Spring Fever + Choosing Absence

I have the biggest case of spring fever. We've had such beautiful weather here in California after much rain, I'm so drawn to the blue skies and the warmth from the sunshine coming from the outdoors. Opening up the windows and doors to all this fresh air has inspired reorganization and cleaning projects at home as well, and a few days away from blogging.

I was writing up a post on trays because they're the most helpful organizational tool and have that knack for making a random grouping look tres chic, pardon the pun.

image via

I'm still working on the roundup but I hit a wall and it dawned on me that I'm lacking the motivation to write this week. Perhaps it's because it marks the beginning of my 8th year of blogging, a small milestone, so I'm taking time to pause and reflect.

Spring fever has my attention on daffodils in bloom and the lure of long coffee dates with friends. I'm feeling the same way I did in school in spring when I was trapped in a classroom staring out the window feeling restless and unable to focus, wanting to play hooky.

Blogging has changed so much since I started in 2009. What began as a fun hobby turned into a business, which I'm very thankful for since I love what I do. Over the years, the income stream has changed which is why bloggers (including myself) take on more sponsored posts. I do believe brand partnerships are a good thing if they make sense, are on message and mutually beneficial. But I'm also wary of turning off readers, it's a delicate tightrope to walk.

Social media changed the way we share information and where we spend our time online. Pinterest was so powerful when it came on the scene (still is) and then came Instagram. I wonder what's next and whether I'll be able to keep up and I confess I get mentally exhausted at the idea of even trying. I've never been one to chase followers or likes because it doesn't feel authentic to me to do that, but it's undeniable that social media is powerful and bigger followings earn you the coveted title of "influencer" which leads to greater opportunities.

Despite that pull, I've chosen at times to be purposefully absent from social media. Changing algorithms on Pinterest and Facebook made followings less impactful since posts don't equal views anymore, so I question whether and how much time to spend there at all. More importantly I've found that choosing absence opens up wider pockets of time that I'm able to fill with more productive work or meaningful experiences.

It's nice to receive accolades, to be recognized for your work and to be featured, that type of exposure is an honor and can lead to greater opportunities, it has value. But in a society with a 24 hour news cycle where people move on quickly to the next best thing, I don't think it's worth killing yourself or sacrificing what brings you serenity to chase online fame and fortune. For me, contributing my verse to the play is enough.

Choosing periods of absence online helps me appreciate so much more the simple pleasures found in my personal life that come from that ray of sunshine through the window and my real human connections.

I'm curious of your thoughts on social media and the time spent online in your personal life, do you find yourself spending too many hours checking in online, or instead choosing absence? If, so how has it affected you?

.

Common Ways To Ruin Your Wooden Flooring

Wood is a classic choice for floors - it is timeless and it never fails to enhance a room. This type of flooring is also eco-friendly because it is made of natural materials and it lasts for decades if maintained the right way. But what keeps wooden floors in good shape and what could ruin them?

Know how to take care of your floors

There are many ways you could be ruining your floors without even knowing it. Simple things you do that you might have thought were harmless could be detrimental to the beauty and durability of your wooden floors. Here, we take a look at some of the most common mistakes homeowners make when it comes to maintaining their flooring.

1. Have some protection...

Not having a doormat, allows small bits of debris found under your shoes to rub against the wood as you walk around indoors.

2...but use it correctly

However, rugs or carpets, like door mats, are also something that can damage your floor if not laid correctly. Some homeowners opt for tacks, which obviously damages floors, while others use double-sided tape, which could pull away the top protective layer of the floor.

3. Using too hard a brush...

Ironic as it sounds, some cleaning methods could also be the reason why wooden floors are ruined. Using a broom with stiff bristles, for example, could be causing tiny scratches every single time you sweep. The damage won't be noticeable at first, until it builds up.

4...or too much water...

A mop is a great way to clean wooden floors but not if it is soaking wet because water could seep in, cause molds, and induce premature rotting.

5...or the wrong cleaning products

Another way you could be damaging your wooden floor is through the cleaning products you use, especially those that are wax-based. It could build up on the floor and weaken it as time goes by.

While everything above could ruin wooden floors, it does not mean you have to skip them all. They can still be used or done but with extra caution and strict conditions. Firstly, you should have a doormat at every door leading outside if possible. When it comes to carpets, choose a soft material that is heavy enough to stay in place without tacks or tape. Buy a broom with gentle bristles and make sure the cleaning products you buy are appropriate and suitable for the type of floor you have. Last but not the least, clean with a damp, not soaking wet, floor mop and make sure to dry your floor as soon as possible.

