Radiant Heated Flooring Remodeling Tips

Radiant heated floors are steam pipes that are filled with hot water from your water heater. These electric coils are then used to heat the floors. The radiant heated floors will allow you and your family to feel the warmth when you step out of the shower or sit on the floor. Know that heat rises and these heated floors are a good way to keep your home warm.

I learned about heated floors while visiting friends in Colorado. Where they resided the winters were very cold however they heated their entire home with radiant heat in the flooring and walls. I assumed that I would be cold but will tell you the home was warm and cozy. So when it came time for our bathroom remodel my husband and I decided to install radiant flooring.

View this video to learn more about the benefits of radiant heat.

If you are interested in learning more about radiant flooring, then I would recommend that before you choose your  flooring look at the variety of products that are available for this type of floor. You can choose from Pergo laminated, ceramic, porcelain, stone, marble, granite, concrete and slate floors make good choices for  radiant heated floors because they are great conductors of heat.

Choose the flooring color and style that complements your home décor and also appeals to your needs. Heated flooring is a onetime installation and it is wise to choose a product that you will not grow tired of.

Know that shopping for flooring is like going to a candy store.  We all want what we cannot afford.  So before you shop for flooring it is best to know your budget for the remodel. Plus you will need to determine if you will be installing the heated flooring yourself or will you need to hire a contractor? If you are knowledgeable about this type of remodel then you may be able to install the heated floors otherwise I would recommend a contractor.

When it came time to update our bathroom my husband hired a contractor to install radiant heated concrete slaps that were then stained. We loved the look of the modern floors plus they are easy to maintain. I noticed that there is no dust buildup. Unlike forced air from a furnace that is a carrier for dust, radiant heated floors are cleaner, no dust bunnies.

Learn more about radiant heated flooring by reading this article EnergyGOV/ energy saving radiant heating 

Craft / Sewing Room Inspiration

For the longest time, my craft/sewing room was a renovated pantry.  This space was long and narrow. I tried moving my hobby desk every which way but never felt comfortable and when the door was closed it was awful. So my handy husband turned our small bedroom into a craft room.

Whenever we plan a project the DIY project will be completed by working together. Normally I will draw out the plans and take the measurements and my husband is the laborer. Then I will decorate.

Granted the area in the house will be torn up for a few days but the outcome will be great and we will save money by doing the work ourselves.

So today I am going to get a head start on our upcoming home remodel by removing the furniture and then I will paint the walls a pastel yellow. I do not want to paint the walls dark colors because the room may feel closed in. Then instead of a drape on the window, I thought I would do white shutters and on the wall next to the window I would add a mirror

Since my craft/sewing room will be roomier I will shop for a comfortable chair to set by the window. I will also shop for throw pillows for my back and an ottoman. It would be nice to add an area rug as it would look nice covering the hardwood floors.

My Craft/Sewing Room Inspiration by sgolis 

Decorating with Cozy Fleece Blankets

The heat thermostat says 64 and you bet the house feels cold.  So I pulled the cozy fleece blanket from the back side of the sofa and it has enabled me to feel warm.   Know that I like to decorate with pretty pattern fleece blankets instead of putting them away in the linen closet.

When it comes to seasonal decorating you can pop up your décor by adding a pattern for your holiday needs. Show off this blanket in your living room, folded or draped on sofa or chair. Another way to use a seasonal blanket is to buy a large blanket and use it as a bed covering, over your comforter. 

For cozy comfort decorate your space with  Zazzle.com fleece blankets

How to decorated with blankets

While shopping at Zazzle I found that they have perfect sized blankets for decorating.  The baby size which is small can be draped over the back side of a chair and if the pattern works with your room theme then this blanket will pop up the decor. 


Another way to decorate with your cozy blanket is to hang it like a mural.  The small blankets would look fabulous hanging on the feature wall in a foyer or other feature wall.   Note it is better to hang the blanket offseason.

