From the Floors Up

Fall Date Nights

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Fall has arrived and with Halloween just around the corner it is the perfect time of year to start thinking about fun dates that can help to spice things up during the cold months. Besides, after all of the summer months of hot weather, it will be nice to get out into the fresh, crisp fall weather. 

 

Especially with it being so close to Halloween, a little fright night might be just the thing to bring you and your partner closer. A haunted house is just the thing to add some thrills to the holiday season. Grab a bite to eat before and then head to the haunted house for a some fun scares. If your town doesn’t do haunted houses look into haunted hayrides. The haunted hayrides may also be more appropriate for nights you can’t find a babysitter and the kids need to come along as well. 

 

Another great date night for the fall is to find the closest apple orchard and take your partner apple picking. It’s the perfect activity to enjoy sparks between you, as you stroll through the apple orchards in the beautiful fall weather. With nothing to distract you from one another you are sure to enjoy stimulating conversation with one another while getting in a leisurely workout outside. To top the night out, bring the apples back and bake a delicious apple pie you can enjoy together.

 

 

Finally, what else could be better then spending the night carving pumpkins with each other. Perhaps carve them over your favorite scary movies, but be careful for the jump scares when you are using your pumpkin carving knife. Once you have your carvings perfected, roast the seeds for a side snack for the rest of your night. If you have children, you can include them too! Just be sure to chose a scary movie more geared towards their appropriate age. The kids are sure to love the roasted pumpkin seeds.

 

Whether you chose a romantic date night for just you and your partner to enjoy welcoming fall, or you also include the kids in on the fall fun, you are sure to have a great night out enjoying the cool fall weather.

5 Tips on How To Ensure That Parents and Children Enjoy Your Wedding Reception

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It’s important to consider every single one of your guests when planning your wedding. Below is a great list of ideas about how to make sure that kids will be entertained on your big day.

  1. Hire a babysitter for the tiniest children, those under age five who need constant supervision.
  2. Hand out mini Etch-A-Sketch’s. Have a contest and ask the kids to make the best drawing of the bride or groom. Award a prize to the winner and let the kids keep the toy as a wedding favor. If you want it to feel more personalized, put a permanent sticker on the back of each Etch-A-Sketch that features your names and the date of the wedding.
  3. Offer a treat with which the kids can take part in the toast that follows a formal speech. For example, the speech made by the parents, best man, or maid of honor. Fill small glasses with milk and place a chocolate chip cookie on top.
  4. Create a busy box and gift one to each child when they arrive at the reception. Include items that are age appropriate. For example, a coloring book and crayons for small children, or a jump rope for slightly older children. Include things like snacks, stickers, disposable cameras, bubbles, candy, themed pen and paper, etc. If you’re not sure what kiddos like best, ask friends and family to quiz their children and learn what they would enjoy finding in a busy box. Don’t let on as to why you’re asking, or the surprise will be ruined at the wedding. Just tell them you’re taking a survey, which you are.
  5. Hungry kids are grumpy kids so take them into consideration during the various times throughout the evening when food will be served. Especially during the appetizer hour. The sooner they eat the better. Then continue to present them with small plates of food throughout the night. For this to be successful it’s imperative that you include food that kids love. For example, peanut butter and jelly mini sandwiches during hors d’oeuvres hour, pizza during dinner, and ice cream during dessert. If you want to up the fun factor, include a soft serve ice cream machine at the reception. Set up a station with cones and toppings so they can access and create their own ice cream cones all night.   

How To Reuse and Repurpose Glass Containers: Candle Jars & Essential Oil Bottles

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Now that we’ve got recycling under control and most folks are on board, people have shifted their focus to upcycling. Rather than simply destroy the materials in order to reuse them, upcycling involves creating a new and/or better use for them. No turn around process necessary! Household items have infinite possibilities, but here are two ideas that will allow you to hang on to glass containers and save money.

Candle Jars

The method you choose depends on how clean you want the glass to be when you’re done. If you don’t mind a bit of “foggy” residue then you can simply use the freezer method. Freeze the candle jar for 30 minutes, and presto, the wax pops right out. Use a butter knife to gently dislodge it.

If you want the jars to be clean and clear, opt for the hot water method. Simply fill the jar with water that’s at a full boil. Let it cool completely! Once it’s cool the wax floats right to the top! Discard the water, and absolutely do not pour it down the drain. (Or you might as well put hot wax down your drain!) Once the jar is rinsed and dried, check for stubborn wax remnants. To get rid of them, use soapy water and a brillo pad, and you’ll have a great basic glass piece for your project.

