MarilynKelvin: 2014

Miyerkules, Disyembre 31, 2014

What 2014 Taught Me

I don’t share too many deep thoughts here on the ol’ blog, I like to keep the content more on the surface about inspiring DIY projects, design, and home improvement. The last day of the year gives me pause and an opportunity to think about the past year before starting a new one. Rather than […]

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Room Ideas: New Year, New Rustic Decor

The saying goes, “Out with the old and in with the new.” But when it comes to your home’s décor, you can have both! Rustic decor gives your house the cozy feeling of a place that’s worn with love, while also adding a new decorative style. The natural color scheme keeps your decorating down to ...

The post Room Ideas: New Year, New Rustic Decor appeared first on Bestlaminate Flooring Blog.

DESIGNED w/ Carla Aston's 15 Interior Design Projects & Posts of 2014!

We’ve had a very full year, with lots of projects, clients, and some “aha” moments. It’s been a year of...

Martes, Disyembre 30, 2014

Is there a special installation process for laminate flooring in bathrooms?

How to install laminate flooring in bathrooms is a common dilemma for homeowners. Provided you take certain precautions, laminate flooring can be used and will look great in bathrooms. In general, it is recommended that a square edge laminate is used in bathrooms. Square edges form a tight seal between planks and will function better then ...

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We’ve Built A House!

Yep, we’re totally not exaggerating – we really have… … okay, so we might have exaggerated just a bit, but it is a house, even if it’s a bit smaller than most. Because we’re running a bit late for Christmas gifts, we’ve decided that we’re going to give it to our niece who’s Christening it...

The post We’ve Built A House! appeared first on Little House On The Corner.

Easy DIY New Year’s Decorations

It’s always a little bit nostalgic to see a year come to a close. Every year, once the holidays are over, you start to reflect on what you did, what you wish you did, and who you met. You also start to think ahead to what you hope to accomplish in the year to come. ...

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Lunes, Disyembre 29, 2014

Interior Design Assessment: How Do People Use Their Kitchens?

Here's what I need to know most...

Decorator Review: Top 10 Decorators Highlighted by Best Laminate

This year, we started exploring the world of interior design and highlighting several top decorators. We pulled people from across the country and offered insight into their approach to interior décor. Through these posts, it has been our hope that you find inspiration for your home or the perfect designer to hire. Now, as the ...

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Entertaining with Keurig + Giveaway

Hello friends! This past week has been so very relaxing, reconnecting with family and finally finishing a few wonderful books that have sat on my nightstand for months. I’ve stayed up until midnight savoring each text while tucked under the covers with no deadlines to fret about and then I sleep in past 8 a.m, […]

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Great Giveaway: Win £50 John Lewis Vouchers with Cellar Maison

Love wine? Want to win £50 worth of John Lewis vouchers? Then you’re going to love this fantastic competition from Cellar Maison – Creators of stunning, bespoke home wine cellars. If you think having your own wine cellar isn’t on the cards, think again. Cellar Maison are experts in creating stylish solutions for cellaring your...

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Linggo, Disyembre 28, 2014

Nantucket Bijoux - Superior Woodcraft's Newest Island Project

Superior Woodcraft’s newest project, Nantucket Bijoux, can be found on Houzz.com

This inspiring custom-made kitchen was created through the combined talents of Threshold Interiors of New York Cityand Superior Woodcraft of Doylestown, Pa. This classic Nantucket home had not been renovated in several decades and was in serious need of an update. The vision for this summer home was to be a beautiful, light and peaceful family retreat with the ability to entertain guests and extended family. Superior Woodcraft's custom-made white inset frame cabinetry is perfect for this well appointed Nantucket retreat. The tile backsplash on the Prep Sink wall pulls everything together

and picks up on the spectacular colors in the White Princess Quartzite countertops. In a nod to traditional Nantucket Craftsmanship, Shiplap Paneling was used on many of the walls including in the Kitchen and Powder Room. We hope you enjoy the quiet and tranquil mood of these images.

