The Carpeteria Blog

After a long and tiring day at work, wouldn’t it be nice to find a spot in your home where you can just curl up, relax and read a good book? If you’re thinking, “Yes!” then it’s high time you created a comfy reading nook all your own.

Creating a reading nook isn’t complicated. All you need is a small unused space in your home, a comfy chair, an ottoman, a bookcase and a small table accented with a plush area rug and a reading lamp and you are good to go. Oh, and don’t forget the latest book you can’t put down!

First, find a perfect spot in your house where you think you can relax. It can be in a corner of your bedroom, beside a window where you have a relaxing view, or wherever you would be comfortable. It doesn’t matter which area you choose so much as it does making sure it is away from any noise. This will make for a very relaxing experience and keep you deeply engulfed in your reading.

Once you’ve selected the spot, it’s time to accessorize your nook. First, define the space by putting a plush area rug underfoot. Selecting the right area rug can set the mood for your nook so make sure that you select a pattern that is relaxing and comfy.

Then place a comfy chair or chaise atop the rug. Make sure your seating is uber comfortable, so you can enjoy spending hours there with the company of your good book.

Good lighting should also be a part of your list when creating your reading nook. You don’t want to have a headache from reading due to poor lighting. So choose one that casts a sufficient glow for reading comfortably without being too dim or to bright.

And lastly, place a table or bookcase where you can put and organize your books and your cup of coffee.

Any book lover dreams of having a place where they can escape and a cozy reading nook can make it a reality.

Are you ready to upgrade to wood floors but aren’t sure where to start? One important decision is to determine whether solid or engineered wood floors are best for you.

In certain circumstances, engineered wood floors are really the only good option. If you have a concrete subfloor, solid wood is more likely to buckle or warp. Engineered wood is designed to hold up under the changes in temperature and humidity that occur with concrete.

Another important consideration is whether you want to add radiant heat when you move to wood. It’s an energy efficient option and particularly comfortable in cold weather. Once again, engineered floors are the right choice to handle the temperature shifts as radiant heat needs change from season to season.

Another issue to consider is installation. Solid wood floors require more installation time at the home because they are positioned and only then sanded and stained. Engineered wood is already stained and finished, so the only requirement is the actual installation on your floor. This makes engineered wood both faster and cleaner to install.

Choosing engineered floors today really doesn’t limit your options. You can select from a large number of types of wood, wood tones and finishes. As you can see from this photo, engineered wood is also available in wide plank styles.

When it’s time to step up to wood, take a good look at your options. You may find that engineered wood floors are the right choice for you and for your home.

When you look at this room, its basement origins are hidden behind the daring and sophistication of its design.

Let’s start with the most powerful element in the room – the staircase. The homeowners made the wise choice to allocate the bulk of their redecorating budget to open up the basement stairwell and replace it with this almost sculpted staircase. The dark metal structure and brown wood stairs work together, making the space feel like a destination rather than a basement afterthought.

Notice the power of the floor in this room. This second design decision also defines the space as out of the ordinary. By choosing a surface with an almost commercial feel but adding the rich glossy finish, the floor echoes the staircase in its depths and provides an intriguing contrast to the matte finish of the sofa and loveseat. This flooring is not as expensive as other choices, but works so perfectly that it doesn’t feel like a budget-based decision.

The furniture and art also maintain the sophisticated modern look so effectively presented in this room. The sleek lines of the sofa and loveseat coordinate well with the daring zebra print on the area rug and the simple black and white vases on the coffee table.

The art wall creates the mood of a gallery, but the cost was minimized with the use of simple contemporary prints matted with off-the-shelf matching frames. It’s the number and the layout that creates an upscale image.

These homeowners wanted to turn their basement into a destination for family and visitors alike, and their smart design decisions helped them succeed.

Is your current bedroom merely the space you sleep in? The bedroom is a room that is only used by you. Why not turn it into a haven where you can relax and re-charge your batteries? When your bedroom is peaceful, you go to bed at peace and wake up in a peaceful manner. Read along for ways to transform your bedroom into a personal sanctuary.

Walls should provide a soothing calmness, no matter if you are using paint or wallpaper. Lighter colors such as light gray or light sea foam blue, are calming and fresh all at the same time. Adding “freshness” to the walls further enhances the crisp clean feel provided by bed linens.

Bedding should look great and feel great to the touch. Cotton sheets are soft and breathable. Sheets that breathe allow air to pass through and maintain a comfortable temperature.

Incorporate intimate lighting, whether that is bedside lamps or a dimmable chandelier. Low lighting promotes rest and calmness. Low/Dim light can be provided by selecting a lower wattage bulb and a shade that filters light to produce low, intimate light. Natural light is desired in all spaces, the bedroom is no different. Window treatments should provide privacy. Use patterned sheers if you want to let light in the mornings. Use blackout panels if you wish to keep the room dark allowing yourself to sleep in. Allowing light in or keeping light out is a personal preference. No matter your preference, window coverings should provide privacy, making yourself completely comfortable in your private sanctuary.

A fluffy rug is really nice underfoot when you get out of the bed. You can either use a soft cozy area rug, or a smaller accent rug placed precisely where your feet hit the ground when rising out of bed.

When decorating your sanctuary select items that promote comfort, freshness and relaxation. The bedroom is the one room in the house that is strictly used by you and is rarely seen by guest. Make this space your own!

Have you noticed that rooms in magazines have everything perfectly lighted? Special architectural photographers may spend an hour or more setting up a shot and lighting it, and then take dozens of shots from different angles to find the perfect way to show a decorated room at its best.

If we want our homes to look more like the magazines, we need to pay attention to lighting the way professional photographers do.

To start, notice that this photo-shoot combines lights with reflectors. In your home, walls, ceilings and floors can act as reflectors, and windows can serve as lights. You need your living area to look good both during the day and in the evenings. For good daylight in a room, choose window coverings that can open or be raised during the day and closed at night for privacy. If windows get full sun, you may want to consider one of the new adjustable translucent window coverings that can be positioned to bring in light while keeping glare to a minimum.

In the evening, use a combination of overhead lighting, lamps and ceiling spots to create an inviting mood. A plain overhead light may work from a task-lighting standpoint but doesn’t really contribute to the ambience of a room. Look for table lamps and up-lighting from torch lamps to create the look you want.

Mirrors can also distribute light. Positioned opposite a window, mirrors can increase natural light in a room. Choosing light walls or flooring will also brighten a space. Look for shiny or metallic surfaces to reflect light also.

Your home may not be able to match those well-staged photographs in lifestyle magazines, but you can use light and reflections to highlight your home’s best features and create the mood and style you want.