Decorative Wall Tiles For Elegant Design

Decorative Bathroom Wall Tile

Considering decorative bathroom wall tile? It is a great way to add a lot of character to the bathroom. If you are considering adding these tiles to your walls, start with the largest wall within your bathroom. You can choose products such as porcelain, limestone, and even marble, although ceramic is the most commonly used. In the past, small tiling was done here, but even larger pieces can be used to create a unique look. You can find a number of great patterns to use to create the look you are after. More so, you can find tiles of a variety of cuts giving you even more options to take advantage of. When using these decorative bathroom wall tiles, concentrate the most color or pattern in the areas that you need to draw attention to, such as your shower or tub area.

Using Them In Your Bathroom Design

How can you use decorative bathroom wall tile in your bathroom? You could consider tiles that will frame the area with a border. The theme of your bathroom can also be used. For example, an Oceanside theme could have tiling that features seashells on them. Or, if you want something more ornate, consider porcelain tiles that are painted by hand instead. You can use colored glass tiles if you are looking for this type of look, too.

Don’t Forget The Finish

Yet another way to add character to your decorative bathroom wall tile is through the type of finish used on them. Some offer a shine that is unique while others offer a more matte finish or even a rustic look. Doing this over the top of plain tile can be an amazing finish or, look at the type of marble or product itself. Use a variety of tones to create a unique look all to your own bathroom. For earth tones for your bathroom tiling, consider colors such as sage, creams and even camel based colors. You will find that natural stone adds depth of character to the space as well. Or, tumbled marble can be used. Use as you see fit for the look you are most interested in.

Looking towards the project, when using decorative wall tiles, be sure to use the right amount of various types of materials to get the shades and the textures that you want. Plan out the design on paper so that you can see how the finished product will look in the end. This way, your decorative bathroom wall tiles works perfectly!

2007 Design Forecast: Imagination Wins!

2007 interior design trends are pointing in an exciting direction. Rather than focusing on just one look, one color palette, one set of decorating “rules” which we are never supposed to break, our homes will take their cue from an “eclectic” style. Eclecticism is all about imagination, unexpected contrasts and delightful surprises. It’s a mix of furnishings, colors, design elements and quirky accents that adds up to a very interesting and personal style, and will make every room in our homes unique and one of a kind.

Forget what you think you know about how things go together. Forget what everyone says something is supposed to be used for. Forget the way your mother used to decorate…and combine the things that surprise and please you the most. Brighten a room with color…create cozy spaces…let in lots of light…blend old and new….

The buzzword in interior decorating circles for 2007 is color, color and yet more color! If there’s one thing that all of the experts are saying, it’s that consumers are no longer afraid to use color in the home. Whether in paint, home furnishings or decorative accessories, color will be very important this year. Color is an easy way to personalize our environments – it can make a room come alive and tie things together. Pick a few colors, repeat them in a variety of ways – upholstery, wall color, etc. – and your room will have a polished look with a minimum of effort.

Of course, there are several different color palettes that are being touted for 2007 – after all, we wouldn’t all want to decorate our homes in the same color! Color forecasting groups like the Color Council and the Pantone Color Institute have come up with some terrific palettes for home décor. Perhaps the most talked-about trend is the use of travel-inspired colors – richer, deeper hues that evoke thoughts of far-off places. Think of the rich jewel tones of a Persian rug – red/purples, rich gold, deep sapphire and peacock blues. These dramatic colors work well in dining and family rooms, and add a feeling of warmth and excitement. They can be paired with neutrals for a more traditional look, or used together in patterns for a more contemporary feel.

If you’re not quite ready for such vivid and exotic tones, a slightly softer color palette is being discussed that may be right for your needs. Based upon lush natural landscape shades, these earth tones have more pop and are a bit brighter than in previous years. Rosy browns, dusty blues and lavenders, golden olive greens suggest rich minerals and stones. These colors are soft and welcoming, and are good choices for kitchen or bath.

