Floortrendz: 2011

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Two home décor trends you will surely love to know


When it comes to home décor, people always look for décor trends that are currently popular with the home-owners. Home décor trends change every year and also sometimes from season to season. What décor trend may be in vogue in the current season will become old-fashioned in the coming few months. Or it can also be the opposite. What décor trends rules the interior scene few years ago can get back in action with most people vouching for the ‘retro’ décor trend. Here, we will look at a few décor trends that have become quite popular with the home-owners.


Look for natural inspiration
Getting inspired from anything natural when it comes to designing the home is much in vogue. Instead of looking at artificial sources for inspiration, people are now turning towards more natural forms to draw inspiration for their latest design for their home. Some of the common sources of inspiration are the wood, metal and many other elements that can be easily found in the nature. The nature itself has been a popular source of inspiration as the trend has been to go green and adopt more environment friendly procedures of home designing. People now look for gentle greens, earthy browns, brushed coppers, rustic silvers, golden yellows, sky blues and other nature-inspired shades to design their homes.

Look for contrasting colours
Instead of looking for similar colour patterns, you can look for contrasting colours. Remember that contrasting colours can complement each other in a beautiful way. However, you should be careful not to go too overboard with using bold colours against each other as this may make your house look too garish. You can also look for art pieces in different colours to enhance the design of your home.

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Two contrasting home décor styles



When it comes to choosing the style of interior décor for your home, you have a lot of options to choose from. Unlike the earlier days, when designing the home meant sticking to the conventional designs, the present day home-owner is flooded with choices when it comes to home designing. Apart from the main interior designing, you also have to decide on the end finishing touches for your home. The last finishing touches for your home will depend on just your budget but more on what kind of look you want for your home. Many people go by the popular interior décor designs projected in the lifestyle magazines and try to replicate the same for their homes. However, they do not realise that what design might look good for one type of home might not be suitable for some other type of home. If you want to know more of the various interior décor styles, read further.


Classic French décor
Classic French décor is characterised by elegant, beautiful and aesthetically pleasing designs that are sure to catch everyone’s attention. Classic French décor designs are such that they will be liked by both the male as well as the female members of the family. Classic French décor styles consist of neutral colours like beige and a lot of stone on the walls. 


Elegant and dramatic décor
Elegant dramatic décor is in total contrast to classic French décor. Elegant dramatic décor consists of intense colours and bold patterns used for designing the home. If you like to have a lot of colours and shades in your home, then this décor style is perfect for you. This home décor also includes use of patterned wallpapers along with a pre-dominant colour for your home. Apart from the pre-dominant colour, you can also use some feature colours for specific rooms or the stairways. 


Monday, October 24, 2011

Choosing the best industrial tiles for commercial space




Designing a commercial space is lot different from designing a residential space. A commercial space has many requirements and they all need to be considered when the space is being done. A residential space inhabits a few people so importance can be given to luxury rather than comfort and durability. However, a commercial space is where there will be a lot of people working at the same time, sometimes in extreme conditions. Hence, when choosing accessories for a commercial establishment, importance should be given to quality and durability.
Colours for a commercial space 
When doing up a commercial space, the colours to be used need to be well chosen. Colours are an important functional design element in any commercial establishment. Perceptions for any commercial space are based on the tones, pastels and choices of colours that are used.  Customers as well as staff form an opinion about the commercial space seeing the colours and shades. Apart from the colours used, what attracts attention is the flooring. The flooring is an important aspect when it comes to making an overall impression on clients and staff. It has been observed that most commercial space owners seem to be frustrated with their office flooring. This especially applies to the tired old coloured flooring which looks dull and inspiring to say the least. If you are looking for some modern and futuristic designs in industrial tiles, then Endura tiles is where you should be looking for.
Endura tiles 
Endura tiles are known for their innumerable properties like high load bearing capacity, anti-skid surface, anti-abrasion and also high compression strength. Apart from these, Endura tiles come in different patterns, colours, textures and designs. So, as a commercial space owner, you can choose your industrial tiles as per the office surroundings and environment. Industrial tiles from Endura are resistant to most acids and alkaline substances. 

