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| Maple Wood Refacing |
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| New Granite Counter Tops |
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| Pendent Lights |
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Friday, January 21, 2011
Caruso Kitchen Refacing - Avon
Monday, January 17, 2011
Beautiful Countertops For Life by West Construction
Beautiful Countertops For Life
(HIT) - Picture your perfect kitchen or bath. Is it warm and comfortable? Sleek and modern? Whatever you envision, Artisan Group can bring it to life. Our national network of professional fabricators offers a unique variety of top-of-the-line countertops and accessories to make your home beautiful and luxurious. From natural granite to reclaimed wood, our product lines, Artisan Stone Collection, Saratoga Soapstone, Heritage Wood Collection, along with Firstline Sealers and our selection of Kohler® Sinks and Faucets, provide all of the options you'll need to create your perfect space.
Counter Top Buying Guide
With so many different options on the market, selecting a countertop can seem difficult and overwhelming. To help you sort through all the information and assist you in making the perfect choice, Artisan Group offers this Countertop Buying Guide.
Granite
Granite is the countertop material that defines elegance in a kitchen. The exquisiteness of the stone contributes to the beauty of even the most modest kitchen. In kitchens and bathrooms where durability and stain resistance is of the utmost importance, the resilience of granite makes it a practical choice. No other material lasts longer or looks more elegant. Granite is a superb choice for any project inside or outside including walls and floors.
Advantages of Granite:
- Natural
- Heat, scratch and stain resistant and nearly impossible to damage with simple, proper care and cleaning
- Looks and feels permanent and substantial
- Lasts a lifetime
- Maintenance-free
- Second-highest hardness rating after diamonds
- Has a high value to homebuyers
Saratoga Soapstone
Long a preferred choice for kitchen countertops, soapstone brings together the best of style, function and versatility. Contrasting patterns and shading add to stone’s natural beauty, imparting a unique appearance that can never be exactly duplicated. Quarried naturally with absolutely no synthetics, Saratoga Soapstone by Artisan Group offers a unique, soft color with light flowing veins in five distinctive colors: Hudson Ash, Mineral Black, Saratoga Black, Stillwater Grey and Vineyard Green. When oiled, soapstone exhibits an even more dramatic color variation. Soapstone is practically indestructible, requires almost no maintenance and adds elegance and enduring value to any project. It is not necessary to use oil or sealers on Saratoga Soapstone, but for those who prefer an enhanced patina effect, Saratoga Wax will bring out a dark richness to the stone’s natural color.Advantages of Soapstone:
· Natural: Soapstone is quarried naturally with no synthetics; composed primarily of talc, chlorite, dolomite and magnetite.
· Heat Resistant: No damage is caused when hot pans or dishes are placed on surface.
· Stain Resistant: Soapstone is inert, meaning acids and alkalis will not harm the surface and normal household items will not stain.
· Versatile: Easier to cut and shape than marble or granite, so joints can be made inconspicuous.
· Unique: Offers a unique, soft color with light flowing veins. When oiled, soapstone exhibits an even more dramatic color variation.
Wood
Wood countertops offer a beautiful warm and inviting look and are available in a wide range of colors and finishes. If you’re looking for a sustainable countertop, reclaimed wood is a great option because it complies with LEED standards and is the most eco-friendly of countertops.
Wood is one of the more sanitary products for the kitchen, with inherent properties to protect it from bacteria build-up. Maintenance is required, including regular mineral oil treatments, particularly near the sink. Wood oxidizes over time, so some wood countertops may change their color a bit. Wood countertops are considered easy to repair. When they need refreshing, most only require a bit of sanding with a 220 fine-grit sandpaper and re-oiling.
Advantages of Wood:
- Natural with many eco-friendly options
- Easy to clean
- Provides a smooth, even surface
- Warm appearance and renewable surface
- Very sanitary with inherent anti-bacterial properties
- Won’t dull knife blades; great for cooking
- Provides a convenient, built-in chopping/food prep area
- After heavy usage, most knife marks and deeper scratches can be removed by sanding and re-oiling
- Works well with undermount sinks
Care and Use
Countertops are a significant investment in your home and Artisan Group wants to ensure that your countertops remain as beautiful as the day they were installed. That's why we offer several specialized products designed to care for and protect Artisan Stone surfaces including our signature sealer, daily clean & restore and shine spray.
