Natural Linoleum Makes A Comeback | Healthy Home Designs

Natural linoleum--I remember it from my childhood, not as flooring but as an art material. Smooth, leather-like, durable, easily-carved, it was better than potatoes for print-making.

In the past 50 years, almost all so-called linoleum has actually been vinyl, with asbestos included for fire-proofing, insulation, and durability. Now, pushed by demand from eco-savvy designers and consumers, true linoleum is making a comeback.

Natural linoleum is becoming popular again for a number of reasons. First, in the search for alternatives to petroleum-based products (which are highly polluting in their manufacture, and are not sustainable in the long run), linoleum is a natural. It's made from wood and cork "flour," limestone dust, rosin (from pine trees), and colorants, all mixed with linseed oil (from flax seeds) and baked onto a jute backing. An acrylic sealant is added as a topcoat. Presumably, when it's time to remodel, old linoleum can be shredded and turned into compost.

Performance

Natural linoleum is valued for its longevity and low-maintenance. Manufacturers estimate its lifespan at thirty to forty years compared with ten to twenty years for vinyl. Dry-mopping is the recommended method for routine maintenance. If linoleum is wet-mopped, manufacturers recommend periodically waxing it with an acrylic sealer. Because linoleum's color extends throughout its thickness, surface mars can be buffed out and the area re-sealed. Certain disinfectants and high-pH cleaning agents should not be used with linoleum. On the other hand, the linseed oil in linoleum has some natural antibacterial properties.

However, installing linoleum carries some precautions. First, linoleum does off-gas as much as vinyl (but it offgasses different chemicals). Some people are extremely sensitive to linseed oil fumes and cannot tolerate linoleum until it has aired for several weeks, even months. Check your reactions before selecting it.

Secondly, linoleum (like most essentially plant-based materials), should not be exposed to constant moisture. Test the moisture content of floor slabs before installing linoleum. Caulk edges in bathrooms where linoleum abuts tubs and showers.

Appearance

Linoleum comes in a wide range of colors, typically in mottled patterns. Forbo, currently the best-known linoleum producer, offers a product called "Marmoleum" in a palette of colors that mimics quarried rock, and "Artoleum" with colors that may have been taken from a computer-generated Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan.

Costs and Availability

Marmoleum, manufactured in Europe, is readily available in the U.S. and available in stock colors. Recently, Armstrong Flooring has begun marketing its own line of natural linoleum.

Marmoleum costs $29 a square yard versus $6 to $40 a square yard for varying grades of vinyl. Environmental Building News, a trade publication for builders, gives the cost of linoleum at $4 a square foot compared with $1.50 to $2 for vinyl. Installation costs are more variable. My 200 square feet of intricately-cut linoleum flooring installed in 1997 cost $1,400, or about $7 per square foot.

Persian Rugs History Is Rich | Home Design

What is now known as Iraq and Iran are both part of what was once referred to as Persia. The people of this area have a history and culture that is rich and long. One of the elements that have been an important part of this culture is Persian rugs. These rugs are in fact some of the finest ever created. Persian rugs are so valued that they have often been replicated and copied.
There are three categories of Persian carpets. The first type is known as the Kilim: these rugs are those that were made by the ancient nomads and a rough or unfinished rug. The other two categories pertain to size. The sizes are broken down by those that are smaller and those that are larger than 6'x4'.
It is believed that the Persians have been making rugs since the beginning of time. Or at least for 3000 years. The oldest existing sample of Persian rugs is a rug that was discovered in 1949 in Siberia. This rug which is mostly still intact has been measured to be 2500 years old.