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Want to make your home look spacious? Read on…




Though you may not be a lucky one to own a spacious penthouse or a 3BHK apartment, you should not lose heart. For, there are many options available when it comes to designing a small apartment. Below are some simple ideas to execute to make your small room spacious enough. 
Get rid of the trash from your room
There may be too many small things in your drawing room eating up a lot of floor space. What you can do is dump all the old antique pieces and other small things in a big box to dump them forever. Keeping them in the room will only make your room look cluttered. You need to sit down and decide what is absolutely essential that occupies a good amount of space in your room. Be specific about what you want in your room and get rid of all unwanted things. 
Avoid window treatments 
You may find those heavy window treatments as a pleasure to the eye but you have no idea how much space they end up occupying in your small room. Apart from the space that they occupy, they also block the outside light to an extent from entering your room. Instead of those bulky window treatments, you can opt for window shutters, blinds or shades. Blinds are a great option as they occupy little space and can give your room the desired look. One visit at the interior décor store and you will be amazed to see the different types of blinds available. If you are flexible with your budgets, then you can also opt for custom designed blinds that complement your home interiors. 
Wall paint
Though painting walls with bright and bold colours is an in thing, remember that bold colours only make your room small and cramped. Opt for lighter shades and hues and as far as possible, paint all the walls in the room in a single colour. If you wish to break the monotony, then opt for similar shades and hues. Lighter shades create a feeling of openness and an illusion of a spacious room. 

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Find the right tiles for your bedroom flooring



The bedroom is a place where you want the best of everything, be it the walls, the flooring or the furnishings. Most people stick to the conventional choices when it comes to decorating their bedroom. When it comes to doing up the bedroom floors, many of use tend to stick to laying out elaborate carpets on the floor. They will try every design and pattern of a carpet for their bedroom floor. Though there is nothing wrong in purchasing aesthetic looking carpets for your bedroom floor, you should also sometimes give a thought to get the best of bedroom tiles for your bedroom flooring. Bedroom tiles not just make the flooring look beautiful but if you purchase the right type of tiles, then they also help to keep the bacteria and germs away.



What are the different choices? 
When it comes to choosing the right material for your bedroom tiles, there are many options you have. Most people opt for marble tiles as they find it most appealing and durable. However, some people may not be too happy as marble for their bedroom tiles. Marble tiles cannot effectively keep all types of bacteria at bay. Some people may be allergic to some bacteria. So, it makes sense to find a good alternative to marble tiles. The best thing is to go for something different yet similar. The idea of having stone floors or travertine for your bedroom tiles seems perfect. Once you have a look at travertine and natural stone tiles, you will be convinced that these are the bedroom tiles that you had been looking for all this while. These bedroom tiles come with a lot of advantages. Travertine bedroom tiles are durable so you do not have to worry about replacing them frequently. They are low on maintenance and also easy to clean so you do not have to waste hours cleaning your bedroom tiles. Due to the inconsistencies in texture and colouring, no two travertine tiles will look the same. This is sure to give your bedroom flooring a unique look. 

Monday, October 3, 2011

Choosing right flooring design




The floor design that you select for your bathroom floors plays a major role in determining the overall look and feel of your bathroom. When it comes to choosing the flooring design, you have different options to choose from. When selecting the right floor design for your bathroom, you should not just concentrate on the looks but also on the longevity as you surely do not want to go through the headache of changing the floor design every year. The life span of the floor material plays a crucial role in deciding what type of floor you opt for your bathroom or any other area in the home.

Ideal flooring design 
When it comes to choosing the ideal flooring design, it always helps to have basic knowledge about different floor designs that are available in the market. You need to have sound knowledge of the various floor designs available in the market. This will help you make a right choice of flooring design suiting the theme and the design of the area. Some flooring materials will only be suitable for specific bathrooms while they may not be perfect choice for another type of bathrooms. So it becomes very important to select flooring material that complements the bathroom décor and theme.One of the popular and attractive options for bathroom flooring is hardwood flooring. If you wish to install hardwood flooring, then you need to be flexible with your budget as hardwood flooring is considered to be expensive compared to other types of flooring. When installing hardwood flooring, it is always recommended that that you fix it using a sealant. The sealant helps to make the hardwood flooring resistant and durable.

Monday, September 26, 2011

Going with the perfect home décor


Home décor may be a tricky thing to get into as getting the entire décor perfect can be quite challenging. All of us look for simple yet perfect home décor. Our homes are an extension of our personality. The way we design our homes speaks a lot about our tastes and preferences. The design that we select for our home summarizes how we are from inside. A common thing is many people are not completely aware of how to design their homes in a correct manner. They get swayed by pretty pictures in home décor magazines and blindly opt for a design without understanding its implications on the home. Some others are worried that home décor can be an expensive thing to do and stay away from it and continue with the same look for years and years.
If you are worrying about the high costs associated with home décor, then be assured as there are innumerable ways in which you can design your home with the latest designs and within your budget. Budget home décor is the talk of the day and many people opt for budget remodelling without compromising on the styles and designs that are trending in the market. You may me proceeding with a shoe string budget at hand but you can easily find a design and a theme in the home décor market that suits your budget and requirements. You need to put in some extra effort and visit the local home décor stores to find out what designs are currently trending and which are the affordable ones. This gives you an idea what things will match and what suits your home for a complete home decor.

