Principle 1: UNITY

When doing interior design it is necessary to think of the house as a totality; a series of spaces linked together by halls and stairways. It is therefore appropriate that a common style and theme runs throughout. This is not to say that all interior design elements should be the same but they should work together and complement each other to strengthen the whole composition. A way to create this theme or storyline is with the well considered use of color.

Principle 2: FOCAL POINT

Interior design’s biggest enemy is boredom. A well-designed room always has, depending on the size of it, one or more focal points. A focal point must be dominant to draw attention and interesting enough to encourage the viewer to look further. A focal point thus must have a lasting impression but must also be an integral part of the decoration linked through scale, style, color or theme.

Principle 3:BALANCE

Balance can be described as the equal distribution of visual weight in a room.
The simplest, and most formal type of balance is symmetrical balance, where the same objects are repeated in the same positions on either side of a vertical axis, such as one would find in old fashioned state or gala rooms.

Asymmetrical balance is more appropriate in design today. Balance is achieved with some dissimilar objects that have equal visual weight or eye attraction. Asymmetrical balance is more casual and less contrived in feeling, but more difficult to achieve.

Principle 4: PROPORTION

Proportion refers to the relative size measured against other elements or against some mental norm or standard. This design principle is of extreme importance when decorating a room.

Principle 5: RHYTHM

In musical terms we would describe rhythm as the beat or pulse of the music. In interior design, rhythm is all about visual pattern repetition. Visual rhythm is based on movement. As in music, rhythm in design can also be staccato – abrupt and dynamic or legato – connecting and flowing.

Principle 6: COLOR

Color is an element that tends to inspire emotion in people because color has an influence on the value of life above and beyond other considerations. Colors therefore have a definite impact on the atmosphere that you want to create when doing interior design.

Principle 7: DETAILS

Another important element of interior design where it is necessary to take infinite pains is details. Everything from the trimming on the lamp shade, the color of the piping on the scatter cushion, to the light switches and cupboard handles need attention. Unlike color people find details boring. As a result it gets neglected and skimmed over or generally left out.
As color expresses the whole spirit and life of a scheme; details are just as an important underpinning of interior design. Details should not be obvious but they should be right, enhancing the overall feel of a room.

These principles of interior design should guide you when you start either doing it yourself, or discussing your ideas with your interior designer.

Wooden flooring is widely available from all good hardwood flooring suppliers. You can buy wooden flooring in various thickness and widths. Some wooden flooring products are even available in random lengths to add to the natural look of the flooring. A range of finishes is also available including unfinished, lacquered and oiled, which gives a durable protective layer whilst maintaining a natural finish. There are various grades of wooden flooring available with the higher grades having less knots and colour variation. Generally speaking the younger the wood, the lighter the colour. This can mean that even wood from the same tree can have variations in colour depending on how old the wood is. Older wood is found at the centre of the tree whilst the younger, lighter wood is found around the edge. This younger wood is known as Sapwood.

Oak flooring is widely used in North America and Europe for both residential and commercial flooring. Both continents are major producers of the flooring with the USA producing Red and White oak flooring and European oak flooring on this side of the Atlantic. An incredibly rich colour can be achieved by polishing oak flooring. Red oak flooring is noted for its warm tones with pink tinting whilst White oak flooring is often lighter with grey tones. Most oak flooring produced in North America is made from trees sourced on the Eastern side of the Rockies whilst European Oak is made from timber found all over Europe. All these different types of oak vary in colour; hardness and grain however all give a stunning finish to any room.

Walnut flooring is also heavily produced in North America where the Walnut tree is most common. It is an extremely tall and fast growing tree that produces a varied grain of warm and rich coloured wood. Walnut flooring is generally darker than oak flooring and is incredibly hard wearing. It is commonly used in offices, libraries and dining rooms where a warm yet classic look is required.

There is very little that comes close to the look and feel of real wooden flooring however the cost to buy flooring like this is not affordable to every budget. Engineered hardwood flooring is available and can be cheaper than solid wooden flooring. It comprises of a layer of hardwood on top of a plywood base. Alternatively laminate flooring is a good cost effective solution to real wooden flooring and is available in a range of wooden and ceramic styles. Since its introduction the improvements in laminate flooring has been outstanding. Nowadays most laminate flooring does not require glue and simply clicks together. This makes laying laminate flooring faster, easier and much less messy, With such high quality laminate flooring now available it can sometimes be hard to tell the difference between laminate and real hardwood flooring and its popularity for use in homes and commercial properties is growing all the time.

