Category Archives: Uncategorized

Cozy Attic Room

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Converting attic space to something useful can be tricky. When you have this type of ceiling slant, the possibilities and functionality are minimal.

However, if you don’t ask too much of the space, it can be a charming addition just because of its small size and off-beat style.

The homeowners chose an inviting dark wood flooring to emphasize the old attic feel. Older and antique furniture in a variety of colors contribute to a modified shabby chic style. The one surprise comes from the plush cream-toned rugs. Their off-beat shapes and rich texture makes them feel more like animal skins than rugs.

Choosing to place the furniture as though the room is normally shaped but much smaller allows the sharply slanting ceiling/wall style to seem normal. Instead of hanging pictures – almost impossible on these walls, the containers of silk flowers add warmth and also help define the pretend walls in this room.

If you have an upper room with sloping ceilings and walls, there are a number of design choices that help compensate for the situation. Some people choose to put cupboards or bookshelves covering the sharpest edges of the room. Others will put chairs, sofas or beds along the low walls, allowing people to use the space in a sitting or lying position.

This homeowner is not afraid of letting the room stand as it is. The glass-paned French doors at the opening help create the impression of a secret room, providing a special space to practice music, write notes and sit in the comfy chair and read.

Easy Holiday Treats

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Today’s blog could be about how lovely tree lights look when reflected against wood flooring, or how this light wood choice works with every color on a holiday tree. But instead we’re going to look at how you can make your holiday desserts look festive without a lot of effort or skill.

Take a look at the cake in the photo. It’s a simple white-frosted cake – either homemade or from the store. But adding a few decorations such as the two tiny stand-up trees, the silver star twisted wrap and a few cookies makes a cake into a holiday event.

There are other ways to dress up desserts to make them part of the holiday season. Take a look at the plate of cookies here.

By adding a sprig of holly, these plain white cookies suddenly look ready for holiday munching. A bit of pine would work too. Even easier, add some holiday chocolates or other candies to the plate for an edible decoration.

Here’s a good example of using plate decorations to turn a simple treat into a holiday event. By adding fresh raspberries and mint around this chocolate cake, it becomes suitably dressed for the holidays. Another bonus on this choice is that raspberries and mint taste great with chocolate, so you have decorated the cake and added flavor too.

Notice that this plate has a gold rim. Even though this cake plate would work year round, the gold adds to the total look of the cake, making it even more inviting.You can use special dishes like this one or find some holiday dishes to add personality. Finish up with some candles and flowers and you’re ready to entertain.

Before You Order Window Coverings – 101

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$%#@! I measured and it still doesn’t fit! Sound familiar? Why is it that something so seemingly simple as hanging a window covering can be so dang complicated? Here is a quick list of tips to consider as you measure – BEFORE you purchase or order your window coverings. Yep, guesstimating isn’t going to work most of the time.

Keep in mind that each window covering is going to require different measurements.

Each window covering has its own installation process. If you don’t measure exactly, your covering may not function properly.

Each and every window must be measured. Don’t take shortcuts!

This seems like a no brainer but here it is anyway: An inside mounted window-covering houses the window covering inside the window casing.  An outside mounted window-covering fits around or outside the window casing.

Window sheers can be installed with an inside or outside mount depending on the window molding and sill construction. It’s the depth of a window casing that determines whether or not a window covering can be installed with an inside mount. It’s important to know if your window casings are level. If not this can be corrected by installing shims – thin wedge shaped pieces of material.

Normally sheers are mounted inside the window casing. Curtains are mounted outside and the last part to be installed over the curtains is the valance.

Then of course there are variations such as an inside/outside mount. In this case the mounting bracket and head rail are installed inside the window casing, but they are not fully recessed, meaning a portion of the head rail will not be completely flush with the face of the window.

So get out your tape measure and be as exact as possible!

Mannington: Let’s Make Some Noise

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Mannington Mills has created a new video to celebrate and promote U.S. manufacturing and the “Made in America” message. We hear it every night on the news — America is rediscovering the importance of manufacturing jobs for our economy and for our future. Jobs build communities, industries and economies; when jobs disappear, so does our ability to stand strong and grow.

Mannington Mills is a fourth generation, family owned company that manufactures residential and commercial flooring in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, North Carolina and Texas. The company is deeply committed to its communities, and to domestic manufacturing – keeping people employed and creating quality American-made products.

Click here to see the short video and make some noise for Mannington Mills. It will give you goosebumps and make you proud for those manufacturers that fight to keep producing in the US. (Favorite part: seeing Made in the USA Salem, NJ printed on the side of the boxes!)

If you love this video – spread the word!

Bathroom Blogfest 2010

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BathBlogfest 2010 madmen logo v3Hooray! It’s time for the Bathroom Blogfest again! We are so excited to be participating again this year with these fine folks below. Stay tuned for more fun than you’ve ever had surrounding a bathtoom (and a blog).

