Friday, December 23, 2011
On the verge of a new year. New format. Kinda.
So... I've not written in awhile, and I just wanted to make some changes on the cusp of the New Year. I've decided to broaden the scope of my 'lil blog to incorporate everything I want to talk about. So...yeah... that means I will write about ANYTHING... rather than just narrowing my focus to inexpensive Kid-friendly design. Although there will still be some of that - it will just be smattered in with whatever other things might be on my mind. It could be design related. Or school related. Or kid related. Or my latest thoughts on Sustainability or review of natural beauty products. So, my 3 dear readers, be prepared for anything. I know... you can't WAIT, RIGHT!?! Oh... the adventure!
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
When is somebody going to design the perfect (affordable!) apartment?
My husband and I have to move our family. It's not on a whim, its a financial necessity. The duplex we live in is costing us an unbelievable amount to heat in winter and since its my last year of full-time school, we just have to cut back.
So for the last 3 weeks, we've been searching high and low for a place to live. And let me tell you, the current economy has completely changed the rental landscape. Two years ago, when we moved in here, we had shoddy credit but still had our pick of 3 wonderful duplexes. Now, anything in the lower price ranges in a two bedroom place are renting before we can even get an appointment to see them. Then when we DO see them, we're suddenly getting turned down for credit... despite having an impeccable rental history and references from our landlords. This was never a problem before. Then add in the current economy where everyone (including our family!) is trying to cut back and there is a glut of people trying to find a low-cost place to live. All the people who would normally have been creating vacancies by purchasing homes are gone, so fewer rentals are coming into the market, and those that do are: a) Being very picky about who they rent to and getting snapped up quickly OR b) a really sad place or in a bad neighborhood. We've never quite seen anything like it!
So it made me wonder... I think most people are looking for the same ammenities in a home/apartment. But yet, new construction apartments (at least in my area) are just not planning for these. In my mind, most people want the same things I look for: Safe location, good sized rooms with decent layout, modern conveiniences like a washer and dryer in unit, dishwasher, and parking for two cars. Then there are some practical requirements - enough counterspace in the kitchen to actually cook anything and enough cabinets to store food and dishes. A hard floored dining room - because with little kids, a carpeted eating area is just a disaster to keep clean. A storage area that is big enough to actually store seasonal items like bikes. You'd be amazed at how few places actually have these things.
Is it possible to design an AFFORDABLE family-friendly apartment building with all the conveniences? After this search, I sure wish I could build some real-estate! What about you, dear readers? When renting (now or past) what were you looking for in a home?
So for the last 3 weeks, we've been searching high and low for a place to live. And let me tell you, the current economy has completely changed the rental landscape. Two years ago, when we moved in here, we had shoddy credit but still had our pick of 3 wonderful duplexes. Now, anything in the lower price ranges in a two bedroom place are renting before we can even get an appointment to see them. Then when we DO see them, we're suddenly getting turned down for credit... despite having an impeccable rental history and references from our landlords. This was never a problem before. Then add in the current economy where everyone (including our family!) is trying to cut back and there is a glut of people trying to find a low-cost place to live. All the people who would normally have been creating vacancies by purchasing homes are gone, so fewer rentals are coming into the market, and those that do are: a) Being very picky about who they rent to and getting snapped up quickly OR b) a really sad place or in a bad neighborhood. We've never quite seen anything like it!
So it made me wonder... I think most people are looking for the same ammenities in a home/apartment. But yet, new construction apartments (at least in my area) are just not planning for these. In my mind, most people want the same things I look for: Safe location, good sized rooms with decent layout, modern conveiniences like a washer and dryer in unit, dishwasher, and parking for two cars. Then there are some practical requirements - enough counterspace in the kitchen to actually cook anything and enough cabinets to store food and dishes. A hard floored dining room - because with little kids, a carpeted eating area is just a disaster to keep clean. A storage area that is big enough to actually store seasonal items like bikes. You'd be amazed at how few places actually have these things.
Is it possible to design an AFFORDABLE family-friendly apartment building with all the conveniences? After this search, I sure wish I could build some real-estate! What about you, dear readers? When renting (now or past) what were you looking for in a home?
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Furniture Rehab - Paint Tips
How did I do it? Here was my process:
1. CLEAN IT - Clean the piece you plan to paint very well with a grease fighting cleaner such as TSP (when using TSP, you MUST rinse off any residue afterward). You can also use denatured or rubbing alcohol to rub down the piece to take off any grease.