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Floor tiles for your home- Benefits



We all are aware that interior decoration can be a confusing task at hand. Designing one’s homes takes a lot of time, money and effort. However, by following the right ways, you can save a lot of time and effort. While designing the home, the flooring needs special attention. A right type of flooring can accentuate your home décor while wrongly selected flooring will only make all your designing efforts go waste. 

As flooring is one of the main aspects related to home décor, it is necessary that you understand all the technical things related to flooring. When it comes to flooring, floor tiles are the best option you have. Though there are other types of flooring used by home-makers, floor tiles have remained a popular choice among the masses as they not just come in a variety of designs but also offer ease of cleaning. Home-owners want to absorb themselves in the task of home decoration and often like to do things all by themselves. Even if you have basic knowledge about DIY projects, you can install floor tiles all by yourselves. You can get professional looking floors without spending on masons and carpenters.  Floor tiles come in different materials like mamoleum, ceramic, porcelain and vinyl. However, out of these ceramic floor tiles are quite popular among home-owners.


Benefits of floor tiles 
There are various benefits of opting for floor tiles for your flooring. Floor tiles are available in a host of designs and colours. So, you would not face any difficulty in finding floor tiles that complement the décor of your home. You may be surprised to know that design choices are virtually limitless when it comes to choosing floor tiles for your home. Floor tiles help to keep the room temperature cool in hot, summer days. You will surely enjoy the touch of cold tiles for your feet.

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Two fundamentals of contemporary furniture



In these modern times, we all want a home that looks contemporary and futuristic. You surely want a design for your home that will not lose its appeal even after many years and looks chic and stylish in spite of the new designs that have entered the scene. If you are not aware about contemporary furniture, then a thing to note is that contemporary furniture mainly consists of understated colour, sleek lines apart from a clutter-free appearance. For a room designed in contemporary fashion, it exudes its energy and enthusiasm from non-fussy colouring schemes, neutral colours and minimal décor. If you are trying to fit in contemporary furniture in a room that is over furnished, then the room may end up looking bad and get spoilt. Sleek lines can really augment the appearance of a room that has enough space and subtle tones. Here are a few ideas while choosing contemporary furniture.



Simple furniture
The first and the foremost thing while purchasing contemporary furniture is to look for simple designs. Contemporary furniture is characterised by simplistic designs and going for over-the-top designs defies the very meaning of contemporary furniture.  Apart from designs, contemporary furniture also highlights use of simple materials and non-fussy construction.

Sleek sofa
For a contemporary feel for your room, choose a sofa that has a sleek appearance and which is simple and does not have too many colours on the upholstery. Refrain from adding too many pillows on the sofa. You can compliment the sleek sofa with a glass or a plain wood coffee table. If you want, you can keep a few magazines in a tidy pile. Do not hoard the table with too many books.Some easy way for home styling and theme, go this way to improve it the simple way.

Friday, August 26, 2011

What are the different flooring options for your home?

When it comes to doing up the flooring ideas, you have a plethora of options to choose from. The surge in the options for flooring ideas can be attributed to the type of flooring materials being added to the market everyday. When you look to do up your home interiors, you usually do not give much importance to the flooring. However, a well done floor can create the desired look and also gel with your home interiors. On the other hand, badly done flooring can make all your efforts go waste. Many of us wait until the flooring starts to wear out to go for new flooring for the house. However, you shouldn’t be waiting that long to get new flooring for your house. If your carpets or rugs wither away due to heavy wear and tear, you can choose to opt for laminate flooring or marble flooring as they are known to have a long shelf life.


Laminate flooring

Laminate flooring comes in various styles while most of them come with a wooden effect finish. Some laminate floors are designed to replicate slate tiles, ceramic tiles and even metal and terracotta finish tiles. These are fitted on a thin piece of foam and do not require glue or nails for the installation. This procedure makes the installation easy but there is one negative point. This type of installation leads to noisy floors.

