Basement Remodeling
Subway Tile Bath: Stylish Tips for Timeless Elegance
Stylish Simplicity: Timeless Elegance with Subway Tile Bath
Subway tiles have long been revered for their versatility and classic appeal. Explore innovative tips for incorporating subway tiles into your bathroom design, transforming it into a timeless and sophisticated space.
The Classic Allure of Subway Tiles
Subway tiles, with their rectangular shape and beveled edges, have a timeless appeal that transcends design trends. Originating from subway stations in the early 20th century, these tiles have evolved into a classic choice for bathrooms. Their clean lines and simplicity make them an excellent canvas for various design styles.
Choosing the Right Subway Tile Layout
While the traditional brick pattern is a classic choice for subway tiles, there are several layout options to consider. Experiment with herringbone, vertical stack, or even a diagonal arrangement for a unique look. The chosen layout can significantly impact the overall aesthetic of your bathroom.
Playing with Grout Colors for Contrast
Grout color plays a crucial role in enhancing the visual impact of subway tiles. Opt for a contrasting grout color to make the individual tiles stand out, creating a dynamic and modern look. Alternatively, choose a matching grout color for a seamless and subtle appearance that exudes timeless elegance.
Exploring Various Subway Tile Sizes
Subway tiles are available in different sizes, allowing for creative possibilities in your bathroom design. While the traditional 3×6-inch size is a popular choice, consider larger or smaller tiles for a distinctive look. Mixing tile sizes can add visual interest and a sense of dimension to your bathroom walls.
Adding Texture with Beveled Edges
The beveled edges of subway tiles provide an additional layer of texture and visual interest. Consider using beveled subway tiles to add depth to your bathroom walls. The angled edges create shadows, enhancing the overall dimension and contributing to a sophisticated design.
Creating Accent Walls for Focal Points
Transform a section of your bathroom into a focal point by creating an accent wall with subway tiles. Choose a specific area, such as behind the vanity or bathtub, to showcase a different tile pattern or color. This not only adds visual interest but also breaks up the monotony for an eye-catching result.
Pairing Subway Tiles with Bold Colors
While white subway tiles are a classic choice, don’t shy away from experimenting with bold colors. Consider using colored subway tiles to add personality and vibrancy to your bathroom. Whether it’s a soft pastel or a bold jewel tone, colored subway tiles can create a stunning focal point.
Incorporating Subway Tiles Beyond Walls
Subway tiles are not limited to wall applications. Explore creative ways to incorporate them in other areas of your bathroom. Consider subway tile flooring, a subway tile backsplash, or even a subway tile bathtub surround. Extending subway tiles to various surfaces enhances cohesiveness in your bathroom design.
Enhancing the Vintage Vibe with Dark Grout
For a touch of vintage charm, consider using dark-colored grout with your subway tiles. Dark grout creates a striking contrast, emphasizing the individual tiles and lending
Reclaimed Pine Flooring: Go Green And Save Money!
Pine has been a very popular floor material because of its durability and easiness to work with. It can add a gorgeous vintage touch to any home, and can even be taken from an older structure and restored to beauty. This product is referred to as reclaimed pine flooring, which means that old wooden planks are recycled and new trees don’t have to be chopped down to provide wood. Hence, the wood is environmentally friendly and perfect for people who want to have beautiful homes while reducing their waste impact. The wooden planks that are used to make reclaimed flooring are acquired from sources such as old timber, destroyed buildings, old barns, tobacco warehouses, factories and mills.
If you desire a new floor for your home or office and you are on a budget, this material is a wonderful option for you because it is reasonably priced and many reclaimed flooring options are available. Often, vendors that offer this type of flooring do business online and save money on their expenses. They are then able to share the savings with their clients. Online vendors offer huge discounts because they do not need retail facilities and usually don’t hire many employees.
Finding this type of floor online is easy. All you have to do is use the search engines and pull up various reclaimed wood businesses. Placing an order is also easy and convenient, as many reliable vendors have toll-free phone numbers and the option to complete request forms online. Just make sure you purchase flooring with a good company. If you are not sure if a company is a legitimate, complete a background check by doing research online and visiting the Better Business Bureau website.
It is important to note that reclaimed pine flooring is made from genuine wood for a rich, warm tone. It’s perfect for people who want to update and modernize the look of their homes with an individual twist. The wood has distinctive characteristics which are unique and invaluable.