Discovered in 1949 this rug is still in existence today. Since being discovered it has been carefully preserved. Studying this rug has allowed historians and scientist to determine the methods of rug making that were used during this period. This rug also provides a window into the past.
The borders of this rug provide some images that may have been the norm for this period of time. The one side contains Persians on horseback and the other contains images of deer. While this rug dates back to ancient times it is not considered to be of nomadic designee.
It is believed that this rug is symbolic of thousands of similar rugs that were hand crafted for the wealthy and royalty. There are other known examples of such rugs. The Court of Cyrus the Great of Persia was believed to have many of this style of rugs.
Wool and silk became popular materials for the use of Persian rugs by the 6th century. These materials provided for better quality rugs and also provided a more attractive appearance. It is believed that royal palaces such as the palace in Sasnian (ancient Iraq) lined the halls with silk and wool Persian rugs.
The rugs that once lined the grand halls of these elaborate palaces are prime examples of ancient hand woven rugs. Many of the rugs that are made in modern times are machine crafted, but the art of hand woven Persian rugs is long from being lost. In fact hand woven Persian or Iranian rugs as they are commonly called make up for a huge portion of the export business conducted by Iran.
The hand crafted modern Persian rugs are very similar to those that have been being made for over 2500 years. Persian hand crafted rugs are some of the most highly valued decorating items in the world. Hand crafted Persian rugs provide a grand statement in a home and also are great heirloom items that if treated correctly could last over 2500 years or roughly 130 generations.
Despite modern manufacturing methods there are still many craftsmen that produce Persian rugs using the methods of the ancient Persians. These methods are now over 2500 years old. Hand crafted Persian rugs are considered some of the most valuable household decorating accents in the world. The Iranian government now controls the business of hand crafted rugs. These rugs count for one third of all exports by the country of Iran. Handcrafted rugs are very valuable and make great heirloom items.

Beautiful gold..

Muted gold, what a gorgeous feel. It lends itself to so many environments from bathrooms, to living spaces to fashion. I also spotted a matt gold cutlery set that I fell in love with. Sounds possibly a little tacky but because it wasn't glossy it worked perfectly well. I wonder what food would taste like using gold cutlery!? Kellie xx

Images via Dress, Design & Decor x

Something fashionable. Something pretty.

Occasionally I get really obsessed by a fashion designer. Right now, I can't get enough of By Malene Birger. The designs are so feminine, stylish and the detail is amazing. I have selected a few of my favourites from the current collection.

I'm very excited about a By Malene Birger dress that I have ordered from the US that is on it's way... I have a dinner coming up next month and I needed something 'serious' but still 'me'... Can't wait for it to land in my hands... Kellie xx

Images from By Malene Birger x

A design-ish kind of evening

Busy night tonight. Heading off to talk website design and details - the real nitty gritty. I have done all the planning to hopefully make it a painless and simple process and really looking forward to see things starting to come to life. It feels like i'm back at uni again with all the reading and organising!

On a side note, I so adore that sofa. Have seen something like this for Ada & Darcy that I think will be a beautiful edition to the furniture range! One for the shop... One for me! Kellie xx

Image via LOVE x

An Ada & Darcy Style - Thai Green Chicken Curry!

I'm not much of a chef, actually I'm generally a pretty boring cook so imagine Luke's delight last night when I decided to cook a Thai Green Chicken Curry. And his absolute surprise when it turned out delicious! There is hope for me yet. Replicate it {here} ... xxx

Photographs by Kellie Collis for Ada & Darcy x

A camera-less weekend but a gorgeous find...

I had a lovely weekend, it poured with rain in the car all the way to Berry Friday night and I was thinking it was going to be a horrible wet weekend and we would be stuck inside without much to do. Instead the weather turned out to be lovely and there was plenty of opportunity to enjoy the gorgeous shops and delightful places to eat.

Unfortunately I left home with a flat camera battery (oops I know) but I did however find a gorgeous ginger jar at the monthly Berry markets. Its hiding away in that first shot, then in the second, its shining away in all it's glory and you can see the detail so well. The gorgeous blue with the gold is so pretty and it will look delightful with a bunch of flowers... I'm off to the flower markets this week so I'll take a picture of it as a vase this weekend! Kellie xx

Photos by Kellie Collis for Ada & Darcy x

A velvet obsession...

I can't get enough of velvet right now. Sofa's or cushions, I don't really mind. There is something so luxurious, glamourous and welcoming about velvet in interiors!

A little dog of mine, who shall not be named... Decided to pull the piping off one of my chairs which has meant that it is definitely in need of some re-covering... I'm thinking some hot pink velvet would work a treat! And dog proof too! Kellie xx

Image from Andy Liffner. x

Rustic charm

Since we are having a mini holiday, no chance to visit the flower markets this weekend. I thought these babies may just do the trick instead! Very rustic and full of charm. Just like our holiday destination. Have a delightful Sunday xx

Images via Small Stump + Studio Choo xx

Good news

Good news. Antique shopping today. Lovely husband agreed, Lily and Molly are over the moon. They understand me... Stay tuned for pictures next week. xx

Image from Sweet Home Style x

A busy week...

How was your week? Mine was busy but good.

