Annie Sloan Paint & Small Tiled Areas

Annie Sloan Paint & Small Tiled Areas

Get a fresh new look for in time for Christmas that won’t cost you a fortune.  Up-cycling is as popular as ever and with so many different projects about it is hard to know which ones to try.  Anything from revamping a coffee table to giving your home a whole new look.  So to make it a little easier we have picked out a few of our favourites.

An old steel framed coffee table can be completely transformed, replace the old wooden top with a strong piece of marine grade plywood and tile the top with old Moroccan tiles or mosaic to give it a more Mediterranean feel.  For something a bit more modern you could go for a marble or stone.  Or if you want a bit of colour or pattern there are so many options available.  You can even paint the steel frame using Annie Sloan chalk paint if you want a change of colour.

Revolutionise your front steps.  Tile your steps and give your front door a fresh coat of paint.  Black and white chequerboard can bring a whole new look to your home without going to great expense.  If that’s not really your style why not go for slate effect porcelain with a brightly coloured door or pretty patterned non slip tile.  Whether you are going for country cottage, modern townhouse or anything in-between there is something to suit.

Annie Sloan paint can be used to bring new life to your interiors in so many ways, why not give your old curtains a new look and dye them with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.  You can use it to paint or dye fabric, just follow the instructions on Annie’s website.  This way you can upcycle old chairs, curtains, footstools etc.

To brighten up your office walls or add a bit of fun to children’s bedrooms why not create a coloured chalkboard?  Annie Sloan unwaxed chalk paint can be used as a chalkboard.  With endless colour options available by mixing different colours the possibilities are limitless.  Why not give it a go?

Quirky tiles can be used as a splash back in a small wc to give it a real wow factor, why not go for something a bit different.  A safari animal print tile, flamingo print, umbrella shaped, or a kite mosaic tiles.  There are so many options to give your cloakroom, bathroom or wc a facelift.  You could do the walls in Annie Sloan paint, upcycle an old mirror and use her gold leaf or guilding wax to bring a bit of sparkle to the detailing.

If you hallway needs a bit of a lift, Annie Sloan wall paint could be a good option, or for the floorboards use her paint in conjunction with the floor lacquer for a slightly aged feel.  You can also use it to paint your lampshades, why not go ombre style giving a more atmospheric feel.

Revamp your fireplace with a coat of Annie Sloan and some new tiles, see her website for details on what to do.  You can also add some patterned, coloured or period tiles to add that little bit of drama.  If you don’t have a fireplace it can also be used to freshen up your radiators.

For a quick kitchen fix, you can paint your cupboards with chalk paint.  It is a quick, easy and relatively cost effective way of brightening up your kitchen quite quickly.  If you want to go that little bit further why not add an Original Style glass splash back for a pop of colour or handmade tiles from the Winchester tile company’s Châteaux range as your cooker splash back.  You can find their beautiful tiles on their website.

If it is a smaller project that you are looking for then why not try Annie Sloan’s image transfer method.  You can use this to add detail to up-cycled furniture, add imagery to your cupboards or to make a stunning wall hanging.  Use Annie Sloan’s decoupage glue and varnish.

There are so many things that you can do to brighten up your home, have a look at www.anniesloan.com - www.ceramicaetc.co.uk and www.originalstyle.com for a little bit of inspiration.

Ceramica Etc

Ceramica Etc is like no other tile shop around.  From the moment that you enter you realise the tremendous choice that is available to you.  Their showroom displays the cutting edge in design and current trends but also appeals to those who want something different, personal, exceptional.  Whether your style is modern, traditional, bohemian, avant-garde or something else entirely this showroom will appeal to you. 

They haven’t done the norm and created small kitchen or bathroom settings, instead they have created dramatic displays, pairing patterns and metro bricks, porcelain parquet wood with handmade ceramic tiles.  They have everything you can imagine from real stone to digitally printed porcelain, tile panels depicting jungle scenes to very large format porcelain or even hand painted decorative tiles. If you want wood they have very realistic, or aged and painted wood effect porcelain, that you can put in a shower.  They can offer everything from tiny personalised mosaic panels to 1.6 x 3.2m porcelain tiles.  They profess to holding  large volumes of stock and catching a glimpse into their massive warehouse, it is apparent that this is indeed the case.   If they don’t have what you are looking for then it probably doesn’t exist. 

It is a family run business that has been going for three generations and the enthusiasm and passion that they have is incredible.  This gives their showroom a very friendly approachable feel.  It is also important to note that while they carry some very cutting edge products, they do have an incredible number of options available in many different styles at pretty much every price bracket. 

Real Wood or Porcelain Wood?

Real Wood or Porcelain Wood?

With so many options now on the market it is hard to know which one to go for.   Many people are still sceptical at the thought of using an “imitation” wood in their homes, so I have done a bit of research and here is my verdict on the matter.  My favourite; the porcelain wood!   This is why. . .

