Posts from — February 2012

Many people live with a kitchen that they’d rather not for years on end, because the prospect of redoing the kitchen is too much – both in terms of the money you’ll have to spend and the effort and sense of upheaval involved. Those people who bite the bullet and completely redo their kitchen often end up having to spend far more than they’ve budgeted, and it takes far longer than originally planned. Sure they may end up with their dream kitchen, but are they going to stay in the same home forever and will they get their money back if they sell up?

It’s difficult to say as sometimes the state of the kitchen can secure a house sale.  However, if you have no set plans to move or stay, it’s probably better to adopt a do-it-yourself strategy to improve, rather than replace, your kitchen.

If you’ve got a fitted kitchen, then you can usually repaint the cupboard doors a fresh new colour and just doing this will be transformational. While you’re doing it, you can easily change the handles on all the doors and drawers for a more modern look. Changing the work surface is also a good way to really improve the appearance of a kitchen without it costing too much. If you’re not confident about fitting it yourself, you can get a local carpenter to do it for you.

Take a look at different furniture retailers, like Harveys Furniture store, to see if you can find some reasonably priced kitchen furniture to replace your existing stuff. A cheap dining table and chairs that match will really help to make your kitchen feel new. Choosing a modern finish like glass instead of wood will give it a different feel altogether.

Finish off the transformation of your old kitchen with a couple of colourful framed prints on the walls and get back to the main activities your kitchen was designed for – cooking and eating in!

If you are looking to fit wood flooring during your home improvement project you are likely to come across two types of suitable floors. The first type and the subject of this article is solid wood flooring and the second, an alternative type called engineered wood flooring. While each has its set of pros and cons, solid is often the choice for most homeowners.

What are solid wood floors?

As their name suggests, solid wood floors are made from complete natural wood without any other syntactic materials such as in the case of engineered wood floors. In the vast majority of cases, the wood comes from species such as Bamboo, Oak and Walnut that are available from managed forests unlike more exotic species. Solid wood floors are further split based on their grade. Grade is an indication of how refined the wood is in terms of knot sizes and color differences between the planks. The higher the grade is, the more refined the wood is. Equally, the higher the grade is, the more the wood will cost. Higher grade of wood is achieved by harvesting the wood closer to the center of the tree. As we veer away from the center, the quality drops and more color variations are to be expected between the planks. There are four grades of solid wood flooring:

• Prime grade
• Select grade
• Natural grade
• Rustic grade

Unlike common belief, grade will never influence the longevity of wood floor it is merely an indication of the visual side of the wood. Longevity is often the case of the cleaning and maintenance practices used by homeowners.

What are the benefits of solid wood flooring?

The biggest benefit of using any type of solid wood is the longevity of the wood. Solid wood can exceed a service life of 100 years as the wood can be sanded and coated every few years for an average of 15 times thereby rejuvenating the wood each time. Furthermore, its construction can aid in adding structural integrity to the room when nail down fitting method is used.

When should engineered wood flooring be considered?

In the vast majority of cases, either type will fit well and so the benefits of solid wood are in its favor. However, its construction makes the wood less suitable for humid conditions in areas such as the kitchen or basement. Engineered wood flooring, an option that contains both real wood and synthetic materials is more suitable provided that the right coating is applied.

No matter what they are made of, countertops have to stand up to repeated use and, in some cases, near abuse. So much goes on in a kitchen, from dicing and slicing to clean up, that it’s easy for countertops to become scratched and dull if they are not properly maintained. Your countertops can also represent a sizeable investment in your kitchen. Here are some tips to keep them looking great for a long time.

Granite and Marble

At the top end of the price range, granite and marble are beautiful to behold but because they are made of natural stone, this means they are porous and they can easily absorb liquid. For this reason, they require continuous maintenance and must be sealed regularly; use a low-VOC sealant to protect air quality. While both granite and marble are heat-proof, they should still be protected with common sense measures. Acidic food like wine and lemon juice can stain the surface, so wipe up spills immediately. Avoid stains by keeping items like vinegar decanters or wine bottles on a tray or wine coaster.  Also avoid citrus cleaners and abrasive cleansers that can etch the surface.

