it isn't easy being green...

Oh, yes it is!

This is the hot new color for spring. Bold, saturated colors are always trendy in the spring. Makes sense doesn’t it?! Green is fresh, new, and exciting…just like spring. And it’s everywhere right now.

It’s the perfect shade to refresh your room…any room, really. It looks wonderful with whites, beautiful with browns, and gorgeous with grays.


If you are really bold, try painting a wall this color. Or go for an accent piece of furniture in this ultra-fun shade.

For the less daring, a few well placed accessories like a couple of throw cushions, a vase or two, or some vintage (or vintage inspired) glass gems will reinvigorate and liven up your space. Some new bedding that incorporates this color would also do the trick!

So go on, don’t be shy…go green!

corked

Over the last year or two, lots of people have tried out cork flooring…or at least have heard about it. By now, there are a number of cork products that are on the market. But like many good things, it’s a product that’s getting better with time. And although it’s more widely available, it’s worth the effort to talk to a flooring specialist if you are considering this product.

rouge did a little investigating last week, because I wanted to recommend it to a client who is turning a single car garage into a tv/family room. I’ve always loved the idea of a cork floor for a lot of reasons, but haven’t personally used the product yet, so I wanted to be absolutely confident in the recommendation.

Especially since the client had already inquired about the possibility of cork flooring for their renovation at a certain “big box” store (that shall remain nameless) and was really discouraged.

The fine folks at Floors Plus Bayers Lake are incredibly knowledgeable and helpful. I learned a ton….too much to report here. But I can tell you that I did strongly recommend the following product to my clients.

The Scandia line is the “lowest” product offering from Wicanders (www.wicanders.com), the leading manufacturer of cork flooring. It’s a floating, click-flooring product that comes in planks. Easy to install and easy on the pocketbook at approx $6/ sq ft.

Here are the deets:

Scandia is a cork floating floor solution with a narrower plank of 5 1/2" wide X 35 5/8" long with a polyurethane (PU) finish. It's micro-bevel adds to the character of this great looking floor.

Features and Benefits
Hypo-Allergenic - does not absorb dust
Impact & Step Sound Reduction - creating a quieter home
Warm - natural cork properties reflect your body heat back into your feet
Resilient & Durable - high impact resistance
Sustainable - manufactured from the bark of the cork oak tree
Easy to install and maintain

Recommended Usage
On, above or below grade in all residential environments. When installing below grade be sure to use a moisture vapor barrier.

Care and Maintenance
Scandia is easy to clean and maintain. A vacuum cleaner and a slightly damp mop are all that is required to keep your floors looking as good as new.

Specifications
Dimensions: 10.5mm x 140mm x 905mm
10.92 square feet / carton
55 cartons per pallet
PU Finish
Micro-bevel
CORKLOC Installation (Angle/Angle)
CORKPROTECT a paraffin based edge sealing system
Warranty: 10 years residential






Remember, if you are considering new flooring, talk to a professional to get all the information and facts. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Until next week…


p.s. – a very special shout out to one of my most faithful readers and supporters…I love you, Mrs. B, thanks for the hugs this week!

new decor bits in Halifax!

This week, I thought I’d share a few bits of design & decor news happening here in Halifax!

Floors Plus Bayers Lake – all bout floors, right? Nope. Look again. By now you probably know that Floors Plus (http://www.floorsplus.ca/) is the expert in all things flooring. You may even already know about their Hunter Douglas gallery of window treatments. But did you know that they now have a lighting section? How about the great new furniture section? If you went to the Home Show you may, if not, here are the deets:

Floors Plus Bayers Lake would like to take this opportunity to introduce another plus to our extensive flooring showroom with the new addition of Style 52, which offers the very best in lighting and furniture featuring Besa Lighting, American Leather and Natuzzi.

• Besa Lighting (http://www.besalighting.com/) offers a choice for lighting solutions in design, function and quality…a myriad of unique luminary styles, plus glass and metal finishes and lamping types.
• American leather (http://www.americanleather.com/) featuring contemporary sofas, sectionals, recliners, chairs and comfort sleepers in several hundred grades and color. Just new for those who love the feeling of soft chenille or the eye popping joy of pattern our products are now available in over 450 fabric options.
• Natuzzi combines detail in design and Italian flair for everyday living offering a choice of sofas, chairs, coffee tables and lamps.

Bouclair Home – opened just over a week ago. For you Haligonians, it’s right next to the Zellers in Bayers Lake. If you took a dash of Ikea’s home décor section, a pinch of the bedding section, a lot of the window treatment section including hardware, and over ready to hang curtain options, and threw in a smidge of lighting and artwork, you’d have Bouclair Home (http://www.bouclair.ca/). It’s bright, clean and colorful. It says it’s typical clientele is “a trendy woman who knows what she likes in both merchandise and in price.” Check it out.

Interior Fusion Resource Centre – rumor has it that the first independent “trade only” resource centre east of Montreal will be opening somewhere in Dartmouth in Spring 2010. It will offer a whole lot of lines to industry professionals – fabrics, décor, wall coverings, rugs, furniture and more. rouge will keep you posted!

So, it appears that spring has sprung in Halifax and it’s time to get out there and refresh your living spaces.

If you need some help, just give rouge a call…!

living room need a boost?

rouge did a home consultation two weeks ago for a client who wants to refresh their living room.

The room is a challenge in terms of layout, as it opens to the dining room/kitchen via French doors, and has a doorway on the opposite of the room leaving to the front hall.

This busy family of four have a tv room in the basement, but this space is where some tv watching takes place, family game nights happen, and of course, some adult entertaining.

The main goal was to offer suggestions that would update the room and not break the bank by incorporating as much of the existing furniture as possible…namely, the large brown leather sofa and love seat.

Here is what rouge recommended, along with some pictures to inspire:

* repaint to update look and feel
* consider removing French doors
* rearrange existing furniture – best use of space for function
* create a defined conversation area by adding oval or rectangular area rug, adding a fun occasional chair
* create a defined reading nook by adding comfy chair (suggest grey or cream), floor lamp (suggest brushed nickel), and existing side table
* address tv – (a) remove from room, (b) get a flat screen tv, (c) use existing.
* suggest removing armoire. Consider using existing coffee table as tv stand.
* add less substantial, softer coffee table/ottoman
* add layered lighting specific to living room uses -- two table lamps and reading nook floor lamp
* consider new window treatments to allow for light, yet retain or increase privacy.
* replace curtain rod with more substantial, dark brown rod
* mount further outside of edge of window, so that when curtains are opened, they hang over wall and don’t cover any window.
* suggest curtains with grommets. Consider patterned and/or textured to add layers to the overall design (white/grey)
* add floating shelf (s) to display family photos and artwork. Either in lieu of existing bookshelf or as a row behind couch.

I’ve since heard from the client who was indeed inspired by rouge’s work. They’ve gone out and purchased a couple of end tables, table lamps, a floor lamp and have their eye on some curtains….

Keep us posted, please!