Sometimes the floor plan you start with needs a few upgrades. Whether you've lived in your home for years and are ready for a refresh or you just bought a fixer-upper, redesigning your home is exciting but also a lot of work. When you want to add an extra wing, transition the kids' rooms into a workout space or give your kitchen a facelift, switching up a layout takes some planning. When you're ready to rethink your space and create a new look for your home, these tips can help you get started.
Define Your New Layout
Before you get out a pencil and start sketching new drawings of your reimagined space, think about how you intend to use it and what it should look like. For instance, do you envision segmented rooms or one big, open concept layout? Even if it's too soon to settle on a design, you can consider the style of the room. Are you leaning toward a more modern aesthetic with clean lines and minimalist architecture? Or maybe you're more of a French Country enthusiast who wants elaborate woodwork and trim.
Do some searching on the internet for inspiration and to get your creative juices flowing. For instance, if you're redoing your office, you can view a home office design gallery for ideas on layouts and decor.
Team Up with the Right Experts
You might enjoy binge-watching home design television shows and consider yourself somewhat of a DIY expert, but the reality is simple. Unless you have professional experience and a background in architectural design, you could end up biting off more than you can chew. At the onset, team up with a professional contractor and architect to get the vision right the first time. They can work with you to help you conceptualize a range of visions, from tiny home designs to modern office design ideas.
Experts can also help you avoid legal issues and setbacks during the project. How? An extensive renovation may require permits or not be allowed at all due to building codes. A home inspector might visit your newly designed space, and then refuse to sign off on the work because it violates several planning and zoning codes, features an unsuitable construction element or has a major issue such as a basement that isn't waterproof. An expert can handle these fine-print details, make sure safety is top of mind throughout the project and ensure your efforts aren't derailed by red tape.
Be sure to choose one that is licensed and highly recommended in your area. Experience on remodeling projects similar to yours is also important.
Determine and Set Your Budget
It's easy to get wrapped up in the idea of a dream home, especially in the initial brainstorming phase. But before you sign off on a new floor plan, make sure it's one you can realistically afford. While you might have visions of tearing down walls between rooms, exposing ceilings, converting your garage into a crafting shed and more, those plans might not be practical.
Take a look at your monthly income and expenses to determine what you can afford. In many cases, people take out home equity lines of credit to pay for renovations. Use an online mortgage calculator to determine what you can afford and what your estimated monthly payments would be.
After you have a professional plan in place and are satisfied with your budget, you're ready to move on to the next phase of the process. Work closely with your builder to get the project started. Along the way, incorporate your design elements, refine your overall vision and eventually move into your newly refreshed space.
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Transform your bathroom space and a create a luxurious feel with natural stone.
Marble, limestone, and granite are all extremely popular natural stones for bathrooms, but some are more suitable than others in certain applications. Marble and limestone are both aesthetically beautiful and practical choices for flooring, wall cladding, wet rooms, shower rooms and bath surrounds. Granite, being incredibly hard and almost impermeable to water, is an ideal surface for vanity tops and basins.
At Landford Stone we supply and install beautiful bathrooms all over the country. Our reputation as the UK's leading stone provider is founded on our fine attention to detail and exceptional customer service. We believe that anything is possible and are committed to producing your dream bathroom space.
We offer a vast collection of stone types and colours, many of which we carefully store at our factory and yard. Visit us today to browse and hand-pick your desired material for your bathroom project.
Marble bathrooms
Marble has been used to create luxurious bathroom spaces for centuries. Its distinctive marbling and naturally water-resistant properties make it a beautiful accompaniment to any bathroom. Although often identified by its infamous white and grey marbling, marble is available in a vast array of colours – some of which even resemble limestone.
It suits both modern and more traditional bathroom styles and can be striking and subtle, depending on the intensity of the veining. At Landford Stone, we offer an extraordinary collection of marble colours to choose from. Browse our colours and contact us to see what colours we have available to view in person.
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Limestone bathrooms
Like marble, limestone was used by our ancient ancestors to form a luxurious bathing experience.
Limestone is a beautiful and robust natural stone, making it perfect for bathroom flooring and wet room tiles. It has a rustic, earthy aesthetic and feel that adds class and sophistication to any home. A thermal conductor that disperses heat efficiently, limestone is also a fantastic choice when considering underfloor heating.
When properly cared for, limestone can last a lifetime. We offer a variety of classic limestone colours to give your bathroom that sophisticated, spa-like appearance.
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Quartz & Granite Tops
Both granite and quartz are incredibly hard-wearing and water resistant making them a practical solution for bathrooms.
