Lacquered vs Oiled Wood Flooring!

This post is provided by Ben Duke.

Lacquered vs Oiled is one of the biggest debates and wars that goes on in the flooring world. First we will start with a bit of information, and to answer what I imagine is a question going through your heads right now, what exactly are lacquered and oiled finishes?

Lacquered comes with a high gloss and matt finish, and the lacquer that is applied is a type of varnish used as a protection. Oiled comes with more of a vintage finish, and is far more old fashioned, and finished with a hardwax. Both have their advantages and their disadvantages which we will break down for you now.

Lacquered

Pros

Lacquered is incredibly water resistant, so spillages can be very easily cleaned up before permanent damage is caused. Excessive exposure to moisture can cause your floor to curl so you have got to be cautious of the amount of water spilled, but generally it is far more water resistant than oiled. 

It is also good for rooms with heavy footfall, and has good resistance to high levels of traffic and is probably the toughest finish around.

Cons

It can be very easily scuffed or scratched, so if you are worried about the appearance of scratches then this may not be the best finish for you. So if used in hallways it is advised to invest in a door mat!

Resanding can be an issue, if small scratches are an issue the whole floor will need resanding and refinishing!

Oiled

Pros

One of the main advantages of oiled is its durability. The protection is not just on the surface, it runs deep to the core. It is more sustainable than lacquered, and is far easier to resand and refinish. It is also anti static meaning that dust and dirt would not attach itself, and is easy to clean up. 

Due to the nature of the finish, the wood is allowed to breath, and it is perfect for areas of high traffic and heavy footfall.

Cons

Although the protection is one of its benefits, it does take a lot of maintenance. It has very little, if any water resistance, so spillages will need to be cleaned up quickly to avoid damage to the flooring. The anti static nature of the flooring can be problematic for pet owners, as it can see your pets sliding all over the floor! 

There is no right or wrong answer with this debate, as both have pros and cons. We hope our guide has helped you to make your final decision!

Book review- Outside In: The Gardens and Houses of Tichenor & Thorp!

I have another lovely design book, Outside In: The Gardens and Houses of Tichenor & Thorp from Vendome Press that I wanted to share with you today. Thanks Meghan! In this book authored by architects M. Brian Tichenor and Raun Thorp, you will find exceptional properties that integrate large-scale residences and luxurious gardens and landscapes into a singular, unified vision designed by this Los Angeles-based husband-and-wife team. 

Without further ado, let's get a glimpse of this stunning book, shall we?

Photo credit: Roger Davies 

There is so much to love about this gorgeous book and its abundance of awe-inspiring images. Among those featured in this book are a Spanish-inflected courtyard house and garden in Las Palmas; a Bel Air estate tinged with English and French influences; a Newport Beach hilltop hideaway that evokes a Portuguese quinta; a Pasadena retreat inflected with John Soane-inspired details; two luxe Manhattan apartments; and a mountain getaway in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. 

Most photographs are accompanied by essays, captions, drawings, plans and masterly watercolors to give the reader a deeper understanding of how the firm takes each of these elements into account and incorporates them into their projects. 

With 272 pages of breathtaking homes, beautiful interiors, amazing gardens and spectacular landscaping, this inspiring book is ideal for any design, garden or landscaping fans! Trust me, you will be swept away by this visually delightful and engaging book! Highly recommended and shouldn't be missed!

Get your copy here!

*I received  this book to review for free but the views and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Letting light into your bathroom without losing your privacy!

This post is provided by Jesse Hughes.

Most of us spend a fair amount of time in the bathroom, whether it is taking a refreshing shower in the morning, or relaxing in the tub in the evening. The thing with bathrooms is that they can be dull, and unpleasant to be in, if you do not let in enough light. Obviously, windows are the best way of letting light into a room. 

The problem you have, when you have windows in your bathroom, is how to protect your privacy. After all, you do not want the neighbors to see you drying yourself off when you get out of the shower. Here are three ways that you can have light giving windows in your bathroom, without compromising your privacy. 

Have glass block windows fitted 

This type of window is an ideal choice for a bathroom. You can let in all the light that you need, but the windows also provide you with the privacy you require. If you are thinking of having glass block windows fitted in your home, you should hire an expert in residential and commercial joinery to do the work. This is not a job that you should attempt to do yourself. 

Having a skylight fitted

If you want to fill your bathroom with light, having a skylight fitted can be an excellent choice. Of course, your bathroom has to be in a position which makes this a practical choice. A skylight gives you access to all the sunlight that is available, but does not enable other people to look into your bathroom, and invade your privacy. 