Our signature Firstline Care & Use products make taking care of your countertops effortless and guarantee that they stay looking new.
Why Artisan Group
When choosing a countertop for your home, quality should be your top priority. Artisan Group offers the best surfaces imported from the best sources around the globe. Exceptional granite slabs and wood countertops of exquisite color, depth and richness. Take a look at our extensive offering and discover an amazing range of colors, styles and finishes, all guaranteed to help create the home of your dreams.
Our quality and experience make Artisan Group your number-one source for countertop information. Artisan Group has more Marble Institute of America accreditations than any other group, meaning they rank at the top for stone fabrication shops. We offer several resources to help you make the most informed choice possible. Be sure to visit our website for answers to questions about selecting and installing kitchen and bath countertops and other surfaces.
To contact us for more information about the new Artisan Product Catalog visit the Artisan website or call 1-512-263-7625.
About Artisan Group™
With 35 members and growing, Artisan Group covers most major markets in the U.S. and Canada, and it can handle a variety of fabrication needs from a local to national scale. Its members average more than 20 years of fabrication experience in the countertop industry, and all Artisan Group members have achieved, or have begun the process to achieve, full accreditation with the Marble Institute of America. The group is among the first granite fabricators in the world to be working towards this distinction. Collectively, Artisan Group surpassed $350 million in sales in 2009.
Brands of the Artisan Stone Collection include Exotic & Classic Granite, Modesto Granite (starting at $35/square foot) and Saratoga Soapstone. It also offers a marble collection as well as Heritage Wood surfacing products. Apart from countertops, the Artisan Group supplies the Firstline collection of granite care products as well as Kohler sinks and faucets through an exclusive specialty dealer program with the Kohler Company. For more information, visit www.artisan-counters.com.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Want More Space? More Privacy?
Want More Space? More Privacy?
Think "Pocket Door"
(HIT) - Ever think of how much space a standard swinging door can eat up? Anywhere from 8 to 10 square feet around the entryway. So think about this: any room or hallway can virtually be expanded -- just by installing a door-in-the-wall with the Johnson Pocket Door Frame. Pocket doors take up zero floor space.
Whether homeowners want to put in converging doors-in-the-wall to make a grand entrance into a dining room or just need a single unit to save space in a kitchen, the Johnson Pocket Door Frame fits doors up to 5 feet wide by 9 feet high. The Johnson Pocket Door Frame works with all doors 1-1/8" to 1-3/4" thick and weighing up to 125 pounds. Heavy-duty ball-bearing hangers are available for sliding doors up to 300 pounds.
Pocket doors are especially convenient for walk-in closets, bathrooms, powder rooms, bedrooms, between a kitchen and dining room or in doorways that only need to be closed occasionally.
To provide years of maintenance-free, smooth operation, the Johnson Pocket Door Frame is designed to eliminate the problems traditionally associated with a door-in-the-wall.
The track's box shape and convex rails make it impossible for hanger wheels to jump off. Special keyhole slots allow the track to be removed easily without tearing out a wall. And with Johnson's unique hanger clip system, the door can be remove the door for painting or staining after the drywall and trim are in place.
The Johnson Pocket Door Frame also has self-adjusting anchors to allow floor settling without disturbing the horizontal alignment of the header and track.
To keep the frame straight and provide a rigid surface for attaching wall materials, the Johnson Pocket Door Frame is clad with rust-resistant, zinc-coated steel sides and back plating. This also prevents drywall nails from penetrating the stud and scratching the pocket door.
Pocket door frames are installed with basic hand tools. The Pocket Door Frame comes with all hardware components including a pre-assembled track and header. A carpenter can install the pocket door frame in about ten minutes. Figure a little more time for a handyman.
