These DIY disasters are prime examples of homeowners throwing conventional wisdom out the window and failing miserably.  Some are a result of laziness, and others, from getting a little too creative.

Here’s our second installment of DIY disasters.

Literal bedframe shelves

Bed shelves can look great—when they’re properly attached to a bed frame.  Not when they double as the bedframe!

This “creative” solution looks extremely tacky and also somewhat unsafe.

Paper clips = always a bad idea

Using paper clips to fix your broken drawers is a sure-fire way to de-class your home.  Avoid quick solutions like paper clips, staples, scotch tape, and all other stationery materials in your DIY endeavors.

Purse Planter?

Finding a use for a clothing accessory other than its intended purpose is certainly creative.  But it rarely works as a design choice.   This purse planter is no exception.

Chair Turned Hall Tree

This DIY hall tree almost works.  If the homeowner removes the stool from the picture, the mounted chair backing would stand alone reasonably well.  It might not suit everyone’s taste but it wouldn’t look terrible.

However, as it stands now, it looks like a decapitated chair.  The guillotine vibe that it gives off isn’t cool. It’s creepy.  These aren’t the images that you want to put into your guests’ minds as they enter your home.

The best DIY solutions are the ones that don’t look like DIY solutions.  Don’t ruin a project by drawing too much attention to it.

Bike Vanity

“You know what this bathroom really needs?  A bike!” said no rational designer ever.  Just because it’s original doesn’t make it okay.

DIY projects sometimes fail in their execution.  This one failed in its idea.  Avoid stupid DIY ideas like this one at all costs.  They’ll ruin your room and make your guests seriously question your sanity.

 DIY (do-it-yourself) projects can be a fun and exciting way to add a unique flavour to your home.  Experimenting with creative design solutions can be liberating.  It can also be catastrophic.

These DIY disasters are prime examples of homeowners throwing conventional wisdom out the window and failing miserably.  Some are a result of laziness, and others, from getting a little too creative.

If you’re thinking of doing a DIY project this season, try to avoid the mistakes made in these DIY disasters at all costs.

Overlapping light switches

It’s unclear whether this failure falls under the category of laziness or cheapness.  Regardless, this DIY solution looks terrible and automatically destroys any chance this room had of looking presentable.

Useless drawers

These DIY drawers have officially been rendered useless. Whoever designed this kitchen seriously messed up a measurement somewhere, and it really, really shows.  When doing a DIY project, always remember the mantra: “measure twice, cut once.”

Worst driveway ever?

Poorly placed tree or poorly placed garage?  You decide.

Steps to nowhere

These outdoor steps are just plain dangerous.  This is another example of laziness getting the better of a homeowner.  Don’t fall into this trap when doing a DIY project.  If you’re going do it yourself, do it properly.

If you’re like most people, you love cozying into your bed at night more than crawling out of it in the morning. But you can make mornings in your bedroom a little brighter with some fresh spring décor. Whether you want to make a subtle or spectacular change, we have a basketful of ideas for you.

Fabulous Flowers 

Nothing says springtime and good morning more than bright, beautiful flowers. While having a vase of fresh cut gerbera daisies, peonies or calla lilies isn’t always feasible (especially if you’re plagued with allergies), it doesn’t mean you can’t wake up to a bouquet every morning.

Floral patterns on linens, pillows, and curtains are the perfect way to refresh your bedroom. Collections of floral prints and framed pressed flowers are relatively inexpensive and can change the mood of any room. Floral murals (wall decals of various sizes) are non-permanent, quick ways to enliven the walls of your boudoir.

Bring the Outdoors In

Flowers aren’t the only plant life spring. Add some green, leafy plants to freshen things up. Try an aloe vera plant, they have medicinal benefits and actually freshen up the air in your home. Succulents are also incredibly easy to take care of, all they need a little bit of water one a week. We also love these other houseplants.

You can also add patterns of leafy greens around your home. Lilypad paintings and decorations are especially rejuvenating, and moss is an original go-to. Try making your own decorative moss balls by using styrofoam balls in varying sizes, some glue, and dried forest moss. These create a green and modern, yet calming atmosphere.

Feature Spring Creatures

Nature has its way of telling us that warmer weather is coming. You will not only find birds chirping and rabbits scurrying around your yard, you’ll also see them in springtime décor. Often overlooked, these creatures can be a breath of fresh air in any room, including the bedroom. You don’t have to go overboard or turn to cartoonish depictions of birds and bunnies to create a spring-like feel. Modest accents such as cream colour ceramic birds or larger ones like ornate bird cages with greenery woven around the rungs are unique bedroom decorating ideas.

