John Ellis
Inspiration for a modern kitchen remodel in Los Angeles

These pictures of a Victorian Tiled Hallway are from a property in Canterbury that was once a nursing home and was now being renovated to become a children’s home. The building was being gutted and extended at the same time and when the carpet was pulled up in the hallway, they were surprised to find a relatively intact Victorian tiled floor underneath. Whilst they thought it bizarre that anyone would want to cover up such an attractive floor the carpet had protected it over the years. They realized it would make a marvellous feature at the entrance to the property, but professional restoration would be needed to do it justice. After a bit of research, they came across Tile Doctor and got in touch. Canterbury comes under my North Kent designation, so I went to visit the property and survey the floor and quote for doing the restoration. There were a few missing and loose tiles that would need replacing and refixing also there was a lot of ingrained dirt so a deep clean and application of a new sealer would be required. I gave them a price for the work which they readily accepted, and we arranged a suitable time to carry out the work. Subject to the building schedule I had calculated the floor would take three days to restore. On the first day I set about replacing and re-fixing the missing, broken, and loose tiles. This is delicate work as you need to extract the old tile without disturbing its neighbours and then clean up the area ready for its replacement. Being a Tile Doctor I keep a selection of stock tiles for repairs, some are reclaimed, and some are replica. Also, there are several companies still making Victorian style tiles so I can usually source what I need. After the individual missing and broken tiles had been replaced and the adhesive had set, it was then a matter of renovating the floor as a whole. The tiles were covered in a thick layer of carpet adhesive which needed a combination of specialist tools and products to remove. First, a liberal layer of Tile Doctor Remove and Go was applied and left to dwell for thirty minutes. Next, Tile Doctor Pro-Clean was added and scrubbed in with a black pad. This process softened the adhesive sufficiently in readiness for the next stage which involves using a set of diamond burnishing pads on a weighted buffing machine. Several applications were needed, each time with a successively finer grade of diamond pad and rinsing off the slurry in between. The tiles were first milled using a very coarse 50-grit pad, followed by 100, 200 and finally burnished with a 400-grit burnishing pads. This removed all the adhesive and dirt in the tiles, which was cleaned up using the wet vacuum. Old Victorian floors like this do not have a damp proof membrane installed under the floor, and with a lot of water being used in the cleaning process I was concerned White efflorescence salts could appear later as the floor dried. To counter this, I gave the floor an acid wash using Tile Doctor Acid Gel to counter and dissolve the salts, it also gives the tiles another clean and will remove any old grout smears further improving the appearance of the tiles. Once done the floor was left to dry overnight. On my return I tested the floor was dry by taking several moisture readings around the floor with a damp meter. Applying sealer to a damp floor is never advised and can lead to clouding and an unwanted finish. Happy that the tiles were dry, a single coat of Tile Doctor Colour Grow sealer was applied. This is an impregnating sealer with a colour enhancing component to ‘lift’ the stronger colours of the floor. Colour Grow however does leave a matt appearance and as the client had asked for a shiny finish it was topped up with five coats of Tile Doctor Seal and Go. This is a compatible topical sealer which added a mid to high sheen. By the end of the third day the Victorian floor looked brand new, and I received the following feedback from the client. Its rare to receive feedback from commercial customers so they were clearly overwhelmed with the transformation. Did not think this glued covered bad old floor could look sooooo good Fabulous Fantastic job Looks Amazing Thank you For aftercare I recommend the use of Tile Doctor Neutral Cleaner which isn’t as harsh as many of the products you find in supermarket. Stronger products can actually strip off the sealer over time leaving it vulnerable to dirt and detracting from its appearance. Graham Davis North Kent Tile Doctor

Basement - large traditional look-out light wood floor and beige floor basement idea in Toronto with yellow walls

We base coated ceilings with a red, applied copper metallic glaze solution on top, applied multiple coats of glaz on walls, and applied red mohogany gel stain to crown moulding to create a "wood look" thhp://www.petrichremodelingaustintx.com Petrich Painting & Remodeling Austin Texas

