From the Floors Up

Different Types of Backsplashes

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Many homeowners include backsplashes in their kitchen and bathrooms as a decorative layer. The real value of backsplashes is providing a protective layer to your walls. A backsplash behind your stovetop can serve as a shield to your walls during greasy, saucy, or messy meals.

There are thousands of different types, styles and textures you can choose from for your kitchen or bathroom. If you want to install a backsplash for wall protection and decoration, keep reading! To help you rein in all of the choices, we have created a list of the different types of backsplashes. Keep in mind, there are endless custom options and designs. The items listed below are some of the most popular backsplash choices.

Different Materials for Backsplashes:
Tile: ceramic tile, glass tile, porcelain tile, mosaic tile, handmade tile, tumbled natural stone.
Metals: stainless steel, copper, bronze.
Natural Stone: marble, limestone, granite, quartz, soapstone, travertine, onyx

Backsplash Patterns:

Running Bond Tile Pattern (Also known as subway tile pattern)


Herringbone Pattern


Mosaic Pattern


Straight Lay Pattern


Diagonal Pattern


Checkerboard Pattern


Basketweave Pattern


Windmill Pattern


Versailles Pattern


Pinwheel Pattern

Full slabs

Backsplash Areas:

Between the upper cabinets and countertops in your kitchen or bathroom

Behind the kitchen’s stovetop

Behind the kitchen faucet

Area behind the bathroom sink between the mirror

The entire wall behind the bathroom mirror

Lining the space above your bathtub

When you think about a backsplash for decorative purposes, your mind naturally thinks of other places to add decorative tiles. Fireplaces, the wall above the fireplace, the wall behind a bed or other focal point in a room are all great places to add tile! Use your imagination and imagine all of the places you can add tile for decoration or functional purposes!

http://creatingyourspace.com/

Wallpaper in the Kitchen

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Screen Shot 2013-05-21 at 2.24.59 PMThere is a current design trend for wallpaper throughout the home. Wallpaper was once thought to be old fashioned and outdated, but not anymore. The patterns and colors of today’s wallpapers are anything but the wallpaper your mother or grandmother had.  Beautiful colors, historic and vintage patterns, and new materials mean that wallpaper is one trend that will be with us for a while.

Because of the popularity of wallpaper, we are seeing it used throughout the home; from bathrooms to hallways and every room in between.  There is a wallpaper design that can work for any room.  Some wallpaper is subtler than others in their color and patterns.  We are even seeing wallpaper used in kitchens.

The kitchen pictured here has a subtle diamond patterned wallpaper design throughout.  If you choose to use wallpaper as a way to add color to a backsplash, consider covering the paper with glass for protection.  However, some wallpaper can be wiped with a moist cloth. These are probably a good choice for the kitchen with all of the splashes and spills.

When adding any color or pattern to a kitchen or any room always take into consideration your flooring. If you have a tile or patterned floor, also consider the color and scale of the floor pattern when choosing a pattern for the walls.  The same is true for stone or wood floors. Choose a wallpaper design that will coordinate with your floor, cabinets, and hardware for a cohesive looking kitchen.

Bathroom Blogfest 2012: Using Marble in the Bath

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We are participating in the 7th annual Bathroom Blogfest! This year’s theme is “Still Coming Out” and it is a great way to bring together bloggers from all over the globe to talk about bathroom designs.  Take a look at who’s participating this year and get the inside scoop on everything bathroom.

There is just something classic about marble in the bathroom. Marble counters and sinks are traditional designs that continue to be popular today.  But there are new ways to use marble in the bathroom in addition to the classics.

Marble tiles can be applied to the floor, walls, and shower stall.  New tile sizes and patterns make this centuries old material feel contemporary.  Laying the tile in a horizontal pattern, rather than a traditional vertical pattern turns these classic tiles into a contemporary style.   Oversize horizontal tiles, like in this bathroom, are another way to put a contemporary twist on marble tiles.

