From the Floors Up

Ideas for Designing a Small Kitchen

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Breathtaking Backsplash

Do you like things that sparkle? How about adding your own sense of glam to the kitchen by creating a custom, showstopping backsplash from glass tiles. Experiment with color and patterns when installing glass tiles. In a small kitchen, even a small glass tile while behind the kitchen stove can bring loads of personality to the space while not overwhelming the decor.

Display Dish-Ware

You know that special dishware you have been collecting for years that you only bring out on holidays? You can implement it into your kitchen’s decor by displaying the collection on an open shelving unit. Do something different by putting your collection on display in front of the kitchen window on a built-in shelf. Just imagine how beautiful your dishware will look when the sun hits it.

Accessories

Like any other room in your house, you can add accessories in your kitchen design. You can create an art gallery right in your kitchen by dedicating a wall to a mix of different prints and framed artwork then add pops of color to your kitchen furniture. For instance, bright red tables at your kitchen table make the environment feel fun and lighthearted.

Color on the Wall

Apply a bright and cheery color on your kitchen walls for a contemporary look. Colors like kiwi green or muted yellow are ultra-modern and exciting. Not to mention, bright colors can make your kitchen look bigger.

Bold Window Treatments

Steer clear from your standard white roman shades and opt for something festive. Bold window treatments featuring a vibrant textile is likely to be an attention grabber.

Functionality

Of course, your small kitchen needs to be super functional so that you can get the most out of it. Use pot racks to hang your pots and pans since cabinet space may be limited. A tool basket to hold your cooking utensils can also be stylish and functional. Additionally, you can glam up your kitchen with countertop storage solutions that add to the overall while incorporating functional elements for your small space.

What are your thoughts on the ideas we listed? Have you implemented any of them in your home? Let us know your thoughts below in the comment section.

Frequently Asked Questions About Roofs

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Your roof is a vital part of your home’s structural integrity. If your roof begins to leak and goes unattended for too long, it can open a plethora of more unwanted and expensive problems. If you are considering replacing your roof, you probably have a lot of questions and concerns. Well, have no fear, we are here to help. Here, you can find some of the most frequently asked questions about roofing.

How Long Should a New Roof System Last?

Typically, roofs are marketed as thirty years shingles–however, most roofing system last twenty to twenty-five years with proper care. Different shingles can offer different life expectancy. Wood shake roofs are known to last for longer times than fiber cement shingles while asphalt shingles or composition roofs can last less time than fiber cement shingles.

What Roofing Shingles Are Best for My Roof?

A determining factor to this question is what are you looking for out of your roof shingles? Consider if your home experiences high wind. You should also determine how long you are planning on living in your home while one of the most important factors for most individuals is cost.

What if My New Roofing System Leaks After Installation?

Do not panic! Contact your contractor or the people who took care of your installation. Let them know exactly what is going on so they can address the issue, and remember that this is why it is best to go through a company that has reliable reviews and warranties.

Full Roof Replacement Verses Re-Cover the Existing Roof System

It is best to get a couple of roofing professionals’ opinions. If your roof is relatively new, you may be able to recover a bad area; however, roofing professionals will look at where the leak is and the extent of it, the moisture infiltration it has had on the insulation layer, and if it has jeopardized the structural integrity of the home.

Can I Replace My Roof Myself?

If you consider yourself a good handyman around the house, you may be able to tackle this project. This is a very labor-intensive job and can be physically demanding. If you are questioning your ability to do it, it may be best to hire a professional. As we discussed prior, a contractor will know how to troubleshoot situations that may occur after installation. This is the main concern that you will have when doing your own work.

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Understanding Your Flooring: Luxury Vinyl Planking (LVP)

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LVP has come a long way over the years. Now being the fast grossing floor in the industry, this versatile option has many beautiful planks available that can replicate wood or tile. It is an excellent solution for rooms that you want hardwood, but the application would not work. While functionality, affordability, and durability can all be determining factors in your flooring, we want to help give you a better understanding of LVP and see if it is best suited for your needs. Let’s take a look!

LVP and LVT are both extremely durable flooring options. Typically, these floating floors are a substitute option for areas that you would like a hardwood or tile look. With high-quality replica flooring, which is more durable, this is an excellent option for any room in your home.
Vinyl planking flooring is very durable; however, it is not “scratch proof.” That being said, most mills would consider most LVP floorings a commercial grade flooring, so it should hold up great in most homes.
One reason LVP has taken over the flooring industry is not just for its durability but for that fact that most LVP’s today are 100% waterproof. This means you can install these floors in basements, mudrooms, bathrooms, and kitchens without hesitance.
Hard surface flooring is not typically considered “comfortable.” Some LVPs may be equipped with an attached backing or underlayment. This may dampen sounds and make the floor a tad softer, yet you probably will not want to kneel or lay on this kind of flooring for long periods of time.
LVP is an excellent stain resistant flooring option. If you are afraid of staining carpet, consider installing LVP in your home.
Spill-proof, accident proof, and pet-proof: LVP tends to claim it all. Remember, it can still scratch under extreme circumstances, and it may not be the softest floor for your child to crawl around on when they are young. Yet, this floor is excellent for messes and accidents.
While not as affordable as carpet, LVP will last longer. If you consider yourself to be “handy,” you may be able to save some money and install these flooring systems yourself.