It is also worth noting that heating systems work well under this material. Solid wood is an excellent conductor and it distributes heat effectively.
There is no doubt that you will be very satisfied with your new floor. It is a smart investment that you will not regret. This type of flooring is available in many exquisite designs and it is made from quality materials, so it’s perfect for your home or office. It will make your property more elegant and add richness and beauty to your home decor. Plus, if you purchase this type of flooring for your home, you will be doing a service for the environment by not encouraging the wasteful production of new material. Finally, this type of flooring is also a cost-effective choice that can save you hundreds and thousands of dollars, especially if you purchase it online.…
Furnishing Your Home With Moroccan Furniture
For a home or office that is exotic, intriguing, welcoming, and stylish for anyone who visits, Moroccan furniture can achieve these effects. Some of the most popular home decorating items right now are Moroccan furniture, Moroccan lamps and lanterns, and bedding. The biggest reason for this is because of the unique look and feel that the stunning patterns and colors used in Moroccan home decor will bring to your home. If you are willing to shop around some you will find Moroccan home decor items with prices that can fit in any budget.
Choosing Moroccan home decor means making a statement with your home. This style provides elegance without causing a loss of personality. Utilizing Moroccan home decor and Moroccan furniture can really reach out set the mood that you are aiming for with your guests, making them extremely comfortable. Moroccan furniture also has the advantages of being extremely durable and sturdy, which means these pieces will last for many years while staying in excellent shape without any signs of wear and tear.
Patterns And Colors Used In Moroccan Home Decor
Moroccan furniture and Moroccan lamps can include a number of exquisite patterns and gorgeous colors. The colors used in these lamps are comforting yet exotic. The artisans in Morocco use the colors found in their natural surroundings for inspiration. This means you will find colors that include grain, blue, red, orange, yellow, brown, and purple. The patterns and colors used are combined with wool, wood, silk, and leather so that a very dramatic effect is seen. Some common patterns seen with Moroccan furniture and home decor include flowers, designs which swirl, and many geometric shapes. All of these are combined into one piece of Moroccan furniture or one Moroccan lamp.
Essential Moroccan Home Decor Items
Moroccan lamps and Moroccan lanterns are necessary to finish off any Moroccan home decor. Hanging exquisitely from the ceiling and adding beauty and elegance to any room, Moroccan lanterns normally have frames which are wrought iron and that contain stained glass fragments in many patterns and colors. The oldest type of Moroccan lantern, and one of the best known, is a type called the Djamae Moroccan lantern. This lantern looks rustic and includes a shape which is semi-oval. The glass used is colored green, amber, and blue, as well as clear, and these lamps are exquisite. Moroccan lanterns also come in other styles as well, as these can include the Moroccan Chandelier, Anelka,
Dareh, Alwan, Blue Samaka, and Maroc.
If you want to take the Moroccan home decor even farther you can include Moroccan furniture in the form stools, tables, and chairs, as well as mirrors, rugs, doors, ceramics, and ceiling tiles.
Floor tiles can also be used for a beautiful Moroccan decor in any hallway or foyer. Moroccan floor tiles can be found in many different patterns, and make an excellent accent in any area of your home or work space. These tiles can be found in packages which may include anywhere from …
How to Select the Proper Garbage Disposal and Take Care of It
If you are considering redesigning your kitchen, you no doubt will spend a great deal of time thinking about your cabinets, the appliances, the countertops and the flooring.
How about the lowly garbage disposal? You should not be disdainful of your disposal. The fact is that many of us do not ever think about what is going on under the sink when we flip the switch for the disposal. That is, we do not think about it until it stops working.
It is much more likely that you will have many years of trouble free use of your disposal if you buy the right one for your needs, and then you take care to use it properly. Below are some guidelines to accomplish both of these tasks.
Buying the Right One
When you are working on that new kitchen space, you should remember that you can buy a garbage disposal of many different sizes and lots of varying features. Of course, the disposal that came with your house was probably an inexpensive, builder quality unit. It probably has a motor with a 1/3 horsepower or so. That may work fine for awhile, but this product was not designed to last year a lot of years.
