Satisfaction guaranteed. Call us anytime at 323-731-8453.
home improvement | Flooring Supply Shop Blog - Part 2

Turn your Old Fashioned Apartment into a Contemporary Pad

bathroom accessories, Corners shelves, Towel Bars, Tooth Brush Holder, shower recess, niches, ready to tile recess, shower seats

The most outstanding aspect of contemporary design, when compared with other styles, is the almost immediate sense of modernity it conveys – without the over-simplification of the truly modern design style. Of course, this shouldn’t be surprising, since – by definition – this style is meant to capture advances in the style of interior decor for the 20th century and beyond. Characterized largely by smooth lines, a complementary palette of color and a certain sleekness of form, it provides your apartment or house with a wide range of accessories with which to highlight or convey your sense of taste.

The Contemporary Living Room and Kitchen

bathroom accessories, Corners shelves, Towel Bars, Tooth Brush Holder, shower recess, niches, ready to tile recess, shower seats

The best thing about this interior decor style is the sheer range it affords you in making your apartment an extension of your personality and taste. Unlike the strong motifs of the traditional style, which aren’t easily amenable to your present life, the contemporary style allows countless arrangements of the softer, less edgy elements of a room to stand out without dominating each other.

When you have guests over, your living room is the first introduction and should make the strongest initial impression. Although you want to give a sense of expansiveness when it comes to the furniture and floors, you want to shy away from the plainness of a modern (retro, today) interior and add color and warmth. Tans, browns and mocha colors are a great option if you’re inclined towards earth-tones, and blacks, greys and muted whites – with spot-lighting and rounded corners – if you like things even simpler. Because the contemporary style blends so many elements of the modern style, it can be hard to visually distill the differences between the two; but, if you have trouble, just think “retro.” If you get this feeling while perusing elements you wish to add, then chances are, it’s not contemporary.

The other room of great importance is the kitchen, since it’s often a secondary meeting place for conversations and a primary place for dining. Just as with the living room, lighting plays an exceptionally-important role in conveying the right sense here. In contrast to the pure white, even harsh, lighting of the modern kitchen, the contemporary alternative will have warm bright light that almost looks yellow. It should cast an inviting ambiance; almost as if the kitchen is an extension of the living room. This isn’t hard to effect; just make sure to employ tone-on-tone color schemes for elements that “touch.” For example, if the hardwood floor is mocha-colored, then the pantry directly above it might be milk chocolate or dark beige. Globe-lights with a chrome finish help to accentuate the transitional elements between the living room and kitchen, as well – there are many things you could do to contemporize your kitchen.

The Role of Color in Contemporary Design

bathroom accessories, Corners shelves, Towel Bars, Tooth Brush Holder, shower recess, niches, ready to tile recess, shower seats

Often times, you find a considerable amount of attention being dedicated to color, when it’s color combination that actually matters. For the in-home design, the way that similar shades enhance each other, or different shades complement one another, determines the ambiance of the room. Because the contemporary pad is defined more by solid, bright colors and geometric shapes, a transition from the myriad of muted colors that often defines a traditional style can automatically confer a sense of newness to the room. A few options, if you have black, white or dark grey furniture, are grey blinds by Rollerblinds. The contemporary style softly filters light, and is more effective than pure white blinds for muting the light in the room even further for daytime television watching or other.

Copyright © 2014 FlooringSupplyShop.com

Why Wintertime is the Best Time of Year to Replace Your Flooring

Bathroom remodeling, bathroom accessories, Ready to tile shower pan, Shower remodeling, shower recess, niches, ready to tile recess, shower seats

Remodeling the kitchen and bathroom returns anywhere from two-thirds to three-quarters of the money invested into the project, Remodeling Magazine reports. With each of these projects, old and outdated flooring can be a major portion of the remodeling, as can replacing appliances and fixtures in the room. Remodel now to enjoy the positive changes and make more money when you go to sell your home. While it may not seem like winter offers many advantages over other seasons, especially in snowy areas like Vermont and Virginia, it’s actually a wonderful time to replace flooring: The drier air prevents the boards from gapping while the lack of humidity wards off water damage during the installation.