Using window film

One of the simplest ways to protect your privacy, while you are in the bathroom, is to use window film on the windows. Doing so means that you can use plain glass in the windows. The window film obstructs the view of anyone looking in from outside, but does not stop light from getting into the room. 

The good news about window film is that it is available in different colors and patterns. This means that you can choose the film which best fits with your overall bathroom décor. Window film is also easy to fit, so you should be able to complete the job yourself with no problems. This makes the solution even more affordable as you do not need to pay out for professional help. 

Making sure your bathroom is a light and pleasant place to be is important; after all, no-one really enjoys chilling out in the tub, with just artificial light in use. Having sunlight pouring in is far more pleasant, and can also add a feeling of space to the room. 

Hopefully, we have shown you how you can get the light you need, without having to compromise the privacy which is so important. The really good news is that you do not have to spend a lot of money, depending on which option you feel is best for you. 

Book review- Versailles: The Great And Hidden Splendors Of The Sun King's Palace!

Today, I will be sharing another gorgeous volume with you, Versailles: The Great And Hidden Splendors Of The Sun King's Palace, thanks Meghan! In this book authored by Catherine Pégard and photographed by Christophe Fouin, Thomas Garnier, Christian Milet, and Didier Saulnier, you will gain private access to Versailles and the rooms typically closed off to the general public.

Here is a glimpse of what's inside this stunning book!

Be prepared to be wowed by this exceptionally beautiful book through the lenses of four very talented photographers! With 250 previously unpublished photographs revealing a plethora of outstanding artworks, the private apartments of Louis XIV, Marie-Antoinette and Madame de Pompadour, magnificent galleries, the delightful Orangerie and mysterious passages and hidden attics, all accompanied by captions and interesting tidbits, this is one amazing book you shouldn't missed! 

Fascinating, engaging and inspirational, I highly recommend this book to all design and Versailles fans. Check out Versailles' unseen grandeur and splendors for yourself! Get your copy here!

*I received  this book to review for free but the views and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

How is mold removed from a home?

This post is provided by Jesse Hughes.

Finding out that you have a mold problem in your home can be upsetting, and your first thought is going to be "how do I get rid of it"?

Whether you want to tackle the job yourself, or choose a professional mold specialist like Edmonton Remediation Pros, there are a few things to consider in dealing with the problem. Materials or surfaces covered in mold can either be cleaned or removed outright. Knowing which is the right solution can save you a lot of unnecessary work.

Cleaning

Let us look at the easier approach first. You do not necessarily have to start tearing out walls as soon as you see a patch of mold. There are many situations where a good cleaning is enough.

Non-porous surfaces like tile, stone, glass, plastic or metal can usually be cleaned. Use a bleach solution of roughly 1 part bleach to 8-10 parts water. Give the area a good scrubbing with this solution, and let it thoroughly air dry. Do not rinse, as the bleach residue helps keep future mold blooms at bay. You can also purchase mold cleansers that are formulated for this job if you want.

If you have a small mold colony, you can also try a more natural cleaning approach to avoid the bleach. Straight vinegar or a mixture of tea tree oil and water (1 tsp to a cup of water) can also work to sanitize a surface and kill mold. It is not recommended for large patches though.

When mold has established itself on structural wood that can not be removed, you will have to clean it even though the porous texture is not ideal. You do not have much choice though. Use the same solution, just use a lot more of it so that it soaks in as deep as you can manage.

Removal

If cleaning just is not going to be suitable, then you do have to resort to pulling things apart to remove the mold contamination. This goes for paper, fabrics, upholstery, drywall and wood. Loose items should be removed and disposed of (wear gloves and a mask!). Everything should be tightly sealed in garbage bags immediately. Do not just pile everything in a corner and hope to get to it later. Spores will quickly spread once you start pulling things apart.

Patches of infected drywall should be cut away cleanly, and also disposed of carefully. After that, it is just a matter of doing a little work to replace the drywall.

Why Bother?

If it is tucked away behind an appliance or piece of basement furniture, why bother cleaning away mold? Even if it does not seem to be doing much harm, there are serious health risks involved with unchecked mold colonies.

Afterwards

Whether you have cleaned or removed the entire mold, you need to be diligent and prevent any reappearance. Damp conditions lead to mold, so improve ventilation where you can, fix water leaks and add a dehumidifier to help dry out the damp spots of your house. Do spot checks after your finished to make sure nothing is growing back. If more mold shows up, give it another cleaning immediately.

Book review- Haute Bohemians!

