Blog Spotlight: Kathy's Remodeling Blog

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I recently stumbled upon this gem.  What really caught my eye is Kathy's seemed frustration (that I share) with the cheep contractors and other 'so-called professionals' that we run into on a regular basis.  And she pulled together a helpful 'quiz' to help showcase the best choice.

"So how do  you decide what to do? Ask yourself a few questions:

1. Is saving money the most important thing in life without exception?

If yes, choose Contractor Cheapo

If no, keep asking questions

2. Is having a high-quality project the most important thing in life without exception?

If yes, choose Contractor Artisan

If no, keep asking questions

3.  Is complaining about the faults of contractors a favorite pastime?

If yes, choose Contractor Cheapo

If no, keep asking questions

4. Is having a warm feeling from having the most considerate, thoughtful contractor important?

If yes, choose Contractor Artisan

If no, keep asking questions

Bottom line..."

Read the rest here!

This might be funny to watch, but do you want these guys working on your home?

I'd love to know your thoughts on this.  Do you have any stories you can share about your experience with Quality, Artisan work vs. Cost Focused work?

As always, if there is ever anything I can help with, give me a shout!

Warm Wishes,

Katlin Farrell

katlin@mercercarpetone.com

facebook.com/mercercarpetone

twitter.com/mercerfloors

pinterest.com/katfarrell

[Guest Post] How to Make Your Home More Peaceful and Relaxing

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 With life being so fast paced and most of us being so busy much of the time, it can sometimes be difficult to get a breather and recuperate. We rush from one crisis to the next, have countless responsibilities and generally barely get time to think before we have something else to deal with.

This is why it's so important that we have a quiet and relaxing home that we can go back to, where we'll be able to recharge our batteries, rest our brain and start to feel human again. If you feel under pressure at home as well as at work and everywhere else, then the relentless stress can end up taking its toll on your body and on your mind.

For many of us though home isn't somewhere we can go to relax and feel at ease, and actually many of us find that there are even more commitments and jobs waiting at home for us than there are at work or elsewhere. Here then we'll look at how to make your home more conducive to relaxation and peace of mind.

Minimalism

Making your home more minimalistic in design can make you feel more relaxed in numerous ways. Immediately, when you remove some of the 'clutter' from your surroundings you will find that there is less playing on your mind and that you unconsciously relax. You will feel as though you have more space to move around in and this will make a big difference to stress levels. 

At the same time though this will also mean there is less to clean and maintain and less to get lost or broken. Try throwing some things out that you don't regularly use and you'd be surprised how liberating it can be.

Nature

Another way to help yourself relax is to make your surroundings feel more natural. This can work wonders because we have evolved to feel at ease when we are in natural settings with abundant trees and plants because it signals a source of food and water. 

Just hanging up some pictures of waterfalls can help your heart rate to lower, but better yet is to maintain a beautiful garden and have nice patio doors in your conservatory to appreciate it through, or to include potted plants in your home.

Relaxing Rooms

You can also benefit from designating some rooms in your home specifically to relaxation. Most of us will have no such room in our house and even our living rooms tend to be filled with clutter and televisions (which aren't relaxing). 

Have a conservatory then, or a room at the back of the house, that you leave empty of things like games consoles and televisions, and that you decorate in a way that is designed to be relaxing and ideal for just leaning back and chilling out.

Comfort

Finally of course you need to ensure that you have somewhere comfortable to sit if you want to feel really relaxed in your home. Look into the most comfortable furniture you can find, whether that means lazy-boy reclining armchairs, or a long corner sofa.

Author Byline :

Jamie Kirk is an upcoming independent interior designer who has made a name for himself in this field by designing many a conservatories and sun rooms for modern homes. He has his own website of conservatory designs which helps interested clients to choose designs according to their preferences.

[Guest Post] How to Choose the Right Tiles for Your Patio Garden

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During the summer months, the garden can be the best place in the whole home. It’s the perfect space for enjoying dinner and drinks with friends, playing a game of your favorite sport, or just relaxing and soaking up the rays.