2. SAND IT - You need to give the paint and primer something to stick to - particularly if the finish was very smooth or varnished in any way. For previously painted, varnished, or polyurethane finishes a 120-180 grit sand paper works well. Use a sanding block or paper to get in small areas or areas where you don't want to sand off details - like edges. But do yourself a favor and hit the large surfaces with an electric sander - unless you need an arm workout.
3. PRIME IT -Now, as a former painter, I have to say that I constantly lecture about the need to PRIME your surfaces properly before painting. Primer will help to seal in stains and ensure better adhesion of the paint to the surface - this is particularly important for items that have a very smooth surface or that will see a lot of wear-and-tear. Some of my favorite primers are Zinsser B-I-N and Kilz, both of which are alcohol-based and require denatured alcohol to clean up. They have some wicked fumes, so use them with excellent ventilation or outside if possible. They will seal in stains like oils, marker, wood resins, etc. If you don't need to seal the surface but need good adhesion - like say on a kitchen counter or tabletop- you could use a water-based primer. My favorite is Benjamin Moore Fresh Start - that sticks to just about anything. If you're painting a dark color paint, I recommend tinting your primer to a 1/2 shade of the color - or grey. That way if you get a chip, it shows less than if you see white primer. It also allows you to do less paint coats!
That said, I BROKE my cardinal rule on my living room table. WHY? Because I know my son will beat this table up mercilessly. I had a smaller table I had primed and painted that was showing white primer on all the chips and I didn't like it. So with this table - which I was painting black - I wanted any chips and dings to show woodtone. I also didn't mind if the piece looked distressed and a bit rustic, since the styling suited that sort of feel. So... I broke my own rule... I cleaned, sanded, and then applied the paint directly to the piece. And the results? EXCELLENT! The black acrylic paint has help up very well, and dents and dings just add character to the table!
4. PAINT IT - Select a color and paint. But HOW? If it is a small piece, or you want a very even and glossy smooth finish (like on a chair) I always opt for spray enamels - I like Krylon's paints for sheer range of color and quality. They have everything from Chalkboard and Iridescent sprays to basic flat black and grey. If the surface is likely to take a beating and/or I want a more handpainted or rustic look, I will often brush or roll on an acrylic paint. Acrylics are a bit more flexible when they dry and don't tend to chip quite as much as spray enamel, and I find them easy to touch up too!
1. CLEAN IT - Clean the piece you plan to paint very well with a grease fighting cleaner such as TSP (when using TSP, you MUST rinse off any residue afterward). You can also use denatured or rubbing alcohol to rub down the piece to take off any grease.
2. SAND IT - You need to give the paint and primer something to stick to - particularly if the finish was very smooth or varnished in any way. For previously painted, varnished, or polyurethane finishes a 120-180 grit sand paper works well. Use a sanding block or paper to get in small areas or areas where you don't want to sand off details - like edges. But do yourself a favor and hit the large surfaces with an electric sander - unless you need an arm workout.
3. PRIME IT -Now, as a former painter, I have to say that I constantly lecture about the need to PRIME your surfaces properly before painting. Primer will help to seal in stains and ensure better adhesion of the paint to the surface - this is particularly important for items that have a very smooth surface or that will see a lot of wear-and-tear. Some of my favorite primers are Zinsser B-I-N and Kilz, both of which are alcohol-based and require denatured alcohol to clean up. They have some wicked fumes, so use them with excellent ventilation or outside if possible. They will seal in stains like oils, marker, wood resins, etc. If you don't need to seal the surface but need good adhesion - like say on a kitchen counter or tabletop- you could use a water-based primer. My favorite is Benjamin Moore Fresh Start - that sticks to just about anything. If you're painting a dark color paint, I recommend tinting your primer to a 1/2 shade of the color - or grey. That way if you get a chip, it shows less than if you see white primer. It also allows you to do less paint coats!
That said, I BROKE my cardinal rule on my living room table. WHY? Because I know my son will beat this table up mercilessly. I had a smaller table I had primed and painted that was showing white primer on all the chips and I didn't like it. So with this table - which I was painting black - I wanted any chips and dings to show woodtone. I also didn't mind if the piece looked distressed and a bit rustic, since the styling suited that sort of feel. So... I broke my own rule... I cleaned, sanded, and then applied the paint directly to the piece. And the results? EXCELLENT! The black acrylic paint has help up very well, and dents and dings just add character to the table!
4. PAINT IT - Select a color and paint. But HOW? If it is a small piece, or you want a very even and glossy smooth finish (like on a chair) I always opt for spray enamels - I like Krylon's paints for sheer range of color and quality. They have everything from Chalkboard and Iridescent sprays to basic flat black and grey. If the surface is likely to take a beating and/or I want a more handpainted or rustic look, I will often brush or roll on an acrylic paint. Acrylics are a bit more flexible when they dry and don't tend to chip quite as much as spray enamel, and I find them easy to touch up too!
