be done?

 

If you really want to truly relax, then you should put your belongings right where they should be properly stored and those that you have not used for the longest time, well, you know the drill – it’s time to let go.

 

As you declutter, you will soon free up some space which will make your home more relaxing. You will also be able to lie down and say that you’ve done your job.

 

It’s Time to Put Wellness First

 

Just imagine having piles of clothes strewn all over the floor or having a hamper overflowing. Do you see yourself living like this for years and years?

 

Relive your anxiety by getting rid of these things. These unwanted things have the power to make you feel that you’re always on the edge. Some could even be so powerful that they can keep you up at night.

 

And the more nights that you’re kept awake by the thoughts of cleaning up or having a pile of unwanted stuff within the room, the less sleep that you’re going to get. And with fewer hours spent on resting and rejuvenating, the more that your health will surely suffer.

Let tonight be the last night that you’ll wake up to a cluttered home. Clean up the dust that have accumulated and store all your disorganized stuff. Don’t let the dust collect until family members begin suffering from asthma and other respiratory illnesses.

 

The benefits of a cleanup are improved breathing, reduced stress, and thus, improved sleep.

 

It’s Time to be Punctual

 

Having no sense of organization could lead to stressful times when you look for something and couldn’t find it. Clutter has the power to slow you down especially when you’re prepping for work.

 

This coming weekend put your work clothes on and start tackling this problem. Worry no more and begin cleaning up. There are many benefits to this weekend project so better gather your cleaning materials soon.

 

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Sentimental Clutter (And How to Get Rid of Them)

Friday, December 21st, 2018


Store your treasures stylishly in the Uttermost Living Room Truett Wooden Storage Bench. 

Going through your family mementos and even some of your childhood toys is not just a tiresome task but also something that can be emotionally taxing. But with more and more people already signing up to become minimalists and after knowing what the benefits of this lifestyle brings, don’t you think it’s about time to rethink your stored stuff?

If you have decided to embrace minimalism, then you need the right method to begin. When you’re about to go through some tear-inducing family treasures, then you do need to honestly classify which ones are just being kept for their sentimental value and which ones are being saved for future use.

There are correct questions to ask so that you’ll know whether one thing should still be kept or if it can be given away. And there are also factors to consider when getting rid of sentimental clutter.

Know the Back Story


There are objects that bring to mind a certain person or a time when you were with him or her. These might also remind you of places that you’ve visited. These are the objects that could easily conjure a story in your mind because they have meanings.

Such objects with back-stories could be something beautiful as a watch, locket or any piece of jewelry. These could also be damaged items such as a rusty typewriter or an old textbook.

Between these objects, it is obvious which ones you should endeavor to keep.

Categorize the Precious Pieces


There are certain stuff that have the potential to become more valuable the more years that they are kept. Such things as childhood photographs, diaries and even love letters are reminders of different points in one’s life. These are the types of things that are often preserved by people for their sentimental value (but for a good reason). These are the things that you won’t mind taking up space in your home.

There are also author-wannabes who might want to keep their manuscripts for future use.

Consider Displaying or Using Them


There is no doubt that your sentimental pieces bring you joy. Your grandmother’s chinaware is the type of collection that definitely brings back a lot of good memories, so, instead of keeping this inside the china cabinet for many years, why not bring them out and use them?

Bringing out your treasures for daily use is a good way to keep remembering the reasons why you kept them in the first place. And a wise counsel says that you need to use the good china now that you’re still living and breathing.

Define the Feelings for Each Piece


Are you intentionally keeping some sentimental clutter? If so, then you have to find out why. This may be because you would end up being devastated when these pieces are lost or if they’re ever thrown away.

Instead of keeping your book collections in the garage and having them left boxed there for so many years, why not bring them out and display them on a shelf? You can even organize weekly book reading with your kids so you can introduce the classics that you so loved.

Know which pieces are irreplaceable and find out how to store them or use them daily in a proper manner.

There May Be Doubles


Who knows, you may have unconsciously kept double of everything. If you have backed up your videos and photos, then you’re doing great so far. And for those pieces that cannot be backed up, then you should know how to store them. Find out if you would want to have these pieces forever with you.

