From the Floors Up

Home Check-Up List

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With how much time people are spending at home, we thought now would be a good time for a home check-up list. Here are five things you should do every year to ensure you’re running a well-oiled machine.

One: Replace the batteries in the smoke detector

Ever heard of the old adage “better than safe than sorry”? Yes, every year you should be switching out the old batteries in your smoke detector for new ones. Modern smoke detectors feature hard-wired backup batteries that must also be replaced. However, it doesn’t stop there. After trading batteries you should ensure that all the smoke detectors throughout the house are in working order.

In addition to the smoke detectors, you should also check your carbon monoxide detectors. Every year thousands of deaths occur due to faulty carbon monoxide detectors. Make sure you change the batteries at least every six months to a year.

Two: Inspect the chimney

Before you fire up your fireplace during the cold winter months you must fire perform a thorough inspection of your chimney. Make sure the gas logs are positioned correctly, look for cracks in the glass door and make sure the burner holes aren’t clogged.

Even when the fireplace is not in use it should be inspected because the chimney has dangerous gases that can be carried to the stove and that shouldn’t be inhaled. Be sure to clean it periodically or make an appointment to have it serviced by a professional.

Three: Gutters

Gutters that become clogged with leaves and other debris restrict the water from flowing easily preventing them from doing their job! This preventative maintenance will save you time and headaches down the road. If you aren’t comfortable on a ladder, hiring someone to do this for you will be worth it in the long run.

Four: Doors and windows

Before winter hits, you should perform an inspection of all the doors and windows in your home. Check for weather stripping around the front and back door. Look for cracks in the windows and tears on the screen. Checking for signs of wear around the window frame is important for safety issues.

Five: Rotate Area Rugs

If you have area rugs that get any exposure from the sun, you’ll want to rotate them to ensure that your rugs receive the same amount of sun exposure on each side for even fading. This is normal and natural for any material that receives exposure to sunlight. If your rugs are on top of hardwood floors, you will want to rotate your furniture where possible so that your hardwood floors receive the same amount of sun exposure for evenness as well.

We hope you find these tips useful in maintaining a healthy home. Take care of yourself and your home!

Glass Pendants in the Kitchen

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Lighting takes on a number of different roles in the kitchen. It can be task lighting for chopping and preparing food, or ambient lighting for dinners at the island counter.  Pretty glass pendants make this functional lighting feel special.  Pendant lights combined with recessed lighting and lighting under the cabinets creates a well-rounded lighting plan for every kitchen task.

These glass pendant lights over the island look to be hand-blown.  Their warm color shifts between creams to a deep amber, casting a warm light over the island through the glass and a strong, clear light directly below.  They also add a nice spot of color in a neutral kitchen.

White cabinets and dark ebony stained wood floors are great bones in this traditional kitchen. Adding color with the lighting is a nice way to introduce it into the room while keeping the main elements neutral.  The yellow tones of the glass look wonderful with the cream and black. The sunny yellow accents really warm up the kitchen, as well.

Mixing the handcrafted, almost contemporary style of the glass pendant lights breaks up the traditional feeling of the kitchen.  Adding a few handmade or handcrafted design elements like these glass pendants makes the kitchen feel a bit more eclectic and personalized.  Traditional style pendant lights or vintage schoolhouse style pendants would also work in this kitchen.  Green metal shades or black shades would look great with the cream and black elements of the kitchen.  Whatever style you choose, pendant lights over the kitchen island can be the perfect solution for lighting up this essential workspace.

Flooring Favorites from Boen

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The Boen Floor Studio offers floors that feel modern and natural.  Grouped by shade, from lights to deep dark stains, Boen hardwood floors come in a wide range of colors, patterns, and sizes.  We had so many favorites we decided to just share what we love about each of the collections.

The Nordic Light Collection focuses on light floors that recall summer days.  Paired with strong, fresh colors or blues and whites favored by Scandinavian design, these floors can feel modern or traditional. We love the birch floors with their natural, dark flecks.

The Natural Feeling Collection features warm, golden toned floors. A golden toned floor works well with natural colors, earth tones, stone, leather and natural linens for a relaxed, inviting space. The Doussie wood floors, from Africa, are a light brown mixed with a pale straw color with well defined pattern from the heartwood.

Beautiful Shade Collection offers dark wood floors which are a hot trend in design. Boen offers a range of warm tones to ebonies to fit traditional to very contemporary designs. The Smoked Oak is one of our favorites. It is created by exposing oak timber to ammonia vapor, which turns it black throughout the wood.

My Dreams Collection has four groups: Stonewashed, Patterned Floors, Boen Chalet and Solid Oak Plank. We love the reclaimed wood feeling of the Stonewashed floors.

Maritime World Collection was inspired by the Scandinavian boat building tradition which gives these floors a distinct maritime feeling. You can even opt to have the wood pegs at every joint. Love this look!

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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