Shopping tips

Before you shop for a cozy fleece blanket you should determine your needs.  Are you shopping for warmth, decor or both?  Note your interior style, is it modern, vintage or classic?  Also, note the primary colors in your space.  Now you will know what type of blanket to shop for. 





Here are a few blankets that I designed at my zazzle shop. 

Modern Wildlife Mosiac Fleece Blanket

by Susang6

Cozy Multicolor Mosaic Pattern Fleece Blanket

by Susang6

Modern Dragonfly Fleece Blanket

by Susang6

Rustic Pinecones in the Snow Fleece Blanket

by Susang6

Cozy Black Tartan Fleece Blanket

by Susang6

Pink and Green Daisy Collage Fleece Blanket

by Susang6

Vintage Style Beaded Valentine's Day Pillow

This year I thought I would feature my friend Sandyspiders vintage home décor pillows because they are perfect for anyone who has a vintage theme for their home.

Sandy has many vintage products at her print on demand shop, greeting cards, gift wrap, throw blanket, wrapping paper and more.  Whenever I visit her shop I go to look at her home decor and find that her retro pillows are lovely.  Here is the ornate throw pillow that Sandy designed.  It can also be viewed in the digital home set design. 

If you love vintage décor then you will want to decorate your living room with this exquisite pillow.

Heart Ornaments in a Beaded Wreath Pillow 

This year she designed a medium burgundy color pillow that has multiple colored beaded wreath that surrounds a singular red heart.  This pillow looks like it belongs in a turn of the century Victorian home. Yes, I can see it on a tufted high back sofa in a parlor where the ladies go to sip their afternoon tea.  I can also see this pillow on top of the bed in a guest room or in the doll room.  

The pillow comes in many sizes and the largest size is big enough for your kids to sit on, so no worries if the floor is cold.    Throw pillows have a variety of uses, from the decor to sleeping and yes oh so comfortable for your kids to sit on. 

Bathroom Makeover Ideas - Blue Theme

This week my husband and I  have taken on another bathroom project.  Our bathroom is white and beige with bronze accessories and it looked good in the winter months but now my husband and I are tired of the "natural look"  and it is time for a bathroom makeover.

My husband likes modern, and I like cottage style, so we are compromising by painting the vintage wood cabinet blue, leaving the walls white and then will add blue bathroom accessories.

We shopped around for something we both would like and everything that we saw was not right.  My husband wanted a leather look shower curtain and we found a few but they were not to our liking.

 I had some blue leather swatches that I had been working within my craft room and pieced them together with a few swatches and took a photograph.,  The grainy leather look appealed to my husband's taste and I agreed that it did look nice.  So I scanned the photograph of leather swatches and then uploaded to my Zazzle store.

At Zazzle, I edited the leather look photo to enrich the colors before making blue bathroom accessories.  I created a blue leather look shower curtain, bath mat, and bath scale and other bath accessories

When it comes to cosmetic bathroom updates, know that this is an inexpensive way to give your space a new look.  We painted the wood bathroom cabinet and also added a blue feature wall.  Then decorated the room with leather look blue shower curtain and accessories.

Here is a set that I designed at polyvore that will show you our bathroom makeover ideas.

NAVY BLUE WHITE Stripes Bath Towel Set

by AT_HOME_DECOR

Elegant Monogram Navy Blue On White Towel Set

by WittyBetty

Do you enjoy updating your interior during the winter months?  What spaces have you made over?

Red Rose with Black Valentine Bedroom Decor

When it comes to decorating my bedroom for Valentines day I like to create an ambiance that is cozy and romantic. A room where husband and I can go to relax, unwind and reconnect. I prefer this room to be simple yet elegant, without the use of cupid figurines or silly Valentine's Day products.

One True Love Valentine's Day Greeting Card by Susang6
Browse more Red rose Cards at Zazzle

This year I will cover my bed with Royal Velvet® 400tc damask stripe egyptian cotton comforter set that I found at JCPenny.com then accessorize the top of the bed with a variety of red rose and black throw pillows.