Don’t forget about butterflies, dragonflies or even eggs. Again, subtle changes are all you need. Oval patterns on bedding and stencil drawings of dragonflies or butterflies will create the airy mood you desire.

More Than Décor

If you’re looking for a bigger project, repainting your bedroom is the perfect refresher. Pantone Spring 2016 colours include bold buttercup yellow, vibrant green flash, elegant lilac gray and soft limpet shell blue. However, you don’t need to paint your entire bedroom to renew it. Painting a closet or an ensuite door adds much need colour to a room and can become a creative focal point.

New flooring can also put an extra bounce in your step, especially when it’s cork. Cork is a natural material and also a renewable resource. Harvested from cork oak trees, it has become a popular choice in flooring for its comfort, warmth, and sustainability. Perfect for the bedroom, a cork floor is the ultimate in spring-y design and décor.

Muted Softness

If these ideas aren’t subtle enough for you, consider some muted variations. Beautiful oak wood features, some white linens, and one leafy potted fan can really create an open, free feeling in your bedroom. We recommend exploring Pinterest for some ideas and to help you get a better sense of what kind of spring décor is right for you.

Just remember to keep things airy, fresh and clean, and try not to make your bedroom too fabulous. We still want you to enjoy the real outdoors!

Living in an environmentally-friendly home and in a sustainable manner is a priority for many families. Not only are you reducing your impact on the environment, you’re also improving your home’s indoor air quality, protecting your health, and saving yourself time and money in the long run.

If you’re looking to make your home more eco-friendly, we recommend starting off with your bathroom. It’s the room where the smallest changes can make the biggest impact, and they’re not too difficult or expensive to do.

Here’s how to make your bathroom eco-friendly:

Replace Your Toilet

Using approximately one-third of the water in your home, toilets are the main water guzzlers. Thankfully, there are many different toilet options to choose from to reduce water waste in and to make a big impact.

Eco Friendly Toilet Options

1.   Low-flush toilets

When they were first created, toilets used seven gallons of water per flush. Eco-minded homeowners would put a brick or a bottle filled with sand in their toilet’s water tank to reduce water use, until low-flush toilets were invented in the 1990s. Low-flush toilets only use 1.6 gallons of water per flush, a huge reduction.

The problem with low-flush toilets is that they have the same design as a regular toilet, which means they use water to flush waste. This means that 1.6 gallons of water isn’t always enough, resulting in people having to flush multiple times. This takes away from the benefit of only using 1.6 gallons when, multiplied by 2 or 3, the numbers aren’t so low anymore.

2. Dual-flush toilets

Dual-flush toilets are great because they give users an option – press one for liquid waste and two for solid waste. They make it easy for you to use less water but prevent you from having to flush multiple times. Although they may be pricier than a regular toilet or a low-flush toilet, they save water (and money) in the long run.

Fix Any Leaks

Although a leak may seem small and like it’s not a major issue, it is. A leaky faucet can result in 2,082 gallons per year of wasted water! And that’s just a small drip from your faucet. A leaking toilet, now that’s a whole other issue. The average leaking toilet can waste about 200 gallons a day, just over 6,000 gallons a month, which is 72,000 gallons a year. This waste of water adds huge numbers to your water bill and is not doing any favours for the environment. Look around under your sink and toilet regularly for any leaks or signs of dampness, and if you find something, fix it. Especially before water damage becomes an issue!

If you don’t have any leaks, try using less water by turning the tap off when you’re not actually using it, like when you’re brushing your teeth. Letting the water run when you don’t need it is wasteful and costing you more money than needed.

Use a Tankless Water Heater

Another way to lower energy costs and consumption is to install a tankless water heater. They consume 20% less energy than traditional water heaters because they use an on-demand design that only heats water when a tap is turned on. Their design eliminates the cost of heating and storing gallons of water in a tank.

LED Light Bulbs and Energy Efficient Fans

Switching to LED light bulbs is a simple switch that can be made throughout your entire home, not just in the bathroom. Like most eco-friendly products, LED light bulbs are more expensive than regular bulbs but they last much longer and use less energy, making them worth it in the long run.