If you have an unexplainable attachment to some things, then you might also want to consider speaking to an expert about the causes of hoarding and how to avoid them.

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Why Nordic Equals Comfort

Thursday, December 20th, 2018

Hancock and Moore Living Room Nordic Recliner 7161-PRB

Fall and eventually winter are the perfect seasons to gather with family and friends.  This is the right moment to gather around afire and to just enjoy each and everyone’s company. People from Scandinavian nations refer to this as hygge which roughly translates to cozy and warm or being in a peaceful ambiance.

Here are some of the leading reasons why Nordic design can be equated to hygge –

Because of the Cozy Sitting Room


There is always a focal place in Nordic homes where people gather around to talk or just to relax. This room often has the most comfortable chairs, photo albums (so family members and guests can reminisce if they want to), a plethora of books, ample lighting, and game boards or some cards.

More often than not, this place has a fireplace or even a simple wood stove. Just imagine the whole family drinking from their mugs of hot chocolate while waiting for Christmas. It’s the most sublime picture.

Romantic Candles Throughout


And this is not just at the dining table.The living room could also be decorated with the most interesting candles. Even the kitchen counters, living room coffee table, and the bedroom nightstands have their own sets of candles.

And at dinnertime, Scandinavians make it a point to enjoy a candlelit gathering. If you’re concerned about everyone’s safety, then use tea lights or votives since these are less likely to be blown and toppled. Tapers are often the cause of accidental fires so you can also pacify your mind with some battery operated pieces.

Even More Candles


This could be the unspoken rule throughout the Nordic nations – that you can never have too many candles. Just imagine the long winter nights that you have to sleep through. There surely is a need for ample lighting.

Create the most magical mood by adding more flickering candles throughout your home. Once again, just make sure that they won’t topple when a breeze suddenly blows in the room.

Comfort Food


The holiday season is the time for comfort food. Apart from the aforementioned mug of hot cocoa, you can also enjoy other beverage and food that are common during Christmas such as –

Fruit salad complete with panettone croutons

Grape Focaccia

Prime Beef Rib

Christmas cakes

Candies

Herb-roasted chicken

Eggnog, and many more.

People Linger


Especially around the dining table to enjoy dessert and coffee. On many nights, fresh fruits or a cup of tea is what each family member or guest enjoys. Square chocolates are also widely enjoyed. The idea of Nordic comfort is to provide a little something to entice the guest or relative to stay a bit more.

You can even up the level of hygge by taking off your shoes and enjoying baked desserts with your guests. And if you’re really feeling up to it, you can even relax and just eat your dinner at the breakfast nook or even on the couch.

Ambiance Music


Oh, what could be more relaxing than a good piece of music? Music is one of the magical ways to create an instant comfortable ambiance. Consider the kind of mood that you would want to evoke in your home. Play some jazz music and you’re off to many restful evenings.

The music that you use should be soft enough because jarring noise would lower your chances of achieving hygge. Also, the secret is to play music that won’t require you to shout just so you could converse with your family.

Comfort Is a Priority


Just take a look at the faux furs and the throws that are strewn on the floor. These are just some of the pieces that are inviting enough to make you feel relaxed.

Have a stack of blankets on the ready.

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Living Room Layout, Functions and Furniture Choices

Saturday, September 24th, 2016

7072-002CR Hamptons 3 Over 3 Sofa

7072-002CR Hamptons 3 Over 3 Sofa

Living rooms’ primary function is to gather family members in one space. Others believe that one’s identity can also be communicated through this room. There is a design criterion that needs to be met when setting up the living room. First, you have to recognize that this can be both a private and a public room. It’s a private room when you stay there with your loved ones or a public space when you’re hosting parties for friends.

Recognize that memories of your family time and moments with your friends in a living room could affect the connotation that they have for this space. After all, this space can be a place of solitude or a place for huge parties.

Know that hosting guests in a living room can include formal gathering or the more intimate scenarios.

Key Concepts

Every living room must have a sofa. Most families add a seating unit that is placed diagonally to this furniture piece. Some like placing a table in front of the sofa instead. Artwork can also be displayed on living room walls. Other objects can have the same purpose as artwork (e.g. framed photos, knickknacks, or gifts). Books are a common display on walls, too.

