This home gym was created with CrossFit workout in mind. The heavy-duty grade Rogue Fitness rack serves as the anchor to the space. The rubber dumbbells rest on the steel rack steps away from the adjustable decline and incline bench. The ½” thick rubber flooring makes for a sound base for serious workouts as well as sound absorption for the 800-Watt micro subwoofer as well as the 300 Watt combined ceiling speakers. We added a wall of mirrors on two walls which provide depth and the illusion of the room being enlarged. The Concept 2 rower can sit upright after heavy cardio use to make room for whatever workout is thrown at the gym.

This home gym was created with CrossFit workout in mind. The heavy-duty grade Rogue Fitness rack serves as the anchor to the space. The rubber dumbbells rest on the steel rack steps away from the adjustable decline and incline bench. The ½” thick rubber flooring makes for a sound base for serious workouts as well as sound absorption for the 800-Watt micro subwoofer as well as the 300 Watt combined ceiling speakers. We added a wall of mirrors on two walls which provide depth and the illusion of the room being enlarged. The Concept 2 rower can sit upright after heavy cardio use to make room for whatever workout is thrown at the gym.

The custom curved wood staircase features a one of a kind exterior mounted iron spindles and declining crafted wood volutes.
Example of a french country entryway design in Calgary

The pictures below are of a Riven Slate floor at a house in in the Leeds suburb of Horsforth which had been laid ten years prior. It’s probably difficult to appreciate from the images but the sealer on this floor was well worn through in the high traffic areas making it patchy in places. Without the protection of the sealer dirt was now ingrained in the pores of the stone leaving it looking dull. Riven slate is always tricky to clean thoroughly due to the rough surface and that combined with the ingrained dirt was making it very difficult to keep clean. The floor now needed to be stripped of old sealer and then resealed and although I can provide a price for this over the phone my preference is to visit the property and survey the floor. In the case the owner had sent me some photographs via email however they were not too clear and so I felt it would be best if I paid the customer a visit to ensure I could give them an accurate price. The floor was indeed overdue a clean and seal, as suspected dirt was ingrained into the areas where the seal had worn off. The house was home to a very busy family, so the area was subject to the significant traffic. I carried out a test clean on a small area and they were surprised by the results, when you live with a floor for so long you don’t notice the very slow decline in its appearance. They agreed to my quote and we arranged a time to return and carry the deep clean out. When I arrived, I started off by protecting the skirting and surrounding woodwork. Given the rough surface of the floor I first applied Tile Doctor Wax Away which is a very effective coatings remover that is designed for removing wax but works very well in these situations. The product was left to dwell for a round ten minutes so it could get to work breaking down the old sealer and then scrubbed in using a black scrubbing pad fitted to a rotary machine. This process removed most of the dirt and old sealer, but some stubborn patches remained. To treat these, I replaced the black pad with a coarse 200-grit burnishing pad and finally some handheld diamond burnishing blocks for the edges and corners where more intricate work was required, and the circular pads struggle to reach. I gave the floor a rinse, and extracted the soil with a wet vacuum, the floor was then left to dry off overnight. The next day I returned, first the slate floor was checked for moisture using the moisture meter. Once I was happy it was within the correct parameters, I then sealed with four coats of Tile Doctor Seal and Go. This is a modern water-based blend of acrylic polymers that provides both a stain resistant surface seal and a durable low-sheen finish also being water based there’s no smell as it dries. The sealer really brought the stone to back to life and the lovely colours in the natural stones were now evident. The patchy appearance of the floor was gone, and the customer was happy. I discussed with them how they should maintain the floor and advised them to use Tile Doctor Neutral Tile Cleaner. This is pH neutral cleaner that won’t prematurely erode the new sealer like the stronger products you find in Supermarkets which are only for use on Vinyl and Ceramic floors. Nigel Stoker North West Yorkshire Tile Doctor