Huzzah for spill-proof bubbles!
For every terribly designed toy or kids item, there are many good ones. My most recent delight cost me a whole $6.99 at Target a few weeks ago. It makes one of my son's favorite outdoor playthings a whole lot easier on mom. Now we finally have neater BUBBLES.
My son LOVES blowing bubbles. We do it all spring and summer long until mom just can't puff them out anymore. But the worst part, as most parents know, is the sticky mess the bubble soap makes all over the kids, you, and the driveway and nearby plants. Invariably, the kids want to hold the bottle with the liquid and just as invariably they knock it over or drop it and there goes all the bubble liquid. Tantrums generally ensue.
But NO MORE! I don't know HOW I missed this thing but some genius has designed a spill-proof bubble liquid container! Apparently it's been around quite a long time. I guess maybe it's just because I didn't have kids until recently. But I must say - I could kiss them! I sincerely hope they are making millions on the design, because it has (albeit in a small way) made my life easier and happier.
The one we have is called the No Spill Mini Bubble Bucket and it's made by Little Kids. There's also a BIG bubble bucket and a bubble tumbler that is "individual size". What I love is that all three can be turned completely upside down and they don't spill. The wand fits inside and comes out ready to puff out bunches of bubbles.
Now, if they just can make mom with bigger lung capacity, we'd be ready to rock. Oh wait, that's why I also bought the Extream Bubble Gun by Placo (also available at Target) for when mom just can't puff another puff... then battery power takes over.
My son LOVES blowing bubbles. We do it all spring and summer long until mom just can't puff them out anymore. But the worst part, as most parents know, is the sticky mess the bubble soap makes all over the kids, you, and the driveway and nearby plants. Invariably, the kids want to hold the bottle with the liquid and just as invariably they knock it over or drop it and there goes all the bubble liquid. Tantrums generally ensue.
But NO MORE! I don't know HOW I missed this thing but some genius has designed a spill-proof bubble liquid container! Apparently it's been around quite a long time. I guess maybe it's just because I didn't have kids until recently. But I must say - I could kiss them! I sincerely hope they are making millions on the design, because it has (albeit in a small way) made my life easier and happier.
The one we have is called the No Spill Mini Bubble Bucket and it's made by Little Kids. There's also a BIG bubble bucket and a bubble tumbler that is "individual size". What I love is that all three can be turned completely upside down and they don't spill. The wand fits inside and comes out ready to puff out bunches of bubbles.
Now, if they just can make mom with bigger lung capacity, we'd be ready to rock. Oh wait, that's why I also bought the Extream Bubble Gun by Placo (also available at Target) for when mom just can't puff another puff... then battery power takes over.
Yar there me hardies! This be a cool kiddie room!
WOW. That's about all I can say. When it comes to creativity, many of us as designers never get the opportunity to do something truly over-the-top. Not so for Steve Kuhl. This Pirate Ship room he designed for a client is truly awe inspiring.
Now, most of us would never have the budget to do something this big, but still, there is some inspiration to be gleaned from his work. And nevermind the debate about if it's "too much" or if it's safe (you can get away with a LOT in residential construction!) - it really is just plain COOL!
http://www.batangastoday.com/floating-pirate-ship-bedroom-in-minnesota-designed-by-steve-kuhl-of-kuhl-design-build-photo/11927/
Now, most of us would never have the budget to do something this big, but still, there is some inspiration to be gleaned from his work. And nevermind the debate about if it's "too much" or if it's safe (you can get away with a LOT in residential construction!) - it really is just plain COOL!
http://www.batangastoday.com/floating-pirate-ship-bedroom-in-minnesota-designed-by-steve-kuhl-of-kuhl-design-build-photo/11927/
Monday, November 1, 2010
Furniture Rehab Part 1 - Work what ya got baby!
So if you're as strapped for cash as my family often is, you've read my last post and thought "Well, Michelle, buying something distressed looking would be a great design option if I had any money to do that!". Well fear not, gentle reader! Fortunately you can re-design your space in a kid friendly AND very cheap way by rehabbing the furniture you already have. What it takes is often some creativity, some tools, paint and primer, and searching through the stuff you already have lying around and using it creatively.
As a former painter, paint and color is ALWAYS the first place I begin to liven up some of the things I already have. It takes a little know how to do it well, but it isn't expensive.