Wooden floors may seem to require high maintenance but they are actually easy to manage. It is, however, important to know your floor well to prevent doing anything that could cause damage to it. If you find minor scratches or dirt, deal with it immediately before it gets worse. Not only will you be saving yourself from the stress caused by more complicated fixes, you also save yourself some hard-earned money and precious time.

Celebrity Homes: Marisa Tomei's Manhattan Apartment

Academy Award winning actress, Marisa Tomei seems as fun and quirky off screen as she can be on screen. Her apartment is located Greenwich Village in Manhattan and is made up of an eclectic mix of vintage furniture and decor. Her passion and talent for shopping flea markets, eBay, and live auctions shows in the beautiful selection of pieces she is able to score. She told Elle Decor that "After working long hours on a set, I like to see pretty things. It helps me to wind down."

Marisa Tomei's Manhattan Apartment

She was able to purchase her neighbors apartment and annex it with hers to create a large, expansive home. While she did most of the furnishing and decorating herself, she hired an interior decorator to put the finishing touches. Here are some of our favorite areas.

Photo Credit: Pop Sugar / Elle Decor

Dining Room

Even though this is just a small corner in the apartment its our favorite spot. We are obsessed with the funky chandelier. Surprisingly the mix of soft and sharp edges adds the finishing touch to a cozy dining space. We also can't get enough of the windows in this corner with what we're sure are to-die-for Manhattan views!

Photo Credit: Elle Decor

The Kitchen

The kitchen is beautiful and clean looking with the crisp white cabinets and wall tiles paired with stainless steel appliances. We love the pops of color found in the dishes and the wrought iron garden chairs at the kitchen table.

Photo Credit: Elle Decor

The Living Room

The living room is where you get a real feel for Marisa's eye for vintage finds. The interior designer chose neutral color scheme in the walls and a white marbled fireplace to create the perfect backdrop for Marisa's furniture and decor.

While both sides have the same rug as a base, one side of living room feels more cozy and casual due to the comfortable looking curved sofa (in a fun textile print) and inviting floor pillows. The other side has a more formal, elegant feel. We love the gorgeous Brazilian rosewood chairs and yellow stools paired with the off-white sofa and chairs.

Do you love Marisa's cozy apartment filled with her eclectic vintage decor as much as we do? Follow her on Twitter if you want to know more about her.

See More Celebrity Homes:

• Celebrity Homes: Brooke Shields' Long Island Cottage


• Celebrity Homes: Ben McKenzie's Hollywood Home


• Celebrity Homes: Ellen DeGeneres's California Ranch Home

The post Celebrity Homes: Marisa Tomei's Manhattan Apartment appeared first on Passion for Home - Bestlaminate Blog.

MUST-HAVE: New Products From Wood-Mode's 2016 Collection!

Cabinetry by Wood-Mode, Photographer: Tori Aston, Images courtesy of Modenus

Stopping at the Wood-Mode booth at KBIS is always a treat.

I have a thing for beautiful cabinetry. I love when cabinets appear all sleek and streamlined on a project, then opening up to gorgeous custom storage.

Wood-Mode delivers just that.

They introduced several new wood finishes at KBIS this year. (Yes, wood-finish cabinetry was seen all over. I think that's a trend, even though I do love a painted cabinet!)

I'm sure the sand blasted w/distressing, rift-cut white oak cabinet finish (featured below) will be so popular.. This greige look blends so well with today's current styles. They've highlighted the grain a bit with a graphite glaze wiped into the grain of the wood and then combined it with a polished stainless. The days of appreciating beautiful woods are back.

Cabinets by Wood-Mode, Photographer: Tori Aston, Image courtesy: Modenus

Cabinets by Wood-Mode, Photographer: Tori Aston, Image courtesy: Modenus

Cabinets by Wood-Mode, Photographer: Tori Aston, Image courtesy: Modenus

Cabinets by Wood-Mode, Photographer: Tori Aston, Image courtesy: Modenus

Don't know what rift cut oak is? I've done an explanation HERE.

Just look at these beautiful wood finishes provided by Wood-Mode. These are rift cut oak and quarter sawn oak. The rift cut has the very tight grain.