Check out Nantucket Bijoux and Superior Woodcraft's other projects on Houzz and let us know, which Superior Woodcraft project is your favorite.

Superior Woodcraft is a local custom cabinetmaker located in Doylestown, Bucks County, Pa.

Source:

Superior Woodcraft, Inc.

Superior Woodcraft Blog

Biyernes, Disyembre 26, 2014

What Does Direct Pressure Laminate Flooring Mean?

Dear Bob and Betsy, As I look around for laminate flooring I’ve found some that says it’s direct pressure laminate. What does this term mean and is it something I need in my home? – James N. Dear James, Direct pressure signifies the type of pressure used when making the laminate flooring. Laminate flooring is ...

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Huwebes, Disyembre 25, 2014

Installing Laminate Flooring on Stairs

When it comes to making your house look up-to-date and welcoming, laminate flooring is your best friend. It’s scratch resistant, which means you don’t have to cringe whenever your dog sprints across the floor to meet someone at the door. It’s stain resistant so you don’t have to worry when there are a few spills ...

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Miyerkules, Disyembre 24, 2014

Happy Holidays from San Jose Hardwood Floors

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all of us here at San Jose Hardwood Floors.

It's hard to believe that the year is coming to a close. Thanks to our customers we were able to create a lot of really beautiful floors in 2014.

We can't wait to see what's in store for us in 2015.

Please note: We have special holiday hours this week and next week so that our employees can enjoy the holidays with their friends and family.

Holiday Hours

CLOSED - Wednesday Dec. 24th thru Sunday Dec. 28th
OPEN - Monday Dec. 29th and Tuesday Dec. 30th
CLOSED - Wednesday Dec. 31st thru Sunday January 4th
OPEN and regular hours resume on Monday January 5th

Your Guide to Installing Laminate Flooring On an Uneven Subfloor

Your Guide to Installing Laminate Flooring On an Uneven Subfloor requires you to pay attention to a few key aspects. Determine how level your subfloor is. Most manufacturers require you to have it level to within ¼” over 10 ft. Be sure your installer is still taking the time to level the floor prior to ...

The post Your Guide to Installing Laminate Flooring On an Uneven Subfloor appeared first on Bestlaminate Flooring Blog.

Room Ideas: Navy and White Bathroom Inspiration

Color schemes in bathrooms have a dramatic impact on how the room feels when in use. Use colors that are too bright and you could make your space feel childlike. Use colors that are more subdued and you could turn your bathroom into an oasis. Two colors that are becoming increasingly popular are navy and ...

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Martes, Disyembre 23, 2014

Merry Christmas to All

Christmas week hellos everyone! I’m taking the rest of the week off from blogging to enjoy the family fun and games here in Las Vegas. Opportunities are so few for me to see my cousins and siblings and my nieces and nephews since we all live in separate parts of the country. Our tree is […]

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Can I use laminate flooring on walls?

Can I use laminate flooring on walls? Yes, you can. Laminate flooring on walls has become a recent trend. It can be easily installed on walls and gives a modern and unique nature inspired look. In large spaces with a lot of wall space, the use of lamiante flooring on walls extends the floor space ...

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Do It Yourself Cleaning: Quick Tips for a Clean House

Have you ever looked at some of your friend’s houses and wondered, “How do they do it? How do they keep it so clean?” So have we. The clean house is something that’s illusive to most people. It’s a job that feels never ending. Cleaning is a chore dreaded by most homeowners. But when a ...

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Lunes, Disyembre 22, 2014

I Want THIS: (For Me, For You, For Everybody! ;-)

A metal building. On a lot. Right now. On the street where I office.

Decorator Review: Top Rooms by Martha OHara

If you’ve hung around the interior design industry for some time, chances are you’ve heard the name Martha O’Hara. This award winning designer is affiliated with some of the best associations and organizations in the interior decorating world. Now, it’s your turn to glean inspiration from her top rooms. The Martha OHara Concept Martha and ...

