From the Floors Up

Laminate Flooring in the Kitchen

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Are you searching for the perfect kitchen floor for your home? Putting high-quality laminate flooring in the kitchen is an excellent choice for many reasons such as versatility, easy maintenance, reasonable pricing, durability and ease of installation!

First, what is laminate flooring? It’s a very versatile hardwood floor alternative; available in a wide variety of wood looks, tile looks, different colors, thicknesses, surface textures and plank styles. Do you have a flair for decorating, or do you have a picture in your mind of the perfect design for your kitchen? Laminate flooring’s versatility makes it a great choice for decorating because of the vast amount of style and design choices.

One of the perks of laminate flooring vs. waterproof wood is that it is easy to maintain. It can be cleaned with a damp cloth or dust mop. It is also moisture and stain-resistant. Who doesn’t love that?

Next, laminate flooring is a reasonably priced choice compared to other flooring options. It is more affordable than hardwood, tile, and other common flooring choices.

It is also very durable. There are many waterproof laminate flooring choices that are water resistant, scratch-resistant and protected by a tough wear layer, making them a great choice for homes that you actually live, work and play in! It is a great choice for homes with pets, children and active lifestyles.

Another advantage is that the cost to install laminate flooring is relatively low, since process can be faster, smoother and less messy than with ther types of flooring. This can be particularly helpful as it can be less expensive than tile. Laminate flooring can also be installed more quickly and with less mess than tile.

Finally, laminate flooring is a great option for people with allergies. When the floors are properly maintained, there is no place for particles and dust to get trapped on laminate floors.

These are just a few of the reasons laminate flooring is an excellent choice for the kitchen.

Designing Your Guest Bathroom

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There’s nothing that makes a guest feel more welcome than being able to use a stylish and comfortable bathroom. Often, the guest bathroom is neglected and cluttered because isn’t used as frequently as the other restrooms in the house. However, it’s time to take your guest bathroom from drab to fab by implementing crafty design schemes into your bathroom’s decor.

How can you make your guest bathroom more appealing to visitors? Below are some tips that are useful for decorating a guest bath.

It’s important to provide enough space for styling tools and toiletries. Leave the pedestal sink in the powder room. Be sure to install an outlet near the vanity so that your guests can have the option of utilizing a flat or curling iron.

Balanced or equal lighting should be used in the guest bathroom. Options for lighting placement include sconces placed on both sides of the vanity mirror, a small chandelier or attractive lights mounted over the mirror. Using framed mirrors instead of flat glass can really elevate the look and feel of the room.

Make use of shelves and baskets to add extra storage space. Decorative storage accessories can hold hand towels and soaps. If you travel, collect soaps, lotions and toiletries from hotels and display them in a basket for your guests to use.

Try Unique Designs

Since your guest bathroom won’t experience a lot of wear and tear because it’s not being used on a consistent basis, you can use materials that you might not ordinarily choose for a bathroom. Laminate or luxury vinyl that looks like a rich and exotic hardwood can give the room a warm and inviting feeling. Tile can also achieve this and provide durability for years to come. You can also purchase waterproof laminate flooring or waterproof vinyl flooring for extra durability. Or, go with something natural and durable like waterproof hardwood flooring!

Because your guest bathroom is typically a smaller space, this is your opportunity to incorporate materials that are a little more expensive like glass mosaics, metal tiles, natural stone accents. Using these materials will make your guest bath the topic of conversation! Don’t forget the sink splash. This is a great place to add a decorative tile to give the room a little more personality.

When decorating the guest bathroom, you can play with contrasting colors to create a stunning effect. So, if you always wanted a vessel sink or a bold pattern flooring, then now is the time to try it. You can push the limits and try unique decor with the guest bathroom. Have fun!

Creating Your Space

Mad for Mod: A How-To Decorate Guide with 1960s Inspiration

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Decorating around a theme is often the best way to create a room that brings you joy. It provides an easy way to ensure that the room is ‘pulled together’ by way of a common thread. It also helps with decisions such as color selection, accessorizing, and furnishings. Rather than wonder whether or not to buy that amazing couch you just found, you can quickly and confidently say ‘yay or nay.’ Either it works with the theme or it doesn’t!

To make it even easier we have outlined the basics below in short bulleted lists. We’ve found that when working theme it’s more effective to pick and choose possibilities a la carte. Otherwise you risk ‘overdoing it’ with the theme and end up with a room that might look it belongs in a theme park. Less is more. Lastly, when going about it this way the overall project seems less daunting. Just pick what you like and work it into your plan!

In this article on we are going to dish about the fabulous look of 1960’s inspired mod décor.  If you bold pops of pure color and geometric shapes, this is the theme for you!

