From the Floors Up

Spring Projects: Embracing the Blooming Season

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With the soon-arrival of the blooming season, homeowners may find themselves busier than ever. In fact, homeowners may even be participating in springtime’s associated activity “spring cleaning.” The activity derives from the fact that our homes will need a little more TLC since we are transitioning from colder, drearier months. During winter, we put these necessary home projects on the backburner until the weather begins to warm. Therefore, the opportunity to tackle these must-needed home projects is almost here. And to help you prepare for the day, we have created a list of five spring projects that you may want to start this season. Let’s take a look!

An Effortless Landscape

When you take a step inside, does your house feel underwhelming? If so, you may be in need of some new floors. In fact, flooring can set the stage for your design. So this spring, take some tips from the light and airy season by renovating your floors with this year’s hottest trends, including light-colored floors. From hand-scraped to wire-brushed trends to marble looks, the design possibilities are endless in 2020. Plus, with innovations in the industry, you do not have to settle for only one type of flooring in your home.

A Fresh Look

Every year, the global color authorities, Pantone Color, determine a “Color of the Year.” This year, Pantone Color chose “Classic Blue,” and its definition is not far from its name. This color is described as “calm, confident, and connective.” It provides a peaceful slate for our designs while captivating us through its thought-provoking properties. In fact, Classic Blue is the perfect paint color choice for any room that needs a relaxing yet timeless tone. You can incorporate this effortless color into your room’s landscape this spring for a refreshing twist on your interior design.

A Delightful Addition

Since spring embraces new plant life, we think that there is no better way to highlight your countertops than through the use of plants and flowers. In fact, plants can help provide greenery and life to a space while adding to the overall aesthetic. However, if you notice that your countertops are not as pristine as they once were, you have two options. One option is that you can have your countertops replaced. The renewing season of spring is the perfect time to refresh your design, especially when it comes to countertops. If you are looking to refresh your countertop design this spring, currently homeowners love the natural, one-of-a-kind beauty of marble and quartz countertops. Marble countertops feature an authentic, beautiful veining that is unmatched by any other countertop. However, if you are looking for a more durable & low maintenance countertop, quartz is a great option, you can opt for beautiful quartz countertops. Quartz is composed of natural crystals, which makes it an insanely gorgeous countertop option. Plus, quartz countertops are perfect for homeowners who love to cook because they are scratch-, stain-, and heat-resistant.

A Sweet Escape

With the weather warming, there is no time like the present to upgrade your backyard. In fact, we like to capitalize on this sweet oasis during warm nights by utilizing our space. If you have not created an outdoor oasis yet, you can simply add items that make you happy. For instance, you can incorporate some comfortable seating for entertaining, build your own firepit for warmth, hang decorative stringed lighting for creativity, or make a beautiful paver pathway to and from your house. The options for your outdoor retreat are truly endless – just remember to add items that will have you coming back for more.

A Warm Welcome

Nothing says “welcome home” quite like awesome curb appeal. Plus, spring is the perfect time of year to spruce up your front yard. For instance, you can replace your house numbers, repaint your front door and shutters, add potted plants to your porch, incorporate a new welcome mat, and swap out your mailbox. Much like our backyard projects, our front yard projects are all about your personal preferences. Start with whatever you currently dislike about your curb appeal and work from there.

With these simple spring projects, you can create an inspiring, noteworthy design that is ready to take on the new year. We hope you enjoyed, and thanks for reading!

Feng Shui: A West-Facing Front Door

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Where most styles of interior design focus on functionality or aesthetics, Feng Shui has an entirely different approach. Feng Shui is about creating harmony and peace in your home by incorporating elements of nature. Ancient Chinese philosophers studied nature and its elements to come up with five main categories: wood, metal, fire, water, and earth. Feng Shui is the practice of placement.

Creating Feng Shui

The art of decorating with Feng Shui comes down to a nine segmented map. This map is referred to as the Western Bagua Map. It breaks down your home into nine different sections. Eight of which are at each direction of your home: north, northeast, east, southeast, south, southwest, and west. The last sector is the middle of your home. Each direction has elements that best work at letting energy flow into your home.

West Corresponds with Metal Element Colors

When properly incorporating Feng Shui, every direction has a purpose. The west section of your home is 247.5 to 292.5 on a compass. This section is best for metal elements. Metal can be represented through white or gray. Painting your front door these colors can help positive energy enter your home.

Avoid

The counterpart to metal is fire and water. Both of these outdoor elements can hurt metal. Thus, it is best to refrain from using these colors on the west side of your home. Fire is represented by red, orange, pink, and yellow. Water can be represented by blue or black. Keeping the doorway and entrance as white or gray as possible is vital. You can even change out your door handles to a more metallic metal look as well.

Feng Shui is the art of placement. It does not prioritize looks and functionality over proper energy in the home. Incorporating the many philosophies of Feng Shui takes time. Do not be stressed to accomplish it all at first. For more understanding of Feng Shui, make sure to subscribe.

How to Save Money During a Kitchen Remodel

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Are you interested in remodeling your bathroom, but do not have the funds for a luxury renovation? There is no need to worry! With our eight top money-saving tips, you can remodel your bathroom on a reasonable budget. Let’s take a look!

How to Save Money During a Bathroom Remodel:

Make a Game Plan.
A massive mistake during any remodel is not going into it with a game plan. You want to assess the situation and make a plan before you start anything. By going in with a game plan, you will be aware of the costs, you will be able to set a budget for yourself, and you can leave yourself some wiggle room for any unforeseen circumstances.