The spa-inspired color trend of 2006 continues to be a hot with homeowners looking to create relaxing retreats in their own homes. This year, the colors are soothing and serene – a neutralized version of pastels. Dusty coral, silver gray, watery blue and barely peach work well in both contemporary patterns and more classic styles, and would work well in a bedroom or bath where tranquility is key.

For 2007, furniture designers are putting the spotlight on the rebirth of “new classic” styling after several years of touting contemporary looks. Contemporary is still a force to be reckoned with in home interiors, but the transitional classic looks add a dash of detail and glamour to the picture.

Wood furniture finishes will be either deep dark brown tones or au naturel. Gentle curves will be seen on chair backs, table bases, headboards. Upholstered furnishings follow one of two paths – either contemporary streamlined shapes, or the softer, rounder lines of the classics. Nailhead trim and piping are making a comeback.

Leather upholstery continues to be very important for 2007. Leather looks great in a wide variety of furniture styles, from traditional to contemporary and everything in between. It works beautifully in every variation of earth tone colors as well as neutral shades and – a point not to be dismissed- is extremely hard wearing and easy to care for!

Because flooring is such a substantial feature in a house, the type you choose will go a long way in defining the style of your space. And, here as well, the choices and trends for 2007 will give you room for thought….

Wall-to wall carpet seems to be waning in popularity these days, but today’s carpeting is coming in subtle tone-on-tone patterns, in “shaggier” surface types and in deeper neutral colors than before. Sage greens, bronze and khaki tones are most popular today, and show less dirt than our mothers’ very light colors did.

As we use less carpet in our homes, hardwood is fast becoming the flooring surface of choice for many of us. Wood floors are beautiful, easy to clean, will last more than a century and can be refinished when necessary. Most exciting are the wide plank looks in distressed finishes. Laminate flooring is an alternative to hardwood. It is less expensive and is easy to install, but cannot be refinished and sometimes has a hollow sound to it.

Stone flooring surfaces are very popular today. Natural slate decorative wall tile is especially interesting, both for its texture and its interplay of warm colors. Limestone and tumbled marble are options for a slightly more formal look. One of this year’s newest and most unique flooring choices, and a growing favorite of designers and homeowners alike, is stained, or patinated, concrete. Using an array of acids and chemicals, concrete floors can be colored in a variety of earthy tones. It can be a very artistic process, with swirls and splatters incorporated into the design and scoring and saw cutting can be used for decorative effect.

Two rooms that we all have in our homes and are spaces in which we can indulge our creativity and personality are the kitchen and bath. We can take inspiration from the design trends for 2007 and really put them to work in these two spaces.

The kitchen is a room in the house that is getting lots of attention (and remodeling dollars) devoted to maximizing its design and function. And well it should, as it, along with the bath, is one of the rooms in which you are most likely to recoup your investment when you sell and move on to an even dreamier home.

Today, consumers want a large open floor plan, tons of storage, lots of work space and the latest in professional appliances in our dream kitchens. The kitchen is often the main activity and gathering spot in the home – not only is it used for cooking (often by multiple family members at the same time) and eating, but often the kids’ homework is done here, household finances are handled, and guests are entertained. After all, you know that when you throw a party in your home, everyone always seems to end up in the kitchen!

Separate stations for baking, cleaning, entertaining and cooking create efficiency and allow all family members to join in the fun. Some of the newest high-end kitchens incorporate a wine bar, with the requisite wine storage cooler, or a coffee station with espresso machine into the room as well.

Kitchen appliances are becoming more focused these days – refrigerators are either larger, with more doors and specialized compartments – or they are becoming smaller, in the form of built-in under counter drawers. Dishwashers also come in “drawer” versions, so that smaller loads can be efficiently washed, and a second dishwasher can be added if needed. The star of the kitchen is usually a professional-grade range, often with six burners, warming and oven compartments and pot filler faucets. It’s topped off with an eye-catching hood, whether in stainless steel or decorative wall tile and paint finishes.