For instance, I had a huge coffee table/trunk in my living room that I had purchased about 10 years ago. I loved all the storage and functionality of the piece, and it was solidly made, but the finish had gotten trashed over the years by moving, dogs, and kids. It was an eyesore. You can see it here in the lower left of the picture.Rather than taking ages to refinish the wood, I decided to give it a new look with paint.
Here it is after one coat of black acrylic paint. Like new! It seriously looks amazing. The can of paint cost me about $8 and there is so much left that I can use it for plenty of other projects. I ended up doing three coats on this table.
But refinishing your stuff doesn't have to stop at paint. What about using glue and decorative papers, newspaper, sheets of music, or family photos to decoupage items? Or scraps of leftover wallpaper or fabric work great for inside of shelving units or applied to small objects. You can use what you have lying around like some old scrap-booking papers or purchase some remnant fabric and the glue only costs a couple of dollars. This also tends to disguise furniture that is pretty badly damaged. You can also do mosaic on pieces with mirrors or broken tiles, dinnerware, or whatever you have lying around or can get cheaply or free! Feeling glizty? Pick up some gold or silver leafing kits at the craft store to apply to items.
You can also repurpose things like old placemats (try adhering them to cabinet or hutch doors and trim with molding) and woven window shades (cut them up to apply to items for decorative trims or insets). If your piece of furniture has glass, why not change it out for color, or Krylon makes a glass frosting spray - which keeps little fingerprints from showing as much and the unsightly stuff inside better hidden!
As a former painter, paint and color is ALWAYS the first place I begin to liven up some of the things I already have. It takes a little know how to do it well, but it isn't expensive.
But refinishing your stuff doesn't have to stop at paint. What about using glue and decorative papers, newspaper, sheets of music, or family photos to decoupage items? Or scraps of leftover wallpaper or fabric work great for inside of shelving units or applied to small objects. You can use what you have lying around like some old scrap-booking papers or purchase some remnant fabric and the glue only costs a couple of dollars. This also tends to disguise furniture that is pretty badly damaged. You can also do mosaic on pieces with mirrors or broken tiles, dinnerware, or whatever you have lying around or can get cheaply or free! Feeling glizty? Pick up some gold or silver leafing kits at the craft store to apply to items.
You can also repurpose things like old placemats (try adhering them to cabinet or hutch doors and trim with molding) and woven window shades (cut them up to apply to items for decorative trims or insets). If your piece of furniture has glass, why not change it out for color, or Krylon makes a glass frosting spray - which keeps little fingerprints from showing as much and the unsightly stuff inside better hidden!
Don't stress - Distress!
So let's face it... we want to have a beautiful home with nice furniture, but the common complaint I hear among parents with young (or even teen!) kids is that nice/expensive furniture will just get all beat up. So they continue living with the stuff they have, even though they hate it. So how can you buy better furniture but not have to stress about the toll everyday living can take on it?
Don't Stress - DISTRESS!!! Selecting furniture items that look great with dents and dings can make both your design aesthetic and your family life happy! You won't need to freak out when your expensive new piece is ruined by a scratch or dent. You don't have to keep the kids out of the family room just to keep your stuff nice.
When choosing furniture, parents with particularly rambunctious kids (or renters whose stuff gets dented and dinged in transport and moving) may want to consider how a piece will distress. A piece that is already rusticated will benefit with age from some dents and dings, and you won't have to tear your hair out if your brand new furniture gets damaged - more distress adds to the charm! Distressed furniture is easy to live with and can be incorporated into any design from traditional to modern.
You can purchase "new" from many different sources such as Restoration Hardware, Ikea, Viva Terra, etc. Don't have the cash to buy it new? Look for antique or vintage furniture at your local flea market, Goodwill store, or even curbside on trash day!
Don't Stress - DISTRESS!!! Selecting furniture items that look great with dents and dings can make both your design aesthetic and your family life happy! You won't need to freak out when your expensive new piece is ruined by a scratch or dent. You don't have to keep the kids out of the family room just to keep your stuff nice.
You can purchase "new" from many different sources such as Restoration Hardware, Ikea, Viva Terra, etc. Don't have the cash to buy it new? Look for antique or vintage furniture at your local flea market, Goodwill store, or even curbside on trash day!
And of course, distressed doesn't have to mean wood. These are some GREAT metal twin size beds that would be super cool for kids well into their teen years : Weldhouse Twin Beds
There are lots of great ideas for distressed items if you are looking to purchase new furniture. Next blog post... finding it used and rehabbing old furniture. Stay tuned!
Saturday, October 23, 2010
So... where I have been!?
Oh how long it's been... I've been away from my blog for ages. Well, I was a *bit* busy having a BABY and all.
