Bathroom wall ideas..

In the earlier days, the bathroom was considered to be a strictly utility driven place and hardly any effort was put into designing this space. If any attention was paid to designing the bathroom, It was only to the bathroom fittings and sometimes the bathroom flooring. However, times have changed and people now want to focus on getting each and every area of the bathroom right. Bathroom walls have been the focus of attention in the modern times. Unlike earlier days, when some drab looking paint was coated on the walls, people are now more open to experiment with their bathroom walls.

Bathroom walls Tiles

Bathroom walls can be created into a master-piece with the use of a bathroom wall tiles. A bathroom wall tile can really augment the appearance of the bathroom area and give it a refreshing appeal. When it comes to choosing the bathroom wall tiles, there are two types of tiles to choose from. One is the porous bathroom wall tile and the other is the non-porous bathroom wall tile. For the bathroom, it is always advised to opt for the non-porous wall tile. Remember that the bathroom wall tile is not just important from the aesthetic point of view but it also serves a functional purpose. A bathroom wall tile will protect your bathroom walls from unnecessary damage caused due to moisture or leakage. The bathroom wall tile can be placed anywhere in the bathroom. You can place it over shower stalls, shower heads, countertops and also bathroom vanities.

When it comes to choosing the bathroom wall tiles, ceramic is the most favoured material. Ceramic tiles for the bathroom walls are considered suitable because they can be fired and glazed to take any design, shape and colour. Ceramic tiles are also simple to clean and are resistant to moisture. One disadvantage of ceramic tiles is that they are prone to developing cracks easily.

Types of marble tiles for your flooring

Interior designing has come a long way from what it used to be in the earlier days. Today, people like to pay attention to every nook and corner while designing their home. Everything from flooring, painting, furnishings and upholstery is decided upon carefully. Out of these, flooring is an integral part of any interior designing task. When you look to have new flooring for your floor, there are a variety of options to choose from. However, marble tiles remain an undisputed choice among many home-owners alike. Marble, as a stone was used in the ancient times to build temples and huge monuments. The popularity of marble has not declined since and it still continues to remain those tiling material which is very high in demand.

Types of marble tiles

Marble tiles are made from any of the three types of marble. They are tumbled marble, black marble and white marble. Marble tiles made from tumbled marble are known to be extremely durable and lend your room a raw and a rustic feel. Tumbled marble tiles do not have a specific pattern in their design and it is this randomness which adds a unique appeal to them. White marble tiles are another common type of tiles used in many homes. A lot of home-owners opt for white marble tiles as it gives your room a sense of clarity and gives a clean appearance that no other tiles will give. Black marble tiles are also equally popular. Black marble has its own charm unmatched by any other type of tiles. A fact to note is that black marble tiles are as popular as white marble tiles.

Marbonite tiles

Marbonite is a leading and trusted name in marble tiles. Marbonite tiles do not just have the charm and the appeal of marble stone but are also blessed with latest technology while manufacturing them.

Selecting right floor tiles

When you look forward to purchase floor tiles, there are lot of options to choose from. Floor tiles can be chosen on various occasions. You can opt for floor when you are moving into your new home or simply when you want to re-decorate your present home. You may feel excited to know that there are hosts of designs and patterns for floor tiles. However, such a wide range also makes you susceptible to making mistakes while choosing right floor tiles for your home.

As a wrong choice of floor tiles for the home can prove to be disastrous, it is very important that you select the right type of floor tiles. You need to consider different factors before purchasing floor tiles. If you do proper research before buying the tiles, you can ensure that your floor gets the best material at affordable rates. The first factor to consider while selecting floor tiles is to determine what flooring option will suit your floor the best. For some places, cool ceramic floor tiles will be a good option while for others, timber flooring will work wonders. You need to form a rough sketch in your mind and try to gauge what type of floor tiles will be apt for your floors. Do not go for other’s advice as it is your home that you want to decorate and thus, you need to follow your instincts while doing it up.

While selecting floor tiles for your home, you can read up on décor magazines and also follow up on décor brochures and catalogues. The more information you arm yourself with, the better chance of making a right decision. You also have to decide what size and shape you want your floor tiles to be in. This should be decided in relation to the area of the flooring to be covered. Well known tile manufacturer- Marbonite Tiles will provide you with the latest designs coupled with different features.

Taking care of marble and vitrified tiles

Marble tiles and vitrified tiles are known to give a sleek and polished look to your home. Both these tiles are similar in many ways but the cleaning and maintenance procedure is as different as chalk and cheese. To know more how to clean each of these tiles read further.