Marble can be polished, honed and tumbled for shiny and matte surfaces.  Honed and tumbled are better choices for flooring as they are not as slick when wet.  Placing a bath mat down can help absorb water and prevent slips.

The tile is a neutral color, which allows a homeowner to have versatile options for the sinks, countertop, and bathroom accessories.  This homeowner chose to keep the bathroom sinks and countertop clean and neutral by choosing white, but they always have the option of adding a pop of color with towels or candles. Another great option for marble tile choices is classic white marble with grey veins.  A mix of white fixtures and marble has a crisp feeling that makes us think of a luxury hotel or spa.

Covering the walls and tub surround in the same marble tile gives this bathroom a uniform look and only adds to the luxurious spa feeling. Using the same material throughout the space makes the room feel even larger.

Even a little marble can make a big impact. A marble counter in the bathroom would take a small amount of stone and could fit most budgets. You could also add a strip of small marble tile for a sink’s backsplash in the bathroom.  It will add detail and interest to your bathroom.

Read more about Bathroom Blogfest 2012 from other writers:

Name Twitter Username Blog Name Blog URL
Susan Abbott susanabbott theIdeaStudio www.theideastudio.ca
Laurence Borel blogtillyoudrop blog till you drop www.laurenceborel.com
Bill Buyok AventeTile Avente Tile Talk http://www.aventetiletalk.com/
Jeanne Byington jmbyington The Importance of Earnest Service blog.jmbyington.com
Nora DePalma steamtherapy The Mr. Steam SteamTherapy Blog http://blog.mrsteam.com/
Mr. Steam noradepalma OR-DP POV www.oreilly-depalma.com/blog
Stacy Garcia kbtribechat kbtribe http://kbtribe.wordpress.com
Diane Kazan dkazan Public Bathroom Blog http://thekazan.blogspot.com
Arpi Nalbandian Arpi_Nalb Avente Tile Talk http://www.aventetiletalk.com/
Victoria & Shelley Redshaw & Pond scarletopus Scarlet Opus Trends Blog www.scarletopus.com
Sandy Renshaw sandyrenshaw Purple Wren purplewren.com
Bruce D. Sanders rimtailing RIMtailing http://rimtailing.blogspot.com/
Paige Smith none Tile tips from installation professionals http://neusetile.wordpress.com/
Todd Vendituoli TALV58 Thebuildingblox http://www.thebuildingblox.com/
Shannon Vogel cyswebsites From the Floors Up http://fromthefloorsup.com
CB Whittemore cbwhittemore Content Talks Business Blog http://simplemarketingnow.com/content-talks-business-blog/
Irene Williams crossvilleinc Elevate Your Space http://elevateyourspace.wordpress.com/
Linda Wright skiptotheloo Skip to the Loo! http://lindaloo.com/

 

Professional Kitchen Designers

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For a full down to the studs kitchen remodel or an update, working with a professional kitchen designer can be a great idea. Professional kitchen designers can help you design your dream kitchen or choose new countertops for a quick update.

 

Flooring, counters, backsplashes, cabinets, appliances and lighting can each change the look and feel of a kitchen. On their own they can update the kitchen; together they will give your kitchen a whole new look. Selecting a single one of these to work with your existing kitchen can be tricky. Choosing a combination of new counters, cabinets and flooring can be downright daunting. Enter the kitchen designer.

 

Kitchen designers can help you select a stone backsplash that coordinates with granite counter tops that also work with your existing cabinetry. Larger guts and remodels can be planned by a kitchen designer to change not only the look of your kitchen but its functionality.  These designers can recommend changes to floor plans that can up the function of your kitchen without expanding the floor plan.  For major projects an in home consultation to take measurements is a must.  Even for surface changes, a home appointment should be done for measurements and color samples.

 

To hire a kitchen designer you can begin by asking friends and neighbors for recommendations who have recently remodeled their kitchens. If there is a local kitchen showroom, visit and ask for a consultation. Get several estimates before deciding to make sure you find the right kitchen designer for your home and budget.

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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