Inspiration for a timeless home design remodel in Other

The client and designer wanted an entry that reflected the historic Josiah Joesler home in the foothills of Tuscon, Arizona; and would also incorporate the antique mesquite floorboards. Starting at the top – on the ceiling coffer a visual texture using frottage was applied. Over the frottage design a Joesler-styled faux wrought iron work was designed around the chandelier, painted in the studio and installed. The next architectural element was then painted and design elements from the wall stencil were applied in plaster with two connecting bands then all was distressed. The large crown is originally a plaster element; that was faux grained to blend with the floor. Because Joesler is known for square headed iron nails, the “boards” were then connected by trompe l’oeil nail heads. On the walls, polished Italian plaster was applied then a “broken” stencil pattern was dry-brushed on in two colors; the walls were then rubbed out in glaze to age.

Example of a classic bathroom design in Chicago

Staircase - large traditional wooden l-shaped staircase idea in Grand Rapids with wooden risers

Living room - transitional living room idea in Toronto

I was contacted about a Georgian property in the Kent village of Leeds , to see if I could do anything to improve a Travertine tiled floor. The use of Travertine was extensive and had been installed throughout the ground floor including the kitchen, dining room, utility and bathroom WC. Travertine is probably my favourite stone, but it is acid sensitive and attracts dirt easily, due to its ‘holey’ composition. Initially we discussed the floor over the phone where I got to know about the issues they were experiencing, and I detailed the renovation process I normally use to restore it including the products and timelines. Naturally they wanted to me to provide a quote for the work however its tricky to do that accurately without seeing the floor, so I arranged a date to pop over. Upon arriving I could see the tiles and the wide grout joints had extensive, ingrained dirt indicating the previous sealer had long since worn away. This is a common issue with stone floors, and to re-assure myself and the client it could be resolved I cleaned a small area in the utility room with pleasing results! This test clean helped me to understand which products and methods would work best on the floor and later that day I emailed over a detailed quote for the renovation. Happy with the quote I received a reply the same day asking when I could start. My colleague and I arrived on the agreed date and work started with adding protection to all areas that required it. We use a lot of water during the cleaning process and some materials such as MDF can become damaged with water ingress, so it makes sense to do this. To get the floor clean, a coarse Carbide Brush fitted to a rotary machine was run over the Travertine tiles to scrub in a strong solution of Tile Doctor Pro-Clean. This process generates a lot of slurry as the dirt was washed out of the stone and grout which is extracted with a wet vacuum as we progressed. Next it was on hands and knees with more Tile Doctor Pro-Clean and handheld brushes run over stubborn areas and along the grout lines to take them from 80% up to 100%. Happy with the results, the next step was to renovate the stone using a series of diamond encrusted burnishing pads. Using only water for lubrication this process starts with the application of a coarse 400-grit burnishing pad attached to the floor buffer. This produces a lot of slurry which again was removed with a wet vacuum. This left the Travertine clean, but the pores of the stone had been opened giving the floor a matt finish and more absorbent than it was originally. To further refine the appearance of the stone the next two burnishing pads were applied which are 800 and 1500-grit. These pads polish the stone and close the pores, restoring the natural sheen in the process. After each pad was applied the slurry was rinsed off the floor with water and extracted with the wet vacuum. Once complete the floor was left to dry off fully overnight. I arrived the next day and took several moisture readings from the floor to check that it had dried off sufficiently overnight. The results were good, so work moved onto sealing the Travertine with two coats of Tile Doctor Ultra Seal which is a natural look impregnating sealer. It works by soaking into the stone, occupying the pores and thereby preventing dirt from becoming ingrained there. This ensures dirt remains on the surface where it is easily cleaned away. The final step in the floor’s renovation was to apply the last of the diamond polishing pads which is a very fine 3000-grit. This pad further improves the polished appearance of the stone resulting in a satisfying sheen. The work made a massive difference to the floor, and I received an email the next day from one of the owners who was really pleased with the transformation: ”Floors look brilliant. Very pleased.” For the care and maintenance of polished sealed floors I recommend the use of Tile Doctor’s Stone Soap which is a gentle but effective cleaning product that won’t impact the sealer and contains a patina enhancer. When it comes to sealed floors my mantra is: “If you look after the sealer, the sealer will look after the floor!” Graham Davis North Kent Tile Doctor