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Superior Woodcraft Salutes One of Its Own

The entire Superior Woodcraft team salutes a long time Superior Woodcraft family member, friend and teammate – Master Cabinetmaker, John Newfield. At the end of December 2014 John will be leaving Superior Woodcraft to enjoy a well earned retirement.

John, who is also a naval veteran and a long term first responder, joined

Superior Woodcraft in October of 1969. At the time Superior Woodcraft was a fledgling company and John was a young man who just finished serving his Country. For the next 22 years John would work side-by-side with Karl Geiger, Superior Woodcraft’s founder. In the years to follow John would continue his work at Superior Woodcraft; sharing his knowledge and passion of woodworking with younger generations of cabinetmakers. John handcrafted many cabinets since 1969 and has passed on his wisdom to many young cabinetmakers. We thank John for his many years of service; not only to Superior Woodcraft, but to his Country, Community and to his craft. We are thankful for all that you have shared with us. You will be missed at Superior Woodcraft.

Please join us in wishing John Newfield a long and happy retirement.

Best Wishes,

Your Superior Woodcraft Family

Superior Woodcraft is a local custom cabinetmaker located in Doylestown, Bucks County, Pa.

Source:

Superior Woodcraft, Inc.

Superior Woodcraft Blog

Etsy Art I Heart: 2015 Calendars

It’s Christmas week! We’ve been having so much fun at our big family gathering, catching up with siblings and cousins, playing games with nieces and nephews, enjoying each other’s company with holiday tunes playing in the background as the soundtrack to our adventures. We’re off to Mt. Charleston to play in the snow tomorrow, the […]

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Sabado, Disyembre 20, 2014

Today's 10 On-Trend Interior Design Links You'll Love! | #DesignRefresh

This week's edition of DESIGN REFRESH is a special one! The photography post is dear to my heart because my daughter happens to work for the photographer featured at the bottom of the post! Yes, that’s right. She’s an LA girl now and loves living and working out there with all those fun, creative people. I think using photography and personal images as art is sooooo hot right now, and...

Biyernes, Disyembre 19, 2014

Weekend Reading

Hello friends, hope you are well! The children are on break from school until January and we’re on our way to Las Vegas to spend time with our extended family. I can’t wait to finally get a real Christmas tree and play the stack of games we have lined up! We will be working on […]

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How to breathe new life into your hardwood floor

Hardwood flooring is incredibly sturdy and built to last a lifetime. However, over time it is perfectly natural for your flooring to undergo every day wear and tear, and you may feel like it has lost some of its initial appeal. Or perhaps you are redecorating and want to do something to your flooring, but don’t want to replace it completely. Well, the good news is that there are a number of different options available to you if you want to breathe new life into your hardwood flooring.

Give your flooring a new finish

There are a range of different types of finish available for wooden flooring, such as oils, lacquers, waxes and stains. While different finishes may be better suited for different types of hardwood, they will all help revitalise your flooring. This could be through giving it a beautiful sheen, or slightly altering the colour to help it match your room if you are redecorating.

Get your floor re-sanded and renovated

Maybe you feel like your flooring has undergone considerable wear and tear and simply adding a new finish would not be enough. It could be that you have moved into a new home which already had hardwood flooring that is very old. You will often find older homes with hardwood flooring that may need a breath of fresh air. For these situations, it can be a good idea to have your flooring re-sanded and renovated. Again, this saves you having to replace your flooring completely, but can make it look as good as new, regaining its original beauty. You could also take the opportunity to dramatically change the colour with the vast array of stains and coloured oils.

Rearrange your room

For some people, breathing new life into their floor can be as simple as rearranging the furniture in the room the wooden flooring is in. While moving furniture, adding rugs and other furnishing may not have a direct effect on your flooring, it can help you view it in a new light.

Is Vinyl or Laminate Flooring Better?

Dear Bob and Betsy, I’ve gotten several floor samples from Best Laminate, but I’m still having a hard time deciding which type of flooring to get. Is vinyl or laminate flooring better? – Lexie A. Dear Lexie, Both laminate and vinyl make high-quality, exceptional floors. Both look great, are durable, and will last you for ...

