Take a Chance and Create a Unique Room

By creatingyourspace | Published: August 25, 2011

Are you ready to be daring with your home design? If you crave adventure and don’t know where to start, don’t limit yourself to traditional sources for inspiration.

This simple photo of an old weather-beaten gate with its rusty lock appears to have absolutely nothing to do with home design. But look again and then look at the bedroom below.

By stretching the limits of thought, you can create a room that is both beautiful and unique. This bedroom is one good example.

The key to the reconstruction is this perfect flooring. With all the beauty of wood, the cool grey, taupe and brown shades perfectly echo the wooden gate, but with a smooth finish that looks like a joy to walk on.

The designer brought in the warm tones found in the metal bolt through the smooth leather of the bed frame. Once again smooth trumps rough, but still the right feeling is there. The leather represents the darker tones with the cherry wood trim showing the lighter rusty highlights. Even the gold of the pillow shams can be found in the highlights of the photo.

The old wood of the gate is reflected in the panels on the back wall. The rough abstract feel of these disconnected pieces recollects the texture demonstrated in the gate photo, but with an accent of sophistication.

There was no need to carry anything from the gate photo into the bedroom literally. Instead, the design is almost a metaphor for the rough gate, made smooth and elegant by the skilled hand of the designer.

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Contemporary Flooring Trends

By creatingyourspace | Published: August 23, 2011

Nowadays, since people are getting busier by the day, the flooring they opt for is the one that looks pretty and requires minimal maintenance. Since flooring is not something you can change in a jiff, putting a lot of thought into it the first time can spare you a lot of time and trouble later on. Contemporary flooring options do well to alleviate many concerns, and at the same time give your home an elegant, modern look.

Statistically speaking, hardwood floors and ceramic tiles are now dominant members of the current flooring trends. Ceramic is a good choice because of the sheer variety it offers, and its durable nature. Numerous textures and millions of possible design combinations make ceramic the favorite of consumers and interior decorators alike. Tile adds a luxurious look to your place, and also gives you an option to design a floor yourself, using mosaic.

The timeless beauty of hardwood floors is impossible to deny, some of the most modern houses have opted for hardwood. Various manufacturing methods are being used to create completely new patterns and textures, with hardwood flooring.

Next is laminate flooring, which offers many attractive benefits such as easy installation, low maintenance and has extremely high durability. Although some laminate floors come with a lifetime warranty, they are not as good at handling water and moisture, so keep this in mind before deciding which room to install laminate flooring in.

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Travertine Tile for a Luxurious Decor

By creatingyourspace | Published: August 18, 2011

The use of travertine tile for a luxurious decor is a sight to behold, especially after the installation of the natural stone in your home. When it comes to the use of this type of home flooring, it is varied but one sure thing is that you will end up creating a very impressive decoration. It adds that unique and luxurious feel to your home, in addition to its timeless accent that blends with any style of home decor, it does not matter whether it is eclectic, traditional or modern; the travertine tile will always be a good match to the entire decor.

The use of the travertine tile is one that is not restricted to a particular area of the house.

Are you thinking of giving your bathroom a different flooring from the rest of the house? Did it ever cross your mind that you can achieve a great looking bathroom with the installation of travertine tiles? It can even be used in shower stalls. Let nothing stop you from tiling the whole length of your bathroom space with travertine tile and enjoy the natural but refined look that comes with the installation of this natural stone.

The kitchen is not left out in the use of travertine tile. Using this type of tile on the kitchen floor gives a warmth to one of the most used rooms of the home. You can even use it for a backsplash.

The kitchen and bath are not the only spaces travertine works well in. Think of the entry, living room and family room.

Come to our showroom and let us help you pick the perfect style of travertine for your home!

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The Right Flooring Choice

By creatingyourspace | Published: August 17, 2011

Well, this store makes its position clear – if you have to ask, you probably can’t afford the clothes they’re selling.

Do you find yourself feeling this way whenever you look at buying something new for your home? Whether furniture or flooring, we often experience sticker shock when we see costs, particularly if we haven’t shopped for the products recently. However it’s important to think beyond cost when you’re making decisions on products that will be with you long after that new outfit has been sent to a thrift shop.

