Creative cakes are so inspiring – it's amazing the skill level and craft that goes into some of these creations. I could never work on their expert level (I'm lucky if I can pipe icing on a simple cupcake), so I'll just sit back and enjoy all of the beauty of these gorgeous and creative […]
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Any thrift store or yard sale I've ever been to had at least a couple of lamps for sale. They're often overlooked, because you really only need so many in your home – but if you knew how to repurpose old lamps into something new, you might look at them in a different light. I've […]
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Old chairs are a junk lovers' dream. Whether you find them on the side of the road, at a thrift store, or maybe in your own garage – a simple thing we use every single day can be transformed into so many other great things. So next time you have a broken chair, don't send […]
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*this post is sponsored by Bosch Tools* Did you know I live in the house I grew up in? My family has lived here for over 35 years, so when my parents decided to move about 10 years ago, there was no way I could let anyone else live in “our house.” I grew […]
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this tool box tutorial guest post was written by Funky Junk Interiors Hello everyone! My name is Donna and I'm a junkaholic. My passion is creative decorating with unique elements, namely 'junk'. So if you like pallet board builds and rusty trinkets, you and I have lots in common. So… have you ever wished you could […]
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If you're planning to remodel the master bathroom, your plans probably include new flooring. So if you're going to rip out the existing floor anyway, consider adding a radiant heating system that will keep your feet warm, even on the coldest of days.
Under-floor radiant heating systems may be operated in three ways - one of which the U.S. Department of Energy doesn't recommend. So the two that are most relevant and efficient are electric-powered systems and water-powered systems.
Water-powered systems are ideal for heating a whole home or large space. They feature a large boiler that pumps hot water through a system of tubes underlying floors, and some systems allow homeowners to control the individual temperature of every room in the house.
Electric-powered systems consume more energy than water-powered systems, so they're usually installed in bathrooms, or in detached outbuildings such as garden sheds. These systems have electric cables or coils that generate heat underneath flooring.
Most flooring types can be installed over radiant heating systems; however, the system will be inefficient if the flooring restricts heat flow. That's why ceramic tile is the most popular flooring in bathrooms with radiant heating.
A gas or electric furnace heats air and blows it through ductwork to vents in the home, but much of that hot air goes toward the ceiling and leaves the lower half of a room less comfortable. Radiant heating systems more evenly heat a room - and they create a toasty-warm surface that takes the chill out of stepping into or out of the shower.
Professional installation of an electric radiant heating system could cost an average of $10 per square foot, and it may cause an increase in the monthly electric bill. However, some of that cost - or perhaps all of it - may be offset by the fact that ducts are no longer delivering heated air to the bathroom and thus diverting more air to the rest of the home.
If you decide to go all-out and get a water-powered system to heat your entire home, look into local and federal tax incentives or credits that could help you recover some of the installation cost.
The post Remodeling the Bathroom? Consider Radiant Heating appeared first on ProSand Flooring.
High-efficiency appliances have been all over the market in the last couple years. It's no surprise that the laundry room is one of the most marketed changes to HE. Everyone does laundry because everyone wants clean clothes. The great thing about these HE machines is that we save quite a bit of water and energy […]
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Hardwood floors are beautiful, durable and usually fairly easy to maintain. But they're not invincible. If you love your hardwood floors - and want to protect your investment, keep them looking their best by incorporating the following tips as part of your maintenance:
Taking care of wood floors doesn't require much effort. As long as you know how to clean your floor and how to protect it from damage, it should retain its beauty for years to come.
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Hardwoods are a central part of the home. They add beauty and warmth and they can serve as a unifying device . I wanted to provide some design advice for those buying new hardwood floors or refinishing their existing hardwood. These principles should apply to virtually decorating styles.
Most homes here in Westchester, NY (and the Greater NYC Metro area) already have some hardwood and it's generally oak. Note that there are 2 main species of oak – red and white oak, and if you are adding wood to additional areas (e.g. kitchen, entryway, repair), it's important to know whether you have
For example, if you are adding hardwood to the kitchen or a new Great Room, you may want to consider adding a wider plank there and placing it on a diagonal. This can make your space look larger and help tie the new wood and old wood together (especially if the dining room and living room wood strips go in different directions. It works especially well in squarish rooms.
If you are adding hardwood to an entryway, and if it's large enough and the shape works, you may consider adding a border and then placing the hardwood inside the border on a diagonal. Or, you could trying a herringbone or chevron pattern.
Don't over do it. If you do herringbone or borders in all rooms, they no longer look so special.
And, think about the style you are going for. Borders and herringbone are more traditional; chevron and diagonals are more modern.
Satin finish is the most popular sheen and you can read more about it
And, often homeowners will paint more often than refinish the floors…or at least paint one or two rooms, so you want a stain color that will have longevity and work in all areas.
Also, be sure to make sure the color of the floors go with the kitchen cabinets. Note: White cabinets are the most popular and will go with virtually any floor color.
Regarding the order of operations, check out this article on
Decide on:
Note: There are no right or wrong answers here. It depends on what YOU like.
For more information on hardwood species (and pictures of each), check out this article –
If you have solid hardwood, you are well protected, and you can refinish them multiple times. You can change the color if you like or keep it. If you sell to someone else, they can refinish it to make it suit their tastes.
Some woods that have not stood the test of time:
So think ahead to the long term when you buy hardwood. Make sure you select hardwood that you love and can live with for a long time and/or refinish to suit your tastes.