Corian™ and Solid Surface Countertops

Corian™ and other solid surface countertops are not porous and they do not absorb liquid so they won’t absorb spills from tomato juice, lemon juice, wine, etc. However, they are not heat resistant and you should never take a pan out of the oven and set it directly on the countertop. Do not use abrasive cleanser or other gritty cleaners on these countertops as it can be difficult to remove the residue. Hot dish soap and water should be applied in a circular motion with a sponge that has a scrubbing layer. Rinse with clean water and air dry, then follow up with a spritz of glass cleaner wiped down with clean paper towels. Doing this once or twice a week will keep your solid surface countertops looking great.

Butcher Block and Wood

Wood is beautiful and rich but if allowed to dry out, it can warp and crack. Butcher block is made from strips of wood that can split, warp and pull apart. Use only food-grade mineral oil regularly on the wood to prevent such problems; do not use vegetable or olive oil on butcher block or wood countertops because these oils can become rancid and contaminate your food. Apply a generous amount of the mineral oil to the wood and wipe with a clean rag, working in the direction of the wood grain. Keep applying until the wood no longer accepts any oil; let the wood absorb the oil for 15 minutes and wipe away any residue with a dry rag. Re-apply when the wood begins to look dry.

Common Sense Tips for All Types of Countertops

•    Never use steel wool on your countertops; it will scratch nearly any type of countertop surface from granite to laminate.
•    Use a folded dishtowel underneath your cutting board to keep it from sliding and scratching the countertop.
•    Invest in a pretty tray and wine coasters to keep decanters of liquids and wine from staining the countertop or leaving unsightly rings. It can be difficult to remove rings from olive oil and cooking oils, so place these bottles on a tray, platter or towel.
•    Don’t drag dishes, pots, pans and utensils across the countertop.
•    Use trivets and hot pads to protect countertops from hot items.

Alyssa Davis, writes exclusively for Metal-Wall-Art.com, and specifically about designing with beach metal wall decor and metal art for bathroom walls.

Rolling carts are one of the greatest inventions since the wheel: Actually, they owe their awesome functionality to the wheel and there are thousands of uses for rolling carts around the house. They are especially efficient in small spaces because they give you flexibility: You can use it where and when it is needed and then roll it out of the way. Here are some ideas for rolling carts that are as stylish as they are functional.

Dining Ala Carte and a Moveable Bar

Perhaps the dining term ala carte was derived from the actual meaning of cart. ‘Ala Carte’ means ordering things separately from a menu and you can take this literal meaning and assemble a food cart for entertaining. A multi shelf cart on wheels is ideal. You can find such carts from specialty stores and online or repurpose an old trolley or retail cart from a resale or antique shop. Even if you don’t have a dining room, you can serve appetizers and drinks, dessert – even an entire meal – from a multi level cart. Just load it up in the kitchen and wheel it out to your living space or deck or wherever you are entertaining. Your guests can then just help themselves.
Rolling carts also make great bars: Just set up your glassware, ice bucket, spirits, mixers, beer, wine – what have you – and you have an instant bar wherever you need it. This makes a dining area more efficient and then the cart can be rolled away when no longer needed.

Kitchen Carts

If you have a small kitchen, you know how useful extra island countertop space can be but what if there is no room for a permanent island? Add a rolling cart to the kitchen. You can position it near the sink, stove or wherever you need it and then roll it into a corner when you don’t. A cart with shelves and racks adds even more storage. You can find racks with tops made of butcher block, granite, marble, stainless steel and more in styles that range from elegant to industrial.