Marble tiles

Marble tiles are made from marble, which is a metamorphic rock. As it is a natural stone, it has a porous surface. Being porous, it needs sealing on regular intervals. Sealing can be done using an impregnating sealer. The sealing should be done without leaving any gaps, especially in wet areas where the marble is fixed. It is alright to clean the marble tiles with mild detergents and stone cleansers. However, use of harsh solvents should be avoided. It is also required that the marble be kept dry at all times, especially in regions where it is exposed to a lot of moisture, like in bathroom and kitchen.

Vitrified tiles

Vitrified tiles are a nice option in places where there is lot of foot traffic. As they are designed to handle rough movement, they are an ideal option in commercial spaces. What makes vitrified tiles stand out is their low water absorption rate. As they do not absorb the liquid, they do not catch stains easily and thus are resistant against any type of spills. Another reason that makes them apt for high traffic areas is that they are scratch resistant and do not develop scuffs and marks. There are no particular restrictions on cleaning vitrified tiles. Any good detergent can be used to clean vitrified tiles. There is also no strict procedure to follow while cleaning them. The process adopted can be as per the home-owner’s convenience.

Designing the attic space..

The attic is a place which is usually used to store spare things and other goods. In the past decades, not much thought had been given to designing the attic space. The attic was considered as a dusty, hot and even sometimes as a spooky space to visit. However, times have changed and people now pay a great deal of attention while designing the attic.
The attic can be designed depending on the overall design of the house. If your attic is a relatively larger space, then this bonus room can also double up as a guest room or an extra bedroom. The attic if well designed, presents a wonderful living space to the members of the house. With the right remodelling going into the attic, this place can be spruced up to turn into a home-office, additional bedroom or just a place to chill and relax. Once you become aware of the various designs you can plan with your attic, designing the attic becomes a more rational idea.

Home layout

Before you decide to convert any space in your home into an attic, you need to first consider whether the architectural layout of your home will allow for a separate attic space. You can refer various interior designing books to know more about the requirements of an attic. Once you get an approval to create an attic, you can then proceed with ideating the design for the attic. One of the major criterions for an attic is that it should have enough space for head clearance. If the attic is too cramped, then you will keep dashing your head on the roof of the attic. Apart from this, you also need to select the right flooring for your attic.

Marble stone- the best choice for flooring

Marble floor tiles have long been a preferred choice of flooring for many home-owners around the world. Marble floor tiles are as popular as they offer host of features and advantages. As they offer innumerable benefits, marble tiles remain the first choice when it comes to designing the flooring. Marble floor tiles have an incredibly amazing texture coupled with beautiful appearance and this is a primary reason why marble is the most sought-after stone in the construction space. Marble as a stone can be used as both wall tiles and floor tiles. Wherever they are used, marble tiles give your home a sophisticated feel and classy appeal.

Ancient use

If you think that marble as a stone has gained popularity only in the recent times, then you are probably wrong. Marble is a naturally occurring stone and its use can be dated back to centuries when it was used to carve sculptures and temples and was an important part of any construction process. The Taj Mahal, one of the world’s seven wonders, is a magnificent example of pure marble construction. We all love to see this eternal piece of love crafted in marble.

Residential and commercial use

In the present times, the use of marble has soared and as the demand for the marble increases, so does the number of suppliers. The use of marble for floor tiles and wall tiles is not restricted to just residential spaces. Marble stone is also used to adorn office spaces and other commercial establishments. As the competition has increased, there has been an improvement in the quality of marble supplied. Marble tiles also come in different colours like green, white, pink and red.

Laying kitchen tiles

The kitchen is a place where you prepare food for the whole family. Naturally, you spend a lot of time in the kitchen. Keeping this in mind, your kitchen space should be designed accordingly. While designing the kitchen, the flooring needs to be given special attention as it is a fundamental part. You may spill sauces or other liquids on the kitchen floor. The last thing you want is your kitchen floors to catch the stains. You can be relived to know that there are a lot of options while designing the floor of your kitchen. Slate, marble and granite are just some of the types of floors you can have for your kitchen. In each of the types, there are lot of choices when it comes to patterns, shapes and sizes. Ceramic and porcelain tiles are a preferred choice of tiles among many.

Patterns for laying tiles

There are different patterns in which you can lay your kitchen tiles. The basic pattern is to lay the tiles one below another where all the tiles are in a parallel line. This creates a neat and a decent look for the kitchen. Another pattern is the ‘on point’ pattern. In this pattern, the tiles on the edge are cut into half on the diagonal side. This creates a diamond like pattern for the floors. Apart from these two patterns, there are many more patterns with which you can experiment. As the saying goes, the sky is the limit, when it comes to selecting patterns for the flooring of your kitchen.

