Tuesday, August 26, 2008

white subway bathroom tile photogallery.

In this photo gallery we installed a product bought from dal-tile. We installed all new Hardi-backer board inside the shower and green board around the rest of the bathroom. We also installed the new floor which was again bought from dal-tile. For a house that was almost a hundred years old, the job for the most part went without a hitch. After these photos were taken the bath was updated with a small black granite vanity and some stainless steel fixtures. They really added the final touch.

Enjoy!

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

"Boost your home's value with hardwood flooring"

I came across a great article on bizjournals.com. It explains the benifits of having hardwood flooring when trying to sell your house. Enjoy....

"In today's volatile economy, it's very difficult to predict what will happen in the housing market. In fact, Colorado has the highest home foreclosure rate in the country, according to RealtyTrac.

That doesn't mean consumers shouldn't invest money into a home, rather that they must be conscientious when making home improvements to ensure money spent will provide a good return on investment when it's time to sell.

One of today's top trends in home improvements is the addition or renovation of hardwood floors. With many decor trends, fads change and go out of style before a project can even be completed. However, hardwood flooring offers a timeless and classic design that will stand the test of time. Consumers have a wide array of choices when it comes to hardwood flooring, from which rooms to install it in, types of hardwoods to install and floor-laying designs.

Home decorators and designers will be the first to tell you that hardwood flooring offers ageless elegance and style to any living area.

"Hardwood flooring is the one of the most popular design elements in Colorado residential design projects. The new styles and materials available offer homeowners the ability to completely redefine a room with just one element," said Kristin Schmidt of Amirob & Associates, a Denver-based interior design firm.

This is especially true of kitchen renovations. Years ago, it was unthinkable to put hardwood floors in a room such as the kitchen, with the risk of water damage and dings or scratches. However, with the new types of hardwood floors available today, homeowners needn't be concerned about damaging a floor by dropping an item while cooking, or spilling liquids on the floor. In fact, floors such as bamboo and walnut are incredibly strong and perfect for withstanding an environment such as the kitchen.

Bamboo and walnut aren't the only new types of hardwood floors hitting the market. Exotic flooring such as Brazilian cherry hardwood, Santos mahogany, Tiete chestnut and even cork are in high demand.

Exotic hardwood flooring was once available only to architects and designers for high-end commercial use, but now numerous national retailers are offering a wide range of hardwood species. These hardwoods come from all over the world, offering a great variety for consumers.

For example, tigerwood, from South America, has bold black striping that accents reddish-brown hues. The Brazilian cherry is available in tan to reddish brown with black streaks. With so many options, consumers can find nearly any look they desire to perfectly complement any room in their home.

To add additional charm and value to the home, some consumers are opting to add designs to their hardwood flooring. The days of simply installing a one-length staggered oak are long over.

To create individuality, consumers are integrating design and patterns into their hardwood flooring. Custom stains and finishes, adding patterns such as geometric medallions and specialty borders, and even integrating wood flooring with other materials such as stone or slate have become popular choices with homeowners.

Consumers can accent hardwood flooring by adding a painted border or design to reflect their own personal style or even mix species of hardwood floors to create a unique, one-of-a-kind look. It's always important to work with an experienced design expert on any of these options to be sure the look is exactly what you want.

When working with designers or installers, always ask to see photographs of their past projects. Many designers can provide you with ideas and options for your flooring that you may have never seen before. Also, ask your designer to show you samples of the flooring options he or she has in mind for you. You might be surprised how different a shade of wood can look when it's standing alone compared to when it's next to your cabinets and counters.

Finally, talk to your designer or installer about your options. No one knows the benefits and downfalls of a product better than those that install and sell it every day.

Although hardwood flooring is more durable than consumers may think, it does require special care. All-purpose cleaners can leave soap or residue on the hardwood floor, and vinegar and water solutions are acidic and can damage the gloss or finish.

It's advisable to invest in a cleaning system designed specifically for hardwood floors, such as the Orange Glo Hardwood Floor Care System. Keeping hardwood floors looking shiny and new is essential for protecting the investment and increasing home value. In fact, the addition of hardwood floors can raise the value of your home by up to $10,000, according to the Hardwood Information Center, more than justifying the cost and effort of installation.

Hardwood floors long have been a beautiful accent in the home, but today are becoming a popular focal point. Whether you love wood for the natural tranquil feeling it provides, because it's a cost-effective design option, because you can custom-design your own floors or simply because of ease of maintenance, hardwood flooring is a great choice in any home.

Mallori Hamilton is an interior designer for Mitchell Plus, a Denver-based architecture firm. Reach her at 303-477-2770 or mallorih@mitchellplus.com.
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