Ceramic tiles

The other option that you have is ceramic flooring tiles. The good thing about ceramic tiles is that they last longer compared to other flooring tiles and come in square as well as rectangular designs to complement any type of interiors. Ceramic floorings are common in places with high temperatures as they help to keep the floor cool. If you think they are high maintenance, you are mistaken as they can be cleaned easily and require no extra effort. If you are looking for ceramic tiles, then you will not fall short of options as they come in an array of designs and shapes. You can find the right ceramic tiles for your kitchen as well as the bathroom. They may be a bit on the expensive side but if you are flexible with your budgets, you can explore the choices you have while choosing ceramic tiles.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Redesigning your home- what needs to be done first?

You may have got in the top interior decorator to design your home few years back but after a few years, the boredom sets in and now you want something completely different for your home. Whether you are bored of the current design or you are simply moving into new home, home remodelling needs to done carefully.

Apart from designing your home, you may also want to spruce up the outdoors like 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

Prior to starting 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 remodelled 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.

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Designing the kitchen space - Some insight

When it comes to designing the kitchen space, there are numerous ideas and designs from which you can choose the one that suits your home the most. Not all of us are blessed with large kitchens and designing the small kitchen space perfectly can be sometimes challenging. You obviously want to make the most out of your kitchen space and even a minor flaw in designing the kitchen can prove to be catastrophic.

It is a known fact that every home owner feels excited at the thought of renovation and remodelling. One cannot deny that fun and the excitement that one goes through in just window shopping in your local hardware store, eyeing the sparkling kitchen models and racks, gleaming bathroom plumbing and thinking how these will add to the shine of your home. Though outwardly all these hardware items will look good to your eyes, it is important that you make the right purchase after considering the make of your kitchen.

When it comes to actual remodelling of your kitchen space, you have to move beyond just window shopping and consider some serious factors that can affect the design and style of your kitchen. When remodelling your kitchen, changing the taps and the faucets is an integral part. Taps and faucets form an important part of your kitchen space as they not only add to the décor but also to the functionality of the space. Wrongly chosen taps and faucets will only end up ruining your time spent in the kitchen and causing you much discomfort. You need to select right type of faucets considering your needs and requirements. Faucets could be single mixer tap or they can be wall mounted ones.

Friday, August 5, 2011

Everything you need to know about log cabin homes

Usually, people who choose to build or buy a log home are unconventional souls-"free spirits." The decor inside their homes is as unique as the outer appearance. Not long ago, decorating such a home was a challenge, since the pieces sold in a typical furniture store didn't fit-either in size or style-the interior of a log cabin. However, as log cabin homes have become more popular, specialized furniture, as well as floor and window treatments have evolved to fit this decorating niche.



Simplicity and natural ambience are key factors in log home decorating. With an increasing number of choices in log cabin style today, it can be easy to go overboard with rustic pieces, resulting in a cluttered, busy look instead of the simple, peaceful feeling most homeowners want. Creating the right balance takes careful consideration of each purchase.
You will want to offset each intricate piece with a plainer counterpart. For example, if your wooden bed frame has exquisitely carved detail, a simple single or two-toned quilt will show off the handiwork better than a busy-patterned Native American blanket. Pay careful attention to the balance of plain and complex patterns in the living room, too. Often, log cabin homes have very large living areas, so they can handle a number of woven patterns. Offset them, however, with simple clay or carved wooden bowls on natural or distressed look tables and rusted-metal lampshades.
Natural fabrics are the most popular choices for decorating a log cabin home. They range from single-colored muslins to heavy-textured woven blankets and rugs. In between is a wide variety of coarseness of cloth, prints and grains of leather. Using one main type of fabric in a room allows you to accessorize simply by substituting a different texture, and maintains the simple feel so right for decorating a log cabin home.

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Two popular home décor styles

When it comes to choosing the theme for home décor for your home, you want the best of everything for your home. Surely, what designs might be liked for you may not be patronised by some other home-maker. Elegance is no doubt a matter of personal choice. Some like their home décor with a lot of antiques and vintage pieces, while some like to keep it simple and sleek. Some of the common décor styles are oriental, eclectic and modern. Old and vintage designs have attracted a lot of people since many years. One of the unique home décor designs is the baroque designs. It is characterised by carvings and dramatic ornaments. Another home design, the Empire design, is known for being elaborate and delicate. Old Victorian designs comprise of carvings and wood furniture.

Modern home décor

Modern home décor, unlike the old age décor, is not very heavy and involves lighter construction and a lot of free space. Modern means less elaborate and simple. Modern décor is all about being elegant and chic. Biedemiier style is one of modern home décor styles that draws inspiration from utilitarian purpose and involves clean lines and enhanced functionality.

