Contemporary Design Room by Room : Episode RXR-1608 -- More Projects » Figure A Shari Hiller offers these tips when considering contemporary decor: Contemporary styling is much less fussy than traditional and country styles. More often than not, the designs used in contemporary fabrics and wall coverings are geometric or stylized instead of realistic like a traditional floral might be. Frequently, a contemporary space will be mostly neutral and any burst of color in the room is in small accents or artwork (figure A). Minimalism applies when it comes to window coverings http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/dc_styles_contemporary/article/0,1793,HGTV_3512_1399287,00.html ---------------------------------- http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/dc_design_bathroom/article/0,1793,HGTV_3365_1398492,00.html Contemporary Styling Bed & Bath Design : Episode BDE-1007 -- More Projects » The new contemporary look in master suites strives for more than clean lines and no fuss: warmth and comfort have become primary goals. Host Joan Kohn joins designer Lori Fitz-Gerald to learn how contemporary decorating has evolved and how to achieve the look. Strong geometric shapes in textured finishes define the new contemporary look in bed and baths. Color, often dusty in hue, is used unexpectedly, especially in bed linens and wall color. The contemporary bed or bath uses strong lines and geometric shapes rather than ornate detail for its style. Natural materials, like this honed granite counter, provide texture and warmth to the metals and clean lines of contemporary decorating schemes. Organic elements that add texture are important elements of the contemporary look. Natural stone, wood and metal add a soft touch to clean lines. Color is used unexpectedly. It can be a vibrant accent, or color can envelop a room with textiles and wall color. The palette is usually monochromatic, with different shades of the same color. The new neutrals--green, rose, blue--are grayed and dusty. Furniture is kept to a minimum. Often the dressing area is completely separate from the sleeping area, so the only furniture in the room is the bed and night tables . Low tables and beds--especially appropriate for city lofts--are a standard element of contemporary bedrooms. Furniture has clean details, strong lines and interesting materials, rather than a lot of ornamentation. Texture can be found in hammered metal, the rough surface of slate or tile, or honed slate. --------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/dc_styles_contemporary/article/0,1793,HGTV_3512_2703491,00.html Contemporary Style From the special online feature Design Styles Contemporary style encompasses a range of styles developed in the latter half of the 20th century. Pieces feature softened and rounded lines, as opposed to the stark lines seen in modern design. Interiors contain neutral elements and bold color and focus on the basics of line, shape and form. For a different take on a contemporary color palette, look at this bedroom designed by one of the Design on a Dime decorating teams. Straight lines give a crisp look to this contemporary living room. Take a look at a hip home office with a decidely urban edge. Colors - Contemporary interiors feature tone-on-tone color palettes relying heavily on brown, taupe, cream and pure white. Shots of color are sometimes found on one wall, in a striking floor rug or a special piece of art. Furniture - Pieces feature clean lines and smooth surfaces without any carving or adornment. Silhouettes are slim without being dainty. Furniture is made of light-colored woods like maple and birch (which also have minimal graining), frosted or clear glass, stainless steel, nickel and chrome. Fabrics - Natural fabrics like silk, wool, linen and cotton are used for their textural aspect and inherent neutral hues. However, bold color or geometric pattern may be brought into the design with pillows, a rug or throw. Lighting - The lighting design is used as an artistic statement in a contemporary interior. Floor and table lamps will have straight lines and sleek metallic finishes; color might be introduced with a special shade. Recessed or track lighting draws attention to well-placed art and accessories. See more contemporary rooms in Designers' Portfolio>> -------------------------------------------------------- Modern vs. Contemporary Decorating With Style : Episode DWS-1121 -- More Projects » Demystify the challenge of correctly identifying the differences between contemporary and modern design and learn how to personalize these similar yet dramatically different styles: Figure A Contemporary design incorporates lots of color and texture. Artwork is comfortable and colorful (figure A). Modern design uses less texture and is more about form/artistic impression rather than function. Add touches of color through artwork that makes you think and accessories. Figure B For a modern look be sure to include basic geometric shapes in decorative accents such as oversized round chrome accessories, square-edged furnishings and rectangular-patterned rugs and artwork (figure B). Wall colors are in the light and highly reflective color range--white-based greens, teals and blues as well as stark white. Paint the ceiling a crisp bright white to further emphasize dramatic architectural features. Contemporary designs call for softer lines and an emphasis on comfortable texture--everything from pitted floor tiles to soft sofa fabrics. Wall colors are warm and rich in the medium intensity range (don't use off whites or pale pastels to create a truly relaxing space). To customize the correct contemporary ceiling color, totally immerse a gloved index finger into a gallon of the chosen wall color. Quickly transfer it into a gallon of white latex flat paint, and then mix it thoroughly. Use one finger full of paint per gallon for eight-foot ceilings and two fingers per gallon for 12-foot ones. http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/dc_design_colors/article/0,1793,HGTV_3368_1381432,00.html -------------------------- Contemporary Design Design Basics : Episode DSB-202 -- More Projects » Smooth, clean lines are one characteristic of contemporary design. The use of light and space are the two most important elements when creating a contemporary interior. A well balanced room is comfortable and easy on the eyes. Be creative when defining your space. Let neutral hues be your background and add life and vitality with splashes of strong color. http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/dc_styles_contemporary/article/0,1793,HGTV_3512_1377700,00.html Contemporary design is difficult to define completely, but innovative, spirited and streamlined are all words to describe it. The artistic blend of materials with a focus on light and space makes this style an exciting option. Generally considered a catch-all phrase for a lot of modern applications that don't fit in anywhere else, contemporary design uses smooth clean lines, bold colors and varied fabrics and textures, all of which are often mixed with other styles to create a specific look and feeling. Anyone can create their own contemporary interior by following these design basics: Concentrate on light and space. The use of light and space are the two most important elements when creating a contemporary interior. Avoiding clutter and fussy trimmings on furniture, drapes and accessories will allow a sense of ease and simplicity that is the focal point of this style. It will also allow light to filter in and fill up your space versus unnecessary accessories. Look for balance. Whether it's choosing colors, the shapes created by your furnishings or textures and finishes used in your design, always look for balance . A well-balanced room is comfortable and easy on the eyes. Define your space. Whatever the shape--straight, curved, rounded or boxy--let smooth clean lines and shapes define your space. Be creative and incorporate your own personality . Embrace strong colors. Neutral schemes are stereotypical of contemporary design and they can certainly be very appealing, but color is critical. Let neutral hues be your background and add life and vitality with splashes of strong color. Add depth and richness with texture. Beyond visual attraction, various materials feel and even sound different. You'll be surprised how balancing these materials affects your overall design and adds character to any space. Final Thought History tends to sweep a lot of styles together--some endure, others fade away. But a good design is really a timeless concept. It's well thought out and layered to withstand the fickle nature of style and taste. Contemporary or otherwise, it respects the past, recognizes the present and anticipates the future. As time passes on, a good design will survive.

