Kitchen Floor Decor

There's so much that goes into the designing of a kitchen, that sometimes we forget to look down.
Whether we are debating tile vs hardwood, or ripping out old flooring vs keeping existing flooring… it can be tough to decide which way to go.

Just like kitchen design, flooring design is always changing and improving. Have a look at these products that may make your decision-making a tad easier.

1. Hardwood in the Kitchen:
LOVE hardwood in the kitchen. Yes, if you drop a dish, it may dent the floor. Yes, if your dishwasher backs up, it may cause water damage.  But in today's housing layouts we are almost always faced with open concepts. There's nothing worse then chopping up a gorgeous layout with an ugly tile to wood transition. It makes the room feel smaller, and draws attention downward. Also, there any many hardwoods nowadays that come "pre worn"… in other words, a little bit scratched, knicked, dented, scraped in order to camouflage the inevitable wear and tear of life.

2. Love the look of Hardwood.. but not bold enough to take the risk?
Try Ceramic Tile planks in wood imitation:
One of the hottest looks in the tile world as of late is imitating the wood look. There are thousands of products available that will give you the look of hardwood, without the risks of hardwood. Keep in mind, these are still tiles, so you will still have grout lines. But, they carry the benefit of being waterproof, so not just great in kitchens, but also mudrooms, bathrooms… and gorgeous in showers!

Ceragres Tile - www.ceragres.ca

3. Patterned Tiles:
This is a bit more of a commitment.. but a great way to introduce pattern into a normally un-patterned room. It can add character, charm and will look like art!

The ever-popular chevron pattern.. gorgeous and can be done in so many different materials.

www.ceragres.ca

www.ceragres.ca

Or… if you are feeling really bold….

www.ceragres.ca

4. Vinyl Planks or Tiles:
Vinyl has a bad reputation.. we all instantly remember our parent's houses with awful vinyl flooring peeling in the corners. This product really has evolved and has come a long way. Vinyl also offers the look of a tile (you can even grout them), or a hardwood plank and comes in many different colours and styles. Not to mention.. scratch-resistent, water-resistant, pet/kid resistant! Have a look at the vinyl of today:

www.armstrong.com

www.armstrong.com

Lots to choose from in every budget, style, look, etc. What is your favourite type of flooring in the kitchen?

2012 Golden Hammer Awards - Most Outstanding Kitchen Renovation

Last night was the St. Thomas and Elgin Home Builder's Association Golden Hammer Awards!
We feel very honoured and blessed to be awarded with 2012 Most Outstanding Kitchen Renovation!
Our fantastic designer, Patricia Fletcher, was the mastermind behind this stunning design.
She worked closely with her clients to produce their dream kitchen, and bring it to reality.
Have a look at this gorgeous, urban chic "Most-Outstanding" kitchen!

The Backsplash Woes

The Backsplash Woes. Everyone will catch it at least once in their lives, and it can be hard to cure.
Some common symptoms include:
- anxiety
- tension
- frustration

and even:
- slight dizziness due to thousands of options and uncertainty

Photo courtesy of JustBeMagazine.com

But... this is not something that needs to be medically diagnosed by any means.
All we need is a little bit of guidance when it comes to choosing the right backsplash. Yes, it can be a very daunting task, because most of us have come across one of those kitchens that could be so nice, if it weren't for that awful backsplash with little painted roses on every other tile.

There is a right and a wrong in this situation:

1. The wrong backsplash is overpowering and draws attention away from your beautiful, new (or aged) kitchen cabinets.

2. The right backsplash accents and complements your kitchen cabinets, finishing off the look.

But, here's when things get tricky - some of you may despise your cabinets and due to that fact, are on the hunt for some gorgeous tile to steal the show.

Well, when it comes to shopping, there is a large quantity of materials, colours, finishes, sizes, and what have you, that you may have to rummage through.
To ease that pain, we have come up with a few guidelines. 
This should help you discover what backsplash your kitchen is hungry for.

First of all:  Think about your kitchen. Is it traditional? It is clean and contemporary? Are your cabinets dark or light? Do they have a lot of detail or are they sleek? Are they so awful you just want to put up the nicest tile you can find so you can look at something else while cooking? Write down a list of words that describe your kitchen.

Secondly: Before you even open that front door, plop yourself behind the computer and do some research. If you have no idea what you like.. this is your chance to discover something about "you".
Type in some words that you've used to describe your kitchen and add backsplash to the end of it. After doing this, researching "Types of Backsplashes" will allow you to visual different materials, styles, and colours. A great place to do this is: houzz.com

Thirdly: When it comes to materials, there are plenty. But occasionally, at the local tile store, you find yourself in the backsplash section saying, "Is this it?".
Well, yes it is, if you're looking for the standard glass, mosaic, or ceramic tile backsplashes that come in small sizes.
But, there are many more options if you open up your mind: for instance, using floor tile has become very popular, and provides a very sleek, and clean sort of look.
- Stainless Steel backsplashes are stunning, either as your entire backsplash or just behind the range    (easy to clean off grease splatters).
- Glass backsplashes are also very nice, either in one slick piece (which gives a seamless, clean look), or glass tiles which can add interest.
- A newer product is back-painted glass in which one can choose from thousands of automotive finishes... such as BMW Pearlescent, or Ferrari Red! Amazing.  (Note: available at GCW!)
- Some other backsplashes include: stone slabs, granite, quartz, wallpaper, concrete, drystack stone, travertine, marble, beadboard in MDF or Wood, Chalkboard Paint from Benjamin Moore, Whiteboard Paint, mirrors, and the list goes on!

Fourthly: Durability is a huge factor. As much as something can be aesthetically appealing, sometimes there are materials that just shouldn't be used. Wallpaper as a backsplash, for example, can look so unique, but splatters of grease could ruin the paper, as well as the humidity from the stove cause the paper to start peeling off.
Rough Stone, such as a Drystack Stone, also can look very sharp but when it comes to cleaning - can you imagine trying to clean grease off of a brick wall?
It depends who you are, though, and what your lifestyle allows for...

If by now, you are still lost in the world of backsplashes, it doesn't hurt to involve a professional just for some advice!
If you are seeking an expert, take a trip to Scherba's Great Floors in Strathroy, ON. They are the experts and can help you find the perfect backsplash to complement your kitchen!
Here at GCW, we would love to help you with your backsplash questions, and our showroom is always available for inspiration and to give you ideas.
Come by and visit us any time!