The 2010 Bathroom Blogfest, now in its fifth year, brings together 33 bloggers from the U.S., Canada, the UK and India to address the 2010 Mad Men inspired theme “Stuck in the 60s?” A blogfest brings together writers who direct their blog posts around a single subject while making the subject relevant to their readers during a specific timeframe. Between October 25 and 29, these experts in marketing, customer experience and service, public relations, library sciences, museums, home & interior design, life, retail, flooring and healthcare IT/RTLS will call attention to improving the overall bathroom experience for end users via their 40 blogs during Bathroom Blogfest 2010.

Blogger Blog Name Blog URL
Susan Abbott Customer Experience Crossroads http://www.customercrossroads.com/customercrossroads/
Paul Anater Kitchen and Residential Design http://www.KitchenAndResidentialDesign.com
Shannon Bilby Big Bob’s Outlet http://blog.bigbobsoutlet.com/
Shannon Bilby Carpets N More Blog http://blog.carpetsnmore.com/
Shannon Bilby Dolphin Carpet Blog http://blog.dolphincarpet.com/
Shannon Bilby From The Floors Up http://fromthefloorsup.com/
Shannon Bilby My Big Bob’s Blog http://blog.mybigbobs.com/
Toby Bloomberg Diva Marketing http://bloombergmarketing.blogs.com/bloomberg_marketing/
Laurence Borel Blog Till You Drop http://www.laurenceborel.com/
Bill Buyok Avente Tile Talk Blog http://tiletalk.blogspot.com/
Jeanne Byington The Importance of Earnest Service http://blog.jmbyington.com/
Becky Carroll Customers Rock! http://customersrock.net/
Marianna Chapman Results Revolution http://www.resultsrevolution.com
Katie Clark Practial Katie http://practicalkatie.blogspot.com/
Nora DePalma American Standard’s Professor Toilet http://www.professortoilet.com/
Nora DePalma O’Reilly DePalma: The Blog http://www.oreilly-depalma.com/blog/
Leigh Durst LivePath Experience Architect Weblog http://livepath.blogspot.com/
Valerie Fritz The AwarepointBlog http://www.awarepointblog.com/
Iris Garrott Checking In and Checking Out http://circulating.wordpress.com/
Tish Grier The Constant Observer http://spap-oop.blogspot.com
Renee LeCroy Your Fifth Wall http://yourfifthwall.com/
Joseph Michelli Dr. Joseph Michelli’s Blog www.josephmichelli.com/blog
Veronika Miller Modenus Blog http://www.modenus.com/blog
Arpi Nalbandian TILE Magazine Editor Blog http://www.tilemagonline.com/Articles/Blog_Nalbandian
Maria Palma People 2 People Service http://www.people2peopleservice.com/
Reshma Bachwani Paritosh The Qualitative Research Blog http://www.onqualitativeresearch.blogspot.com/
David Polinchock Polinchock’s Ponderings http://blog.polinchock.com/
Victoria Redshaw & Shelley Pond Scarlet Opus Trends Blog http://trendsblog.co.uk/
David Reich My 2 Cents http://reichcomm.typepad.com/my_weblog/
Sandy Renshaw Around Des Moines http://www.arounddesmoines.com/
Sandy Renshaw Purple Wren http://www.purplewren.com/
Bethany Richmond Carpet and Rug Institute Blog http://www.carpet-and-rug-institute-blog.com/
Bruce Sanders RIMtailing Blog http://rimtailing.blogspot.com/
Steve Tokar Please Be Seated http://stevetokar.wordpress.com/
Carolyn Townes Becoming a Woman of Purpose http://spiritwomen.blogspot.com/
Stephanie Weaver Experienceology http://experienceology.blogspot.com/
Christine B. Whittemore Flooring The Consumer http://flooringtheconsumer.blogspot.com/
Christine B. Whittemore Simple Marketing Blog http://www.simplemarketingblog.com/
Christine & Ted Whittemore Smoke Rise & Kinnelon Blog http://smokerise-nj.blogspot.com/
Christine B. Whittemore The Carpetology Blog http://carpetology.blogspot.com/
Linda Wright LindaLoo Build Business With Better Bathrooms http://lindaloo.com/

Entertaining Design

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iStock_000007027728XSmallThe difference between entertaining and entertaining well is taking a bit of time to include design concepts in your party plans. By thinking about how your space looks and making some special design gestures for your party, you tell your guests that you value them.

Fresh flowers provide an easy and effective first step. Placed strategically around your home, flowers create a mood and a design theme.

These days adding fresh flowers cost less than the appetizers. Your local grocery or warehouse store offers a great selection at reasonable prices. Pick up one or two bouquets with the same flowers and colors – or even the same type of flower for a consistent look.

Many people get nervous about arranging flowers, but if you stay simple you can create a design-rich arrangement with nice lines in a few minutes. Let the flowers help you decide on your approach. Try different vase shapes and sizes and don’t be afraid to trim stems if you need to. This arrangement is both simple and cost effective. A couple of long stems added to a vase with oranges to hold them in place and you’re done.

Place flowers on the main table, a few side tables, and in the guest bathroom to create a sense of welcome for your guests and help turn your party into a well-designed event.

