Home Improvement Blog: fashion 2014

LAMINATE FLOORING

Ah, those were the crazy days of the noughties BUT, they have now gone. Its hard to believe that laminate flooring was once a craze but, what now? What is the 'flooring trend' of 2014?!

Flooring Trends of 2014

It’s a new year so there must be a new flooring trend hitting 2014. Don Williams from 'American Flooring' says the newest flooring trends are subway tiles, seven inch wood flooring, carpet, ceramic and porcelain tile, bamboo flooring; thats right 'Me ol' bamboo' is really taking off! In the flooring world, carpeting is getting softer. Wood is getting more roughed-up. And vinyl is getting more luxurious.Yes, you read that right. “Luxury vinyl” isn't a contradiction in terms — it’s the phrase du jour among those who pay close attention to the materials home buyers are eager to walk on.

I will focus on the top 3 flooring trends you MUST have this year! They are the most popular and beautiful types of flooring out there right now.

Bamboo Flooring

Bamboo Tuscan

Bamboo flooring is one of the hardest natural materials available for flooring and is an excellent alternative to hard wood flooring. Bamboo has a higher fibre rating than any hard wood, which gives it exceptional hard wearing qualities. This bamboo flooring solution is available in eleven different styles, which will compliment any interior design. From ultra contemporary chic through to a more traditional classic style, bamboo flooring will give you a truly unique look. Because bamboo is a rapid growing grass and not wood, it can be harvested every 3-5 years, unlike 15-25 years for most wood. This makes bamboo a very environmentally friendly product for flooring. It usually comes to the mark of about £13.95 m²

Luxury Vinyl

I had to double take 'I CAN'T BELIEVE ITS VINYL''

The “luxury” angle may be a bit of a stretch, but technology unquestionably has given some vinyls a whole new look. At its most basic, the process of producing it amounts to taking a photo of wood and printing it into the significantly less expensive vinyl flooring, usually in the form of squares or planks. But anything you can take a picture of, you can make it into vinyl tile, it can go into various rooms — some of it looks like marble and people put it in bathrooms.

“It’s the fastest-growing portion of the industry in the past two years,” according to Scott Humphrey, chief executive of the World Floor Covering Association, a trade group based in Anaheim, Calif., who said this flooring category has developed thanks to extraordinary photo technology that mimics wood (or just about any other material) so closely that you have to look twice to see that it’s vinyl.

Black Leather Tile

Sleek and unique Leather couches, chairs and coffee tables are all common home furnishing pieces. When it comes to leather, people don't often think of the floor. Leather floors are durable like laminate and comfortable like cork, but they have a look all their own.

One of the best sellers of this stylish product is Torlys, they produce striking, sleek and elegant leather flooring which is the ultimate in luxury. This floor features a textured leather grain, pleasing to the touch with a micro bevel on all four edges. This floor is also 100% recycled, with a cork backing removing the need for underlay.

Inspired by the quality of fine Italian leather, Torlys has created a distinct collection that redefines contemporary, beautiful flooring. This leather flooring is exciting, sensuous, yet affordable. Torlys flooring is made from 100% recycled leather – carefully made to high environmental standards and perfected to withstand the test of time. Your peace of mind is well assured with a 35-year residential wear warranty.

I bid you adieu my dear Sirs and Madams!

Considering a kitchen makeover? Check out our round-up of the top kitchen trends for 2014, so you can find a stylish new look that suits your style.

Monochrome Minimalism

Scandinavian-inspired black and white interiors are all the rage for 2014, and the kitchen is a great place to introduce this pared-back trend. Simple, sleek white units, white worktops and unfussy, clean lines are a great way to start. Don't bother with tiled splash backs - just a small strip of protective worktop or glass fixed to the wall will do - and keep your walls white, with a black feature wall for some drama. Opt for clever built-in storage for a minimalist, stream-lined look, but fit one long open shelf to display tableware on. Shop for simple, chrome appliances and clear away clutter for a modern, urban look. Be careful: this scheme can feel cold and clinical, so introduce a few elements of natural wood to warm it up - in seating, doors or flooring for example. Unless you like the mortician look...

