From the Floors Up

Best Lighting for Rooms Without Ceiling Lights

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Many homes and apartments today come without overhead ceiling lights. This feature is great because it gives you the freedom to select your own lighting, yet it can also be problematic because you start off without any general lighting. The first thing to do is to make sure the light your get serves the right purpose. Since your room is missing general lighting, this light feature’s task is to illuminate the whole room. With this in mind, a simple end table lamp may not do the trick. To help, here are some great options to consider for rooms without overhead ceiling lighting:

Plug-in Ceiling Pendants

If your room has no overhead lighting, you probably have an outlet that will provide electricity when the light switch is flipped. First, you will want to locate this outlet then you can purchase a plug-in ceiling pendant. A pendant is a light fixture that is mount to the ceiling and hangs down from a rod or chain. These lights can come in thousands of styles, so find one that works with your home design. Try to tastefully secure your wire to the wall and down to your outlet when installing these pendants.

Plug-in Light Rail

Light rails can also provide an excellent source of light for your room. You will want to install the lighting rail in an area that will allow your lights to cover the entire room. Plus, plug-in light rails can usually have several lights installed on them, so you will want to angle your lights to help provide balanced lighting throughout the entire atmosphere.

Large Floor Lamp

There are many large floor lamps available on the market today as well. This option may be your best bet if you do not want a wire running up to your ceiling. Floor lamps are a common remedy for dark rooms. Just make sure you find a floor lamp that provides adequate lighting for your space. Some lampshades may not be transparent enough to allow light to cover the whole room properly, so be sure to look for the right lamp for your space.

While not having overhead lighting may first seem like an inconvenience, there are still a lot of great options to explore. You have the freedom to choose the lighting style you want. Try to look for a lighting option that works best with your design style by incorporating one of these ideas. Thanks for reading!

Tips for Choosing Modern Style Lighting

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Have you done a recent renovation, or are you simply jazzing up a room and want to try Modern design? We completely understand and realize just how popular and how pleasing it is to bring something from history back to life! We recommend introducing a little Modern lighting into the room and starting here.

First, we must not get confused about the difference between Modern style and Contemporary style. Actually, they are quite different, and we are going to help you understand and determine just what you need to purchase for modern style lighting.

History

Modern style evolved from the movement in the 1920s to the 1950s. Modern style differs from Contemporary because it follows a defined style, straight lines, geometric shapes, clean and minimal furnishings, and accessories. We have listed below some tips and tricks for making that special Modern lighting purchase.

Room Size

Start by looking at the room and think about the size of the room with any cabinets, countertops, islands, built-ins, or bookcases that may be present. This will help you determine the number of fixtures you must purchase. If you have a countertop or kitchen island and it is six feet long, and the fixtures are twenty-four inches, think about purchasing three light fixtures.

Ceiling Height

If you have ten plus feet of ceiling, you must think about the height because you will need more intense lighting to cover the area and to be able to see properly. Many Modern rooms install recessed lighting. Recessed lighting is unnoticeable and very minimal, which is perfect for Modern style. You can also choose flush-mounted lighting or flush-mounted wall sconces, which are minimal and do not compete with the overall design style of the room.

Types of Lighting

Most Modern style lighting will consist of LED lighting. It has become the standard for energy savings and only uses a fraction of the electricity that an incandescent or halogen low wattage bulb uses. The LED lighting gives off much less heat and is less costly to run overtime. You will pay more for the initial bulb, but they will last for years!

Style

If we follow the Modern design style, our lighting is going to be sleek with a lot of stainless steel and glass, which possibly has some wood to match the overall Modern style. Again, we want to make sure the lighting is white, cream, or clear to fall in line with the minimalist look.

What are your thoughts on Modern design? We would love to hear from you below in the comment section.

Are You Thinking of Using Mosaic Tiles?

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Do you find yourself looking at your kitchen and bathrooms and realize they need special attention? If so, or your taste and style have changed, mosaic tiles are a great place to start jazzing up your dated home design!

If you have a plain ceramic tile backsplash and plain ceramic tile shower enclosure, they tend to become dull and lifeless over time. Mosaic tiles can transform your home’s surfaces into an artistic canvas that pops with style and boldness! There are so many options available, and mosaic tiles are the perfect choice to liven up your design style.

When shopping for mosaic tile, there are various materials to choose from, like porcelain, slate, and glass. We are going to concentrate on glass mosaic tiles due to their versatility and multiple advantages shown below:

Numerous Options are Available

Your local tile stores will have a large assortment of glass mosaic tiles. They are available in almost every color and various styles. Some will have a metallic look, and others will look like mirrors.

Visual Appeal

Glass mosaic tiles have a luminous, mirror-like look or a translucent, pearl look that creates a stylish, high-end design look. Do not overlook upgrading your current lighting to enhance them and play off the reflection of the new tiles.

