BOTB 1.30.16

Weekend hellos! Not much happening in my world this weekend other than the assembly of a trampoline in the backyard. I protested for a year but was outvoted and now there’s a giant 8 x 14’ eyesore that I see from my kitchen window.

I breathe slowly in and out and remind myself it’s only for a few years…. just like that phase when ugly baby toys littered my home. The kids love it and it’s great exercise, but I’m a worrier when it comes to safety, we’ve all heard the stories. I sound like a broken record, “Kids, is it zipped up?” Fellow parents, have you ever had a trampoline? Ease my troubled mind.

This weekend is another round of ‘Best of the Blogosphere’ featuring favorite projects and spaces from around the web, enjoy!

I love Erin’s beautiful basement makeover at Elements of Style.

 

Sarah’s black & white bathroom renovation is stunning, how lovely is that tile medley!

Tour Jenna’s kitchen makeover with cheerful touches of color!

 

How adorable is this kid’s cabin bed? Build it with Ana White’s plans and Jen’s tutorial at House of Wood.

 

Joni shares a great resource for vintage images (and how to turn them into inexpensive artwork) at Lay Baby Lay.

 

Organize the kids’ bikes and scooters with this DIY rack, instructions at Her Tool Belt.

 

Craft a charming wood block desk calendar with Brittni’s tutorial at Curbly.

 

Many thanks to Amanda who helps me scout out these projects around the blogosphere, enjoy the rest of your weekend!

~ Kate

Creating a Fun Children’s Playroom

Children love to play! Lots of this play calls for an abundance of toys and imagination. For parents, this imagination can leave a house feeling chaotic. If you’re trying to avoid the mess, it’s a good idea to dedicate an area or room as your children’s playroom.

One thing is for sure; a children's playroom is a great way to give your kids space to play without trailing toys around the house. To keep it that way, you’ll want to make sure it is a creatively inspiring and functional space. Here are some ideas for designing a fun children’s playroom:

Make it Durable

Durability is key when it comes to a play space. Kids are not always gentle, so you need to ensure that the space will hold up over time.

Laminate flooring, for example, makes a perfect durable option for the floors. It can weather rough-housing, permanent marker, and more. For a softer touch, a plush rug can be added to areas where reading or playing on the floor takes place.

For furniture, don’t buy anything dainty. Buy things that can withstand playing children who may get rough and rowdy from time to time. That way you won’t have to worry about them or the furniture.

Transitional Kids Playroom by Vancouver Interior Designers & Decorators MaK Interiors

Reading Nook

Inspiring a love of reading is so crucial for children. What better way to do that than to create a dedicated reading nook? Adorn it with a comfy child-sized chair or floor pillows to make it a space the kids want to go to.

For storing the books there are many great ideas, from bookshelves to bins. One of our favorite ideas is to use decorative picture shelves or ledges. They are only a few inches in depth and have a groove in the middle that is perfect for books to rest in against the wall. This solution is both practical by getting the books off the floor while taking less space than a book shelf and decorative by creating interest through the colorful books.

Transitional Kids Playroom by San Diego Interior Designers & Decorators J Hill Interior Designs

Creative Corner

It’s also critical to foster creativity in children. Dedicate a section of the playroom for the draw, paint, or craft safely. If you’re worried about the floors, purchase an inexpensive rug to go underneath that can be washed or tossed when spilled on.

A small table and chairs would be great for getting creative, however if you’re tight on space an upright easel would be perfect. Organize the art supplies into drawers or bins to keep the space free of clutter when not in use.

Another fun creative space idea is to paint a wall, or section of a wall, with black chalkboard paint. Kids can go crazy drawing on the wall with minimal mess. (Chalkboard dust is another reason laminate flooring comes in handy!)

Contemporary Kids Playroom by New York Photographers Robert Granoff

Organization

Organization is essential to any playroom space. It’s important to get toys and art supplies off the floor and in a dedicated location.