Not a lot of people spend moments of solitude such as writing, reading and contemplating inside the living room even when the physical elements in that space are used to foster privacy.

Tackling Living Room Design

There are two stages in designing the living room. First, take a step back and look at the bigger picture. Look at the room while it is still bare space. Next, find out how you can arrange the furnishings in the room.

Have a graphing paper and draw the room that you wish to achieve. There is no need to have a drafting degree for this kind of drawing. Have one square on the graph represent 6 inches; this means that a 10 by 8 feet space should have 20 by 16 squares.

Draw the doors, windows, furniture placements, and fireplaces, just about anything that you can move around. Now create some copies and use these as your sketchpad. You can go ahead and draw many different chair and sofa placements before anyone rearranges or sets up anything. Being able to view the room at an abstract sort of way can help you find new style options.

Figuring out the best layout for your living room means you have to prioritize flow, function as well as the focal point. The flow is the traffic pattern in a room. This is how people travel through the room and what paths are made available.

As for the room’s function, this can be defined by seeing the stuff that you will put in there. If the pieces are mainly TV, subwoofers, speakers, and such, then it’s a living room that’s mainly for entertainment. If it’s filled with shelves of books and a plush sofa plus a pair of floor lamps or a desk lamp paired with a wingbacked chair, then that living room is definitely a reading space.

A living room must also have a focal point. This if often the fireplace or a picturesque window. If you have all three – the picture window, fireplace and TV, then each should be placed on different walls. The traffic in the room must also be free-flowing.

Sometimes, it’s as easy as setting up the television. The focal point is what you and your family get to see as soon as they walk into the living room. The rest of the furniture and other design elements are arranged all around it.

Now it’s time to place the furniture at the right angles. This will offer a dynamic space. Leave no less than 36 inches of width for your living room traffic. Smaller groups of furniture should have 18 inches of space, at the very least, in front of them so that they can be accessed with ease.

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Faux What?

Tuesday, September 6th, 2016

Hooker Furniture Living Room Keepsake Event Recliner

Hooker Furniture Living Room Keepsake Event Recliner features a frame that looks a tad weathered.

Faux finishes are growing more and more popular each year. Exotic and bland finishes have been around for hundreds, even thousands of years. Most of the techniques even date all the way back to the ancient Greek and Egyptian cultures though the best pieces are those crafted by the Renaissance Italians. The Italians were the ones who mastered faux art in the form of stone, wood and metal pieces. Even the most discerning eyes were fooled then. It was in the mid 1900s when European and American craftsmen made the most awesome interior paint effects in both cottage and palatial homes.

The last century and a half didn’t show a lot of new faux art. It was just a few decades ago when specialty paint finishes are being rediscovered. This spelled the availability of faux finishes to everyone. In essence, anyone who can hold a paintbrush can already do the work as there is no limitation to what you can now glaze or paint in your home.

Kinds of Faux Finishes

The first one is known as the antiqued finish. This is the repro of old, weathered look with the use of paint which was specifically manufactured for faux finish purposes. Each mixture of crackle medium, base paint and surface material produces a different result. You can also experiment if you want to achieve a particular color or look.

If you want to achieve this look on a new piece, then try painting the piece with milk paint. This is paint made from clay, natural pigments, lime and milk casein. It is natural so it’s safe to use. It offers a powdery look which can be seen often in many genuine antique pieces.

The next kind is the distressed antique finish. When distressing a piece of furniture, whether a cabinet or a chair, you need to take a good look at the furniture. See how the corners and rungs have been worn or how they have lost their finish. More often than not, repeated handling and touching can wear off the finish. Dings and scuff marks can also happen.

Don’t go shopping for new hardware if you want to achieve this look. You can actually use any tool to mimic the look of a worn out piece. Look for an old canvas bag, fill it up with bolts then beat up your furniture. The bruises and dents you achieve will surely look authentic, you’ll see.

Adding effects is easier if you use a semi-transparent paint glaze right over the base coat. There are different results that you can achieve with the glazing effect. You can have it removed by sponging, ragging or combing.