Wood door samples by Wood-Mode, Photographer: Tori Aston, Image Courtesy: Modenus

Wood door samples by Wood-Mode, Photographer: Tori Aston, Image Courtesy: Modenus

I love the way they max out storage possibilities.

Cabinet and drawer storage by Wood-Mode, Photo: Tori Aston, Image courtesy: Modenus

Cabinet and drawer storage by Wood-Mode, Photo by Tori Aston, Image courtesy: Modenus

Cabinet and drawer storage by Wood-Mode, Photo by Tori Aston, Image courtesy: Modenus

Cabinet and drawer storage by Wood-Mode, Photo by Tori Aston, Image courtesy: Modenus

The new Wood-Mode Tiffany Recessed inset door is featured in this piece, below, with premium weathered wood and the natural beauty of glass and leather. The custom bonnet pediment and arch doors make this a beautiful cabinet for displaying your prize dishes.

Wood-Mode Tiffany recessed inset door, Photo by Tori Aston, Image courtesy: Modenus

There was a unique cabinet, shown below, installed at the booth: a cigar bar with some specific storage solutions and a beautiful ribbon mahogany wood finish, inside and out. Now that's what I call masculine design.

Cigar bar in ribbon mahogany by Wood-Mode, Photo by Tori Aston, Img courtesy: Modenus

I love all the special and unobtrusive ways they light their cabinetry.

Cigar bar by Wood-Mode, Photographer: Tori Aston, Image courtesy: Modenus

Check out the wood panel fitted in front of the sink below, to hide the unfinished look below the countertop.

Cigar bar by Wood-Mode, Photographer: Tori Aston, Image courtesy: Modenus

Cigar bar by Wood-Mode, Photographer: Tori Aston, Image courtesy: Modenus

Are you looking for specific storage capabilities and durable, exquisite finishes?

Wood-Mode has just what you need. ;-)

*Wood-Mode 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.

DIY Fabric Floor Mat

For the longest time I had a cotton stripe runner from Dash & Albert under my sink, over the years it got soiled so I need to have it cleaned. Meanwhile I was looking for something vibrant and colorful, I thought of just buying another rug but instead opted to sew a fabric floor mat with some outdoor fabric I spied on sale at Joann Fabrics.

I used a yoga mat as an insert to make the floor mat thicker and softer underfoot and I love the fun palm print with a tropical vibe, it's a much welcome color injection in my kitchen in my favorite shades of blue and green.

To make a fabric floor mat, all you need is 1 1/2 to 2 yards of canvas or outdoor fabric (the length depends on if you want a runner size or something smaller), thread, and an inexpensive thin yoga mat to fit inside.

I found my yoga mat at HomeGoods for $10, you can also find them at sporting goods stores, or sometimes Walmart or Target or online at Amazon. The fabric I chose is a stain and water resistant outdoor fabric in a fun palm print. (It's a new Richloom Solarium print but I can't find it on the Solarium website so I don't know the name.)

The process for making the floor mat is the same as sewing these easy envelope pillow covers - you create it with one long strip of fabric, you're basically sewing one big envelope to cover the yoga mat. Trim your yoga mat to the size you want your floor mat to be, leave it long for a runner size or trim it shorter like I did to make it smaller.

With a sewing machine, fold over and hem the edges of the long side that will wrap around the mat and form the envelope opening: the A side of the fabric.

Next, flip the fabric inside out and overlap the A sides to form an inside out envelope.

Lay the yoga mat insert on top of the inside out envelope to make sure the width and length of the mat will fit inside the floor mat.

Pin the overlapping A sides together (inside out), this is where you will sew the B sides together to create the envelope.

Once you've sewn both the B sides together, flip it right side out and insert the yoga mat like you'd fill a duvet cover, tucking the corners of the yoga mat into the fabric envelope.

I used a safety pin to keep the flap closed so it doesn't move out of place on the floor.

To avoid slippage, add a piece of masking tape to each corner underneath to hold it in place in front of the sink.

The yoga mat insert softens the mat for those hours spent standing on it, and the tape helps keep the fabric mat in place.

The good news is the mat is completely washable, when soiled after a few weeks simply toss the fabric cover into the washing machine on a gentle cycle then put it back in place!

Choose any fabric you like to make your own floor mat, I recommend washable canvas or outdoor fabrics that are moisture, stain, and fade resistant.

.

