From the Floors Up

Home Check-Up List

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With how much time people are spending at home, we thought now would be a good time for a home check-up list. Here are five things you should do every year to ensure you’re running a well-oiled machine.

One: Replace the batteries in the smoke detector

Ever heard of the old adage “better than safe than sorry”? Yes, every year you should be switching out the old batteries in your smoke detector for new ones. Modern smoke detectors feature hard-wired backup batteries that must also be replaced. However, it doesn’t stop there. After trading batteries you should ensure that all the smoke detectors throughout the house are in working order.

In addition to the smoke detectors, you should also check your carbon monoxide detectors. Every year thousands of deaths occur due to faulty carbon monoxide detectors. Make sure you change the batteries at least every six months to a year.

Two: Inspect the chimney

Before you fire up your fireplace during the cold winter months you must fire perform a thorough inspection of your chimney. Make sure the gas logs are positioned correctly, look for cracks in the glass door and make sure the burner holes aren’t clogged.

Even when the fireplace is not in use it should be inspected because the chimney has dangerous gases that can be carried to the stove and that shouldn’t be inhaled. Be sure to clean it periodically or make an appointment to have it serviced by a professional.

Three: Gutters

Gutters that become clogged with leaves and other debris restrict the water from flowing easily preventing them from doing their job! This preventative maintenance will save you time and headaches down the road. If you aren’t comfortable on a ladder, hiring someone to do this for you will be worth it in the long run.

Four: Doors and windows

Before winter hits, you should perform an inspection of all the doors and windows in your home. Check for weather stripping around the front and back door. Look for cracks in the windows and tears on the screen. Checking for signs of wear around the window frame is important for safety issues.

Five: Rotate Area Rugs

If you have area rugs that get any exposure from the sun, you’ll want to rotate them to ensure that your rugs receive the same amount of sun exposure on each side for even fading. This is normal and natural for any material that receives exposure to sunlight. If your rugs are on top of hardwood floors, you will want to rotate your furniture where possible so that your hardwood floors receive the same amount of sun exposure for evenness as well.

We hope you find these tips useful in maintaining a healthy home. Take care of yourself and your home!

Create Your Own Reading Nook

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After a long and tiring day at work, wouldn’t it be nice to find a spot in your home where you can just curl up, relax and read a good book? If you’re thinking, “Yes!” then it’s high time you created a comfy reading nook all your own.

Creating a reading nook isn’t difficult. All you need is a small unused space in your home, a comfy chair, an ottoman, a bookcase and a small table accented with a plush area rug and a reading lamp and you are good to go. Oh, and don’t forget the latest book you can’t put down!

First, find a perfect spot in your home where you think you can relax. It can be in a corner of your bedroom, beside a window where you have a relaxing view, or wherever you would be comfortable. It doesn’t matter which area you choose so much as it does making sure it is away from any noise. This will make for a very relaxing experience and keep you deeply engulfed in your reading.

Once you’ve selected the spot, it’s time to accessorize your nook. First, define the space by putting a plush area rug underfoot. Selecting the right area rug can set the mood for your nook so make sure that you select a pattern and texture that is relaxing and comfy.

Then place a comfy chair or chaise atop the rug. Make sure your seating is comfortable, so you can enjoy spending hours there with the company of your good book.

Good lighting should also be a part of your list when creating your reading nook. You don’t want to have a headache from reading due to poor lighting. Choose one that casts a sufficient glow for reading comfortably without being too dim or too bright.

And lastly, place a table or bookcase where you can put and organize your books and your cup of coffee.

Any book lover dreams of having a place where they can escape and a cozy reading nook can make it a reality.

Area Rug Placement for a Guest Bedroom

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Area rugs are a favorite element for designers wanting to add ambiance, texture, and coziness to a room. We love how area rugs will add pops of color and specifically define a space. We have two essential tips to share with you for furniture placement in regards to your area rug that will bring the entire bedroom together. Please enjoy!

