Reclaimed wood flooring: How to design with eclectic affordability

Posted on Mar 29, 2016

The popularity of this trend has grown from the demand for the unexpected rustic touches, warmth and story that reclaimed wood adds to your home. “It’s easy to change up a room to create a dramatic new style with these unique floors,” says Erinn Valencich, Los Angeles-based interior designer, style expert and design partner for Quick-Step, a laminate flooring leader. “You can add an element of sophistication to a special room with one-of-a-kind visuals and textures.”

Tells a unique story

Reclaimed wood flooring constructed from old barns, factories, warehouses or even coal mines and boxcars has a distinct distressed and time-worn appearance. Each knick, scratch and ding adds a unique story to the living space that is highly desirable among homeowners. However, even though reclaimed wood floors are environmentally friendly, beautiful and eclectic, the roadblock for most consumers is the high price of reclaimed wood. Because there is a limited amount of vintage wood in existence to repurpose, the cost of adding a reclaimed hardwood floor to a home can be quite pricey.

Reclaimed look for less

For the look of distressed and time-worn wood without the high cost, Quick-Step offers the Reclaime Collection of laminate planks that look like real, vintage hardwood floors. There are nine reclaimed wood designs from which to choose, including the newest White Wash, Calico, Sunkissed and Cellar Oak Planks that mirror the wood grain pattern, color and texture of weathered wood boards.

“The time-worn visual of this floor won’t limit your style. In fact, it’s versatile enough to work for most any type of decor,” says Valencich. Whether you’re going for a modern, rustic or eclectic look, reclaimed wood-styled flooring suits almost any design style. Consider these flooring trends from Valencich when choosing your next floor:

Whitewash

Whitewashed floors have a light, weathered appearance. If you have a dark or smaller room, using wide plank whitewash flooring will lighten up the space, giving it a fresh, soft and clean look.

Mainstream vs. high-fashion colors

The floor is the foundation of the room and can help drive the design direction of the space. Whether you select a more neutral, mainstream color or an extremely high-fashion one, choosing the right color floor creates a versatile canvas on which to build your room’s overall design.

Distressing

The distressed, textured look of reclaimed wood gives your flooring a personality all its own. Quick-Step’s Reclaime Collection provides the same design and textured look of genuine reclaimed wood, giving it a natural, worn appearance.

If you are considering purchasing a new floor, quickstepstyle.com offers the “Imagine It” room designer tool that allows you to choose both wall color and floor styles to see how they work together. On the site you can also view free design videos by Valencich on a myriad of topics.

How to improve your YouTube videos: Five tips from professional filmmakers

Posted on Mar 23, 2016

More than 4 billion videos are viewed each day on YouTube, according to statistics from the online video site. This means it’s a great place for aspiring filmmakers to showcase their work to a large, international audience. However, only 30 percent of all YouTube videos get 99 percent of the views on YouTube, according to media-monitoring authority Cision.

“While advances in digital cameras and technology make it easier for everyone to create their own videos, it’s challenging for aspiring filmmakers to create videos that reach the right people and get noticed on crowded outlets like YouTube,” says Gail Fisher, award-winning photo editor and department chair of the School of Film/Communication at Brooks Institute, a leading provider of higher education for film, visual journalism, graphic design and photography. “The good news is that there are simple things you can do to increase the quality of your videos and maximize exposure based on what works for professional filmmakers.”  

 

Here are five tips from Fisher and Karen Farfan, a visual journalist and student at Brooks Institute, on how to make your YouTube videos stand out from the crowd:

* Find inspiration. Everyone has a story to tell. Take inspiration from your surroundings and people you know – go visit your favorite place, try something new, observe people in their everyday lives – and use what moves you to tell a story that will appeal to the masses. According to Farfan, the trick is telling a story in a way that will intrigue an audience – even those who don’t relate well with your subject matter.

* Establish an audience and engage viewers. To build an audience, recruit friends and family to watch and share your videos, and post links to your videos on your blog, website and social networks. Use compelling keywords and cover images for your videos to attract people browsing for the content you’ve created. If users can find your video easily through common search terms and are captivated by your cover images, they’re more likely to watch your videos and share them. Then hook your viewers within the first 30 seconds. Use beautiful imagery, an eye-opening quote or something unexpected, followed by a conflict that will encourage them to continue watching for a resolution.

