Flooring

These days Hardwood FlooFlooring is extremely popular as it is more convenient, easier to clean and it looks a lot more modern than carpet does. With carpet the constant vacuuming and the effort of trying to clean up spills is often tiring, whereas with hardwood floors it is nothing like that. All you need to do is a quick sweep, a little mop and use a little floor wax in order to keep it shining and looking brand new. It is certainly a lot easier than having a carpet!

Using Floor Wax

Wax is used on hardwood floors in order to keep it looking clean as well as providing it with a protective coating. Using it regularly will really help to stop the floor from ruining and it will also keep the wood healthy. Another good reason to use floor wax is because often with hardwood floors, if they get exposed to water they will expand and the wood will raise and become soft and ruined. The wax acts as a protective layer between the floor and the water and therefore it stops it from being soaked in and therefore it will not ruin the wood.

Obviously when you do apply the wax you will have to be careful as it does not give a look of a slippery surface for nothing! It is best to wear something on your feet which will grip the floor and prevent you from slipping once you have applied the wax. However, there is an advantage to the slippery factor and that is that the floor will be less prone to damage as things which hit it will simply slide off instead of making a dent.

The only downside to using floor wax is that as with many other things, the amount of wax can build up over time as you continue to periodically wax the floor. This will mean that you then have to spend money on a wax remover and you will need to research that thoroughly beforehand in order to prevent any damage to the floor from using the wrong type of product.

Overall however, floor wax is necessary if you want to keep your hardwood floors clean and protected for longer. It really will make a difference and it really does not take that long to do. As long as you research thoroughly beforehand you should be able to wax the floor easily and get the right products which you need in case of a wax build up.

A.Caxton
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/keep-your-hardwood-floors-clean-with-floor-wax-103737.html

Second only to the walls in terms of surface area, the flooring in your home offers a real opportunity to make a large scale style statement. Unlike walls however, flooring has the added task of standing up to a lot of wear and tear. Finding a good balance is crucial to successful flooring.

Carpeting is currently making a huge comeback. A decade of laminate flooring has left us all yearning for a little comfort and warmth underfoot. Most people ditched their carpet in an effort to toe the minimal line, but today this really is unnecessary as a modern clutter free finish can still be achieved with carpets. The trick is to opt for the pattern free variety. A biscuit or oatmeal coloured carpet will really blend well into a minimal setting whilst creating a warm ambience. Do not be afraid of warm colours when trying to achieve a contemporary look, clinical is not what you are looking for. Generally speaking, it is best to avoid cream or off-white carpets as no matter how careful you are, they will show up any mark- you want to be comfortable not tip toeing all over the sitting room. If you must have a really light carpet, restrict its use to the bedrooms where you are usually barefoot anyway and can also be sure guests won’t be traipsing in and out. If you have children or a dog, you can still enjoy the comfort of carpeting whilst retaining a modern look, simply choice a darker shade. Plum, aubergine, slate, burgundy or even black are all really up-to-the-minute shades that will allow for a few mishaps.

Wooden flooring is probably the favourite of British homeowners at the minute, and not without reason. A wooden floor really does add something indefinable to a space. It natural and comforting and brings a real sense of history and timelessness. Yet at the same time is still amongst the most contemporary and urban chic flooring opting on the market. Available in so many variations it is extremely versatile- a dark oak or mahogany floor will help create some classic British stateliness, whereas walnut or Bamboo creates a real youthful vibrancy. And it is not only the huge array of styles that makes a wooden floor so usable, it is also the unique blend of comfort and durability that means wood is possibly the only flooring material that can be used all over the house. Equally as at home in a light shade in the kitchen when paired up with simple trimmings like a cheap roller blind and chrome bar stools, as it is in a dark stain sitting under the ornate bay window curtains of a Georgian town house, wood really can do it all.

The final flooring must have for the home is tiling. Once restricted to the kitchen and the bathroom, the massive increase in tile variations over the last few years has meant they have began to pop up in less conventional places. This can only be a good thing as a lot of tiles on the market are far too beautiful to be hidden under the bathroom sink. A dark slate floor would provide the ultimate base to a chic minimal living room, and with it being a natural material, it actually won’t appear cold if paired with a big fluffy rug. Mosaic tiles are also a wonderful way to spice up a room. They are available in so many finishes and colours and create an amazing speckled effect on whatever surface they cover. A hallway is a really great place to experiment with tiling. Being the main thorough-fair in the home, it needs to have hard wearing Flooring. It is also not a room you spend a lot of time in, so you can afford to add a little more colour than you might in the sitting room.

Terry Henman
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/flooring-fundamentals-698478.html

Who says eco-friendly decorating can’t be stylish. We have some funky ideas that are both easy on the environment and the budget.

Perk Up Those Dining Room Chairs!

One of the easiest changes you can make to your dining room that ranks high on the “wow” factor, is to re-upholster your chairs. Check out your closet for coordinating sweaters you no longer wear, or visit your local thrift store.

1. Trim off the sleeves and neck until the fabric is slightly larger than the chair cushion.

2. Unscrew the seat cushions.

3. Cover with sweater and attach with a staple gun or upholstery tacks. Trim any excess fabric and reattach the cushion.

This is a great idea for those who like to change up their decorating for the seasons. In the spring you may want to replace the sweaters with a sunny floral motif.

Use Sustainable Wood

More and more wood products are becoming available created from bamboo. One of the fastest growing grasses in the world, items such as wood Flooring, salad utensils and cutting boards are made by harvesting its outer green layer, weaving the strands and drying them in a kiln. It doesn’t kill the plant, and will continue to grow well after harvesting.

Recycled Glass

Why not enjoy the fruits of your recycling efforts by purchasing dishes made from reused glass. Resembling tinted depression era crystal, these unique bowls and glasses have a slight green hue and are reasonably priced.

Hang Onto Your Candle Stubs!

That bag full of half burned candles you’ve been saving for a power outage can finally be put to good use. Get some old clay flower pots – the older and more rustic looking the better. Clean out the inside and cover the hole with a coin. Tie a wick made of cotton twine (or a ready made, store bought version) around a pencil, and hold it in place by laying it across the top of the pot. Melt all those candle stubs in a pot on low heat or in a double boiler. If you have trouble getting the wax out of the old containers, slip them in the freezer for a couple hours and then pop the candle out with a butter knife. Pour the melted wax into the flower pot, let set overnight and trim your wick to size. Add some essential oil to the melted wax to make a scented version.

Funky Tiered Tray

Don’t throw out all those mismatched plates and cups you’ve got hidden away in your closet – instead, use them to make a tiered dessert or hors d’oeuvre tray.

Choose three plates, one a little smaller than the other and two teacups. Start with the largest plate, and epoxy a teacup in the middle, applying glue to the rim at the top and bottom of the cup. Glue the next smallest plate on top of the teacup and so on – you get the idea. You may even top it off with an old glass ornament. Give your creation 24 hours for the epoxy to dry and then rinse.

This is so unique, your friends will be talking about it for weeks.

Leslie Eskildsen
http://www.articlesbase.com/interior-design-articles/eco-stylish-decorating-ideas-732468.html