The Impact of Negative Space

I was looking through some favorite images on Pinterest and realized that one of the reasons I found them so captivating was the designers attention to negative space. When we decorate were so tempted tofill the emptiness with furniture, art, and accents, yet often less is so much more.

Negative space is used in art and graphic design in a calculated way, the point being to use blank space to place emphasis on the highlighted subject. In interior design, the idea is very much the same; it translates to calculated restraint. Rather than filling up all the walls or corners with objects, spaces, or areas are left purposefully blank.

One effect that stems from such calculated restraint is it allows specific decor to shine. In this classic entry, using more art or furnishings or color would take away from the isolated beauty of the landscape print, the pedestal table, and the leafy branches.

cronk duch architects

Another direct result from the purposeful use of negative space is that your home will simply feel less cluttered. Walls or shelves that are too crowded can leave one feeling claustrophobic. An open bookshelf is the perfect example, certainly it can be used for its practical purpose and filled to the brim with books and accessories.

However our desire to collect, store, and display all of our things is in competition with the concept of minimalism and the serenity that stems from an uncluttered nook. See how the white space that surrounds the decor on these shelves creates a calming effect because instead of filling them completely, the designers chose negative space to surround the objects instead of more things.

house of jade

Negative space is also a great styling tool. The use of negative space in photography purposefullyallows for a place of emptiness. The result? It puts the focus on the objects that are the subject of the photo shoot. Magazines love this technique because this is where they can add copy (words) in the publication to explain whats seen in the image. Note the blank spaces in the upper right corners of both of these images.

studio moore

better homes and gardens

Using negative space in decorating gives the eye a place to rest. Instead of things everywhere, the edited decor isa breath of fresh air. Its like that feeling we get in January from taking down all of our Christmas decorations and the subsequent sigh of relief that occurs from a space cleansed of extraneous stuff.

new england home mag

The impact of negative space is just something to note when decorating a room or styling a vignette. Purposeful blankness goes hand in hand with minimalism, less really can be so much more.

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How to Keep Away the Winter Blues

Winter can seem so long, dark, and cold and Bestlaminate is here to give you a few tips on how to keep away the winter blues. By acknowledging the fact that you are down and need to get out of this cold, you are on your way to Spring before the calendar even says so.

Here are some tips to get you back on track to feeling right again:

Exercise

Getting out of the house and off your couch is one of the simplest ways to tackle those winter blues. Join an exercise group, gym or a club. This will hold you accountable and even provide you with hours of socialization. Your new best friend might even turn out to be the person that encourages you to keep moving, and even begin the road to some major lifestyle changes. We all know that exercise is all about your lifestyle and making those changes one day at a time.With the advancement of technology, even video gaming consoles like the Wii are helping people to get up and get moving from the comfort of your home!

Traditional Home Gym by Birmingham Architects & Building Designers VanBrouck & Associates, Inc.

Cleaning

If you cannot stand the thought of stepping outside in the midst of February, this is a great time to dig into those cupboards or closets you have been dreading. By giving these areas a cleaning now, just think how much easier your annual spring cleaning projects will be. Not only will you have a great sense of accomplishment, but you will also get some much needed exercise. We all know how much better our bodies feel after we get moving AND have a clean closet to look at each day!

Traditional Kitchen by Encinitas Closet & Home Storage Designers Neat Method San Diego

A New Hobby

How about a new 1000 piece puzzle? Or better yet, how about digging out that 1000 piece puzzle that you started a couple years ago and tossed into the closet? When you are on your cleaning spree, be sure to take note of any unfinished puzzles, unread books, or unfinished cross stitching projects you may have laying around. You probably took a few pictures over the holidays. Head on out to your local craft store and see what it will take to get all of those pictures organized into a scrapbook. Round up a few friends and scrap book together. Youll be amazed at the fun you can have by finishing up these leftover projects!

Traditional Family Room by Dallas Media & Bloggers Sarah Greenman

DIY Projects

A great do-it-yourself project during the winter months is installinglaminate flooring. A new floor in any room in your home will immediately lift your spirits and chase those winter blues away. While your tackling the flooring, you may want to update your counter tops. Kitchen and bathroomcountertopscan be tackled by the do-it-yourself project lover in a few days; depending on the size of your countertop. When your flooring and your countertops compliment each other, your room will appear larger and much more appealing to the eye.

Quick-Step Malted Tawney Oak in Colorado Kitchen

When your mind is busy and you dont have time to think about the long, dark days of winter, those winter blues wont have time to take hold of you. By exercising, cleaning, taking up a hobby, and tackling some of those do-it-yourself projects, you will stay busy and happy until the spring months finally arrive.

*This post was updated from 2011 to give you a better reading experience and better tips on how to keepthe winter blues away this season!