Though a less traditional surface in bathrooms, granite is a beautiful natural stone with intricate colours and patterns. It also has outstanding durability. Engineered quartz allows you can get the look and feel of natural stone without any of the drawbacks. It is extraordinarily hard and fast becoming the popular alternative to many natural stones.
Granite and quartz are deal in spaces that receive a lot of use or require very little maintenance. They make stunning statement bathroom tops and are ideal in both commercial and domestic bathrooms. If you're considering using quartz or granite in your bathroom, contact us today to discuss your project.
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Featured Work
Crema Marfil Honed Marble Bathroom
This stunning bathroom project installed for a private customer in Sandbanks, Dorset, features our beautiful Crema Marfil Honed Marble throughout. Soft, cream coloured and subtly veined, Crema Marfil Honed Marble is a beautiful choice in all bathrooms. It was used here for the bathroom flooring, skirting, bath surround, vanity top and upstands, creating a luxurious, spa-like look and feel. The beautifully crafted marble vanity top was completed with Modern edge detailing and surface mounted...
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Jura Blue Grey Limestone Bathroom
Jura Blue Grey Limestone bathroom flooring, bath surround and double sink vanity tops. This beautiful bathroom installation by Ben Heath Beautiful Interiors in Newbury features our Jura Blue Grey limestone: a mottled surface of soft greys, blues and pale creams. The material was then honed, a finish achieved by stopping the polishing process before the surface is buffed into a shine. The honing process leaves the limestone with a satin or matte appearance. It is also more suitable for flooring...
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Arabesco Marble Bathroom
Beautifully bookmatched Arabescato marble bathroom flooring, bath surround and shower cladding. For a private customer in Ringwood, Hampshire, we installed this spectacular statement bathroom using Arabescato marble. This classic and striking white and grey marble was used to create a luxurious bath surround with upstands to the rear and matching steps leading up to the sunken bath. We also clad the shower walls with bookmatched marble to create a seemingly seamless sheet of marble. The whole...
Health care is a major cost for most people, especially retirees. Insurance like Medicare can make these costs more affordable. Medicare is aimed at assisting those over 65 to cover healthcare costs, and there are different types of Medicare available to those who qualify. Whether you are close to retirement or planning for your future, you may be wondering, how much does Medicare cost? Consider this article a guide to your Medicare-related questions.
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Several factors determine how much you pay for your Medicare, including your age, your annual income, the type and amount of Medicare services you enroll for, how much you use the services, and whether or not you're covered under any other health insurance plan.
Additionally, Medicare expenses consist of several types of costs: monthly premiums, deductibles, (how much you pay before your insurer covers the costs), copays, (a standard fee for a service), and coinsurance (the portion you owe after your Medicare offsets your payments). There is also a late enrollment fee that you may have to pay if you enroll after the age of 65.
What Is Medicare?
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Medicare is a health insurance program provided by the federal government to cover Americans age 65 and over. Individuals with disabilities or end-stage renal failure can also qualify for Medicare coverage. Though different, Medicare is often confused with Medicaid — another kind of insurance program run by the federal government. Medicaid, however, primarily supports those with lower income, and age is not a determining factor.
Medicare is broken up into "parts" that cover different services and have different associated costs. These portions are labeled Medicare Part A, Medicare Part B, Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage), and Medicare Part D.
Medicare Part A: Hospital Coverage
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Medicare Part A is also called "hospital coverage" because it primarily covers costs like inpatient hospital care, nursing facility care, and hospice care. Part A can also cover some home health care costs, though these are mostly covered by Part B.
Premiums
Most people have no monthly premium for Part A due to paying Medicare taxes for a long enough time (usually the previous 10 years). If you don't qualify for premium-free Part A can buy the coverage instead. The premium costs as of 2021 are either $259 or $471, depending on how long someone worked and paid Medicare taxes.
Deductibles
Medicare Part A has a deductible of $1484 per benefit period, defined as the time between when you are first admitted to the hospital and the time that you have not received services for 60 consecutive days.
Copays and Coinsurance
There is no coinsurance required for the first 60 days of a stay in a hospital or skilled nursing facility, but there are coinsurance amounts that kick in after the initial sixty days have passed.
Medicare Part B: Medical Coverage
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Medicare Part B covers outpatient services, doctor's fees, preventative services, and the cost of using medical equipment. Some people, such as those who are enrolled for Social Security, are automatically enrolled in Part B. Others have to enroll online.
Premiums
Individuals who earn less than $88,000 per year or couples who file jointly and earn less than $176,000 per year pay the standard premium of $148.50. Those with higher incomes are tiered into different premium levels by their income.