Deep apron-front farmhouse sinks of porcelain or soapstone are being paired with decorative faucets in brushed nickel or oiled bronze finishes. And it won’t be so easy to make a decision on countertop surfaces, as the choices are endlessly varied. Everyone loves granite, in its myriad of natural colors and patterns, but alternatives include butcher block, stainless steel, copper, stained and colored concrete materials as well as the ubiquitous decorative wall tile and solid surface materials.

There’s lots of room to indulge our creativity and personal style in cabinetry design and selection this year. Old World looks are really popular, combining functionality with European flair for an eclectic look. Wood finishes are back in vogue, but with glazed finishes in which a topcoat that is lighter or darker than the base color is applied and then wiped off, adding a wonderful depth of color. Traditionally, cabinets are stained or painted a single color, but, in today’s kitchens, designers are likely to mix colors in a single room. Perhaps the center island is done in a different color, or maybe the upper cabinets are painted in a soft color, while the lowers are stained in a deep, rich finish.

Cabinets of different heights and depths can be combined to give more prominence to a certain area and to create a more interesting façade. Different door and drawer styles can be used – perhaps one group of upper cabinets is fitted with seeded or wavy glass inset doors, while banks of drawers are used on some base cabinets instead of the more commonplace doors. Short legs can be added to lower cabinets to give them the “unfitted kitchen” look of separate pieces of furniture.

Lighting is key to an effective and attractive kitchen design – hanging pendant lights or a single multi-light fixture over an island can add stylish ambient lighting to the room. Under-cabinet task lighting is important, as are recessed ceiling fixtures which bathe the room in a warm glow.

The bathroom is undergoing its own modern design renaissance these days. According to industry experts, consumers are demanding the same ambiance and features in our baths at home as we are experiencing and enjoying at luxurious spas and resorts. Creating that spa-like space at home is becoming more and more important to many of us, so we are installing whirlpools and jetted tubs with air-bubble massage functions, chromatherapy (at the touch of a button, a sequence of rays of color, which practitioners believe can have a holistic healing effect on the body, are shone through the water) and other indulgent options. Tub styles are diversifying as well, from the of-the-moment infinity edge look to the classically sophisticated claw foot and pedestal versions.

Those of us who prefer to shower instead of soak have plenty of high-end choices to ponder as well. Luxury shower systems with overhead rain-forest-style shower heads, steam generators, saunas and multiple body-jets create an oasis-like atmosphere. Add in a wall-recessed gas-fired fireplace, heated towel bars, radiant heat flooring, whisper-quiet ventilation, a flat-screen hi-definition TV and decorative lighting and you’ve got your very own five star spa resort right in the comfort of your home.

This pampering spa experience calls for updated design and upscale style in the other elements of the room as well. In 2007, the bathroom vanity is morphing from the utilitarian cabinet of yesterday into a stylish piece of real furniture, with a decorative sink set into its surface or an above counter “vessel” sink – often a piece of art itself in glass or stone – mounted on top. And his-and-hers separate vanity areas are a conveniently functional feature on those busy mornings when two people are rushing to get ready at the same time. Instead of a single piece of plate glass mirror mounted on the wall above the vanity area, a decoratively framed mirror adds a warm touch. Wall sconces provide task lighting with an upscale feeling, while a chandelier or pendant fixture overhead supplies ambiance and style.

Glass decorative wall tile is emerging this year as a favorite material for the bath. It shimmers, it shines and it can be used on walls, counter surfaces and floors. Homeowners are designing showers with glass wall tile in ocean colors and mosaic patterns to create a warm, relaxing atmosphere.

The distinction between indoor and outdoor spaces continues to blur as we spend more time outdoors whether entertaining, playing or just enjoying a quiet, peaceful respite from the busy workday world. The desire to entertain year round has created a design movement to develop outdoor “rooms” that provide comfort and style across the seasons. The simple “barbeque grill in the corner of the patio” of years past has now developed into a complete outdoor kitchen, providing all the amenities of a full service cooking center. This year, “barbeque islands”, which can be custom built or purchased ready made, can include not only the aforementioned grill, which has morphed into a stainless steel state-of-the-art gas grill, but also storage space, warming drawers, a small refrigerator and plenty of bartop area for the crowd to gather around as the steaks are grilling.

