From the Floors Up

Today’s Laminate Counters

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Laminate counter tops have come a long way in the past few years. With so much focus in the design world on stone and solid surface counter top materials, laminates have needed to update their look to keep up with the current trends. Today’s laminates come in a wide array of colors and patterns. These laminate counter tops make a budget friendly option for a kitchen remodel or update.

 

This picture is an example of the variety of colors and patterns available in laminate counters today. There are solid color laminates as well as vintage inspired patterned options. Among the most popular are the patterns that imitate natural stone like granite and marble. Photo realistic technology has improved the look of these faux stone patterns. From a distance they may be indistinguishable from real stone.

 

Installing a laminate counter with a deeper edge can also help convince the eye that the faux stone laminate is real stone. A thicker edge will give the counter more weight and volume, more like real stone counters.

 

Along with faux stone patterns laminate counters come in wood patterns. These faux wood patterns can be selected to match the wood floors in a kitchen or capture the look of butcher block counters.

 

Take another look at laminate for counters. This is a budget friendly option that can give you the look of wood or stone without the higher cost of the real thing. Laminate counters can be used in the kitchen, bathroom or powder room—anywhere you need a counter top material.

Decor – Accent Wall

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The accent wall has been a favorite of designers and home owners for a while now. Some designers are big advocates of creating a focal wall with color while others prefer to have color encompass the entire room. One wall that is colorful, as this predominately white dining room, is the norm. Having more than one wall painted in an accent color can divide the space and begin to feel busy.

 

This dining room is a gorgeous example of how an accent wall can anchor a space, elevating it to feel more than ordinary. The soft blue grey paint of the accent wall is a nice contrast to the warmer wood tones of the floor and blonde wood table.  Orange upholstery on the chairs, another warm color, pops against the cool tones of the grey wall.

 

This contemporary dining room is typically minimalist.  There are no flourishes on the furniture or lighting, nor is there ornament on the accent wall.  The blank wall becomes like a large color field painting in the space.  The trapezoidal shades on the light fixture appear more sculptural against the grey wall. The off white shades would be lost against a white wall.  A neutral area rug beneath the table works with both the colors of the floor and table as well as both the orange and grey.

 

Keeping the furniture lines and color palette very simple gives more weight to the accent wall. Because this is a contemporary space, leaving the wall bare is an option that works.

Floor To Ceiling Storage in the Kitchen

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Every design evolves over the years and decades. Kitchen design is continually evolving as trends and styles come in and out of fashion.  For many years soffits between the top of the upper cabinets and ceiling were popular design elements in kitchens. Unless there is a venting issue, most kitchen design today does away with soffits, replacing them with additional storage.

 

The number of kitchen cabinet options has grown over the years. Yes there are still standard heights for upper and lower cabinets but upper cabinets can now have two levels. The height of lower cabinets is more standard to accommodate a counter work surface. Upper cabinet heights can vary to accommodate different ceiling heights as well as storage needs.

 

This kitchen shows that you can put storage from the floor to the ceiling, even in a kitchen with a small footprint.  Cabinets above the standard row of upper cabinets can be used to store less often used items. A stylish footstool can be used to reach these tall cabinets. Keeping the cabinets light like the tile floor helps the room feel light and airy, rather than overwhelmed by cabinetry.

 

Kitchen islands are another place for additional storage in the kitchen.  Drawers and cupboards in a kitchen island provide more places to store kitchen essentials. Heavier items like big pots and slow cookers can be stored below the island. Peninsulas are also perfect for adding more storage if an island doesn’t work in your layout.

 

No matter your kitchen’s size, maximize storage by going from floor to ceiling with your cabinets.

 

Decor – Taking Advantage of Vertical Wall Space

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Now that televisions can be mounted to the wall, furniture layouts in living and family rooms have changed. Gone are the days where the television and entertainment centers took up a large bit of floor space. Along with changing the layout of the rooms, wall mounted televisions have changed how we approach vertical wall space.

 

Flat screens mounted on the wall draw the eye to the wall and therefore the vertical space surrounding the TV. Taking advantage of this space can mean adding extra storage, as seen here, or creating a focal wall with the television at the center.  Framing a flat screen with a shelving unit or bookcase like this one also helps the flat screen blend into the space better. A wall unit or built-in bookcase can be done in a wood to coordinate with your furniture or floors, or painted to match the wall or molding color.

 

Vertical storage space can be used for books, movies, CDS, games and other family room entertainment essentials. Games and toys can be stored in baskets that fit into the storage unit or bookshelf.  Moving storage up off the floor and onto the wall frees up the space for the furniture and better flow in the room. Decluttering the floor and keeping small items in boxes and baskets is a good way to get organized.

 

Taking advantage of vertical space is especially useful in smaller rooms and apartments. When floor space is at a premium, placing the television on the wall and surrounding it with storage can make the space more organized and functional.

 

Girls Room – Cottage Style

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All kid’s rooms should be spaces where little ones can seek comfort and expand their imagination. A cottage style room is a perfect fit for a girl who isn’t quite a princess but isn’t quite a tomboy either. Classic cottage style can also grow up with your little girl as she goes from playing with dolls to having friends for sleepovers. The timeless quality of cottage style means the room will not look too young or outdated in a few years.

 

This lovely cottage bedroom features wide plank wood floors that have been painted white. Painting wood floors can save older floors that might need refinishing. Rough spots can be hidden with area rugs, which also provide a soft surface for impromptu doll tea parties and forts.

 

Simple things like an extra sheet or curtain can be turned into inspired play pieces. A white curtain works in this cottage style bedroom that is filled with shades of white on the floor and walls. A few floral accents in the floor cushions add a touch of shabby chic style. Subtle striped Roman shades add a little bit of pattern and a splash of pale colors to the windows.

 

White painted wood furniture is a good investment that can work in a toddler’s room as well as it does in a teenager’s room. White furniture can also be sanded and painted at a later time if so desired. Keeping the furniture white allows the wall colors and accent colors to change and grow as your child’s tastes and personality do.

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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