From the Floors Up

3 Reasons Why You Should Use Luxury Vinyl

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Is it time to upgrade your existing flooring, flip a property, or build a new home? If so, the time is now to start looking at Luxury Vinyl Flooring. Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) is an affordable, waterproof, wood-like flooring option that has excellent warmth/texture and installs with a peel-and-stick technique or clicks together with ease. Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) is a luxury vinyl product that looks like stone or ceramic tile, complete with gorgeous natural colors and surface texture that feels like the real thing. Some styles are even made to be installed with grout, but installation will increase due to the labor. Talk about realistic! We have listed three reasons below for why you should use luxury vinyl. Let’s take a look!

The Product Will Not Break the Bank

Your LVP flooring will be a fraction of the cost of hardwood flooring. In fact, LVP’s installation is so much easier to install than hardwood floors, ceramic tile, or natural stone. This feature is a benefit to the homeowner with lower installation charges compared to standard flooring installation charges. With a reasonable installation and product cost, homeowners can have a beautiful flooring product at a great price.

It Is Stunning

Luxury Vinyl is absolutely gorgeous and has come a very long way regarding its technology and appearance. It will look and feel like hardwood, ceramic tile, and natural stone. In fact, you will be amazed at the styles and colors available in Luxury Vinyl.

It Is Durable

Everyday wear and tear is a given on flooring with children, pets, water spills, etc. Hardwood floors tend to get scratched and can suffer water damage if spills are not cleaned. Linoleum may eventually start to tear and rip while carpet can get stained and lose its shape. Flooring installers and experts will tell you that LVP floors are tough as nails! Many brands are 100% waterproof and constructed with cork backing, making the floors comfortable, quiet, and forgiving when items are dropped. If you have children and pets, you know how loud it can be when they are running through the house on hardwood and tile floors. Again, with the cork backing, the floors are more soundproof while being easier on your back and legs if standing for long periods of time.

All in all, luxury vinyl is an incredible flooring solution. Be sure to ask your sales representative for more information to learn everything that this incredible product has to offer.

Pros and Cons of Carpet

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Carpet is a timeless flooring option that businesses and homeowners continue to love. It comes in many diverse styles with added benefits. That is why it is no surprise that the popularity continues today as we see advancements in fiber technology and resistance to staining. However, like any flooring option, carpet has its own set of pros and cons. Let us explore both to see if carpet is right for your home.

PROS

Comfort

Carpet is one of the most comfortable flooring options on the market. When paired with a heavy 8 oz pad, it is unrivaled by any flooring option for comfort. This feature can make the coziness from your ground spread to other areas of the room, creating a comfortable oasis.

Options

Carpet also comes in a wide variety of colors, patterns, and textures. The endless options make finding the perfect carpet to complement your house easy. Plus, with so many diverse styles, carpet is versatile enough to work with any design theme.

Warmth

Carpet is also a very cozy and warm flooring option. Rest assured that you can wake up and walk around your home barefoot without getting cold feet. It is an excellent insulator and stays warm all year round.

CONS

Stains

Technology improvements are making carpets better at being stain resistant. From solution-dyed fibers to stain guards, carpets have come a very long way. However, carpet fibers can still stain. This feature may be a concern depending on the environment that you are looking to have it installed.

Seams

Carpet is typically manufactured in twelve-foot-wide rolls. This feature means any room that is over twelve feet in width or length is going to need a seam. It is also directional, which means your carpet will have cross seams as well. No seam is 100% invisible, so you may need to consider this depending on the application.

Traffic Patterns

Some carpet can wear down and matte. The resilience is much better in nylon carpet than polyester, yet you may begin to see traffic patterns. Note that all carpets are made different, and some can help prevent this better than others.

Water

We are beginning to see waterproof carpets, just starting to enter the market. However, many carpets are not waterproof and can be ideal for bacteria to form. It is best to keep carpet away from wet areas.

All and all, carpet is an excellent flooring choice. It is incredibly versatile and adaptable for many environments. Keep in mind that different qualities of carpets can handle situations differently. Be sure to talk to your sales representative about the right carpet for your lifestyle.

Color of the Year 2020: Classic Blue

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Did you know that every year the color authorities announce a new color of the year? In fact, this color is selected by a team of color experts at Pantone Color. They research and explore what color seems to be most influential and significant in the world at that given time, and the color is selected in December for the following year. This color is then used by businesses throughout the next year in design and marketing.