Learn More:

• Creating a Home Maintenance Checklist And Sticking to It


• Vintage Upcycled Laminate Serving Tray


• Stop Using These Excuses and Try Yoga [illustrated with GIFs]

The post How to Keep Away the Winter Blues appeared first on Passion for Home - Bestlaminate Blog.

Great Giveaway: Win ?30 To Spend At Cheerz

We have a fantastic giveaway lined up for you today! If you're anything like us you'll have hundreds (if not thousands) of pictures on your phone, Facebook and Instagram. Wouldn't it be great if you could actually do something with all of those snaps you're taking? Well, with Cheerz you can now easily make the...

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The post Great Giveaway: Win ?30 To Spend At Cheerz appeared first on Little House On The Corner.

BOTB 2.19.16

Weekend greetings friends! I was so happy to read all your comments on my previous post, I so appreciate your kindness and support. I feel reenergized having stepped away for a few days. Last night I attended an event at Sunset Magazine, one of my favorite publications, and was happy to tour taste some wine and tour their test and show kitchens. It's inspiring to surround yourself with creative ideas and people!

Also I woke up to little blossoms on some of the trees in my neighborhood. It happens a little earlier for those of us in the warmer states but it's one my favorite things, showing us that spring is on its way. This weekend it's another round of 'Best of the Blogosphere', here are some favorite spaces and projects spied around the web!

Tour Kristen's black, marble, and gold kitchen remodel at Bliss at Home, beautiful!

Make a DIY brass cap paper towel rod with a tutorial at Poppytalk.

Jenna at Rain on a Tin Roof gave a plain pair of sliding doors some pizazz with a dramatic paint treatment.

There is a pretty teen girl's room makeover at Four Generations One Roof.

If you'd like to try you hand at tufting a sofa, Miss Mustard Seed documents all the steps for you!

Build a murphy desk like Natalie's at A Turtle's Life for Me (plans from Shanty to Chic) as a space saving way to add a desk with storage.

Want to learn to crochet? This chunky blanket tutorial is written for beginners! via Make It and Love It.

Craft a lucite and gold towel bar with A Beautiful Mess.

Make your own berry lip stain with a step by step at Nylon.

Enjoy your weekend!

Rustic Meets Modern in Teaquation Cafe

Redwood City, CA just got a little sweeter! With the new Teaquation Cafe, tea lovers can rejoice over their hand-crafted, all natural tea cocktails that are uniquely refreshing and delicious. My mouth is watering just writing this post!

With a rustic meets modern interior design concept, Teaquation used reclaimed wood, concrete, pops of orange and a huge chalk board wall to give the location personality. The cool part? They reached out to Bestlaminate for their concrete needs! Yes, you read that correctly - concrete.

With our concrete laminate from Kronoswiss, Tequation could easily get the same look and feel as actual concrete, with a lot less time, money and effort.

Teaquation Cafe Counter Space

Check out the front of the counters on the far left! That's not real concrete, that's Kronoswiss Noblesse Concrete Laminate planks!

How gorgeous is this Kronoswiss Noblesse Concrete Laminate!?

Kronoswiss Noblesse Concrete Laminate

The Design of Teaquation Cafe

The industrial stools tie in the industrial modern feel and complement the reclaimed wood.

The concrete gives a modern touch and is topped off with wood moldings. Laminate planks can easily be glued and installed on walls and counter fronts, making a unique feature! You don't need to worry about waiting on real concrete to dry by installing concrete laminate.

The concrete laminate is durable, stain, and scratch resistant, too! This makes it the perfect outer surface for a cafe environment.

The vibe here is so welcoming and fun!

If you're around Redwood City, you'll have to stop into Teaquation and get your hands on one of these delightful drinks!

Are you loving the industrial modern feel in the Teaquation Cafe? Tell us about it in the comments below!

We Think You'll Love These Ideas:

• Modern Rustic Bedroom Decorating


• Tour a Modern Rustic Colorado Dream Home


• Perfect Laminate for a Rustic Kitchen

The post Rustic Meets Modern in Teaquation Cafe appeared first on Passion for Home - Bestlaminate Blog.

See How I'm Integrating a Mr. Steam Steam Shower In This Master Bath Remodel!

One of our sponsors for our trip to KBIS was Mr. Steam.

I've been wanting to do a steam shower in one of my bathroom remodel projects for a long time, and I finally got a client who wanted one in their shower.

While at KBIS we were all introduced to the benefits of steam in the spa at the Cosmopolitan Hotel.