Trees are an object of supreme beauty that brings a sense of pride and character to any property. In addition to being aesthetically pleasing, they also offer a wealth of additional benefits. They can help reduce the cost of heating and cooling as well as increase the curb appeal of a property. Trees also benefit the environment by reducing pollution and providing refuge to local wildlife. If you happen to have oak trees on your property, it is especially important to make sure your trees undergo general maintenance and tree care. One of the most common problems landowners with oak trees face is oak wilt. Five Star Tree Services is here to let you know how to spot and protect your green friends from this debilitating tree ailment. What Is Oak Wilt? Oak wilt is a very aggressive form of tree fungus that attacks the oak species in particular. It grows on the outer sapwood of the tree and slowly starts to sap away nutrients and water from the tree itself. Left untreated, oak wilt can cause the tree to dieback or even expire completely. Oak wilt targets healthy oak trees, mature oak trees, and stressed oak trees in equal measure. It is easiest to spot the symptoms of oak wilt in the early spring or summer. The most common signs of oak wilt are bronze and wilting foliage. Where Does Oak Wilt Start? Most oak wilt will start along the tips of the branches and the top of the oak tree. One reason it may take so long to spot a problem is that it begins out of the usual line of sight. Most homeowners will notice a sudden decline in the health of a usually healthy tree that starts along its crown. Another sign of oak wilt is when the outer side of the tree bark starts to develop gum. This gum attracts other pests such as birds, insects, and squirrels who then carry the fungus from sick trees to healthy trees. Along with spores, the fungus can also spread through the root system of one oak tree to the other, but it is hard to notice unless you happen to be digging around the trees for another reason. When Are Oak Trees Most Susceptible? Healthy and stressed oak trees are equally prone to catching oak wilt, but is it more likely to occur in the spring. It is always best to avoid pruning oak trees in the spring to reduce the chance of new fungal infections or for infections from other trees being spread to healthy trees. Wounds or environmental damage during the spring should be cared for by professionals to help reduce the chances of oak wilt infection. Is There A Cure For Oak Wilt? There is no cure for oak wilt, so the best method is prevention. Avoid pruning and damage during growing seasons and stick to winter pruning in Richmond Hill to cut down on infection rates. If you do have an oak tree that is showing signs of oak wilt, the best course of action is to have it removed to prevent the fungus from spreading to other trees. If you think your oak trees may be showing signs of oak wilt, give Five Star Tree Services a call at (416) 990-3355 for an in-person assessment today.

This property was situated in the tiny, yet picturesque village of Grafton Underwood in Kettering, Northamptonshire. The village has only a population numbering a few hundred and, interestingly enough, is the childhood home of the famous ‘Bridget Jones’ character. I have previously worked on a number of floors in Grafton Underwood, and on this particular occasion I was called to complete the job through a recommendation – which is always welcome! This particular customer had two floors that needed re-finishing; the first was a polished Limestone tiled conservatory (which I will cover in a separate post as the process was different) and the second a Flagstone tiled living room; so on a rather dull day in November, I began my work. The sealer on the Flagstone tiled living room had failed in certain places, resulting in the floor becoming difficult to clean due to dirt becoming ingrained in the stone. The decline in the sealer is not uncommon, as they do wear down over time – especially in an area of high traffic like a living room. To resolve this issue, the old surface seal needed to be stripped back and re-sealed. To remove what was left of the old sealer, I applied a dilution of Tile Doctor Remove and Go and scrubbed it into the floor using a rotary machine fitted with black stripping pads. I then gave the floor an initial rinse, before paying special attention to scrubbing the stubborn spots, making sure all of the sealer was removed. I then gave the floor an acid wash using Tile Doctor Grout Clean-Up in order to remove grout haze and other mineral deposits which were evident. Due to its acidic properties, you have to be very careful with this product on any type of stone, so I didn’t let it dwell for too long and made sure the floor was thoroughly rinsed down afterwards, with all solutions extracted using a wet-vac machine. The floor was left to dry for more than 24 hours, before I returned to re-seal it using Tile Doctor Seal & Go. This product provides both a stain resistant surface seal and the durable low-sheen finish requested by my client. Seal & Go is suitable for use on internal unsealed, porous surfaces. I guess the photographs don’t really do the transformation justice however the freshly re-sealed Flagstone living room certainly brightened up what was a very dreary autumn day! Phil Vissian Northamptonshire Tile Doctor

The walls are in clay, the ceiling is in clay and wood, and one of the four walls is a window. Japanese wabi-sabi way of life is a peaceful joy to accept the full life circle. From birth to death, from the point of greatest glory to complete decline. Therefore, the main décor element here is a 6-meter window with a view of the landscape that no matter what will come into the world and die. Again, and again.