Learn more about marble ston

We all like to have flooring that looks beautiful and pleasing. If you are looking to revamp your floors, then you will surely not fall sort of options. There are varieties of types of floors to choose from. However, one type of floors that has stood the test of times has been the marble flooring.



Marble – an everlasting stone

Today, we see marble floors in almost every second home or a commercial premise. Apart from being used in residential and commercial spaces, marble floors are also seen in historic buildings like palaces and temples. This goes to prove that marble has been in use since ages. Palaces and temples designed in marble are a perfect example of natural beauty. Marble has been used in historical structures as it is known for its durability. Age –old structures made out of marble old still stand erect, exhibiting the sheer power and beauty of marble stone.

Creation of marble

Marble as a stone, is naturally occurring in the nature. This natural stone is subjected to high pressure and temperature beneath the earth’s crust. Marble tiles are created by fusing different materials together under harsh conditions. It is important that the marble tiles are subjected to such harsh conditions as through this procedure, they attain their durability, which is one of the notable features of marble stone. The marble stone is given different shapes and created in different sizes in the manufacturing unit. Then it is segregated into tiles for floors and walls. A thorough check is done on the tiles and if there are any cracks, they are healed by pigmented resins.

Redesigning your home- First steps to be taken

You may have got the top interior designer to design your home few years back, but after a few years, the boredom sets in and you want something new. Whether you are bored of the current design or you are simply moving into a new home, home remodeling need to done carefully.
Apart from designing your home, you may also want to spruce up the garden area and put in a new lot of plants and shrubs. Inside the home, you may be confused as to which areas of the home need redesigning. Whether it is the kitchen that needs a new look or whether the bathroom is in need of a makeover. You may feel weighed down at the thought of redesigning your home. But you should have patience and let the work take its course before you decide to stop it or change its direction. No doubt the task can be a daunting one but if you have a specific plan to proceed with, then things will surely fall into place.

Wiring and plumbing

Before you start the work of redesigning your home, you need to first ensure that all plumbing and wiring work is done properly. The last thing you want is broken wires or loose connections after you have remodeled your home. Once you are done with all wiring and plumbing work, you can allow the workers to proceed with home decoration work. Once you are done with electrical work, make the workers to get rid of the old, chipped paint from the walls and also remove the old, broken furniture from your home. Ensure you choose a reliable contractor who knows the job well. Once you are done with all the small and basic things, you can then proceed with the main tasks at hand.

Know more about ceramic tiles...

Ceramic tiles are a great option if you are looking to change your flooring and want to have something new and novel. Ceramic tiles offer a lot of benefits.

Essentially, ceramic tiles are made up of porcelain or clay and then subjected to high temperature with coloured glass that gives the tile its unique look. While installing ceramic tiles, an adhesive is applied and then set and grout is placed between tiles which make the surface of the tiles solid and smooth.

Sizes

Ceramic tiles come in different sizes and shapes . In the recent times, people prefer tiles of bigger sizes as they help to make the room appear bigger in size.

Different colours

If you are wondering what are the various colour options you have in ceramic tiles there you will be surprised to know that there are almost infinite colour options when it comes to ceramic tiles. After a ceramic tile is produced, the colouring takes place. Colouring is done by filling in dye particles that contain not more than 10 % of a variation in colour. This helps to give the ceramic tiles a consistent look. Though the colours are designed to give a uniform look, they are not the repeated on the other tiles. Some slight variation is always present which adds to the charm of ceramic tiles. People now like to play with colours and hence opt for contrasting colours while choosing ceramic tiles. Many people like to create patterns with their floor and wall tiles and opt for complementary or contrasting colours while choosing ceramic tiles for their homes.

Designing your living room on a shoe-string budget

The living room is a place where the entire family gathers for a casual chat after a hard day at work. Guests and visitors who come visiting your house first glance at the living room. Thus, it comes as no surprise that a lot of thought and planning has to go in designing the living room area. While designing your living room, you need to be flexible with your budgets. However, do not lose heart even if you do not have enough funds to spend. There are many ways to spruce up your living room with a small budget. You should know how to proceed the right way using a small budget. Even with limited budgets, you can turn your non-descript living room into a stylish and cosy place.