The post Is Vinyl or Laminate Flooring Better? appeared first on Bestlaminate Flooring Blog.

Huwebes, Disyembre 18, 2014

When to Use White Laminate Flooring With Confidence

White is a brilliant color. It’s the color we want our teeth to be, it’s the color of wedding gowns, and it’s the color that’s used to describe so many beautiful snow-filled scenes. The Trouble With the Color White White is also a color that tends to show every piece of dirt. Stains seem brighter ...

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Work Ready Closet Open House + Buffet Makeover

Ten weeks of planning, building and design, and our work is complete! I wrote about the Work Clothes Closet project back in October, since then we’ve spent dozens of hours on this project to benefit our local Committee on the Shelterless (COTS). I’m proud to say that with a team of volunteers, donors, and brands […]

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Miyerkules, Disyembre 17, 2014

How to Determine The Direction To Install My Laminate Flooring

If you are making your laminate flooring a DIY project, you might wonder “what is the right direction to install my laminate flooring?” When deciding the direction to install my laminate flooring, I always let people know they have multiple options, but in the end it is all about your personal taste and preference. You ...

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Color Palette Analysis: Gray Paired w/a Wood Tone — Does It Work?

When gray is paired with a warm wood tone, the wood becomes...

Room Ideas: Black and White Bathroom Decorating Trends

Does your bathroom feel like a modern oasis? Do you feel welcomed into the serene, yet stylish décor whenever you need to take a shower or get ready in the morning? If not, it might be time for a bathroom makeover. Black and white bathroom décor is one of the hottest new trends in interior ...

The post Room Ideas: Black and White Bathroom Decorating Trends appeared first on Bestlaminate Flooring Blog.

21 Free Christmas Printables

With Christmas just over two weeks away, it’s definitely time for a few fabulous free printables to brighten up the festive season. We already shared our printable Christmas napkin rings with you in November and we’re so excited to share that we also teamed up with 20 other talented bloggers to bring you an awesome...

The post 21 Free Christmas Printables appeared first on Little House On The Corner.

Avoiding Flame Retardants in the Home

Flame Retardants in Mattresses and Furniture

Most couches and mattresses in North America will likely have flame retardants (FRs) unless stated otherwise. Espeically those containing polyurathane foam. (Same goes for polyurathane pillows including nursing pillows).

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE)

Dr Mercola says, "be especially careful with polyurethane foam products manufactured prior to 2005, such as upholstered furniture, mattresses and pillows, as these are most likely to contain PBDEs. If you have any of these in your home, inspect them carefully and replace ripped covers and/or any foam that appears to be breaking down. Also avoid reupholstering furniture by yourself as the reupholstering process increases your risk of exposure." (source).

A Common Question: Does IKEA use Flame Retardants?

IKEA (US) states "unfortunately we do not currently offer upholstery without flame retardants as the foam in the cushions is what is treated." They claim to use unspecified organic phosphorous/nitrogen-containing compounds, however, one blogger who sent in a sample to Duke University found that the sofa still contained the supposedly phased out chloronated tris.

chlorinated tris (TCPP)

For their mattresses they state on their Facebook Page that the SULTAN line is "all natural", and in an email confirm that the "SULTAN HEGGEDAL is able to meet the necessary standards without the use of flame retardants." (sources: one, two and three)

As for IKEA Canada: "with foam furniture... reps say unspecified organic phosphorous/nitrogen-containing compounds or melamine or chloro-phosphorous compounds are used. " (source)
With their mattresses things are a little better, in an email from IKEA in 2014 they stated "mattresses currently sold in IKEA stores in Canada have not been treated with flame retardants." (personal correspondence with IKEA).

Sultan Heggedal via www.ikea.com

In both Canada and the US it seems that the SULTAN HEGGEDAL (made of 85% natural latex with no polyurethane or FRs) is a fairly safe mattress. (The only chemical component is 15% synthetic latex). As for their upostered furniture, I would stay far far away.