First off, there is nowhere that you can’t put it, and I mean nowhere.  Because of the nature of porcelain it won’t expand and contract like a real wood floor and moisture levels do not affect it.  So you can have a beautiful porcelain wood floor in your bathroom or wet room, some ranges even come with an outdoor version so you can carry it through your house and out onto your patio/BBQ area, you can’t get much better than that!

Kitchens and hallways have always been a bit of a grey area when it comes to real wood floors, they can wear and discolour with time, can be stained, and trap dirt between the planks.  Porcelain wood overcomes all of these issues.  It won’t stain or discolour, it is very hard wearing and the grout even prevents dirt and food from being caught between the planks.

If you are considering under floor heating then porcelain it is!  As a natural insulator, wood isn’t much good with under floor heating, it will heat up when the heat is on but will not hold the heat for long once the heating has gone off.  Porcelain on the other hand is a natural heat store.  It will heat up when the under floor heating is on, but will hold the heat for hours after the heating has gone off.

If you aren’t won over already then here are a few more reasons to go for porcelain wood.   It doesn’t just come in wood colours, although it is available in every shade of wood that you can imagine.  If you want subtle you can get beautiful grey and mink tones, beautiful pale unstained pine and charred dark wood.  If you are more into the texture you can go for a planed effect porcelain wood or go for textured (without the risk of getting a skelf) they even come in ultra smooth with beautiful grain.  Or go for a simple, small plank and lay it in herring bone, simply stunning!  If you are looking for more of a statement you can go for paint effect wood in a wide variety of colours, ornate patterned wood, end grain planks, hexagon wood or even sterling board in a wide range of colours.  What more could you want!

For me it just doesn’t compare.  Porcelain wood every time!

Statement Colours!

Statement Colours!

Ceramica Etc’s knowledgeable team are on hand for any advice that their customers may need.  This month they share their tips on choosing colour and making a statement.

2017 Interiors

With a new year beginning, now is a good time to look for different ways to brighten up your house. If you are staying in your home there are lots of new ideas and products to enhance what you already have, create a fresh new look, whether it is a big project like a kitchen floor or a small porch. You could even give some old furniture a coat of Annie Sloan paint, now is a great time to start gathering inspiration.

If you are thinking of moving this year then have a look at all the ideas available for your new home and get creative.

Make a Statement

If you want to go bold, now is the perfect time, colours, patterns and statement walls are in.  With each of the factories developing and creating their own exciting ranges there are no limits to what you can create.  Our advice, be different, take a chance, you will love how you can tweak your designs to create your own dream home.  From vibrant coloured bricks to awe inspiring feature walls and classic patterns brought back with a twist.  There is so much to choose from with ranges to suit every budget.

Understated Classics with a twist

A simple, affordable brick style tile is anything but boring.  The way a tile is laid makes such a difference to the overall appearance. 

Herringbone, windmill, offset brick bond or stacked, each bring a completely different characteristic and style to the look of your room. 

Grouting also makes a massive difference to the appearance of the space, go white or grey, make it stand out or blend in.  There are so many decisions to be made even after choosing your tiles.

A Modern Touch, add Statement Colours

If you prefer to go for a simple contemporary look there are lots of choices this season.

The ever popular large format grey tiles look equally well on walls and floors. There are so many

beautiful colours available in accessories that any simple, timeless design can be enhanced with bright cushions, throws and vases to create your signature look.

Simple Elegance

Any house can be improved with the addition of some classic simple ideas. It might be that this year a Victorian hallway needs updated or restored or a new shower just need some simple white tiles. There are so many ideas to choose from. 

What is in?

This season, if you like colours there are lots of blues and greens available in both tiles and paint.

If patterns are your thing there are so many geometric, floral and moorish prints available. If colour and pattern aren’t what you are looking for then a simple contemporary elegant grey or white, concrete or metallic, stone or wood effect may appeal more to you.  Really our message for 2017,

There is something for everyone in every budget. 

Have a browse through Pinterest, and get inspired.  Show the images that you like to the staff at your local interiors shops and see if they can help you to create your own twist on the look that you are going for.

So Many Beautiful Colours!!!

If you are wondering what to do to freshen up your kitchen or bathroom, then why not call in and have a chat with us at Ceramica Etc.  We have lots of bright new colours, sparkly mosaics, elegant stone, beautiful glass, and luxurious metal mosaics all waiting to smarten up your home just in time for Autumn.  It doesn't have to cost a fortune, so why not call in today and see what we can do to help you.  

Exciting New Displays and Ranges!!!

We have lots of new displays just up!  Call in and have a look around.  There are beautiful new wood effect porcelain tiles in a range of various colours for indoor and outdoor.  As well as this we beautiful muted grey and mink concrete effect and lots of new patterns and colours in various ranges.  The stock is flying out quickly so don't miss the chance to get your hands on some of these beautiful new product ranges.

Our Blog Is Now Up and Running!!

We Have A Blog!  Our new Website and blog are now up and running!  Keep an eye out here for lots of Special Offers and Sales as well as the latest in what is in and our new ranges of Tiles, Stone, Wood, Porcelain. 

 

Also Check out our brand new website at www.ceramicaetc.co.uk for more Images, Ideas and Inspiration!