Deductible
For 2021, the standard deductible for Part B costs $203. If you receive benefits through Social Security, the Railroad Retirement Board, or the Office of Personnel Management, your premium is automatically deducted from your benefits.
Copays and Coinsurance
Medicare works with doctors' offices to set standardized prices that they will pay for services. After you've paid the deductible, Medicare will cover 80% of these medical expenses, while you'll be expected to cover the remaining 20% of the approved amount.
Part C: Medicare Advantage
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Part C, or Medicare Advantage, is offered through private insurance companies that provide Medicare-approved plans, and Medicare pays a set amount for your care. You then cover the rest. These plans roll services typically covered in Parts A, B, and D into a single plan. They may also provide additional coverage for other medical and health expenses, such as dental and eye care or fitness memberships.
The costs are much more variable, like traditional insurance plans. Each plan has different premiums, deductibles, and copays. These coverages are determined by the insurance group providing the plan. In 2021, the costs are expected to decrease by $21.
Medicare Part D: Prescription Coverage
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Medicare Part D is also offered through Medicare-approved private insurers. It covers the cost of prescription drugs. You can either opt-in through purchasing a Medicare drug plan or have it as part of your Medicare Advantage Plan. Medicare Drug plans can vary in cost and in the prescription drugs that they cover, but each plan meets a minimum standard of coverage.
Premiums
Part D premiums are in addition to Part A and B premiums, but they are covered as a part of Medicare Advantage plans. Although premium amounts can vary by the plan chosen, the average premium for Part D in 2021 is $33.06. Like with Part B, those with higher incomes will have higher premiums.
Deductible
Again, the deductible amount will vary by the plan you choose. Some plans are free, and the most expensive is $445.
Copays and Coinsurance
The amount of copayment varies from plan to plan and from drug to drug. Tier 1 and 2 drugs are relatively inexpensive, Tier 3 and 4 drugs are more expensive.
After meeting the deductible, you are responsible for your portion of the prescription coinsurance until the total amount paid by you and your insurer combined reaches $4,130 (including the deductible). After this amount, you only have to cover 25% of the prescription cost until you reach $6,550 total.
Is Medicare Free at 65?
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Though you are eligible for premium-free Part A if you are over the age of 65 and if you or your spouse has been paying Medicare taxes for the past 10 years, Medicare is not free. Additionally, there is a late enrollment fee of 10% of the premium for each part of Medicare for those who enroll after age 65.
Choosing a Medicare Plan for You
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Which plan is right for you depends on your individual situation. While Medicare Advantage plans have some positives, like not needing supplemental coverage and getting to choose the type of plan you use, there are some downsides, like only being able to go to providers within your plan's network and having greater variation in out-of-pocket costs for services.
Plans A, B, and D also have advantages, such as being able to only purchase the coverages you need and being able to go to any provider across the US that accepts Medicare. The best way to choose the right plan is to carefully consider your current and future needs, then compare plans using Medicare's website.
A fan is essentially an electric motor with a propeller or drum-like blades. When bath and range-hood fans stop working, the problem is usually one of two things: the fan isn't receiving power or the motor has burned out. Here we look at fixing bath and kitchen fans. For information on repairing large-bladed decorative ceiling fans, please see How to Repair a Ceiling Fan.
If the kitchen or bath fan shows any signs of life when you turn it on (such as humming), you know it's receiving power. If it's dead to the world, check the circuit breaker that serves the fan. For more about this, please see How to Turn Off Your Home's Electricity.
The workings of most bathroom fans are accessed by pulling down and unlatching the spring-mounted cover. Tab62 / Shutterstock.com
How to Repair a Bathroom or Kitchen Fan Motor
The easiest fix for a motor that has burned out or stopped running is usually to shut off the power, open up the fan, and replace the fan motor. A project like this normally doesn't involve doing any electrical wiring—most fan motors simply plug into a receptacle mounted inside the housing.
If your bathroom fan stops working, replacing the fan motor is an easy fix that you can do yourself in under an hour. A replacement motor will save you time and headache, as you don't have to remove the whole fan unit to make the repair. A new motor may cost as much as a new fan, but you can change it out easily without having to do major ceiling surgery or crawl around in the attic.
1Begin by opening up the fan. Remove the grille, which is often held in place by spring clips. With most, you can just pull the cover off. Clean away any dust with a cloth or vacuum.
2Then write down the fan's model number, which can usually be found on the unit's housing. Order a fan replacement motor online or from an appliance parts dealer. When you have the part in hand, move on to the next step.
3Turn off the power to the unit at the electrical circuit box, and use an electrical tester to make sure the unit is not receiving power.
