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Your yard: The local party spot?See how a couple converted their yard into a neighborhood gathering place.
May home-maintenance checklistSummer is almost here, and it’s time to prep for the hotter months.
The house that Craigslist builtSeattle man's remodel project focuses on reclaimed items bought online.
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15 genius ideas for showers and tubsMake your daily ritual something to look forward to with these designs.
Hide your home's worst blemishesAdd whimsy, privacy or style with these 10 features.
11 tips for an easy-clean houseFrom carpet to cabinets, these changes will knock time off your chores.

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Flooring with personality
Think beyond basic hardwoods and give your floors personality. A few decorative touches will add some serious interest underfoot.
Mosaic tile
Soft green walls and mosaic tile in shades of blue contribute to the ocean feel of this bedroom. To up the wow factor, limit a patterned tile to one or two rooms and keep other patterns in the space to a bare minimum.
Get this look: Paccha Fretwork-on-Four Tiles in Azure/Indigo/Turquoise, $18.50 per square foot; annsacks.com.
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Flooring with personality
Porcelain tile
An often cost-effective material, porcelain tile offers a variety of looks. In this Miami condo, the large, reflective tiles contribute to the sleek, modern aesthetic. The cool surface feels nice underfoot in a warm climate.
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Flooring with personality
Stone tile
Hard-wearing stone tiles such as granite, travertine, marble or limestone (shown here) offer a variety of looks, from refined and elegant to casual and rustic. Consider pairing your stone floor with a wood ceiling that will absorb noise in the room.
Read: Is bamboo flooring really 'green'?
- On our blog, 'Listed': Painted floor adds charm, hides flaws
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Flooring with personality
Stone pavers
Naturally shaped stone pavers add to the beach-chic feel of this Mediterranean-modern house in Malibu, Calif. The color calls to mind the sand that is just outside.
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Flooring with personality
Antique tile
Reclaimed or antique tiles offer a richness and patina that are unmatched by new products. The terra-cotta tiles in this Vero Beach, Fla., home are from Paris, and are used indoors and out to bring continuity to the space.
Get this look: Antique French Parrefeuille; parisceramics.com.
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Flooring with personality
Reclaimed hardwood
This earth-friendly choice is made from structures that were destined for demolition. The lumber, which is often made of old-growth hardwood, is durable and can be remilled to suit any taste. Here, reclaimed white oak is well-suited to the mostly white décor.
Read: Is bamboo flooring really 'green'?
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Flooring with personality
Wide-plank hardwood
The simple wax finish on this floor protects the surface from sand and allows subtle imperfections to shine through. "The wide-plank wood feels so good on bare feet," designer Tim Clarke says. "It's like having a boardwalk in the house."
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Flooring with personality
Painted hardwood — white
Wake up tired hardwood floors with paint. Color and pattern distract from imperfections, and the floor will get better with age if mopped with soap and water.
Three rules to paint by:
- Before painting, sand floors and vacuum thoroughly.
- Choose interior/exterior porch-and-floor enamel. It's more durable than standard paint.
- After the paint has dried, always apply a second coat.
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Flooring with personality
Painted hardwood — pattern
For more color or pattern underfoot, paint provides endless options. Stripes and checks are created easily with a little math and plenty of painters tape, or consider hiring an artist for something truly special. Like the rugs they render superfluous, painted floors command attention and set the tone for a room's décor.
- On our blog, 'Listed': Painted floor adds charm, hides flaws
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Flooring with personality
Wall-to-wall carpet
Carpet has fallen out of favor in recent years, but it is still a practical and economical choice in low-traffic areas, or where you want an extra-soft surface, such as a child's room or bedroom. For added durability, look for stain-resistant versions.
Read: Is bamboo flooring really 'green'?
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Flooring with personality
Concrete
Readily available and durable, concrete can be stained, stamped and even painted to suit a variety of personal styles. But the texture can also be cold or severe, so soften the look with warm wood tones and gently draped fabrics like this linen slipcover.
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