A disposal that is of a deluxe quality will have a motor with one horsepower, and it also will have inner components that are made of stainless steel. It’s very important that your high quality disposal have stainless steel parts, because that means you will never have rusting problems. Some higher quality products will have a function for auto reverse. This is very helpful in getting jammed food and other items out of the disposal. This will increase the motor’s life by years. Overheating the motor is one of the biggest causes for a garbage disposal to fail.
There are a lot of disposals that can be purchased that fall somewhere in between 1/3 horsepower and 1 horsepower. If your house in on a septic tank, you can buy a special unit that will shoot an enzyme into the bottom of the disposal. This will assist in breaking down your septic tank waste.
Taking Care of the Disposal
When you have your new disposal, you should do your best to care for it so it will last you many years. You can do this by making sure you run the water all the time when you are turning on the device. Many people tend to shut the water off too soon after they have turned on the garbage disposal. This is bad because the sludge that the disposal made may still be stuck in the drain line from the unit.
To prevent problems, you should let the water run for at least 10 seconds or so after you shut it off. This will allow the water to flush out the lines. A really great way to do this is to clean your pots and pans in the sink full of water. Then let the water …
Home Warranty Plans For Home Sellers
The uncertainty of purchasing a home that isn’t new can be a bit unsettling. Is everything working? Will it all keep working? Even with a thorough home inspection, you don’t know how long the appliances or systems will last. More and more home sellers are turning to home warranty plans to persuade buyers to buy, and this is why:
To Avoid Disputes
Once in a while, after the sale of a home from seller to buyer, something will break soon after. This may or may not be the fault of the seller, but often times, the buyer assumes it is. It then turns into a dispute over who has to pay for it. Purchasing a warranty plan helps avoid this because the plan covers the costs of most repairs and replacements.
To Reassure Buyers
Buyers don’t know if they can trust the seller. They don’t know the history of the home or what’s inside it. Home inspections can help with this, but there’s still the uncertainty of how long everything is going to last and if the buyer will be able to afford the cost of maintenance for the home-which can be expensive. Warranty plans can resolve all of this and give the buyer peace of mind, knowing they’re covered in the event of maintenance problems.
To Protect the Seller
It’s not too common, but sometimes things break during the listing and escrow period. Then what? The seller then has unexpected and unwanted extra costs-on top of the costs of selling a home. It’s an unnecessary stress that can easily be avoided by getting a warranty plan. Do yourself a favor.
To Give Buyers Confidence in Buying a Previously Owned Home
When buying a new home, everything is new, and buyers aren’t so worried about breakdowns and maintenance. This is an extra appeal for new homes. But what about homes that aren’t new? For a seller with a previously owned home, you want to give buyers every added confidence you can give them that your home is the right home for them. Home warranty plans are the way to do that. That way, buyers can trust that even if something does break, it will be okay. Home warranty plans are a great option for sellers and buyers.…
Bamboo Flooring: The Amazing Growth, Manufacture and History of Bamboo
Bamboo flooring, widely in use from ancient times, is now making a dramatic comeback around the world and particularly in Melbourne. For the Chinese, bamboo has been an important part of their culture for many thousands of years. It was, and still is, used for a wide range of applications including: Houses, floors, kitchen utensils, furniture, paper, construction, weapons and even the shoots are eaten as a delicacy.
Modern bamboo flooring is made differently from its ancient cousin. It is refined, treated, pressed and polished for long life as well as great looks. This is essential for modern-day practicality and appearance which means that modern pre-finished bamboo flooring is extremely fast to install, long-lasting and beautiful!
Bamboo is actually a grass and there are many varieties of bamboo around the world. It is one of the fastest growing plants in the world and can grow up to 100 cm in a day. It is literally possible to see a bamboo shoot grow! Bamboo essentially consists of a stem with a hollow tube-like structure, interspersed at intervals with vascular bundles in the cross section.
There are about 1450 species of bamboo in the world. They occur in Northern Australia, the Asian continent, sub-Saharan Africa and in the Americas. Europe is more or less the only place which does not have a native bamboo species.
Bamboo grows to its full height and girth in the space of 3 to 4 months. Initially there are no branches but as the bamboo grows older, the culm or “stem” hardens and begins to sprout branches. It is considered fully matured in its third year and ready for harvest within 3 to 7 years.