Desmond James Goertz was born on August 26,2010. He was 6lbs 11oz and 19 inches long. About 15 hours after birth, a nurse was checking his vitals and noticed a heart murmur. Long story short, we have a slightly "imperfect" baby boy - he was diagnosed with an Aortic Stenosis and went through a cardiac cath balloon proceedure on October 15th (at 8 weeks old) to help alleviate the problem. Eventually he'll need a replacement valve, but they are hoping to stave it off for as long as possible. He got through the procedure GREAT and is doing well - eating like crazy and growing ginourmous! So, now that I am no longer pregnant and I am out of classes this year (had to take a year out of school to have Desmond), I can finally resume my blogging and decorating hobby!
Liam is almost 3 now, and with the new addition, the house is in disarray. Yet, more than ever I am designing in my head and have lots to write about here. Looking forward to having some discussions and sharing!
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Designing the "Big Kid" bed
My son Liam is just obsessed with cars and trucks. From Fire Engines to Police Cars, Sports Cars to Lawn Mowers, if it has an engine, he LOVES it.
At 20 months, he is just to the age where we need to start thinking about moving him from the crib to a toddler or twin bed. There are tons of great pre-made options for toddler and twin beds out there, but remembering back to my childhood, none of those nice looking bedframes were very much fun. I remember my parents picked out a beautiful bunk bed set and my brother and I just wanted a cooler bed. Kids have very different design tastes than adults. As much as I adore some of the very modern children's beds on the market, I know my son will get older and think they are lame. As much as parents might want a certain "look" for their kid, remember that you are designing for the end-user, your little one, and you should always take their tastes into account.
I guess I'm an anomaly... a designer who wants fun and colorful KID stuff for their kid. I'm so vehemently against the recent proliferation of "classy" kid accessories colored and designed to blend with a neutral decor. I've seen baby swings and stuff in ecru with a tasteful little bear mobile on it, and thought "how BORING!"... If I was a baby and they made me look at something I could barely see against a white ceiling behind it, I'd cry too! I'm sorry, but it bothers me when people want to have these "designer kids" that flawlessly coordinate with their decor. Ummm... it's a CHILD not a household accessory!!! Babies can only see contrasts for the first few months, so why would you make their room all ecru, beige, and white? For the love of pete, give the poor kid something fun to look at and explore!
Ok... so off my soapbox... sorry about my little rant.
So, that said, I'm going to design him a new bed platform/frame with him in mind. First and foremost, it has to suit his tastes... so naturally anything motorized! Then, it has to be fun. He has to be able to crawl into it on his own and be able to sleep in it without wiggling out of it and onto the floor in the middle of the night.
I started by roughly deciding on materials. Because I want to limit toxins in his environment, I think I will build it out of an eco-friendly wheat board. So that really helped determine my design. As much as Daddy likes the 1940 Ford pickups, the curves would be a nightmare to replicate in wood! So I went with a boxier-looking car. Mommy wanted a car that could be colored to suit his existing decor - and thought blue would be great. Well... since I am a huge Subaru fan, it was only natural to design Liam's bed to be a Subaru Rally car!
It will have doors that open and close (because Liam LOVES doors as much as he loves cars!), mirrors on the doors to look into, and the big tail fin on the car will form a headboard shelf. I'm working out how to build in some under-bed storage right now... and I'm sure I'll find other fun things to add into the project as it goes along.
So... new project in progress. Now it's a matter of getting the $$$ to buy materials, building and painting it, and putting it all together. But I figure I can likely do it for the same or less as the cheezy (and toxic) plastic car beds at the store and it will be one-of-a-kind and fun!
At 20 months, he is just to the age where we need to start thinking about moving him from the crib to a toddler or twin bed. There are tons of great pre-made options for toddler and twin beds out there, but remembering back to my childhood, none of those nice looking bedframes were very much fun. I remember my parents picked out a beautiful bunk bed set and my brother and I just wanted a cooler bed. Kids have very different design tastes than adults. As much as I adore some of the very modern children's beds on the market, I know my son will get older and think they are lame. As much as parents might want a certain "look" for their kid, remember that you are designing for the end-user, your little one, and you should always take their tastes into account.
I guess I'm an anomaly... a designer who wants fun and colorful KID stuff for their kid. I'm so vehemently against the recent proliferation of "classy" kid accessories colored and designed to blend with a neutral decor. I've seen baby swings and stuff in ecru with a tasteful little bear mobile on it, and thought "how BORING!"... If I was a baby and they made me look at something I could barely see against a white ceiling behind it, I'd cry too! I'm sorry, but it bothers me when people want to have these "designer kids" that flawlessly coordinate with their decor. Ummm... it's a CHILD not a household accessory!!! Babies can only see contrasts for the first few months, so why would you make their room all ecru, beige, and white? For the love of pete, give the poor kid something fun to look at and explore!