If you really want to make this area special, it deserves a little TLC from time to time. Tiling is the perfect solution here, but it can also be overwhelming once you discover just how many types of tiles are available.  Let’s take a look at what you should be searching for when it comes to the right tiles for your patio garden.

Durability

It goes without saying that outdoor tiles need to be tough. Aside from looking pretty, they have a purpose to serve. Ceramic products can be too susceptible to water damage (esp. with the changes in temperature that Maryland loves to throw at us) and therefore are unsuitable, but stone and porcelain tiles can be just the ticket.

Water absorption

Your tiles will have to withstand the elements, and making a choice with this in mind is essential if you live in area that undergoes dramatic temperature changes through the year. Porcelain has a low water absorption rate, which makes it a good choice. Tiles that absorb too much water could end up cracking once the icy weather comes along.

Non-slip

Wet tiles can become very slippery, and can be a bit of a hazard if you haven’t made a sensible choice. Smaller tiles could be a good option, because there’s more grouting involved and therefore less surface area that could cause slipping. Alternatively, use an abrasive tile. The rougher finish will give more grip underfoot.

Pricing

Tiled decks can be considerably more expensive than wood decks, so bear this in mind when you’re budgeting. Before rushing into any decisions, ask a few tradesmen to give you a quote. You should ideally have three or more, in order to get a good idea of what’s a reasonable deal. Reputable traders will be happy for you to take this approach, so don’t feel pushed into using the first professional that you speak to.  Be sure to ask them to list out the details so you can compare apples to apples!

Design

Design comes down to personal taste, though it’s an important consideration for your patio. Remember that on-trend designs could look dated quickly, where as more traditional styles are likely to stand the test of time.

 Undergoing any home improvement project can be a challenge, but as long as you know what you should be looking for, you can’t go too far wrong. Try to strike the balance between practicality and style, and you will have a beautiful patio that is functional as well as impressive.

Do you have a tile feature in your garden? Are you pleased with your choice of tile?  We'd love to see pictures!

This article was brought to you by Ruth Hinds on behalf of Tons of Tiles. ToT imports and supplies a wide range of quality ceramic and quartz tiles for bathrooms, kitchens, and any area of your house that you would like to improve. 

10 Ways You Can Use Mosaics

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We've all seen beautiful kitchen backsplashes:

And we're definitely used to seeing mosaics in bathrooms:

But there are many other places and ways that mosaics - stone, glass, porcelain, metal - can be used!  Here are 10 ideas that you can use as inspiration as you turn your house into a home or take your home's design to the next level.

1 - Fireplace Surround:

Fireplaces are natural focal points, so why not up factor?  This is especially useful in homes that don't come with a lot of architectural detail.

2 - Accent Walls:

It's like using a richly colored paint color on one wall but to the next level.  You can incorporate various textures, colors, and patterns.

3 - Half Walls:

Don't want a full wall of mosaics?  Try jazzing up half walls.

4 - Wainscoting

Why not use mosaic tile to create architectural details?

5 - Create a Focal Point

Need a wow factor?  Get some colorful glass mosaics and create a 'tapestry'!

6 - Bring Light to Darker Spaces

Why not add some visual interest to shelving, nooks, and crannies   It's a great way to add that feel of a customized home.

7 - Floor Medallions

These are perfect for entryways!  Add a touch of personality to what is often a wasted space.

8 - Create a Runner/Rug Look

Like the look of rugs but don't like them due to cleaning, slipping, or something else?  One, talk to me because I have some tips to help with that.  Two, why not create a look like the one above with mosaics?

9 - Wall Art

And, with a little creativity, it could be hung like a picture also!  Now there is a conversational piece!

10 - Frame It

Have a subdued mirror?  Try adding a custom frame with mosaic tile!

Source: houzz.com via Katlin on Pinterest

What ideas do you have?  (I'd love to see pictures - Facebook, Pinterest, etc!)

Let me know if there are any questions I can help with!

Have Fun!
Katlin Farrell
katlin@mercercarpetone.com
twitter.com/MercerFloors
MercerCarpetOne.com

[My Work] Hardwood+

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I thought that you might like to see a few pictures of projects that I have been able to help with and today let's focus on my hardwood projects.