Today, I am sharing an exciting new publication from Vendome Press with you again. Thanks to Meghan Phillips for sending me Haute Bohemians, another gorgeous design book. In this book authored and photographed by Miguel Flores-Vianna, you will get a glimpse of extraordinary fashion designers, landscape architects, artists and art historians, potters, interior designers and where they live- country cottages, beach bungalows, canal-side lofts, and East Village apartments, as well as estancias, châteaux, and palazzi. Believe it or not, esteemed photographer Flores-Vianna traveled four continents to bring you this stunning book!

Here is a sneak peek of the lovely interiors!

I am absolutely in love with this book and its abundance of swoon-worthy images. A giant volume illustrated with hundreds of high quality photos of incredibly chic, layered and breathtaking interiors, these charming and authentic spaces is unlike any bohemian interiors you have ever seen before. 

Engaging and fascinating, this beautiful book instantly transports me to far away places, thanks to the warm, delightful and personal home tours. If you love extraordinary interiors and enjoy exploring inspiring home environments, this is the perfect book for you. I am so thrilled to add this inspirational design book to my collection. I know you will, too! Truly a gem and shouldn't be missed! Highly recommended. 

Don't forget to get your copy here!

*I received  this book to review for free but the views and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Creating A Vintage Bathroom!

This article is provided by Morgan Mitchell.

Your bathroom can sometimes get overlooked when it comes to designing. Often, people think of their bathrooms as a functional room as opposed to needing some interior TLC. However, your bathroom is what will help to give your home that stunning overall finish and can greatly help to improve the value of your home in the long run. The biggest trend to have taken off in recent years has to be the vintage look. This trend shows no signs of slowing down and offers you a timeless and classic look that will stand the test of time. Luckily, the vintage look is easily achieved with a simple set of new tiles and some clever accessories. 

Floor Tiles 

Perhaps one of the biggest factors in achieving the vintage look has to be your floor tiles. One easy way of transforming your bathroom is by using black and white pattern tiles. These are synonymous with the retro look and can set the scene perfectly later down the line when it comes to accessories. The contrast of black and white also creates a gorgeous sense of dimension to your floor and can help to make the floor space look larger. Although a staple piece of the vintage look, try to avoid black and white pattern tiles that use abstract or floral designs. These are a bit more modern so instead try to stick to geometric patterns for a more authentic look. 

Wall Tiles 

For your wall tiles, you ideally want to be using a metro tile. Metro tiles are unbelievably popular right now and are experiencing a surge of interest in the interiors world. With a rich historical background the metro tile is perfect for creating that throwback look. The metro tile first rose to fame thanks to its use on the London Underground in the early 1900s. They slowly became a cultural icon for London and subsequently subway stations across the world. This makes them your perfect choice for a vintage bathroom since they themselves are a vintage staple piece. For the genuine effect you want to be using a gloss finish for you metro tile. Gloss finishes give a stunning shine and can bounce light beautifully within a room, helping smaller spaces feel larger. White metro tiles are the traditional color and when paired with a contrasting grey or black grout line the tiles recognizable shape really pops. However, while white may be the classic, do not be afraid to branch out in to colors. Black or grey metro tiles can give you a more vintage glamour look for a darker, bolder aesthetic. 

Accessories 

No vintage bathroom is compete without incorporating copper or tarnished metals. Think of using these materials for your sinks or faucets for that shabby chic finish. All of the little things add up to create that final look so think about using classic looking soap dishes, toothbrush holders and other similar essentials. Working together, these help to harmoniously combine all of the elements in your bathroom. A freestanding bath in particular is the perfect center piece for your vintage bathroom. In particular, baths that have ornate or detailed feet are the ideal finishing detail.

The tiles are the center point to any vintage bathroom and these should be your focus. Once you have the perfect tile, the rest should come with ease. 

Book review- Second Bloom: Cathy Graham's Art of the Table!

Recently, I have received another gorgeous book called Second Bloom: Cathy Graham's Art of the Table from Vendome Press! In this lovely book, artist, collector and entertaining guru Cathy Graham shares her secrets for gracious living and memorable get-togethers. 

Here's a glimpse of what's inside this pretty book!

Honestly, this beautiful book brings me so much joy! With more than 200 pages of visually delightful images and swoon-worthy details, this book is definitely an inspirational eye candy. 

Cathy Graham's talents are simply mind-blowing! From creating original touches such as hand-drawn one-of-a-kind invitations, exquisite flower arrangements and memorable table settings, she always does it with a sense of ease and whimsy. Filled with Graham's charming water color sketches, Second Bloom: Cathy Graham's Art of the Table demonstrates how to create truly special occasions in an original and effortless way.  

If you are a fan of wild charm and whimsical beauty, this stunning book is perfect for you! Highly recommended. 

Don't forget to get your copy here!

*I received  this book to review for free but the views and opinions expressed are entirely my own.