For the nightstand I will cover it with a red rose and black print tablecloth, then add an inexpensive table lamp from zazzle.com a few red votive candle holders that I picked up at Yankeecandle.com after Christmas sale and fill them with rose scented candles. Since my hubby has a sweet tooth I think a box of Belgium chocolates would be a nice touch.


When it comes to shopping for fresh cut flowers I prefer Proflwers.com. I find the arrangements of flowers have a wonderful fresh fragrance and enjoy taking rose buds out of the box, Instead of having one day of flowers to enjoy I can have up to a week. This is why I will buy a dozen red roses for my dresser in the bedroom .


Valentine’s day is not for one day, we try to make plans to get away just the two of us for a date night every week and then it is always nice to go to our bedroom and lock the door. We enjoy our time together and we really like when our bedroom is decorated with a romantic Valentine theme. 

If you are inspired to decorate your bedroom for Valentine's Day then know that it is best to decorate your space 10 days prior to Valentines day then add the chocolates, candles and flowers on February 14th for your night of romance. 



Here is a bedroom set that I designed that will show you what I mean when I say a Valentine theme bedroom.

Red and Black Bedroom by sgolis featuring red rose throw pillows

Decorating Tips for Guest Bedroom

Decorating a guest bedroom is different from any other bedroom because it is a space that should be warm and inviting, with not only a bed but also a sitting area where guest can relax without going out into the family living areas. This sitting area in the bedroom should have ample space for guest to have a cup of coffee, read a book or check their email.

Guest bedroom looks cheerful due to warm yellow color.

Here is a space saver bedroom that I designed for one of my clients. You can see by the set-up that the design utilized the smallness of the room very well.

MY GUEST BEDROOM MAKEOVER IDEAS

Know that my guest bedroom is a converted baby nursery and it is small room that may look larger if we add a twin bed with storage space underneath. The drawer space under the bed will then eliminate the need for a dresser or chest of drawers.  Then we will add a two-drawer nightstand that would provide more storage for a traveler's things. 

By eliminating large furniture I have saved space.   Now I can add a chair with side table close to the window or I could have my husband install a window seat with storage space. The window seat would offer our guest a room with a view, comfortable resting area and more space for their things.

Since the room is small I will definitely install some mirrors since they tend to make the room look more spacious. Also instead of drapes on the window I am thinking white wooden shutters and maybe a swag.

When it comes time to install the twin bed know that we will set up on the longest part of the room and I suspect that I will paint the wall behind the bed with a pale yellow color. I like the color yellow because it is cheerful and also has the tendency to make a room appear larger.

I would like to decorate the room with yellow flower pattern accessories and a floral quilt, pillow shams and throw pillows. Since the room is small I will use the bed ensemble as the feature.  I thought I would decorate this space with cheerful yellow sunflowers accessories by Lokisbooksnmore. Everything that I viewed at this designer's Zazzle shop was positive or inspirational. Her designs are as American as apple pie and they make you feel good. I think the sunflower pattern would be perfect for my guest bedroom theme.  

Here are a few home decor products that I like.

Embossed Sunflower Wrapped Canvas Art Canvas Print by Lokisbooksnmore

On top of the bedside table add a placemat then set the table lamp on top of the mat. The yellow sunflower pattern will complement the room theme and also will protect the wood table from coffee cup or glass water stains.

Embossed Sunflower Cloth Place Mat by Lokisbooksnmore

Many people enjoy a cup a coffee or herbal tea while they rest in their  bedroom, so having a coffee mug that coordinates with your color theme is a good idea especially if your guest wants to read the paper or book in their room.

A lacquered jewelry or trinket box coordinates with the room theme and it also provides your guest with a place for their jewelry, keys, or other small items.

Embossed Sunflower Premium Gift Box by Lokisbooksnmore

If you are interested in any of the home decor accessories that are featured here click on the highlighted link to view in high resolution at designers shop or to buy.  If you are seeking a custom look please contact the designer on her homepage to discuss design options or other product needs.

