At Last - Barefoot Comfort All Year Long

Written by Faith Williams


Ever wonder what it would feel like to walk barefoot in your house all year long and be comfortable? Electric radiant floor warming systems answer that question. Electric radiant floor warming uses a thin mesh mat with a heating element woven throughout to heat open floor areas. Rooms such as baths and kitchens are popular places people like to have extra warmth, but don’t forgetrepparttar foyer, mudroom, laundry room – or just about any room inrepparttar 100042 house! Using radiant heat,repparttar 100043 heat stored inrepparttar 100044 floor is similar torepparttar 100045 heat provided by a radiator. The heated floor radiates heat torepparttar 100046 people and objects inrepparttar 100047 room. The flooring surface is maintained at a comfortable, yet higher temperature thanrepparttar 100048 ambient temperature ofrepparttar 100049 floor beforerepparttar 100050 heat was turned on. Sincerepparttar 100051 heat is conducted and radiated from floor level up, it helps to provide a warm and comfortable environment forrepparttar 100052 occupants ofrepparttar 100053 room, unlike forced air, which tends to concentrate most ofrepparttar 100054 warm air near ceiling level. It provides even, uniform heat throughoutrepparttar 100055 room, withoutrepparttar 100056 visibility of heaters or losing floor space to heating units. For installation,repparttar 100057 subfloor should be clear of debris and sharp edges or objects that might damagerepparttar 100058 element. Loose boards should be repaired and all gaps filled in to assurerepparttar 100059 mat will be installed over a smooth and even surface. John O’Brien, Director of Sales and Marketing for Radiant Floor Warming, a company providing electric radiant systems, says, “ Our mat is only 1/8” thick – ideal for ceramic tile and stone since it will not add torepparttar 100060 finished floor height. Our material is fully covered byrepparttar 100061 thinset or underlayment used inrepparttar 100062 tile installation.” The ceramic tile or stone is then installed accordingrepparttar 100063 manufacturers’ and industry standards. Renovations as well as new construction can benefit from electric radiant heating. Unlike a hydronic system that needs a boiler to heatrepparttar 100064 water and flexible piping throughoutrepparttar 100065 heated area, electric radiant heating can be done in small open areas with “spot heating” mats designed just for that area. Consideration of permanent fixtures and furniture plays an important role since electric radiant heat is not recommended under these areas. The heat needs to dissipate and if there is a fixture flush withrepparttar 100066 floor,repparttar 100067 heat has nowhere to escape. And besides, who wants to pay for heat you can’t feel?

"DECORATING YOUR ENTRANCE FOYER"

Written by Donna Jolean


The foyer isrepparttar room that greets you as soon as you step throughrepparttar 100041 front door. This isrepparttar 100042 first space and sometimesrepparttar 100043 only space guests see of your home, yet often foyers or entryways are neglected. This strikes me as odd. Somehow, I always think ofrepparttar 100044 foyer as one ofrepparttar 100045 most important rooms inrepparttar 100046 home. The foyer is usually where first impressions are made.

Some say their foyer is so small, why bother with it at all? I have had others explain that their foyer is so grand that it feels cold and uninviting, no matter what they do to it. Whateverrepparttar 100047 size of your foyer, you should makerepparttar 100048 most of it! There is no reason inrepparttar 100049 world, why your foyer shouldn’t be stylish. The tiniest of foyers can be made to feel grand. Likewise,repparttar 100050 grandest of foyers can have a sophisticated coziness.

Follow your heart! You can be as adventurous with pattern and color as you desire in this room. You can get away with it inrepparttar 100051 foyer, because remember you are only in this room for brief periods of time. You’ll wantrepparttar 100052 room to have impact and make a statement. Of course, keeping in mindrepparttar 100053 spaces your entry foyer may be linked to. This after all, isrepparttar 100054 space where your guest will get a preview ofrepparttar 100055 rooms to come. The goal is to create a continuous flow, room to room, each space complimentingrepparttar 100056 other.

Where do I start? What aboutrepparttar 100057 walls? What kind of furniture should I use inrepparttar 100058 entry foyer? How should I accessorize my foyer?

· Wall color should never be chosen strictly according torepparttar 100059 latest trends or home fashions. Instead, choose colors that suitrepparttar 100060 character of your home.

· You should select a color that makes you feel comfortable and happy.

· Choose a color that will give you a lift when you come throughrepparttar 100061 door after a long day.

· Textured, glazed or marbleizing walls are an excellent choice. It’s virtually impossible to see dirty marks or fingerprints.

· Give your walls a kind of strie’ effect of three or four different shades by glazing any darker color with a lighter one.

· Pastel or softer colors look better in flat paint.

· Chocolate brown or very dark colors, I think look better with a little shine to them. The satin or semi finish will keep them from looking dreary by reflecting light aroundrepparttar 100062 room.

· Painting isrepparttar 100063 most cost effective way to give your room lots of impact.

· You may want to select a striking wallpaper pattern in keeping withrepparttar 100064 color scheme ofrepparttar 100065 rest ofrepparttar 100066 home. Stripes are great for adding volume and height.

· If you choose wallpaper with lots of pattern, you will have very little need for pictures or artwork

· When choosing wallpaper, don’t assume that a small foyer should be papered with an equally small printed design. Some ofrepparttar 100067 prettiest foyers I’ve been in, were small ones, whererepparttar 100068 paper chosen was large scale and very bold. The effect was wonderful!

· The entry isrepparttar 100069 perfect spot for tromp l’oeil. Possibly a mural of a Grecian urn or a large topiary.

· If your foyer lacks architectural interest, secure an oversized decorative wall shelf or bracket onrepparttar 100070 wall directly facing you as you walk throughrepparttar 100071 door. I like to place them onrepparttar 100072 wall at least five feet high or higher depending on ceiling height. This is a great place to display an elegant antique vase or urn. In a less formal setting you may want to display a simple pot of trailing ivy to add softness. This is also a great idea because it keeps your floor space free of clutter.

· In a small foyer maximizerepparttar 100073 light and make a tight area feel less cramped with a floor to ceiling mirror.

· Your foyer may be a tiny space with only a coat closet and no place to hang a mirror. So why not mirrorrepparttar 100074 closet door! This will make your space appear larger. Depending on how your closet door is positioned, it may double a gorgeous view ofrepparttar 100075 outdoors.

· Sometimes foyers can be devoid of natural light. You guessed it! Add a mirror! It’s like having a window where there isn’t one. Thus, catching every trace of light, bringingrepparttar 100076 space to life!

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