LVP is one of the most versatile floors on the market. It has proven itself in many applications and has passed the test of time. LVP can be installed in any room in your home. It is great for children, heavy traffic, aesthetics, and much more!

For more insight and analysis on different flooring types, make sure to subscribe and check out more of our series here!

Your Design Forecast for 2019: Trending or Here to Stay?

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Design is unique; it provides us with specific guidelines yet encourages us to break the rules. It allows the creativity to be artsier than being grounded in science. We can create beautiful, original designs when we incorporate some imagination to help expand the interior design field. New styles and trends constantly flood the industry. Some ideas and trends are hot, while let’s be honest; some are not. Take a look at some of the latest trends and give us your opinion in the comment section below if these are just fading trends or revolutionary marks in design.

Mismatch Flooring

Traditionally, flooring has been uniform in homes. Sometimes a home features tile in the bathrooms, carpet in the bedrooms, and LVP solutions in the kitchen and living room. The rooms would have a type of transition in the doorway or where the rooms connect to give a clean, aesthetical line. Recently though, people have been going nuts over eliminating the clean transition and having flooring “spillover” into the next room. For example, let us say you had a half bath with tile flooring connected to a foyer with hardwood. Instead of a clean transition in the doorway, the tile will come out into the foyer a little bit to make an asymmetrical connection between the two grounds. Rooms have also been made with very mismatch flooring patterns and tiles to create a unique design. While these are incredibly eye-catching, how long do you think this will stay in the industry?

Copper and Brass Accents

A couple of metals have become very common in the design industry over the last couple of years. Stainless steel appliances entered the market in the early 2000s and stayed as a timeless look for homes. Later around 2015, rose gold became a favorite accent piece and people were thriving to have in their lives. From phones to jewelry to décor, rose gold was marketed hard and became quite trendy. Now, copper and brass are both coming back as classy accent pieces to add to your home. Where traditional sinks, lamps, handles, and décor have gone through metal phases, copper and brass seem to be making a stand. Homeowners are loving these two metals and adding them into their homes as a strong accent piece. Copper and brass were commonly used a couple of decades ago but came and went. Do you think they are here to stay this time?

Wallpaper

If you suggested wallpaper in a design five-plus years ago, you would seem crazy. Wallpaper has been out of style for decades, right? Well, wallpaper with high-quality designs has been coming back into style. Floral designs, geometric patterns, and even agate wallpaper seem to be very trendy lately. Even making their way into many model homes and becoming an option for homeowners to require during builds. Wallpaper may be making a big comeback. What do you think?

Are some of these things just trending or making a strong comeback? What do you think? We would love to hear your opinions and predictions in the comment section.

Retro Versus Vintage Design: What’s the Difference?

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Interior Design, architecture, and fashion have been complementing each other for centuries. As new fads come into the industries, designers continue to modify them and create a “new” style. Interior design has gone through many changes, some styles still being staples in today’s marketplace. As themes develop, they create subcategories or can even blend with other trending styles to create something entirely new.

However, with so many styles available, it can be confusing to tell similar styles apart from one another. Themes like Country and Rustic or Modern and Contemporary become commonly interchangeable words. However, these are completely different design styles with their own unique flairs and looks. Retro and Vintage are frequently used to describe a theme and are thought to be interchangeable. Although, these two designs have a very notable difference. Knowing what style you are trying to accomplish can help guide you when designing your space. Here is everything you need to know about these two styles and their unique differences:

Vintage

Vintage Design is highly influenced by its décor and has a very open color palette. It is reflective of the past and can incorporate many antiques to help strengthen the look. Think of your vintage design as telling a story. You should have elements which represent different eras and past trends. Try to have antiques or incorporate older décor into your home to accomplish this look. Additionally, you will find that Vintage is generally affiliated with the 1920s and its style reflects so.

Retro

Retro, which is short for retrospective, is a style that expresses the 1980s and 1990s. Your space will not feel outdated, but rather feel like a blast for the past. It will incorporate fun, past trendy concepts. Retro can have modern influence mixed into the equation without feeling unbalanced. Retro décor does not need to be outdated but can be brand new purchases reflecting past designs. Generally speaking, retro is newer than vintage and vintage is newer than antique.

Both these reflective styles are fun to incorporate in our homes. Whether you are looking to create a vintage dining room or a retro home theatre, these styles can always feel interesting. For more insight on design themes, make sure to subscribe at From the Floors up.

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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