* Less is more. Both with the length of your video and the text throughout, brevity will make your videos more engaging. Instead of using text or quotes to explain your story, let your videos communicate through visuals for a succinct message. To keep it simple, Farfan ensures that her stories can communicate a message well visually before even adding in text or audio during the editing process.

* Post often. Create content as often as possible without letting the quality of your work suffer. Keeping your YouTube site updated will encourage your followers to keep coming back for more and also attract new viewers. Farfan sets a goal of posting one new video per month to her site. Create your own goal, taking other work and personal commitments into account, and work to achieve it, whether it’s daily, weekly or monthly.

* Have fun. If you’re passionate about your work, it will show in your videos.

Easy ways to incorporate timeless style into your home

Posted on Mar 16, 2016

Start out small
If the idea of transforming a large room into a traditionally styled one seems overwhelming, start on a smaller scale, like in the master bathroom. Keep the cabinets and counters neutral and add some glamor with the wall and accent colors. Favored shades in traditional decorating are jewel tones, like topaz and golds; deep reds and rose quartz; marine blues and vibrant greens. Use accessories like embroidered towels, bronze or iron bath accessory ensembles and potpourri bowls as the perfect finishing touches.

Another great way to add traditional flair to your bath is with elegant and elaborate fixtures. Look for a faucet with unique and detailed design elements, like the new Weymouth bathroom collection from Moen. From the European-influenced decorative script on the porcelain inlays to the refined top finial, this collection definitely stands apart. And just because you’re incorporating stylish, traditional items, doesn’t mean you have to skimp on modern functionality or features. You can reduce water usage by up to 32 percent, thanks to a water-saving aerator. Tie the whole space together by selecting an Old World finish, such as Oil Rubbed Bronze, and you’ll create a traditional suite that’s comforting and classic.
 
Difference in the details
One of the best ways to add traditional style throughout your entire home is with architectural details, like moldings, chair rails or ceiling medallions. It’s easier to add these elements than you may think – and at a reasonable price. Peel and stick crown molding from Easy Crown Molding allows you to add the luxurious look of custom molding to your home. In less than one hour – and without tools – you can complete an entire room. Simply pick your desired trim style and width and get started.

Lush fabrics are also key to achieving a traditional look and feel in these spaces. But, don’t be afraid of the elegance found in traditional decor. Silks, satins, velvets and brocades are going to be your go-to fabrics for pillows and upholstered furniture. Be sure to stay away from solids – mixing coordinating patterns, like florals, stripes and scrolling, add even more richness. Don’t forget to make a statement with your windows, too – hang draperies that are full and heavy, and be sure to tie them back with ornate tassels for a look that is unmistakably traditional. It’s often easy to find great traditional pieces at affordable prices at department stores like Macy’s or Target. From pillows to curtains, bedding and even furniture, your local department store is one of the best places to start your traditional search.

Bringing traditional styling to your home is much easier – and accessible – than you think. With the right updates and additions to your space, you’ll achieve a look that’s timeless and refined. For more information about the new Weymouth collection from Moen, visit moen.com.

What is distance learning?

Posted on Mar 15, 2016

Light blocking curtains

Posted on Mar 9, 2016

Light blocking curtains, sometimes known as blackout curtains or lined blackout curtains, can be a very appealing and functional interior design touch. Once you understand the main elements involved in choosing your light blocking curtains, you’ll be able to  successfully install and utilize them to their maximum effectiveness.

Take Measurements

Blackout curtain drapes or blackout window curtains come from the factory in many different sizes, shapes and styles. Since the main purpose of these curtains is to perform the function of blocking out daylight, it’s essential to take accurate measurements around all of the windows and glass doors in which you intend to hang them. You need to always measure a little wider and lower so that the drapes extend past the corners, bottoms, and sides of the glass where all possible outdoor light can come in.

Are they Dark Enough?