1. Wilsonart Laminate Flooring Tops With Tap-N-Lock Installation

In an innovative move away from the hinged installation methods of many other flooring manufacturers, Wilsonart Floor’s Tap-N-Lock technology allows for a less complicated, time-saving flat installation. No glue is necessary during general installation. Areas around doors and kick-plates of cabinets are easily navigated with a pull bar. A hammer and a tapping block is used to gently ease the flat tongue and groove planks together to form a tight, smooth joint. Don’t use too much elbow grease, or you will have problems with chipping. Wilsonart Laminate Flooring requires a gentle touch. This is not the time or place to show off your muscle power!

2. Wilsonart Red Label Hand Scraped Collection Invites Nature Into Your Home

The days of smooth, plastic-looking, unrealistic laminate finishes are long gone. Wilsonart Laminate Flooring has developed into a copycat creator extraordinaire. Their innovative Red Label Hand Scraped range brings the texture and tints of real wood to life in an unmistakable way. The casual, slightly worn appearance is rich in natural variation and random patterning. Five woods have been selected for the Red Label Hand Scraped Wilsonart Laminate Flooring look.

You can almost imagine the weathering process Olde Oak Wilson Laminate Flooring has been through. Subtle cathedrals add realistic appeal. If you love reddish tinted woods, you will fall head over heels in love with the rustic Hickory Plank line. The dramatic tan and red hues are softened with white to cream sapwood and fine brown lines. All the characteristic burls and streaks are visible in a Wilsonart Laminate Floor.

Alternatively opt for richly textured Spanish Maple with its interesting ‘line drawings’. You will never tire of looking at this version of Wilsonart Laminate Flooring. For a true old-world look, choose Aged Timberwood. An open-pore structure richly textured with knots takes you back to yesteryear and happy childhood memories. Add stylish elegance with Burnished Maple with beautiful golden tones, creating a warm atmosphere.

3. High Pressure Lives Deserve Wilsonart Laminate Flooring

Choose durability during your home remodeling efforts by opting for high pressure Wilsonart Laminate Flooring. Whereas direct pressure flooring undergoes 300 to 500 pounds of pressure per square inch, the high pressure versions are made using a massive 1400 pounds of pressure per square inch. The benefits of opting for a higher pressure flooring product are noticeable. More pressure means triple the toughness. You will see improved wear resistance, meaning that scuffing and scratching will be minimized. The static load capacity increases, lessening dimpling. With high pressure Wilsonart Laminate Flooring you will notice higher impact resistance, which is very important in a home where there is a high level of activity. The sheen factor is upped in the process, giving you a clear, realistic looking design. You can also be sure that there will be far fewer factory damaged planks per package. Lastly, chipped corners will not be such a headache.

4. Wilsonart Laminate Flooring Accessories

No laminate floor installation will have a professional finish without quality accessories and moldings. Wilsonart Laminate Flooring has this aspect down to a fine art, due to more than 50 years in the industry. The decorative moldings tone in with the coloring of the flooring.

The classy T-Moldings will give you a smooth transition between rooms, finishing doorways in style. Where you go from laminate flooring to thick ceramic tiles or carpeting, use a Carpet Reducer. These also come in handy at exterior doorways. On stairs you will utilize the Step Down Stairnose. An elegant Wilsonart Laminate Flooring Wall Base molding can be used as a wall border, or to cover unsightly toe kicks at the base of cabinets.

5. Maintaining The Gleaming Face Of Your Wilsonart Laminate Flooring

Busy moms fall in love with Wilsonart because of the low maintenance level. Gone are the days of costly carpet replacements after a staining spill, or yelling at the kids because of a mess on the floor. Cleaning up is so simple with Wilsonart Laminate Flooring. It is robust enough to literally repel dirt. A range of easy to use products ensures the right treatment for any kind of flooring fiasco.

General cleaning is done with a mop and a bucket of water with a dash of Wilsonart Flooring Cleaner. Wilsonart Flooring Spray Cleaner takes cares of specific spots that need tender loving care. If the kids have gone on a creative spree with colorful crayons, you don’t have to worry. Mineral spirits, denatured alcohol or acetone takes care of this in a jiffy. Candle wax can simply be scraped off gently with the blunt edge of a blade. Just make sure that you always follow the manufacturer’s maintenance instructions to the letter. You don’t want to do anything that can void your Wilsonart Laminate Flooring warranty.

Once you have Wilsonart Flooring in place, you may also want to investigate the possibility of a kitchen make-over with Wilsonart HD Laminate Counter Tops. The high definition HD Wilsonart Counter Tops have taken the domestic world by storm with its quality and creative designs. These solid surface products are accompanied by the solid backup of this reputable company.

So, join the home improvement do it yourself brigade by forging a friendship with Wilsonart Laminate Flooring.