Crystal carpet laid in Royal Palace Amsterdam

Suzan Drummen, a Dutch artist, has created a gleaming carpet inlay with crystals that has been installed in a salon at the Royal Palace Amsterdam.

The carpet features brightly coloured psychedelic swirls and crystals of various colours, which were all installed by hand over nine days. Drummen described her approach to art as exploring the uncertainty and confusion in the world today. Speaking to Colossal, she said:

“I’m interested in things that dazzle us, and in my work, I try to ramp that up. It’s an ongoing quest, with a constant interplay between seriousness, fear, playfulness and hope. Above all I want it to be vibrant and vital.”

Drummen’s brightly coloured crystal carpet is designed to clash with the muted hues and style of the historical furniture and fittings, as well as the brown colours of the walls and ceiling.

The carpet is part of an exhibition called Trailblazers, which shows off modern artworks in the historic setting of the Royal Palace. It is running until October 3rd.

The carpet is not designed to be practical, as walking in slippers or bare feet on the large crystals would not be very comfortable. Each hand-laid crystal is unsecured, and walking on the carpet would disturb the intricate patterns made by the crystals.

The carpet's swirling brightly coloured patterns are not to everyone’s taste. For a more muted style of carpet for North Wales and Chester rooms, there is a large range of colours and styles available from local carpet stockists.

What’s the ideal flooring for sunny rooms?

With the summer months now upon us, UK homes are seeing an increasing amount of sunlight enter their rooms. While not a vast number of properties here in Britain boast a dedicated sunroom, most residences will have one or two living spaces that enjoy the best of the day’s rays. These rooms are lighter and brighter than other areas around the house, but while this can be a blessing, such spaces require more careful consideration when homeowners select flooring.

Depending on its quality, some floor choices can fade under the sun’s concentrated UV light, so it’s important for purchasers to understand how different flooring is impacted by sunlight. In the next sections, we’ll take a closer look at how three types of floor coverings cope when they’re installed in a room that receives a lot of natural light.

Vinyl floors

Vinyl has become a popular option to floor UK homes. Durable and more cost-effective than natural stone tiles, it is also exceptionally simple to install and care for. It’s worth noting, however, that not all vinyl flooring is created equally, and this means that some will be more susceptible to fading under the sun than others.

Householders who are considering fitting vinyl flooring within a room that will be exposed to plenty of sun should speak to product suppliers and manufacturers first. With expert knowledge, they will be able to inform homeowners of how well each individual vinyl option can stand up to strong sunlight. In a number of cases, property owners may find they’re ready to replace their flooring and redecorate by the time any fading has become obvious, but it’s still worth understanding lifespan of any flooring solution prior to buying.

Laminate floors

Laminate can be a smart choice for bright, sunny rooms. The majority of laminate solutions won’t fade beneath the sun’s rays, making them highly suitable for installations in living spaces that get a lot of light. However, it’s still a wise idea to fit laminate flooring so that the individual planks run away from a room’s windows. This way, any sunlight entering will fall along the length of each floor plank, instead of across their width, avoiding any sign of sun damage. For its ability to withstand the sun’s rays, laminate flooring is a favoured choice for both conservatories and everyday rooms that have multiple windows.

Carpeted floors

Finally, for its luxury look and feel, carpeting is a favoured floor option here in the UK. Celebrated for its warmth, comfort and the vast variety of colours and patterns available, it’s not tricky to see why. While carpets can work in brighter rooms, and many are now made with additional UV protection, they can fade over time, leading to mismatched areas that can be noticeable in larger rooms. Carpet tiles can offer an ideal solution where householders are keen for a softer floor option in their sunny living areas. When a carpet tile becomes sun damaged, it can easily be replaced or rotated with others periodically to lessen the effect.

With a variety of options on offer, homeowners should carefully consider the use of the room and the desired look to select a suitable flooring option for a sunny room.

Scandinavian design named growing carpet tile trend

Scandinavian design carpet tiles are described as a having a simplistic and stripped-back style, and, according to design experts at Dezeen, they are a growing trend in the UK.

Interior designers and architects are being influenced by Scandinavian design and the calming spaces it creates. Scandinavian carpet tiles are in simple, with neutral colours, including beiges, greys and muted shades of orange, yellow and green. A single colour tile next to the same colour a few shades lighter is a typical Scandinavian design element, which creates spaces that are relaxing and peaceful.

Chris Rand of flooring manufacturer Forbo Flooring Systems told Dezeen that the force behind this soothing Scandinavian style is because:

“Every so often we need to pause, reflect and take a moment to focus on what is really important.”

Flatweave Scandinavian-style carpet tiles are easy to maintain and clean, and they can be treated with solutions that resist staining soiling and spills. Adhesive-free tiles are quick to install, with minimum disruption to a business or home.

Flatweave carpet tiles are suitable for high-traffic areas, such as offices, hospitality and retail spaces. Modern carrier tiles are colourfast to resist fading. To decrease noise levels in busy areas, carpet tiles with acoustic properties can be used.

For customers who are concerned about environmental issues, carpet tiles that contain up to 65% recycled materials and are manufactured using renewable energy can be purchased.