Monochromatic design offering white and gray declination of calmnest and splendor
Mid-sized minimalist u-shaped porcelain tile and gray floor eat-in kitchen photo in Montreal with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, quartz backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

This home gym was created with CrossFit workout in mind. The heavy-duty grade Rogue Fitness rack serves as the anchor to the space. The rubber dumbbells rest on the steel rack steps away from the adjustable decline and incline bench. The ½” thick rubber flooring makes for a sound base for serious workouts as well as sound absorption for the 800-Watt micro subwoofer as well as the 300 Watt combined ceiling speakers. We added a wall of mirrors on two walls which provide depth and the illusion of the room being enlarged. The Concept 2 rower can sit upright after heavy cardio use to make room for whatever workout is thrown at the gym.

This home gym was created with CrossFit workout in mind. The heavy-duty grade Rogue Fitness rack serves as the anchor to the space. The rubber dumbbells rest on the steel rack steps away from the adjustable decline and incline bench. The ½” thick rubber flooring makes for a sound base for serious workouts as well as sound absorption for the 800-Watt micro subwoofer as well as the 300 Watt combined ceiling speakers. We added a wall of mirrors on two walls which provide depth and the illusion of the room being enlarged. The Concept 2 rower can sit upright after heavy cardio use to make room for whatever workout is thrown at the gym.

This home gym was created with CrossFit workout in mind. The heavy-duty grade Rogue Fitness rack serves as the anchor to the space. The rubber dumbbells rest on the steel rack steps away from the adjustable decline and incline bench. The ½” thick rubber flooring makes for a sound base for serious workouts as well as sound absorption for the 800-Watt micro subwoofer as well as the 300 Watt combined ceiling speakers. We added a wall of mirrors on two walls which provide depth and the illusion of the room being enlarged. The Concept 2 rower can sit upright after heavy cardio use to make room for whatever workout is thrown at the gym.

This home gym was created with CrossFit workout in mind. The heavy-duty grade Rogue Fitness rack serves as the anchor to the space. The rubber dumbbells rest on the steel rack steps away from the adjustable decline and incline bench. The ½” thick rubber flooring makes for a sound base for serious workouts as well as sound absorption for the 800-Watt micro subwoofer as well as the 300 Watt combined ceiling speakers. We added a wall of mirrors on two walls which provide depth and the illusion of the room being enlarged. The Concept 2 rower can sit upright after heavy cardio use to make room for whatever workout is thrown at the gym.

This home gym was created with CrossFit workout in mind. The heavy-duty grade Rogue Fitness rack serves as the anchor to the space. The rubber dumbbells rest on the steel rack steps away from the adjustable decline and incline bench. The ½” thick rubber flooring makes for a sound base for serious workouts as well as sound absorption for the 800-Watt micro subwoofer as well as the 300 Watt combined ceiling speakers. We added a wall of mirrors on two walls which provide depth and the illusion of the room being enlarged. The Concept 2 rower can sit upright after heavy cardio use to make room for whatever workout is thrown at the gym.

This home gym was created with CrossFit workout in mind. The heavy-duty grade Rogue Fitness rack serves as the anchor to the space. The rubber dumbbells rest on the steel rack steps away from the adjustable decline and incline bench. The ½” thick rubber flooring makes for a sound base for serious workouts as well as sound absorption for the 800-Watt micro subwoofer as well as the 300 Watt combined ceiling speakers. We added a wall of mirrors on two walls which provide depth and the illusion of the room being enlarged. The Concept 2 rower can sit upright after heavy cardio use to make room for whatever workout is thrown at the gym.

In the first post of this two-part blog series, we began the discussion of why we decline business. We’re tackling this sensitive subject by the horns to give more insight into what happens behind the scenes in the remodeling industry. It’s a touchy subject as when we buy something we never expect to be rejected by the seller. However, there are instances where businesses need to filter potential customers to be successful. To help make our explanation more relatable, we’ll return to the example we set up in part one: a farmer selling oranges at a local farmer’s market. Take a read on the conclusion of this 2 part blog series on the reasons why contractors occasionally decline business to customers. Check out the full blog on our website - Either use the link in our bio, QR code provided, or link below to see the post directly. Link: https://mayflowerva.com/why-we-decline-business-pt2/

