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Luxury vinyl tile surpasses natural flooring options in style, durability and affordability  (ARA) - One of the best kept secrets in hard-surface flooring is now out of the bag - it's almost identical to high-end hardwood, stone or those ceramic floors that look great in any home - but provides quiet, warm-performance benefits, is easy to maintain and won't break your budget. It's luxury vinyl tile (LVT).
Unlike the "real thing" luxury vinyl tile features great design, deftly mimicking the classic, sophisticated looks of tile, plank, stone, slate, and other natural textures and tones, and can be installed in any room of your house, including hallways, kitchens and even bathrooms.
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 (ARA) - Showering is about so much more than just getting clean. Especially in stressful economic times, the bathroom can be a sanctuary -- the one private spot in the house where we are free to be totally ourselves, singing loudly and off-key in the shower and indulging ourselves with lather, rinse and repeat.
The average American adult spends 8 to 10 minutes in the shower every day, according to several surveys on the topic. Upgrading your shower can help elevate those minutes from soothing to sensational. Plus, bathroom improvements are a proven way to increase your home's value.
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 (ARA) - It's most likely one of the top reasons you've been putting off that bathroom makeover or remodel -- you're just not sure which design elements you want to incorporate into the room. What color theme will you use? Do you want a pedestal sink or a furniture-style vanity? Will you incorporate any 'green' faucets or fixtures? And, if you do, will they still look good and perform well?
These questions, and many others, should be at the top of your list when you start mapping out your next bathroom project. Luckily, many manufacturers have made it easier in recent years for you to answer those questions in a painless, affordable way.
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 (ARA) - If you haven't shopped for flooring in the past few years, prepare yourself. The vast array of hard-surface options is extensive, to say the least.
From stone to tile, wood to vinyl, linoleum to laminate, the choices can seem endless. How do you sift through the features and benefits of each to choose the product that is best for your home and your needs, from installation to maintenance and upkeep? And, equally important, how much is it going to cost to get the floor of your dreams?
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 (ARA) - When it comes to impressing your mate, forget about diamonds and designer gifts. You're more likely to snag a date based on your decorating taste than with bling.
A majority of men and women - 88 and 85 percent, respectively - would prefer to receive a room makeover over a pricey pair of diamond earrings or watch, according to the KILZ Roller Report . The annual survey, which polled 1,000 people across the United States and Canada, revealed surprising insights into how men and women perceive home decor in its fifth edition, "If Your Walls Could Talk."
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 (ARA) - From Memorial Day to October is the busiest painting time of the year. Homeowners, apartment dwellers and condo renters get the itch to renovate and repaint while the weather is still pleasant. Especially popular are those rooms where people tend to spend the most time: the kitchen, bedroom and bathroom.
Often times, however, that itch causes renovators and weekend warriors to hastily begin projects and thus make a colossal painting mistake: not planning out the project.
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 (ARA) - If the words "nature-inspired decor" make you think of muted wall hues or overwrought floral fabrics, it's time to rethink your take on this hot design trend.
Nature-inspired design can certainly be soothing, sedate and traditional, but a plethora of new products and techniques is also bringing the bold, bright and fun side of nature indoors. Whether it's a throw pillow that looks like birch bark or a full wall mural of green bamboo, nature's brighter side is spicing up modern American decor.
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 (ARA) - Summer is already in full swing, and the guests are lining up for weekend brunches, pool parties, backyard barbecues and sophisticated dinners. If you're feeling the urge to spruce up your home for summer entertaining, you can make a big impact on a modest budget with some simple steps.
You can refresh your home's look by investing in four easy areas -- floors, walls, lighting and accents. Whether it's just getting your carpets cleaned or adding a striking area rug, switching out tired table lamps or adding a fresh coat of paint, it's easy to make eye-catching changes with just a weekend's worth of work.
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