When you look through a brochure or walk through a showroom, you see sofas and armchairs in their finished state, their frames and upholstery hidden beneath attractive fabric covers. What goes on underneath the covers is just as important as their surface appearance, though, so don’t be afraid to ask how particular models are made when making your choice. Upholstered furniture is generally made up of four parts: the frame, suspension, filling, and covering.
Frame
When starting to think about either a new or remodeling project,here are some bathroom tile ideas to get you going.
1 - Visual treatment.
If you wish to create an interesting quality visual feel to your project, the use of color is important. A solid color for the floor is usually a good start. You can add borders of a different color to the floor, or you can create a border by alternating different colors. This kind of visual treatment can create a more interesting floor.
In part two of this two part series, we offer some tips, advice, and ideas for decorating apartment bathrooms stylishly…
Furnishings
If you are choosing new plumbing fixtures, you can take advantage of lots of new ideas and innovations for a sleek, up-to-the-minute look. Modern ceramics are designed to fit effortlessly into small spaces, with smoothly rounded corners and flowing lines. Bathtubs are often molded around the body to narrow at each end, saving a vital few inches. Corner sinks, semi-inset sinks that can be set into a shelf, or inset sinks to drop into a countertop all offer clever design options. For extra floor space, choose a free-standing sink on a narrow pedestal, or a wall-mounted unit that leaves the floor free. Explore industrial and catering suppliers for high-tech steel sinks to set into a countertop or vanity unit.
When choosing a Bathroom Tile design, I hope the article below may provide a thought provoking guide and hopefully give you a little inspiration when making your choice. So lets get started..
1 - Plan.
A good idea is to use contrasting colors for the floor and wall. Then have a skirting line the same color.
Another idea is having a change of color at chest level, which will give a different look and feel.
2 - Patterns.
The visual effect that you can achieve is limited only by your own imagination. A large variety of standard designs are now available. Some manufacturers may even make a special custom product for you.
In part two of our two part series, we look at some specific decorating tips and ideas for apartment bedrooms…
Style Pointers
WALLS AND CEILING
Fresh white walls and ceiling reflect the light and create a spacious atmosphere as well as a neutral backdrop for colorful furnishings and accessories.
ACCESSORIES
Framed posters reinforce the blue and white color theme and break up the wall space. A few well-chosen accessories - vases of flowers, bedside candlelamps, and simple knickknacks - add a personal stamp.
SOFT FURNISHINGS
Using the Island
A simple island can provide valuable extra working space, or you can opt for something more elaborate fitted with a sink or a cooktop. The top of the island can be made from laminate, solid granite, artificial stone, solid wood, or tiles. If you plan to use the surface for food preparation, choose real or artificial stone with a solid wood butcher block inset. It’s easy to damage a laminate top by forgetting to use a chopping board and although tiles are attractive they can be impractical as a work surface. Using real or artificial stone is sensible if you want to include a cooktop. Where electricity is being run to an island, it’s a good idea to make the most of it by installing a couple of outlets, either mounted in the top or on the side, so that you can use small appliances. Top-mounted sockets must be protected from spills and liquid by a flap cover.
Unlike a torn screen or a squeaky door, plumbing and electrical emergencies demand immediate attention. Here’s how to handle common plumbing and electrical emergencies in your home.
Plumbing Emergencies
One of the best ways to be prepared for a plumbing emergency is to have a plumbing repair kit located in an easily accessible place. This kit should include the following:
A working flashlight and spare batteries
A few rolls of Teflon tape
Plumber’s putty
Epoxy putty
Pipe joint compound
Silicone caulk
A pipe repair kit
A set of plumbing hand tools:
Screwdrivers
Adjustable wrench
Sliding jaw wrench
Locking jaw wrench
Hacksaw
Tubing cutter
We expect a lot from closets. We want them to not only hold the items we use, but they also must hold the things we rarely need and even some things we just don’t want to see. And we want our closets to do both of these jobs at the same time. Is it any wonder that many of us have closets that don’t look perfectly neat and tidy?
Our poor closets are caught in a catch-22: we need for them to be neat and efficient because of everything we put in them, but because of everything we put in them, they cannot remain neat and efficient.
Ah…the basement! This area of the home is generally given the least amount of attention when it comes to overall design, function and livability. That is, unless you have or are planning to convert the basement area into a family or recreation room that really becomes a part of the overall useful living space in the home.
The basement by its very nature tends to be a dark area since it is located below ground level and has few windows and those are often casement or half windows that are frequently located in window wells, further reducing the outside light availability. Consequently, a major, but seldom considered issue, is the safety factor that results from navigating around a dimly lit area particularly if it is cluttered with storage or other household items that are generally not used very frequently.
In part two of this two part series, we look at practical advice for choosing lighting according to both your decorating and usage needs…
A Lighting Checklist
In order to analyze the lighting requirements for a particular room, first draw up a checklist.
Does the room have several functions? Many rooms have to be multi-functional; clever lighting can make one room seem like several, illuminating dining, working, reading, and sitting areas in different ways, and allowing one area to be lit separately from the rest.