  • Color Pallet Options:
    • Warm red
    • Dark yellow
    • Sky blue
    • Kelly or spearmint green
  • Lighting
    • Suspension lighting
    • Glass lamp with a swag chain
    • Pendant lights
  • Furniture
    • Upholstered couches and chairs
    • Skinny wooden legs
    • Bold or pop colors
    • Multifunctional, such as an end table designed to also hold magazines
    • Atomic inspired pieces, for example, radial sun clock made of metal, boomerang-shaped coffee table
  • The walls
    • Built-in cabinetry
    • Funky, loud wallpaper
    • Large  mosaic comprised of numerous small hexagonal mirrors
  • The floor
    • Shag rugs
    • Luxury vinyl plank with brightly colored, textured rugs
    • Colored tiles (Yes! They are making a comeback!)

Are you ready for a 1960’s comeback? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Creating Your Space

Bedroom Flooring Choices

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Your bedroom is your retreat, one of the most personal rooms in your home and the place that you go to when you want to relax and feel comfortable. Choosing your bedroom flooring is incredibly important because this is the one room where you will most likely be barefoot in your home while at the same time simultaneously needing your floor to work aesthetically in a way that fosters tranquility and happiness.

You have several options when choosing the bedroom flooring that is right for you. What is most important is making sure that you make your decision based on several criteria—you will want to factor in your own design aesthetic, the size and layout of your bedroom, and the climate you live in.

Hardwood flooring is a popular choice for bedroom flooring. If you love the look of hardwood but don’t like the feeling of cold feet on hardwood floors, you can still enjoy the elegance of the hardwood in your bedroom.  Simply incorporate an area rug into your bedroom layout or include a small rug next near your bed. If you have a hardwood floor you could choose a large area rug that centers under your bed and radiates out into the room, adding a splash of color and texture. If you have pets that sleep in your room, consider luxury vinyl flooring as an alternative to hardwood to achieve the same look while choosing floors that are more pet friendly.

Carpet is another popular option for bedroom floors because of its comfort underfoot. If you want to fully carpet your room there are many different carpet choices and which one is right for you will depend on how much foot traffic your bedroom receives while also factoring in what type of design and style you are looking for. Some people prefer the look of a saxony while others prefer a thick shag carpet.

If an eco friendly floor is important to you, let that be your deciding factor!

There are many different flooring options for your bedroom and it can sometimes feel overwhelming choosing what is best for that special room where you go to rest and recharge. What is important is knowing that you have options and then choosing what type of flooring feels most natural and relaxing to you. 

Creating Your Space

Giving Your Home the Shabby Chic Touch

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Have you ever seen a home decorated in shabby chic style but aren’t quite sure how to pull it off successfully in your own space?  Look no further! We’re going to educate you on what pieces and motifs are considered shabby chic and how to incorporate the style into your home without going overboard.

Shabby chic is all about creating a natural, inviting environment with soft, feminine colors and designs. Clean whites and calm pastels are welcome and the “distressed” look is the star of the show. Soft cottons and linens as well as a recurring theme of roses give this style its unique look. Pieces that have seen a little wear and tear over time are prized for their aged look and imperfections. Natural elements and colors as well are all part of the flow this romantic style creates throughout a space.

What separates this method of decorating from being classified as simply “vintage” is the fact that not just older items are used but newer pieces can be manipulated to mimic styles from time gone by. Modestly constructed furniture can be transformed through performing painting and sanding methods that resemble an old-fashioned finish without the antique price.  Vintage hardware can be added to complete the look.

Crystal chandeliers, touches of lace and vintage mirrors are all great ways to add a shabby chic touch to your home. Touches of ballet pink, baby blue and mint green accents throughout the room add a gentle touch of character. Floral patterns, chenille bedspreads and decorative containers placed throughout will add charm to the space while staying on theme.

Vintage clocks, wall sconces and candlesticks can be easily added without great expense. A beautiful embroidered tablecloth with vintage china and linen napkins would be a real showstopper in any dining room if you commit to this decorating style.

When it comes to flooring that can help achieve this look, there are so many options depending on whether hardwood, laminate, tile, luxury vinyl fit your needs. If you are considering luxury vinyl plank, this guide to the best vinyl plank flooring may help. Feel free to ask us if you need more guidance.

Whether you want to add little touches here and there or go all out with this theme, do what works for you in the space. You want your home to be beautiful as well as functional, so only incorporate pieces that will still allow you to enjoy your living space without having to worry about disturbing its overall look through everyday use. 

Creating Your Space

From the Floors Up

From the Floors Up blog was created with the goal of providing a destination for consumers, designers and those interested in the flooring, design, and kitchen and bath industries. Here you’ll find, current, accurate and informative information that is always just a click away!

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