Bathroom remodeling, bathroom accessories, Ready to tile shower pan, Shower remodeling, shower recess, niches, ready to tile recess, shower seats

Winter works well for floorboard replacement

In the winter, contractors are limited in what they can do. Many cannot complete exterior projects, like adding on a new deck. Replacing flooring is one job they can do year round, because it happens inside the home. For you, this means a faster job completion time because contractors aren’t trying to satisfy as many jobs as during the peak season. Additionally, stores are more likely to stock all needed items so your project won’t hit a supplier-side snafu. Picking out the right shade of stain and discussing the advantages of maple, bamboo and walnut flooring can help prevent some of the winter weariness that sets in when you have long winters.

Because hardwood is so easy to clean and also hypoallergenic, it can make your daily life easier in a season when taking the dog out for a simple walk can mean tracking in wet and dirty snow. A new hardwood floor also increases your home resale value and makes your everyday life more enjoyable. If your old floor squeaked, replacing the floor can reduce the noise level in the home as well.

Planning a floor replacement

While winter is an ideal time to replace your floor, this project comes with a lot of debris. You’ll have your old floorboards that have been ripped out, plus any under layers that need replaced. You’ll also have the trim ends of anything you are installing, plus all of the equipment needed to clean and prepare your floors. In the summertime, it’s easy enough for you or your contractor to run all materials to the dump at the end of the day. In the winter, the dump may have limited hours or a winter storm can make driving unpleasant. If your city has laws that regulate the storage of garbage and debris or that specify that all garbage must fit in your garbage can, you might want to consider renting a dumpster for this project. You can find short term dumpster rentals by the day, week or month. At the end of the rental time frame, the Richmond dumpster rental company will haul away the dumpster and debris.

Additionally, polyurethane sealants have a strong odor. While the sealant will dry faster in the winter, there is a greater chance that you’ll be housebound for much of the day. If you are susceptible to odors, consider using pre-sealed floorboards. These won’t need to be stained and sealed post-installation.
 
Copyright © 2014 FlooringSupplyShop.com

How to Properly Budget and plan your Home Improvement Projects

How to Properly Budget and plan your Home Improvement Projects

Now that 2014 has started, many Los Angeles homeowners are getting their budgets together and making plans for the New Year. For many people the improved economy means that they can finally tackle some of the big home improvement projects they might have had to put off previously.

One of the biggest home improvements you can make which can reap surprisingly dramatic results is replacing your flooring. Try to imagine that old carpeting in the dining room replaced with beautiful, hardwood floors. The whole room could be completely transformed, and the value of your home will no doubt increase. It also helps that new technology and innovations have increased flooring options by the tenfold in the last few years. Just looking at Flooring Supply Shop’s options can show you just how many new options you have.

Flooring Supply Shop

Another thing you may noticed while shopping around is the number of   environmentally friendly options you have. It’s not news that there is a rapidly increasing focus on bringing sustainable materials into every facet of consumer lives, and flooring is no exception to the trend. Unlike a few years ago, there are a huge number of options today.

One option you have if you’re looking to replace some marble in your home, is to actually not replace it at all! If you haven’t heard about our Restoration Training and Cheetah Pads, just let the results speak for themselves. What could be more environmentally friendly than buffing your way to a completely new floor?

However, if you’re searching for a new look in your home that is also Eco-friendly, one of the biggest trends right now is concrete. Yes, you heard that correctly, concrete. This concrete isn’t the boring sidewalk slabs you’re imagining, since the innovations that have been made with concrete are astounding. It can be molded to fit any area, can be dyed or stained to any color, polished until it gives you a high shine look, and – barring any catastrophic events – would never need to be replaced.