Tile Wainscoting – Reader Question

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Reader Question:

I was with a friend last night walking through their new house. They are getting ready to install the marble and stone in the bathrooms. They are doing stone wainscot on all walls and then on the floors. She asked me if she should use her baseboard at the bottom of the wall. Hmm. I thought. In doing a little research this morning I see in most bathrooms where there is wall tile and floor tile that no baseboard is used. Is there a right or wrong way?

Imogene – Denver, CO

Answer:

Great question! There is no right or wrong way, only personal preference and what’s needed for your particular situation. My advice would be to let stone floors meet stone walls and don’t introduce wood into an area that you could keep completely protected from water. If your friend wanted the look, she could do marble base and it would be a win win, but not necessary. Also, it would only slow down the  installation process by adding a trim contractor and a painter into the mix. Note how the picture here shows a clean and smooth transition from the stone wall to the stone floor. Adding base here would only be distracting.

Hope this helps! – Shannon

CARE Releases Annual Report, Diverts 311M lbs. of Carpet from Landfills

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CARE-honors-Shaw-sikorski-at-meeting-fullCARE Releases Annual Report, Diverts 311M lbs. of Carpet from Landfills

The CARE Board of Directors released its Annual Report that showed that in 2009, CARE members diverted more than 311 million pounds of post- consumer carpet from landfills. Of that amount, 246 million pounds – nearly 80 percent of the total – was recycled back into carpet and other consumer products. The industry also added 561 jobs directly linked to carpet recycling.

According to CARE Chairman Frank Hurd, the new jobs, plus a six percent increase in carpet diversion is especially heartening, given the state of the economy and its effects on the carpet industry.

“Before the last two years, you had to go back to 1975 and1976 to find two consecutive years of declining sales,” Hurd said, noting that, in 2008, carpet recycling experienced its first-ever decline in carpet diversion. “We are proud of the turnaround we experienced in 2009 and the return to year-over-year increases in both carpet diversion and recycling.”

Travertine Tiles – Guest Post

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Today’s post is by Rob Jones, chief blogger and social media coordinator at BuildDirect, an online flooring and building materials firm in Vancouver, Canada. Here, Rob talks about the appeal of travertine tile, treasured and well-used in the Ancient World, and now offering the same imperial qualities to your indoor and outdoor spaces …

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Marble and granite are well-known for use in commercial applications. Slate is naturally slip-resistant, and ruggedly beautiful too in various settings, both indoors and out. And even limestone gets a look-in when it comes to patios and foyer spaces in the minds of most consumers looking for a sturdy material in a natural stone surface. Yet, travertine has also been a natural stone workhorse for thousands of years and across many cultures.

Travertine is possibly most associated with the Classical era of Ancient Greece, Palestine, and the Roman Empire, when it was a key building material in building residences, municipal buildings, and even the famous Roman Coliseum. As a result, travertine has taken on something of that history, suggesting a sort of imperial air, and sense of permanence.

The color range of travertine tile offers gray, tan, beige, golden, and brown tones, with variation from tile to tile, which renders a refined-to-rustically-earthy-appeal. Even if there are associations with its use, you’re open to use travertine nearly anywhere, just because of its subtle decorative potential.

But, when it comes to buying and installing travertine as a floor or wall tile, what are your options? What kinds of surfaces and their visual effects are available for you use to transform your space? Let’s take a look at three options that stand as the more popular choices for travertine tile surfaces.

1. Honed and Filled Travertine Tile
With this surface treatment, the natural pores in the travertine, once caused by escaping gasses seeping through when the stone was formed, are filled with color-matched cement. Then, the tiles are polished until smooth. For those who like a refined, more pristine look in a stone surface, honed and filled is the perfect choice if you also want the unique color range of travertine.

2. Brushed and Chisled
Because travertine is known for its classical look, a very popular choice is travertine that has been artificially aged. The surfaces of the tile have been literally brushed, using a wire implement. And the edges of the tile are similarly treated using, you guessed it, a chisel. The effect is a replication of wear over the course of hundreds of years, giving the space in which brushed and chiseled travertine is installed the look of imperial regality.

3. Tumbled
Another way that this worn, imperial look is achieved is what’s called ‘tumbled’ travertine tile. In the travertine tile tumbling process, the tiles are placed in a machine, with gravel and smaller stone fragments, and then shaken. The smaller stones score the surface of the tile, and that aged effect that so many love is produced.

There are of course variations to be found here, with tiles which are only partially filled to gain the best of both worlds when it comes to a smooth tile that shows off the natural pores in the stone. Also, there are multiple tile sizes to consider, which also affects the way the tile will look, from mosaic 1″x1″ tiles, to 24″ x 24″ tile.

But, whatever way the tiles are purchased and installed, the use of travertine surfaces tie your space with a tradition of style that extends back to when civilization itself began. It’s hard to match that kind of longevity.

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You can read more about travertine and other natural stone surfaces from BuildDirect on the BuildDirect blog.