The Carpeteria Blog

Are you considering a kitchen redesign? While you’re planning, be sure to take a look at the choices you have for countertop designs.

Of course you will want to choose a material that works well for your style and taste. But an important part of the process is the actual layout of your counter. For example, the two-level option here provides several advantages.

To start, the raised border hides the worst of a messy kitchen. This is particularly handy when entertaining. This border will camouflage dirty dishes while still maintaining the open feeling of the room. Even everyday counter items such as the soap container here are below the normal view from the living area, maintaining a sleeker look for the room.

This higher counter is rather narrow, possibly reflecting a lack of extra space. However, many raised counters can be wide enough to accommodate seating on the side opposite the kitchen. This multi-use option can support quick breakfasts before school as well as appetizers for dinner guests while you’re finishing the meal. It also can serve as an additional conversation area at parties.

Today’s wealth of solid-surface counter choices gives you more options. Their beauty works well as a design addition to any space. As you make your selections, find a countertop that complements your cabinets as well as the style and colors of the rest of your living space. With the right choice, your countertop can provide an effective transition from one functional space to another.

This one room holds a kitchen with island bar, dinette, living area and dining room, yet it feels spacious rather than crowded. What choices create this combination of space and function?

The smartest decision is the flooring. By choosing one versatile porcelain tile in a light tone and setting it on the diagonal, the eye naturally follows the tile lines, making the room appear much larger than it actually is. Picture a flooring transition between the kitchen and living areas or a straight horizontal tile layout and you can see what the flooring choice does for this room.

The second smart choice is furniture selection. By limiting the number of pieces, choosing smaller options such as a loveseat rather than full-size sofa, and selecting a circular dining table, the furniture doesn’t get in the way of the room’s traffic pattern. Rooms feel crowded if you have to constantly avoid hitting furniture as you walk through them. Traffic in this room is smooth and easy. Sticking to one style and wood tone also emphasizes the connections throughout the room, creating a design consistency that makes the space work.

The final positive factor is light. With the light flooring and walls combined with a vaulted ceiling and large windows, the edges of this room seem to disappear. Instead of focusing on its size, visitors will notice the activity areas instead. Altogether this is a very smart way to take full advantage of a space.

When it comes to sleep many of us with busy and hectic lives don’t get enough. When we finally do lay our heads down it’s the start of a long and labored night trying to fall and stay asleep. So what do you do to make your bedroom a place which not only encourages sleep, but actually envelops you in such comfort and ahhhh inspiring plushness you’ll never want to leave? There are a few ways to create a relaxation haven without spending thousands on a new mattress.

Bed
Dressing the bed in comfort has never been easier with all of the great products and materials on the market right now. Start with the foundation by making the most of the mattress you have. Adding a feather bed or thick padding on top of the mattress will increase your comfort level ten-fold. Atop it, add high thread count sheets (600 or higher) for unbelievable softness. Throw a soft fleece blanket over the sheets and under an overstuffed feather comforter dressed in a velvet or silk duvet. Next are the pillows and lots of them. You’ll need large square European style ones to rest on the headboard, rectangle American style ones filled with feather or cushy foam, then your preferred sleeping pillows.  Think cocoon.

Floor
If you’re fortunate enough to have ultra thick wall–to-wall carpeting in your bedroom then you’ve got it made. If not, there are ways to remedy the situation. You’ll want softness on the floor for when you get in and out of bed. Cold feet are no fun and stepping on freezing tile or hardwood is miserable, so rugs are in order. Not just any rugs, but thick, soft and luxurious feeling ones like an Alpaca fur or Euro shag. Place them on each side of the bed and at the foot depending on your space.

Windows
Covering windows properly is extremely important to the quality of sleep you get. Make sure your window coverings close tightly or if they are drapes they should have a blackout lining to keep the brightness of the streetlights or the sun at bay.

A dark room, cushy bed and soft flooring will give your body and mind the peace it needs to fall asleep and stay there soundly for the recommended 7 to 8 hours.