Flooring Options for Kelly

Christine, I really need your help! We are buying a new home and the entire downstairs flooring is wood, EXCEPT a room next to the family room. It's currently carpeted in a very light carpet and being used for their pool table. Our plan was to have the room finished in the wood to match the rest of the floors. But sadly it's discontinued. We have looked high and low. You can see this room from the family room, entry and kitchen area so what in the world do we do? I have considered seagrass wall to wall, travertine and possibly a different wood in a contrasting color and maybe running a different direction or in a pattern. I just don't want this room to look odd. It needs to flow. This flooring will meet up to the current wood. I am including pictures that will show you how the graining in current wood looks and how the room is somewhat open to the family room. I am not wild about seeing a pool table all the time, so keeping it is not a must. It will either be used as an additional sitting room with an area to play board games, read etc or the pool table will stay and a sitting area at one end of the room. If you could PLEASE let me know what you think might work on the floors and how you would use the space, I would SO APPRECIATE IT! 

I am in a panic. I needed these floors done like yesterday. If I can make a decision and have them done prior to move in it would be a HUGE help. Thanks again for your input. You are so talented and I know you will have some great suggestions.

p.s. I do have pets and children so the floors would need to be practical for a family.

Kelly

Hi Kelly,

I hear that sad story all too often.  People want to extend existing hardwood, and it is discontinued.  That's too bad.  It is hard to beat hardwood.  With that said, here are my thoughts:

1.  I almost never like a bunch of different hardwood floors in the same house, especially right next to one another.  If you could get a parquet or something that truly matched, that would be something to consider, but I kind of doubt you could find a really good match.

2.  Travertine is super durable.  I have it in my home with four kids and a puppy and have been thrilled with it.  For a change of direction next to your hardwood, try a herringbone.  I have always adored a herringbone floor.  Remember this can come in many different colors.  I would find something that has a subtle look next to your wood.  Find a stone in similar tones.

3.  I do like you idea of a sisal. It won't be as durable as a stone, but still a good option. 

4.  Another good option would be an Axminster Broadloom.  Get a beautiful patterned carpet that looks like an area rug, but comes wall to wall.  You can get great patterns in many different styles.

Years ago I worked with a client and we put braided rug in wall to wall.  (custom job by Capel Rugs) It was pretty cool- a very "country" look.  Her home was used in the old countrytime lemonade commercials with the grandpa on the porch with the grandkids. 

Congratulations on your new home, it looks beautiful. 

Sign up for this week's webinar, Color in Interior Design here.

Travertine Meets Laminate Flooring

Christine

I'm in need of some advice. I currently have travertine in my house, the bedrooms have carpet. I'd like to take the carpet out and replace it with laminate flooring. Would it be okay to mix the flooring? Thanks in advance for your advice!

- Diana

Hi Diana,

My short answer:  I wouldn't do it.

My long answer: 

1.  I am not a fan of laminate flooring.  I know that it has its upsides, but the downsides are too many for me to get over:

• It looks cheap. 
• It is noisy.  Clip clop, clip clop...
• Very difficult to repair.  No flooring is super easy to repair, but boy do I remember a few nightmares trying to do repairs on laminates. 
• It is perceived as inexpensive, but it isn't really all that less expensive than an inexpensive hardwood.  Sure you see the price per square foot on the hardwood, and the price per square foot on the laminate and you think I am wrong, but then you add to the hardwood just the labor and the mastic.  You add to the laminate the film, the foam, the glue, the labor, and the super expensive trim and transition pieces.  Now, are you saving money?  Not so much.
• Speaking of the transition pieces...  My least favorite transition piece is a T- strip. - shown above-  (do you know many people out there with a least favorite transition strip?- just me, huh?)  It is a downright trip hazard; a liability on your property.  And no, there is no other way to bridge the gap between your travertine and laminate. 

 

(photo from homeandgardendesignideas)

I would do more travertine, or hardwood, or carpet.  The larger the home, the more supportive I am with more kinds of flooring.  A small house looks the best with very few breaks in flooring.  Do you have 4000 + square feet?  Sure- let's get some variety. 

Lipstick on a Pig

Hi, Christine,

It's me - again!  (check out Carol's previous post here.)  Just a new dilemma.  We have white builder's grade Merrilat cabinetry (in good shape) throughout our condo.  I would like to update the look in the bathrooms.  Right now there are bisque cultured marble counters and sinks, as well as the bisque-colored garden tub and deck which sits between the two master vanities.  Would it be worth painting the bathroom cabinets and replacing the counters with granite, or is that like putting lipstick on a pig? (thanks, Sarah!)  There are no windows in either bath.  Still not committed to staying here long though we may end up doing just that.  (You may remember the mottled green ceramic floor tile - it's in the bathrooms, too, and up the wall behind the tub with an accent row.

