Everyone loves a roaring fireplace. As the flames dance, they mesmerize us. While a fireplace is surely beautiful, it also needs to be properly maintained. So, here are five easy ways to properly care for a fireplace without taking too much time away from actually enjoying it.
Start with the end
Putting out your fire properly is of the utmost importance. Never leave the house until the fire is completely out. Use the poker to spread out any remaining hot embers so they will cool faster. Leave the damper open until the ashes have cooled, because a closed damper could heat up the embers again, causing them to re-ignite and initiate a build-up of carbon monoxide in your home.
Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are critical to the safety of everyone in a home with a fireplace. If your alarms run on batteries, check them regularly during the winter season. One smoke detector should be on each level of your home and outside each bedroom. A carbon monoxide detector should ideally be in a hallway, near the bedrooms. Do you know what carbon monoxide looks like and smells like? Simply put, no you can’t as it’s invisible and has no odor. Proper detectors are essential and you’ll enjoy your fireplace more with peace of mind.
Let the fire captivate – not the decorations around it
Some fireplaces have too many “tchotchkes” around. There should be at least three feet of space between your fireplace and anything that can burn. That includes flammable materials like furniture, blankets, pet beds, pillows, or any comfy stuff people like to use as they cuddle close to the fire. Small knick-knacks above the fireplace are also not advisable. Heat rises. If your little carved frog, ice-skater figurine, or sentimental lucky doll catches fire, this little item can quickly become the cause of big trouble.
Go from DIY to PRO
Your chimney should be swept properly. Don’t take this personally, but even if you like to do things on your own, a professional chimney sweep is the best and safest way to go. An experienced chimney sweep can safely eliminate ash and creosote, a flammable chemical that adheres to the sides of chimneys and could lead to chimney fires. You should also get a professional inspection to make sure everything else is in order. A yearly professional sweep and inspection will make your fireplace a safer experience.
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Feed it well
Use seasoned wood because it burns more thoroughly than newly cut “green wood.” Seasoned wood is cut and dried for 6 to 12 months, registering less than 20 percent moisture with a meter. Split wood burns better than whole logs because it dries more thoroughly. Seasoned wood also produces less soot and creosote than “green wood.” If you decide to choose seasoned wood, it is suggested to go with hardwood, like ash and maple instead of softer wood like pine or poplar. The harder the wood, the hotter it burns, and the more heat it gives.
If these tips have inspired you to upgrade the look of your fireplace, find your local design consultant at https://www.granitetransformations.com/locations/ Let the professionals at Granite and Trend Transformations design a beautiful fireplace for your home.
Last Updated on February 18, 2019
Who doesn’t want to make the most of their bathroom? People spend days finding fixtures, perusing patterns and wondering about light bulb wattage. It’s only natural to want to make your small bathroom feel larger and more luxurious. So, Granite and Trend Transformations mulled over some ideas and listed tips that will make any small bathroom feel bigger.
Open up
The power of an open concept bathroom design adds tremendous depth and dimension to a small space. Its free-flowing aesthetic adds fluidity to the rest of the home. So, when you are looking to increase the breadth of your small bathroom, you may want to consider a style of openness
Add a touch of “non-color”
Dress your bathroom in a way that makes it look larger than it is. A dark wardrobe makes a person look trimmer, while lighter colors can present the opposite effect. The same concept works for bathrooms. White-on-white color schemes not only add size to the bathroom, but a feeling of modern sophistication as well. A current trend among interior designers, white- on-white bathroom designs are popular in luxury buildings. Our Liberty Collection White Mosaic tile is a perfect way to get started making your bathroom feel bigger.
Give the illusion of greater height by using a vertically striped pattern of wall paper in your bathroom. Or, find a cute shower curtain with a striped vertical pattern. This stripe effect tricks the eye to look upwards instantly upon entering the bathroom, leading to a feeling of increased height – which also means increased space.