Storage cube shelves are a great way to store toys. Each cube can store bulky toys or you can use a cube drawer to store lots of smaller toys. Additionally, each cube drawer can be labeled so that each toy has a home.

We all know a playroom won’t stay mess-free, however, when everything has a dedicated space it is easier to pick up than a space that is lacking organization.

Transitional Kids Playroom by San Francisco Closet Designers and Professional Organizers NEAT Method

What are some ideas you’ve implemented in your children’s playroom? We’d love to here you ideas below!

More Inspiration:

• Tips For Decorating and Organizing a Kids Bathroom


• Why Laminate Flooring Is A Perfect Home Renovation Option


• Transitional Bedroom Decor Tips – Growing from Toddler to Teen

The post Creating a Fun Children’s Playroom appeared first on Passion for Home - Bestlaminate Blog.

Our Legacybox

*This post brought to you in partnership with Legacybox.

We live in such a busy world, it feels like the years fly by faster and faster. In December I made a promise to myself that in 2016 I'd complete three memory preservation projects. The first is to upload images to albums and print those albums so we would have a family library of memory filled books. Easy to do and I've got a few albums in the works right now, starting with our most recent vacation. The second project is to have quilts made out of the baby clothes I've saved. The third project was to digitize all the old videos and family pictures sitting in a closet for many years but I was totally overwhelmed by the task.

I was feeling very nostalgic thinking about when my kids were babies. This happens to all of us mothers of grown children! I love the ages my children are now, 12 and 10, my daughter is entering junior high next year, yikes! It's all flying by so fast and I was thinking wow wouldn't it be wonderful to go back in time and relive when they were wee little, if only for a day? Looking at pictures is one thing but seeing them as they were back then in video, hearing their voices, watching their mannerisms, it was something that was tugging at my heart for a long time.

Because this happened WAY too fast….

 

I was approached by Legacybox to try out their service and when I went to their site I knew it was the answer, the closest thing I'd get to reliving those challenging but oh so charming years. Mine were born in a time before smart phones and digital videography, when all I had to preserve those sweet years were mini camcorder tapes.

The process was SO simple and I couldn't be happier. I'll confess I've been teary for days watching the videos, and my kids LOVE watching themselves as babies too, we've been laughing so hard at some of the things they said and did when they were little!

Your Legacybox arrives in the mail with a Welcome Guide and barcodes to attach to your pictures, videos, negatives, slides, they're experts at transferring it all to digital format where it can be stored safe from fire, theft, etc.

 

I had a big bag of camcorder tapes of babies playing and family get togethers and vacations dating back to the 90s. I labeled each one with a barcode and tucked them in the box.

 

Matt had a box of old family photos he wanted preserved as well so we had those digitized as well.

 

Pack it all up in the crushproof Legacybox provided (it includes shipping both ways), they confirm arrival via email and you get a personal contact if you have any questions. Wait a few weeks and find your old memories preserved on a disc, pop it into your player and watch your old videos. We've been watching ours all week, it's wonderful to hear the voices of those who've passed away and to relive events from more than a decade ago.

 

This is an add on option but so worth it, I also received a thumb drive with ALL of my images and videos stored in one place so it was easy to upload them to my external hard drive and cloud storage (I use both) for safe preservation.

 

What memories do you have waiting to be digitized?

 

I'm getting my parents to do it, they have a bazillion tapes and photos that need this service, I know they'd love to relive their memories too, wouldn't you?

The first 50 people to use the code FABULOUS at checkout will receive 40% off their Legacybox! Do this I promise you'll love it, the preservation of memories is PRICELESS.

*This post is sponsored by Legacybox, all opinions are my own.

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MUST-HAVE: New Products From Top Knobs' & BLANCO's 2016 Collection!

Most of you design junkies or remodeling enthusiasts have heard of Silgranit.

It’s that composite material made out of natural granite and formed into the most durable kitchen sinks out there.