Accessories

The first thing you need to concentrate on is the accessories for your living room. The market is buzzing with expensive accessories for the living room but due to budget constraints, you need to stay away from them. Some common accessories for the living room include armchairs, sofas, tables and wall units. Look around in local interior decor shops to find chic looking yet affordable accessories. If you wish to design your living room in a neutral colour scheme, then you can also opt for cheap rugs or a painting that could transform the look of your room in no time. If you plan to design your living room in a specific colour scheme, then you can use contrasting colours for your accessories and give your living room a bold appearance.
Another important thing to remember while designing your living room on a price-sensitive budget is to keep the accessories at minimum. The more you es, the more you will have to spend. Besides, keeping minimum accessories in the living room also creates a clutter free look. It also helps to make the living room appear larger in area.

Designing your bedroom !!

Your bedroom is a place where you look for quality rest after a tiring day at work. Everything in the bedroom determines how comfortable you will feel while at rest. The bed is an all important accessory in the bedroom. A nice bed will be stylish to look and yet give you the much needed comfort. As per your convenience, you can opt for different types of beds like bunk beds, single beds and double beds. The mattresses available also vary like king sized mattress, queen sized mattress, double mattress, memory foam mattress and so on. For your comfort, the mattress length should be minimum six inches more than the length of the body. Mattresses should be carefully chosen as a wrong choice could mean you get deprived of quality sleep.


Bedroom flooring

The other thing that needs attention while designing a bedroom is the flooring. Flooring in any area of the room should complement the overall decor of the house. The choice of flooring also depends on the outside climatic conditions and the location of the house. As bedroom is a place to rest, flooring for the bedroom should be refreshing and at the same time should be nice to look at. Style and comfort are two factors that need to be taken into consideration while choosing the flooring for bedroom. Apart from lending aesthetic beauty to the room, the flooring should create a soothing atmosphere and a positive ambience. Bedroom flooring should have an anti-skid surface and should be easy to clean. Unlike your living room, you would not be cleaning your bedroom flooring everyday and hence it should be dirt and dust-free.

Looking for flooring options? Marble floors may be the answer !!

In a world where aesthetics is given prime importance in decorating our homes, interior designers are constantly coming up with new and novel ideas to redesign homes. You may outwardly agree that looks do not matter, but at the end of the day, they do matter a lot and always come into picture while designing your home. You have always innately desired to own a home that resembles a palace in more ways than one. You also need to remember the fact that what looked beautiful in the past may no longer be so in the modern times. Styles change with seasons and your home design should ideally reflect the current trends.

Marble floors

However, one aspect about home decoration that has stood the test of the times is marble flooring. Marble floors not just score on the beauty aspect but are also a practical option as they are functional to use. If your floor tiles just look good but score zero on the rational aspect, then it makes no sense to install them. This applies not just to the tile, but also to any accessory that we wish to install in our homes. Practicality has to go hand in hand with aesthetic value.Their practicality

Marble floors are produced from a stone that is strong enough to withstand damages and minor accidents in the home. If there are small children or pets playing around in the home, then they might accidentally drop any hard item on the floor, thus damaging it. However, with marble floors, you can be sure about their safety as they will not get easily damaged or dented.

Marble floors- Ideal flooring option for your home

When choosing flooring materials, a lot of options flood our mind. However, each has their pros and cons. Some types of flooring are not meant to last long while some are touted as difficult to clean and maintain. There is also a perception about some types of flooring that they get damaged easily and should be avoided. Though these can be termed as pure myths, the reality about them does not escape either.

Marble flooring

One type of flooring that escapes all these negative perceptions is marble flooring. When we think of marble flooring, a pretty, serene picture comes into our minds. Marble flooring is all about pure white floors with sunny, Spanish styled interiors. Marble flooring is the most preferred flooring option in areas with hot climates. This is because marble is a cool stone and it helps to keep the room cool and pleasant. As such, marble floors have a huge market in hot climatic regions.

Age-less appeal

Marble floors have a unique appeal to them which lasts for a lifetime. Once you have installed marble flooring in your home, you do not have to worry about it losing its appeal as they have a timeless appeal, unmatched by all other types of flooring.

Unique graining pattern

Marble stone is characterised by a range of different patterns of veins running through the stone. These unique patterns lend a distinctive look to each marble tile and you will not find any two marble tiles that have the same graining pattern on them. This unique feature makes marble floors a preferred choice among many. With marble floors, you can create a unique look for your floors and at the same time do not have similar looking tiles.

Cleaning and maintaining your home decor

We all like to have a home that is nothing short of a palace for us. Right interiors can make this dream achievable. To create the right ambience and the feel, we need to select the right décor accessories for our home. Selecting these decor accessories may seem an easy task but it is not so easy. Even more difficult is the task of maintaining the decor of your home.