Oriental home décor

Another home décor style is the oriental décor style. Oriental décor style is considered as exotic. The primary element of style is negative style. One intriguing feature of oriental décor is that it celebrates imperfection as something that is outstanding and unique. The home décor designs in the West have been hugely inspired by the Japanese and Chinese. Chinese home décor has been hugely inspired from the Zen. It mainly consists of bronze, wood and paper. Japanese home décor consists of functional tables, flooring and mats.

Some home decor styles for you to know.

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Few things to take note for before starting a home remodelling project

With the sky-rocketing real estate prices, most people now prefer to stay in their present home for as long as they can rather than shifting to a new pad every few years. Staying in the same home for a long time means you have to remodel it every few years to keep up with the trends and retain its charm and appeal. Home remodelling also increases the value of your property so that when you eventually decide to sell it off, it will fetch a good amount. However, you should not have unrealistic expectations about the value of your property. You should not expect the recover the entire amount spent on remodelling when you sell off your home. Remember that there is a cap to the value of your home and you should be aware of this.

Chalk out a plan

Once you have decided to start a home remodelling project for your home, you need to first chalk out a plan as to how you want to go about the entire process. You need to clearly define your home remodelling goals, like which areas you want to work on and which areas you want to leave untouched. Home remodelling can be different for different people. Some might want to carry out much needed repairs while some may want to add a hot tub in the enclosed porch. Ensure that you have clearly defined your goals before you start the remodelling task. When you draw up a home remodelling plan, include a fixed budget. With a budget decided, you will have an idea where you need to spend more. It is always good to keep your home remodelling budget as flexible as possible. You never know what unexpected costs might rise up at the last moment.

Friday, July 22, 2011

Two simple ways to effectively use space in a small bedroom

If you have a large room to decorate, there are too many choices and you can go for any design that you like. However, when it comes to designing small spaces, you need to be careful as you do not want the space to look even smaller with the décor and furnishings. When you have a small bedroom, designing it can be a real challenge. The bedroom is a place where you look to find some solace and relaxation. So, you must be wondering what are the different ways by which you can save some space in your small-sized bedroom. Here are a few tips that will help saving some space in your master bedroom.

Do away with clutter

As far as possible, avoid clutter in your bedroom. Remember that in a small sized bedroom, space is very limited and the last thing you would be doing is to cluttering with dirty laundry, kids toys, papers, too any books and other items that are of much less importance. Apart from the fact that clutter can make your room looks messy, it also affects your quality of sleep. There have been studies to prove that too much clutter in the room disrupts sound sleep.

Organise

It always pays to organise things in your bedroom. A bedroom is a place which should be peaceful, cosy and serene. When you are at the task of decorating a small bedroom, you need to ensure that there is place for everything. Arranging place for everything means using your creative instincts as well as creating storage space for everything. When pressed for space, you can use the under-bed space for storage, built-ins, multipurpose furniture, closet organisers apart from creating shelves in your walls to create additional storage space.

So, care must be taken to re-decorate the bedroom. Proper planning needs to be chocked out.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

So how do you save water in the kitchen?

All the activities in the kitchen are carried out by water and without clean water; the functionality of the kitchen remains zero. Be it cooking, washing or cleaning, water is required for each and every activity. With water being used for a number of activities, it becomes important to use water judiciously. With the water crisis in different parts of the world, it is even more essential to save water and avoid wastage of water.

Leak-proof appliances

The first step towards saving water in the kitchen is to install only those appliances and accessories that come with a fixed guarantee and are from a reputed brand. Ensure that the pipes used in the kitchen are strong and designed to be leak proof. If the pipes have any leakage, then this can cause wastage of water. The market is filled with a host of appliances that guarantee no leakage but you should do your homework before you decide on any appliance for your kitchen. Apart from the pipes, it is also important that the taps that you select for your kitchen come with no leakage. Leaking taps can cause a lot of water wastage, reducing the amount of water in the main tank. Hence, always opt for taps that are completely leak-proof.

Washing process

While washing vegetables, do not hold them under a running water tap. Instead, take the vegetables in a bowl and pour water in it and wash them. This helps to save a lot of water. Another way of saving water is to recycle the water. You can create a drainage wherein the used water from kitchen can be used to water your plants in the garden. This ensures there is good recycling of waste water.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Two good options for industrial tiles

When you are looking for tiles for industrial spaces, you have to be extra careful as the type of tiles required for an industrial space are quite different from those required for a residential space. Any industrial space will be experiencing a lot of human traffic apart from being subjected to a lot of harsh chemicals and other toxic materials. The industrial tiles you select should be able to endure all tough situations and come out strong. When it comes to industrial tiles, you have many options to choose from.

