Who Knew Carpet Could Be Fun?

Carpet tiles have been around for a long, long time…well, around 50 years. They are a fantastic alternative to installing a full carpet and are great for both commercial businesses (especially in the office), and in the home. Since we are planning on finishing of our floors with hardwood flooring, this would be a great option for us to cover some of our space with carpet and not hide the new floors!

via Copy Cat Chic

Some of the best qualities are that they are easy to install, affordable and easy to ship, they are easy to clean and maintain, and they look both professional and stylish. They are available in so many styles and textures these days, that they can fit in practically any space.

via Flor 

The same great qualities as above make it a great choice for homes as well. Affordable carpet tiles are available widely and are less expensive to ship that traditional carpets because they come packed in boxes. - But best of all they are easy to install, and are DIY friendly. This is especially the case if you are planning to lay them on  top of laminate flooring, vinyl flooring or concrete as there is no need for underlay.

via Little Green Notebook

Carpet tiles come in a range of designs and colors and the fact that they are tiles makes planning your flooring a lot more fun, because you can be creative. They are easy to custom fit the shape of the room, which is particularly great if you have an awkward shaped room. Recently, popular TV design programs, interior design websites and blogs have started to champion carpet tiles due to the ease of installation and the variety and styles of options available.

via Flor 

Don't forget that they are easy to clean and maintain! Vacuuming works best for keeping them clean and spills can easily be absorbed with towel or sponge. You can even lift up the dirty tile and run it under the faucet to give it a quick clean. And if a tile (or two) is irretrievably damaged then you can simply just pick it up and replace it with a new one. Simple and a lot more cost effective then having to replace a whole carpet. It also makes it a little easier and more practical to have that white or cream tile you've always dreamed of!

2 above via Flor 

Carpet tiles come in many styles to fit a wide variety of decor styles and many price points. If you are looking to re-floor, carpet tiles are a flooring option that definitely should be considered. There are tons of really great brands out there, but in particular you should check out brands such as:  Burmatex, Desso, Gradus,  Heuga, Interface and JHS Carpets as style wise, their options are fantastic.

this post was in partnership with everyfloordirect.com

3 Top Tips when using Flooring Rugs

Rugs are a great way to bring a new lease of life to a tired looking room. However, before you make your selection you should consider these three tips, as rugs can be used in many different ways in a home or office.

1. Placement:
You'll need to think about where you place flooring rugs if you want to avoid trips and falls at home or in the office. Irrespective of which room you place a rug try not to have the corner in the middle of a door opening as this can lead to a potential tripping hazard. It is a good idea to use rugs in high traffic areas just so long as the larger part of the rug is in the doorway.

via Nesting Newbies

2. Sitting Areas:
You can create an inviting sitting area in a room simply by placing a sofa and chairs around a rug. Pale or light colours, with a low-key design offer a more intimate space in which people can sit and talk. Circular or hexagonal shaped rugs are also ideal for cosy seating areas. By placing the front feet of chairs and sofa onto the edge of the rug, not only will you be reducing any potential trip hazards, you'll also provide sufficient rug surface for people to have both feet on the rug itself. This will help to make people feel more at home and at ease. You could also place a flooring rug under a coffee table to create a central focal point in the seating area.

via Anthology

via Maison Marigold

3. Open Areas:
One of the most fashionable ways to use flooring rugs is to place them in areas which have no furniture, such as in front of the fire-place or in the middle of a room. Placing rugs in open areas can help add a new dimension to a room more especially if they are a contrasting colour to the flooring; they can provide a different texture which will give a room more personality and help ground a colour scheme.

via Casa Diez


*disclosure: this is a sponsored post from UK Flooring Direct

Spring is on it's way! 10 great tips to freshen up the place at little to no cost

These clever and thoughtful tips come to you from Beverly Hills interior designer David Solomon. I didn't know residents of the Hills needed budget tips - but David has some great ones nonetheless! To see David's portfolio go to his site.

1. Paint is your best friend
One of the most affordable options as a homeowner is to paint a room. Try picking a theme or choose a color and build your room around the mood of the color.


The dusky blue paint in this entryway sets the tone for this home - you get a sense that it will have a historic, eclectic, and mature feel.
via Maison Interiør

2. Stick to a theme.
What do you call a Japanese, Victorian, and Modern theme? Answer: a college dorm. Try to stick to a basic theme and work with that design.

3. Use visual cues.
Most people ignore very innate physical attributes of a home. Arched doorways are good for a Spanish theme. Crowned molding works well with Victorian and Art Deco styles. Wainscoting on walls can work with a country theme. Solid walls work well with modern.


