From the Floors Up

What Décor Does Your Design Style Demand? | Part One

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Interior design is a way you can tailor your home to the aesthetics you love and need. Different themes have been created in interior design over time. A theme is an idea that encapsulates a work of art and creates a particular setting or ambiance. There are hundreds of themes we use today, which can give us great guidelines for creating a beautiful atmosphere. Interior design themes develop strategies to help you successfully balance any room.

Several of the most common themes today consist of Mid-Century Modern, Scandinavian, Rustic, Shabby Chic, Bohemian, and Industrial. While thousands of styles are still available, these are traditional concepts that have lasted the test of time. With these guidelines, each style has décor that will work for it and décor that can clash with it. Let us explore each theme and what décor can best go in each design to help tailor your décor to your home!

Mid-Century Modern

Mid-Century Modern is not to be confused with Contemporary. Mid-Century Modern is a style that was used in many home designs during 1933-1965. This style offered an open layout, streamline furniture, and a light, airy color palette. When adding décor to these spaces, pay attention to the lines. Most furniture in Mid-Century Modern is very simple, prioritizing functionality. Minimalism is the core root of this style, so décor should be minimum but impactful. Look for unique, simple décor that can pop and make a statement, yet not rob the room of its simplicity.

Scandinavian

Scandinavian is the design theme you see with Ikea furniture. This style is a very simple color palette with white, beige, grey, and black being nearly as colorful as it gets. If you were to add color décor, keep it very muted with pastel colors. Scandinavian design always uses light-colored woods. This feature can work great with accent décor as well! Another important characteristic is comfort. Comfort can be achieved with cozy textiles like throw pillows or other variables of comfort.

Rustic

Rustic design is naturally influenced by natural stones, hardwoods, and other components of nature. Many of the furnishings take pride in the rough, more gnarled-size wood has to offer. This look can be a great tactic to use in your design. Galvanized metals, wood trinkets, forest-influenced décor, and candle lighting are all tremendous, authentic tricks to put into this styling.

Every design style has its own guidelines, which can help create the style. Knowing your style and some of its criteria to enhance it can help you master your design. Remember, interior design is expressive and only works if you love it. These strategies can help you master your own design and take it to the next level. Make sure to check out part two to explore even more common design styles and décor tactics.

Re-Grouting for Beginners

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Tile is a beautiful decorative floor and wall covering. It is not uncommon for it to be in many homes today. While tile can look great, poor or dirty grouting can really ruin the aesthetics completely. Your first attempt should be to clean your grout lines. This step can be done with a grout cleaning brush, baking soda, and water. Use the paste to scrub away any debris. Clean up the paste afterward with just some vinegar water and a mop. However, sometimes the grout installed is broken or just completely off-color. So if you are looking to replace your grout, here is everything you need to know:

Oscillating Tool

Safety is essential, start by putting on safety goggles to prevent debris from shooting back into your eyes. An oscillating tool may be better to use a cordless version. This tool requires some precision work, and a cord may get in the way. Use your blade on each grout line to remove the grout. This step takes patients. Be careful and delicate, not to chip or break any of your tiles. Use this tool to remove as much as 80% of the grout. You do not need to be perfect for the first time. Lastly, use a shop vac to vacuum up the remaining debris.

Extra Clean Up

After your first run, you can use your oscillating tool to remove more grout. For harder areas, a flat head screwdriver can do the trick. Use the screwdriver to trace around all grout lines and remove more grout. You can finish with a dull utility knife or carpet knife. Be very careful not to break the blade and cut yourself.

Regrouting

For larger grout lines, use sanded grout. You may need unsanded grout for grout lines that are thinner. Delicate tiles may also scratch with sanded grout as well. Make sure your tiles can withstand sanded grout before investing. Next, mix your grout and water thoroughly. It should create a thick paste. Use a grout trowel to apply your grout directly into the seam. You can use your grout float to wipe away excess grout. Next, use a moist sponge to remove the excess grout haze from the top of your tiles. You may also want to invest in cheesecloth to help clean as well. Remember, you can only swipe one time with a sponge to wipe clean. Several swipes will just smear your existing grout. Rewet the sponge, ring it out, and repeat until all grout is gone from the top of your tiles.

Re-grouting can be a great project to spruce up your backsplashes or tile work. Do not rush the process and be thorough. The prep work can take some time but is worth the extra effort. For more insight on flooring tricks and tips, make sure to subscribe.

Modern Farmhouse Design

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When considering a design theme, there are thousands of styles to mimic and replicate. In fact, you will find that each design theme has its own set of guidelines that can help you master its aesthetics in your own household. So when it comes to design styles, it is not uncommon for two methods to blend in order to create something beautiful. In fact, every design style offers its own set of benefits. Therefore, mixing two can create the best of both worlds, and this concept is no exception when it comes to Modern Farmhouse design. This style blends Mid-Century Modern with the Rustic style of Farmhouse Design to create something truly unique. So if you are a fan of either or both styles, this may be perfect for your own household.