Thanks for any suggestions,

Carol

Hi Carol,

Unless it is real wood, painting cabinets does not usually go well.  To get a good finish- you need to be able to lightly sand your surface. 

Granite?  Granite is a very formal look- and a very "kitcheny" look. Try to keep the formality of your cabinets consistent with the formality of the counter surface.  In a bathroom, you don't need the stain resistance and durability of granite.  Go with marble, travertine or sandstone. Consider honed instead of polished for a more casual feel.  So as to not over-invest, consider using 4 x 4's or 12 x 12's or mosaic instead of a slab.

Would I go through the expense of putting any of those on your cabinetry? (or is this all just lipstick on a pig?) You did say they were in good shape- although you sent no picture- so I can't make the call- I say only if you really like the cabinets.  Keep your counters neutral- like the travertine counters below.

 

If you decide to stay- you might consider a furniture look to replace your stock cabinets- like the Restoration Hardware piece below. (If you have some tile to make the flooring work).  I have made my own combinations for clients-  (or- perhaps I should give the credit to the contractors that make it all happen.)

Best wishes with your bathroom!

bath photo from Decor Pad

The Perfect Subway Tile...

Hi Christine,
This is my kitchen. In the spring we painted the cabinets white, changing the hardware, installed black granite countertops and an undermount sink. But my husband and I cannot agree on a backsplash. We've spent the past 6 months arguing about it. Help! I want a backsplash before the holidays get here! I like white subway tile but he thinks it looks cheap. What would you do for a backsplash? We live in a suburban Missouri neighborhood and need to keep it pretty neutral for resale purposes.
Love your blog!!!
Thanks!
Kelley

Kelley,

Your kitchen is looking great! I think we can find a perfect solution for you. A subway tile that does not look cheap. No problem!

I have four types that I would like you to look at.

1. Beveled edge
2. Stone
3. Handmade
4. Glass tiles

The subway tiles with beveled edges have a really nice depth and a more striking pattern to them. I know that Porcelenosa has a nice one. But just go shop at your local source and ask for a subway tile with a heavily beveled edge. Make sure you also get a flat one to show your husband the difference. Show it to him installed if you can.

All kinds of stone come cut in a subway tile shape. Any nice neutral travertine or marble would look terrific. You get your subway look- he gets the richness of real stone. If you want to keep it white like a traditional subway tile- no problem- you can get a carrara marble in a subway cut. (at least you can in California :)

Hand made tiles have such a terrific richness to them. The lack of perfection- makes them perfect. Jeffrey Court- Walker Zanger, Country Floors- there are many sources- again- go to your local tile source and ask for hand made subway tiles. They will cost so much your husband will never mistake them for "cheap."

Glass is the hottest new surface in backspashes- and comes in a lot of neutral shades- not just the blues and greens. A subway shape and size will also be simple to find.

Hey readers- what do you think? Which way should Kelley go? Or do you have another idea for her altogether?

If you still have problems- you can call my sister- in- law- she is a Ph. D. and does relationship counseling. She is very good. :)

Lauren's New Home Part II

Today is a continuation of my last post- on Lauren's new home. Lauren wants to replace her counters and backsplash.

First of all- you have a challenge here- and that challenge is blending the floors with the cabinets. It is not your most expected combination. Generally, tile floors like yours would be paired with wood cabinets- or a darker painted cabinet. This is not to say that we can't make it work though- the fact that you are replacing your counters is a great opportunity. Think of your counters as a "marriage." We want to marry your floors and cabinets. We need a unifier. You didn't give me a close-up of the deco tile in your floors- but it looks to me like it is a classic hand painted saltillo- probably with blue and white in it. If you love blue and want to use it in your decorating- that is one way to go- or you could downplay the blue.

At the top of the post is a travertine that would look really great- it is "Siena Silver"- One of the things I really like about it is the white in it. The gray tones are a terrific compliment to the terra cotta. Travertine is not a good kitchen counter material- as it is fairly porous- but you could pair it with a coordinating Silestone- and use the travertine on the backsplash.

This tile above is a great combination of neutral colors. It is Zapala by Walker Zanger. In addition to herringbone- it comes in a lot of different patterns. I like the beauty and neutrality of it. It pulls out the terra cotta color without being too terra cotta.

If you like the tile and deco look- I found a few that did a good "marriage job"- as they brought the white together with the terracotta and blue.

I like the idea of using them with a white handmade tile like the one above- and go with a terra cotta colored granite on the counter.

What do you think? Do you have any ideas for Lauren?