See my post on furniture and mattresses to source natural versions that do not offgass any harmful chemicals. There are 100% natural options for mattresses that can come fairly close to the IKEA price point on the sultan line ($850).

Carpets

There are many companies making organic or natural fibre carpets, such as wool, and for rugs, cotton, rattan or jute. Carpets should explicitly state that they use all natural materials. Conventional types from big box stores contain a long list of chemicals including flame retardants.
Be careful when removing old carpets as the FRs can become scattered as dust. Do not do this yourself if you are sensitive, and have all the dust cleared before reentereing the room.

Curtains

It's hard to know which curtains contains FRs as they will not be labeled. I would assume that curtains from hardware stores and conventional stores do contain toxins unless you check with the manufacturer. I would go with an organic brand like these hemp fabric curtains.

Flame Retardants in Insulation

Ridged Foam insulation

HBCD is typically used in polystyrenes, in concentrations of up to 1% in EPS, and up to 5% in XPS. TCPP is typically used in polyisocyanurate foams (up to 10%). (source )

There is no EPS or XPS insulation without flame retardants on the market currently. (source)

The only ridged foam insulation I know of without flame retardants is JM polyiso foam backed with foil.

Spray Foam Insulation

Almost all spray foams made in the US contain FRs according to Treehugger, usually TCPP (source).

Natural insulation options in my post on Insulation.

Retardants in Electronics

Apple phased out brominated flame retardants (BFRs) in 2008 but uses "safer" unspecified flame retading chemicals. Motorola is BFR-free and Sony has phased it out of some products (source). How much these can leach out of electronics is not clear. With furniture it is when the particles become dust bound that they become the biggest problem.

Cleaning up Flame Retardants in the Home

IQAir filter

Flame retardants become mobile in dust as opposed to gas. So keeping a dust free home is of utmost importance. David Suzuki says, "household dust is now recognized as one of the most significant sources of childhood exposure to toxic substances."

A HEPA Vacuum is the best way to deal with the dust if you have conventional furniture, carpets and curtains.

Dust also contains phthalates, metals like lead, mercury and arsenic, and pesticides (Suzuki). The best way to remove particulates and (and VOCs, and mould) from the air is a HEPA air filter. The best one of the market is the IQAir. A decent one that is a more affordable is this Honeywell.

Marc Vetri Chooses BlueStar Range And We Got a Taste

Son of Philadelphia and world renowned Chef Marc Vetri doesn’t take food lightly; nor should he. Having been trained in Bergamo, Mr. Vetri oversees seven Delaware Valley restaurants that capture the essence of the country that taught the world to eat, Italy.

You can imagine the city’s collective excitement when news circulated that a demo kitchen within his flagship restaurant, Vetri was in the works. The concept was simple. Create an area for Mr. Vetri to experiment, a mad-scientist’s lab if you will, and make it friendly and inviting. Naturally, the equipment used in the kitchen had to be of the highest standard, yet pleasing to the eye. For Philadelphia’s native son, only a BlueStar Range would do.

Made locally in Reading, BlueStar’s parent company, Prizer-Painter Stoveworks has over 100 years of experience in manufacturing cooking equipment. Since 2002, the BlueStar line has been a symbol of local craftsmanship and top-level performance. In conjunction with professional quality, BlueStar pays attention to style and offers 190 different color options and seven different texture options to create limitless possibilities with their appliances to match any kitchen design, large or small.

It’s no surprise that the centerpiece of Vetri’s demokitchen is BlueStar’s 60-inch gas range. The powerful 23,000 BTU burners are perfect for searing and are certainly worthy of Vetri’s award winning pastas. Not to be outdone are BlueStar’s ovens. Two large convection ovens are built into the 60-inch range and both accommodate commercial size baking sheets and feature an infrared broiler that rivals broilers found in the finest steak houses.

Here at Superior Woodcraft we were treated to an exclusive meal prepared on a BlueStar range by Marc Vetri himself in his newly opened demo kitchen. A very special thank you to Kieffer’s Appliances and BlueStar for arranging the evening!