Essential Oil Bottles

Although it might sound like quite a challenge to reuse a container with a strong, concentrated fragrance, a little soaking goes a long way! Start by peeling off the label. Remove plastic cap and dropper cover, and submerge all parts in warm soapy water. Soak overnight. Discard water and remove any remaining particles from the labels. (Lemon essential oil will help if a label is especially sticky and stubborn.)  You might be able to stop at this point, but if traces of the scent remain, put all parts in a bowl of ½ water and ½ alcohol. Soak overnight again, rinse, and air dry. 

A Country Kitchen

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When you think about reimagining your kitchen, do you imagine it a place full of warmth and comfort? Is it where you go to cook your meals for your family and it fills up with the smells of cooking and laughter? If you are thinking about redesigning your kitchen and that is how you would describe your vision you may want to consider looking into your options for country kitchen design.

 

The focus for country-styled kitchens is to use natural, hand crafted materials to create a lived-in feel to the room—a place where your guests will feel comfortable pulling up a chair at the table and chatting while you cook dinner or a place where your family comes to gather and share their stories. The focus here is to use uniquely designed wood for your cabinets, chairs and tables to create a rustic look. You might even add paneled glass to the front of some of your cabinets so that your dishware and stemware show through.

 

Speaking of, these utensils, dishware and home appliances are a great way to give your kitchen that lived-in country feel. Mixing and matching different glazes and designs on your plates and bowls can add character to your kitchen. It harkens back to when most people had a mix and match of dinnerware, and can look as though you might buy one here and there at the local farmer’s market. If you used that glass paneling in your cabinets then your efforts will always be on display. Consider using mason jars as glassware as well, as they can also add to the overall design.

 

There are certain design patterns as well as color schemes that are more common in a country kitchen as well. Warmer colors are a must although blue is also commonly found, usually within a pattern or as tiling. Plaid and gingham patterns can be used as dishtowels or tablecloth to add a touch of pattern. If you are unsure about the color or pattern you want to use, imagine if you think it would fit in to a kitchen you would see in a traditional farm setting.

 

One of the most powerful statements in a country kitchen is the floor.  The right choice of flooring material can pull the room together and set a tone of cohesiveness in the space.  Think about the materials that would be used in a farmhouse setting: wide plank hardwood or large stone tiles are great choices. 

 

A country inspired kitchen is a place where your family and guests can congregate and spend quality time together in a space where you have intentionally created an ambience of warmth and invitation. It is a great way to add life into your kitchen!

2015 Decorating Trend Examples

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If you’ve recently caught up on all of the design and decorating themes for 2015 you might now find yourself at a loss for examples. Themes are useful as overarching guidelines, but executing them stylishly is another thing entirely. So, if you’re ready to dive in, just refer to our newest list regarding trends: Decorating Trend Examples! Enjoy!

Translation of 2015 design themes

  • 3D based pattern – raised, geometric tiles painted in a contrast color; repetitive use of a figurine
  • “Nature meets science” – furniture such as an end table made of both dark wood and metal; full saturation latex paint on raw wood blocks as a accessory decoration; Nambe bowl filled with wood chips; crystal decanter transformed into pendant lighting with raw and apparent wiring
  • Futuristic – acrylic and plastic high gloss furniture such as a coffee table in trend color white
  • Geometric shapes – hexagram shaped accessories such a pendant light fixture
  • tilted or lopsided – floating end tables that appear to be off balance
  • Suspension – pendant lamps, plant life/terraria, modern chandeliers
  • Contrast – bold, form-based, sculptural texture, combined with sleek modern lines; natural surfaces such as wood combined with synthetic acrylic paint
  • Mixed metals – breaking the old adage that only one metal source looks smart – instead, use several such as gold, silver, brass, copper
  • Bleeding, blotting – dip dyed textiles such as pillows and throws; an area rug that mimics a geologic earth feature such as striated rock; oxidized metals
  • Minimalism – clean horizontal lines in furniture and artwork; large scale, unfussy patterns

Plant and animal life

  • Kelly green plant life – ferns, etc.
  • If you’re considering caring for a new pet – tortoise in a well designed glass enclosure that includes real plant life
  • Terraria – macro plant environment in glass, suspended from the ceiling or sitting on table
  • Flowers – orchids, carnations

Color

  • Pantone color of the year – Marsala 18-1438 – earthy and sophisticated wine hue
    • Rooms really well suited to this color  – kitchen, dining room, family/living room
    • Best colors to coordinate with Marsala – deep navy, midnight blue, raspberry red, light plum, soft lavender, powdery pink, flesh tone neutrals, soft aqua
    • Tone and vibe of a room  with Marsala – natural, grounded, earthy, robust, rich, sophisticated, stylish, hearty, glamorous, warm, inviting
  • Pop color – Use something offbeat such as yellow or aqua, and rather than use it on just anything you find, use it emphasize something in the room that you feel is a stand out piece, give it purpose 

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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