Not Just for Food

Of course, rolling carts are perfect when used in conjunction with food or beverages but there are many other practical applications as well:

•    A rolling coffee table or ottoman provides maximum flexibility in the media room or living space. Roll it nearby for beverage, snacks or your laptop and roll it further away when you want it to serve as a standard coffee table. You can simple add rolling casters to the legs of a coffee table or build a really cool one yourself out of metal tubing and glass, wood, metal and other materials.

•    Build a cube shaped storage unit at countertop height and leave open shelving on one side for large sheets of paper and crafting supplies.

•    Anything from trunks and footlockers to open cubes and even milk crates can be made more mobile and flexible just by adding casters or wheels. Use them to hold everything from toys and tools, to garden supplies, laundry detergents and cleaners – in short, whatever needs to be stored.

Author, Alyssa Davis, is Metal-Wall-Art.com’s number one design specialist on decorating with coastal metal wall decor and fish wall decor.

Kewlox cabinets was established in Belgium, 1958, by Jacques LeClercq. What’s unique about this long surviving cabinet maker is the fact that Kewlox cabinets require no nails or screws and can be assembled entirely without tools. You may think that cabinets put together without nails or screws will lack the necessary structural strength to take high loads but this is where Kewlox excels by providing a lifetime warranty and a guarantee that each shelf can take up to 80kg. No more worries about your shelves bending with weight!

Kewlox cabinets ventured into Malaysia in 2011 and they’re set up in Publika@Solaris Dutamas. Considering the confusing nature of that whole complex, you’ll find the directions to the store here.

Currently, the folks at Kewlox cabinets are running a promotion which provides customers 25% off purchases. If you’re looking for a fun looking, high quality cabinet, you might just find it at Kewlox cabinets. The lifetime warranty speaks tons for their product quality and I’m pretty impressed with the simplicity of the shelving system that subtly hides unrivalled carpentry technology without compromising structural integrity. Each cabinet can be customized from a choice of 20 unique coloured sliding doors imported directly from the UK

The folks at Kewlox cabinets even provide an online configurator tool for you to start designing your own custom cabinet! Wood used in Kewlox cabinets have been sourced from sustainable forests in Europe and the company is pretty big on the green movement. A testament of their continued efforts to be greener is that they have tripled production output whilst managing to reduce energy bills.

There’s no denying that quality comes with a price but I’d say these guys definitely have not overpriced their items. Bear in mind, when you purchase a Kewlox cabinet, it’s not just the cabinet itself but the hidden technology and cabinetry marvel that comes with each Kewlox cabinet.

Are your countertops past their prime? Even if your kitchen cabinets and appliances are newer, if your countertops are a throwback to 1990 or worse, your kitchen will look dated and ugly. And sometimes the product isn’t age, it was just a bad choice. I recently saw a kitchen with blue Corian© countertops but the color blue was all wrong with the warm maple toned cabinets. The problem is it is very expensive to replace countertops, especially if you have something like granite, marble or stone in mind. If you are tired of dated or ugly countertops, here are some affordable counter makeover ideas.

Countertop Paints and Topcoats

Countertop paints and topcoating products are a great affordable solution, although prices and results may differ. This is one area where some time spent online researching these products and reading customer testimonials will pay off in terms of time, labor and money spent. Some products are sold as kits, but there are individual products as well. For example, Rust-Oleum©, the famous paint company, makes a countertop coating that renews laminate surfaces; it can be used on countertops, laminate furniture and cabinets. It comes in 16 colors and the product contains anti-microbial protection with inhibits the growth of mildew and bacteria. When applied as directed it is washable. The product must dry for at least 3 days before use and no primer is needed; one can of paint is enough to treat 25 linear feet of countertop. This product provides a solid color surface.