For more information on signing up for events held in Vetri’sdemo kitchen, visit their website here: Vetri Ristorante

And for your appliance needs, check out Kieffer’s Appliances or contact:

Patrice Gelfant, Showroom by Appointment
patrice@kieffers.com
609-743-0730

Kieffer's Appliances
785 Sumneytown Pike
Lansdale, PA 19446
www.kieffers.com

Superior Woodcraft is a local custom cabinetmaker located in Doylestown, Bucks County, Pa.

Source:

Superior Woodcraft, Inc.

Superior Woodcraft Blog

Step Into The Christmas Spirit With A Garland-Draped Staircase!

I couldn’t wait to finally have a house with an open stair so I could have my first Christmas with boughs swagged down the railings. They create such a luxurious, grand, celebratory look for the holidays. Don’t you think?

10 Advantages of Microfiber Mops for Cleaning Laminate Floors

If you’re not convinced microfiber mops are the best tool for cleaning laminate floors read on for the 10 advantages that might change your mind. I have a laminate floor at home and also one in my old office. I’ve used string mops and sponge mops in the past but switching to a microfiber mop [...]

Martes, Disyembre 16, 2014

Weaver’s Winter Wonderland

Only 8 days left until Christmas friends, are you ready? Amidst the busyness, we took a drive last night to one of our favorite stops for Christmas light displays, and none is so great as Weaver’s Winter Wonderland which is located in the town just north of us. For 20 years Scott Weaver has been […]

The post Weaver’s Winter Wonderland appeared first on Centsational Girl.

San Jose Hardwood Floors: A Green Flooring Company

It’s no secret that San Jose Hardwood Floors is a green flooring company. In addition to offering a wide variety of eco-friendly flooring options to our clients, there are a lot of ways we make sure you get the best floors you can in the most sustainable ways possible. Keep reading for 6 ways we keep ourselves as eco-friendly as possible.

6 Ways We’re a Green Flooring Company

We offer a lot of eco-friendly flooring options, from cork and Marmoleum to bamboo and FSC certified materials.
We partner with manufacturers that provide eco-friendly flooring options, and our team follows the green installation guidelines on all products we sell. We also always work the manufacturers’ specified recommended green flooring materials.

Can I install laminate flooring on stairs?

Many homeowners ask the question “Can I install laminate flooring on stairs?” Yes. Laminate flooring can most definitely be installed on stairs. With the right tools and moldings, your stairs can be complete in no time. Begin your stair installation by clearing your stairs of all loose debris and obstructions. Remove any old carpeting or flooring ...

The post Can I install laminate flooring on stairs? appeared first on Bestlaminate Flooring Blog.

Walnut Wood Floors

The deep chocolate colour of walnut wood makes it a very popular choice for flooring. The dark coloured wood provides an elegant but distinctive look that’s ideal for either a traditional characterful home or ultra-contemporary home.

Walnut Trees
The walnut tree is most famous for its nut; the tasty walnuts are a popular food that’s flavoursome and nutritious. But walnut trees are also famous for their wood which is used in furniture and flooring, as well as other uses, such as for making bowls and cups. The heartwood is the recognisable deep chocolate colour but the sapwood is actually a pale creamy colour.

Walnut Wood Colours
Walnut is one of the darkest woods, especially black walnut which produces a very dark shade. Walnut flooring ranges from light to dark chocolate and it often has a slightly purplish finish. The colour exudes a warmth that looks great in the home and provides a classic look. At Just Wood we have a wide selection of walnut flooring in a range of shades. Our walnut flooring will develop a beautiful lustre over time and finishes with a lovely luxurious appearance.

The Benefits of Walnut Wood Flooring
One of the main and most obvious benefits of walnut hardwood flooring is its lovely colour. It’s unique amongst the different types of wood for having a distinctive deep colour that’s instantly identifiable as walnut. The deep brown colour of walnut wood looks great in period homes as well as modern ones; it can work with most decors. It works best in a large room though as the dark colour can make smaller rooms look cramped. Walnut flooring is best showed off in a large space.