Worktop Zoning

A practical idea that is taking 2014 by storm, a kitchen with more than one use is beneficial to all of us who don't have that much space in our tiny British homes, which incidentally are are the smallest homes in Europe! Instead of just having one depth of worktop surface, fit a deeper depth - in a contrasting colour and/or material - in one area to create a separate zone. It's perfect for sectioning off a 'breakfast bar' or a mini desk area within your kitchen. Use lighting to further separate the space visually; A low-hung pendant works well above your dining / working zone, while the rest of the room needs nice bright task lighting for cooking.

Denim Blue

It's one of 2014's most fashionable shades and now the navy trend has spread to the kitchen, too. Forget pretty apple-greens and pale putty greys - the new trend for painted kitchen units is dark denim blue. This colour looks great with industrial, raw features, so include a wall of exposed brickwork if possible, choose simple, rustic floorboards and go for wooden or stone worktops. Although use caution, Bikers will be perfectly camouflaged in your kitchen.

Outside Kitchens

The all-year-round al fresco cooking trend has been huge in America for a few years but it's only now that we Brits are being brave enough to install outside cooking facilities more glamorous than a humble barbecue. And I reckon that Britain's weather will get a whole better this year, take a risk, when it works out all your friends and neighbours will be jealous! Posh new outdoor kitchens have proper sinks with running water as well as built-in stoves, pizza ovens and grills with plenty of storage space for firewood. Interior designer Abigail Ahern is now stocking a concrete design that's modular, so you can buy it panel by panel, but it's easy to make your own outdoor kitchen on a budget just using bricks and concrete slabs from a DIY store.

Copper accessories

I know, its a surprise for me too, COPPER is trendy.. But It's 2014's most on-trend metallic finish and introducing some copper accessories and small appliances to your existing kitchen is a great way to get the look without a huge makeover. Head to Sainsbury's for expensive-looking copper saucepans and a brand new copper stove-top kettle - all with refreshingly small price tags. Alternatively, shop for copper-coloured 'S' hooks (available from Drift Living) to hang your utensils up with and introduce the metal subtly.

Natural Materials

The 2014 trend for all-things-natural is going to have a big impact on kitchen décor. Choose rustic, wood (or realistic but cheaper wood-effect) cabinets and pair them with simple metal worktops (inspired by pared-back, industrial or professional kitchens), then install a patterned vinyl behind plain glass splash back panels to introduce nature-inspired patterns to your kitchen. This bamboo-print splash back vinyl from Purlfrost is a quick and easy way to introduce 'back-to-basics' charm.

Contrasting Cupboard Colours

Want to introduce a bold colour to your kitchen scheme but feel a bit nervous about it? Don't panic! The latest 2014 kitchen trend is to mix coloured cupboard doors with plain ones in the same scheme - it's the kitchen equivalent of having a painted feature wall and three neutral walls. This trend means you can introduce a striking, statement colour without going overboard. For a really contemporary look, install coloured lower units and plain high units on the same wall.

MY PERSONAL, EXPERT OPINION

Watch out, opinions flying your way! From the research I have done it seems to me that strong, earthy, bold colours are the general trend of 2014. From accessories to cupboards its the definite trend that all you lovely lot need in your kitchens! Maybe its a reflection on what 2014 is coming into recently, as it is becoming more of a green renewable age back to earth basics seem to be trending. If you've read my previous blog posts you'll know what I mean, with Solar Power constantly on the rise in popularity and more in demand by the general public. 2014 is definitely 'The Earth Year'

If you are interested in having a brand new 2014 Kitchen I found this great website that gives you a FREE QUOTE on them right here: http://kitchenquoter.co.uk/