Ok... so off my soapbox... sorry about my little rant.
So, that said, I'm going to design him a new bed platform/frame with him in mind. First and foremost, it has to suit his tastes... so naturally anything motorized! Then, it has to be fun. He has to be able to crawl into it on his own and be able to sleep in it without wiggling out of it and onto the floor in the middle of the night.
I started by roughly deciding on materials. Because I want to limit toxins in his environment, I think I will build it out of an eco-friendly wheat board. So that really helped determine my design. As much as Daddy likes the 1940 Ford pickups, the curves would be a nightmare to replicate in wood! So I went with a boxier-looking car. Mommy wanted a car that could be colored to suit his existing decor - and thought blue would be great. Well... since I am a huge Subaru fan, it was only natural to design Liam's bed to be a Subaru Rally car!
It will have doors that open and close (because Liam LOVES doors as much as he loves cars!), mirrors on the doors to look into, and the big tail fin on the car will form a headboard shelf. I'm working out how to build in some under-bed storage right now... and I'm sure I'll find other fun things to add into the project as it goes along.
So... new project in progress. Now it's a matter of getting the $$$ to buy materials, building and painting it, and putting it all together. But I figure I can likely do it for the same or less as the cheezy (and toxic) plastic car beds at the store and it will be one-of-a-kind and fun!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Carpet Tile Area Rugs - putting the FUN in FUNctional
One of my biggest challenges as a mom and an aspiring designer has been how to have a great-looking house that is also kid-friendly (read: easy to clean!).
So today, I thought I'd begin with the base of every room - the floor! I have hardwood floors in my 1936 duplex which have been a total lifesaver when it comes to spills and cleanups. However, they are a bit cold and hard for a kid learning to crawl and walk. I had some large traditional area rugs in the space for a time, but quickly realized that keeping them clean was no picnic. To clean them well (without ruining the hardwood floors underneath) I ended up having to drag them outside into the driveway and take my steam cleaner to them. What a pain! And considering how often my son would drop his bottle and drip milk on them, spot cleaning only worked so well...
Imagine my delight when I discovered the fabulousness of carpet tiles! (props to designer Angelo Surmelis for the tip!) These are just what the Design Doctor ordered! The wide array of colors and styles can be mixed and matched to give a very customized and hip look. Easily installed yourself, they are cost effective and practical. When an area has a spill, you can pull it up and wash the soiled square in the sink without having to drag the entire rug out for cleaning. Yay! If
traffic patterns are wearing the rug unevenly, you simply pull up the squares and re-arrange them. If you get a bad stain or hole or burn in a spot, you can replace just one tile instead of the entire rug. And the best part... carpet tiles are economical, often costing the same or less than traditional area rugs or carpeting.
My favorite place for carpet tile is FLOR. FLOR really specializes in fun and funky carpet tiles for residential use. Not only does their product look amazing, but it is also extremely eco-conscious. Their parent company, InterfaceFLOR is one of the pioneers of sustainable practices in the carpet industry.
So... let's take a moment and talk about sustainability here. Why is having a "green" carpet tile important? When we realize how close to the floor our kids are on a regular basis - crawling and playing- having a healthy floor covering becomes a very important consideration. Have you ever noticed that "new" smell that a carpet gives off - a very chemical smell? That is often the result of something called off-gassing. Off gassing is the evaporation of volatile organic compounds (V.O.C's) at a normal temperature and atmospheric pressure. Most of a carpet's off-gassed chemicals stay within a foot of the floor. So... who spends the most time down there? EXACTLY - our babies,children, and pets - the smallest members of the family who are most susceptible to the harmful effects of chemicals. In my sustainable design class last semester, we learned oodles about healthy products and you would be shocked to find how many toxins are in our traditional building materials. Everything from formaldehyde to the heavy metals found in dyes, and other nasty stuff in the adhesives used to lay down carpet and carpet tile. Not to scare anyone, but that's just the beginning. These chemicals can contribute to allergies, asthma, chemical sensitivities, and respiratory problems just to name a few. In other words... you don't really want this stuff around you or your kids!
Thankfully, the world is becoming a more conscientious place, and now earth and health friendly options are available. And that, to get back to my point, is why I love FLOR's product. First, they make their carpet from recycled and renewable materials as much as possible - which includes not just the face fibers (the yarns that make the carpet) but also the backings when possible. They have a recycling program to recycle samples and used carpet tiles. Their product meets the Green Label Plus certification requirements on V.O.C.s to help with better indoor air quality. You can read more about their environmental efforts here.