By day I have been flat chat with my 'serious' job. By night, I have been doing the job i adore and that is all me - sourcing goods, working on the text for my site, still deciding on what SLR camera and lenses to get and making time for my lovely husband and two gorgeous puppy dogs. I wish someone would listen to my request for more hours in the day!

This weekend we are heading off for a weekend of relaxation and if I get my way, a bit of vintage shopping too. And, a lovely bottle of wine. Maybe two. Kellie xx

Image via I am blessed x

Mirror mirror on the wall...

Mirrored furniture and an antique mirror to match. What a gorgeous combination. Romantic, homely and glamourous all in one. Kellie xx

Image via This is Glamourous x

A Lily & Molly update...

I realised it has been a while since I posted about Lily and Molly and how they have been going. They play with each other all the time, wrestle, sleep, wrestle sleep. It's very sweet to see what great buddies they are.

I have been telling the girls all week that they are going on holidays with us this weekend to a gorgeous pet friendly place. How fabulous. Lot's of sniffing to be had. They can't wait. Kellie xx

Image by Kellie Collis for Ada & Darcy x

A gorgeous bedroom and a familiar fabric!

What a gorgeous bedroom. I can't help but admire that stunning bed linen, headboard and gorgeous blooms. Of course, what I most adored was the stunning fabric on that table, familiar? Yep, it's the same one that i'll be using on my antique chair {here}! It's divine in this colour too isn't it... Kellie xx

Image from Joe Nye via My Life My Loves x

A delightful selection of flowers, fabric, lighting and sweets! Amazing styling if you ask me. Kellie xx

Images via Style Me Pretty xx

How to Choose Living Room Paint Colors

If you want to have a living room which is cheerful as well as bright, your paint color is the most important factor in achieving this objective. The color of the paint can determine the warmth level as well as style of a room.

If you have actually stepped into a room and felt like the surfaces have been closing in on you, then your color on the wall surfaces is probably to blame. Right after visiting your neighborhood home improvement store or paint department, you have probably understood that selecting a paint color for your family room can be a difficult undertaking. There are so many themes associated with color, that the choice to select from plus the redecorating alternatives seem limitless. With a few helpful pointers, it is possible to choose a living room color that will provide life and pleasure to your live able space.


Tip Number One: Brighter Shades Make a Space Look Bigger

If you have a large living room, then darker colors might meet your needs. Or else, a lighter shade of paint is better. Eyes are usually attracted to the darker areas of a room, therefore darker colored walls can push your line of vision downward. Consequently, you will feel like the partitions tend to be closer to you than they really are. On the other hand, soft colored walls force your eyes to look up, and the result is a more open and expansive perspective. If you don't have an excessively big live able space or you are making the effort to decrease the feel of the size of the living room, you will want to use brighter shades connected with color.

Tip Number Two: Color does not have to need to be Pastel

Often times, it is assumed that delicately tinted paint implies that the color of dye in the color needs to be pastel. Oddly enough, it is possible to have walls which are colored with a brown tinted coloring and the impact remains an open and airy live able space. The color of the actual fresh paint isn't really as important as the quantity of dilution associated with the dye in the color. Hence you should spruce up your living room with hues of reds and blues or shades of browns and grays. Never, however select dark, heavy tones of these colors. Generally, imagine shades that will reflect the natural light in the room instead of soak up it.

Tip Number Three: Neutral Shades associated with Color possess Higher Resale Value

A lot of people prefer to decorate a living room with a palate that offers them a fresh slate. It is difficult to decorate a living area if the color of the room is simply too exclusive or too unconventional to support ornamental add-ons. Fairly neutral shades of living room paint are common with regard to catching the particular attention of potential buyers. Thankfully, fairly neutral shades of paint do not have to be uninteresting. There are a lot of obtainable paint hues in shades of yellow, off-white, peach, gold, brown, bronze, gray and green that will give a natural color scheme that does not dominate the environment. Fairly neutral shades will often be energetic as well as refreshing.

A sparkly kind of bedroom...

What a glamourous room! So much sparkle!

And a big congratulations to Mon Alisa Designs who won the Plum Pretty Sugar Kimono Robe! xxx

Room from the Shelter Pop via The Decorista , dresses via NetaPorter x

Sofa Express are Not Favorable | Dashboard

Sofa Express are Not Favorable

Sofa Express are Not Favorable

Sofa Express are Not Favorable

Sofa Express are Not Favorable

When they did speak with customer representative, all reviewers were given excuses that did not hold up or they were put off Often customers' calls were not returned. Calls to the customer service department at Sofa Express seem to go unanswered in many cases or to be dealt with in less than an acceptable manner. Two say they were promised removal of their old furniture to the curb, but when the delivery agents arrived the customers had to argue to get the promised service. Customer Service Sofa Express customers also have several complaints concerning customer service.