 

While concrete is great, one of the newest, coolest, and most environmentally friendly options on the market right now is glass tiles. Eco-friendly glass tiles are made of recycled glass products (like beer bottles) which are then converted into beautiful tiles. It’s really incredible how a bunch of old wine bottles can be transformed into some truly unique flooring. On top of being an environmentally friendly flooring option, many people are using it on the walls of their home or as back-splashes in their kitchen thanks to its light reflecting properties. As an added bonus the tiles are easy to maintain and you won’t have to worry about staining as you would with many traditional types of tiles.

It seems counter intuitive to assume that hardwood floors are eco-friendly, right? Chopping down trees can’t be good for the environment. However, thanks to new advancements you can get hardwood floors without so much as knocking a leaf off of a tree due to engineered hardwood floors. In the past engineered hardwood got a bad rap thanks to it’s less than conventional look, but like every other flooring material out there a few years of time and testing has resulted in a more aesthetic appearance. In addition to being environmentally friendly, it’s usually significantly cheaper than traditional hardwood, sometimes as much as $3 a plank cheaper. They’re also much easier to install than their traditional counterparts.

When making plans for major home renovations it’s easy to get lost in the details and forget about the environmental impact your choices may have. However, it is our responsibility to do our best to use sustainable, eco-friendly products as often as we can, and that includes our flooring. Thanks to the incredible advancements in technology, Eco-friendly floor options are cost effective and very aesthetically pleasing, sometimes more so than non-green options. Just take a look around at some of Flooring Supply Shop’s environmentally friendly options and you can see just how far we’ve come in terms of green flooring options.

Copyright © 2014 FlooringSupplyShop.com

About the Author: Spencer Blohm is a freelance design, lifestyle, and entertainment blogger for Direct-ticket.net. His interests range from interior design to old Hollywood films and can often be found scavenging in vintage and antique stores for his next big find. He lives and works in Chicago.

What You Should Know About DIY Flooring

So you think you are ready to take on a weekend warrior project?That green shag carpet in the den has got to go. Maybe it is the dingy, torn-up vinyl flooring in the kitchen. Before you even start ripping up your old floor, make sure you have the skills, knowledge and tools, or your weekend project could become expensive and cover a few weeks.

Replacing Worn Out Carpeting

Do it Yourself, DIY, Home Improvement, home remodeling, flooring supply, bathroom remodeling, shower remodeling

An experienced DIY enthusiast can rip out old carpet and install new carpeting. The job will be messy — it is amazing how much dirt settles under old carpet. You should put down new padding unless yours is in pristine shape. This project will be easier if you remove the old tack strips and install new tackles ones, as Do-it-yourself.com suggests. Allow the new carpet to acclimate to the temperature of your home for 24 hours before installation to prevent shrinking. You still need to use a stretcher to attach the carpet to the tackles strips.

Requirements for this project include the ability to lift and move a large roll of carpet. You will also need to be able to cut it correctly. One mistake can ruin an expensive project. Seam tape can be used for minor errors.

Laying New Wood Flooring

Do it Yourself, DIY, Home Improvement, home remodeling, flooring supply, bathroom remodeling, shower remodeling

The instructions on the box say the pieces just “snap together”. How much easier could it be? You need to read the part about the sub-floor, if the package even mentions it. Your sub-floor is the base you will be snapping your new floor to according to HomeTips.com. If your sub-floor is wavy, deteriorating or running off at a 30-degree slope, your new floor will look worse with every piece you install.

DIY requirements for this job? You really need more than average handyman skills. You need tools for cutting the flooring to fit as well as a power nailer. When you consider the expense of the materials, you should hire a professional. You can easily do some research online to find contractors in your area that fit your budget for the job.

Installing Vinyl Tile

Do it Yourself, DIY, Home Improvement, home remodeling, flooring supply, bathroom remodeling, shower remodeling

Twelve-inch peel and stick flooring can be installed in a weekend without rocket science skills. One critical aspect of the job is the condition of the floor you are applying the new tile to. If this floor is not even, your new floor will not be either. The tiles are inexpensive enough that one or two mistakes should not be too costly. However, if you plan on removing old flooring, make absolutely certain it does not contain asbestos.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warns homeowners that older vinyl flooring may contain asbestos. You may not be able to tell just by looking at the tile — it may require testing. Asbestos is a mineral fiber that was frequently used in many building materials from the 1930s through the 1970s. If you are not sure whether asbestos was used, leave it alone.