Apply glaze on base coat using different implements in order to create patterns and textures. You can also let the glaze dry partially before you wipe it off for a rubbed effect. This should resemble a parchment which is great for rustic interiors. Dilute the glaze for color wash then apply with brush.

Another faux finish is called combing. This makes use of the teeth of comb. You can create straight, wavy or zigzag lines according to your preference. All you have to do is to drag the comb through the glaze to achieve a textured effect.

Ragging means using bunched up, lint-free rags. Apply the second coat right over the base.

Sponging makes use of natural sea sponge in applying the glaze on top of the base coat. Other effects like wood graining can be quite challenging. There are also techniques that combine several techniques using brush and different work details.

Lastly, there’s gilding. This is an easy way to add drama or character to accessories in your home. Use metallic colors such as gold, silver or copper leaf and what you achieve is an instant heirloom.

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Making Black and Brown Non-Gloomy

Monday, August 1st, 2016

The marriage of black and brown in this pretty ensemble is difficult to ignore. This piece comes from FFDM's Viniterra Collection.

The marriage of black and brown in this pretty ensemble is difficult to ignore. This piece comes from FFDM’s Viniterra Collection.

Black and brown may both be classified as dark colors but they are actually on opposite sides of a neutral palette. Black may be brash or bold while brown can be boring if not used properly. You may not love the idea of using any of these two colors but it goes without saying that they have their own special place in interior design. There are many reasons that black and brown can also work in your home; here are some –

Black Is the Star

Black is a color that will never miss in terms of style, not that it can never go wrong but it would be impossible not to see the mistake.

A feature wall can be painted black. If you do that, any stuff that you place by it would surely be highlighted. This wall could also instantly magnetize the attention of visitors. Pick black if you are ready to make a huge statement or are in need of a focal point in a huge space.

Brown by the Sidelines

Unlike black, this color doesn’t beg for attention. This is why it is an excellent choice for any room that’s kept busy by patterns. This is the color that you should turn to if you want a more restful and cohesive look.

A brown sofa, though right in the middle of the room, might not be the one that you would instantly notice in a living room. It is only subtly beautiful so other design elements can be featured. Pick brown for bigger furniture pieces that won’t necessarily steal the show.

Black With Neutrals

The audaciousness of black may be strong for other colors to take especially when you use a lot, however, it can be mixed with neutrals. Black can highlight undertones adding drama, even life. When you are working with a neutral palette, all you have to do is add a dash of brown. Featuring black will spell the difference between drab and fab.

Brown + Other Colors

One of the strengths of brown is its power to relate to different hues. Brown is often a mix of colors but just with a tad more orange or red for a warmer look. This color works on an eclectic palette since it can connect with other hues.

Black can work with colors but brown is always the safer bet.

Black + Patterns

The crisp look of black makes it a wonderful choice for prints and patterns. It is especially awesome with bold geometric patterns complete with strong angles.

Brown + Patterns

Brown is better when used with soft patterns and organic curves. It also works with a lot of light and white. Branch motifs and leaves are also amazing partners for this color.

Brown Spells Texture

Brown looks great in rich textures and vice versa. The softness of brown emphasizes more on texture while black, more often than not, visually overpowers it. Pick brown for elements such as a faux-fur blanket, a hide rug, or shearling-style pillows.

You could also never go wrong with a brown leather sofa. Find a piece that’s a tan or chocolate brown shade so it would give the space a touch of elegance.

1586-10466A-BRN Epic Utility Credenza blends well with the yellow and white chair, the framed geometric art, and the black stairs.

1586-10466A-BRN Epic Utility Credenza blends well with the yellow and white chair, the framed geometric art, and the black stairs.

Black with Black Electronic

There are traditional themes that house modern elements. More often than not, these are electronics such as the TV. A huge flat screen TV may not automatically fit any theme. Adding glossy black design elements is necessary if you want it to harmonize everything. A lacquered chair or a side table should do the trick.

The kitchen is another room in your home where black accents would also look nice. These are those small, often unnoticeable areas such as a countertop, pendant light or dishwasher control knobs.