4Disconnect the fan from its electrical source. If the motor has a simple plug inserted into a receptacle behind the fan unit, simply unplug it. If it is hard-wired to the electrical system, disconnect the fan motor from the electrical wiring, making sure to remember where each wire goes when you put in the new motor.
5Remove the motor plate by removing any screws and prying on or squeezing the side of the unit.
6Remove the blower from the motor shaft. It may have to be unscrewed or simply slid off the shaft if it's not fastened in place. (If the blower gets damaged in the process, you can order an inexpensive replacement for this, too.)
7Install the new fan motor, just reversing this process. Again, make sure power to the unit is shut off at the main circuit breaker before working with any of the wiring. Fasten the fan grille plate, turn the power back on and give it a test!
5 exciting and unusual ways to use tiles in your bathroom
Posted by Nicky Kingston in Inspiration | 2 years ago 5 min read
Tiles are a staple part of The Great British Bathroom, however, they needn't be boring. Check out the 5 exciting and unusual tile ideas below.
Head into any bathroom, ensuite or cloakroom in the UK and the chances are you'll come across a tiled wall or floor. It's no surprise that tiles have become a favourite wall and floor covering for bathrooms, as they offer a hardwearing, waterproof and decorative surface that is easy to clean.
Whilst there are cost-effective alternatives in the form of shower wall panels and vinyl or laminate flooring, many people choose to complement their new bathroom with some form of tiling, whether that means simply adding some protection to vulnerable splash zones, or producing a seamless look from floor to ceiling.
Often, it's all too tempting just to play it safe with plain white tiles being a tried and tested, yet rather tedious option. That's why we've come up with these 5 exciting and unusual tile ideas to inspire you.
1. Feature alcove
As I mentioned above, white tiles are a popular choice but can look rather uninspiring on their own. By adding a practical space using feature tiles, you can kill 2 birds with one stone (or tile, in this case!).
If you have an alcove or recess, why not be creative with your space by filling it in with shelving and patterned tiles to highlight this feature? To create a consistent look, use the same tiles on your floor (making sure they're suitable for both wall and floor use first).
The great thing about this idea is that you can use any colour you want or perhaps highlight a single colour within the alcove and match with towels and accessories for a cohesive look?
Which tiles?
Pure white flat matt wall tile 100mm x 200mm
Toledo Eva traditional matt wall and floor tile 200mm x 200mm
2. Geometric mix
Geometric patterns are still incredibly popular in bathroom interiors. Far from being "square", they can come in handy, especially where you want to merge 2 textures together—in this instance, wood and ceramic—producing a more tonal look.
Mimicking the appearance of traditional parquet flooring, this layout utilises wood effect tiles, which, at a fraction of the cost, is more suitable for use in a bathroom. This certainly isn't the easiest look to pull off, as it will require a good deal of planning and some careful cutting, so it might be worth hiring a professional for more elaborate designs.
Which tiles?
Carlton grey wood effect matt wall and floor tile 200mm x 1200mm
Amadeus grey stone effect matt wall and floor tile 600mm x 600mm
3. Metro sensual
Here's a neat way to add a full colour theme to just a single wall using Metro tiles. These classic bevelled tiles are incredibly popular, although many people don't realise that they can be used in a variety of different patterns and layouts.
This herringbone pattern is simple to do, yet very effective. You could potentially use up to 5 different colours, depending on your style, resulting in a feature wall that's both decorative and functional.
Which tiles?
Metro sage bevelled gloss wall tile 100mm x 200mm
Metro silver marble bevelled gloss wall tile 100mm x 200mm
Metro blush pink bevelled gloss wall tile 100mm x 200mm
Metro carrara bevelled gloss wall tile 100mm x 200mm Metro carrara bevelled gloss wall tile 100mm x 200mm
4. Time for texture
Perfect for modern, minimalist style bathrooms, use a mix of textured and flat tiles to create this intriguing zebra stripe effect. Whilst we've selected more subtle shades, you could easily incorporate bold colours with a variety of designs available. This look could even work in a traditional bathroom setting.
Which tiles?
Matano light grey textured stone effect matt wall tile 250mm x 600mm
Matano light grey flat stone effect matt wall tile 250mm x 600mm
By using this technique, you can also make your bathroom look bigger and feel more spacious—perfect for smaller spaces.
Find out more about using colour in your bathroom to unlock the potential of this all-too functional space.
Which tiles?