The very BEST thing about FLOR's products are their FLORdots! These small adhesive dots stick to the back of the carpet squares at the corner seams, and hold four squares together at once. So... you don't need to use any adhesives on your floors to have a great rug! This is especially nice if you rent (like I do) or if you don't want to have the added chemicals and work of putting down adhesives. At just $4.95 for a pack of 12, FLOR dots are the easiest option for creating a custom rug. I have found that they will work on just about any brand of carpet tile. There are great installation guides and videos available on FLOR's website to help you put together your
carpet tile rug. Make just an area rug, or cover the entire room if you want.
So... now that we know how to put this together, let's talk about design choices. If you're doing this rug in a shared space like a living or dining room, I'm sure you'll want to go with something more upscale in look. There are a myriad of amazing options. Some things to keep in mind when making your selections:
- Staining and spills. Look for a carpet tile that has some sort of stain protection on it. Most come with it standard.
- Color. While it would seem dark colors will show less dirt (and in the case of traffic dirt, they can) they actually show a lot of lint, light pet hair, and dust. I have also found they show milk drips if a bottle leaks and you don't catch it to clean it up right away. So, a mid-range colored rug might be your best bet.
- Pattern. The best choice to disguise soil is a patterned rug with several colors in the pattern. There are tons of great options out there to choose from.
So... where to purchase your carpet tiles? Well, as I mentioned before, I really love FLOR and their products. You can also find plenty of carpet tile options at your local big-box store like Home Depot , or there are plenty of places online where you can order like Carpet Bargains and American Carpet Wholesalers. Many of these places have clearance areas where you can get tiles for about a $1 per tile, because what parent isn't on a tight budget? If you are really in a budget crunch, or just like to be more eco-friendly, try asking around at all the carpet/home improvement retailers to take their retired sample pieces. It's a great way to keep them out of the landfills. Often they will give them to you free or sell them very cheaply. You won't know what kinds of pieces you'll get, and you'll have many different patterns, but if you put together similar colors you could end up with a pretty cool rug.
Now... if you're like me and have decided to put carpet tiles in your child's room, there are lots of fun and colorful options. Besides some of the excellent choices from FLOR, there is a company called Joy Carpet that makes some cool patterns for kids rooms. Think colorful and funky! My particular favorite is the Tiny Town pattern, that allows kids to drive their toy cars on the little streets. This would be cute in the center of the rug with a more solid colored border of tiles around it.
Or what about your favorite sports team? There are even tiles with NFL and Collegiate team logos and colors. FLOR has Disney Princesses, Pixar Cars, and Winne-the-Pooh patterns. There's something for every rug design and every kid!
I ended up going with a colorful option of carpet tiles that gave a fun look without being too "cutesy". It's a design that can grow with my son and be re-used if I redesign his room:
So have some fun on the floor - get creative with color and pattern. Lay out your squares and turn them all different directions. I'm sure everyone will come up with some great looking rugs. Post pictures of your completed design for all to see.
(Thanks to FLOR for the top two pictures - shown above are the "Skully" pattern and the "Sitting Pretty" area rug kit)
So today, I thought I'd begin with the base of every room - the floor! I have hardwood floors in my 1936 duplex which have been a total lifesaver when it comes to spills and cleanups. However, they are a bit cold and hard for a kid learning to crawl and walk. I had some large traditional area rugs in the space for a time, but quickly realized that keeping them clean was no picnic. To clean them well (without ruining the hardwood floors underneath) I ended up having to drag them outside into the driveway and take my steam cleaner to them. What a pain! And considering how often my son would drop his bottle and drip milk on them, spot cleaning only worked so well...
Imagine my delight when I discovered the fabulousness of carpet tiles! (props to designer Angelo Surmelis for the tip!) These are just what the Design Doctor ordered! The wide array of colors and styles can be mixed and matched to give a very customized and hip look. Easily installed yourself, they are cost effective and practical. When an area has a spill, you can pull it up and wash the soiled square in the sink without having to drag the entire rug out for cleaning. Yay! If
traffic patterns are wearing the rug unevenly, you simply pull up the squares and re-arrange them. If you get a bad stain or hole or burn in a spot, you can replace just one tile instead of the entire rug. And the best part... carpet tiles are economical, often costing the same or less than traditional area rugs or carpeting.My favorite place for carpet tile is FLOR. FLOR really specializes in fun and funky carpet tiles for residential use. Not only does their product look amazing, but it is also extremely eco-conscious. Their parent company, InterfaceFLOR is one of the pioneers of sustainable practices in the carpet industry.