Bamboo, as a flooring material, has caught the imagination of many people as when laid, looks unique and has a beautiful, long grain signature. Most bamboo floors are made from the bamboo commonly known as Moso which is largely manufactured in China. It has characteristics similar to hardwood timber flooring which means it is strong and durable. It also has powerful resistance to insects and if manufactured correctly, is very resistant to moisture. Over and above all this it is considered very eco-friendly due in large part to the huge amount of carbon it absorbs during its rapid growth.
There are different techniques used in manufacturing bamboo flooring and this largely depends on local preferences, availability of bamboo and viability. In lower-end markets it is mainly cut, treated and then nailed to beams or larger bamboo pieces. With bamboo flooring Melbourne, the flooring is far-more sophisticated as it is highly processed and refined to appeal to modern customers.
The bamboo manufacturing process that is normally used is as follows: Firstly, the culms have their outer skin and nodes removed. They are then cut into equal sized lengths which are then sliced into strips of the desired width. The strips are then boiled in a solution of boric acid to remove the starch and sugars present in the bamboo which if not removed …
4 Important Tips in Green Architecture
1. Green buildings and homes are expensive.
It has been proven that green-building designs do not necessarily mean higher costs. However, the big challenge in green architecture is thinking long-term. Consider increased durability, energy savings, enhanced worker productivity and several other factors – all these help justify the cost of materials that you will need in making a green home.
2. Building a green home is the architect’s responsibility.
The commitment to make a green home is the owner’s decision. It needs collaboration among participants – architect, green builder and the like. The whole team should be educated in order for them to reach their goals, target costs and the expected benefits of making a green home.
3. Sustainable designs look different from traditional architecture.
The look of green aesthetic does not differ from traditional architecture. In fact, the first few buildings to receive the LEED Pilot Program Certification do not have a common “sustainable look”.
4. Published references on green architecture is limited.
To date, there has been a variety of available information on green architecture. This information does not only come from the academe or construction industry but from the different corners of the intelligent thought.
5. Environment-friendly buildings do not always work.
Green buildings and homes can give occupants a huge feeling of satisfaction. This becomes very efficient to operate while offering a healthy work environment. Contrary to what most people believe in, green architecture is not only about saving the environment. More than that, it is also about making a reliable, energy-efficient and stable building which is at the same time very economical.…
Landscaping For Any Budget Or Any Home
If you wish to sell your house or make it appear more attractive, a great landscape can help. This article is going to provide you with crucial information, whether you want the assistance of a professional, or you are going to do the work yourself.
Consider edging your garden to create soft and shapely beds. Curved beds create a contemporary vibe compared to sharp, rigid corners. Edging is an inexpensive technique to beautify lawn areas that will really improve the look of your yard.
Fill your yard with native plants. Native plants are a lot easier to take care of because they are used to the area’s climate and soil. This makes them a low-maintenance variety for any yard. Your local gardener probably has lots of great native plant information.
If you are doing landscaping, you need to know the differences between annuals, perennials, as well as which plants survive and thrive in different geographical areas and climates. Make sure to consider seasons when landscaping. It is imperative that you think about these things before planting so that your landscape is successful.
Are you considering selling your home anytime soon? In comparison with other projects, investing in the landscape of your home can easily generate returns of up to 200 percent. Emphasize your front lawn for great curb appeal, or design a landscape in your backyard that is defined for outdoor living.
Trying to work on the entire landscape at once is difficult and overwhelming. Segment your project into discrete phases to make it budget-friendly and manageable. It will also benefit you when you’re changing your design down the road.
Quality products should be chosen; don’t skimp. In many home improvement stores you will normally find low-quality products. Go to landscaping stores that sell only the best products and employ knowledgeable, qualified workers. Though you may end up spending more money, remember that you are paying for the quality of the goods and service that you are receiving.
Consult a professional before starting any major landscaping project. While you might not need to hire them to complete the entire job, you will find that the small amount you pay for a consultation is well spent as it will help you to avoid mistakes and get started on the right foot. Particularly if you do not have much experience in landscaping, this step is an important one.
If you’re trying to landscape your grounds, it is not always necessary to have a professional landscaper do the job for you. This just ends in your spending a lot of money. You may want to consult with a landscaper, though, to get some guidance on how to best approach your project.