Does your orange tree drop its fruit before it reaches full size, or worse, does it drop flowers before the fruit starts to form? Trees photosynthesize to produce carbohydrates like sugar which they store as a source of energy. They can maintain a limited amount, which is used to drive the growth of new leaves, branches, roots and stem. Fruitfulness requires the tree to divert its limited energy sources away from these vital functions to the production of flowers, blossoms and fruits. Fruit development involves maturity followed by fertilization, growth, maturity and maturity. This process takes between 6-7 months in warmer climates, which requires a large number of tree energy sources as a result. Trees are able to manage their resources, and will also divert them to emergencies ... Fruit Drop and Crop Depression In regions where oranges produce one crop per year, they go through a series of growth stages as follows: Sprout formation and flower launching (mid-winter) Flowers and fruit set (early spring) Fruit growth - cell division (late spring to early summer) Fruit growth - cell proliferation (mid-summer to early autumn) Fruit ripening (autumn to late winter) The difference is in the regions where most citrus crops are produced year-round. In these cases, the different stages of development will take place simultaneously. The orange tree can handle its plant load well, and it will bear as much fruit as we can support. It is natural for all citrus trees to produce too little fruit and too little flowers in early spring to prevent overproduction. There is no need to worry too much about flowering, as an orange tree needs only 1% to 2% of flowers to produce a good crop, and sometimes even less than 1% is enough. If a tree is depressed because it does not get enough water in hot, dry weather, and if it dies of nitrogen starvation because it is not given enough fertilizer, fruit set will be very difficult in the spring. There may also be a small number of fruit losses in the summer under stressful conditions. Solution: Provide enough water, and water often in hot weather and strong winds. Orange feed with moderate fertilizer in early spring (September in Southern hemisphere, March in the Northern Hemisphere) Fruit Drop and Lack of Potassium Nutrient When orange trees are heavy, the decline in fruit can be exacerbated by low potassium levels. Potassium, also known as potash (represented by the chemical mark K on fertilizer labels meaning N-P-K or nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium ratio) is a major macronutrient needed for flowering and fruit formation. Next to nitrogen, plants absorb more potassium than any other nutrient. Without potassium, the trees stop flowering and fruiting, which is what happens if they are not fed regularly. Before any smug horticulturist declares to you that potassium has no direct effect on flowering and fruit set, let me say that as a horticulturist and biochemist, plant chemistry, like the chemistry of all living things is complex, but some input it is necessary to produce certain results. , and the references I have made to the end of this article support what I am saying! Entering science, Potassium (K) is essential for water, nutrients and the movement of carbohydrates in plant tissues. It also activates enzymes that facilitate the synthesis of complex chemicals within the plant - such as starch, protein and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production. The role of ATP is to transport the energy needed for all cellular metabolic activities to all living things, and in plants ATP production can regulate the level of photosynthesis. Potassium also helps regulate the opening and closing of stomata, holes or cavities under which oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged with the atmosphere, and respiratory losses are controlled. It increases root growth which increases the absorption of nutrients and improves drought resistance, and increases resistance to frost, pests and diseases. High potassium levels produce similar maturity and fruit growth rate, as well as better nutritional quality, taste and range. Agricultural extension agencies suggest that large amounts of potash are needed in many crops, and that potassium deficiency or macronutrient deficiency leads to reduced crop growth and reduced yields, and that potassium levels not only affect yield, but fruit size, juice. quality and shelf life. Since potassium plays an important role in water regulation, deficiency can clearly increase the pressures associated with the declining fruit mentioned in the previous section. Solution: Make sure that the orange trees are fertilized with the right fertilizer as previously discussed. Extra potassium can be brought in using seaweed extract (which is not a fertilizer but contains a good amount of potassium), wood ash (used in small quantities only as it is very alkaline), or potash sulphate (potassium sulphate) - all this is guaranteed. as acceptable in a natural garden. Never use potassium chloride as it can be harmful to plants, it is a very inexpensive alternative to fertilizer manufacturers to save money! Even if there are sufficient levels of potassium in the soil, it may not be accessible to plants, unless we make some improvements.

In part one of this two-part blog, we’re going to discuss the reasoning behind our choice to turn down kitchen and bathroom renovation requests we don’t feel are a good fit. Using a farmers market as an example, we’ll explore the four ways we can tell a client might not be a good fit. Use the QR code or link below to read the full blog on why we decline business with some clients who would like to hire us for their remodeling projects. https://mayflowerva.com/why-we-decline-business-part-one/

Sebastian Zachariah
Example of a large transitional master dark wood floor bedroom design in Mumbai with beige walls

Example of a large trendy open concept beige floor living room design in Vancouver with white walls, a standard fireplace and a metal fireplace