If a sophisticated and minimalist feel is required for Chester and North Wales workplaces, choose Scandinavian-style carpet tiles. They are an attractive, long-lasting floor covering for commercial spaces.

How to make a property ready to rent out

You might be a new landlord or letting out numerous residences already, but either way, ensuring your lets are ready to rent is essential. Before renting out a property, landlords must make certain that their properties are as well presented as possible. Not only does this make finding tenants easier, but it can maximise the earning potential of a let as well. In the following sections, we’ll explore some practical tips to that will ensure your property is “rent ready”.

What will prospective tenants want?

If you’re letting a property, it’s vital to understand what tenants might be looking for from their new home. Consider whether you’ll allow pets, include white goods, allow them to redecorate and what value for money they may expect, so you’re prepared for their questions.

Make sure that all the basic necessities and amenities are functioning safely and effectively. Check that heating and hot water are provided, and that electrical power points, features and appliances are all operating at properly.

Make your property a blank canvas

Creating a neutral palette in your property is a wise move. Cream or off-white wall paint and carpets and curtains that don’t favour bold patterns or colours will ensure you create a simple environment that won’t clash with your new tenant’s furnishings and belongings. The more plain your decor is, the wider range of potential tenants you’ll have access to.

When it comes to floor choices for your rental, it’s worth selecting solutions that are hardwearing or easily replaced if they become damaged by tenants. If you want to carpet your let, select darker tones that will hide marks or stains easier, or, alternatively, opt for carpet tiles. Modular in design, they can easily be swapped out for spares if they become worn or damaged.

Ensure your rental is clean and tidy

Start with the outside areas, which will be the first impression people will have that come to view your property. Make sure any outdoor tools are tidied away and that any hedges or lawn areas are well manicured.

Inside, give the rooms an in-depth clean. Hiring a professional can sometimes help with this job, as they have access to superior equipment and have experience at making properties ready for rental. Make sure that bathrooms and kitchen areas really sparkle, and that appliances like fridges and cookers are immaculate.

Use a floor cleaner that suits your flooring solution. If you’ve installed luxury vinyl tile throughout your property, you can use a water-based solution, but for wood and laminate flooring, stick to sweeping and vacuuming to ensure floors aren’t damaged.

Paperwork and keys

Finally, with your property prepared, create an inventory that includes all items you’re supplying with the rental and draw up your tenancy agreements. Make copies for both you and your tenants, and remember to get an extra set of keys cut for their use. With your rental ready, you can contact an estate agent or advertise your property online and start booking viewings.

What’s the best floor choice for a conservatory?

Traditionally, conservatories were created to offer homeowners more sunlight, but today, they are used for a wide range of activities, from dining and working to reading, relaxing and keeping indoor plants. Depending on how you use your conservatory and your preferred look and feel, different floors may be better suited to this part of your property.

In the next passages, we’ll take a look at some different flooring choices, and the reasons they’re worth considering.

Carpet

Wall-to-wall carpeting can give your conservatory a relaxing and cosy feel. If you’re planning to use your space for unwinding with a little luxury, carpet can provide you with a comfortable environment with plenty of colour choices to pick from. For the most part, homeowners tend to opt for neutral tones that can provide a clean and modern appearance.

Always ensure the conservatory carpet you select has colourfast properties to ensure it doesn’t fade when exposed to sunshine over the warmer months of the year. For the best results, moving your furniture around periodically is also a wise move. Carpets may not be the best choice if your conservatory is adjacent to your kitchen, however, where spilled water or leaking appliances could cause lasting damage.

Laminate

Laminate flooring is an exceptional choice for a conservatory if you’re looking for a solution that’s simple to care for. Many conservatories lead out to garden areas, which can mean mud and grass get brought back indoors from time to time. Easy to clean, laminate is perfect for such situations, and it’s also cost-effective compared to the natural stone or wooden floorboards it’s made to emulate. As it’s so simple to maintain, it’s also an excellent choice if you wish to dine in your conservatory.

Luxury vinyl tile (LVT)

Luxury vinyl tiling can provide a smart and stylish floor for your conservatory, ensuring it has a contemporary look and feel. Completely waterproof, it’s also an easy floor choice to clean, and it can cope well with spillages from watering plants if you use your conservatory for sun-loving flora. Like laminate, LVT can resemble materials like timber and stone, and it comes at a fraction of the price of naturally sourced flooring.

Solid wood

Hardwood flooring is not an ideal match for conservatories. The conditions encountered by glass panelled rooms can often cause damage to real wood floors, with the timber boards contracting and expanding under sudden changes in temperature. If you have your heart set on a wooden floor in your conservatory, you might find engineered boards a possibility worth looking into. While you should always take advice from a flooring specialist prior to committing to a purchase, engineered boards are far better at coping with fluctuating temperatures than their solid wood counterparts.

Unlike hardwood, engineered boards feature a multi-layer construction that creates a stability not found in natural timber. While the topmost layer features a solid wood, those added beneath limit the movement of the natural wood that can be caused by alterations in temperature.

Overall, the best choice for a conservatory floor depends on the use and location of the room and personal taste.