Classic Blue

The year 2020 will kick off with the new color Classic Blue. This classic color is construed of the deep and passive shade of blue with undertones of indigo to help create more serenity. Classic Blue is a very stable and reliable color. This traditional color was chosen to allow your mind to wander. In fact, Laurie Pressman, Vice President of Pantone Color, says, “what’s the future going to bring as we move into the evening hours?” is the thought this color can help provoke. The team at Pantone Color believes that Classic Blue is more than just visually stimulating but also helps to awaken all your senses.

Who Decides the Color of The Year

In 1999, Pantone Color became the global authority on color. Each year in December, they select a color that seems very influential in the world. They look at different aspects of life and carefully choose the color they see most meaningful at the current time.

Where You May See This Color

Every year these colors make history by being used by many major companies. Many large and small companies can use this trending color to help promote themselves. If you are looking to keep your home or business up-to-date, consider giving some homage to Classic Blue. You may notice it being used in apps, phone colors, paint themes, clothing, and other materials more frequently.

In 2020, be sure to keep your eyes out for Classic Blue, and see if you notice it in marketing, design, fashion, or other aspects of life. You will be surprised how common this color becomes in the following year.

Interior Design Styles Trending Around the World | Part Five

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As this series comes to a close, we can see how diverse the world of interior design and trends are. Exploring all the countries and their trends can help you find the right style for your own home. Today, we are going to take a look at the final five countries. Let’s get started!

Ukraine – Dark Contemporary

Located in eastern Europe, much of Ukraine’s influences come from surrounding areas like Russia and Romania. Many homes have taken a liking to the darker, more deep-toned contemporary style. This look can help give a sophisticated and mature look to a home’s design.

Venezuela – Stripes

Stripes are trending significantly in most of the current design trends. In fact, Venezuela’s homes and businesses will incorporate stripe patterns in very unique places, including walls, ceilings, and décor. These stripes can help uniform the design theme and make the designs look and feel more balanced.

Wales – Modern Farmhouse

Wales is closely linked to the United Kingdom. While Rustic design has been common for some time, we see a change in the significance of this design. Now, the most common style being put in homes is Modern Farmhouse. With slight Modern edges, we see the small change from the normal Farmhouse and Rustic layouts to a more Modern Farmhouse design.

Yemen – Middle Eastern

Yemen is a strongly influenced Middle Eastern country. Their homes are inspired by Arabic design. While not everyone can invest in designing their homes, the wealthy will add gold accents and deep, rich, colorful patterns to establish wealth in their design. The less fortunate enjoy filling their homes will colorful, handmade textiles to brighten the color palette of their concrete-constructed homes.

Zimbabwe – Sophisticated with a Splash of Color

Zimbabwe is the second poorest country in the world, currently. The few people that have the privilege to dabble in designing their homes love to add color. It is not unusual to see the wealthy households flourished with colors and windows.

Were you surprised by some of the common design styles in the world today? Which design trends are your favorites? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section, and make sure to subscribe.

Interior Design Styles Trending Around the World | Part Four

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Every culture and country has a unique perspective on interior design. While some countries share similar preferences, many trends come and go at different times. Variables such as wealth, locations, social influences, and events can all contribute to these design trends. Today, we are going to further explore the world of design and the interesting trends each country has.

Portugal – Personalization

Portugal has gone through many changes in design styles and trends. They all seem to come and go. Now, Portuguese, more than ever, are using their interior to express themselves. Interior design is an outlet and a way to put your own personal touch into your home. Currently, the country is very influenced by tailoring their own homes to personalize them to the individual.

Qatar – Luxury and Ornate

When it comes to beautiful and intricate design, Qatar does not hold back. Their trending design is lavished with luxurious and ornate details. From fine art, intricate wallpapers, the highest quality flooring, and pristine furniture, they make sure to leave no stone unturned.

Russia – Mid-Century Modern

Mid-Century Modern is a style that came about in the early 1930s and lasted until 1965. It brought forth a cleaner cut and open layout style of living. With a neutral color palette and less obstructive atmosphere, functionality was key. Russia is continuing to add this styling into many of their homes. With functionality at its core, it will never truly be outdated.

South Africa – Patterns and Prints

South African trends continue to keep elaborate prints and colors. Patterns are a large part of South African culture. It is no surprise that we see the trends of many textiles in the home, including these designs. Curtains, rugs, and blankets will all have African-style prints and patterns to give pride to the culture.

Thailand – Indoor/Outdoor Living

Thailand’s culture is at one with nature. Much of their current interior design influences indoor/outdoor living. Most homes have easy access to outside of the home, with elements of nature being brought inside the house. Woods, plants, water, and stone can all be found in many of Thailand’s trending styles.

Interior design trends fluctuate throughout the world. We are privileged to see many trends within our own culture. There are still some more countries to explore, make sure to check out the last part of the series to see the latest trends around the world.

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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