Rubber flooring

One common type of industrial tiles is rubber floors. Rubber floors are popular as industrial tiles in areas with high human traffic like educational institutions, hospitals and gymnasiums. Rubber acts as an insulator and is also resistant to water, is hygienic, is simple to clean and maintain apart from being extremely durable. The good thing about rubber floors is that they do not require sealing or waxing. This implies that the maintenance cost of rubber floors is less. As a material for industrial tiles, rubber has many advantages as it effectively absorbs sound and also provides cushioning against impacts. The only disadvantage about rubber as a material for industrial tiles is that rubber is quite prone to minor scratches and gets easily damaged.

Concrete floors

As a popular form of industrial tiles, concrete floors have been in use since ages. Concrete floors can be widely seen in commercial garages and restaurants. The good thing about concrete floors is that they are strong and resilient if they are properly maintained. They can be reasonably durable if maintained well. Apart from the conventional grey colours, concrete industrial tiles can be etched, stained and polished into many other colours. Concrete industrial tiles cause less allergic reactions and easily adapt to different conditions.

Monday, July 11, 2011

Marble floors- The right flooring option

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.

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Two common design blunders for your home design

So you have finally thought of decorating your home after much thinking and planning. You obviously want your home to look like a palace, the kind you have dreamt of all this while. However, you also have to stick to your budget and ensure that it does not go haywire and you are left penniless in the end. The first and foremost way to plan a home remodelling process is to chalk out your budget and stick to it. There are also some common design blunders which people commit while designing their homes. Though falling prey to these mistakes is easy, it always helps to be aware of them so as to stay away from them. Here are two common blunders which people often commit while designing their home.


Sticking all furniture against the wall

You may be under the impression that by pushing all your furniture against the wall, your room will appear larger and spacious. With the middle of the floor left open, it certainly might create an illusion of free space. On the contrary, it is exactly the opposite. Always keep your furniture in groupings in centre of the room unless you decide to have a dancing party frequently in your room.

You can arrange a sofa and keep a table behind it. Leave enough walking space behind the sofa so as to show off the back of the sofa. Move your chairs out from the corners and you will have an airy and open space in the room.

Keep collectibles to minimum

Many people like to put on display all sorts of collectibles like ash trays, salt and pepper shakers, small pieces of sculpture and other knick and knacks that they receive from their long distance travels. While some of these collectibles will look aesthetic and enhance the beauty of your room, it surely does not make sense to add each and every collectible in your room. Use your mind and choose the best pieces which either has a sentimental or a monetary value. If you do not discard any of the item, then you can always keep rotating the pieces so that you get to display each and every collectible in your living room.

Friday, July 1, 2011

Five handy tips while designing your living room

Designing the living room can be an enormous task at hand as you just do not want to create a room for your pleasure but you also have to think of the likes and dislikes of guests and visitors. The living room is where you will be welcoming all your guests. Naturally, the living room will have a first impression on them. Hence, it only makes sense to select designs that have a universal appeal. If you wish to know some easy design tips for your living room, then read the following points.

1- An open concept of a living room can be achieved by a uniform flooring pattern and consistent finishes. Having consistency in the flooring pattern not just appeases the eye but it also creates an illusion of larger space in the living room area.

2- For the main entryway, you can go for stone flooring. Stone flooring is considered an ideal choice for the entrance because it is durable and also easy to clean.

3- If your old glass windows have developed stains and do not work anymore, then it is time you replaced them. Today, you get energy efficient windows that easily lighten up a dark space without using too much of energy. This way, you get a save a lot on your energy budget.

4- If you wish to remove the old radiators, then it is best to hire professionals to do the job. If you still wish to keep them in your home, then find an innovative way to keep them covered without losing energy efficiency.

5- If you have a small sized room, then it is not necessary that you only go for small sized furnishings. Even large pieces of furnishings can make a small room appear big.

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Few Vaastu tips for your office

The office is a place where you expect all your employees to give their best at all times. Having a high rate of productivity is no easy task as there can be many distractions while working. To the bustling of the cars on the road outside to the voice of the coffee machine, the distraction can be anything. Hence, office owners adopt different methods to increase productivity in their offices.