Martha Orellana of Mr. Steam treated us on our last night to a relaxing dip in the spa, then a steam in the steam room. Yes, it was magic. I must say, when you go into a steam room you feel like your pores all open up and all the bad toxins just escape from your body. It's really amazing. After walking all day through the Las Vegas convention center, our feet were tired, and we were rather worn out. It was such a relaxing experience; we all felt like new afterward, some of us even dancing and partying till late! ;-)

Cosmopolitan spa waterfall | Photographer: Tori Aston, courtesy of Modenus

So, back to my project:

I had contacted Martha via email before the trip with a few questions about certain aspects of my design, and she generously offered her guidance. However, the Mr. Steam site is so comprehensive that it's really easy to figure out exactly what you need for your situation. There is an easy way to find the size of the generator needed for your size shower here.

I had questions about the type of tile I should use; I had questions about the ceiling height and if I should use tile on the ceiling; I had questions about the slope of the ceiling and then the exhaust of the steam after a steam shower. All those questions were very simply answered HERE.

My local plumbing fixture showroom, Ferguson Enterprises, carries Mr. Steam products, and they were very helpful in specifying and delivering the product to my job site.

I'm happy to say this project is under construction now, and I can't wait to see it move along. It's been about two weeks and the old bath has been ripped out and all the dirty work of rerouting plumbing, electrical, etc. has been done. It doesn't look too pretty now, but it will soon!

Here's how the bathroom looked when we started. (Pics below) See that big tub with the shower behind it sitting in the middle of the room? It's gone now. It was unused and took up valuable space -- space we could use for a luxurious shower with a steam room inside it. Regardless of the look of the muddy tile, the outdated glass block, the awkward mouldings at the ceiling that visually lowered the ceiling, and those tiny slivers of windows that all really needed to be changed for aesthetics, the homeowners wanted to get good function out of this space as well. They want a zero entry or curbless shower for aging-in-place, a tv in some beautiful cabinetry, some nice tile with a cool color palette, and yes...some steam.

Well...we obliged. And now it's happening. Here are our plans with the new layout:

We've built in some privacy for the shower with a tall cabinet to house the tv and hamper. This cabinet will also house the generator for the steam shower.

The previously angled wall at the vanity was torn out to create a more symmetrical layout. And tall storage divides the countertop.

Removing the center window and enlarging the two side windows in the shower area works to bring more light into the bathroom; and the tile pattern accentuates the attributes of the angled outside walls by wrapping the pattern around the space. It will feel spacious and spa-like, just like a boutique hotel. I love that we created a separate steam room, as it adds to the custom quality of this beautifully appointed bath.

Check back with me in a month or so.

I'll be sharing the final results of this remarkably steamy makeover!

Btw... Thank you to Mr. Steam and our other sponsors for a fabulous trip to KBIS2016 with Modenus. These connections we make as designers help us to better design for our clients. :-)

*Mr. Steam 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.

What Are The Best Underlayments for Condos and Apartments

Dear Bob and Betsy,

I am responsible for reviewing and approving architectural modification requests for our condo association. Our documents state that our floors must have both the IIC and STC at 55 or higher. We have 6 inch solid concrete floors with no acoustical ceilings. What are the best underlayments for condos and apartments that meet our requirements? Thank you, Fred

Dear Fred,

This is a really important question! For those living in apartments or condos, and have the luxury to be able to renovate them, you will have to abide by the standards set forth by your condo/apartment association or HOA. These guidelines are put in place for you, and your neighbors, comfort and safety. One of these things that is commonly overlooked is the noise your neighbors underneath you will hear!

What Does IIC and STC Mean?

While looking at underlayment for your laminate floor, you may come across IIC-STC with a number next to them. What exactly are these and what do they mean? Put simply, these are ratings that tell you how well the underlayment will dampen sound. The higher a number is following these letters, the less noise will be transmitted. The effect of this is mostly noticeable in rooms underneath the room in which the underlayment and laminate are installed. This is why many apartment buildings, commercial offices buildings, and condo associations require a minimum rating where sound is concerned. The general ratings are as follows:

• IIC-STC 70 Virtually Sound Proof


• IIC-STC 60 Superior Sound Proofing


• IIC-STC 50 International Building Code


• IIC-STC 40 Sound Proofing below most codes

(STC) Sound Transmission Class from the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) E336/E413 and (IIC) Impact Isolation Class ASTM E492/E989 ratings are measured in decibels reduced for certain types of sound. The STC rating pertains to airborne noise, such as voices, radio, television, etc. The IIC rating measures impact sounds, such as footfalls, dropped objects etc. The transmission of these sounds through floor/ceiling assemblies (such as those found in multi-level homes and apartments) will be inhibited by underlayments with higher IIC and STC ratings. The International Building Code (IBC) states that all multi-family buildings must have a minimum sound insulation rating of STC 50 and IIC 50, but yours may vary. Check with your condo/apartment association to get the exact numbers, so you make your minimum requirements.

Which Underlayments Make The Cut?

Some premium underlayments will have ratings that exceed these strict IIC and STC ratings made by most condo/apartment associations. Brands such as Kronoswiss, Roberts, Quick Step, and Floor Muffler are all perfect underlayments for your condo or apartment. Let's take a look at the wide selection available to you!