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Blue Accents That Don’t Disappoint

Thursday, July 21st, 2016

The 1140CR Ryder Chair 1586-10446A-BLK3 Skyline Bookcase duo makes blue so enviable.

The 1140CR Ryder Chair 1586-10446A-BLK3 Skyline Bookcase duo makes blue so enviable.

Living rooms, sunrooms, family rooms, and sitting rooms all have one thing in common – they are all supposed to be relaxing. And no color can promise a heightened state of calmness more than blue. Different companies have come up with different shades of blue from indigo to sky blue.

Blue is also cited, generally, as the favorite color when it comes to achieving serenity, calm, stability, authority or conservatism. Now is it a wonder why blue is the color of policemen’s uniforms? This is also the color that represents honesty, wisdom and loyalty. A few blue tones are also perceived to be cold which can evoke feelings of aloofness or sadness.

What Color Experts Say

But what do these professionals know about blue? What do they, together with psychologists, know about blue and how it should be used in homes?

The ancient Chinese and Egyptians studied and practiced chromo therapy. This means they believe that colors have healing properties. This is also referred to, these days, as colorology or light therapy. This is not practiced in traditional medicine but more of an alternative form of health treatment.

In the book, The Principles of Color Therapy, it has been written that blue ray is no less than one of the greatest antiseptics throughout the world. This is known to soothe pain and illnesses.

Buddhists also recommend blue lapis lazuli in bringing inner peace. Blue has a calming power that is not easy to explain. Particular shades of sky blue are known to be most calming.

Earlier Europeans also believed in the protective power of this color. These people painted their doors, staircases, cupolas and fences with blue to ward off evil.

If you want to have a more relaxing bedroom and bathroom, then be sure to use light blue in  those rooms. Just make sure to use some rustic elements with the blue in your bedroom so that the theme won’t come out as too unfeeling.

Blue pops beautifully in this 1586-75200B-BRN-75410F-BRN1-room

Blue pops beautifully in this 1586-75200B-BRN-75410F-BRN1-room

Appetite Suppresser

It has also been scientifically proven that blue can suppress the appetite. This may have come from the fact that rotten food tend to have a bluish tinge, hence, seeing blue while eating can actually make your weight loss program a lot more effective.

Blue may be the best choice for people who want to trim down but it’s not the best option for foodies.

Blue Means Productivity

Blue is an oft-used color in offices because researches show that people have a tendency to become more productive inside blue rooms. A study by the University of Colombia in the year 2009 showed that the color blue even ups the test scores of children who were took their IQ tests in blue rooms.

This makes blue the most popular choice for home libraries, study rooms, and home offices.

Feng Shui Goin’ Blue

The Feng Shui principles point at blue as a water element. Since this is so, it should be situated in the east if you want to be healthy and if you want your relationships to remain strong. Placing blues on the southeast part of your home spells abundance and wealth.

If you want to experience all these in your home, then have some water elements in those locations.

Blue-Gray to the Rescue

Dark blue is also a good color inside the bedroom because it evokes serenity and calm. A blue-gray mural is a good way to adding a contemporary flair into your home. This same color can be added to the spa-like bathroom. Use it as a backdrop then add a colorful area rug and a laminate tub.

Cabinetry painted in this color would render it perfect for the farmhouse look. A transitional bedroom would also do well to make use of this color.

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Tile Flooring: What Makes Ceramic and Natural Stone Tiles Popular?