Options for Rug Placement: Guest Room 

  1. Buy an area rug that will fit under the bottom two-thirds of the bed so that it can be seen from both sides and at the bottom of the bed. 
  2. Buy hallway runners and place them on both sides of the bed and one at the foot of the bed. 

Typically, we prefer the first option, but let’s talk a little about the size and shape of the space.

Option 1

If your bed is centered in the middle of the room, designers will go with option one by placing an area rug under the bottom two-thirds of the bed. You need to make sure that your area rug is large enough to extend to the nightstands on both sides of the bed and try to make at least eighteen inches are visible from the end of the bed. If you choose a rug that is too small and does not meet these guidelines, the room and furniture placement may look misplaced! Generally speaking, try and keep about eight to twelve inches from the edge of the rug to the wall.

Option 2

We love this option of using runners, especially if you have gorgeous hardwood or natural stone floors! Also, this is a perfect look if you have a smaller bedroom. We will start with a single runner at the foot of the bed. Make sure that your runner goes from edge to edge or a little wider than the bed for a perfect placement! For runners on each side of the bed, make sure they start at the front of your end tables and run to almost the end of the bed.

If you are still having a little trouble trying to figure out the furniture placement, actually map it out on a piece of paper. There are also free websites where you can enter the room’s dimensions and lay the furniture out with respect to the size of the area rug. Good luck, and please let us know how your bedroom turns out!

Trend Spotting: Flat Weave Rugs

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11381999_SBlogs are a wonderful resource for inspiration and spotting the latest trends in design. We’re seeing a trend for flat woven area rugs in magazines and in stores.  Flat woven rugs do not have pile, which is typical of carpet. Flat woven rugs can be plain, but the trend right now is for flat woven rugs in bold patterns.

One of the most popular flat woven rugs is the Kilim rug.  These rugs typically have a graphic pattern in a mutlicolored palette that can range from pastels to earth tones. Versions of the Kilim rug can be found from the Balkans to Persia to Pakistan. Turkey is a source for contemporary Kilims. These graphic rugs can work with a number of styles from contemporary to rustic, traditional to modern.

Along with these traditional flat woven rugs, manufacturers are making flat woven rugs in a number of patterns that include stripes and lattice.  Fretwork pattern, another big design trend, works well in the flat woven rug style.

Flat woven rugs can be found in wool, which is traditional, or cotton. Antique and traditional flat weave rugs like Kilims are often colored with vegetable dyes that have a different look than modern dyes.

Flat woven rugs can work in an entry, bedroom, living room or dining room. The lack of pile gives these rugs a more casual feeling that works really well in modern décor.  The lack of pile also makes these rugs work over wall to wall carpet.

Decorating with Comfortable Farmhouse Style

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Even if you don’t have a farmhouse style home, the style can work for you. Farmhouse is all about comfort with a nostalgic, vintage flair.  Found pieces from flea markets, estate sales and antique shows mix with comfortable upholstered pieces in either traditional or shabby chic styles.  It’s an easy style to live with and great for all rooms in the home.

This living room is full of charming farmhouse furniture and accessories.  The room itself is a standard design with wood floors, recessed lighting and crown molding.  It could be a renovation or new construction, and demonstrates how well farmhouse style can fit into a home. Neutral wall color lets the colors of the curtains, furniture and accessories stand out.

Vintage finds add character to the room. An old painted trunk makes for a charming coffee table with storage in the seating area.  Vintage inspired lamps throughout the room create lighting zones and accent lights for reading.  Comfortable seating in pretty slipcovers in natural linens and cotton make for easy cleaning.  This is definitely not a living room where you’d be afraid to put up your feet.

The wide plank wood floors offer a rustic charm.  A jute rug with a colorful border that coordinates with the colors of the room centers the seating area.

This living room shows how charming farmhouse style can be. Mixing in vintage and antique pieces let the homeowner’s personality shine through to make the room feel comfortable and personal. Fabrics and furniture further the feeling of comfortable farmhouse charm.

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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