Proper care and cleaning is essential to maintain the ethereal look of your home decor. No one wants to see their home lose the style and feel it used to command some time back. We all like to retain the look of our home for as long as possible.

Right cleaning method

When cleaning and maintaining the look of our homes, it is essential that the right cleaning method is adopted. Sometimes, we may not have the right knowledge about cleaning a certain section of our home. If you have installed unique tiles for your floor, then you also need to clean them in the right manner. If you do not have sufficient knowledge as to how to clean the tiles, it is best to hire professional cleaners to do the work.

Why professional cleaners

Professional cleaners know their task very well and also are aware of what products to use on certain type of tiles and what products to avoid. If you use the wrong products to clean the tiles, you may end up damaging the tiles for ever. Hence, the right products need to be used to clean the tiles. There are also some home-based products like vinegar which are effective to clean floor tiles.

Wall tiles for home interiors

We all like to be showered with praises when it comes to our home interiors. As a home-maker, you spend considerable amount of time, money and effort in crafting that perfect look for your home. An integral part of home decor comprises the house walls. Many of us like to have different colours for the wall. But few of us have thought about tiling the walls.

You may not believe but tiles can add that extra zing to the walls. With diverse types of tiles available, you can really play around with the designs until you decide upon a particular one. If you are keen on having tiles for your walls, then you need to first go through the tile market to get a better understanding of the tiles available and the designs that are trending. You will also come to know the different styles and patterns of tiles available and which tiles are suitable for your type of home. You really do not have to peep at other’s houses to get an idea for designing the walls. The market is flooded with a range of tiles and you have a plethora of options to choose from. You can look for really good décor stuff if you pay a visit to your nearest interior décor store.

Before you decide on the wall tiles for different parts of your home, you should focus on your bathroom tiles and decide on the right type of tiles for the most visited area in the house. Bathroom tiles should be such that they add to the décor of the house and yet do not get stained or spoiled easily. Many people want a sophisticated look for their homes and do not hesitate to try out different bold colours of tiles for their homes.

With the various options available, you surely would not find it much difficult to decide on the tiles for your bedroom, living room, bathroom and the kitchen.

Home renovation advice

Home renovation in the modern times has been a much debated subject with different perspectives being added from different sections. If you are looking to renovate your home, you need to first decide upon a floor plan and then proceed ahead with the plan. While renovating your home, you want to make the best possible use of the available space keeping in mind the growing needs of your family. You need to have a design that complements your home and also adds to its market value. Home renovation is an easy solution if you wish to sell your house in near future and want a good amount out of it.


Home renovation queries

Before you take up home renovation, you need to get answers to a few questions. The first and foremost thing is to determine whether the home renovation plan that you have formulated is a rational one or not. If you want to create an additional bathroom in your bedroom, you need to have the right amount of space to include the bathroom. You also need to have a fixed budget in mind and then decide whether the perceived renovation fits into your budget. Another question you have to consider is whether you have any plans to shift to some other area in near future. If you have plans to relocate, then the home renovation plan will be completely futile. It is also important that you prepare a home renovation plan that is flexible enough. This is because you never know what alterations will be required in the home in the future and thus, your home renovation plan should be able to accommodate those changes.

Electrical wiring and switches

A very crucial thing to consider while renovating your home is taking care of the electrical wiring and switches located at different places. Before you make any alterations, you must take advice from the electrician on what changes can be incorporated. If your home renovation plan involves digging up the nearby area, then you should be extra careful to see that no underground utilities are damaged by the digging and no digging is done at the wrong places. If you are looking for energy efficient options for lighting, you can opt for solar lighters and heaters as they are extremely energy efficient.

How to enhance your home décor with floor tiles as the focal point (II)

Décor style

Apart from the colour and texture of your tiles, you also need to decide upon what style of décor you would like to have to for your room. You can opt for classic French décor or a contemporary English styled decor for the room. Remember that the décor of your room should effortlessly gel with the tiles.




Rugs

Rugs look extremely good on the floors. Circle or oval shaped rugs help to offset the sharp angles of tiles and give a unique look to the room.

Room lighting

You can use warm, indirect light fixtures to let the right amount of light come in. The lights you choose should be in sync with the overall decor of the room. If you are looking to put curtains, opt for lighter colours and thin materials as this will help to cut out any harsh shadows in the room reflecting on the tiles.

Furniture and upholstery

Opt for narrow, tall furniture pieces as this will aid in making the room appear taller. To minimize the effect of linear, sharp tiles, you can go for soft curves in your upholstery.