The decorator here took a cue from the elegant molding and created a luxe sitting room
via Scandinavian Chic

4. Furniture makes a statement about the room.
One of the biggest investments you can make can be the furniture you purchase for a room, however, try to repurpose existing furniture or try using simple chairs with matching table to create a theme.


This room could have gone in many directions but this unique table and the patina of the wood sets the tone as rustic and traditional
via BoligDrøm


5. Take a peek under the carpet
If you own an older home, chances are you are covering hard wood floors with that 70’s shag carpet. If you own a new home don’t be afraid to pull the carpet and put down wood laminate. Engineered wood has never been more affordable.

6. Put down an area rug.
Area rugs can be purchased for as little as $200 and give a room a very expensive look. Carpet remnants make for excellent area rugs. See local Carpet store.


via My Marrakesh


7. Ditch the overhead chandelier for wall sconces
Lighting is the oldest trick in the book to make a room pop; just ask Hollywood filmmakers. Get creative while sticking to the theme. Create a modern room by hiding the light source or create a Victorian feel by putting wall sconces on a light fader.

8. Less is more
Most people believe that every square inch needs to be filled in a room but emptiness is a statement in itself. Don’t be afraid to leave a wall void of furniture.

9. Use accessories.
One of the least expensive ways to add color to a room with white walls is to add red pillows. Pillows, throw rugs, candles, paintings, photos, and flowers can make mild into wild.



via Casa Diez

10. Add a plant
One of the best ways to make a room feel like a living space is to add living plants, like a tall leafy plant in one corner, or just get some fresh seasonal flowers for the table.

via Alice in Designland


BONUS TIP

Any change you make will add to your overall curb appeal and ultimately to the value of your home. Keep in mind that outdoor improvements such as foliage, plants, and bushes take a long time to grow so plan ahead.

sponsored post -Carpet so gorgeous you might not miss hardwood

Hardwood gets a lot of attention - and while I will not deny that I love a rustic wideplank floor, there are some rooms where carpet is a bit more appropriate and welcoming.

However, I think it is important that the carpet is something you love the look of, and when I was introduced to Fun on the Floor I actually raised an eyebrow. My first reaction was to the wonderful colors. Take a look at some of my favs







I also really appreciated that they offer so much more than frou frou patterns, but modern and timeless choices that will keep you home from looking dated.


Are there rooms in your home where you feel carpet is a must? I think if you have small children a carpet in the play room is perfect because it creates a softer surface for playing on the floor. I also tend to like carpets in the TV room because sometimes I just like to sprawl out on the floor with a big pillow. If you are going for a comfy but luxury look in a bedroom I think carpet can be really welcoming.



So...now that I have your attention with all the glorious eye candy above; I have another sweet treat for you. Fun on the Floor is offering a carpet voucher open to anyone visiting the page: www.funonthefloor.com/voucher

A range of services from recommended retailers are FREE with the voucher including:-

-free planning and installation advice,
-free measuring and onsite surveys and
-free estimates for fitting.

Just go to the link above, print out the voucher, present it in-store at any one of our recommended retailers. Users then just enter their postcode in the box on the page and find their nearest participating store.

Inspirational wallpaper, rug, and textile patterns from the father of arts and crafts, William Morris

Just a tiny blurb about William Morris from Wikipedia:
"William Morris (24 March 1834 – 3 October 1896) was an English architect, furniture and textile designer, artist, writer,socialist and Marxist associated with the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood and the English Arts and Crafts Movement."

If you're not familiar with his work I'm sure you'll love it. His patterns are meant not to display geometric genius, but to honor nature. "He did not see the merits of a wholly geometrically inspired design and remained convinced through most of his life that nature was the only solution to a good design." - via The Textile Blog"


I love seeing work in progress

A Morris carpet detail

above images via The Textile Blog


via Easy Web


Love this one!
via Creatively Different Blinds

via Met Museum

If you like his work a lot of gift shops and boutiques sell products with his patterns on them. You can find stationary and office supplies with his patterns here.

via Victoria and Albert Museum Shop


I will definitely be remembering these fabrics!
via Quilter's Palette

Fantasy-inspiring interiors from BNO Design

Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz is a cutting edge interior designer of our time, and a big influence in the field. Anyone who knows me will know why I like his interiors--they are white! In fact, his whole New York City apartment is white. I could do without all the furs, but the shag carpets are lovely!

Madeline Weinrib Carpets

Really unique carpets from Madeline Weinrib. You can also find accessories, fabric, furniture and pillows on the website, www.madelineweinrib.com. The patterns are inspired by those from Tibet, Morocco, and other cultures. Most patterns are also available in a wide variety of patterns, and colors from funky to conservative are available too.