So... let's take a moment and talk about sustainability here. Why is having a "green" carpet tile important? When we realize how close to the floor our kids are on a regular basis - crawling and playing- having a healthy floor covering becomes a very important consideration. Have you ever noticed that "new" smell that a carpet gives off - a very chemical smell? That is often the result of something called off-gassing. Off gassing is the evaporation of volatile organic compounds (V.O.C's) at a normal temperature and atmospheric pressure. Most of a carpet's off-gassed chemicals stay within a foot of the floor. So... who spends the most time down there? EXACTLY - our babies,children, and pets - the smallest members of the family who are most susceptible to the harmful effects of chemicals. In my sustainable design class last semester, we learned oodles about healthy products and you would be shocked to find how many toxins are in our traditional building materials. Everything from formaldehyde to the heavy metals found in dyes, and other nasty stuff in the adhesives used to lay down carpet and carpet tile. Not to scare anyone, but that's just the beginning. These chemicals can contribute to allergies, asthma, chemical sensitivities, and respiratory problems just to name a few. In other words... you don't really want this stuff around you or your kids!
Thankfully, the world is becoming a more conscientious place, and now earth and health friendly options are available. And that, to get back to my point, is why I love FLOR's product. First, they make their carpet from recycled and renewable materials as much as possible - which includes not just the face fibers (the yarns that make the carpet) but also the backings when possible. They have a recycling program to recycle samples and used carpet tiles. Their product meets the Green Label Plus certification requirements on V.O.C.s to help with better indoor air quality. You can read more about their environmental efforts here.
The very BEST thing about FLOR's products are their FLORdots! These small adhesive dots stick to the back of the carpet squares at the corner seams, and hold four squares together at once. So... you don't need to use any adhesives on your floors to have a great rug! This is especially nice if you rent (like I do) or if you don't want to have the added chemicals and work of putting down adhesives. At just $4.95 for a pack of 12, FLOR dots are the easiest option for creating a custom rug. I have found that they will work on just about any brand of carpet tile. There are great installation guides and videos available on FLOR's website to help you put together your
carpet tile rug. Make just an area rug, or cover the entire room if you want.So... now that we know how to put this together, let's talk about design choices. If you're doing this rug in a shared space like a living or dining room, I'm sure you'll want to go with something more upscale in look. There are a myriad of amazing options. Some things to keep in mind when making your selections:
- Staining and spills. Look for a carpet tile that has some sort of stain protection on it. Most come with it standard.
- Color. While it would seem dark colors will show less dirt (and in the case of traffic dirt, they can) they actually show a lot of lint, light pet hair, and dust. I have also found they show milk drips if a bottle leaks and you don't catch it to clean it up right away. So, a mid-range colored rug might be your best bet.
- Pattern. The best choice to disguise soil is a patterned rug with several colors in the pattern. There are tons of great options out there to choose from.
So... where to purchase your carpet tiles? Well, as I mentioned before, I really love FLOR and their products. You can also find plenty of carpet tile options at your local big-box store like Home Depot , or there are plenty of places online where you can order like Carpet Bargains and American Carpet Wholesalers. Many of these places have clearance areas where you can get tiles for about a $1 per tile, because what parent isn't on a tight budget? If you are really in a budget crunch, or just like to be more eco-friendly, try asking around at all the carpet/home improvement retailers to take their retired sample pieces. It's a great way to keep them out of the landfills. Often they will give them to you free or sell them very cheaply. You won't know what kinds of pieces you'll get, and you'll have many different patterns, but if you put together similar colors you could end up with a pretty cool rug.
Now... if you're like me and have decided to put carpet tiles in your child's room, there are lots of fun and colorful options. Besides some of the excellent choices from FLOR, there is a company called Joy Carpet that makes some cool patterns for kids rooms. Think colorful and funky! My particular favorite is the Tiny Town pattern, that allows kids to drive their toy cars on the little streets. This would be cute in the center of the rug with a more solid colored border of tiles around it.
Or what about your favorite sports team? There are even tiles with NFL and Collegiate team logos and colors. FLOR has Disney Princesses, Pixar Cars, and Winne-the-Pooh patterns. There's something for every rug design and every kid!
I ended up going with a colorful option of carpet tiles that gave a fun look without being too "cutesy". It's a design that can grow with my son and be re-used if I redesign his room:
So have some fun on the floor - get creative with color and pattern. Lay out your squares and turn them all different directions. I'm sure everyone will come up with some great looking rugs. Post pictures of your completed design for all to see.
(Thanks to FLOR for the top two pictures - shown above are the "Skully" pattern and the "Sitting Pretty" area rug kit)
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