Maxi Metro midnight blue bevelled gloss wall tile 100mm x 300mm
Maxi Metro aqua bevelled gloss wall tile 100mm x 300mm
Maxi Metro turquoise bevelled gloss wall tile 100mm x 300mm
Maxi Metro white bevelled gloss wall tile 100mm x 300mm
Bathroom tile ideas and advice
Click on any of the links below for more great bathroom tile ideas.
Tiles inspiration gallery
6 bathroom tiles ideas that'll capture your imagination
Bathroom tiling ideas
5 things to consider when choosing your bathroom tiles
If you're looking to "do it yourself", you'll discover plenty of expert bathroom tiling advice by clicking on any of the links below.
How to tile
How to use a tiling calculator
How to grout tiles & work out how much grout you need
How to mix & apply tile adhesive & work out how much you need
4 need to know tiling tips
Frequently asked questions about tiles
Shop tiles
Ready to buy? Browse our full and comprehensive bathroom tile range by clicking on the image below.
The Great British Bathroom
Throughout the year, we're celebrating The Great British Bathroom with fresh inspiration for the nation, each and every week. Check out all our previous inspirational bathrooms, from small spaces to small budget makeovers, by clicking on the image below.
Nicky is our resident Stylist and loves bringing new and exciting bathroom trends to life. Nicky's passion for design led to a 1st class degree in Surface Design & Textiles, before earning a reputation as a home stylist in London.
How to Choose the Perfect Floor Tiles for Your Home
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There is a large variety of tile flooring to choose from, and it can be a little intimidating to know where to start. The color and style combinations can be impressive, but once you find tiles you like how can you be sure they'll fit with your home decor? Choosing a tile floor to match your lifestyle, and complement your home, requires thinking about color, location, shape, size, layout, surface pattern and spacing. Find out how these elements combine to create a floor that best compliments your decor, and fits your personal style.
Location
Tile flooring is easy to clean, durable and water resistant, which makes this material a great choice for your bathroom, kitchen and entryway. Not all tile suits every room in your home, however, and you should avoid tiles that are slippery when wet in these areas. Bathrooms especially, require non-slip floors, and using a textured tile for your shower floor will help prevent falls. While textured tiles are great for bathrooms, it's best to use smooth tiles in your entryway, since smooth tiles are easier to mop and keep clean.
If you're looking for material that has strength, moisture resistance and versatile design, then porcelain is the right choice. Porcelain tiles are durable, scratch resistant and don't chip, and they're the perfect choice for high-traffic areas in your home. Porcelain tiles also come in a greater variety of colors, styles and textures than ceramic tiles.
Size
Large tiles make small spaces look more expansive, making them a good choice for most rooms. Small tiles can give an intimate feel to a rooms, but they should be used with caution. Smaller tiles will have more grout lines, and this can add a more complex look to your room's design. Large tiles are easier and quicker to install than smaller ones, something to consider whether you choose to do the job yourself or hire a professional.
Pattern
With modern technology, floor tiling is available in many patterns to complement your home's interior. Stone-patterned tiles add a subtle look that can match many decor styles, but be sure that your stone pattern doesn't clash with your home's personality. Marbled stone, for instance, adds an austere look to surroundings that won't work well with warm themed homes. Surface patterns can be fun, but they can also get too busy. Avoid patterned tile in areas that already have patterned walls, or it will make the room look busy and neither pattern will stand out properly.
Color
Color influences the overall vibe of your room, which makes choosing the right color an important consideration. Dark tile adds warmth to rooms, but be sure that you have a light and open area to balance darker colors, or the room may look gloomy. Consider navy, chocolate brown, or burnt-colored tiles for a large kitchen space. Choose lighter hues to make a room look larger. Pastel and cream floor tiles will make a narrow hallway or guest bathroom look larger. For heavy traffic areas consider shade variations, since a slight contrast on floor tiles can help mask dirt. Flecked tiles, shades of gray or white, and mixed browns and tans are all great choices for busy home areas.
Layout
Tile layouts can be simple or complex, depending on the look you want for your room. To make a small room feel spacious, use a simple tile layout, such as brick, diamond, or a straight layout. These patterns work well with rooms that already feature complicated patterns, colors, or designs, since they won't distract from your decor. To draw attention to your floor, choose a bold layout, such as herringbone, Versailles, or checkerboard. These patterns can add interest to small rooms, but may look overpowering in large areas.
Spacing
Think about the spacing of your tiles and how it can influence your floor's appearance. The larger the space between tiles, the thicker the grout line will be between the tiles. To camouflage grout lines you can use a grout that matches the tiles. If you want to draw attention to your floor, use a colored grout that makes individual tiles stand out. Grout is available in a range of colors so you can choose whether to contrast or complement your tiles.