I’ve been using Silgranit sinks on projects for years — like on this project and this project. However, how does one get that Silgranit material in an ever-popular apron front or farmhouse style?

Before now, you couldn’t. But Blanco introduced their new Ikon sink this year at KBIS 2016, and it’s sure to be a hit. It gives you that large capacity coupled with the apron front look. Best of all, you still have the durability that Silgranit provides. And you won’t be scratching up the front of the sink with your belt buckle anymore. :-)

The floating grid debuted, as well. It fits in their sinks about 5-6” above the bottom and gives you an additional place to rest pots, pans, and dishes. They said it can support the weight of a bowling ball!

They also introduced a two-tone faucet, Artona, with a super sexy pull-down that glides right back into place with no dangling! The matte finish gives a modern look; and black was the hottest color trend ever at the show, so it’s totally “now”. I still love white though, and the white version is really gorgeous and elegant.

Top Knobs introduced some beautiful cabinet pulls this year.

These faceted designs really help give some style and detail for a more modern, clean-lined look. The black finish is beautiful. It adds a punctuation and distinction to your cabinetry.

I use Top Knobs products on projects all the time. I used them on this kitchen remodel, this bathroom remodel, and in my own kitchen remodel with my long, gorgeous frig pulls on the island.

I do love the new intros this year.

With a more linear, modern style, these are sure to be hit.

*Blanco & Top Knobs are sponsors of Modenus BlogTour's Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS). All opinions contained within this article are those of Carla Aston of DESIGNED w/ Carla Aston and have not been influened by any of the aforementioned parties.

Pattern Potential: Subway Backsplash Tile

A great question landed in my inbox regarding subway tile installation, it's one I haven't tackled here on the blog, so today's a great day to do so!

"Hi Kate, love your blog! I would love your opinion. I am using 3×6″ grey dove tile for a kitchen backsplash and now I'm confused about how to lay them! The picture shows a 1/3 offset, any help you have would be greatly appreciated! Many thanks!" ~ Franca

 

 

First of all Franca, your kitchen is gorgeous! I love all the classic choices, I can tell it's going to be quite fabulous when complete!

Most subway tiles come in 2 x 4″ or 3 x 6″ sizes, but there are other sizes too. I have white brick pattern tile in my own kitchen and I chose it 8 years ago because it's timeless and I'll never tire of it. With wood flooring, a random pattern is desirable but with a backsplash symmetry is important, and there are a variety of patterns you can create with subway tile.

Classic 50% offset pattern for subway tile (sometimes referred to as "running bond") looks like the images below, with every other tile's edge matching up in a vertical line. You can choose no grout and skip the spacers, or with spacers match the grout to the tile or choose a different color grout for contrast, or instead of basic white opt for a marble or colored subway tile like you've chosen.

 

 

better homes and gardens 1/ 2

If you want to continue with the one third or 33% offset as indicated in your picture the movement will be different, it will look more like this:

 drawing courtesy of tile tramp

Rectangular subway tiles can be installed in many different ways, the symmetry makes them all great candidates for a backsplash, it's just a matter of personal taste, whether you want to go with the a basic offset 50% or 33% offset or mix it up with something a bit different like the examples below.

 

 

via

 via

 via

Take a peek at Apartment Therapy's roundup of examples of subway tile in real spaces in alternative patterns.

 

Elsie at A Beautiful Mess pulled together some tips and this graphic, visit their blog to view more inspiring images of these patterns in real spaces.

 

One traditional way of changing up the basic offset pattern is to use the same tile but in a different layout behind the range framed by pencil tiles (I did this in my own kitchen with white tile.)

 

austin bean

 rw anderson homes

 

better homes and gardens

Here is personal favorite installation for subway tile, I'd love to do this in a bathroom or kitchen, it's the straight (or 90 degree) herringbone pattern, classic with a twist!

 

design sponge

So Franca, it's up to you which way to you want to go. You really can't go wrong as long as the install is done symmetrically in any of the patterns featured above.