It seems that Sofa Express sofas have poor cushion density, which leads to rapid compression and shifting of filling leaving flat, uncomfortable cushions on a relatively new sofa. A third review complains that the throw pillows and back pillows "were junk." After receiving equally defective replacement pillows, this customer had to wait another six weeks to resolve the situation only to find that she was sent another defective set of pillows. When another customer noted that the stiffness of the cushions kept her feet off the floor, she was actually told by a customer representative that the cushions would settle by 20%-30% within thirty days and that most complaints were due to too much compression within the first six months. One customer complains that within eight months of her sofa purchase from Sofa Express the cushions were flat and the filling had shifted.

The cushions on sofas sold by Sofa Express obviously do not have quality filling or back pillows according to the reviews.

Guide To Buying A Leather Sofa

A Leather Sofa

A Leather Sofa

A Leather Sofa

Wooden sofa frames are usually of solid Birch, Beech or Ash hardwood, and seats are either steel sprung or layered with high tension webbing. Each is hand picked from English and European stock, considered the best in the world. Hides are selected and finished by leather experts.

It is these so-called defects that give leather its character. Every hide has its own unique signature and if examined carefully will show its own history from its grazing habits to the climate in which it was raised. Due to the large panels necessary for the production of leather upholstery, it is cow hide that is preferred in the vast majority of cases. How Leather Sofas are Made Leather is produced by the tanning and finishing of hides and skins which are a by-product of mainly domestic animals. With a little care, a leather sofa will last for many years.

Leather mellows gracefully with age and regular use, and is far easier to clean than most fabrics. Leather constantly adjusts to its environment, so it's not hot and sticky in the summer, nor cold in the winter. There are several reasons why leather sofas have remained so popular for so long.

New Corner Sofas At LAZ-Boy

New Corner Sofas At LAZ-Boy

New Corner Sofas At LAZ-Boy

New Corner Sofas At LAZ-Boy

New Corner Sofas At LAZ-Boy

The left side has a chaise, and the price for this is $1, 799. The legs are wood and give the sofa an extra accent. It is a nicely upholstered piece with arms that flare out upwardly. The beginning price for this sofa is $2, 599 The next example is the Sinclair sofa which is a smaller sectional yet it has a beautiful design.

There are two colors available with one being Dijon. This is a fully cushioned sofa that gives owners a completely comfortable sectional. THe next corner sofa is the Devon sectional, and this has a chaise in the set. You can insert the sleeper sofa, however, no chase is included with this sectional.

This is a fabric sectional as well. This sofa has the loose cushioning in the back which is very plush and comfortable. The Daphne sectional is the next sofa. A chaise is part of this set, and you can also have a sleeper sofa installed. They allow you to pick the fabric to your specifications.

This has 7 sections which can be freely arranged to suit your decor at home. The first sectional we will look at is the Collins sectional.

Home Bar Designs From David W

Home Bar Designs

Home bar designs from David W is as follows: "It took a year to work alone with literally no knowledge of carpentry or anything else related to the bar constructions, in addition to your plan to finish the project. Like you can probably see I've changed angle of 90 degrees to 36.5 degrees to keep customers from being fried by my fireplace is negligible. I'ma freak cold beer as wine and wine cooler installed instead.

As you can see I put the copper on the bar that is the task itself - there is a lack of a specific installation info there. it's wearing a big sticker that can give 80 stitches if you get stupid I was also inserted into the granite for a variety of bit and to serve as the basis for my wine rack. I'll put in another glass shelf when I find the right clips . I say I worked ZERO knowledge of things like this and I think I did one hell of a job using your site! "

Free home bar designs

DIY: Decorating a gift with a fabric flower...

I always love to find new ways to wrap gifts. Whilst these little beauties are initially wrapped in a simple paper bag, their look is magnified with handmade flowers simply stitched together.

I seem to have lots of little bits of fabric around my home and they are never quite big enough to do much with - what a divine use for them! I must now get some coloured cotton together and get cracking! Stay tuned for some oh so pretty gifts! Kellie xx

Images via Style Me Pretty x