Another benefit of having walnut wood flooring in the home is that it has an attractive grain. It’s most often quite straight but sometimes has whirls and knots which add character. The grain works with the chocolate colour to provide a unique feel that looks great in the home.

Walnut is a hard wood, although it is about 20% softer than oak. Still, it is a very dense and strong wood that’s incredibly durable. This means that it will last a long time and resist the wear and tear of shoes, furniture and anything else that gets thrown at it.

Walnut wood is also very resistant to other things that can cause damage, such as water and insects. This means it can be mopped with a damp brush and easily taken care of. It should also last over time without becoming damaged or staring to wear away.

To look at the full range of Walnut Flooring we have on offer - please visit the dedicated page on our site

DIY Storage Ideas to Get You Organized

If you’re like most people, you’ve accumulated plenty of things. You have a lot of stuff but not a lot of storage space. While your piles of can’t-throw-away pieces build up around you, it might be time to put your gathering tendencies aside and stir up the builder in you. Now is a good time ...

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Protecting your hardwood flooring this Christmas

Christmas is nearly here, and we couldn’t be more excited! Christmas is a time to relax, eat delicious food, watch our favourite festive films, and spend some much-needed quality time with our friends and families. With adults having time off from work and children having time off from school, your home will no doubt be considerably busier and more crowded than throughout the rest of the year. We’re here to give you some helpful advice on how to protect your hardwood flooring over the Christmas period.

Be careful with your Christmas tree

One of the most exciting parts of the build-up to Christmas is choosing the perfect tree and spending some time decorating it. While nothing quite beats the look and smell of a real tree, many people will instead opt for an artificial tree for their home. Artificial trees will usually come with a metal or plastic stand, which can scratch your hardwood flooring, so it is a good idea to place a rug or mat underneath your tree to protect your flooring.

If you can’t live without a real tree, there are some precautions you should take to minimise any potential damage. Real trees will need to be kept in a pot, so putting something underneath this to limit the chances of water leaking onto your flooring is advisable. Real Christmas trees are notorious for dropping needles everywhere as well, so choose its positioning carefully. Try to put it in a corner where people won’t be constantly brushing past it and knocking needles off. You should also regularly sweep or vacuum up any loose needles from the floor, to stop people walking on them, dragging them across your floor.

Be wary of increased foot traffic

As we have already mentioned, over Christmas we all enjoy spending some extra time with our friends and families. With this increase in socialising comes an increase in foot traffic in your home, however. Don’t worry though, you don’t have to avoid inviting guests into your home for fear of damaging your floor, just refer back to our top tips on entertaining guests in a home with hardwood flooring.

Black + White Holiday Gift Tag Printables

Hello friends! How was your holiday weekend? I was lucky to visit with some friends at their holiday parties in the evening, but also kept busy during the day with the Work Clothes Closet project, our Open House is this week and the team is working hard to get the space ready! I also started […]

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Rain & Your Hardwood Flooring

California is finally getting some much needed rain! But what does this mean for your hardwood flooring? Moisture is a common adversary for wood floors, but the good news is you don’t need to let it halt your project.

Why is moisture bad for your wood floors? Excessive moisture will make your hardwood flooring expand, and then contract once it dries up. This process of expanding and contracting causes the boards to cup, crown, crack and buckle, all of which affect your floors’ longevity.

To make sure your hardwood flooring lasts, follow these 4 tips to keep it in tip-top shape.

Your Guide to Wood Flooring

Wood flooring can suit a whole host of interiors, whether commercial or residential, whether traditional or contemporary and whether on a tight or generous budget. Suitability and durability revolves around choosing the right wood floor for your interior, taking into account type of area or room, color and texture. In this blog we look closer […]

Decorator Review: Kara Mann

What happens when you mix fashion and design? You get Kara Mann. Based in the hip city of Chicago, with operations out of the equally trendy New York City, Kara Mann is located in the heart of the design world. Since 2005, when she began her firm Kara Mann Designs, she has wooed her clients ...

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