If you prefer the look of granite, there are also a countertop paint products that give laminate countertops the look of granite. Look for a website that provides instructional videos and step-by-step printable instructions and plenty of reviews and testimonials. In most cases, if your countertops are ugly you don’t have much to lose with one of these products; some are sold individually and some as kits. The basic application process involves sanding the surface with a steel wool pad, followed with primer. The primer coat must dry for eight hours, and then mineral colors are applied to the surface with a sponge. This is where you can mix and layer colors to create a granite-like effect that adds depth and dimension to the surface. Allow four hours drying time and then move on to the final step, the application of a topcoat. The treated countertop needs 14 days to cure and you should avoid letting water stand on the countertop, particularly in the first thirty days. Some of these products are designed to cover wood, cultured marble and ceramic tile, in addition to laminate.

Ceramic Tile can be an Inexpensive Option

There are many pros and cons to using ceramic tile for countertops, but it is relatively inexpensive, especially if you choose a simple white or neutral colored tile, or black tile. Ceramic tile is very heat resistant and setting hot items directly on it is not a problem. The larger issue is that the grout can become stained and dirty; however, grout sealer can prevent that problem. Tiles can also crack if something heavy is dropped on it and some people don’t like the ‘rocking’ motion caused by the uneven surface between tiles; choose a smooth surface tile without raised patterns. However, ceramic tiled countertops can be a beautiful, low-cost solution for both kitchen and bathroom counters.

Professional designer Jessica Ackerman, writes for WallDecorandHomeAccents.com, and specializes in decorating with wooden art and metal wall hangings.

Whether we’re talking about fuel-efficient vehicles or recycling glass and plastic containers, it seems that everyone everywhere is more conscious than ever before of leaving a smaller carbon footprint on the earth. Building products, furnishings and home decor industries are large part of this movement as well and the goal is to build and renovate homes so that they are more environmentally friendly than thought possible just a few short years ago. If a new countertop is in your future you may need to know which materials are ‘green’ and earth-friendly.

Granite, Soapstone and Marble

While granite is one of the most in-demand materials for countertops and it imparts a very high-end look, it is not very eco-friendly. It is a natural stone and once it is removed from the earth, it cannot be replaced. If you won’t be satisfied with anything other than granite, you can reduce your carbon footprint by seeking out remnant slabs and looking for a nearby source to reduce the costs of transportation. Also use a low-VOC sealant to reduce noxious gases in the home.
Also among the least eco-friendly are soapstone and marble countertops because they are harvested from the earth and cannot be replaced. The harvesting of soapstone also has a detrimental effect to tiger populations in India. For these reasons, recycled soapstone or marble is the best option.

Engineered Stone

These products are made from quartz particles and sold under the names of Silestone™ and Cambria Quartz™. They do not require the annual application of a sealant, as with granite, so are more eco-friendly to maintain. However, the mining of quartz, a natural stone that cannot be replenished, has a detrimental effect on the environment.

Solid Surface Countertops

These are man-made countertops made from synthetic materials; brands include Corian™, Swanstone™ and Avonite™. They do not contain VOCs and are not made of elements that are mined from the earth, but they are not certified as earth-friendly.

Ceramic Tile

One of the most inexpensive options, ceramic tile is durable, easy to install and comes in a limitless array of colors, patterns, styles and sizes. Made from clay, it is more eco-friendly than harvested stone products. Also, some ceramic tile is made from recycled materials such as ground up bottles, porcelain and light bulbs and these varieties are certainly great ‘green’ choices.

Laminate

Sold under well-known brand names such as Formica™ and Wilsonart™, laminate countertops are inexpensive and offer a vast selection is style, pattern and color. Look for brands and products that are labeled free of urea formaldehyde; those made from recycled plastic are great for the environment.

Butcher Block and Wood

Wood countertops bring a warm, rich element to any kitchen. They are often made of hardwood like maple and oak. Choose wood countertops that are FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) Certified. A product with an FSC label can be traced back to a certified source so you know that the wood used in the product was harvested responsibly. Also look for water-based finishes and low-VOC finishes.

Stainless Steel

One of the most durable countertops and one that brings and edgy, contemporary look to a kitchen, stainless steel has been the product of choice for professional cooks and restaurants for decades. Choose countertops made from recycled steel to avoid the pollution related to the mining and production of new steel products.