And since you’re already making easy-fixes in the bathroom, we recommend replacing your old bathroom fan with an energy-efficient fan. Switching to an Energy Star-rated fan can result in 60% savings over a standard, older model.

How TORLYS Makes a Difference

TORLYS floors are made out of 100% recycled and reclaimed cork and leather and are LEED^® and FSC^® certified. We make our floors for sustainable, long-lasting and with as little environmental impact as possible. Check out  how TORLYS is working towards a better future.

Design trends for 2016 are looking ahead to the future while paying homage to a decade that produced memorable fashion, fabrics and style icons.

• Colour palettes that will have you reminiscing about shoulder pads, Lycra and legwarmers.
• Spaces that are equipped for cutting-edge technology, and inspired by it.
• Ingenious designs that do double-duty and feature sustainable materials.

Design trends for 2016 are looking ahead to the future while paying homage to a decade that produced memorable fashion, fabrics and style icons. Buckle up, you’re about to go back (and forward) to the future of home design and decor. 

Bold is Beautiful

Bright greens, moody blues and dramatic blacks will give spaces a glamorous, sophisticated feel this year. In fact, fabrics featuring florals on a black background are making a comeback, and they are not the only trend from the ‘80s we’ll be seeing in 2016.

Neon and clashing colour hues, soft pastels and Memphis-style pieces will be prominent this year. The ‘80s are also inspiring kitchen re-designs in the form of mirrored backsplashes and high-gloss surfaces. However, this ‘80s fad will be more elegant and less kitschy than its predecessor.

Tech Savvy

Our favourite technology is finding its way into our favourite spaces. New York designer Wesley Moon believes that this year’s must-have furniture will be inspired by the sleek curves of the iPhone. Fellow designer Timothy Corrigan agreed, “Who doesn’t want to rub their hands along a smooth, rounded piece of marble? Touch is essential to design.”

Kitchens are also receiving a digital makeover. Top designers expect that a foodie’s favourite place will be redesigned with the digital chef in mind. “Look for areas with hidden charging stations to store devices like phones and tablets so that they are always operable, at hand and charged,” predicts interior designer Jane Lockhart.

While tech may be trending, the industrial design revolution is over according to Joe Lucas of Lucas Studio. Exposed mechanical details and rustic metals, save for black stainless steel and metals, are on their way out. As Lucas puts it, “Enough of looking like we are living in the garage.”

Integrated Spaces

Today’s homes are more open—walls no longer separate vastly different living spaces. Design elements must be versatile enough to work in a living room as well as a kitchen, and flow from one area to another. Flooring is especially important. It must be able to withstand spills in the kitchen, life in the living room and look good doing it.

This seamless functionality is also finding its way into another, unexpected space—the bathroom. Where clutter was once king, plush chairs, benches and living room furniture will now reign supreme. Bathrooms in everyday houses will be transformed into relaxing retreats. A change from traditional tile flooring is also in order if you want to create a personal oasis in your home.

Naturally, My Dear

Natural components are key elements for designers this year. Reclaimed and salvaged woods along with recycled materials will continue to be popular in 2016. Designer Sara Story is looking forward to the Brazilian Modern trend that will incorporate “beautiful sculptural forms and the use of raw materials and exotic woods.”

Cork and marble are making a comeback while botanicals are gaining space indoors. Urban gardens and lush greenery are finding their ways into living rooms and bathrooms. Tropical leaves will be featured on everything from printed textiles to door knockers. However, the key is to mix natural materials with metals and textiles to create a personal, individual look.

In fact, personal taste will be a dominate trend in 2016. If you love a certain piece of furniture, painting or style, 2016 is the year to go with it. Designer and author Jonathan Adler agrees, “The best trend I’m seeing is people forgetting about the ‘rules’ and loving what they love unapologetically.”

Sources:
http://www.newsobserver.com/living/home-garden/article52275655.html
http://www.vogue.com/13380460/interior-design-trends-2016-shopping/
http://www.interiordesign.net/articles/11310-design-forecast-10-trends-to-watch-for-in-2016/
http://www.elledecor.com/design-decorate/trends/news/g2873/interior-design-trends-2016/
http://interiorzine.com/2015/09/02/interior-design-trends-2016/
http://www.mariakillam.com/trending2016/
http://www.lushome.com/modern-interior-design-trends-2016-stay-go-away/160756
http://www.wsj.com/articles/top-5-interior-design-trends-for-2016-1451423833

Looking to bring some life into your home? Try updating your kitchen with some unique design ideas. Whether you’re looking for a sleek minimalist look or a cozy rustic design, there are always new and exciting ways to spice up the heart of your home.