Also, think about the future renovations you may do. Are you planning on adding an addition? Are you going to take down a wall later. Are you going to remodel your kitchen later. How does that impact your flooring? Will you be able to add more wood and match it later? It's better to plan ahead for what you may do. It will help you make smarter choice.
If you live in Westchester County NY/Lower Fairfield County CT, and you would like advice on refinishing your floors, please give The Flooring Girl a call at 914-937-2950. (For out of state customers, please call 914-407-3899.)
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Any business owner will tell you that the secret to success is learning to handle failure. Businesses that stand the test of time have a shaky track record of good times and bad, both of which help to build up their business to become stronger. Lessons are most often learned through trial and error, which […]
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Pretty garden ideas are always fun to look at and be inspired by, even if you can't grow gardens very well (like me!) All the pretty colors of the flowers or quirky fun ways to decorate… an interesting idea can bring gardening to a whole new level. I might only choose low maintenance plants – aka […]
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Apparently, our love affair with hardwood floors isn't letting up. Nearly 90 percent of hardwood floor manufacturers reported that their sales of hardwood flooring was were up - either dramatically or somewhat in 2014, according to a recent study.
So, if you love it that much, why not take hardwood flooring into the kitchen? More and more people are actually doing that - having hardwood floors installed in their kitchens rather than the more traditional tile or linoleum. A hardwood floor can add a touch of elegance or a rustic element to the kitchen. There are definitely plenty of things to consider before doing this. Here are some things to consider:
Maple? Oak? Pine? Pine is actually a soft wood. This means it will dent more easily and not handle wear and tear as well as maple or oak. However, many people do want that rustic look. If you're one of those people a distressed pine wood floor might be ideal for you. If it's a hardwood you're looking for, Oak would likely be the option you want to go with. Due to its prominent grain pattern, oak is helpful at hiding dents and other imperfections. Maple has a subtler grain pattern, so if that's the wood you choose, expect more upkeep.
First off, the manufacturer knows best. Make sure to read and follow their guidelines closely. If you have a spill, just as with any other surface, wipe it up as soon as possible to prevent stains, warping and discoloration. Hardwood floors and rugs make great companions. It's nice necessary to completely cover the wood with rugs or carpet, which would defeat the point of having a hardwood kitchen floor.
Small accent rugs in front of the sink, stove, and entrance to the kitchen will be plenty to protect the most common spill spots. Placing protective padding under furniture, including kitchen chairs, also will help protect your new hardwood floor from wear and tear.
To retain the color of your hardwood floor, making touchups and recoating easier throughout the years, a clear water-based finish is the best option. Another choice, acrylic-impregnated wood, requires less upkeep and is stronger, but will end up being more expensive upfront. Instead of simply coating the wood, it permeates the wood. One more finish to consider is an oil-based one. This type of finish is known to change color over time. When the color of your hardwood floor changes, this makes future touchups and recoating more difficult as time goes by.
Installing hardwood floors is a great way to update your kitchen. However, just as with any other surface in your home, they do require special care and attention. It's very important to do your research before making a decision on what type of wood is the best fit for your kitchen.
The post Is Hardwood Right For Your Kitchen? appeared first on ProSand Flooring.
Carpets, area rugs and runners play a big role in our homes from style, comfort to warmth. Over time, carpets and runners (which are fashion items as well as functional), styles and colors continue to evolve. Some trends overlap and create synergy with each other. So, without further ado, here are the 2016 carpet and runner trends.
How waterproof is it? Check out this video. It's pretty incredible.
In the past, when there were pet stains, carpet cleaning did very little to help with the issue and the odor. Why? Because of course the accident penetrated the carpet and got soaked into the carpet cushion. So, topical carpet cleaning is close to useless. Shaw invented a wonderful solution to this issue with their Lifeguard Carpet line. Important: this is NOT to be confused with Home Depot's new “knock-off” line which has a similar name but is NOT waterproof.
Manufacturers will continue to innovate for pets. I think they understand how our pets are part of the family and that is good news to families with furry friends.
For those looking for carpet in the bedrooms, they generally go for soft to super soft (pending on the budget). They are looking for warm and cozy on their feet, and this is especially true in the Northeast, Mid Atlantic and Mid West where the winters can get pretty cold. Manufacturers have been innovating with carpet fibers to make them softer and bring the softness to more affordable levels. Check out
So there you have it – my 8 top trends for 2016 Carpeting and Runners. It is fun to watch the trends evolve and in fact co-evolve with hardwood. And, in case you missed it, here is
If you live in Westchester County NY/Lower Fairfield County CT, and you would like advice on refinishing your floors, please give The Flooring Girl a call at 914-937-2950. (For out of state customers, please call 914-407-3899.)
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Hi there Shabby Creek Cottage readers! It's Laura from Inspiration for Moms and today I'm sharing my favorite go-to dessert with you. When the hubby wants something sweet after dinner and I have nothing prepared this is my save-the-day recipe. My Cinnamon Raisin Arborio Rice Pudding is a wonderful treat that keeps everyone in our family […]
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Love the look of the cute burlap frame art seen at home decor stores? Janine from Happy Happy Nester is going to show you how to make them. It's the perfect craft project for spring! Spring is poking around the corner, and so I felt encouraged to design a craft that celebrates this happy season. I […]
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