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One of my favorite places for tile is Statements in Seattle.  Not only is the staff knowledgeable, friendly and helpful, they provide beautiful resource examples throughout their showroom.

Even more helpful is their blog and I feature in this post the top ten tips to consider when using tile in a remodel. (author:  Britt Bertolucci)

1.Something to consider when doing a kitchen backsplash is outlet placement. Jamen suggested placing outlets under the cabinets. This makes your design smoother and is easier to use in the long run.

2.If you have two different floors that bump up to each other, plan the thickness of the under-lamenant. Most installers can do this for you but it is still something to consider and discuss prior to picking your tile.

3. Like I mentioned last week Schluter is a great and often less expensive alternative to sometimes more costly bullnose or trim pieces

4. Very important: Make sure you or your installer remove all preexisting materials before the install. Also check for damages and see if any repairs are necessary. It is always better to start with a clean slate when remodeling. .The 20% your saving now by not doing having a clean slate now could cost you a 120% in 6 to 8 months.

5. When looking for shower pan tiles you should use 4″x4″ or smaller for proper sloping.

6.Time!! Research your tile choice ahead of time. Some tile is special order so make sure you have the time if necessary so you get something you truly want and not something you are ok with, but will hate in two years.

7. Remember your color choices. Try not to get something that will date itself in a few years.  

8. Remember it is NOT cheaper or faster to do it twice. On that note make sure your installer is a reputable one who preferably is licensed and bonded and will not take costly shortcuts.

9.When using grout and thinset, check with the manufacturer’s recommendations and always read directions about application and sealing procedures.

10. Counting the cost.  Don’t be scared of the highest estimate. The highest estimate is not always the worst. It often will cover all your bases, because remember, there are always unexpected surprises. ALWAYS!

Tags: color, decorating, remodel, Seattle, tile
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Locate a designer

Helios Carpet is promoting LocateADesigner.com in Metropolitan Home magazine. The ad is on page 46 of the November issue and is on newsstands now!

This Website was developed by Helios Carpet to help you find the right interior designer for your decorating or remodeling project. Designers from all over the country have posted profiles that include information about their services, experience, and qualifications, along with images of their work.

Click on Locate A Designer to find a designer near you.

Tags: decorating, interior design, remodel, resource
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Ed Del Grande of Kohler shares his top ten tips:

1. Turn off the water while brushing your teeth or shaving to avoid using excess water.
2. Cut a minute off your shower time every day to save more that 750 gallons of water annually. Also consider swapping out your showerhead with a low-flow model that can reduce water usage by one-half gallon per minute.
3. Landscape with native or drought-tolerant plants to significantly reduce water usage outside the home.
4. Replace old toilets with High-Efficiency Toilets (HET) to save up to 17,000 gallons of water annually.
5. Use leftover water for houseplants instead of pouring it down the drain.
6. Make sure the dishwasher is fully loaded to maximize the number of dishes cleaned in a cycle.
7. Use the appropriate water level and load size on the washing machine when doing laundry. Consider purchasing a front-load washing machine.
8. Fix leaky faucets and install low-flow aerators on kitchen and bath faucets to effortlessly save 200-300 gallons of water each month.
9. Use a broom rather than a hose to clean off driveways, steps and sidewalks.
10. Water your garden during the coolest part of the day, generally in the morning, and avoid watering on windy days.

Tags: Green Design, remodel, water conservation
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After seeing the bold colors of red and gold during the Olympics, more of the same continued at Fashion Week.  No surprise to see the 2009 color trends reflect the synergy of commerce and culture.  The bold and saturated hues remind us of summer and beaches while connecting us to influences and themes of other places such as Russia, East Asia and Latin America.  As Thomas Friedman expresses, the world is flat. 

Interpreted for your home, orange becomes an appealing color for interiors but is not crayon orange but toned down with a touch of yellow and called ‘tiger-eye’.  Likewise red receives a hint of orange and becomes tropical and lush.  In a room setting this ‘Moorish’ red is enhanced by complements of tangy lemon accents.

From Project Runway to Fashion Week, vivid blues and purples are combined with neutrals.  Blue promotes optimism and it’s grounded with nature’s neutrals; think natural fiber, wool, and wood.  This combination of fresh blues with gorgeous gray grounds the palette and promotes stability – a perfect combination for a master bedroom suite. 

The Green movement is mainstream so certainly green is a star whether on the runway or in the home. Spring inspired daffodil yellow pairs with a muddier gold green and adds freshness to the interior.  An old friend, olive green, becomes a sophisticated companion.  One color that combines with all of the above colors is slate grey providing a visual ‘weight’ to the overall color scheme. 

Finally, I believe color is LOCAL. Explore your locality, see how the colors are nuanced at your local markets and store display windows.  Spin the color wheel with local hues for a timely update.

Tags: color, decorating, fashion, home, interior, paint, remodel, Seattle, style
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With the hassles of flying and cost of travel overseas rethinking ‘HOME’ and how we live in our home takes on new meaning.   Over the past months whether it’s the price of a gallon of gas, dining out, movies, the economic message is stay home.  And why not? As one considers this option, an investigation of our surroundings is an opportunity to examine the condition of our comfort zone and what improvements are possibilities.

As a designer, I commit to the motto that you should ‘come home to a place you love’.  Do you?  What alterations, tweaks so to speak, make that phrase come alive for you? Would new wall color inspire you?

How about fresh accessories like accent pillows, a lamp, a new chair or sofa, an area rug? 

Or you could indulge yourself with a kitchen remodel intending to gather friends and family at the table for memorable meals and conversation. A very personal luxury inspiration like a spa like bathroom makeover diminishes all that stress from your workday. 

As we enter the indoor months the chance to entertain around sporting events or movies makes that large flat screen very appealing.   Watch your favorite teams with friends and swap stories in the comfort of your home.  Compare outcomes of favorite reality television programs over snacks or watch the movies you love or missed at the theater in the comfort of your home.

A few months ago, Stephen Drucker, editor of House Beautiful, penned a great post.  It captured the importance of your home.  “I can’t mention the economy anymore. It’s in the news, it’s at the gas pump, it’s in the air every day. To everyone who hesitates that decorating is a luxury at this unsettled moment, I’d like to say that I think home is more important than ever, not a last priority in your budget, but a first. Now is the time to set a beautiful table and invite friends for dinner, rather than go to a restaurant. Now is the time to get a deal on that big TV and create your own home theatre, rather than go out to movies. Now is the time to paint a room a pretty color, or buy some pillows for your sofa, or dress up your bed in new sheets. And now is definitely the time to renovate a kitchen or bath, or even add a room, as contractors become less busy and more eager to please. Home isn’t a luxury; the money you spend, you’ll enjoy every day. “

Tags: entertain, investment, redecorate, remodel
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