Check out these modern, on-trend kitchen designs that will help you build the kitchen of your dreams.

The Kitchen Fireplace

Image Sources: Houzz, The Kitchn

While fireplaces are usually placed in living rooms or master bedrooms, we’ve recently come across them in kitchens — and we love it! Why wouldn’t you want to make your kitchen an inviting space? If you prefer a modern design, choose a fireplace with clean, smooth finishes and crisp angles (see above) instead of a classic brick design which would provide a more rustic look and feel.

TORLYS Flooring Tip: Choose CorkWood flooring to continue the warm and cozy feeling throughout your kitchen.

The Overhanging Island (with barstools)

An open-concept kitchen may include a living room or dining room, and a simple island with an extended counter for barstools is a great design choice for such a room. The barstools stay out of the way for cleaning and meal prep but are easily accessible when you want to eat meals or socialize in the kitchen.

TORLYS Flooring Tip: Add even more visual length to your kitchen by choosing flooring from the EverWood Designer collection. The long planks are durable and make kitchens look expansive.

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“Slender Tech” Pendant Lighting

Changing your light fixtures is a budget-friendly way to update a space, especially if you add these “slender tech” pendant light fixtures. They make a great addition to your kitchen because they add an inviting soft glow without cluttering your view and the thin wires almost disappear overhead. “Slender tech” lighting works especially well with high-rise ceilings. They bring light closer to kitchen surfaces without drawing attention away from the rest of the room.

TORLYS Flooring Tip: Keep your flooring sleek to match your slender tech and choose from the Colossia collection. These clean and contemporary floors have extra long planks in a soft palette of shades. 

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Smart Appliances

Smart appliances are the new modern “must-have” for today’s kitchens. Smart ovens, coffee makers, dishwashers, refrigerators, and even countertops are now available. They typically connect to your smartphone so you can preheat your oven on your way home from work, or even brew your coffee from your bedroom. If you’re looking to replace one of your appliances, do your research and consider making a “smart” decision this season.

TORLYS Flooring Tip: Make another smart choice for your kitchen and install Smart Hardwood. Our Everest Twist collection is a smart way to achieve a timeless look with faster, easier and cost-effective installation.

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All-Wood Cabinetry

Using wood-only cabinetry is a great way to give your kitchen a warm, natural feel, especially with white walls and upper cabinets (like the photo above). All-wood cabinetry offsets and complements the cold look of stainless steel appliances, and still achieve a sleek, modern look.

TORLYS Flooring Tip: Complement wood cabinetry with SuperSolid hardwood flooring. The natural colours in the hardwood keep your kitchen elegant and classic.

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 Concrete Countertops

Thick, polished concrete countertops have a refined look and work well with deep basin sinks. They are incredibly sleek, modern look but can be warm at times as well. They are also an absolute breeze to clean up. If you’re not too sure about the concept, we recommend trying them out on islands or side countertops because they can be a cheaper alternative than choosing traditional marble.

TORLYS Flooring Tip: Install EverTile Premier flooring to enhance the modern design of your kitchen with stunning stone visuals.

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Stone Wall Backdrops

Is your kitchen filled with brand new appliances and beautiful countertops but lacking the rustic feel that you want? Stone wall backdrops are a great solution to incorporating depth and warmth in a space and while adding a rural touch to you a new-age kitchen. Just a little bit of stone can transform a space and give it a new look and feel.

TORLYS Flooring Tip: Add more rustic character to your kitchen by installing Artisan Premier Smart hardwood flooring. This collection provides the right balance between old-time charm and classic design.

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Thick Open Shelving

Open shelving really opens up a space to make it fresher. They allow you to showcase the pieces you’re proud of and make it easy to access your most frequently used items. The clean lines make a design statement and make a space look bigger. Just remember to keep your belongings organized! You can’t hide all your clutter behind cabinetry when you have open shelving.

TORLYS Flooring Tip: Use TORLYS Envique laminate flooring in a kitchen with open shelving to add to the unique details. Envique laminate has textures and colours that are sure to capture attention.

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Adding fresh, modern details to your kitchen can take it from dull to exciting. If you’d like to learn more about TORLYS Floors, send us a message on Twitter or Facebook or contact a TORLYS dealer to learn more.