How long will you be living in your home and walking on that floor? If you dream of wood, can you feel good about spending an additional few hundred a year to get the wood floor you want? What kind of flooring is common in your neighborhood? You want to have flooring comparable to other homes nearby to be competitive for resale. Would laminate be a better choice because of your children or carpet because you live in your socks at home?

Beautiful flooring comes in many price ranges – find the choice that suits your taste, lifestyle and budget and you’ll walk happy for years to come!

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Successful Mirror Placement

By creatingyourspace | Published: August 11, 2011

This mirror is used to allow drivers to see traffic before it’s otherwise visible on mountainous switchbacks. Traffic engineers position these mirrors to take the best advantage of their capabilities.

When you place a mirror in your home, it’s important to think through its placement for both functionality and appearance. Remember that you look at and through a mirror, so the reflection is equally important.

Do you want a mirror to check your appearance? Then make sure it’s positioned in good light at a height that enables you and other family members to see themselves. Often a mirror is set too high, leaving the shorter family members stuck with partial views.

Want a mirror to reflect light? Experiment with various positions to ensure that natural light will reach those dark corners.

Do you hope one or more mirrors will make a space feel larger? In the past, people would cover a wall in mirrors to expand the perception of a space. These days, that look is dated and in many cases it was never particularly attractive. However, adding one large mirror or a few smaller ones close together on a wall will expand the perception of a space. Experiment with mirrors pulled from other parts of the house before investing in lots of mirrors.

Don’t ignore other reflective features in your home. Well-shined wood floors reflect other aspects of a space. Metal accessories have a natural reflection of light or other elements in a room. Turn your eyes to notice the reflections as you plan your spaces. With just a little effort your home will reflect what you want it to.

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Make the Most of Your Laundry Room

By creatingyourspace | Published: August 9, 2011

This laundry room may be small, but the owner has made the most of the space. From the rod over the washing machine and dryer to using the machine tops to fold and sort clothes, the room is made for convenience.

An ironing board is a natural extension of laundry space. If possible, adding a board that drops down from a wall saves space. In this room, the bright window provides nice natural light for ironing. Natural light also keeps you from having to turn a room light on and off with the in-and-out nature of a laundry space.

The approach to the floor is very smart for two reasons. One is using standard bathroom tile that can handle any water incidents due to washing machine flooding. The other reason is the drain in the floor. This protects the rest of your home’s flooring from problems due to laundry flooding.

Built-in cabinets can provide additional storage and may even add to the functional options in your laundry. If you enjoy sewing, setting up your machine in this room gives you a perfect location close to the washer and ironing board. This may also be a good space for a family computer or a homework center. If you decide that the laundry room should have multiple purposes, you may want to consider a laminate wood floor instead of tile. This will give a warm look while still being able to handle the occasional dampness issues within reason.

Take a second look at your laundry room. Can you make it more convenient or even just a more attractive place for washing clothes? A few minutes and a little money and your space may be much more appealing and useful.

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Curb Appeal Includes Window Coverings

By creatingyourspace | Published: August 4, 2011

There’s a lot of talk today about the “curb appeal” of homes. One quick way to ensure that your house gets off to a good start is by coordinating your window coverings with the outside view in mind.

This home has white window casings and trim. This really complements the red brick and sets a colonial tone. Unlined bright patterned curtains at the windows would seriously offset the clean look of this home.

Fortunately, the homeowners understood that and chose simple white shades at the windows. This provides the option of adding curtains that reflect each room’s look without damaging the outside appearance of the home.

If you’re starting to look at your home’s window coverings, you may want to consider options that provide a finished look both inside and outside. Today’s two-inch wood or wood-look blinds come in a rich variety of paint and stain tones. If you choose something that coordinates with your home’s moldings, you can keep the blinds consistent from room to room.

Shutters provide another excellent option for traditional homes. Notice the arch in the middle window of this house? The shade doesn’t address it, leaving the arch looking like an afterthought with the shade line running under it. With custom shutters, the line at the top would capture that arch without hiding it, providing a cleaner look both inside the house and outside.

