A Master Of Hardwood Floors

Floors are the often overlooked "6th Wall" of interior design and remodeling projects.

Hire Charles Peterson to work on your wood floors and you'll never look at them the same way again. The 48-year-old owner of Connecticut-based CP Wood Floors has gained national attention for his ability to transform plain-Jane floors into works of art using little more than pieces of wood cut and precisely fitted into colorful medallions, sinuous borders, and geometric parquet.

Peterson's love for wood began when he was a kid building furniture alongside his grandfather. In college he worked for a curmudgeonly flooring installer whose only advice was "Shut up and keep working!" Nevertheless, when Peterson quit his career as a nuclear engineer, he decided he'd rather deal with floors than repair power plants.

Charles Peterson dedicated his life to learning the trade. "I read every book I could find on the subject, traveled all over the world, and studied with people whose families have been doing floors for five generations," he says. [read more on a master of hardwood floors]

American Craftsman: Charles Peterson by Keith Pandolfi, This Old House magazine

The Colors Of Technology - Modern, Vibrant And Youthful

The second of four color themes in Sherwin Williams’ Colormix 2011 forecast is called “Bold Invention.” 

We’re surrounded by technology at work, play and in our homes.   These are the colors of technology–thoroughly modern, vibrant and youthful.   Perfect for the pre-teen and teen room or the urban loft.  These are great colors to pair with the modern, clean stainless steel and nickel finishes found throughout the home in appliances, electronics, light fixtures and hardware. (read more)

The Inside Story Design: San Antonio interior design and remodeling

Cork: the Ultimate in Eco-Chic Flooring

Cork flooring is an increasingly popular choice in interior design and remodeling projects.

In a modern day home, it isn't unusual to see a family that spends a lot of time 'living' on the floor. Small children play on the floor, teens will sprawl out with friends to do homework or play video games on the floor and homeowners often use the floor as extra seating for casual eating when couches and chairs run out during a 'girls night in' or an impromptu family get-together. The floor is also used to set up intimate, romantic champagne evenings by the fireplace or as a place to exercise, stretch or do yoga.

With the amount of time that today's families are spending on the floor, it is even more important that flooring should be comfortable, durable, hypoallergenic, healthy, stylish and highly functional. Cork flooring, one of the hottest trends in design and décor today, fulfills all of these requirements, and offers much more.

Cork is a very comfortable hard surface floor. It is softer to walk on and easier on the feet then ceramic tile, hardwood or laminate. Cork is more than 50 percent air, which makes it lightweight, a natural sound absorber and highly resilient. Consequently, cork often doesn't show dents or grooves the same way wood flooring can. It is also allergy free and easy to maintain – great for a healthy, safe home. Cork is a unique product that is completely renewable, 100 per cent natural and recyclable. Incredible inherent properties, including sound and temperature insulation, cushioning and water resistance provide a dazzling array of uses for cork.

Style Meets Sustainability; Cork Flooring is the Ultimate in Eco-Chic from MarketWire

Exclusive Interior Design and Remodeling Resources

Where can I go if I want to decorate my home with one-of-a-kind furniture and accessories? How can I find the best tradesmen for the remodeling work that I need?

As an Interior Decorator, I have relationships with artisans and craftsmen who can design and produce truly unique creations that will perfectly enhance your new decor.  I have access to to-the-trade dealers, manufacturers and distributors who offer:

• Exclusive accessories
• Original artwork
• Exotic fabrics
• Custom-fabricated furniture
• One-of-a-kind lighting
• Luxurious rugs, hardwoods, and other flooring
• Unique bathroom tiles and fixtures

 (more interior design and remodeling tips)

How To Design Your Own Oriental Rug

Interior design and remodeling projects are much easier when you can see what the end result will look like before starting work.

High Country Rugs offers a tool where users can quickly and easily design an oriental-style rug. As they say, it's "a revolutionary new concept for an ancient trade."

Oriental rugs often have complex patters with many different colors in them - it can be tricky to know what will work in your space. This tool makes it easier because you can play around with different colors and styles, and ultimately create the one that's just right for you. It's completely free with no download or sign in necessary.

Design Your Own Oriental Rug by Lauren Flanagan

Updated Vintage: Hard Times Call For Soft Colors

The first of four color themes in Sherwin Williams’ Colormix 2011 forecast is called “Gentle Medley.” 

These colors have a vintage feel without a pastel sweet “shabby chic” look:  they evoke more of an updated vintage feel.  I seem to be finding these colors in accessories, art, fabrics and fashion everywhere I look. (read more)

The Inside Story Design: San Antonio interior design and remodeling

How to Read a Review of an Interior Design Software Package

Interior design and remodeling projects are much easier when you can see what the end result will look like before starting work.

There are many things that you need to look for when you are reading an interior design software review. It is important that you can pick up key signals as to whether the interior design software review is quality or not. By looking for these keys you will be able to better determine whether the interior design software review is of value or not.

The first thing I always look for in my interior design software review is who is writing it and what are they doing with it. While experts can be a useful resource, I actually prefer everyday typical people when reading my interior design software reviews.

I also try to avoid any reviews that are placed on web sites with revenue streams dedicated to the products. I find these reviews almost certainly to be biased towards what they sell, and generally are not all encompassing. They have a tendency to overly focus on the products they carry but stay away from ones they do not, except possibly to talk about them in a negative way.

The other thing that always sets off red flags in my mind is when you read a review that is all one way or the other. There is always something good you can find about a program, and by the same token nothing is ever perfect.

Things To Look For In An Interior Design Software Review by HelpNets.com