Thursday, June 23rd, 2016

There is no other kind of flooring that offers flexibility in terms of design than ceramic tiles or natural stone. These come in different sizes, shapes, and colors making your design choices practically limitless. This is just a single benefit of ceramic tiles and natural stone. They are also both durable and do not require a huge amount of maintenance. Here are the features and benefits of these beautiful tile flooring – Minimal Maintenance It is easy to keep ceramic tiles or natural stone floors. Just use walk off mats on entrances and make sure that the floors are regularly swept. Should stain or spills happen, then just find a manufacturer-approved cleaner and the tiles are good to go. Flexible Designs Ceramic tiles, in particular, come in various sizes which can be used on their own or mixed with other design options. What you need is just a little imagination plus a little math skills in order to create your own patterns. Different geometric sizes and shapes are being offered in the market. The colors vary greatly, too, so you won’t run out of styles to choose concoct. Economical Tiles are cost effective flooring materials in the sense that you might spend more, at first, but as soon as they are installed, then you won’t have to worry about reinstallations or other costly upkeeps. Tiles also do not require resurfacing, refinishing, re-coating or re-glazing. Natural stone and ceramic tiles also increase the value of a home, thus, helping you recoup the investment cost on the product. Allergen-Free Tiles are easy to clean and have zero allergen so you won’t have to worry about the welfare of asthma sufferers. Tile flooring is also non-toxic (just make sure that non-toxic grout is used for installation) which makes it doubly excellent for people who suffer from allergies. Matches Any Application Tiles can be installed in just about any part of your home from walls, to the floors, tubs, showers, ceiling, backsplashes, even the outside part of your home. They are also widely used on table tops, countertops, columns, hearths, etc. Compared to wood flooring, you won’t have to worry about installing them on a wet environment. They can be installed on any subfloor that has proper underlayment. Timeless Appeal You already know the value that tile flooring can give to your home. It offers a classic look especially where earth tones are utilized. It also stays beautiful – just like hardwood – for as long as you take time to do the minimal maintenance required to keep them. Glazed tiles often last for many, many years even with just minimal maintenance. Other than dusting or routine vacuuming, tile floors require little cleanup even during cases of spills and stains. Any Downside? Tile floors maybe one of the popular choices among millions of American homes but it is not for everyone. They also have some drawbacks such as, if they are not installed over an effective floor heating system, then you’re left to tread on a cold surface. Apart from having to walk on cold surface, tiles also do not have insulation properties, thus, sounds made inside the room will not be dampened. To solve this noise issue, just place runners or area rugs on strategic areas. Talk of rugs and carpet, tiles can also be very slippery especially when they get wet. New innovations have, fortunately, been produced such as the anti-slip surface and anti-slip mats. Tiles aren’t your usual DIY flooring project. Special saws and other equipment are needed to cut tiles; mortar needs to dry and the drying time could be unforgiving. In short, you need a skilled installer for this kind of flooring.

FFDM Belvedere Collection: The polished look on this metallic base blends well with the natural stone flooring.

There is no other kind of flooring that offers flexibility in terms of design than ceramic tiles or natural stone. These come in different sizes, shapes, and colors making your design choices practically limitless. This is just a single benefit of ceramic tiles and natural stone. They are also both durable and do not require a huge amount of maintenance.

Here are the features and benefits of these beautiful tile flooring –

Minimal Maintenance

It is easy to keep ceramic tiles or natural stone floors. Just use walk off mats on entrances and make sure that the floors are regularly swept. Should stain or spills happen, then just find a manufacturer-approved cleaner and the tiles are good to go.

Flexible Designs

Ceramic tiles, in particular, come in various sizes which can be used on their own or mixed with other design options. What you need is just a little imagination plus a little math skills in order to create your own patterns. Different geometric sizes and shapes are being offered in the market. The colors vary greatly, too, so you won’t run out of styles to choose concoct.

Economical

Tiles are cost effective flooring materials in the sense that you might spend more, at first, but as soon as they are installed, then you won’t have to worry about reinstallations or other costly upkeeps. Tiles also do not require resurfacing, refinishing, re-coating or re-glazing.

Natural stone and ceramic tiles also increase the value of a home, thus, helping you recoup the investment cost on the product.

Allergen-Free

Tiles are easy to clean and have zero allergen so you won’t have to worry about the welfare of asthma sufferers.

Tile flooring is also non-toxic (just make sure that non-toxic grout is used for installation) which makes it doubly excellent for people who suffer from allergies.

FFDM Brentwood Collection

FFDM Brentwood Collection

Matches Any Application

Tiles can be installed in just about any part of your home from walls, to the floors, tubs, showers, ceiling, backsplashes, even the outside part of your home. They are also widely used on table tops, countertops, columns, hearths, etc. Compared to wood flooring, you won’t have to worry about installing them on a wet environment. They can be installed on any subfloor that has proper underlayment.