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More mirror, less vanity
Design elements play a huge role in creating a larger feeling in a bathroom. For instance, a large mirror brings a greater feeling of depth, and a floating vanity adds floorspace underneath, both of which create a roomier feel. When you combine these two bathroom elements there’s more functional space to validate your good looks. But remember: bragging is not attractive.
Doors that swing open take up much needed space in a small bathroom. Instead, we suggest a door that slides open. You can get one in frosted glass to add additional dimension. And since more light will be attracted to the room from a sliding glass door, the brightness will expand the feel of the room, making it seem larger than it is.
Schedule an appointment today with your local Granite and Trend Transformation design consultant to help bring these big ideas to life for your next bathroom remodel.
Last Updated on July 18, 2022
Everyone knows that mosaic tiles are a great choice for adding interest and pizazz to any kitchen backsplash or bathroom shower remodeling project. But few tap into the other uses for glass mosaic tiles. They are incredibly versatile for a variety of other projects, such as accent walls, fireplaces, pools and spas, and even tabletops – to name a few.
Accent Walls
When it comes to creating an elegant and eye-catching accent wall, think of glass mosaic tiles as the crown jewels. Granite and TREND Transformations offers an exquisite palette of mosaic tiles which can add a touch of luxury and elegance to any room in your home.
Fireplaces
Nothing beats a crackling fire on a cold winter’s night, with one exception: Building that fire in a fireplace that’s faced with stunning, glass mosaic tile. Ask Granite and TREND Transformations about how you can take a “blah” looking fireplace and give it some glittering style by using glass mosaic tiles.
Pools and Pool Decks
Want beautiful patterns on the floor, steps or walls of your pool? Use glass mosaic tiles on your pool deck and surrounding areas to create a breathtaking work of art. Bored of conventional decking or concrete pavers for your pool deck? Go “glam” with glass mosaic tiles. Just be sure to select tiles that are slip-resistant. Or, have them treated to increase traction.
Tabletops
For a tabletop design that simply can’t be topped, glass mosaic tiles are the material of choice. Imagine: Taking a humdrum piece of furniture and then transforming it into a fascinating focal point for your kitchen or dining area by using glass mosaic tiles on your tabletop.
Granite and TREND Transformations is Your Mosaic Tile Headquarters
Many homeowners choose mosaic tiles because of the extensive selection of different colors, shapes and styles. Used creatively, they can go just about anywhere and make any surface they’re applied to come alive. Count on Granite and TREND Transformations to provide an exquisite selection in a variety of styles and colors with a handmade artisan quality that outshines any other.
Let the experts at Granite and TREND Transformations show you all the marvelous possibilities that the use of glass mosaic tiles can offer. Schedule your free in-home design consultation today!
Last Updated on February 4, 2019
It’s bold, it’s brash, it’s beautiful and – once again – inspired by nature. Pantone’s 2019 “Color of the Year” is Living Coral (Pantone # 16-1546), which Pantone’s experts define it as: “An animating and life-affirming coral hue with a golden undertone that energizes and enlivens with a softer edge.”
Of course, the burning question in the mind of every professional and amateur designer is how to incorporate such an eye-popping color into a variety of home décor styles. The key point here is not to make it the main color or focal point of a room, but to use it judiciously as an accent. Here are a few possibilities:
Accent Walls: Make a bold statement by painting one or two walls in a saturated coral. This is an easy and inexpensive way to punch up a room.
Furniture: When a color becomes trendy, it’s easier to find all manner of furniture pieces in that hue–from side chairs to sofas.
Small Appliances: Appliance makers have hopped on the Living Coral bandwagon as well. Currently, the color is available on blenders and kitchen mixers to make it easy for incorporating as spot color into your kitchen designs.
Textiles: An easy way to integrate and play with a bright color such as Living Coral is to start small and simple, such as using it on throw pillows or window curtains.
Kitchens and Baths: White, grey and beige are still extremely popular color choices for today’s kitchens and baths. They also serve as a great, neutral palette to host Living Coral accents. Let the experts at Granite and Trends Transformations show you how to incorporate this exciting color into a new kitchen or bath design.
