FLOORS, WALLS & WINDOWS

BACKGROUNDS

Backgrounds help set the mood of a room. The materials, patterns, colors, and textures you choose for the background all contribute to the mood, which may be formal or informal, calm and quiet or loud and exciting.

Backgrounds also affect sound. Soft textured materials muffle sound, while smooth, hard surfaces do not.

FLOORS

Often the most expensive part of a redecorating project, but well-chosen floor coverings last for years.

The type of floor covering will depend on the purpose of the room, the amount of traffic flow, how much maintenance the flooring requires and whether it coordinates with the decorative scheme of the room.

TYPES OF FLOOR COVERINGS

Resilient Flooring with a semi-hard surface Warmer and quieter to walk on. Not as durable.

RESILIENT FLOOR COVERINGS

Vinyl Durable, easy to clean, many patterns

and colors

Asphalt Least expensive, can be damaged

Rubber Resists denting and most stains,

quiet, easy to walk on

Cork Quiet and comfortable, easily

damaged, not stain resistant

Comes in roll or sheet form

CARPETING AND RUGS

Muffles noise

Insulates floors against drafts

Provides comfort and luxury

Comes in Wall to wall Tiles Rugs

WOOD

Pretty durableCan be expensive

Some floors are laminate, they look like wood ex: pergo

HARDWOOD

Oak is the most popular domestic hardwood and can last for decades.

North American species like birch, cherry and maple are timeless choices.

Global species have a regal look, rich color tones and provide inherent hardness.

Bamboo and cork provide a contemporary decor and are renewable resources.

LAMINATE

Features the authentic appearance of real domestic woods such as oak.

Exotic laminate mimics unique woods, such as Pear Wood and Merbau

Rustic laminate has a warm, country feel.

.

TILE

Durable, easy to clean

Expensive

TILE AND STONE

An economical choice for indoor use, ceramic is durable and easy to clean.

Used indoors and out, porcelain is stronger than ceramic and has the most durable surface.

For indoor and outdoor applications with natural colors and pattern variations.

.With an array of patterns, laminate mimics the

appearance of natural tile (peel and stick)

WALL COVERINGS

Consider the cost involved, condition of the walls and function of the room

Most common wall coverings are

Paint Wallpaper Paneling

WALL COVERINGS--PAINT

Least expensive way to decorate

Available in several finishes Gloss Semi-gloss Satin

Special effects can be created by using a rag or sponge or stenciling

WALL COVERINGS--WALLPAPER

Available in many patterns and colors, a lot of work to take down

Be aware of batch number.

• Wallpaper printed at one time is given this number. If you don’t match the numbers, the pattern may have the same design but the colors may vary slightly.

WALL COVERINGS—PANELING & MOLDING

Paneling Warm and attractive Requires little maintenance

Molding Strips of wood used for trim or

ornamentation Main purpose is to finish off a window,

door, or wall Baseboard Chair rail Picture rails Plate rails

WINDOW TREATMENTS

Types Curtains

Unlined fabric Sheers Tailored Sash

WINDOW TREATMENTS

Draperies Heavier fabric than

curtains, usually lined Provide privacy Insulates

Valance Short piece of decorative

material placed across the top of a window

WINDOW TREATMENTS

Shutters Vertical sections of wood or manufactured material

hinged together

WINDOW TREATMENTS-SHADES

Shades

Pulled down from the top of the window Roller Roman Balloon

WINDOW TREATMENTS

Blinds Window coverings made of a

series of evenly spaced slats that may be opened or closed by cords Venetian Vertical