Reasons to Choose Reward Hardwood Flooring

Quality Hardwood Flooring Manufacturer

The reason Reward Hardwood Flooring continues to rank among the top 10 distributors nationwide is because of its commitment to produce a rich line of products unsurpassed in quality, beauty and value in an ethical manner.

This hardwood flooring manufacturer is the oldest floor distributor in Southern California and creates exceptional products out of both domestic and exotic species.

Reasons We Love Reward Hardwood Flooring

What do we love about Reward Hardwood Flooring? One big benefit is the company's commitment to sustainability. It partners with the Arbor Day Foundation to plant a tree for each hardwood floor sold. Customers even receive a card representing the tree planted on behalf of their new floor.

Reward is also proud to promote sustainable forest management and ethical harvesting of the wood it uses in its manufacturing process. It considers this raw material the world's most environmentally-friendly flooring substance.

Additionally, it strongly supports and complies with all industry regulations including:

• The Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (Lacey Act amendment), which contains anti-trafficking protections to prevent imports of illegally harvested logs and timber


• California's Airborne Toxic Control Measure to Reduce Formaldehyde Emissions from Composite Wood Products, which guards against unsafe formaldehyde emissions (or VOCs) in wood products

Multiple Flooring Options

Reward's entire line is selected for natural beauty and performance. Its factory finishing creates an added level of durability to the floor's surface, which is not available in site-finished flooring. To finish off the look in your home, each collection is available with coordinating trim.

We also love that Reward Hardwood Flooring is available in a wide range of styles, species, colors, textures, widths and prices. They use various techniques to give floors character and beauty, including hand scraping, distressing, French bleeding (darkening the edges of each plank), beveled edges, worm holes and chatter marks (horizontal indentations).

In addition to hardwood flooring, Reward also offers bamboo and cork products that still adhere to National Wood Flooring Association manufacturing guidelines. No matter what type of flooring you want in your home, chances are Reward Hardwood Flooring can help.

Looking for flooring on the darker side? The Balboa, Heirloom, North Coast, Reflections and Savannah Classics collections all offer a deep tone, but the wood grains keep the floor from looking lifeless and black.

How about a rich brown? The Boca Birch, Camino, Crown, Grand Yukon, Napa and Reflections Collections have warm hues that add a luscious character to the room.

When it comes to more of a tan, the Birch, Elements, Forge, Granada and Bamboo Collections offer subtle but unique variations. For an almost white look, check out the Castle, Dura Cork and Provence Collections.

This wide range of products ensures you can create any type of environment you can think of, from warm and rustic to sleek and contemporary.

Hardwood Flooring for the Home and Office

In addition to being perfect in the home, Reward Hardwood Flooring products are ideal for commercial applications as well.

With its own quality control technicians who work at the factory to inspect each shipment, Reward adds a level of diligence that sets it apart in the industry. Plus, your investment is backed by a lifetime warranty and the strength of 70 years in the flooring business.

Hardwood floors also make a great choice for any workplace because dust and other allergens don't settle on wood like they do on other choices, such as carpet. And cleaning is a breeze as they are very easy to sweep or dust mop.

Solid Warranties on Flooring Products

Reward Hardwood Flooring is known for the high quality of its hardwood floors as well. It even offers numerous limited warranties, including residential finish, light commercial finish and lifetime structural on all of its products. If Reward products should ever warp, cup, buckle or delaminate due to a manufacturing defect, notify the dealer, retailer or contractor from which the product was purchased to coordinate the removal and replacement of the defective board or boards. For full details on the Reward warranty, click here.

Want to know more about Reward Hardwood Flooring? Visit its website or ask one of our experts next time you stop by the San Jose Hardwood Floors showroom!

Quality Hardwood Flooring Manufacturer

The reason Reward Hardwood Flooring continues to rank among the top 10 distributors nationwide is because of its commitment to produce a rich line of products unsurpassed in quality, beauty and value in an ethical manner.

This hardwood flooring manufacturer is the oldest floor distributor in Southern California and creates exceptional products out of both domestic and exotic species.

Reasons We Love Reward Hardwood Flooring

What do we love about Reward Hardwood Flooring? One big benefit is the company's commitment to sustainability. It partners with the Arbor Day Foundation to plant a tree for each hardwood floor sold. Customers even receive a card representing the tree planted on behalf of their new floor.

Reward is also proud to promote sustainable forest management and ethical harvesting of the wood it uses in its manufacturing process. It considers this raw material the world's most environmentally-friendly flooring substance.

