FLOORS, WALLS & WINDOWS

BACKGROUNDS Backgrounds help set the mood of a room. The materials, patterns, colors, and textures you choose for the background all contribute to the mood, which may be formal or informal, calm and quiet or loud and exciting. Backgrounds also affect sound. Soft textured materials muffle sound, while smooth, hard surfaces do not.

FLOORS Often the most expensive part of a redecorating project, but well- chosen floor coverings last for years. The type of floor covering will depend on the purpose of the room, the amount of traffic flow, how much maintenance the flooring requires and whether it coordinates with the decorative scheme of the room.

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

RESILIENT FLOOR COVERINGS Vinyl Durable, easy to clean, many patterns and colors Asphalt Least expensive, can be damaged Rubber Resists denting and most stains, quiet, easy to walk on Cork Quiet and comfortable, easily damaged, not stain resistant Comes in roll or sheet form

CARPETING AND RUGS Muffles noise Insulates floors against drafts Provides comfort and luxury Comes in Wall to wall Tiles Rugs

WOOD Pretty durable Can be expensive Some floors are laminate, they look like wood ex: pergo

HARDWOOD Oak is the most popular domestic hardwood and can last for decades. North American species like birch, cherry and maple are timeless choices. Global species have a regal look, rich color tones and provide inherent hardness. Bamboo and cork provide a contemporary decor and are renewable resources.

LAMINATE Features the authentic appearance of real domestic woods such as oak. Exotic laminate mimics unique woods, such as Pear Wood and Merbau Rustic laminate has a warm, country feel..

TILE Durable, easy to clean Expensive

TILE AND STONE An economical choice for indoor use, ceramic is durable and easy to clean. Used indoors and out, porcelain is stronger than ceramic and has the most durable surface. For indoor and outdoor applications with natural colors and pattern variations.. With an array of patterns, laminate mimics the appearance of natural tile (peel and stick)

WALL COVERINGS Consider the cost involved, condition of the walls and function of the room Most common wall coverings are Paint Wallpaper Paneling

WALL COVERINGS--PAINT Least expensive way to decorate Available in several finishes Gloss Semi-gloss Satin Special effects can be created by using a rag or sponge or stenciling

WALL COVERINGS--WALLPAPER Available in many patterns and colors, a lot of work to take down Be aware of batch number. Wallpaper printed at one time is given this number. If you dont match the numbers, the pattern may have the same design but the colors may vary slightly.

WALL COVERINGSPANELING & MOLDING Paneling Warm and attractive Requires little maintenance Molding Strips of wood used for trim or ornamentation Main purpose is to finish off a window, door, or wall Baseboard Chair rail Picture rails Plate rails

WINDOW TREATMENTS Types Curtains Unlined fabric Sheers Tailored Sash

WINDOW TREATMENTS Draperies Heavier fabric than curtains, usually lined Provide privacy Insulates Valance Short piece of decorative material placed across the top of a window

WINDOW TREATMENTS Shutters Vertical sections of wood or manufactured material hinged together

WINDOW TREATMENTS-SHADES Shades Pulled down from the top of the window Roller Roman Balloon

WINDOW TREATMENTS Blinds Window coverings made of a series of evenly spaced slats that may be opened or closed by cords Venetian Vertical