Mixing Sleek Minimalism with Rustic Comfort

Mid-Century Modern is a design style that has come and went in the industry. It is still used today, but it is not to get confused with Contemporary. Modern design is styling with sleek, hard cut lines. It usually features a very open layout with and minimalistic approach. While this design is beautiful, it lacks the character and comfort of farmhouse design. Farmhouse is a design style that grew off of the traditional Rustic styling. This design puts rural influences at the core of the design and adds comfortable textile and more natural elements into the room.

Color Palette

When it comes to the color palette, typically, Modern design has the influence here. This design will feature a light and neutral color palette using grey, beiges, whites, and blacks. The palette allows the space to contrast well and feels very open. Plus, it is also common to see a very open layout in these design styles. This characteristic comes down to not only the architectural influences but your minimalistic approach as well.

Authentic Wood and Stone

Yet, on the other hand, Farmhouse is very prominent in the décor and furniture. You will notice hardwood flooring or natural stone to be a significant influence in this design style. You will have many natural kinds of wood and stone qualities being facilitated in the décor and furniture as well. These natural elements help balance the design and keep it more grounded. 

Modern Farmhouse is the perfect blend of comfort and cleanliness. With these styles combined, your house can feel like a model home that is ready to host any event. We hope you enjoyed learning about this style and try to facilitate these tricks in your own home. For more insight on design styles and tricks, make sure to subscribe.

Why Homeowners Are Choosing Concrete Floors

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Concrete flooring can be an excellent option for homeowners looking for a trendy twist on their home’s style. Although concrete floors have been around for a while, we see a lot of homeowners veer more toward classic styles like hardwood or carpet. While hardwood and carpet can be excellent choices, we are here to share with you five reasons why you should choose concrete floors. Let’s take a look!

A Real Tough Guy

As you would assume, concrete flooring is extremely durable. Its resilience is quite impressive, making it a perfect solution for heavy appliances. Typically, you see homeowners use concrete flooring inside of their garages, because of its durability. But in fact, its durability can withstand daily damages throughout your home. Concrete can withstand high heels, heavy appliances and furniture, and pets. This type of flooring will help to put your mind at ease.

Easy Peasy

Considering that this type of flooring is mostly found inside of garages, it is extremely easy to maintain. Experts recommend to seal or wax it every three to nine months depending on its wear, but otherwise, it is recommended to clean it periodically.

Ability to Change

If you are unhappy with your concrete floors, its smooth texture makes it easy to install any flooring surface over it. This feature gives you the ability to change your mind at a later date without the fear of a huge project. 

Long-Lasting

Under proper maintenance and care, concrete floors can last a lifetime. With concrete, you are investing in your future, and you can rest assured in flooring that you can trust. 

Very Versatile

With concrete, people’s minds may go straight to the universal gray color that is unappealing; however, concrete comes in an array of colors and textures to match your style preference. You can now have the concrete floors of your dreams without compromising on the look.

Many companies carry a line of concrete flooring. It is a beautiful collection of modernized concrete floors that would be the perfect finishing touch to your home. Check with your flooring retailer to view their selection.

Learning Color Psychology

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Today, we are going to explore the psychology of colors to see the different ways that you can use the same colors to change the end results. Let’s get started!

Combinations

What you pair a color with can change how much it affects the atmosphere. For instance, different color pairings can complement, contrast, or even take from the other colors in a room. For example, if you pair red in your design with orange and yellow, the room will have a warm, inviting atmosphere. However, when red is paired with a neutral palette, the color will have the most authentic psychological influence on the room. Now pair red with against blue, and it will have the hardest contrast. The ratio in which you contribute to each color will also determine how much influence it has on the space.

Hues

A hue is both the color and the tinting of the color. Exploring different hues can have different outcomes on an environment psychologically. For example, blue may be used to relax an atmosphere, and green may be used to add liveliness. Now take turquoise, the hue between green and blue, this color can borrow elements of both. You can darken or lighten the shading of a color to create different outcomes as well.

Finish & Tone

Colors can also be affected by how they are perceived in design by their tone and finish. For instance, glossy yellow is more vibrant and expressive than matte yellow. Likewise, pastels are washed out by whites, where muted colors are darkened by blacks. The same color can have a masculine or feminine feature just by softening it or creating a pastel tone.

We think that the psychology of color is fascinating how it can change a room. We hope you enjoyed learning a bit more about how colors affect our atmosphere. How will you facilitate these tricks in your own home? Let us know below in the comment section.

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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