Roberts Super Felt Premium Underlayment

This underlayment is manufactured by Roberts. It is 3mm thick and comes in either 100 sq.ft. rolls, or 360 sq.ft. jumbo rolls, which are perfect for contractors looking to cover many apartments quickly. The STC Rating is 66db, and the IIC Rating is 67db. It inclused a 3? overlap and self-adhesive strip to make installation even easier. This underlayment also has a pre-attached vapor barrier to protect floors from moisture escaping concrete subfloors. The recycled fiber construction adds extra insulation and cushioning to make both residents, and downstairs neighbors happy!

Roberts Super Felt Premium Underlayment

Quick-Step Combi Value Floor

This underlayment is manufactured by Quick-Step in the USA. It is 3mm thick and comes in 100 sq.ft. rolls, measured 40in x 30ft. STC Rating is 67db and the IIC Rating is 68db, well above the minimum requirement for apartments and condos!

Quick-Step Combi Value Floor underlayment 100 sq.ft. roll

Roberts Silent 3-in-1 Vapor Underlayment

This premium underlayment is 3mm and comes in rolls of 100 sq.ft. and 630 sq.ft. jumbo rolls, which are perfect for contractors! The Silent 3-in-1 underlayment is great for use over concrete and wood sub-flooring. It can be used underneath laminate flooring, engineered, and even solid hardwood flooring! The STC Rating is 67db and the IIC Rating is 68, perfect for condos and apartments! This unique underlayment retains 96% of it's original thickness after 7 days, compared to only 57% by leading 3-in-1 foam products. The microbeads in the underlayment allow for maximum bounce back and circulation so no mold or mildew gets a chance to grow! A great, long-lasting underlayment.

Roberts Silent 3 in 1 Vapor Underlayment

Kronoswiss Provent Silent Vapor 3-IN-1 Underlayment

This is another 3-in-1 underlayment, but it's manufactured by the flooring company Kronoswiss. These rolls are 3mm thick and come in rolls of 215.28 sq.ft., bigger than the average sized roll! The STC rating is 67 and the IIC Rating is 71, which gives you even better noise absorption than the leading premium underlayment! Kronoswiss' MicroPumping System provides air circulation underneath the boards when you walk on it, inhibiting the growth of mold and mildew on your subfloor! This underlayment is also non-allergenic, so there will be no issues for residents with asthma or allergies!

ProVent Silent Vapor 3-in-1 Underlayment

Quick-Step UniSound Underlayment

This underlayment is manufactured by Quick-Step in the USA. It is 2mm thick and comes in 100 sq.ft. rolls, but don't let the thickness fool you! This underlayment has an STC Rating of 71db and an IIC Rating of 73db, making it the perfect underlayment to create a quiet oasis in your condo or apartment!

Quick-Step Unisound Underlayment

Quick-Step RealSound Advanced Underlayment

Just when you thought Quick-Step couldn't come out with even more sound-reducing underlayment! This underlayment is manufactured in the USA, is 2mm thick, and comes in 100 sq.ft. rolls. This underlayment has an STC Rating of 74db and an IIC Rating of 72db, making it an even better sound reducer than the Quick-Step UniSound underlayment. Install this underlayment if you don't want your downstairs neighbors to hear a peep!

Quick-Step RealSound Advanced Underlayment

Floor Muffler UltraSeal Underlayment

Now, for the cream of the crop, the grand-daddy of all sound-reducing underlayments, Floor Muffler. This underlayment is STC Rated 73db and IIC Rated 74db. It will be hard for your downstairs neighbors to hear anything coming through their ceiling! This underlayment comes in 100 sq.ft. rolls and 700 sq.ft. jumbo rolls, making this a contractor's dream! It's suitable for cement and wood subfloors, so it can almost be installed over anything! It even comes with a self-sealing strip to make laying it out as quickly as possible. To top it all off, it's made in the USA!

Floor Muffler 700 sq.ft. Roll and 100 sq.ft. Roll Comparison

We hope we have given you plenty of choices of underlayment to meet your condo/apartment association IIC and STC rating requirements that fit your needs and budget. If you have any questions, please write us in the comments below or call us at 1-800-520-0961!

More Information On Underlayment:

• How Much Underlayment Do I Need to Buy?


• Can I install underlayment under laminate with attached padding?


• Installing Underlayment With Laminate Flooring on Stairs

The post What Are The Best Underlayments for Condos and Apartments appeared first on Passion for Home - Bestlaminate Blog.

Refreshing Our Dining Room*

With spring on the way (well almost at least) our focus is turning towards getting our home ready for the warmer weather. Admittedly a big part of that has to do with our new bi-fold doors that we had installed a couple of weeks ago. They're amazing and we're desperate to actually start using them!...

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