Accessories include a converging door kit for joining two pocket door frames, doors pulls and privacy locks. The privacy locks fit standard pre-bored doors and can be installed without cutting the door and invalidating the manufacturer's warranty.
For a free ideas brochure, call 1-800-837-5664 or write to L. E. Johnson Products, Inc., Department PDFK, 2100 Sterling Avenue, Elkhart, IN 46516 or visit their web site at http://www.johnsonhardware.com
Photocaption:
Create extra space and provide privacy between kitchens and adjoining rooms. Johnson's Pocket Door Frame lets you do it easily and economically. In addition, Johnson’s patented-design Pocket Door Lock can be installed within minutes--without invalidating the door manufacturer’s warranty.
Friday, January 14, 2011
How To Repaint A Room In A Weekend: 10 Tips To Save You Time (and Money)
How To Repaint A Room In A Weekend: 10 Tips To Save You Time (and Money)
(HIT) - Recent surveys reveal that consumers will be doing a lot of remodeling this year. But with the sluggish economy, many are opting for do-it-yourself projects to squeeze the most out of their budgets. One of the most common undertakings: interior painting.
“Nearly everyone agrees that some jobs – like reroofing or electrical work – are best left to the pros, but most people think they can do their own painting,” says Debbie Zimmer, spokesperson for the Paint Quality Institute. “And, generally speaking, they’re right.”
According to Zimmer, many people regard painting as a weekend project. As such, they want to see the fruits of their labor by Sunday night. “That’s a realistic goal, but to achieve it, you have to plan out the job and be well-organized,” she says.
If your organizational skills leave something to be desired, Zimmer offers some suggestions:
- Get all of your furniture out of the way by moving it to the center of the room, using plastic sliders on heavy items so you don’t have to lift them. Cover everything with plastic, blankets, or old sheets. Then, put down drop-cloths to protect your floors from stray droplets of paint.
- Scrub all the surfaces you’ll be painting with a sponge and mild household detergent solution before going to the paint store. That will give them time to dry while you’re out shopping.
- Making multiple trips to the paint store can consume gobs of time, so try to do all of your shopping in just one visit. Before leaving your home, see what painting tools and accessories you have on hand, then create a shopping list ... or save even more time by going to www.paintquality.comto download a helpful checklist.
- Buy technologically-advanced top quality 100% acrylic latex interior paint. These durable paints often hide the color that’s underneath quickly and effectively, saving you not only time and effort, but money as well.
- Tape the edges of the surfaces you’ll be painting to enable you to apply the paint faster. You’ll quickly recover the time spent doing this. And taping will make your finished paint job look a lot neater.
- Work “top down”: paint the ceiling; then the walls; next, the windows and trim; and, lastly, the baseboards. Following this sequence will help keep just-painted surfaces free of paint spatter or drip marks and cut down time spent on touch-up work.
- When painting a ceiling or wall, start by “cutting in” a corner section with a paintbrush, applying a 3” band of paint around the edge. This will enable you to quickly fill in the area with a paint roller. Repeat this process in 3-foot increments.
- Apply the paint liberally. Trying to “stretch” your paint by applying a thin coat is false economy: You might end up needing a second coat to completely hide the original color.
- Assuming that you purchased top quality 100% acrylic latex paint, your cleanup will be a snap. Being water-based, these paints can be quickly and easily cleaned off of brushes and rollers with plain soap and water.
- The last time-saver when using top quality latex paint? Not having to wait for the “paint smell” to go away. Eco-friendly latex paints have very little odor, so you can put a freshly-painted room back into service right away.
For more tips on saving time and money when doing interior painting, Zimmer suggests that you invest a few minutes checking out the Paint Quality Institute website at www.paintquality.com.
