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/

Designing Your Guest Bathroom

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There’s nothing that makes a guest feel more welcome than being able to use a stylish and comfortable bathroom. Often, the guest bathroom is neglected and cluttered because isn’t used as frequently as the other restrooms in the house. However, it’s time to take your guest bathroom from drab to fab by implementing crafty design schemes into your bathroom’s decor.

How can you make your guest bathroom more appealing to visitors? Below are some tips that are useful for decorating a guest bath.

It’s important to provide enough space for styling tools and toiletries. Leave the pedestal sink in the powder room. Be sure to install an outlet near the vanity so that your guests can have the option of utilizing a flat or curling iron.

Balanced or equal lighting should be used in the guest bathroom. Options for lighting placement include sconces placed on both sides of the vanity mirror, a small chandelier or attractive lights mounted over the mirror. Using framed mirrors instead of flat glass can really elevate the look and feel of the room.

Make use of shelves and baskets to add extra storage space. Decorative storage accessories can hold hand towels and soaps. If you travel, collect soaps, lotions and toiletries from hotels and display them in a basket for your guests to use.

Try Unique Designs

Since your guest bathroom won’t experience a lot of wear and tear because it’s not being used on a consistent basis, you can use materials that you might not ordinarily choose for a bathroom. Laminate or luxury vinyl that looks like a rich and exotic hardwood can give the room a warm and inviting feeling. Tile can also achieve this and provide durability for years to come. You can also purchase waterproof laminate flooring or waterproof vinyl flooring for extra durability. Or, go with something natural and durable like waterproof hardwood flooring!

Because your guest bathroom is typically a smaller space, this is your opportunity to incorporate materials that are a little more expensive like glass mosaics, metal tiles, natural stone accents. Using these materials will make your guest bath the topic of conversation! Don’t forget the sink splash. This is a great place to add a decorative tile to give the room a little more personality.

When decorating the guest bathroom, you can play with contrasting colors to create a stunning effect. So, if you always wanted a vessel sink or a bold pattern flooring, then now is the time to try it. You can push the limits and try unique decor with the guest bathroom. Have fun!

Creating Your Space

Bathroom Blogfest 2012: Ocean Inspired Colors in the Bathroom

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Let the bathroom blogging continue! We hope you’ve had a chance to look at some of the other participants’ blogs; they’re all amazing with great, helpful tips.  There’s only a couple more days left of this year’s Bathroom Blogfest so get your reading glasses on and enjoy the designs!

The colors of the ocean just seem to work in a bathroom. It could be the connection with water that makes these colors work so well. We’re not sure why so many of us are drawn to the colors of the sand and sea when designing our bathrooms, but we are. Blues, creams, beiges, greys and greens in soft hues can all work in a sea inspired bathroom.

Whether you choose to design your bathroom in coastal style or not, you can still use ocean inspired colors in the bath.  Floors, walls, shower curtains, towels and mats can all be found in beautiful shades of the ocean and sea. Colors inspired by sea glass, soft blues, greens and white, are a lovely combination for the bathroom that is neither masculine nor feminine. If you have a bathroom that has white tile on the walls and floor, you can add these colors as accents as either paint for the wall or vanity, or in smaller doses by using colorful towels and mats.

Colorful glass tiles inspired by the ocean are beautiful in the shower or on the floor in a coastal or ocean inspired bathroom.  Mosaic tiles used as a border or on the floor can also bring in ocean colors. Mix these colorful tiles with neutral stones like white marble or travertine to bring in another layer of natural beauty.

If the ocean does not inspire you, think about your favorite outdoor space. Mountains, lakes, meadows and deserts can all be color inspiration for your home.

Check out more Bathroom Blogfest 2012 entries here:

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/

Bland Kitchen Needs Backsplash Update

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Notice the bright red and yellow peppers in this kitchen. With the lettuce, tomatoes and carrots and a few pink flowers in the background, this kitchen seems bright and inviting. However, step back and imagine the produce, flowers and girl out of the picture. You’re left with a kitchen that feels bland and even a bit depressing.

It’s not hard to make a kitchen cheerful and alive. Color and contrast make a space feel special. Unfortunately this kitchen demonstrates little of either characteristic.

The cabinets match the countertop, losing an opportunity to add contrast. The neutral flooring in a light shade is fine but the white tile backsplash has a minimal effect on the look of this kitchen. The only real contrast comes from the black bases to the upper cabinets, which isn’t enough to compensate for all of that brown.

Let’s consider adding a spark to make this kitchen come alive. How about a glass tile backsplash? Take a look at the one in the photo shown below. There are brown and light neutral tiles that link to the other kitchen elements, but then this backsplash adds in yellow and green to make it special.

With the addition of one new element, this kitchen can move from bland to spicy. And the good news is that you don’t have to piece this type of design together. At our showroom you can take a look at a variety of tile combinations to suit your color preferences, taste and style.

Take a chance and update your kitchen. By adding one new element you can make your kitchen capture people’s attention even if you don’t cook.

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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