Inspiration for a transitional kitchen remodel in New York

• $13,999 for a bathroom remodel, up to 40 square feet, labor and materials included • Offer includes: complete detailed 3d design; demolition and haul away existing: shower; tile floor, vanity, counter, sink, faucet, medicine vanity, light fixture, exhaust fan, toilet, and mirror if needed; installation of single shower head valve; installation of spray handle with diverter; installation of (1) standard 4 inch led waterproof recessed light on 1 switch above tub per plan; installation of fan light combination with humidity sensor on separate switch per plan (provided by home owner); installation of light bar above vanity (provided by home owner), upgrade outlets to gfi, switches and outlets to be standard white décor, pass rough inspection, repair drywall as necessary after rough work; installation of ceramic or porcelain tile on bathroom floor, apply grout, apply sealer over grout (not on tile); paint complete bathroom walls and ceiling; installation of freestanding prefabricated vanity with its own countertop (provided by homeowner); build and installation of custom stained alder or maple vanity; installation of knobs and handles (provided by home owner); installation of 4 inch tile MDF base molding; provide, cut, fabricate, and installation of 4 inch backsplash; installation of undermount sink and faucet; installation of toilet; installation of mirror, towel bar and toilet paper holder (provided by homeowner); pass final inspection • Finish material to be provided by the homeowner (tile, plumbing fixtures, vanity and other finish materials will be provided by home owner) • Offer excludes: relocations of plumbing and electrical; tile installation on slab foundation; structural work • Permits are not included • Payment for this offer will be made directly to New Act Construction. • Limit 1 offer per household The Real Deal: Achieve the bathroom you have dreamed of for with this offer. The Fine Print • Not valid for cash back • Offer cannot be combined with other specials or offers • Offer cannot be applied to current or past jobs • Appointments are to be performed during normal business hours • Image may not reflect exact product/service • Offer expires 6 months from date of acquisition

Stretched brushed lime paint should be applied in vertical movements using a brush. Slight variations with subtle striated nuances appear, reminiscent of antique walls. This vertical effect gives a matte and delicate grain to the wall. This lime wash coating gives a sober yet highly decorative style with a traditional natural finish and subtle striated nuances. The stretched effect is perfectly suited for medium shades. OR Cloudy brushed lime paint should be applied in regular movements at different angles, using a brush. This technique creates nuances reminiscent of the marks on antique walls. Cloudy brushed lime paint gives a dense and textured decorative look with its matte grained finish. The cloudy effect embellishes light, medium and dark shades. Burnished lime paint should be applied using a stainless steel trowel and in rounded, supple layers. This visual effect is that of the lustrous lime wash in Ancient Rome which has been perpetuated by various cultures including Tadelakt in Morocco. Burnished lime paint renders a spectacular mineral look with matte and shiny variations which you can accentuate by using our water-based finishing wax. Ideal for light and medium shades.

Home design - traditional home design idea in Other

High quality bamboo panels help to transform your indoor or outdoor space into a tropical paradise. Use bamboo wall panels to cover walls, ceilings, partitions, and entryways. These attractive furniture accents are suited for any home or business striving to achieve island flair. You'll find bamboo panels with distinctive patterns, weaves, and colors that add a unique look to any home or business. Although these fine bamboo products are available in a variety of colors and designs, you can also use the stain of your choice to create a different pattern or color scheme as you change your room's decor. Bamboo strips are precisely milled and applied to a thin fabric backing with non toxic glue to create a seamless bamboo wall covering. Use them as a bamboo wall or bamboo ceiling covering to create a pattern throughout a room, hallway or backyard oasis. Bamboo paneling is a flexible material that can be applied to concave or convex surfaces, flat walls and ceilings, round or square columns, and it installs easily using nails, glue, or staples. Restaurants use bamboo paneling to create beautiful counter and tabletops by applying resin to their surface. Bamboo panels, lend an exciting look to any commercial, retail, or hospitality environment.

Roy Robles
Mid-sized elegant enclosed living room photo in Dallas with a media wall

Newly refinished dark hardwood floors in open living space with natural light highlighting the rich stain and smooth finish. Austin, TX floor renovation