About the Paint Quality Institute (SM)
The Paint Quality Institute (SM) was formed by Rohm and Haas Company (now a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”)) in 1989 to educate people on the advantages of using quality interior and exterior paints and coatings. The Paint Quality Institute's goal is to provide information on the virtues of quality paint as well as color trends and decorating with paint through a variety of vehicles, including television appearances, newspaper and magazine articles, and instructional literature. Please be sure to visit the Paint Quality Institute at www.paintquality.com
About Dow
Dow combines the power of science and technology with the “Human Element” to passionately innovate what is essential to human progress. The Company connects chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help address many of the world's most challenging problems such as the need for clean water, renewable energy generation and conservation, and increasing agricultural productivity. Dow's diversified industry-leading portfolio of specialty chemical, advanced materials, agrosciences and plastics businesses delivers a broad range of technology-based products and solutions to customers in approximately 160 countries and in high growth sectors such as electronics, water, energy, coatings and agriculture. In 2009, Dow had annual sales of $45 billion and employed approximately 52,000 people worldwide. The Company's more than 5,000 products are manufactured at 214 sites in 37 countries across the globe. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted. More information about Dow can be found at www.dow.com.
Battening Down The Winter Home Hatches
Battening Down The Winter Home Hatches
by Carole Stewart
(HIT) - For much of the country winter is, in spite of its beauty and diversity, long. Getting a head start on home maintenance can pay generous dividends in terms of damage that doesn’t happen over those lengthy months.
First and Most Important
ü Clean gutters and downspouts. A clogged gutter or downspout can freeze and wreak havoc on your home. Make a point of checking your gutters and downspouts well before daytime temperatures dip below 32º F.
ü Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors using the testing feature on each device. Replace batteries and inoperable units as needed.
ü Recharge or replace fire extinguishers. Check the gauge on every fire extinguisher to make sure it’s fully charged (arrow pointing to the green area of the gauge). Remove each extinguisher from its mounting bracket and turn upside down to help prevent the dry chemicals inside from caking on the bottom over time. If your fire extinguishers are more than one year old, consider having them inspected by a professional.
ü Check furnace vents. If your home has a forced air furnace, check to make sure that vents in primary living areas are open and unobstructed. You can partially close vents located in less frequently used rooms, but don't close them all the way unless you're sure there is no chance of water pipes freezing as a result. Keep in mind that temperatures inside the walls of your home will be lower than adjacent living areas.
ü Stock up on furnace filters. Dirty furnace filters waste energy. They also force your furnace to work harder to heat your home. Your owner’s manual should explain what types of filters are best for your furnace, and how often they need to be changed. Keep in mind that a high-efficiency air filter will trap more dirt than a conventional filter and may need to be replaced more frequently to keep your furnace from overheating.
ü Schedule checkups for all home heating systems. Regular maintenance can helps keep furnaces, wood stoves, chimneys and other home heating components in top working order. Experts recommend that you schedule an annual inspection by a qualified professional for each system, but service intervals may vary from one system or manufacturer to another, so play it safe and check your owner’s manual or contact heating system manufacturer for guidance.
ü Replacing worn out weather stripping around windows and doors can dramatically decrease your home heating costs. Weather strips are easy to replace, and should pay for themselves in a very short time.
ü Inspect the insulation in attics and crawl spaces. Over time, fiberglass insulation panels sagging away from rafters, joists and wall cavities, allows cold air to penetrate your home. Duct tape can be used to reseat a small problem area, but extensive sagging may indicate a moisture problem. Try to determine the source of this problem before you replace large areas of insulation. And, if you decide to replace the insulation yourself, make sure you follow manufacturer guidelines for personal protective equipment.
ü Protect exterior water valves. Hose bibs located in an unheated garage or on the outside of your home may need to be covered to prevent freezing damage. Inexpensive insulating covers work well, but it’s still a good idea to shut off and drain the water supply.
ü Stock up on ice melt products to keep walks and driveways clear. Supplies often become depleted during snowstorms.
ü New flashlight batteries, a battery operated weather radio, and a portable heat source are a good idea.
ü Finally, don’t overlook the need for water during extreme weather related emergencies. One five gallon jug of water could mean the difference between relative comfort and “hazardous” living conditions.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Saturday, January 1, 2011
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