Additionally, it strongly supports and complies with all industry regulations including:

? The Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (Lacey Act amendment), which contains anti-trafficking protections to prevent imports of illegally harvested logs and timber

? California's Airborne Toxic Control Measure to Reduce Formaldehyde Emissions from Composite Wood Products, which guards against unsafe formaldehyde emissions (or VOCs) in wood products

Multiple Flooring Options

Reward's entire line is selected for natural beauty and performance. Its factory finishing creates an added level of durability to the floor's surface, which is not available in site-finished flooring. To finish off the look in your home, each collection is available with coordinating trim.

We also love that Reward Hardwood Flooring is available in a wide range of styles, species, colors, textures, widths and prices. They use various techniques to give floors character and beauty, including hand scraping, distressing, French bleeding (darkening the edges of each plank), beveled edges, worm holes and chatter marks (horizontal indentations).

In addition to hardwood flooring, Reward also offers bamboo and cork products that still adhere to National Wood Flooring Association manufacturing guidelines. No matter what type of flooring you want in your home, chances are Reward Hardwood Flooring can help.

Looking for flooring on the darker side? The Balboa, Heirloom, North Coast, Reflections and Savannah Classics collections all offer a deep tone, but the wood grains keep the floor from looking lifeless and black.

How about a rich brown? The Boca Birch, Camino, Crown, Grand Yukon, Napa and Reflections Collections have warm hues that add a luscious character to the room.

When it comes to more of a tan, the Birch, Elements, Forge, Granada and Bamboo Collections offer subtle but unique variations. For an almost white look, check out the Castle, Dura Cork and Provence Collections.

This wide range of products ensures you can create any type of environment you can think of, from warm and rustic to sleek and contemporary.

Hardwood Flooring for the Home and Office

In addition to being perfect in the home, Reward Hardwood Flooring products are ideal for commercial applications as well.

With its own quality control technicians who work at the factory to inspect each shipment, Reward adds a level of diligence that sets it apart in the industry. Plus, your investment is backed by a lifetime warranty and the strength of 70 years in the flooring business.

Hardwood floors also make a great choice for any workplace because dust and other allergens don't settle on wood like they do on other choices, such as carpet. And cleaning is a breeze as they are very easy to sweep or dust mop.

Solid Warranties on Flooring Products

Reward Hardwood Flooring is known for the high quality of its hardwood floors as well. It even offers numerous limited warranties, including residential finish, light commercial finish and lifetime structural on all of its products. If Reward products should ever warp, cup, buckle or delaminate due to a manufacturing defect, notify the dealer, retailer or contractor from which the product was purchased to coordinate the removal and replacement of the defective board or boards. For full details on the Reward warranty, click here.

Want to know more about Reward Hardwood Flooring? Visit its website or ask one of our experts next time you stop by the San Jose Hardwood Floors showroom!

Craft Room Table Using Laminate Flooring

While adding some projects to our Pinterest board, I came across one awesome use of laminate flooring that we just had to share! Laminate is so versatile and can be used for a range of projects - desks, table tops, accent walls, etc.

All Things Heart and Home was looking for the perfect craft table. One that was durable, had lots of storage, and of course, matched her decor! She decided to take matters into her own hands and build her own! Using cabinets and plywood, she chose a Pergo laminate to finish the table off and painted the edges and cabinets to match with a beautiful Behr paint. You can find all of the details for her make-over on her blog!

The Full View of her Craft Room

We're loving her colors and accents! The bright, playful colors really allows creativity to thrive in this space.

The Details

A laminate table top is perfect for a craft room - no need to worry about making stains or scratches. Laminate is durable enough to stand up to wine spills and dog nails, so exacto knifes and permanent markers are no problem here!

Shabby Chic, Coastal Feel

We love the laminate she chose for the project! It really ties the room together and gives you a stunning accent piece! In this picture, you may notice that the joints are not staggered here like a traditional flooring installation. Since this is a table-top and not a floor, where it will get constant wear, not staggering the joints poses no problems to the function!

A special thank you to Robin of All Things Heart and Home for allowing us to share her project with you! She has a host of great ideas, so be sure to check out her page!

Are you loving this idea? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!!

We Think You'll Love these Laminate Ideas:

• Laminate Flooring Welcome Sign


• Laminate Serving Tray


• Laminate Flooring Coat Hanger

The post Craft Room Table Using Laminate Flooring appeared first on Passion for Home - Bestlaminate Blog.