Blackout curtains come in several colors. But they’re all usually dark enough to serve the purpose of blocking the light out of your home, apartment or condominium. If you’re buying them because you want to be able to sleep comfortably during the day when the sun’s bright, then you should carefully choose the darkest color you can find, as this will successfully block out more sunlight than lighter versions. But if all you want to do is block out the often blinding glare of the sun that’s coming into your living room, you can go with a lighter color to match your interior decor.

Materials and Textures

Many of these lined blackout curtains are made of heavy-duty thermal material since thermal textures are more efficient at blocking out the strong, harsh rays of the sun. You have to understand that when this type of material gets dirty from dust and other airborne pollutants, you’ll have to eventually clean them. This will often mean removing them and taking them over to the dry cleaner, as household steam cleaners usually aren’t effective enough for a thorough cleaning and a full disinfecting procedure.

But the many benefits of these heavy, rugged textures also include keeping out the intense heat of the sun in summer time, saving on your air conditioning energy consumption costs, and helping prevent the sun from color fading of your carpets and furniture, especially the leather, velour and suede variety.

Price

You can find these blackout curtains selling for a wide variety of prices depending on which brand you buy and from which online or physical retail location you choose to purchase at. Wider, longer and heavier ones will always cost more. So will ones with custom designs and weaved patterns on them. These are the upscale, high end brands. Many homeowners are content to buy the least expensive, simplest designs and just color coordinate the curtains with their carpet, hardwood floors, wall coverings, and sofas. Well priced light blocking curtains are also going to be incredibly durable. They won’t fade due to the strong sun hitting into them all day long, so they make an excellent household investment.

Versatility

Because light blocking curtains can be used in so many home window applications, they have become very popular over the years since they first came out. Blackout window curtains can be used instead of ordinary blinds to block out much more sunlight. They’re certainly ten times better than even the darkest standard curtains. And these light blocking curtains can be installed over either windows that rise vertically or over ones that roll inward towards the room. They can also be used on sliding glass doors that lead to patios, porches and decks.

By: Alfred Oliver

http://www.articlecity.com/articles/home_improvement/article_7244.shtml

Moving in the military? How to make the process easier

Posted on Mar 2, 2016

Permanent Change of Station (PCS) and Personally Procured Moves (PPM) come with military assistance to help soldiers and their families make the transition. Families can also take advantage of the do-it-yourself (DITY) option offered by the military, which could make the overall transition much smoother.

No matter how quickly the move happens, or what kind of moving assistance your family requests, here are some moving tips from Penske Truck Rental to help keep everything in order.

* Planning – PCS notifications can come without a lot of warning, or families may know about a potential move far in advance. For both instances, getting a plan in place is a good start. Gather important information into one folder, containing phone numbers, contact names, dates, receipts and checklists in this folder so you can easily track everything about your move. For some planning tools that focus specifically on military moves, visit the U.S. Department of Defense website.

* Moving – Many families choose the DITY option because it gives them more control over the move, and they can also potentially make some money in the process. The military provides an allotted cost for moving, and if you can come under that cost through your own planning, the military will pay you the difference. For example, Penske Truck Rental offers active military personnel a 10 percent discount when they reserve a truck online, and an additional 10 percent off when they show an active military ID while picking up the truck. Penske will price-match any competitive offers on one-way truck rentals as well. Visit www.DITYmove.com to learn more.

* Weights – Military rules require soldiers to certify the weight of the rental vehicle when empty and after it’s fully loaded. Weight limit reimbursements are set depending on a soldier’s rank and dependents, but the traditional weights are estimated at 1,000 pounds per room, excluding bathrooms and storage areas. Then add in the estimated weight of large appliances, garage items and items in storage. Compare this number to what is allowed and determine if you can reduce the load in any way to avoid paying overweight costs. To help with weight certifications, Penske offers a Certified Public Scale locator tool online to help DITY movers in finding weigh stations.

* Contact info – File a change of address form at your local post office so mail can be forwarded, and also make certain your new information is updated with your specific branch of the military.

* Explore – Get to know your new neighborhood, both on and off base. If you have children, explore the schools and the after-school activities available. Learn a bit about the city’s history and gather information on the services the city offers so that on moving day, your water and electricity will be available when it’s needed.

When in the military, a move is practically inevitable, but the process can be much less stressful on both emotions and finances with a little organization and planning from the get-go.