Concrete

Concrete is also highly durable. Added pigments allow for a limitless range of color and recycled bits of glass or porcelain, for example, can be added to create a unique end product. For concrete to be considered truly ‘green’, the aggregate that is used should be recycled and the sealant should be a low-VOC variety.

Glass, Composite and Recycled Materials

The ‘greenest’ countertops of all come from glass and recycled materials, including paper. They also bring a contemporary look to your kitchen. Look for low-VOC resins and FSC certification on countertops made with paper.

Alyssa Davis writes and designs for Metal-Wall-Art.com and she is happy to share many ideas on creating stylish interiors with seahorse wall art and bathroom metal artwork.

Websites that talk about how they believe metals are masculine are really a dime a dozen, and there are virtually hundreds of ways that you can add metals in many different forms to make a room guy-friendly. On the other hand, metals can add something special to a woman’s space too, and making metals feminine is a popular, contemporary idea. As long as you follow a few simple design tips, creating a very feminine room with metals as part of the focal point is a great option. Here are some ideas that can get you going in the right direction:

Use color to soften the look of metallic shades. This is especially true if the metal is very noticeable or black, such as large wall art pieces or metal furniture. Colors that are feminine, such as pink, purple, yellows, white, and red can easily balance the cool harshness of metal and make it work for a girly design style. In addition, metals that are light-colored, such as nickel or metal that is painted white, do not need a lot of work to make them appear softer and more suited to female decor. There are options to coordinate with a variety of themes too, such as red, black, or white metals with unique textures.

Brushed metals work better than polished options. Nickel, brass, copper, stainless steel, and even aluminum come in brushed design styles, which are a great idea for a feminine design palette. They are a softer-looking metal, and coordinate with any theme or color, and they can be purchased in a variety of products. For instance, most home improvement stores sell drawer pulls, knobs, lamps, and even ceiling fans that feature brushed metal surfaces.

Wall art is a good option for adding metals in a contemporary way. We have been using metal furniture, such as legs on tables or chairs, for many years, so this is nothing new. However, artwork that features one or more metals is a great way to add a touch of class and sophistication to a woman’s home. You can find artwork that uses metal in almost any décor store, including online stores and auction websites, so it is not hard to find a good deal on the perfect piece. This is also a great way to mix metals, introducing a way to add cohesive flow if you want different metals in different rooms, such as having artwork that features nickel and brass in one piece.

Water features balance metals in any room. Although water and metal are opposites that do not generally mix, you can use them in the same room to balance the opposing elements. For instance, a rock fountain can be a focal point in a modern bathroom with great contemporary metal fixtures in the sink, toilet, and tub areas without looking tacky or clashing. As long as the styles coordinate, the opposite elements work together and add beauty and balance in the room. If you are using a feng shui style, balance is important, and adding a touch of masculine metal with a feminine style is a perfect balance opportunity.

Creative home decor is what we are all about at Metal-Wall-Art.com and our staff writer, Alyssa Davis, is an expert in designing it with Tuscan metal wall art and violin metal wall art.

A modern apartment is a blank slate, just waiting to be transformed into a cozy and sophisticated home for you and your family. When you start to look at the hundreds of design styles and color palettes you can quickly start feeling overwhelmed, but there are ways to narrow down the selection. Decorating a contemporary apartment is also an opportunity to embrace an eco-friendly even while you choose a style that fits your personality.

Your choices in modern decor and furnishings are what make your contemporary apartment stand out, but it takes a little bit of knowledge regarding modern styles and artwork. From geometric shapes to sleek lines, the design world has made many changes over the last few decades, and we have to keep up with the trends in order to create something contemporary. To get started, we can take a look at modern decor and furnishings from a very broad spectrum approach.

