Reader Question
We are currently renovating our small apartment and would like to make it look bigger. We were planning on going in for small furniture pieces for a spacious look. Please advise.

-Carl

Hi Carl,
Have you been to a magic show? The rabbits are never there in the hat and the card tricks are all sleight of hand. Using smaller furniture pieces can help, as long as you don’t go for too many small elements, which can add to a feeling of clutter and actually defeat your purpose. Consider these other design tricks to help make your small apartment feel more spacious.
1. Bring the floor in view: The more visible the floor, the larger your room will appear. Choose furniture with open bases such as chairs and sofas on legs. Keep walkways open, and make sure the walls can be seen. Less furniture is even more important than smaller furniture.
2. Let there be light: Dark floors and walls tend to lend a cozy feeling to rooms, but can make a small room feel cramped. Paint your walls in a light color and go for light flooring; this will give your apartment a more open feel. Also, let in natural light from outside by choosing sheer window coverings. At night, light up the corners of your space so no inch is lost to darkness.
3. Ceiling to floor: Doors and curtains extending from ceiling to floor give an impression of height, so if you have a low ceiling this is an effective trick.
4. Blend in: Avoid strong contrasts between your floor, walls and furniture in your design. Monochromatic color schemes open up a space, while too much contrast reduces it.
5. Keep it simple: Stay clear of bold and bright patterns for the upholstery or other fabrics adorning your room. Keep the designs simple and plain; go for sheer and light fabrics for that relaxed and open look. If you love bold patterns, pull them in for smaller elements such as throw pillows and placemats.
By using a few of these tricks, you can really make a home feel more spacious and inviting. Since you’re ready to renovate your space, this is the time to make these alterations to make your apartment feel larger than life!

Reader Question:

I have a small half-bath downstairs that has no windows for natural light. How do I decorate this to make the space inviting?

Answer:

A bathroom like this may seem like a challenge. In reality, it provides a unique opportunity to be creative and daring in your decorating. The small size allows you to spend more per square foot on flooring and other options without breaking your budget.

What you need to do is change your perspective. Move your thinking from small to special. You can create a “jewel box” bathroom by making choices that help the room shine.

Hesitant to use color? Here is an opportunity to experiment. Consider glass tiles on one wall. If you prefer a neutral finish, look at some of the decorative tiles with texture. Pull the sink backsplash all the way up to the ceiling. Like granite? With the small countertop in your half-bath, you can probably find a piece at a good price.

Forget about a medicine cabinet. It’s really not necessary in a guest bath. How about a dramatic mirror with lots of personality? Consider a pedestal sink also. The extra visible flooring will make the space seem larger.

Finish up your jewel box with just the right light fixture. Think outside the box – how about a small crystal chandelier? Finally, experiment with paint or even wallpaper in a daring pattern – not too dark – and you will have a guest bath that will get your company talking!

Reader Question:

Help! My massage therapist is about to head to the grocery store to buy all of the carpet cleaners she can in order to attempt to remove a massage oil mishap on our carpet! What should we do? Our carpet is really nice (and new) and I don’t want to ruin it!

– Thanks, Dr. Allie from Denver , CO

Answer:

Dear Allie,

Stop that therapist! Don’t let her run out the door yet and waste your money or her time! Below is how you should treat this stain. First, the most important thing is to NOT use multiple cleaners on top of each other when you don’t like the result of the first one. This can cause a reaction and permanently damage your carpet. Second, if you try anything other than the detergent option, test first in a closet for colorfastness. Use a white rag only. Third, remember more is not always better. Drowning a stain can only dilute it and make it spread.

Here’s your answer:

Nail Polish Remover – Two types of nail polish removers are available. One type contains acetone, a dry cleaning solvent. Use the same precautions as with other dry cleaning solutions. The second type contains amyl acetate, which is used in many paint, oil, and grease (POG) removers. Many POG removers leave residues that may cause rapid soiling. When using a POG remover, always rinse the area thoroughly with a dry solvent. (See Residue Precautions.)

Solvent – A non-flammable spot removal solution, or dry cleaning type solvent, is preferred. Exercise caution when using a solvent. Never pour it directly onto the carpet or allow it to reach the backing, because it can damage the latex that holds the primary and secondary backings together. Acceptable solvents include Carbona®, Energine®, K2R®, Goof-Off®, etc.