Design Flexibility

Glass mosaic tiles do not have only to be used in kitchens and baths. These tiles can be used in conjunction with wood, metal, and stone elements in various applications. Many pieces of wall artwork or furniture pieces contain these fabulous jewels that push the piece over the top. They can do the same for your home.

Durable, Easy Maintenance & Environmentally Friendly

Glass mosaic tiles are strong and resistant to most chemicals. They are easy to clean and maintain because of their smooth, non-porous surface. They do not stain while dirt and grease can be wiped away quickly with a cloth. Plus, many glass mosaic tiles are eco-friendly and recycled tiles.

Drawbacks

Glass mosaic tiles are often more expensive than ceramic and slate tiles. Depending on the pattern, the maintenance is more – due to a detailed pattern when installing.

What are your thoughts on glass mosaic tiles? We would love to hear your thoughts below in the comment section.

Should I Match My Kitchen Cabinets to the Floors?

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You may be pondering the question, “is it best to match the kitchen floors with your cabinetry?” This is truly the million-dollar question. The answer all depends on personal preference and what type of style you desire your kitchen to reflect. By installing flooring that does not match your cabinetry, you create contrast. When used appropriately, contrast helps make things more visually interesting. For instance, if you already have hardwood flooring, you can create a visual contrast by having white cabinetry. To further explain, we are going to dive deeper into the topic. Let’s get started!

Expert Suggestions

While the decision is ultimately up to the homeowner, some design experts feel that using colors that are similar in nature on the cabinetry and flooring will result in material confusion. Going at least three shades lighter or darker than your flooring will prevent your kitchen from becoming aesthetically-confusing. That being said, if you are set on using a wood material on both your cabinetry and flooring, you might want to consider using different grains to contrast the tones. For example, if you have dark, rich cabinetry, you would use a light grain on your floors such as maple or hickory.

Matchmaking Flooring to Cabinetry

Matching your floors to your cabinets can create a unified look. On the other hand, achieving an exact match is nearly impossible. If you were to select oak flooring to match your oak cabinetry, the chances are high that the grains will not be identical. A single wood type can have small variations in color and grain. The finishes used also gives the material a different personality.

If you are installing new would cabinetry to match your existing hardwood floors, you have to take into consideration the quality of the existing floors. Do they show visible or excessive signs of wear and tear? If so, having already aged floors can further complicate things.

In conclusion, before purchasing anything, you should get samples of your floors and cabinetry. This will let you see how it all looks in the light and determine what looks good for your kitchen. All in all, it is the homeowner’s decision, and oftentimes, homeowners change their minds once they see the samples in their actual space. Therefore, the answer to the beginning question is it depends on your space, your design preferences, and your style flexibility.

Frequently Asked Questions About Soapstone Countertops

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Soapstone is a naturally mined stone often used as a countertop solution. This quarried stone comes in a variety of color, hardness, and purity. It is typically dark in nature and adds warmth to the atmosphere where it is installed. Lower talc soapstone is used for countertops. It is an extremely dense and nonporous natural stone. It is nearly impossible for stains to penetrate this countertop. But if you are a little unfamiliar with soapstone countertops and want to learn more, you came to the right place. Keep reading to see all of the FAQ’s we receive about soapstone countertops.

Do I Need to Seal My Soapstone Countertops?

Unlike granite and marble, this natural stone is nonporous. It is not recommended to seal soapstone. However, it is recommended to oil your soapstone-this can allow the aging process to look more natural throughout the entire countertop.

Can Soapstone Scratch?

Yes, soapstone can scratch. Avoid cutting directly on your countertops and use a cutting board. Typically, you can add mineral oil to hide scratches. If the scratch is deep, you can sand your soapstone to remove it. Then reapply your mineral oil to have consistent aging throughout the stone.

Is Soapstone a Good Countertop?

Yes! Soapstone has many benefits that other natural stones simply do not have. It is nonporous, which means it will not stain and needs less maintenance. Unlike marble, it is also not prone to etching with acidic cleaners or foods. Soapstone is extremely dense, making it difficult to chip or break. Though it can scratch, it can be repaired. Also, the density of the stone makes it anti-microbial, and bacteria will not reside on your countertop.

How Do I Clean My Soapstone Countertops?

Soapstone is very simple to clean because it is nonporous. Simply use soap and warm water to clean. You can use a sponge or a dishrag to wipe down your surface. The antibacterial factors will prevent foods from creating unwanted bacteria on your countertop. You can never apply to much mineral oil as well. If you want to add mineral oil, simply apply with a rag evenly over the counter.

Soapstone is a low-maintenance and high-performance countertop that looks terrific in any home. While it may not have the variety and color of granite or marble, this stone comes with many added benefits. If you have more questions about soapstone countertops, let us know in the comment section. For more insight on other countertop solutions and maintenance, make sure to subscribe.

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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