Modern Decor

Sophisticated and stylish decor often includes modern artwork, furniture with clean lines, cool colors, and metal accessories. Whether you are purchasing accessories one room at a time or for the entire home, the goal is create a unified theme for a modern look in your contemporary apartment. A decorating theme could be made more cohesive and unified through colors, shapes, textures, or artwork s that are similar and repetitive, making each room flow seamlessly into the next.

Although many people believe that modern artwork must be expensive, the price is often very comparable to other forms of art, including antiques and collectibles. You can find great deals on wall hangings and other forms of art in many places, from galleries of new artists to online auctions. It all depends on where you purchase, what name is on the piece, and how large the piece is in terms of width, height, and depth. Larger pieces often mean higher cost, but even a small piece by a very popular artist could be expensive.

Modern Furnishings

Contemporary furnishings will not only define your personal style, but they relate to your awareness of and respect for the planet as well. “Green” decor may include eco-friendly fixtures, water-saving plumbing hardware, environmentally friendly flooring and paint, and fabrics made from eco-friendly materials. Many top furniture designers all over the world have joined the growing trend in green materials to create furniture lines that conform to the desire to save our natural resources.

In addition, modern furnishings are often very durable, stain-resistant, and aesthetically pleasing, especially contemporary furniture. It does not take a lot of work, time or a huge budget to find pieces for each room to create your perfect modern look: Go for cool colors like blue or gray, clean, sleek design lines, and metal accents. Like artwork, the cost of the furnishings will depend on where you purchase and what brand name is listed, but it is no more expensive to go this route than many others, and you will usually save money in the long run with eco-friendly products.

Alyssa Davis is a home style expert who writes regularly for Metal-Wall-Art.com. She is especially knowledgeable on decorating with coffee wall decor and Italian metal wall art.

Choosing new windows for your home is a major investment that you will live with for the next few decades. Because it is such an important decision, it pays to take your time and thoroughly research the windows available for your home. From choosing the right material to figuring out the proper U and R values, deciding which windows you want to look out of every day can be a daunting task.

Picking the right window: Where to begin

Most homeowners start their search with a search engine, and the number of results they get can make them want to throw in the towel before they even get started. This list can help you narrow down that list and start a careful, methodical search.

1. Materials. The most popular window materials today are vinyl, wood and aluminum. Each has pros and cons. For example, wood is more expensive, yet it can be painted over the years to change the look of your home; vinyl is much more affordable, but doesn’t leave you with much in the way of color options over the years. Go beyond the stick shock and carefully weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each window material.
2. New or replacement? If you will simply be putting new windows into the holes already built for them, replacement windows can be the fastest and cheapest route. But if you don’t like the look of a particular window or want to expand that picture window to a bay, you might need new construction in order to do so. Replacement windows are cheaper, but you get a custom job with new construction.
3. Styles. Think carefully about your needs when choosing a window style. For instance, double-hung windows are easier to clean. Casement windows that use a lever might be easier to open. Awning windows are great for coastal areas and places that get a lot of rain. Slider windows are great for tight spaces. Consider what your needs will be in ten or twenty years from now, and choose your window style accordingly.
4. Energy-saving options. It is important to figure out what R and U values are recommended for your area, as well as research the different types of glass coatings and fillers in order to choose which windows can save you the most money in the long run. To get educated on these options, start with EnergyStar.gov.
5. Warranties. Remember to purchase windows from reputable dealers and well-established manufacturers. This helps ensure that the warranty will still be honored if there is a problem ten years down the road.

Finally, don’t forget to choose a good contractor to handle the installation for you. No matter how good your windows are, the slightest draft from incorrect installation means that all your energy savings just disappeared. Hiring a contractor might seem an unnecessary step if you are handy with tools and don’t have to opt for new construction, but remember that you do get what you pay for. Though replacement window cost might seem to be a stiff punch to the pocketbook, keep in mind that the savings garnered from the right choice–and the right installation–can make up that cost in energy savings over the life of the new window.