Detergent Solution – Mix one fourth (1/4) teaspoon of a liquid dishwashing detergent per one (1) cup of lukewarm water. NEVER USE A STRONGER CONCENTRATION! Thorough rinsing is necessary to remove detergent residues that may cause rapid soiling. It may be necessary to rinse with warm water several times to completely remove residues. (See Residue Precautions.) Care should be used in selecting a detergent. Never use a laundry detergent of any type, because laundry detergents may contain optical brighteners (fluorescent dyes) that dye the fiber. Do not select an automatic dishwashing detergent because many contain bleaching agents that destroy dyes and some fibers.

Warm Water – Lukewarm tap water should be used in most cases to rinse the cleaning solutions from the fiber. Failure to completely rinse the solutions from the fiber may cause accelerated soiling.

Ammonia Solution – Mix one (1) tablespoon of household ammonia per cup of water. Please note: Be aware that ammonia, if used improperly, can cause a color change. Be sure to test a hidden area.

http://www.carpetsnmorecolorado.com/contentpage.aspx?Id=16797#Oil,%20Lubricating

For more stain solving tips, click here.

Thanks for doing the right thing and asking an expert first!

Reader Question: Hello, I’m currently shopping for new carpet. Don’t want any too expensive but not too cheap. Just had a few ?’s…. Is nylon a good make, in terms of not going flat too fast, staying a little plush, etc? Also, would laminated cherry hard wood flooring be more maintenance or not, as oppose to carpet? Hope I didn’t bombard you with all the ?’s : )) Your input is greatly appreciated.

Answer: I guarantee we can find the perfect flooring for your home. Nylon carpet is of slightly higher quality than polyester. However, polyester has made huge waves recently with something that is called PET. It is made out of recycled plastic if you are at all concerned with staying “green”. There are certain types of strands that are going to hold their form better than others. Mohawk makes a carpet that incorporates a very tight twist in order to eliminate matting and wearing too quickly. As far as hard surface goes, there is a difference between laminate and hard wood and I’m not really sure which you are asking about. Laminate probably requires the least amount of maintenance between all three types of flooring. Carpet needs to be vacuumed on a regular basis and hardwood needs to be maintained by it’s surroundings. By that, I mean you need to maintain a certain level of humidity in order to keep the natural wood from drying out and warping. If you would like, feel free to call me at the store @ 702-433-0295 and we can discuss this with a little more detail. My name is Adam and I hope to hear from you soon.

Reader Question: Hello, I’m currently shopping for new carpet. Don’t want any too expensive but not too cheap. Just had a few ?’s…. Is nylon a good make, in terms of not going flat too fast, staying a little plush, etc? Also, would laminated cherry hard wood flooring be more maintenance or not, as oppose to carpet? Hope I didn’t bombard you with all the ?’s : )) Your input is greatly appreciated.

Answer: I guarantee we can find the perfect flooring for your home. Nylon carpet is of slightly higher quality than polyester. However, polyester has made huge waves recently with something that is called PET. It is made out of recycled plastic if you are at all concerned with staying “green”. There are certain types of strands that are going to hold their form better than others. Mohawk makes a carpet that incorporates a very tight twist in order to eliminate matting and wearing too quickly. As far as hard surface goes, there is a difference between laminate and hard wood and I’m not really sure which you are asking about. Laminate probably requires the least amount of maintenance between all three types of flooring. Carpet needs to be vacuumed on a regular basis and hardwood needs to be maintained by it’s surroundings. By that, I mean you need to maintain a certain level of humidity in order to keep the natural wood from drying out and warping. If you would like, feel free to call me at the store @ 702-433-0295 and we can discuss this with a little more detail. My name is Adam and I hope to hear from you soon.

Reader Question:

What is the appropriate size grout joint width for rectified tiles?

Answer:

This question was submitted by Stuart Harris in the Las Vegas Craig Showroom and answered with support from Dal Tile.

Rectified tiles continue to increase in popularity, particularly in the commercial arena. For years, the
industry and Dal-Tile have recommended that Rectified tiles can be installed with a 1/16” grout joint.
However, installations have become more time consuming and difficult to ensure compliant installations when attempting to install a Rectified tile with a 1/16” grout
joint. In response, the new TCNA (Tile Council of North America) Handbook addresses this issue by
stating that “the actual grout joint size shall be at least 3 times the actual variation of
facial dimensions of the tile.” To simplify: Rectified tiles, regardless of size, shall have a grout joint
width no less than 1/8”.

Thanks, Stuart and Dal Tile!