How to buy furniture, kitchen

When it comes to designing your kitchen, choosing a worktop is one of the most important decisions you'll make. Not only does it have to look good, it has to endure heavy use. So before you buy, consider whether you'd be prepared to put in some effort to maintain its look, or would rather have something more durable. Then think about aesthetics.
'Your choice largely depends on the style of your kitchen,' says Lizzie Beesley, conceptual designer at Second Nature Kitchens. 'If you want to create impact with your units, you may want a toned-down work surface, but if you have neutral doors, the worktop material can make a real statement.'
Work surfaces such as stone and stainless steel need to be templated by the manufacturer to fit your kitchen exactly, with cut-outs for the sink and hob, and this will affect your budget.
But it may well be worth it. 'The right choice is a good investment and can turn a modest kitchen into something special,' says Annette White of Chiltern Marble. So which surface is right for you? Read on to find out.
KITCHEN WORKTOP TRENDS
'The polarisation in the thickness of worktops is still a major direction - there's no middle ground, worktops need to be either deep or shallow,' says Anjum Ahmed, product and marketing director at Magnet. 'The slim worktop sector is dominated by glass and compact laminate, while thicker worktops tend to appear in oaks and dark timber or specialist materials.'
There is a huge trend for mixing materials,' says Max de Winter, project designer at Poggenpohl. 'It's not unusual to find two, three or even four different surfaces in one kitchen. As kitchen and living areas are now more integrated, one material throughout the space would feel too overpowering. Instead, use a warm wood on a breakfast bar for example, stainless steel in a prep area and coloured glass as a highlight.'
Edging, be it glass, timber or coloured acrylic, is a top trend. 'For a very modern look, style up a standard laminate with a contrasting edge in wood or stainless steel,' suggests Jude Keenan, kitchen planner at John Lewis. 'This is possible on both square and curved-edge tops.'
'A big trend at the moment is a 50mm worktop with a 30 degree bevelled edge,' says Boffi's Steven Salt. 'This can be in any material, and the tapered edge means the surface appears to be floating above the units, giving the ultimate minimalist look.'
The profile (ie the edge) of the work surface can also make a difference to the overall feel. The rounded edges of the Eighties and Nineties are a thing of the past, and the latest surfaces have a completely square edge, a pencil round (where the edge is just slightly rounded) or a chamfer where just a tiny bit of the corner is shaved off.
LAMINATE WORKTOPS
Modern laminate worktops are a world away from the Nineties surfaces that tried (and more often than not failed) to imitate their natural counterparts.
'Laminates have moved on so much, even in the last three years,' says Simon Wilde, head of marketing at Formica. 'New textures, finishes and printing techniques have given them added dimension and depth.'
Choose from hundreds of colours and finishes, including realistic wood grains, polished and matt stones, sparkling faux granites, concrete, high-shine surfaces and bright, solid colours. Laminate is now also available in thicknesses of up to 60mm.
PROS: Low maintenance and low cost. Laminate is one of the cheapest ways to get the look on a budget, and can be a fraction of the price of the real McCoy. If you're handy with your power tools, you can cut and fit it yourself.
CONS: Some laminates can get scorched and scratched if not cared for properly, and laminate surfaces can have conspicuous seams. They're non-repairable if damaged.
WOODEN WORKTOPS
Hardwood worktops such as oak, cherry, maple, walnut, teak and mahogany are the best way to bring a warm, rich quality to a kitchen.
'Costs vary depending on the wood you choose,' says Lizzie Beesley. 'A simple oak surface will cost a lot less than exotic, on-trend zebrano, wenge or walnut.'
Finger-staved wood tops, where little planks are glued together, are a less pricey way to get the look. Remember to buy from a sustainable source.
'We're even using wood reclaimed from mountain chalets,' says Steven Salt, showroom manager at Boffi. 'These surfaces have a chunky, rustic look, which provides an amazing contrast in an otherwise clean-lined, modern kitchen.'
Wipe wood after food prep, mop up any spills straight away to prevent staining and avoid abrasive cleaning products.
PROS: With inherent natural antibacterial properties, wood is a hygienic option. Relatively simple to install and repair, it can be sanded down to remove blemishes. It can also be an inexpensive choice, depending on which wood you go for.
CONS: Timber takes some effort to keep it in good condition and needs oiling several times over the first week, and then once or twice a year. 'We recommend a hard wax oil to provide added protection against water damage and help maintain the wood,' says Peter Keane, MD of The Natural Wood Flooring Company. Less hard-wearing than some materials, wood can get scorched, scratched and stained. It can also warp if it's not fitted correctly, and it doesn't take well to prolonged exposure to water.
STONE WORKTOPS
Strong, natural and cool, granite is the most popular stone used for work surfaces, and can suit traditional or ultra-modern schemes.
'Granite differs in colour, texture and crystalline structure, producing a range of colours and patterns,' says Annette White. 'Black is always popular, but other colours include greens, blues and browns.'
A polished surface is timeless, but try a honed finish for a modern alternative.
'Or combine a rough surface with a smooth edge, or vice versa,' suggests Lizzie Beesley.
Granite is porous so must be sealed, which should be repeated annually. Costs vary hugely depending on the rarity of the stone.
Other stones such as limestone and marble also make beautiful work surfaces. Marble can add a real wow factor, but it's much more delicate than granite and can be damaged by alcohol, sugar and acids such as lemon juice. It's prone to staining and scratching so requires a lot of TLC.
PROS: Stone gives a real quality feel to a kitchen. Granite is virtually indestructible, and heat, mould and mildew resistant.
CONS: If it does get damaged, stone is non-repairable. It takes skill to fit, and you'll need quality carcasses to support the heavy slabs.
ENGINEERED STONE WORKTOPS

Engineered or composite stone, such as Zodiaq and Silestone, is made from a high percentage of crushed quartz mixed with resin, and is even tougher than the real thing. Stain, chip and heat resistant, it comes in a vast range of colours and textures.
PROS: Colour is consistent, so it's easier to match than natural stone, and it requires no extra treatments so is low maintenance.
CONS: Doesn't have the unique qualities found in natural materials. It comes in large sheets and needs professional fitting.
COMPOSITE WORKTOPS

Contrary to popular belief, not all composites are alike, although there is a tendency to group man-made solid materials together under the same term. This can be misleading, as their properties can vary considerably, depending on the materials they're made from (for example, whether they contain acrylic resin or polyester, or have a high quartz content).
The most well-known composite, Corian, is the second most-popular type of work surface after stone, with more than 70 colours available, including modern brights and heavy-grained hues. Ice white is an enduring bestseller.
PROS: Composites can be fabricated into virtually any shape or design, and they can be joined together in a way that forms invisible seams, creating a smooth, sleek overall look. Sinks, hobs and other features such as upstands can be integrated and moulded into what appears to be a single piece. Composites are hygienic and easy to clean, and while they can get stained and scratched, you can polish out blemishes as you might T Cut a car, maintaining their appearance for many years.
CONS: It's essential that a professional takes an accurate template, so you can't save money by installing it yourself.
STAINLESS STEEL WORKTOPS
Stainless steel is great for a high-tech look. Normally used in professional kitchens, worktops of virtually any shape and size can be produced as a single unit, and sinks, splashbacks and upstands can be integrated to provide a sleek surface. Choose from a polished or brushed-satin finish.
PROS: Very tough and robust, with excellent heat and stain resistance. Stainless steel is hygienic, impervious to stains and the only surface you can use bleach on.
CONS: It can be cold and noisy, and shows scratches and grease marks, although after a while scratches will join together, creating an attractive patina.
GLASS WORKTOPS
Best suited to modern kitchens, glass can be lit from below, and its reflective surface helps boost the feeling of space.
PROS: Great for use as a focal point. Very hygienic and water resistant.
CONS: It gets scratched and chips easily, joins are highly visible, and it's expensive.
CONCRETE WORKTOPS
Hardwearing concrete is seamless and can be formed in any shape to flow around other elements.
'We can make concrete in colours from antique white through reds to black using natural pigments,' says Jonathan Reid, director of concrete surface company White & Reid. 'It also makes a fantastic in/out material, so you can run a top from a kitchen to your outside space.'
PROS: Can be repaired if chipped, and stripped back if it becomes stained.
CONS: It needs care and must be treated with a penetrative sealant. It's not cheap.







You can find more information on interior design and interior design ideas at Livingetc

Rustic Log Cabin Decorating

Rustic or decorate the log cabin can seem like a huge task, but don't let it get you down. Start small by using elements of rustic decor but great plan with an interior design of the whole cabana established. Dividing it into the living rooms or areas and take you step by step.
Big Plan with interior design themes of Log Home
Start with choosing a general theme of decoration. Many people like the themes of wildlife for cabin decoration, such as elk, wolves, bear, Elk or ducks. If you will do this route for sure you really love it because it becomes very easy to select cabin bear or moose with elements of decoration and very soon you can be overrun with forest animals in your cabin. Nature themes include pine cones, pine and maple leafs.
Other subjects of Interior design log cabin are areas and eras as decoration of casa do Lago, Western Ranch, look at the Lodge, North Woods, South-West and Adirondack style. Each cabin decorating theme looks great and many rustic decor accents and furniture can be found in these styles for your country lodge or log cabin.
Don't be afraid to mix them the way you like. Choose different rustic design elements from various sources; perhaps decorate different rooms in your cabin on the rustic plank different themes to give this feature robust rustic country.
Another idea for a log home interior design theme would be an eclectic mix of antiques and imported items. This really opens things up and almost everything that interests can be embedded in your log cabin decor general plan.
Start small with elements of log cabin decor
Start with individual booth decorations as rustic lighting fixtures. A style of cabin combination of light and fan can anchor an entire room or plan around different dominant characteristics, such as the chimney. The fireplace mantle and stone log can suggest topics for cabin interior decoration, as birch bark canoes and pines alternating plates, bear and elk coat hooks, ceiling lights with metal art, a wrought-iron furniture of silhouette or fireplace screen branch.
Or start with a small lounge-the smallest room in the House makes it easier that wants to show. Highlight their bathrooms with rustic hardware or towel bars of wrought iron. Add a substantial-themed exterior mirror and a bear or moose light switch covers. Vanity lighting rustic sets the mood.
Colors and textures
Interior design of the log cabin can crushed by the monolithic look of wood everywhere you turn. Log walls, hardwood floors and paneling or log on the ceilings, the dominant visual aspect is wood. Some people like this, but others prefer to have some colors thrown into the mix to deactivate the beautiful golden wood tones of logs and timber.
Don't be afraid to install some drywall in its inner walls. Use this as a blank screen to add color to a room. Add a texture to the walls with plaster and give you some depth. A bright color translates the cabin lighting and lighting all over the place. Soft earth tones combine well with the log cabin look and provide some contrast with the rich tones of logs.
Soft keys and lighting
Cabin lights take a new role with its ability to set a mood or improve a rustic decor theme. Wooden houses are not common and their fixtures should be, or not. The high ceilings a Cathedral great room call luminaries of large and dramatic as an antler chandelier, a chandelier cedar log or a chandelier of birch bark canoe that focus the eye and make a statement. Use pine cone wall lamps or wall lamps limb to continue the rustic decor in natural stairs. Rustic table lamps and lights dinner complement your theme.
Fireplaces
What would a hut without a chimney? Nothing summarizes the rustic log home comfort of living as a stone fireplace against logs and timber. Although there are many factors involved in designing the perfect fireplace, the most notable features is the fireplace and mantle. Using artificial stone or manufactured for the face of oven can reduce the load weight by a factor of 6 or 7.
Choosing a mantle can be an intensely personal choice and a key element of your cabin decor, but you can rarely go wrong with using a massive wood of reclaimed wood, or a red cedar log sawn in half and resting on two log Corbels, or slice sawn raw a log with the hand bark showing or slabs of stone set in a cavity above the fireplace. This is an opportunity to let your imagination free, but remember that there are minimum clearances required for flammable materials.
Iron Walls for Log Cabins
An ideal combination in almost each cabana is decorating theme with wrought iron and wood logs. They complement each other with their strength and rustic simplicity. Iron Rails contrast nicely with light wood inside and anchor down feeling of solidity and permanence.
Log cabin flooring
The floors are one of its biggest cabana decorative elements, but its importance is often forgotten or minimized. The choices that you make to your home flooring partially log will dictate the overall design and look of your booth technology. You may make flooring a significant decoration item or you can choose to make your flooring become a background to show parts as soft leather sofas, rustic wooden tables and benches of wrought iron.
You can make a small room feel larger using the coating that is lighter in color than the walls mix their coating cabin with stone or tile entrances that get more wear. Mixture or contrast this with wood floors and use carpets to smooth wood and help set indoors. Combine it with leather carpets and cushions.
Kitchen cabinet and bathroom Vanity Hardware
An easy upgrade for your log home interior design is replacing the kitchen cabinet hardware and the hardware of vanities. This is easily done with just a screwdriver and you can choose from dozens of different styles, rustic decor as bear and elk drawer pulls, brass pine cone knobs and bear door knob backing plates silhouette.
Hut home decorating interior design or log can be as simple as choosing some rustic decor elements to enhance your stateroom decoration or as large as select an overall theme for your project log cabin interior and ensure that everything is designed and worked around this theme.
If you enjoyed reading about rustic decor, you may like to learn more about log home interior design.
Brian Gabriel is a licensed contractor, mechanical engineer and log home builder in the mountains of Western North Carolina. He is the author and creator of site Connection Log Cabin, created to offer advice, tips, ideas and resources related to cabins.

Reclaimed wood flooring-Go Green

Hardwood floors are a healthy choice, they require less chemicals to clean than other floor coverings and they don't trap dust and fumes in fibres or grow mold in plaster. More and more people are choosing wood floors for someone with allergies. Don't be surprised if a doctor recommends a hardwood floor for your spine and joints. Wood is know to give a little and can be easier on your legs and feet. Antiques and reclaimed wood floors are an ever popular trend in the coating. Reclaimed wood can provide the benefits of old growth timber with the added more than a single tree forest life is sacrificed. This is where the green life comes into play.
Reclaimed wood and old can be bleached appearance of new, or sometimes consumers look for wood with nail holes, bolt holes and another fastener marks these characteristics of the resource. old wood rustic character brands has many years of use and exposure to the elements.
Many of the floors of buildings come about to be demolished or in the process of being refurbished.Old wood flooring can be reclaimed lumber recovered old barns and dismantled buildings. antiques and distressed hardwood floors are appreciated for their beauty, stability and patina. Old wood in distress and is usually vintage of repossessed houses, barns and structures.
A rustic wooden floors have individual character as knots, different color variations, any marks of insects, surface check and different patterns of grains.Recovered or old flooring usually comes from old growth forests of our American history.Today they still can be found on floors in old houses and historic structures in many parts of the country. this wood displays the character unmatched by any artificial means.Wide plank flooring can also come from lumber newly old growth. using wider widths and lengths will reduce the number of amendments from end to end on the ground that creates a look of authentic history.
Much of this vintage recycled wood comes from old growth forest and was used to build old buildings. this wood vintage has unmatched architectural quality and character, not to mention beauty.
Some old timber flooring, sometimes called a country wood flooring is made from recovered Oak, cherry, maple, Hickory, Walnut, chestnut, Oak and other vintage white wood recovered.
There are two floors are exactly alike and can usually be found in random widths. hardwood flooring recovered can contain characteristics inherent in aged wood, including knots cracked, slight surface holes, insects and nails, verification of time and color variation.
Benefits of using wooden floors: floor The Reclaimed and Antique wooden ancient Rrerrque beauty and defining character that cannot be found in lumber recently.
the wood recycling is an alternative to cutting of trees. This is good for the environment.
the reclaimed wood was transformed by nature and that is a link to our past. Have a piece of history in your home can be very rewarding.
the character and patina of wood cannot be duplicated.
the oldest wooden growth is denser and more dimensionally stable than wood new growth that are most desirable traits for wood flooring.
the certain species such as the American Chestnut can only be found through reclaimed wood suppliers.
What about old wood on radiant heat?The use of radiant heating systems is growing in popularity in the United States, especially in wooden floors. Radiant heat is an excellent source of heating.
With the proper acclimation and installation methods, reclaimed and Antique wood is an exceptional choice over radiant heat.Radiant heat is healthier for wood than alternative heating systems.The heat is distributed evenly throughout the ground at a low temperature.Each plate is exposed to the same amount of heat and does not encounter an uneven drying.Radiant Heating actually replicates the natural process that suffered an old wood.The wood that was used to support a factory, barn or building was exposed for decades for a regular increase and decrease of temperature and humidity.In some cases, the wood of which the plates were cut were slightly expanding and contracting for more than a century in your previous installation.Radiant heat analysis and uniform distribution affects the lining similarly wood, but the impact is much less dramatic with wood Antique or reclaimed than lumber newly because it has already been through this cycle for years!
Prices in General, the price of coating recovered is somewhat higher prices for wood uninstalled can start at $ 5.95 per square foot and can score greater than r $ 22.00. the price of recycled wood and reclaimed Antique wood floor will vary with the size, grade, size, quantity and character of the surface of the material and the material is bought in its existing condition or re-manufactured/milled to your specifications. the cost of recycled wood is usually more expensive than wood new degree type and size. If wood goes through the process closed, it will add nominally this cost basis to offset the expense involved in cleaning,-nailing, re-manufacturing and classification. the process of transforming the reclaimed wood coating can be lengthy and involves considerable time, money and experience.
In conclusion, recovered wood floors are becoming increasingly popular because some consumers ' in historic preservation and also to advance green building design. These Woods often offer superior qualities of wood which grew slowly and is often denser than wood more quickly grew. Vintage and antique reclaimed wood adds warmth, character and atmosphere of a country house. this wood has abundant natural features character. Some boards are usually larger and have a character and charm that display an instinctive sense of harmony and the spirit of life in the country. a sense of history, an era when using solid wood flooring was how the House was built. If you already have a hardwood floor reclaimed or Antique or are thinking about buying one, just think a little in u.s. history is or can be part of your House. A concept that exciting!







http://www.eliteconsultantsinc.com 845 246 4737 or 516-887-5437
Your certificate Hardwood Inspection Company serving the Tri-State area.
Reclaimed Hardwood Floors-keep it green
By David Barkstedt Elite Consultants Inc 516 887-5437 http://www.eliteconsultantsinc.com
NOFMA Inspector & NWFA certified wood

A bookcase made from Pine for everyone

If you are in need of some storage for your home, there is a pine bookcase out there for everyone.  Just like the pine chest of drawers, pine bookcases are very popular for their respective categories.  There are several reasons for this.Today, I will talk a little bit about the pine material itself, construction, affordability, brands, styles and design ideas for your pine bookcase.

Pine Wood As A Material 

Pine as a building material dates back for centuries.  Pine is a relatively quick growing wood, which mean that pine will always be readily available.  Since it is the faster growing wood, pine is softer and lighter than a lot of woods out there.  On the Janka scale, which is the universal comparative chart on wood harnesses it has a score of 690 and 1225.  There is a range because different types of pine have different harnesses.  Heart Pine is the hardest pine scoring 125.  Yellow Pine is the softest at 690, while Southern Yellow Pine scores a bit higher at 870.  Why is this important for your Pine Bookcase? Well, because the harder the wood the more durable your piece of furniture will be. Also the harder the wood the heavier the piece will be.  Sometimes this is a factor for people; they will gladly give us some durability for a lighter more maneuverable piece of furniture. 

 Pine Bookcase Construction 

The construction of pine bookcases can range widely.  Construction can range from a beautiful solid pine bookcase with dovetail joints to the cheap pine bookcase with staple fasteners.  Just like with any furniture, typically you get what you pay for.  Sometimes pine bookcases get a bad wrap because there are many inexpensive versions in the market.  Don't let this discourage you if you are looking for a high quality pine bookcase, they are certainly out there.  When you are shopping for a bookcase, the parts of the construction to pay the most attention to are the joints, the pine shelving and the back piece.  These elements will usually give you the clues needed to determine the relative quality of the pine bookcase.  The joints can be engineered and crafted to support themselves like a dovetail construction.  This type of construction seems to be more rare these days because people don't like to pay for it.  It is the best way to build a bookcase joint.  Other joints will feature L brackets and other reinforcement hardware.  This is okay as long as it is not visible when looking at the piece.  The lowest quality construction is where it is glued and stapled together, surely this item will be at the low end of price points, but will also not last very long. The shelves are another area to look for quality. The higher end pieces will have solid pine shelves, the lower end models will have particle board shelves with a synthetic veneer that looks like pine. Like the shelves, the backing on the higher end pine bookcases will be solid, while the cheap pine bookcase will have a thin piece of particle board.  The pine bookcase cheap way out will usually mean that you don't want this piece of furniture for the long hall.  This strategy is fine, some people like to switch up their furniture more often, so why pay more than you have to? 

 

 

            the traditional pine bookcase 

Pine Bookcase Affordability

  As I stated in the material section, pine is fast growing which is why there is a large supply of pine.  This is just more economics, the supply of a product, the lower relative price tends to be.  That's why the pine bookcase seems to be such a popular choice.  It seems that you can get a lot more for your money for pine rather than say a mahogany bookcase.  There are pine bookcases that will be close to the $ 1000 while you can find many for under $ 100.  Especially for the unfinished pine bookcase, if you don't mind a little sanding and staining you can find a great deal. 

  Pine Bookcase Brands and Where to Buy

It seems most furniture brands will carry pine bookcases.  The main reason for this is that these pieces of furniture hit very competitive price points. So you can go to most brands you are familiar with and see what they have.  All the chains like Pottery Barn, Crate and Barrel, CB2, West Elm and Ikea will have many choices.  There is a large bookcase for IKEA pine $ 680 that would look amazing in any home.  Other options are the macro retailers like Walmart and Target, of course the quality might not be great, but you can find a rock bottom price.  Don't forget to check out your local furniture stores as well.  If you have a wood shop like I do, you can go on the internet and find pine bookcase plans in a matter of minutes.  So once you've started to look, there are pine bookcases for sale pretty much anywhere. 

  Pine Bookcase Styles 

  There are so many styles of bookcase to choose from now days.  From modern to an antique pine bookcase and everything in between. When I was on vacation last spring I was in a small village on the Yukatan Peninsula and some great furniture.The Mexican pine bookcase will typically have really cool iron hardware embellishments, which really add to the design of the piece.Related to the Mexican varieties, the rustic pine bookcase looks great in the right setting.  The rustic bookcase typically use pine with more character like knots and rift saw marks.  These are also known as the country pine bookcase.  Many of these are also painted, it seems I ' ll see a white bookcase everyday.  Another really popular style is the honey pine bookcase.  These bookcases have a golden yellow color to them which is very attractive.  Not only are there different ethnic styles, pine bookcases can have different functions. I build my brother the pine bookcase headboard.  He needed more space for all those books he reads in bed, the perfect solution for him.Also if your home has limited space and you need more storage, why not look at buying a pine corner bookcase?

The contemporary pine bookcase

Pine Bookcase Style Ideas

The first thing you want to determine when styling your home is what your style preference is. Is it contemporary, traditional or somewhere in between, which is called transitional. Once you have determined this, you can narrow down all the choices for pine bookcases out there. Next you need to find the right size. Be sure to measure the floor space needed, the ceiling height and also the door widths which you'll be moving the piece through. Some of these details are forgotten, it would be terrible to find you can't get your new pine bookcase through the front door! Once you have the size pay attention to your other pieces of furniture. With so many options, there is no reason why you can't choose a piece that will communicate the same design language as the rest of you furniture. Choosing a pine bookcase can really transform your space for a really great price.

Tagged as: antique pine bookcase, mexican pine pine book bookcase, cases for sale bookcase, pine, pine, solid pine bookcase bookcases, unfinished pine bookcase

View the original article here

How to complete the site

Many builders prefer complete wood flooring, stairs and paneling on the site. Reaching a quality finish on site is possible, but requires careful planning, time and attention to detail. That deep, bright appearance and finished takes more ...

Read the full article on Hardwood manufacturers

View the original article here