Readers, chime in! What subway tile pattern have you used in your home? Feel free to link to images/posts showing your subway tile installations!

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Can I Store Hardwood Flooring in a Garage?

Dear Bob and Betsy,

I am getting ready to install my brand new hardwood flooring and couldn’t be more excited! I know I’ll have a good amount left over. We bought extra just in case something goes wrong during the installation. Can I store hardwood flooring in a garage or do I need to keep it in my house?

– Meredith M.

Dear Meredith,

How exciting! Getting new flooring can change the look of your home. We’re excited for you!

It sounds like you made a smart choice in purchasing a little bit of extra material just in case something goes wrong during the installation. Having extra hardwood flooring on hand is a good idea so that no wrong cut or measurement will delay your project.

Storing hardwood flooring in your garage might work but only if it meets a few requirements.

Climate Control 

The room you store your leftover flooring in must be climate controlled. The climate where you store your hardwood flooring will impact how well it holds up. Temperature and moisture levels have a dramatic impact on your floors integrity. It’s a little like the story of the three bears. If it gets too hot, too cold, too moist, or too dry, you’ll run into problems with the flooring contracting or expanding. This will cause more havoc when you go to install your flooring and it readjusts to fit your room’s climate. On the extreme side, your hardwood floor can warp, making it unusable in any installation.

Grade Level

If your garage is below grade, or has at least one of the walls covered by ground (such as is the case with a walkout basement), you should not store your hardwood flooring there. This room will inevitably exposed to excess moisture, which can cause your floors to warp.

Long-Term Storage Tips

It’s a good idea to expose your hardwood floors to as minimal change as possible. If you need to store your hardwood flooring in the garage, make sure you acclimatize it before installing it in the room where it is going for at least 48 hours. This might mean stopping your project for a few days while the wood readjusts to the indoor temperature and humidity levels. If you're storing your extra flooring for a long period of time, make sure it is stored flat. Leaning your extra boxes against a wall can cause the floor to warp and curve over time.

We also recommend getting a professional to install your hardwood flooring. This is not a good project for a DIYer. Professionals will know how to measure and will create as little excess as possible. This might mean you have more product left over but that’s better than not having enough during the installation process.

Good luck and happy installation!

Have any more questions? Write them in the comments below and we will be happy to answer!

Learn More About Hardwood:

• Does Hardwood Flooring Go Under Cabinets?


• Do Hardwood Floors Need Moisture Barrier?


• Are Hardwood Floors Slippery?

The post Can I Store Hardwood Flooring in a Garage? appeared first on Passion for Home - Bestlaminate Blog.

Our Most Expensive Home Improvement To Date!

Yay, the first project on our list of projects for 2016 is already complete! If you follow us on Facebook you may already have an idea of what it is, as we couldn't resist sharing a behind the scenes shot of it in progress. Can you guess what it is? Here’s a hint. Until recently,... 

Read More »

The post Our Most Expensive Home Improvement To Date! appeared first on Little House On The Corner.

MUST-HAVE: This Kitchen Designed By Thermador!

I was impressed last year to have learned so much about Thermador while at KBIS.

The induction cooktop, the 30” 5-burner Pro Harmony Range, and the star burners were all new to me then; and I was truly sold on Thermador as a provider of appliances for people who enjoy cooking for entertaining, fun, and healthy lifestyles.

I think what impressed me most this year at KBIS was the far reaching idea of flexibility and customization that can be done, as Thermador reaches their 100 year anniversary.

Following along the lines of their Freedom Collection — individual towers of refrigeration and freezer units that can be selected and combined to serve the function and needs of the household — Thermador has worked even more with this idea to provide customized cooking units, like the 60” Grand Pro Range.

Don’t you love the light just under the cooktop to illuminate the knobs?

Not only are there six patented Thermador Star® Burners, including four that offer the ExtraLow® simmering feature and a 22,000 BTUs Power Burner, but a cook can choose the options of a 12” Griddle alongside a Professional Grill OR a 24” Dual Zone Griddle, designed for even heating and easy cleaning, featuring a smooth, scratch-resistant surface.