Whether you want to settle in solo with a good book or enjoy a lively conversation with friends, comfortable outdoor seating is essential. Outdoor furniture has now become almost indistinguishable from its indoor cousins, with sofas, chaises, club chairs and ottomans upholstered with plush cushions in vibrant fabrics. Add a small table to accommodate a tall iced tea, an area rug especially designed for outdoor use, accessorize with candles and pillows, and your outdoor living room will rival the refinement, comfort and style of your family room indoors. Of course, a sparkling pool, spa or hot tub, firepit or outdoor fireplace, trickling water feature or sport/play area will only add to the enjoyment of your backyard sanctuary!

Now is the time to take advantage of 2007’s eclectic style trends and create a unique atmosphere in your home that friends and family will never want to leave. Never before has there been a better time to cultivate your style, your imagination and your dream home. Get started… it’s only a fantasy away!

Architecture Styles of Homes in Hollywood Hills

With the prominence of the Spanish architecture in the California region in the beginning of the 20th century, a large number of homes in the Hollywood hills were modeled on the Spanish style. The Spanish Colonial and the Spanish Mission revival style are the two popular forms of Spanish architectural style.

Luxury living amidst tranquil nature, there are several styles of architectural designed homes in the Hollywood hills. Located in the Santa Monica mountains overlooking the city of Los Angeles, Hollywood hills has become synonymous with high end living and privacy which makes it a favorite with the celebrities. From the English Tudor style to the French Normandy style or the Mediterranean style, there is an array of architectural designed homes in the Hollywood hills.

A former Spanish colony, Spanish architecture has always been popular in the Southwest. While the rest of the country religiously followed the English architectural style, California and the Southwest chose the Spanish style, which became really popular in the late 19th century. The dawn of the 20th century saw the Spanish Colonial and Mission revival style gaining popularity. After the opening of the Panama Canal, in 1915 the San Diego exposition, which saw the participation of Bertram Goodhue, Irving Gill, and Carleton Winslow Sr., popularized the Spanish Colonial revival style across the whole nation. The period between 1915 and 1931 saw a craze among Hollywood stars to get their homes modeled on the Spanish Colonial revival style. The large number of Spanish architectural designed homes in the Hollywood hills being proof of the very fact.

The Spanish Mission revival style is almost similar to the Spanish Colonial revival style with just a few differences. Both these styles of architecture also include elements of the California Mission as well as the Pueblo Revival style of the southwest and west, sourced from the traditional architectural style of the Pueblo people of New Mexico. The Spanish Colonial revival-style also draws inspiration from the Art and Crafts movement and the American Craftsman style. In the architectural designed homes in the Hollywood hills you can see representation of both the Spanish style architectures.

Red decorative wall tile roof, heavy carved doors, concrete and terracotta ornaments, wall tile trim, low-pitched clay decorative wall tile and spiral columns beside doors and windows are characteristics of the Spanish Colonial revival style of architecture. It also includes details from the Moorish Revival, Spanish Colonial, Spanish Baroque, and Mexican Churrigueresque architectural style. While the use of smooth plaster with huge unadorned surfaces, arched windows and shapely scalloped parapets are characteristics of the Spanish Mission revival style.

Stucco walls and chimney finishes are common in both the architectural styles and form a prominent feature of the Spanish architectural designed homes in the Hollywood hills. Roman arcades and fountains, canvas awnings, double hung windows, porches and balconies add a romantic charm to these yesteryears’ homes. Even today the Spanish architectural designed homes in the Hollywood Hills exude the ancient colonial charm. You need to see them to believe.