To end up with a successful project, keep your tiles all going in the right direction. On the back of the tile, you will see an arrow. Each tile you lay needs to have the arrow going in the same direction. You also need to start with a very straight line, in the center of the room, and continue placing the tile straight, according to Do It Yourself. Adjustments and short pieces should occur at the edges of your room. If you work with plain tiles–those without extensive patterns–you will have better results. Save the mosaics for a professional.

Remember to not overestimate your skills when you want new flooring. Simple projects are not always simple. If you are investing a considerable amount of money into the materials, invest in a professional to install the floor. Spend your weekend relaxing while you watch someone else work.

Copyright © 2013 FlooringSupplyShop.com

Article by Joanie Ogden

Step by Step Guide to Refinishing your Bathtub

Do it Yourself, DIY, Home Improvement, home remodeling, flooring supply, bathroom remodeling, shower remodeling

Step by Step Guide to Refinishing your Bathtub

Whether you love do-it-yourself projects or are on a budget and need to do some refurbishing on your own, it`s not hard to refinish a bathtub and you`ll be surprised that you can get it done in a reasonable amount of time. Pretty soon you`ll have a beautiful new tub that will bring new life to your bathroom. It can be a focal point, or you can blend the tub with paint, tile, linens and d?cor that tie the entire room together seamlessly.

Materials:

Abrasive tub cleaner
Paint
Epoxy
Abrasive cleaning pad
Paintbrush
Paint roller
400 to 600 grit wet sandpaper

Step 1

Before doing anything else, you need to clean your tub. Remove any non-slip materials with degreaser. Use a scrubber to thoroughly wash the tub and remove all debris, dirt and other items. Don`t worry about scratching the tub because you won`t be able to tell once your refurbishing project is finished. Rinse the cleaning fluids from the tub once you`re finished so that your paint has a prime surface to adhere to.

Step 2

Sand the tub using 400 to 600 grit wet sandpaper. This serves a couple of purposes. It gets rid of any leftover cleaner on the surface and it gives the new coating a solid place to stick. Make sure you get wet sandpaper because it`s much easier to wash away as you work.

Step 3

Mix the new paint for the tub with epoxy. Make sure the two are very well combined. Look for a kit that makes it easy to combine the correct ratio of paint to epoxy so you don`t damage your tub or have to start the project over. A kit is also a great way to make sure you buy the proper type of paint so you don`t mistakenly end up with something that doesn’t hold up well to contact with water. These kits come in several sizes, allowing you to get just as much product as you need to get the job done.

Step 4

Use a paintbrush to apply the paint to the surface of the tub. Paint in one direction only and apply several thin coats rather than one thick one. Allow an hour or so of drying time between each coat.

Step 5

Use a coordinating color of caulk and apply an even line around the tub, making sure to get the corners. Smooth the caulk as you go to get an even looking appearance. Wait a day or two before using the tub to be sure the paint and caulk is completely dried.

Tips and Tricks

Before getting started with your bathtub refinishing project, it`s a good idea to protect the other surfaces in your bathroom so you don`t have damage or costly repairs to deal with. Put a drop cloth over the toilet and the floor surrounding your tub. That way, if caulk or cleaner splashes or drips, clean-up is easy and you won`t mistakenly ruin something else. Remove all towels, rugs and wall art from the bathroom as well. This will keep them out of the way and protect them from damage.

Once you`re done with the tub refinishing, replace the bathroom essentials, or shop for new items to go with your new and beautiful bathtub. Shop online or in stores for new linens,  wall art and decor items that will make your bathroom look stunning in no time. Consider a new color combination, such as gray and yellow, blue and coral or white and gray to give your bathroom an elegant and classy look. All of these choices look great with a bright white bathtub.

Copyright © 2013 FlooringSupplyShop.com

home improvement | Flooring Supply Shop Blog - Part 2