Do Not Discard It All.
Bathroom essentials can add up quickly and leave homeowners with a smaller budget. Instead of repurchasing items like a brand new toilet or a glamorous mirror, try to revamp your current pieces into something new. With a toilet, you can replace the lid and seat but keep the body. With a mirror, look at the condition of your current mirror. If it is in good condition, keep the physical mirror and replace its frame. By doing these two simple fixes, you can save yourself a lot of money to splurge on other items like the floors or backsplash in the shower.

Leave The Plumbing Be. The most significant way to clear out your piggy bank is by moving around your bathroom’s plumbing. Switching your toilet to a different wall may seem like a good idea at the moment, but you will quickly realize that it is not worth the hassle, time, and funds.

Upgrade Your Vanity. A great way to save money in your bathroom is by using an antique dresser for your vanity. You can search local antique and thrift stores to find a one-of-a-kind piece that will work perfectly in your bathroom. This way, you do not have to purchase an expensive vanity, and you will be able to have a unique piece.

Incorporate Open Shelving. Believe it or not, but open shelving can actually make your room look bigger and more open. Open shelving discourages the use of bulky and overwhelming cabinets by substituting them with a clean line and welcoming storage space. Try using open-facing shelves, bookcases, and stands to create a visually appealing and accessible space.

All of The Lights. Lighting can be an effective remodeling change without breaking the bank. By incorporating more lighting, you can ultimately create a better-looking room. Lighting makes or breaks a design but luckily, adding light fixtures is not terribly expensive, and it can quickly transform your space. Just be sure that you have plenty of natural light and fixtures around the room to open it up and create a welcoming atmosphere.

Do Not Underestimate Paint. Paint can entirely change the overall feel and mood of a room. A lot of homeowners underestimate its value, but it is an inexpensive way to improve the feel of a room. Be sure to swatch your paint colors on the wall prior to application to guarantee satisfaction.

Browse Online. If you think about it, plenty of homeowners have remodeled their bathrooms. The odds are that they have extra supplies that you could use for your own remodel. Before you go to make a purchase, check online resale sites to see if anyone is selling something you need for your project.

Do you have any budget-friendly tips to share with other readers? We would love to hear your thoughts below in the comment section. Thanks for reading!

Rethink, Reimagine, and Redesign Your Space

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Part of curating a design from your space is having the creativity to think outside the box. Most rooms have a general guideline which homeowners tend to follow strictly.  For example, a neutral toned, symmetrical layout in a living room with the television above the fireplace has many strengths.  That is why it is usually the generic layout people use.  It has your strong focal point like the fireplace and television centered in the room, the neutral colors leave the room from feeling bias which increases resell value and appeases to the masses, and symmetrical layouts also give the room a strong sense of unity and balance.  However, creativity is one of the most sought-after components in design today.  If you strive to be unique, here are three ways to break that general way of thinking and putting a unique spin on your space:
Asymmetry
There are three types of symmetries used in design themes.  Each type thrives in different ways and environments, but all can be used in your home.  The most common is the symmetrical design.  This is when you can cut a room in half and have a mirror image on the other side.  This is commonly used in bedrooms and living rooms.  Radial design is when the room’s mirror-image is off of a focal point in the center of the room.  Radial design is mostly used in dining rooms with round tables or other rooms that allow for circular seating arrangements; however, not all homes incorporate this layout. You need to rethink, reimagine, and redesign.  Asymmetrical designs will enable you to be unique and express yourself.  You are not limited to buying replicated couches or duplicate end tables. Asymmetry is an excellent choice to help the room remain functional with a unique layout. Doorways and windows can hurt how you put together your room and may block traditional designs.  Using an asymmetrical plan can let you tailor your furnishings and decor to how the space feels.
Mixing Cool and Warm Tones
Color can strongly influence how a room feels.  Light colors can make a room feel bigger, whereas dark tones may make the room feel smaller and unwelcoming. Bold primary colors can have strong ways of influencing how the room feels.  Walking into an all red room can feel completely different than entering a room that is painted in all blue.  There are three types of color tones used in design: neutral, cool, and warm.  Neutral tones are always safe colors to apply to a room.  They never persuade how a room feels but are vital to breaking up the other tones.  Cool tones influence our moods in a more relaxed manner while warm tones can make an environment feel cozier.  Too often people stick to just neutral or maybe use a subtle accent of a cool tone or a warm tone; however, most designs lack balance with these tones.  Be creative and use cool tones and warm tones in your environment to add life yet keep the space grounded and homey.
Breaking the Rules
Remember, it is your house, your space, and your rules.  Breaking traditional rules adds character and personalizes your space.  Perhaps you have a monochromatic room with just shades of grey throughout it; adding a rainbow painting to the wall can make a powerful focal point while breaking your own design rules.  Maybe you have a table that seats four, and you decide to mix and match chair design.  This eclectic look can be done right if your chair choices enhance the space.  Do not feel limited to your standard, mundane styles but feel inspired to express yourself.  Maybe you have a rustic room but want to put a splash of modern.  All these design decisions are ultimately up to you.
Creative thinking is a powerful tool in interior and exterior design.  Study other designs and see what you like.  Usually, pieces that stick out to you are elements that are not seen in common designs.  Let your imagination create your space.  Do not be afraid to break the rules and incorporate what you want in your home. Thanks for reading!

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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