Porcelain Tiles For the Inner Decor of Your Home

Giving your dream home a distinct touch is no more a tough job as many attractive items for inner decor are easily available. Different kinds of decorative wall tiles have a great contribution in enhancing the look of one’s house. They are mainly used to make the place look clean, bright, beautiful, royal and elegant. There are numerous types of decorative wall tiles available in the market. Out of them, Porcelain decorative wall tiles are very much in demand these days. They are composed of materials clay and quartz. Made with the heating of the most purified form of clay in high temperature and result with the most refined frame and dense structure, these ceramic decorative wall tilings with a water absorption rate of less than 0.5 percent that are used to cover floors and walls.

Although they can be used anywhere, porcelain decorative wall tilings are absolutely meant for a bathroom setting. They not only help in enhancing the beauty of the bathroom but also improving its maintenance and ability to stay clean as well as shiny. They are in high demand due to the advantage of being less absorbent than paint meaning they are far easier to clean. One just have the wipe the stains down with a cloth and most things will rub right off. All these facilities indicate that bathrooms will not be benefited initially but in the long run also, they stay as beautiful as they are today. Their shines remain the same even after a long period. It also means you don’t need to worry about splashing or splattering while washing and brushing your teeth and do not have to keep a check on the kids. Porcelain decorative wall tilings have been around a long time and have changed with the trends.

As far as installing Porcelain decorative wall tiles goes, one can hire a professional, as they are sophisticated and they need to be handled with care. These wall tiles are expensive, so care should be taken while picking up the right kind of decorative wall tile. Porcelain looks very decorative and comes in variety of glazes and finishes, ranging from matte to high gloss looks. Some even has a translucent look reminiscent of glass or gem. It looks truly precious.

Just by taking help of all these colorful and designer decorative pieces, home will look quite attractive. So, desire of your dream home will now turn into reality.

Decorative Wall Techniques Are Choosing And Mixing Colors To Apply On Your Wall Surfaces

Whatever the age and style of your home, consider the whole house when you plan your color and paint finish schemes. You’ll be happiest with the results when you plan decorative painting as a part of the overall interior design. Whatever your style, look, mood, or color preference, you’ll find a decorative paint finish that enhances your living and dining areas. Consider how you want your rooms to feel and the colors of your furnishings.

When you are thinking about painting two or more rooms with decorative home painting techniques, varying the tints of your favorite color and including plain, painted spaces is an easy way to avoid too much of a good thing. If you are updating a room with existing fabrics, you have the option of working with a similar wall color in a fresh technique or starting a new with a revised scheme. For the best results with your choices, match the decorative finish to the style of your room.

Bedrooms, more than ever private retreats…are ideal places to calm down or spruce up with special paint finishes. Choose paint color and techniques that unify your existing furnishings and enhance the decorating look you enjoy. Latex paint provides a fairly tough finish and, in conjunction with varnish, can be used for a surprising range of applications. They are safe to work with, usually odorless, and quick to dry.

Neutral colors can provide the backdrop for other colors, or they can be used alone to create a harmonious scheme. With no sudden color change, these schemes create an impression of light and space. Take time to experiment with different combinations. To achieve the required effect and finish, it is essential that you use the right type of paint.

Fixing Up Your Home To Sell In A Weak Market – 2 Inexpensive Ideas

I don’t know if you’re feeling the squeeze in the home selling market where you live, but here in South Florida for the last year and a half we have watched our home values decline. It’s tough to sell a house in this market; it’s basically a buyers market right now. You can fix the yard up and paint interior and exterior walls and there are a million little things you can do such as removing all the clutter from the walls. You know what I mean you have seen the “fix your house up to sell” shows on television.

The fact still remains that the two most important areas to remodel are kitchens and bathrooms.

One thing that can really bring life to a dull kitchen is the kitchen backsplash. This is a project that most do-it-yourselfers can handle and can be very inexpensive to pull off. Most kitchen backslashes are usually 14 to 18 inches from the top of the countertop to the underside of the kitchen cabinets, so we’re talking up only 1 1/2 square feet for every running foot of backsplash area, we’re not really talking about much decorative wall tile needed for the job most kitchen backslashes take anywhere from 10 square feet to 30 square feet.