One final note: the front door has windows that surround it, providing a classic traditional look that is inviting and brings light into the entryway. These windows are lovely, but can limit privacy. The reflective glass helps, and there are other glass options that can reduce visibility while allowing light into the home. Just remember to make every window decision from the inside out and the outside in and you will be happy with your choices.

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Bring the Outdoors Inside

By creatingyourspace | Published: August 2, 2011

This seems like a dream picnic. Flowers on the table and in the appealing woven tote combine with blue and white fabrics and dinnerware to create a beautiful table. Fresh grapes are ready for munching and the wine is chilling in its natural terra cotta container.

Yes, this is a set piece, but you can create the same mood for your luncheon or dinner party without heading for the nearest farm. Start with flooring. A wood floor in a light to medium color will echo the shades of this straw without sticking into your feet. Or look for an area rug in neutral straw tones or even in sisal.

Choose a table in light tones or some variation of natural wood. Keeping the flooring and furniture consistent allows the blue and white choices to stand out. Set up your gathering near your sunniest window to keep the lighting reminiscent of outdoor summers.

Once the fundamentals are finished, have fun with the rest. Choose large numbers of flowers in coordinating colors and display them in large casual bunches. Mix patterns and styles, using color as the primary connection. Create a simple menu that specializes on fresh fruits and vegetables with a few cheeses.

You can recreate the magic of this photo without the hidden challenges with a little thought for the look of a space, and your luncheon will feel as special as this picnic does.

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Find the Fun in Your Home

By creatingyourspace | Published: July 28, 2011

This photo shows a beautiful skyline, but it’s the Ferris wheel and carousel in the foreground that capture your eye. Just like this photo, your home needs a few fun elements to add excitement to your décor. Here are some suggestions.

  1. Art can add excitement and even whimsy. Do you have a favorite cartoon or literary character? An illustration of that, even in a small print, can add a touch of personality and create an interesting and fun conversation. Look also for artists whose style appeals to your sense of humor.
  2. Do you enjoy puzzles? A few used as accessories can offer your guests something to play with while they visit. Look for nice wood versions of three-dimensional puzzles or anything that appeals to you personally. If you have a side table, you could leave a jigsaw puzzle available for anyone to work on while chatting.
  3. Any favorite toys from your childhood? Maybe one or two could sit on your fireplace hearth. Chances are your friends may remember playing with the same toys and you can take a nostalgic look at yesterday together.
  4. Add a teddy bear or other stuffed animal to the pillows on your guest room bed. It provides a sense of coziness and tells your friends they are welcome.

Don’t get carried away – you don’t want your home to look like a toy store. By placing one or two simple items in several rooms in your home, you can create a sense of whimsy and let your guests know that you don’t take yourself too seriously. So have some fun and make your home more entertaining at the same time!

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An Easy Way to Freshen Up a Room

By creatingyourspace | Published: July 26, 2011

Have you been wanting to make a change in any room in your home, but don’t have the time for a remodel? Consider one of the easiest ways to change the look of any space! Area rugs are a great and fun way to brighten up the room and your existing furniture and decor.

A neutral rug can bring out the natural elements of your furniture and flooring, as it adds an area of definition to the room as well. It will also allow the focus of the room remain on the decor, while adding an element of warmth to the overall space. In this photo, the neutral rug allows your eye to wander towards the brighter colors in the room, such as the curtains, pillows and pool table. The area rug itself creates a separate space in the room, as where if the flooring were to be in it’s place, the cozy aspect wouldn’t be as apparent.

If you are searching for something more to add a pop of color and life to your space, consider a brightly colored area rug with an interesting pattern. With certain decor styles that favor neutral base colors, a funky area rug is the best way to start a theme when decorating a room.

This room is a perfect example of what type of decorating inspiration can come from a brightly colored area rug, placed in a once neutral room. Notice how the orange and blue colors have been continued throughout the rest of the finishing touches. The bright colors are accented well by the neutral wall color and open window.

If this easy fix sounds like something you’d like to try, please visit our selection and see what we have to offer you and remember, when searching for an area rug to brighten up any room in your home consider the points above and overall, have fun with it!

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