Any form of landscaping, whether it’s simply adding a few shrubs and flowers, or giving your garden a complete makeover, will greatly improve the look of your home. With the right techniques, you can make your home the most talked-about property in town. Utilize the information found here and begin to create …
Add Visual Interest To Your Property With These Landscaping Tips
Does the wildlife turn up their nose when they look at your yard? You’re not alone, and many homeowners are taking their property and changing it up, thanks to innovating landscaping techniques. This article will give you the advice you need to get a yard that is attractive to people and animals alike.
Test your soil prior to starting a landscaping project. Soil testing will identify any shortcomings or contaminants in your soil, and you can either address these issues or alter your plant selections before you start working. Doing this can help to ensure that your plants get a great start and grow to be happy.
Thinking of putting your home on the market soon? You should know that landscaping is one home improvement project that could generate between 100 and 200 percent return on your investment. By creating a new outdoor living area in your backyard, you will add curb appeal to your home.
It can be a challenge to landscape an entire property at one time. It is best to break up an endeavor this large into smaller individual projects that are easier to budget and execute. It also will help you make changes to the design as you find changes that need to be made.
Select good products instead of inexpensive ones. You can find many inexpensive items in a home-improvement store. A niche retailer will offer you great advice and high quality products at a reasonable price. The extra money charged will pay off, thanks to products which work as advertised.
When planning your landscape project, include several different species of plants and shrubs. This is key to protecting the yard from disease or bacteria. If you use all the same plants, they will all be attacked and lost. If you diversify your landscaping choices, your plants have a much better chance of surviving.
Take time to accurately measure the area you are landscaping prior to visiting your garden center. This will allow you to accurately determine how many of each type of item you need. Making the effort up front to note these details can save you money and time in the long run.
Wildflowers are a great way to inject a great deal of color without breaking the bank. You can get wildflower seeds almost anywhere; most home improvement stores have them. You can scatter the seeds in large areas or anyplace where you are having trouble putting plants. You will have gorgeous, colorful flowers throughout your yard. They are great for bouquets.
As you mow, let some of the grass clippings stay wherever they fell. When the clipping decompose, they add nutrients back into the ground, which reduced the amount of fertilizer you will need to use.
Whether you wish to get more compliments on your yard, or you wish to attract various animals to it, you have found some great landscaping advice in this article. What you’ve learned will help you to renovate your yard and improve your life through a …
Don’t Know What To Do This Weekend? Why Not Home Improvement?
Learn some simple home improvement projects that will allow you to change, upgrade or repair your living space. There are a lot of things you can do cheap and easy. Follow the suggestions here to get you going and expand your pool of creative ideas. They will help you to be realistic about the types of jobs you are actually capable of completing.
Prior to beginning any customizations on your home, find the style that you truly like. Figuring out your decorative style has a major impact on what decisions you make. If you’re not paying attention, you might choose decorations in multiple styles without noticing that they clash. At this point, it may be expensive to make any needed adjustments.
You can add some flare to your book case by putting some wall paper there. Choose a fun and original wallpaper design. If the wallpaper is put on the back of the bookcase, the design shows as a backdrop to your books when they are lined up on the shelves. The wallpaper will make your bookcase look better and stand out.
Do not underestimate the amount of effort that your project will require. Make a complete list of all that you have planned. You should also not discount the value of second opinions in evaluating your needs and plans. It will provide you with a complete plan of what will be done and allow you to get a good idea of what it will look like upon completion.
If you hire a handyman, do not forget to write up a legal contract addressing your concerns and how he will help you to rectify them. A good contract protects you from being exploited or paying more than you agreed to. Not having a contract could really end up coming back to hurt you.
Advance planning is key for any home improvement project. When you jump into a project with little or no planning, it often leads to a disaster as a result of indecisiveness and poor decision making. When you plan well in advance, your work will be accomplished with much greater ease and efficiency.
When looking to sell your home, be sure to define all of the spaces in your home. For example, make certain that your family room has comfortable and inviting furniture, while your office has functional, utilitarian furniture. Well-defined areas will help buyers visualize how the space can be properly utilized. You will sell your house more quickly if you take the time to define spaces clearly.
Add exhaust fans in your laundry room, bathroom and kitchen. Venting this humid, warm air prevents mold and mildew from forming. Exhaust fans can also reduce the humidity that causes rot.
You can now see the many ways that home improvements can benefit the look and function of your home. With some effort and patience, and the right tools, you can make your home truly your own. Make home improvement your hobby and save money in the process for …