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Design on the Diagonal

August 31, 2012 By creatingyourspace Leave a Comment

Taking a square tile and putting it on its point can transform this basic tile into a new and interesting design element: the diamond pattern.  Installing tiles on the diagonal transforms the look of square tiles. Diagonal patterns can be applied to walls, floors and back-splashes. In other words, wherever you install tile you can install tile on the diagonal.

For floors, diagonal tiles can make the footprint of the room feel larger. If you use black and white tiles or colored linoleum tiles, your pattern will be more obvious.  Stone or single colored ceramic or porcelain will have a more subtle pattern.  Using a contrasting or white grout will call more attention to the diamond patterns.

A diamond pattern used as a back-splash is a great way to bring more attention to the wall. Using a diamond pattern with simple square tiles allows you to have a more sophisticated feeling backsplash without the expense of it.

Diagonal lines can also be achieved using wood floorboards. This is an unconventional way to install wood floors. Diagonal lines would look cool in a contemporary or loft space. Double-diagonal patterned wood floors create a herringbone pattern that is more traditional. Herringbone or zigzag patterns are also a big trend for wall and upholstery patterns right now.

Diagonal lines, whether in diamond patterned tile backsplashes or chevron patterned rugs, add dynamic interest to a space. Even a zigzag patterned throw or pillow on the sofa can add this design trend to your décor.

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Filed Under: Design & Decorating, Tile & Stone Tagged With: backsplash tile, bath tile, bathroom tile, ceramic tile, choosing a tile pattern, decorating with tile, designing tile patten, diagonal tile design, diagonal tile pattern, floor tile, kitchen tile, linoleum tile, mosaic tile patterns, porcelain tile, tile designs, tile elements, tile ideas, tile patterns, tiling, tiling the home, wall tile

Unglazed Tile and Pottery Have Rustic Appeal

October 10, 2011 By creatingyourspace Leave a Comment

The pots to the left have the same appeal as the unglazed tile flooring underneath – the simplicity of natural materials minimally-handled to create a space that feels handmade and rustic.

This pottery and tile is not all that different from that found in archeological digs across the world. Clay is available in almost all areas, and it’s easy to dig, form and fire basic containers with it.

Of course, the skill to make pots and tiles requires a sophistication that comes with practice and time. This tile is rough but basically matches in shape, color and thickness. The pots are also similar and are probably thrown. All of them were fired in a professional kiln to make sure they are hard enough to handle everyday use. However, they have that handmade appeal that is unique to these products.

In contrast, the modern standard clay pots that are part of the patio to the right are manufactured quickly and to a clearly-defined standard. Containing the plants they were designed to hold, these clay pots are simple but not handmade in feeling.

Today, you can find ceramic tiles and containers rich in variety and style. Sophisticated glazes and firing methods combine to make your choices almost unlimited. However, sometimes it makes sense to design a space that takes advantage of the simpler beginnings of clay, to highlight where we came from and that beauty is not always about complexity.

Whatever style of tile appeals to you, the best news is that for thousands of years, clay from the ground has been converted to a product that provides us with an edge when building, decorating or making our lives better.

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Filed Under: Tile & Stone Tagged With: ceramic tile, history of ceramic tile, stone, stone tile, tile

Ceramic Maintenance – Click "Continue Reading" to View

July 22, 2009 By creatingyourspace Leave a Comment

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Filed Under: Ceramic/Porcelain, Maintenance Tagged With: ceramic care, ceramic maintenance, ceramic tile, ceramic tile care, tile, tile care, tile maintenance

Green Flooring

June 29, 2009 By creatingyourspace 1 Comment

Are you thinking of making a flooring purchase? Are you wondering if you can make that purchase and make it a green one at the same time? Green flooring is defined as any flooring that is sustainable, eco-friendly, contains recycled content, is recyclable, leaves a small carbon footprint or has low VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compound).

Below are some things to consider when thinking green about flooring:

Cork

  • Cork is a harvested resource which is better than a renewable resource because only the bark is harvested from the tree.
  • Because of the way cork floors are made, they are considered a recycled product.
  • Cork trees are not damaged or destroyed when the cork is being harvested.
  • You can install cork floors with water based adhesives with low VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds)

Bamboo

  • Bamboo is a rapidly renewing resource (maturing in three years) that regenerates without the need for replanting.
  • To grow, it doesn’t need a lot of fertilization or pesticides

Carpet

  • According to the Carpet and Rug Institute: The carpet industry is minimizing carpet’s impact on the environment through the new “3 Rs” which stand for reduce, reuse and recycle.  When carpet reaches the end of its long life, it is reused to make new carpet or is recycled into a variety of products, ranging from roofing shingles and railroad ties to automotive parts.
  • Carpet fibers, dye, VOC emissions and recycled content are all factors that determine is a carpet product is green.
  • If you want to ensure that you are purchasing the lowest emitting carpet, adhesive and cushion, look for The Green Label and Green Label Plus from the Carpet and Rug Institute

Stone

  • It’s a natural product
  • Stone is a long lasting product so it doesn’t have to  be replaced often
  • It’s easy to care and maintain
  • Stone can be recycled and reclaimed

Hardwood

  • Hardwoos is a natural resource that is also renewable and recyclable
  • Suitable for a “healthy home” environment
  • Most forests are managed for replanting

Linoleum

  • Made from all natural, biodegradable materials that can be recycled
  • The natural raw materials used to create Linoleum are abundantly available
  • These raw materials are harvested or extracted with relatively little energy consumption.
  • Linoleum can be safely added to landfill refuse sites, where natural decomposition takes place.
  • Can be installed with water based adhesives that are low VOC or VOC free
  • Maintenance products do not include harsh chemicals

Ceramic Tile

  • More and more products contain recycled content
  • Tile is a long lasting product so it doesn’t have to  be replaced often
  • Requires little maintenance and cleaners are not harmful

Carpet Cushion

  • Can be made from100% recycled bonded cushion from polyurethane foam or 100% recycled content in Rebond Carpet Cushion, a bonded polyurethane product
  • Can be made with 97% recycled rubber for carpet underlayment
  • Can be made with no CFC’s, latex or chemical additives
  • Can be made with 100% recycled tire rubber carpet pad.  Withstands temperatures from 40 to 120 degrees.  Free of toxic materials such as PCB, mercury, and formaldehyde
  • Can be made from ground tire scrap rubber granules bonded with latex and 92% recycled tire rubber

Installation

  • Water based adhesives with low VOC’s can be used
  • Acceptable adhesives are listed here: http://www.greenhomeguide.com

Adhesives

  • Choose low VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds)
  • Choose adhesives that do not contain formaldehyde
  • Choose adhesives that qualify for the Carpet and Rug Institutes Indoor Air Quality green label

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Filed Under: Carpet, Ceramic/Porcelain, Hard Flooring, Hardwood / Laminate, Linoleum, Tile & Stone Tagged With: adhesives, Carpet Cushion, ceramic tile, cork, Green Flooring, green floors, hardwood, linoelum, stone

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