From the Floors Up

Building a House…I Wish I Had Thought of That! (Part One)

By Leave a Comment

Screen Shot 2013-05-07 at 10.37.00 AMWe would like to introduce Megan, one of our readers who has been kind enough to share her story and advice on building a house.

If building a house is in your future there are many things to think about and consider. Below are some helpful tips that will hopefully keep you from saying, “I wish I had thought of that!”

  • Window Shape: When I built my house I was set on having bamboo shades. It wasn’t till after I moved in that I discovered bamboo shades couldn’t be customized to an arched window. This actually made a lot of sense, but I had not thought about it when we were designing the window shapes in the house.
  • Master Shower: This is a brilliant idea instead of installing shelves in the corners of the shower for your shampoo.  You can do pocket shelves on the same wall as the shower knob. This provides a dry area for all your shower essentials and keeps things neat, tidy, handy, and dry!
  • Hallways: For an added touch use arch niches in your hallway. This is great for a picture or plant. Don’t forget the accent light!
  • Screen Shot 2013-05-07 at 10.35.58 AMEntry Area: An insert of tile or slate is the perfect solution for keeping your wood floors from getting moisture from rain and snow. It’s easy to maintain and worry free.
  • Carpet:  Make sure you get a good carpet pad. A good pad will extend the life of your carpet and you’ll be able to feel the difference on your feet!  Also, go one step further and research carpet beyond “base grade”.

You don’t want to miss next week’s post! Megan has even more information she’d like to share.  Stay tuned.

Decorating your Hallway

By Leave a Comment

Hallways need decorating love too.  These thoroughfares of the home are perfect opportunities for design. You can be a little bit playful or bold in a hallway since it is not a space that you’ll spend a lot of time.  Like foyers and powder rooms, hallways can become jewel boxes of design in your home.

If you have a hallway that opens into a room, make certain you have something of interest on the far wall that is visible from the hall.  In this hallway, there is a bookcase at the far end of the room that creates a visual interest for the hall.  If the hall ends in a wall, place a work of art or interesting wallpaper on that wall to create a focal point.

Hallways are wonderful places for a bold wallpaper or stenciled paint design.  You can also paint the hall a bolder or deeper color than you would in a room. Pick a color palette for the hall that relates to the rooms off of it for a more coordinate look.

The walls in a hallway are the perfect place for a gallery style grouping of art or family photos. These gallery walls will give you something to look at as you move down the hall. Hall lighting can be a chandelier or a row of track lighting down the hall that highlights the art on the walls. Finish the hallway with a carpet runner if you have hardwood floors. This will make the space feel more polished.

Make the Most of a Hallway

By 1 Comment

People tend to treat a hallway as just the path from one room to another. There may be a picture or two, maybe a small mirror, but that’s it.

This hall is a definite exception. The modern track lighting has lights set to highlight the artwork and a selection of furniture chosen to work in this narrow space.

Let’s take a look at the other things that make this hallway out of the ordinary. Continuing the wood floors that show in other rooms through the hall keeps the space connected. Consistent flooring is one effective way to make the hall feel wider by linking it to the larger spaces on either side of it.

The molding that surrounds the home’s doors and openings give this space an architectural presence. Halls generally have little or no architectural detail, so this element – although once again related to the rooms surrounding it – makes the hall feel more important. The tall baseboards that run down the hall also help keep everything integrated.

This hall is furnished with the same thought that normally goes into a room. The bench by the outside door is positioned to hold yard tools or sit and take shoes off as the photo shows. Further down the hall, a wooden chair and narrow table provides an inviting place to pause. The table is narrow, but still holds accessories.

Are your hallways living up their full potential? How about borrowing some ideas from this hallway to add charm and interest to this narrow but appealing part of your home?

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!

Recent Comments

Subscribe

Enter your email address to receive new post notifications via email.