Timeless Appeal

You already know the value that tile flooring can give to your home. It offers a classic look especially where earth tones are utilized. It also stays beautiful – just like hardwood – for as long as you take time to do the minimal maintenance required to keep them.

Glazed tiles often last for many, many years even with just minimal maintenance. Other than dusting or routine vacuuming, tile floors require little cleanup even during cases of spills and stains.

Any Downside?

Tile floors maybe one of the popular choices among millions of American homes but it is not for everyone. They also have some drawbacks such as, if they are not installed over an effective floor heating system, then you’re left to tread on a cold surface.

Apart from having to walk on cold surface, tiles also do not have insulation properties, thus, sounds made inside the room will not be dampened. To solve this noise issue, just place runners or area rugs on strategic areas.

Talk of rugs and carpet, tiles can also be very slippery especially when they get wet. New innovations have, fortunately, been produced such as the anti-slip surface and anti-slip mats.

Tiles aren’t your usual DIY flooring project. Special saws and other equipment are needed to cut tiles; mortar needs to dry and the drying time could be unforgiving. In short, you need a skilled installer for this kind of flooring.

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The Bar Stool

Saturday, April 2nd, 2016

Wesley Allen Bar and Game Room Bar Stool DC204H24

Wesley Allen Bar and Game Room Bar Stool DC204H24

It is quite hard to imagine a kitchen without a bar stool, isn’t it? Bar stools can be seen everywhere nowadays. They can be the seats for extra family members and friends who show up during meal times. Some children also do their homework while seated on a bar stool facing the kitchen counter. Friends also perch on these stools while you cook meals. If you still don’t have these wonderful seating units in your kitchen, read on –

The Bar Stool Basics

First, let’s establish the right height for the basic bar stool. A lot of people are confused when it comes to this matter so it’s best to clear it up.

The term bar stool is given to stools that come in these heights – bar, counter and spectator (also known as stadium). Counter stools have been designed as pairs to standard 36” high counters. The counter stool should range from 24 to 26 inches.

For a line-up of great looking bar stools, access this link here –The bar stool was intended to be a part of every kitchen as it is the partner of a counter. This counter is usually stepped up by 6 inches from the rest. This portion is often 42 inches high instead of 36 inches. The bar-height stools are the perfect match for pub tables. The seat height for these types of stools is at 30 inches.

McCreery’s Home Furnishings Bar Stool Choices

The tallest bar stools are the spectator or stadium stools. These have been designed to be paired with a 48-inch counter or table. The seat height ranges from 34” to 36”. These are often used when extra height is required. These are used when TV viewing is also done in the kitchen.

All three heights are beautiful till you decide to move. Many homeowners realize that they also change the bar stools’ height the moment they change their dwelling. For those who constantly have to move from one place to another, there’s the adjustable bar stool. This is the one-size-fits-all kind of bar stool.

Look at our special adjustable bar stool here – Adjustable Bar Stool

The adjustable bar stool is a great idea as you can easily change the height of your seat according to your preference.

Another bar stool type is the swivel type which is also slowly becoming popular. Our bar stools are well made which renders most of them heavy, durable, yet still stylish.

One of the hottest bar stool looks is the brushed stainless types. As opposed to the usual chrome, this can be more suitable to the contemporary design.

There are also bar stools with mixed materials such as chrome and walnut stools. Mixing of styles is also common though one of the hottest trends is the rustic urban look. This style highlights mixed materials from rough and unsophisticated to clean, rustic, spare lines.

Ever popular is the vintage industrial bar stool (or this could be the old term for rustic urban, who knows?). All these beautiful bar stools with their mixed materials and styles are a great choice for any home. No matter what sort of design you decide to work on, almost always, there is a bar stool that would complement that style.

Well, enough with the styles. How about comfort?

Comfort should also be a huge factor to consider when buying bar stools. Consider also if you have elderly or young children in your home. If they are the primary users of the stools, then you might need to say no to backless stools.

For those who are trying to save some space, though, then backless bar stool is the perfect solution.

Wesley Allen Bar and Game Room Bar Stool B209HA comes with an adjustable seat.

Wesley Allen Bar and Game Room Bar Stool B209HA comes with an adjustable seat.

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