There are so many beautiful and inexpensive titles, decorative wall tile inserts and borders out there today to choose from. And if you want to go the extra mile you can spend a little more money and get something really unique. Remember we’re only talking about a few square feet of decorative tile so the cost will not be exorbitant. If you are a hands-on kind of guy or gal even better your labor is free.

Another thing you can do, especially if you have a worn-out Formica countertop is to decorative wall tiling it!

This is another project that is not difficult and can be very cost effective. There are decorative wall tile adhesives available today that stick to just about anything so you don’t have to remove the countertops and start over. The only real trick when going over Formica is to take some very rough sand paper and etch the surface of the countertop this will ensure a great bond for the decorative tile. you need a little free help or advice or even coaching there are many sites online that can point you in the right direction and help to ensure that your project comes out fantastic. Improving your kitchen countertop and backslashes may just be that little bit extra feature that gets the potential home buyer to sign your contract.

Good luck on your next home improvement project.

Easy Bathroom Remodeling Tips

Remodeling your bathroom does not have to be rocket science. There are plenty of simple and inexpensive ways to transform your bathroom from a drab, utilitarian space into a stylish and comfortable room that will impress your guests. Remember that your bathroom is one of the most trafficked rooms in the house, so why not put as much attention into its decor as you would to the rest of your house?

Color

There’s no reason to let the walls of your bathroom stay white. One of the easiest and most effective ways to give your bathroom a makeover is to add come color to the walls. Since most bathroom fixtures are white already, bright, light colors are perfect for bathroom walls. Blue and lime green, for example can be perfect. And remember to have fun. Experiment with simple line designs and color combinations.

Update the Cabinetry

Updating your bathroom cabinetry can be as simple as putting in a new bureau for towel or toiletry storage. Changing the facade of your existing cabinets can also be a great way to give your bathroom new life without having to tear down the existing cabinet structure. New drawer and door hardware (things like handles, knobs and hinges) will stand out and give you bathroom new vibrancy.

Add Tile to Your Walls

You don’t have to redo the entire walls, mind you. Adding a few decorative wall tile designs to your existing walls can be inexpensive and will make a big impact on the overall design of the room. Place the wall tile design on the main focus point of the walls, at eye level.

Lighting

The key to good bathroom lighting is to provide appropriate illumination from above and from the sides. Changing your bathroom lights can spruce up its overall look. Try out different light shade colors and decorative light fixtures.

Travertine Tile Flooring – Classical Tile in the Modern Age

Travertine decorative wall tile is a durable and attractive natural stone in a class by itself. Famous structures like the Roman Coliseum stand as a tribute to the long-lasting nature of travertine as a building material. There are many installers and DIYers today who have used travertine decorative wall tiling as both flooring and as decorative wall tile who will also sing its praises as a practical and uniquely decorative addition to their interiors and exteriors. So, travertine decorative wall tile has been used and relied upon as decorative wall tile for thousands of years, holding a place in the development of civilization from the Ancient Greeks, to the Roman Empire, and onto today’s modern age in equal measure. But what are some of the defining characteristics of travertine which sets it apart from other natural stone flooring and decorative tile options?

Origins of travertine

Travertine is related to marble, actually falling somewhere between marble and limestone in terms of its development over thousands of years. Travertine is formed by subterranean springs, underground rivers, and other water sources. These water sources carry mineral elements such as calcium carbonate that build up over long periods of time in the same way stalactites and stalagmites in caves are formed. The resultant stone is a smooth and very hard substance further characterized by its porous surface. These pores are the result of gases escaping as the travertine is formed. By the time it is quarried, travertine is naturally beautiful – a smooth, dense stone that exhibits a notable creamy color that evokes a certain old-world refinement. Commonly found in Italy and Turkey, travertine remains to be a popular import for construction products all over the world, including North America.

Processing travertine decorative wall tiling is removed from the earth in large blocks before it is cut into what can be recognized as travertine decorative wall tile. It may be cut in any of the following ways: