5 Parts to a Simple Tiled Bathroom Wall Design Half Way Up the Wall

Bathroom tile wall designs can come in many different styles. You can tile from the floor to ceiling, or simply tile half way up the wall. For a great looking bathroom tile wall design that goes half way up your bathroom wall use these 5 parts of tile to plan your design’s material list that you will need for your bathroom renovation project.

* Bullnose Trim Pieces
* Decorative Border
* Field Tile
* Base Cove
* Special Tile Pieces

Bullnose Trim Pieces

These pieces will be the top of your wall to form the top edge. This will give your wall a clean finished edge that will end somewhere around 42 inches from the floor. This measurement may vary according to your specific situation such as window and switch plate heights. An ideal scenario is to avoid go through these things whenever possible. These objects tend to break the flow of your design. Most often you will find these pieces measuring approximately 3 X 6 inches, very possibly longer than 6 inches. To find the number of pieces that you will need for your project simply measure the total linear feet of your proposed wall and let your tile supplier know that measurement. The tile supplier can convert the measurement into the number of pieces needed depending on the style of bullnose you choose.

Decorative Border

A border installed into your bathroom wall tile design can really add beauty and value to your bathroom. These pieces may cost more than any other piece of your project so shop around and try to find a border decorative piece that fits your budget, yet gives your design some real justification for spending the extra money. Most tile suppliers sell ready made borders that can cost as much as $8 to $10 per piece approximately 8 to 12 inches long. Don’t let the cost of these keep you from finding the perfect border to fit your style. Ask the supplier for closeouts, orders that were not purchased due to some error such as being the wrong color, or just ask for some border ideas. One alternative to purchasing the more expensive ready made border designs is to create your own design out of the lesser expensive tile pieces. Again, to find out how many pieces you will need simply measure the linear feet of your tile design and have your tile supplier convert that measurement into the number of pieces that you have selected. This is where the decorative design expertise of your tile supplier will come in very handy. Be creative and enjoy.

Field Tile

Your largest space of your bathroom wall tile design will be the open field area. You can use just about any size of tile imaginable to your personal style and creativity. This will mostly depend on the look you are trying to obtain. If you want simple, go with all the same sized tile as your bullnose pieces are long. For example, if you purchase bullnose pieces 6 inches long, go with tile that is 6 X 6 inches to allow all your grout lines to line up together. You could also use a 12 X 12 inch field tile with your 6 inch bullnose to line up with every other bullnose. Again get creative and let your imagination wander. To find how many pieces of field tile you will need just measure the square area of your proposed design and have your supplier convert to piece count.

Base Cove

As important as the bullnose piece is to the top edge of your bathroom tile wall design, the base cove is important to giving the bottom of your design that finished look. The base cove should be the same size as your field tile only that it will have a bottom edge that is curved outward. In some cases, you may want a certain design that does not have a base cove available. In such situations, your supplier may recommend other options of creating a base tile to use in order to keep your desired design. To find out how many base cove pieces to order, measure your linear feet of your project and allow your tile supplier to convert once again according to your selection.

Special Tile Pieces

In the corners of your design, whether an inside or outside corner, you will need special tile pieces that will help make your design finish nicely. Such pieces can be quarter round pieces to use along the edge of an outside corner from the floor to the top of your design, or special base cove corner pieces with special designs specifically for inside and outside base corners. Your supplier can help you chose which special tile pieces you will need. Simply have the information available letting your supplier know how many corners you have in your bathroom. A small handmade drawing showing the floor-plan of your bathroom can help make these decisions.

The Bookcase – A Cornerstone of Home Furniture

Who doesn’t remember sitting in the study or library of their grandparents’ house as a child, looking up in awe at the massive and intricate bookcase replete with volumes that towered up all the way to the height of the ceiling. With these sorts of memories in mind, anybody can appreciate just why the bookcase is one of the most fundamental elements of home furniture.

It is not only very functional, offering plenty of space to store the reserves of knowledge and literature that a person may have, but also serving as a good display-bookcases are almost always used to put family portraits and other trinkets on display. In fact, a home can hardly be complete without a quality bookcase, to serve as a center of attention in one of the most used and viewed rooms in the home.

Depending on the particular floor-plan of a home, bookcases are usually kept in one of a few different rooms: for large homes with many rooms, there is usually a room specifically designated as the study or the library; other times, bookcases may also make their way into the living room or TV room, when a separate library is missing in the home. Either way, bookcases usually are the largest piece of furniture in whatever room they happened to be located in, and as a result they tend to set the mood of the room. That means that you should try to model the aesthetic feel of the room around the bookcase, and not vice versa; don’t set up a room full of furniture, and then add the bookcase only to notice that the combination does not work well.

Bookcases come in all sorts of different styles, from very simple geometric and basic styles to more elaborate, intricate and old-fashioned kinds of bookcases. It is important to keep the general dynamics and colors of the home in mind when choosing what kind of bookcase to buy. Nothing can be worse than buying yourself one, taking it home, and cursing yourself because it is actually taller than your ceiling! Always take precise room measurements before going out to shop for bookcases-always.

Exactly what you plan on using your bookcase for will affect your ultimate choice, of course: if you have a ton of books to store in it, then having one with plenty of space will be a big consideration; if you want to use it more ceremonially, to put photos, etc., on display then you will want one with broader, taller shelving.

Modern designs have incorporated newer materials into bookcases, such as stainless steel and glass, whereas older styles of bookcases usually were made with nothing but quality wood (like the one in your grandparents’ study). It is important to keep in mind that in order to really be able to load up your bookcase with a lot of stuff (books, trophies, portraits, etc.) then you will have to make sure that it is sturdily built, which generally usually implies a slightly higher price tag.

Building a New Construction Home in Phoenix, AZ – Consider a Master Planned Community

Building a new construction home in a master planned community in the Phoenix Arizona area provides many advantages. From the superior resort-style amenities such as aquatic centers, fitness complexes, tennis, water parks, lakes and lush green parks, to having day to day conveniences within easy access, a master planned community offers a connected neighborhood feel. If this is what you are looking for in an Arizona lifestyle, a new build in a master planned community is a must. Some of these communities are family friendly while others specialize in attracting the active adult 55 years and over.

Most of these communities are conveniently located near major freeways and often minutes from one of several airports.

Because of their sheer size, often exceeding 100 acres, a master planned community can offer elegantly manicured 18-hole golf courses, schools, hotels, retail and a variety of commercial shopping centers, typically featuring anchor grocery chains. Many of the newest master planned communities offer extensive recreational amenities often incorporate lakes and parks, tennis courts, unique and engaging child play areas, and extensive biking and walking paths. Elaborate community centers feature athletic and aquatic centers, spas, education classes and numerous activities for all ages. The developer’s goal is to create an all inclusive attractive environment in which residents can live, work, learn and play all within the walls of a city within a city.

Master planned communities are well planned out residential developments that typically include several builders who join together to offer a wide variety of living concepts and building styles. Often five to ten builders will offer different neighborhood themes and living options from modest condos priced in the $100,000-200,000 range to sprawling luxury estates priced well over $1,000,000. Within each neighborhood one can choose from a wide variety of architectural styles, floor plans, lot sizes, landscaping designs and more. With so many green minded consumers entering the home building market, today’s home builders also feature Energy Star-rated homes and exceptional energy-efficient features that result in major saving on yearly energy bills.

Phoenix Arizona is home to growing list of outstanding master planned communities to choose from when considering building a new construction home. Some of the most active family friendly communities include the unique lake themed Ocotillo in Chandler, Vistancia in Peroia, Verrado in Buckeye, Mountain Bridge in Mesa, The Bridges in Gilbert, Eastmark in Mesa, Estrella Mountain Ranch in Goodyear and Johnson Ranch in San Tan Valley.

A Guide to Choose the Right Home Furniture

When choosing the right furniture for your home it is always important to have some sort of guide to assist you and give you a better understanding of how to choose the perfect items that will match your home. Furniture is not just about designs and styles, they are a significant part of the home. Think of a house without a furniture, you cannot easily call that a house. Furniture are like the organs of the home, they make your house functional and worthy to be lived in. They fill the emptiness of a house for it to be called a home.

There’s a lot of home furniture that you can choose from and there are certain furniture that are used for every part of your home. If you just had a brand new house or planning to redecorate, it is important to know the tips and tricks of finding the perfect furniture, price, style and usage included. The first part of the home that you may want to be decorated is the living room. This is probably the center of any house. The living room is where you accept your guests and where you mostly bond with the family. A piece of the living room that should always be present is the sofas or armchairs. These are usually where the rest of the furniture will based on. The beauty of buying sofas from a home furniture store is that they come in different styles, color, sizes and make. Choosing the sofa for your place is fun! You can go into any kind of design as long as it can match your home. Choose the sofa that you are most comfortable with and can fit into your place. Unlike a few years ago where sofas have a distinct traditional look, nowadays, they can come in fun shapes and designs. It’s up to your to find the perfect one!

Home bedroom furniture is easy to look out for. Usually the main point in bedroom furniture is the bed. This is easy furniture to look for because your bedroom is your personal area and you can choose whatever you want without the hesitation of being judged by other people. Like the sofas, comfort is the best quality you want to look for in a bed. Find the suitable bed that has a good foam. The foam is a big factor to the comfort level of the bed. Try out these foams and never forget to check the material that the bed is made of. Beds nowadays can be made from various woods or metal. Wooden beds can last very long although they can take up a lot of space. Steel beds are also a good choice. They are not as sturdy as the wooden beds but they are also of good quality and can be very good space savers.

Home bathroom furniture can also be found in a lot of furniture stores. Choose quality bathroom furniture that can last for a long time. You may want to get a set to have a more themed look in your bathroom. Usually, a lot of stores offer good furniture at reasonable prices. Home decor furniture basically means all the furniture that you put in your house. This does not indicate that it is just for decoration but also its usage. You would not want to get an item just because it looks great to look at but because it can be put to use and at the same time add class to your home.

Kitchen Wall Design – Tips And Notes

The kitchen wall design could always be decorated in such a way that it exudes a feeling of coziness, warmth, homey, and inviting mood. The space offered by the kitchen area is also a big deal that you have to take note of. For you to carry on with the spacing scheme of your kitchen, try looking at these tips and notes.

Try hanging the pans and pots there on the kitchen wall. This is most appreciatively done if your pots and pans come in pairs or sets. You need to simply place hooks there on the walls and then hang those handles with the bottoms of the utensils facing downwards. This is also one good way of organizing and saving some space there on the kitchen area. The best place to hang them is above the cooking stoves.

Put the hotpads and the potholders on the wall too. If you prefer not to put on display your pots and pans, then just have your hotpads and potholders hanging. They may act as good ornaments for the kitchen too provided that they are clean.

Place the trivets on the kitchen wall. Antique trivets would look good on the kitchen walls. Match the colors and patterns of those so that they create a good sight.

Other utensils that you may hang on the kitchen walls are the can openers, coffee mugs, measuring spoons, measuring cups, and a lot others. Not only do you save space but you keep them within reach as you work your way in the kitchen.

Another way of working on with the kitchen wall design is by having the kitchen wall tiles. There are plenty of kitchen wall tile designs too. You could choose from the vertical or horizontal arrangement of the kitchen wall tiles and have the colors clearly blending onto with the backsplash.

One interesting kitchen backsplash to use is the ceramic kitchen tile placed in between the plain field of tiles with unique styles and colorful patterns. You could employ different colors that would match with each other so that your kitchen wall would look as creative as possible.

Kitchen wall designs are of your own choice. If you wish to be creative, you could always do so. Experiment and enjoy the mood exuded by your kitchen at all times.

Retaining Wall Design – A Structured Plan For Quality Retaining Walls

A retaining wall design is a structured plan on building retaining walls to restrain soil and other loose material where sudden changes in ground elevation may occur due to environmental factors. The material which was held back by the structure may exert an effort towards the wall where it may overturn or slide it. The most usual type of retaining the wall is the cantilever where it is used for walls that have height ranges of 10 to 25ft. The cantilever beam will compose of the stem, heel and toe of the wall.

A retaining wall design calculates the soil bearing pressure under the foot of a cantilever concrete retaining wall sustaining any type of backfill material with extra loads and condensed peripheral masses staging on the wall.

The retaining plan for walls also includes proper examination of the strength of the entire structure of the wall and then the actual design is executed, either based on the Working Stress Design Method of the ultimate strength design method of ACI or the lateral pressure designed by any of the Rankine or Coulomb theory. The Seismic design is according to the Mononobe-Okabe approach. The wall plans will also consider the possibility sliding of the entire construction. This should be taken into account as the possibility may cause malfunction of the wall.

The necessary input data embraces all wall measurements, backfill slope, concrete and steel concentration, admissible soil bearing load, and backfill properties. The wall plan will alternatively make an allowance for additional peripheral loads applied to the wall, and replacing the pressure. A surcharge may possibly be defined as an equal height of the block. Deep loads might also be used on walls. This is for the most part functional in the design of bridge abutments wherein beams or girders reactions have to be used with support.

All data are necessary to compute the right dimensions in coming up with the wall layout. Designers and engineers will go through in depth research, geographical measurements and critical thinking so that retaining walls are built with quality and durability that is able to stand the assumed environmental conditions that may affect the wall structure. Tools are used to computer the highest soil pressure that is under the toe and heel of the wall and it is compared to a tolerable soil pressure. The safety factor to avoid sliding is then increased according to the comparisons.

The procedure in creating a retaining plan for walls should not be taken for granted. It is critical that the right dimension and calculations are determined so that the right materials are assessed and used for a better retaining wall. A quality retaining wall is able to withstand allowable pressure to prevent unwanted damages. This could be achievable with the right retaining wall design.

Seven Home Furniture Buying Tips That’ll Help You Plan Your Purchases

Whether you’re moving to a new home or updating an existing one, a few home furniture buying tips will help you be on the right track for a good look. Color, style and size will all make an impact, yet you should also take into consideration the comfort and durability of the home furniture that you purchase. Your home is where you can get away from work for rest and relaxation, even if you work out of your house. Think about making your home as comfortable and inviting as possible when buying home furniture with a few of the tips below.

  1. A white room is easy to decorate. If you are buying a new home with white walls and are considering paint and new furniture, remember that almost anything goes with white and you may not need to paint. If you are uncomfortable with a color on your walls, think about painting white.
  2. Purchase furniture that tolerates roughhousing. That is, if you have children, playful friends or pets. Make sure the furniture has been tested if you have these conditions. Durable furniture is well worth the value.
  3. Adapt home furniture for size of room. If a room is big, create a cozy human scale with a high backed sofa and a tea height table between them. When you have a small room with lower ceilings, your home furniture buying should concentrate on low profile sofas, tables and beds. A sense of scale is much more calming and easy to look at.
  4. High coffee tables are more functional. When you think about it, it’s nice not to have to reach down so far to pick up a drink glass or a magazine off of a living room table. Tea height tables are great to work more comfortably. With many televisions that are found in so many of our living rooms now hung on the wall instead of on the floor, it makes it easier to view with a taller table.
  5. Flow is necessary from room to room. When on a home furniture buying trip, be sure to use complementary accents from room to room that enhance the course. A piece of art with red hung in the hall will match the red sofa accent pillows which match the red dining room chair cushions. Purchasing accessories with your home furniture is important too.
  6. Check for a warranty. When you are spending a great deal of money on furniture for your home, it’s a good idea to see if there is any sort of warranty for the pieces. Just as you like a warranty for your refrigerator or television set, a warranty on furniture is important to have against broken sofa springs, chair legs and fabrics.
  7. Shop around. See what is available for your living room, dining room and bedrooms. When you have an idea of what’s available, it’s easier to make a final decision. No one piece will “make” a room, but when you find a special item, you can build around it.

Home furniture buying is fun, especially when you have a plan and are prepared to shop.

Choosing Your First Bespoke Home Furniture

Identifying A Competent Bespoke Furniture Manufacturer

The first step towards your purchase is listing the manufacturers that can do the job you want. Recommendations from friends are great – you know their history and you can see their craftsmanship too. But wherever you find a competent designer and manufacturer, before hiring them, be sure to see their portfolio. If their work is inclined to one particular style, that is, if you do not see versatility in the designs, you may not want to entrust them with reflecting your persona. What you are looking for is evidence that a maker will be able to see your vision and realize it as an extension of your personality and style.

Ask Questions!
Once you have ascertained the competence of the establishment you want to hire, get specific about your project and list what you expect out of the process – designing, measuring, choosing finishes, manufacture, aftercare and guarantees. The process of getting bespoke furnishings takes time, and you want to be sure that you can effectively communicate your needs throughout the process. For instance, how would the team in charge of your project feel about slight revisions to your plan; what would they charge for the same? And at what point are changes refused? Will you get a qualified designer to give you ideas and when you indecisive about what you want? What can you do if the finished product was not what you were expecting?

What to Expect, What to Demand
One of the advantages to choosing bespoke fitted furniture is that you are not a nameless face in the crowd of consumers… towards whom most high street product styles are loosely targeted; you are the most important priority to a bespoke furniture manufacturer. Request a co-operative effort and willingness to share ideas. The usual time frame for delivery of a regular order is between 8 and 10 weeks; so take care to discuss the estimated duration of delivery beforehand. Maintain regular correspondence with your furniture manufacturer to stay on the same page as the designers and fitters – this will help ensure your delivery targets are met.

Aftercare and guarantees – a good furniture maker will be on hand to respond to any aftercare queries too, like which cleaning products to use and how often, and what to expect while your furniture is ‘settling in’. Your furniture will be crafted to last as long as possible. Expect guarantees of 10+ years!

Planning the Purchase of Nursing Home Furniture

Nursing and residential homes contain a great deal of furniture as they normally serve a substantial number of residents. Where any home or business needs high quality furniture of various kinds, it is perhaps of the utmost importance that nursing home furniture is comfortable, given the amount of time people will spend sitting or lying on them. In this article we’ll look at the main types of furniture that should be considered.

Lounge Furniture

If you visit an nursing home, you’ll realize that most of the residents stay in the day room. With this in mind, the armchairs that populate this room need to be two things. They need to be very robust, as an investment in a selection of armchairs will mean the chairs are sat on for long periods and might be moved around a lot. Lounge chairs will perhaps be moved around a little less than other types of furniture, and so can be a little bigger than in other parts of a nursing or residential home. The other aspect of lounge furniture its comfort; with so much sitting around watching TV or playing games, these armchairs need to be very comfortable.

Beds

If the lounge is where most residents stay for most of the time, then the bedroom is where they spend much of the remaining time. Among nursing home furniture beds, are perhaps some of the most specialized types. Normally of the single bed type, these beds again need to be very robust, although is any special requirements are sought in terms of mattress of mattress covering then this might be addressed separately. The trick with nursing home furniture is to find a balance between the very functional aspect of the furniture, the comfort, the aesthetic look and of course the price.

Dining Room

The dining room is where a great deal of movement occurs when compared to other activities that take place in a given home. This type of nursing home furniture is typified by being very maneuverable, with the bare minimum of widths being used so that people can be set before their dining tables with ease. There are various special devices that are in the realm of nursing or residential home furniture that can be invested in to make the dining process as easy as possible for resident and carer alike.

There are many companies that provide the special nursing home furniture and equipment required to make such an institution function smoothly and efficiently.

Choose Your Kitchen Furniture Wisely

When you renovate your house to give a modish look, ensure that you give a touch up to your furniture pieces as well. Having old and dull looking furniture inside a chic looking house looks definitely out of place. The importance of kitchen furniture is a well known factor among women. Owning a modern looking kitchen definitely motivates you to cook well. If you are a person who is very conscious about cleanliness and maintenance, then there is no harm in purchasing expensive furniture, provided you have sufficient funds in your bank account. Rather than spending your savings on a single piece of kitchen furniture, be smart and invest in two or three pieces of utility furnishings.

At times when you look at your kitchen, you may desire to change the interiors and furniture. Well, though it is easy to desire, it’s not that easy to buy expensive furniture. Replacing your old furniture with new ones is definitely going to be useful for you. Impatience and the urge to buy expensive as well as unwanted things are two destructing attributes of most shoppers. Never be in a hurry to buy things, especially expensive ones such as furnishings for your kitchen. The desire to replace your old and dull looking kitchen furniture may drive you impatient, ultimately making you disappointed with your decision later on. Ensure that you invest your money wisely by choosing furniture that lasts long.

First and foremost it’s important for you to determine why you desire to buy a certain piece of expensive kitchen furniture. Is it because your neighbor has rich looking furniture pieces? The kind of furniture that you pick to enhance the look of your kitchen definitely reflects your taste for breathtaking artistry. To turn your dream into reality, you need to save enough money and do a thorough research before you become the owner of expensive kitchen furniture. Having basic knowledge about furniture in terms of price range, top brands and features will help you make the right decision. If required, you may seek assistance from your friend or an interior decorator, so that she can help you choose furniture that blends well with the interiors of your house.

Since, you work inside your kitchen daily, you know what kind of furniture is needed. If your kitchen is occupied by outdated pieces of furniture, then transfer those to another room. By doing this, there will be enough room to accommodate your new and classy looking kitchen furniture. Make a list of the furniture items that you require. They may include – wine racks, spice racks, cupboards, sideboards and so on. Once you prepare this list, go ahead and collect as much information as you can. This will help you in making a wise decision on the day you step into a furniture showroom. The internet is an ocean full of information which can be put into best use.