The above are pictures of a new natural oak hardwood floor that I helped a client in Hunt Valley choose for their new condo.  It is a select and better grade which means that it has the least amount of variation, mineral streaks, and knots possible in an oak floor.

Take a look at the clear, cherry stained maple plank hardwood in the images above that I helped a client in Eldersburg with.  Maple naturally has very soft graining and while stain tends to even out variation, with the higher sheen of the finish it brings it out a bit more.

What do you think of the above hand-scraped, wide plank hickory hardwood?  I helped a Catonsville client choose this hardwood floor for their new home.  They really liked the richness of the dark stain, the forgiveness of the hand-scraping, and the uniqueness of the wide planks and diagonal installation.  What do you think?

What a great way to have a statement floor!  I helped this Ellicott City client choose this natural birch wood flooring.  They really liked the variation of the tavern grade (most variation possible) as well as the brightness it provides to the room.

A client in Clarksville loved the sophisticated richness of this dark stained tigerwood hardwood floor.  The heavy variation of tigerwood is smoothed out greatly with the dark chocolate stain and the high sheen dresses up the floor like a grand piano dresses up a parlor.

A Columbia client is thrilled with her new wood custom staircase, railing system, and runner.  Even a  couple weeks after installation she said that she couldn't believe it was hers.

And my personal favorite of this series, the handscraped, wide plank acacia hardwood that a client in Clarksville chose for their 1st floor.  They preferred the smoother and richer look of the darker stain to the high variation of the natural and loved the forgiveness that the hand-scraping provided.

What do you think of these floors?  Do you have any hardwood pictures to share?

Best Wishes,
Katlin Farrell, Flooring Design Consultant
katlin@mercercarpetone.com

[Guest Post] Insurance for Home Remodeling: How and Why

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You put a lot of planning and care into your home. Whenever embarking on a renovation project, you search diligently for the right contractor and work hard to make sure you’re spending the right amount of money.

But have you thought about insurance? There are several considerations to make regarding homeowners insurance when you’re changing something in your house. Both during and after your renovations, you need to think about home insurance.

During

During your home renovation project, it’s crucial that you have a licensed contractor. While you can look hard for a reputable professional, there’s no guarantee that a worker won’t sustain on injury on your property. 

However, if you find a dependable worker and he or she is insured, you can rest a little easier knowing that you have protection if something does happen. Ask for proof of insurance and speak to your insurance agent about the matter. You can get an expert opinion on coverage. If your contractor is insured, but you feel he or he is lacking sufficient coverage, you might want to increase protection on your own policy. Expand your liability coverage and that protection can extend to your contractor while he or she works on your property.

After

If you have significantly increased the replacement value of your home – say by adding a state of the art kitchen or finishing your basement – you might have to expand your dwelling coverage. This protection is the value of your property, minus the land that it’s on. This makes sense – if there’s an accident, your home will be damaged, but your yard will remain more or less the same. 

When you’re wondering if your renovation project will change how much insurance you need, think about if the changes affect the value of your home. If you are adding square footage or converting part of your home into more living space, it’s likely that you’ll need more coverage. Conversely, if you are just installing a new light fixture or slapping on a new coat of paint, you’re probably all set with your existing policy.

As always, whenever in doubt, you should consult a licensed agent. A professional has the knowledge and expertise to help you figure out whether your renovation project is going to require an upgrade in home insurance protection. Call today and share the details of your project. If it looks like you’re going to need more coverage, ask if you qualify for any special discounts.

This article was contributed by Carrie Van Brunt-Wiley, Editor of the HomeInsurance.com blog. Carrie has been writing insurance news and consumer information for HomeInsurance.com since 2008. She graduated from the University of North Carolina in Wilmington in 2005 with a B.A. in Professional Writing and Journalism.

Here is a guest post about home insurance during and after home remodeling.  This would especially be useful if you are planning a major project.  I'd love to know your thoughts on this post and if you'd like more of the same!

Warm Wishes,
Katlin Farrell
katlin@mercercarpetone.com
facebook.com/MercerCarpetOne
twitter.com/MercerFloors
pinterest.com/katfarrell