Vaastu for office


If your office work is not going in the right direction or if you are not achieving the desired results, then maybe its time you look for solutions in Vaastu Shastra. Vaastu Shastra is ancient Hindu ideology related to the science of designs which are based on directions. Following the correct Vaastu Ideology helps to increase the inflow of positive energy in your office or home. While some take it to be mere superstition but Vaastu is known to keep the evil forces away and to ward off negative influence. Vaastu deals with almost every aspect of construction- be it structure and shape of the building, proper selection of site, positioning of windows and doors and even the placement of the cabins or rooms. As popular Vaastu is in residential culture, it enjoys the same popularity in office culture. Some of the beliefs of Vaastu related to office spaces are mentioned below.


1- The cabin and the table of the head or the boss should never be faced in the south direction. It can be placed in any direction except for south.

2- If there is a temple, it should either be in the front or on the side, but it should never be behind the owner’s chair.

3- For the owner’s table, a rectangular shape is always preferred.

4- To create a soothing atmosphere, you can use fresh flowers, gentle colours, proper lighting and creative interiors.

5- The office profile should be square or rectangular in shape.

Friday, June 24, 2011

Two reasons why every home-owner should go for marble tiles

You must have surely wished that your home resembles nothing short of a royal palace. The accolades that come from visitors are rewarding enough for the hard work that you endured on decorating your home. However, there are times when even after investing a lot of money; you do not get the desired look. Why does this happen? The answer is simple. You forget the basics. When doing your home interiors, you need to give equal attention to all areas. In most of the cases, the flooring is neglected. Flooring is one of the fundamental areas when it comes to interior decorations.


Marble tiles- The popular choice
When it comes to flooring there are a lot of options that you have. However, most undisputed and the most preferred option for flooring is marble flooring. Marble tiles have become a revered option with many home-makers because they offer a lot of aesthetic and practical benefits. So what makes marble flooring so popular? Let us look into some of the features of marble tiles. The first thing that comes to our mind when we think of marble tiles is their durability. Marble tiles are extremely durable and designed to last for a long time without any damage. Once you install marble tiles on your floor, you do not have to worry about changing your flooring for a long period. This is one reason why marble flooring has become so popular with the masses.

Spruce up your home and office with marble tiles
Marble tiles can be used to jazz up your home as well as office. They are considered an ideal flooring option for residential as well as commercial spaces. Marble tiles give a stylish, modern and a classic feel to your home or commercial space. Marble tiles are elegance personified as they help to create the desired look in the room.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Choosing mosaic for living room tiles

Your living room is a place which you want to design keeping the latest trends in mind. It is in the living room where you will be welcoming all your guests and visitors and thus you surely want to make a good impression on them. Designing the living room can be a confusing task. You have to pay attention to each and every aspect of the living room. One area that needs attention is the flooring. Your living room flooring should be impeccable. It should not just be aesthetic to look but also practical. There are different options when it comes to choosing living room tiles. Living room tiles should add to the beauty of the room. One of the popular types of living room tiles is mosaic tiles.

Mosaic

If you are not aware, mosaic is one of the oldest forms of art. It basically consists of creating different images with small pieces of stone or glass. Contemporary archaeologists have unearthed some very beautiful mosaic images from various corners of the world. This proves that mosaic is an ancient art form. Archaeologists have confirmed that before the rise of Roman Empire, mosaic was used to describe legends, habits and religious beliefs. Use of mosaic caused a heavy influence and this lead the growth and appearance of patterns.

Mosaic tiles have been used at a number of places. Mosaic tiles can be seen in places like churches, personal homes where they were used as living room tiles and in other public places to form different scenes and patterns. Most of the scenes would be myths as depicted in the Christian religion. Mosaic slowly became much popular in the eastern world with many mosques being decorated with the mosaic pattern. Mosaic was also used to decorate the homes of the rich. Apart from becoming popular in the east, mosaic was also much appreciated in the west.

Monday, June 20, 2011

Choosing the right lighting for your home

When it comes to designing your home interiors, remember that lighting plays an important role in giving your home that style and character. A successful lighting scheme is one which not only uplifts the atmosphere in your home but also meets all practical needs. Many of us think of home lighting as just a central ceiling fixture complemented with a couple of table or wall lamps. However, there is more to lighting than this. A well thought out lighting plan for your home should not just be decorative but also practical.

There are many benefits of opting for a home lighting that is just not decorative but also looks practical. Choosing the right set of lighting will ensure you get the required illumination for cleaning, cooking, reading, sewing apart from many other day-to –day chores. Decorative lighting which is practical ensures the home atmosphere is calm and relaxed and also easily complements your home furnishings and colour scheme. A well planned out lighting scheme will comprise of many elements. All these elements need to work in tandem to get the desired effect for the room.