And that’s just the surface!

Last year, cooking with steam was all the rage, and it continues to be a popular, healthy and efficient way to cook. In the 60” Grand Pro Range, a cook can select either a combination double oven OR a convection oven alongside a steam/convection oven and warming drawer, making this the only pro-style range with the option of steam cooking.

As a designer of many kitchen remodels, I have to say one problem we have is when homeowners want to upgrade to beautiful, hard-working appliances like these, but they still have to work in the same footprint of space. So, even if we’re redoing cabinets to allow for larger appliances, there’s still the same amount of square footage in the kitchen. Space is always an issue, including the depth of the appliance.

I was so excited to see how Thermador has incorporated their venting technology with this range, much like they did with the 30” Pro Harmony Range I saw last year, so that the unit can slide flush up against the wall with zero clearance. Every inch of space matters in a kitchen, and this technology gets rid of that gap behind the range that every other range out there must maintain.

Take a look at it installed in the island here at their booth. Such a clean look, and we all know that every inch of space matters in a kitchen.

One more bit of customization I want to point out is with their undercounter refrigeration drawers. With just the press of a button you can select Refrigeration Mode to preserve fresh ingredients, Pantry Mode to store items like bread and flour at a warmer temperature, and Bar Mode to chill beverages at colder temperatures. Simple and customized for keeping what you want at exactly the temp that is best.

Here are two frig drawers used in the New American Home we visited the night before the show. You could have one unit for milk and juices and one for fruit or kale for your morning smoothies! Isn’t this a great coffee bar to wake up to in the morning?

And…

Thermador is sponsoring a contest in 2016 for designers. (That’s ME!) Enter a kitchen designed with their appliances (it doesn’t have to be the whole suite), and there’s opportunity to be published. And yes... There’s $$$$ involved. Goodness knows I need some money!

So let’s do this future clients! Anyone ready for an award-winning new kitchen??? :-))))

*Thermador is a sponsor of Modenus BlogTour's Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS). All opinions contained within this article are those of Carla Aston of DESIGNED w/ Carla Aston and have not been influened by any of the aforementioned parties.

Coastal House Flip with Gorgeous Relcaimed Laminate Floors

Our friends at The Wright Real Estate Group have transformed another home into a beautiful living space! As experienced real estate agents and house flippers, the Wright's often use laminate for the main floors and hallways in their homes. Due to the durability, beautiful looks and low-maintenance caring, laminate is the perfect option in their projects.

In this home, the Wright's used a new Armstrong Architectural Remnants laminate in Sea Salt Air throughout their first floor. This laminate is a gorgeous, coastal reclaimed look that is soft to the touch. A low-maintenance, stunning choice for any family home!

Let's take a close look at the first floor of this coastal house flip with gorgeous relcaimed laminate floors!

The Outside

The outside of this cute, 2 bedroom, 1.5 bath home in Fairport Harbor, OH, a small lake community outside of Cleveland.

Open Charm

You open the door to this inviting, bright entry. Sight lines to the kitchen and dining with an open living room to the left.

Living Room

Beautiful relcaimed floors complement the light grey walls perfectly!

The Kitchen

The kitchen opens to an eat-in dining room. The sliding glass doors open to a patio, perfect for entertaining! And how about all of the natural light.

The view from above showcases the beauty of this coastal looking floor.

The kitchen has plenty of room for cooking and entertaining with the spacious layout and storage. The black granite counter tops add a touch of glam. 

Glamorous Details

The details continue in the dining area with this chandelier! 

Loving this home? Let us know what your favorite part was! 

Take some more home tours!

• Tour the Ultimate Basement for Entertaining


• A Colorado Home that Wowed Everyone


• Insane House Flip in Ohio

The post Coastal House Flip with Gorgeous Relcaimed Laminate Floors appeared first on Passion for Home - Bestlaminate Blog.