Are You Mad About Plaid Home Decor

When I think of dressing in a cozy and warm shirt I think of plaid, so it is only natural to want to decorate my home's family space with plaid. You bet I am mad about plaid home décor because it is a classic look that is eye-appealing and sure does make a winter room look warm.

Are you mad about plaid home decor and want to learn more about how to decorate your home space? 

Here is a home set that I designed. It features red tartan home accessories by PL design.  You can see by this living room design that the plaid home accessories make the room look cozy.  I recommend that you decorate your home with a variety of throw pillows; plaids and solids that are classic square, round, and other.  I like to stage the sofa with contrast behind the pattern, but you can play with it and create your own designer look. 

Throw pillows make your sofa and chair look more appealing do you agree?

Know that PLdesign is a gifted designer who creates the most beautiful Tartan home decorations. Her throw pillows are so nice that you could give them as a gift and the recipient would be thrilled. 


Here are a few of my favorite plaid home décor accessories by PLdesign.  Note: if you like what you see but prefer to view in high resolution at the designer's online shop, CLICK on the highlighted text to view or buy.  

Adorable Red Christmas tartan Monogram pillow by PLdesign

Adorable Red Christmas tartan look pillow by PLdesign
Shop here for Pillows at Zazzle

Decorating with Faux Leather Throw Pillows

Many people like the look of leather but do not like real leather so the next best thing is to decorate their home with faux leather throw pillows and home accessories.

Last week one of the interior design clients said he could not find a leather look pillow at the mall I recommended that he check out my friend Nadine May's print-on-demand shop because she has created home accessories that have a faux leather texture look. My client thought her collections were fabulous and this is why I am recommending her throw pillows to you.

Here are a few throw pillows that I would recommend for a modern interior. These pillows would look sensational in a gray or black room theme.

Leather Look Throw Pillow by Just_Kidding

Leather textured pillow by Just_Kidding
Browse other pillow designs on Zazzle.

These graphic pillows were designed with care and are sold at Zazzle but you will not find them at a shop at the mall.

Know that faux leather throw pillows are a great way to update the look of your interior. I have bought several and found that the pillows from Zazzle are high quality. They are soft to the touch and wrinkle-free.  I highly recommend them for your modern home.

Cosmetic Bathroom Remodeling Ideas

My husband showed me a bathroom set up that he liked in a magazine. It certainly was manly or masculine and I saw that the colors were different but did not mind. Then he showed me the modern black cabinetry that he liked along with gray, black and white pattern granite in the shower stall and I knew that his BIG idea was to gut the bathroom with a sledge hammer.

Here are some photographs of bathroom designs that appeal to many men including my husband. Note the style is modern and the colors are black, white and gray with nickle or shiny chrome accents, along with neutral stone floor.

I would prefer that he would find another way to express his personal style because gutting the bathroom to make it ultra modern, uncluttered with a streamline appearance bathroom would not work with our finances or the design of our southwest adobe home.

I decided to try and compromise with my husband.

Since he likes the colors; black, white and gray. I told him that I thought it would be better if he did a cosmetic remodeling of the bathroom rather then gutting it. I suggested that he make a list of what he wants and then I would do a design board to show him the cosmetic changes.

I shopped at home improvement stores to get ideas, took photographs of products I thought he would like and then presented the paint colors for the walls, hardware update for shower door, faucets, and towel brackets. There was enough money for a black double door cabinetry, plus a new sink with granite top. I shopped online at Wayfair.com and found some bath towels that would look really nice in husbands bathroom and also found bath accessories.

Lucky me my husband agreed that the cosmetic improvements will appeal to his needs and agrees that it is better to not put all of remodeling budget into one project.

Know that when it comes to a man it is best to draw out or do a design board to show them your design ideas. Many times when they see that men see the cosmetic remodel l that is all the need to put down the sledge hammer and forget about taking out an interior wall.