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Archive for the ‘Ceramic/Porcelain’ Category

Sep-27-2010

What’s Wrong With This Kitchen?

Posted by creatingyourspace under Ceramic/Porcelain, Design and Decorating

On the surface, this kitchen is alright if a bit dull, but look beyond the obvious – the floor is just not a fit. The light shaker cabinets allow the black countertops and appliances to really pop. Then the flooring, with its total lack of contrast with the cabinets, removes any chance of excitement in the design.

This kitchen had another opportunity to add a surprising element with the backsplash, but instead it’s just the same white as the inside of the glass-fronted cabinet, taking the energy right out of the room. Every kitchen deserves some drama, and this one was definitely short-changed.

Instead of what we see here, imagine the space with a black and white tile floor in a checkerboard pattern and a bright backsplash in an orange and red mosaic of contemporary glass tiles. These simple changes would turn this room into something that would make guests stop and stare instead of just walking past, waving at the cook on their way to the living room.

Why not go a little wild in your kitchen? You’ll be glad you did!

karin-croppedBelow is an interview with Design Consultant Karin Stalteri. Please read on to get to know Karin a little better!

What is your name and position with Carpets N More? Karin Stalteri – Design Consultant / Residential Contract Manager. I work in a dual role both as a design consultant meeting with customers to pick out their flooring and countertops as well as manage residential builder accounts.

How long have you been with the company? A little over 2 years

What is your favorite thing about Carpets N More? Getting to use my creativity

What do you think makes Carpets N More unique? We are able to provide our customers with great pricing because we do so much volume as opposed to some other stores and design centers that have very little work and are not able to pass on or provide their customers with these types of discounts and pricing.

Do you have a memorable customer experience that you can share? Just about every experience is memorable. I always enjoy the ones where people really care about their home and having it be something special.  I encourage people to take the time to really make smart choices that they are going to love now and for years to come.

Why should a customer choose Carpets N More over a box store or another retail store? Better pricing and customer service

What is the best part about your position? Helping people create a unique home.

If there’s one thing you could tell past, current or future customers, what would it be? Seal your grout and don’t get carpet that is too light!

What’s your favorite floor in your home and why? My entryway. I have a custom made medallion and it creates a great first impression.

If you could have any product that Carpets N More sells in your home what would it be? Antico Hardwood

Mar-10-2010

How to Dress Up a Plain Shower

Posted by creatingyourspace under Ceramic/Porcelain

dsc_0184If you are planning a bathroom project where you plan to put tile in a shower or in a tub surround – WAIT and read this first. We would like to show you  some easy and cost effective ways to use decorative tiles to give your shower or tub surround a custom or designer look.

First things first, let’s talk about the different types of decorative tiles:

  • Listellos – these are decorative tiles that are often referred to as liners, feature strips, borders and a variety of other terms.  Listellos are usually long rather than square.
  • Inserts – inserts are usually 4×4 or 6×6 decorative tiles that are sold individually and have a decorative design that indicates that they are to be used sparingly and not to cover a large area.
  • Mosaics – Tile size 2”x2” and smaller are usually referred to as mosaics and are often used with different colors to create a pattern or decorative inset. Some of these smaller tiles also come in different shapes, such as hexagon.

Here are some ideas about what you can do with them!

Remember that sometimes simple is better. If you fall in love with a decorative tile, mosaic or insert – that doesn’t mean that you have to use as many as you can, everywhere you can. Another way to think about these types of tiles is as accessories or jewelry. Sure, the shower or outfit will look fine without them, but think about how much better an outfit looks when it is properly accessorized.

  • Use a listello as a decorative band. These can be installed at chair rail height or around eye level.
  • Create a picture frame border on the back wall of a shower or tub surround and change the inside of the picture frame to a different tile or different direction.
  • Use decorative inserts to randomly scatter throughout an area. Remember that sometimes simple is better. If you fall in love with a decorative tile, mosaic or insert – that doesn’t mean that you have to use as many as you can, everywhere you can.
  • Mosaics can be used in many different ways. Mosaics usually come on a mesh-mounted sheet for easier installation. These sheets can be cut into different size strips, squares or any shape you can imagine. You can really use your imagination when it comes to mosaics as to how they can be applied. Unlike listellos and inserts, mosaics can be used in large quantities for drama and effect.

These are just a few ideas of how you can use decorative tiles to dress up an area or give it a designer look. Feel free to come by our showroom and give us more detail about your project so we can find the best way to use decorative tiles in your project!

Mar-10-2010

How to Dress Up a Plain Shower

Posted by creatingyourspace under Ceramic/Porcelain

dsc_0184If you are planning a bathroom project where you plan to put tile in a shower or in a tub surround – WAIT and read this first. We would like to show you  some easy and cost effective ways to use decorative tiles to give your shower or tub surround a custom or designer look.

First things first, let’s talk about the different types of decorative tiles:

  • Listellos – these are decorative tiles that are often referred to as liners, feature strips, borders and a variety of other terms.  Listellos are usually long rather than square.
  • Inserts – inserts are usually 4×4 or 6×6 decorative tiles that are sold individually and have a decorative design that indicates that they are to be used sparingly and not to cover a large area.
  • Mosaics – Tile size 2”x2” and smaller are usually referred to as mosaics and are often used with different colors to create a pattern or decorative inset. Some of these smaller tiles also come in different shapes, such as hexagon.

Here are some ideas about what you can do with them!

Remember that sometimes simple is better. If you fall in love with a decorative tile, mosaic or insert – that doesn’t mean that you have to use as many as you can, everywhere you can. Another way to think about these types of tiles is as accessories or jewelry. Sure, the shower or outfit will look fine without them, but think about how much better an outfit looks when it is properly accessorized.

  • Use a listello as a decorative band. These can be installed at chair rail height or around eye level.
  • Create a picture frame border on the back wall of a shower or tub surround and change the inside of the picture frame to a different tile or different direction.
  • Use decorative inserts to randomly scatter throughout an area. Remember that sometimes simple is better. If you fall in love with a decorative tile, mosaic or insert – that doesn’t mean that you have to use as many as you can, everywhere you can.
  • Mosaics can be used in many different ways. Mosaics usually come on a mesh-mounted sheet for easier installation. These sheets can be cut into different size strips, squares or any shape you can imagine. You can really use your imagination when it comes to mosaics as to how they can be applied. Unlike listellos and inserts, mosaics can be used in large quantities for drama and effect.

These are just a few ideas of how you can use decorative tiles to dress up an area or give it a designer look. Feel free to come by our showroom and give us more detail about your project so we can find the best way to use decorative tiles in your project!

dal-z846cafeReader Question:

What is the appropriate size grout joint width for rectified tiles?

Answer:

This question was submitted by Stuart Harris in the Las Vegas Craig Showroom and answered with support from Dal Tile.

Rectified tiles continue to increase in popularity, particularly in the commercial arena. For years, the
industry and Dal-Tile have recommended that Rectified tiles can be installed with a 1/16” grout joint.
However, installations have become more time consuming and difficult to ensure compliant installations when attempting to install a Rectified tile with a 1/16” grout
joint. In response, the new TCNA (Tile Council of North America) Handbook addresses this issue by
stating that “the actual grout joint size shall be at least 3 times the actual variation of
facial dimensions of the tile.” To simplify: Rectified tiles, regardless of size, shall have a grout joint
width no less than 1/8”.

Thanks, Stuart and Dal Tile!