This thread is a replay of everything I've thought about for the last three months while deciding on new flooring. Thank you for all the great pros and cons on this topic. It's been over a year since this thread started...has anyone purchased new flooring in the last year and if so what did you choose? Key west: have you enjoyed your LVP? Any suggestions on brand etc? We're in N FL coastal region so many of your needs are spot on in our decision process. I'm looking at NAF, Hallmark and Marcello engineered and some high quality gorgeous lvp's.

If the foyer is a smaller area that OPENS UP into a larger space, then you will want to drop the t-mold in at a natural spot...like the area where the walls make a corner...something natural like that. And Sophie is correct. A 58ft long room is extremely rare without posts of some kind (we've seen expanses like this...but the metal GIRDERS that hold up the ceiling are normally outside the realm of reality for the regular house owner...WAAAAAAY too expensive for a regular house). If your space has posts or something like it (or narrow openings like kitchen breezeways, etc) then you drop in the moldings in between the two areas. OR...you GLUE DOWN the vinyl (not all vinyl is allowed to be glued) and pay the BIG price difference in materials and subfloor preparation and labour. A commercial grade vinyl floor can go hundreds of linear feet without a break. Walmart is a great example of this. But to get this done you need the RIGHT material installed by the RIGHT professional using the RIGHT preparation and the RIGHT adhesives. Whew. Some fun huh?

OK...where to start, where to start? Budget! For sure! 1. LL (the warning is in the NAME = Liquidators) has very low quality stuff for very cheap. The 7" wide plank *SHOULD cost you $9 - $12/sf from a quality manufacturer. Your $4.49/sf is WAY too low for this product. 2. The LOOK of wide plank is not appropriate for the era of your condo. The 40's and 50's normally show narrow or strip hardwood between 2.5" - 3.25" wide planks. They were often Maple or a form of oak...it depends on your location. 3. The EXTRA COST of installing a wide plank product is going to be an issue. You MUST use full glue spread to install these beasts. They have plenty of movement even when using an engineered product. 4. The 'lumber core' just means LL can switch manufacturers OR the manufacturer can switch out the centre without having to rewrite their web page. THIS IS WHERE they cut corners. They switch out products/manufacturers ALL THE TIME. 5. The thickness of this plank (9/16") is pretty thin. That is a snick more than 1/2". The wear layer is 3mm (1/8") which means the REST of the plank is ONLY 1/2". That doesn't leave a lot of room for structural stability. There just isn't enough room. 6. The CORE is most likely a generic 'wood' sourced from endangered areas of Eurasia. The Siberian Tiger Habitat is under SEVERE pressure due massive clear cutting that is illegal (even in Russia! I know! Imagine!). But the fact it is in SIBERIA there are VERY FEW wild life rangers in the Province (like 12 in an area the size of Spain and France put together). That means there is NO regulation. 7. The wood is often soft wood lumber and is of little value (other than to the protected species who live there) and are sold for pennies per linear foot (you wanted to know where LL cuts corners...this is one place). 8. The Brazilian Oak is about as hard as red oak. No gain or advantage there (for the homeowner). It is STUPID cheap because of all the clear cutting happening in the Amazon Basin (remember that issue from the 1990's...it's still happening!). Again this is a wood that is sold for very little money. 9. South America exports their hardwoods en masse to China. The HUNDREDS of Chinese companies then use the wood as a cheap source of income....like selling cr@p to the USA... It's your call. I wouldn't touch this with a 10ft pole. If $4.49/sf is your limit, go with 3" narrow planks and be done with it.