Flooring - Laminate, Hardwood, Ceramic, Vinyl and Carpeting

A great way to enhance, update, and beautify a home is to change the flooring. If you want a warm, yet sophisticated look, hardwood flooring is an excellent option. For a more contemporary but also inviting and rich look, granite or stone works best. If you have a room, where you want to be able to lie on the floor in front of the fireplace, then carpeting is the answer. In other words, regardless of your needs or taste, you will find a number of flooring solutions that will be perfect.
As you begin your search, you will probably feel a little overwhelmed by all the options available. You will find that style, function, and cost vary from one manufacturer to another. The key is taking these three factors and determining what is right for your home. In addition to your own preference, you should also look at the homes architecture. For instance, if there are arched doorways that give a Mediterranean feel, work on that and stick with granite, stone, or hardwood. To give you a better idea, look at each of your options broken down:

Carpeting

The number of options available for carpet is staggering. You will find wool, nylon, Berber, plush, pile, and so on. While each has its own, purpose, it is important to talk to a professional about the type of carpeting that is best for your home. For high-traffic areas, wool is a great option because it is strong and durable. For areas that you worry about spills and stains, nylon works best.

While Berber is a great choice for family rooms because of its affordability and durability, it would not be the right choice for a bedroom. Prices will vary but on average, you can expect to spend between $15 and $30 per yard installed.

Vinyl Flooring

For years, vinyl flooring was given a bad reputation of being a cheap choice for flooring. However, today's vinyl flooring has completely changed.

Not only will enjoy durability but you will be amazed at the incredible options in design, color, and style. For this type of flooring, expect to pay from $18 to $30 per yard installed.

Ceramic Tile Flooring

For tile that is elegant and produces a designer look, you will find that unlike most floor tiles that measure 12 x 12 inches, with ceramic tile, you can choose 18 x 18 or 24 x 28 inch tile squares for a more dramatic appeal. Just like the smaller sizes, the color and design options are endless. For installation, prices will vary from $8 to $15 per square foot.

Hardwood Flooring

Without a doubt, hardwood floors add a rich, refined look to any room. You will have choices in mahogany, pine, oak, ash, and so on. Since you will be walking on the flooring a lot, this investment is one in which you do not want to skimp. Even so, you will find that installation is affordable, averaging from $6 to $12 per square foot.

Laminate Flooring

Finally, laminate flooring, also called Pergo, is a company just as Armstrong or Formica. This type of flooring is great for high-traffic areas, landings, hallways, and entire rooms simply because it is virtually indestructible. Pergo flooring is easy to install, affordable, and comes in a huge variety of colors and styles for any type decor. You will find options that mimic hardwood flooring to designs that look like ceramic tile. Because the flooring is so durable and beautiful, this is always a great choice. For having Pergo installed, you would pay anywhere from $6 to $12 per square foot for installation.

Source: http://www.home-improvement-home-improvement.com/

Oh Wow!

Kitty and all :)

Caryn Grossman courtesy of Desire To Inspire.

Pure Indulgence...

(please click images to enlarge)



Soooo If I could have one really big indulgence in life it would have to be my very own bathing/dressing room and it would look just like the one above.

As we all know bathing is actually an art form and a moment in time that should never be rushed. Bathing and dressing for less than an hour is a sin. It's a time, whether you're a busy career woman or housewife for you to unwind and forget about the stresses of the day.

From the book Comfortable Country - Having a bath is a superbly comfortable way of slowing down. Bathing is not simply to do with getting clean; a shower can do that. The ritual of running the water, adding a swoosh of scented salts or a glug of luxurious oil, then sliding down for a long soak, makes having a bath a ceremony.

For true connoisseurs of bathing you must begin with a truly spectacular bath. Something so alluring you can't bare to be away from it. My favourite is this stunning stone bath or even a copper or claw foot.

The iron or glass table is a sweet addition for your scented candles, oils and perhaps a glass of wine :)

A simple chandelier is a must as well as some beautiful hooks or a dressing screen for a robe

I believe the picture above is the same room as the first, styled differently.




Again, this is the same room but you can see it's actually a whole bedroom. My bathing/dressing room would be seperate from my bedroom for complete privacy and no disruptions.

I do love the idea of the bathtub at a window. If bathing while the sun is still up, soaking while letting your thoughts drift outside is pure bliss.



The above pic is my father and step mothers guest bathroom in their home in the southern highlands. The relaxing view outside that window is absolutely stunning.



I imagine these beautiful etched doors would lead me from my bedroom to my bathing room with a white sheer curtain pulled across once inside.

I would have a big white fluffy rug to soften and pamper my feet with the luxurious texture.



I'm also thinking a fireplace of some sort is quite essential.



Once your bathing is done it's time for dressing. I would have a large antique armoire in the room filled with fluffy white towels. It also makes perfect storage for your candles, oils and salts supplies.

Finally, no bathing/dressing room would be complete without a stunning girly vanity. Mine would look similar to this with a skirt, tufted chair or stool, marble top, venetian mirror, sconces and an abundance of perfumes and lotions, powders and a little makeup.

*sigh*

thank you for allowing me to dream a while ;)


image sources -

1. Comfortable Country
2. Country French Antiques
3. Domino Magazine
4. self
5. Colonial East
6. Cote De Texas
7. Colonial East
8. Charles Faudree via Cote De Texas
9. Mark Cutler Designs

Rooms that make me go mmmmmmm.

(please click to enlarge)

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All images are courtesy of House Beautiful 500 makeovers book :)

Appalling scanning, my sincerest apologies.

I hope you are all well. I think of you all the time and continue to read and adore your amazing blogs. They are an endless source of incredible inspiration :)

A xox.