There are some types of lighting that are considered as general type of lighting and are used in every room in the house. This is termed as the background light and is required in every room. Another common type of lighting is the hanging ceiling light. The hanging ceiling light comes in different shade styles and different materials like metal, paper and fabric. There is also a ceiling pendant that can be the only source of light in the room. However, many people do not like to have a ceiling pendant though it provides a well illuminated central space with shadowy edges.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Jazzing up the exteriors of your home

As much as the inner appearance of your home matters a lot, the same way the outer appearance of your home also needs great attention. You may be bored of the outer appearance of your home and may be looking for different ways to jazz up the outer look of your home. It may sound surprising to you but just by going for a new door for your home can do wonders to uplift the outer look of your home. When deciding on the outer appearance of your home, remember that you only need to invest in those ideas that are not just stylish but also practical.

Doors and windows
To start with, you can go for doors that have a matching design to that of your outside home windows. Doors and windows of the same design will surely create a unique look for the outside part of your home. An instant way of sprucing up your home exterior is by changing the old window frames. This is more applicable if your window frames have become old and sport flaky paint. You can replace the old window frames with high quality plastic. This is a good way to do away with the flaky look. If you want to give a shiny and a youthful look to your house exteriors, then you can think of installing new glass panes for your windows.
Apart from making physical changes to your home exteriors, you can also make some abstract changes that can go a long way in augmenting the appearance of your house exteriors. You can make subtle changes to the surrounding area of the outer space of your house. For instance, you can add window box of lively flowers for a warm, spring look. You may also put in some plants around the edges of your home. Any amount of greenery creates an added interest and appeal to the home.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Flooring ideas for your garage

If you are lucky enough to own a garage, you might as well think of sprucing it up a bit. Most garages have the same old look and so you might just want to make your garage look a bit unique. One thing you can experiment with when it comes to your garage is the floor. There are different flooring ideas designed for the garage itself. Changing the flooring of your garage can surely make it attractive to look.

When it comes to using the garage, people not just use to park their cars but also for different uses like they use it as storage area or the garage simply turns into an attic where all those belongings which are no longer used are being dumped. Many people are creative enough to transform the garage space into a play room or even a workshop. The garage thus becomes a place where you can carry out your artistic work or play a game of billiards with your friends. Hence, the flooring of this place should also be carefully selected. Flooring ideas for garages comprise mainly of three options. They are epoxy paint, floor mats and decorative concrete flooring.

If you plan to use your garage as a workshop, then epoxy paint is ideal option for flooring. Paint has a good shelf life and it also comes with ease of cleaning. This looks attractive and easy to apply as well since you just have to paint the flooring. However, this type of flooring can be slippery so watch out if there are kids playing around.

If you find the task of painting the flooring cumbersome, then you can use floor mats. Floor mats work just the same way as epoxy paint and most of these can resistant to oil stains. Just roll over the mats of the surface and you are done. Decorative concrete flooring is another option you have for your garage flooring. This flooring comes in a pool of designs. Parquet, tiles and hardwood are some types of concrete flooring. This flooring is the most expensive and also most difficult to apply.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Three different home décor themes you can choose from

When you take up designing your new home or are simply renovating your present one, there are many home décor designs to choose from. Whatever design you choose for your home décor, remember that it should be refreshing and should give out a pleasant ambience. There are various styles available today and each of them promises to be unique and elegant in its own way. Here are some popular designs available.


Moroccan

Moroccan home décor is characterized by intense, bold, jewel type colors along with delicate, exquisite detailing like hand tooling, hand carving and filigree. If you are looking for a bold yet comfortable atmosphere in your home, then Moroccan style décor is just perfect for you. Moroccan style décor comprises of different accessories like couches, rugs, pillows, lamps, armoires, tiles, mirrors, lanterns and other accessories.

Asian

When it comes to choosing a home décor style of any Asian origin, then you have various influences to draw inspiration from like Chinese, Japanese, Indian and Thai. All these countries have eccentric styles of designing their homes and you can select any one type of décor. Japanese home décor is all about minimalism and simplicity while Indian home décor is all about grandeur and classic. Asian home décor themes provide a wide array of possibilities for designing all rooms of your home.

African

The African continent is known for its wildlife species including different animal species like giraffes, zebras, elephants apart from many other species. The continent of Africa is also known for its thick forests, mountains, jungles and vast landscapes. This wide range of flora and fauna has an influence on their home décor designs. Tribal designs and animal prints can be dominantly seen in handmade crafts and other home décor accessories. African home décor designs are unique and distinctive and are deemed perfect of homes.