Engineered Hardwood Flooring
Inspiration for a bedroom remodel in Toronto

Forgive photo lighting in shot -- I love this angle..
Example of an eclectic living room design in Los Angeles

Act 1 Flooring did a full remodel in this home. This picture features a medium color, hand scraped hardwood. Hand scraped hardwood is very popular because it is very forgiving. Dents and scratches don't stand out as much on a hand scraped floor. They actually add more character.

landscape architect: David John Bigham photo:Marion Brenner
Eclectic patio photo in San Francisco

It’s been said that when you dream about a house, the basement represents your subconscious level. Perhaps that was true in the past, when basements were often neglected. But in most of today’s new builds and remodels, lower levels are becoming valuable living spaces. If you’re looking at building or renovating, opening up that lower level with sufficient light can add square footage and value to your home. In addition, having access to bright indoor areas can help combat cabin fever, which peaks in late winter. Looking at the photos here, you’d never know what you’re seeing is a lower level. That’s because a smart builder knew that bringing natural light into the space was key. Our job, in furnishing the space, was to make the most of that light. The off-white walls and light grey carpet provide a good base. A grey sectional sofa with clean, modern lines easily fits into the spacious room. It’s an ideal piece to encourage people to spend time together. The strong, forgiving linen resists staining, and like a blank canvas this true neutral allows for accessorizing with various throws and pillows depending on the season. The cream-colored throw echoes the light colors in the space, while the nubby pillow adds a textured contrast.

This project stands out and represents high value to the home owner in its transformation from an undefined, unusable space to a full entertainment and living area. Lodge-like large entertainment space complete with gas fireplace and fully appointed wet bar. Cozy reading nook with plush seating and 2nd gas fireplace. Double sliding barn doors open up to large multi-use space Exercise / yoga room with full wall of mirrors. Plush textured carpet was chosen for it's forgiving nature.

Spectrum Quartz Splendid went into this kitchen in West Columbia, and it's the kind of stone that does a lot of the work in a room without shouting about it. It's an engineered quartz, so what you're looking at is a mix of ground quartz and resin, pressed and cured until it's hard, dense, and consistent from one end of the slab to the other. The background reads soft and light, with a scatter of movement through it that keeps the surface from looking flat under kitchen lighting. We templated the counters the way we do every job, laser measuring the base cabinets so the slabs come back from the shop cut to the exact lines of that kitchen. With quartz, that precision matters a lot, because the pattern repeats in a controlled way and you can plan your layout and your seams instead of chasing anything. That's part of why quartz suits a working kitchen so well. What you see in the showroom is what you get on the counter, corner to corner, with the pattern lining up the way it should. Day to day, this material is about as forgiving as it gets. It doesn't need sealing, ever, because it's non-porous straight out of the fabrication shop. Wine, coffee, tomato sauce, none of it soaks in if you wipe it up in a reasonable time. It stands up to knives and daily wear better than most kitchen surfaces, though we still tell folks to use a trivet, since quartz doesn't love direct heat from a hot pan sitting right on it. Scratches aren't something you have to worry about with normal use in a busy kitchen. We set the counters with an eased edge, clean and simple, which is what most of our customers land on once they see it doesn't take anything away from the stone itself. Jobs like this one are what keep us busy across the Midlands. West Columbia kitchens see a lot of quartz these days, and Spectrum Quartz Splendid is a slab that holds up to real cooking and real family life while still looking sharp enough to notice the first time you walk into the room.

We hope we do not even have to persuade you to fall in love with this amazing demilune. A stand alone closed storage piece, this Robin’s Egg Leaf application is stunning. Each panel of the finish is individually applied by hand, making every piece unique! Demilunes are wonderful to use in hallways, beside beds, or at the end of a sofa or settee. Their semicircle shape is so forgiving in tight spaces. Three drawers, painted black inside, offer ample storage space for most any venue. This is truly a piece of jewelry for the home. What creative purpose will you use it for? We like the idea of using it in a powder room with a glass vessel sink. Dimensions: 36W x 20.25D x 34H Features: Three Drawers, Painted Almost Black Interior

A kitchen for chefs, replete with viewing barstools to watch the magic happen. The kitchen is so nice we can forgive the impossible to use cabinets up top.

Just finished old basement shop into play room for grand kids. Results were awesome! Approximately 40' X 17'' room, rough install complete in under 2 hours. Took several more hours to complete the final trim and fitting around edges and doors. Grand kids love it, not cold like carpet over concrete and very forgiving when they roughhouse on the floor! Had enough left over to finish floor in basement exercise room. Love the product, and it seems durable enough for children to play on without them damaging it. Would definitely recommend this for quick and relatively inexpensive way to finish a basement floor!- John, Toledo, OH http://www.greatmats.com/tiles/interlocking-floor-tiles-wood-rev.php

Luxurious 10 person leather top games poker table. High end gaming table with tarnished brass drink casters, chip trays, banker's drawer and padded edge. This table is over the top. Very sturdy table sits on a double pedestal stretcher based platform. Table has a flame mahogany apron. As you walk around the table, you'll notice show stopper details. Each cup holder, for example, has a picture card repousse and alternating club, diamond, heart or spade designs. The leather top is decorated with World currency embossed and glazed details. Mild factory distressed finish will work well in any traditional room and the table's finish will be forgiving in 'real life' as you enjoy the table for gaming and parties. This is a very well made table. It is heavy, dense and will not dissappoint you. Matching chairs are also available and those chairs are shown in some of the pictures, but they ARE NOT INCLUDED.

Brad Peebles
Example of a minimalist kitchen design in Other with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances and an island

Dudley Lane- The existing kitchen was dark, cramped, and lacked ample storage space. The newly renovated kitchen feels much more open and airy with the use of warm cream colored cabinetry with glazing. The open cabinetry and built in cork boards give this kitchen a functional charm. Resilient flooring was used in substitute of a natural stone floor and has a strikingly similar look and texture. This surface is much more durable and forgiving. The granite countertop ties the kitchen together and completes this successful renovation.

This new construction custom home was built for a family on a private wooded lot in Wildwood. Surrounded by acres of forest, this home offers total privacy, while allowing for ample natural light and views of the nearby scenery. Light colors, beautiful wood, natural light, and custom tile are a design theme throughout the home. The light color palette paired with the large windows, which allow in natural light, makes the home light and bright. Beautiful wood is a feature throughout the home. Timber beams accent the main floor, extending from the kitchen, through the dining, and living rooms. The kitchen island and bathroom vanities all feature reclaimed wood paired with white ceramic sinks. A finished lower level was built for this family’s young children to have plenty of space to play. The lower level features Earthwerks Derby Plank flooring throughout. The flooring is naturally beautiful and durable – forgiving of messes and accidents that may occur when young children play. Photo by Dave Dierzbicki

This beautiful shower displays a body shower and rain shower in a luxurious curved glass shower. The teal bench weathers to it's natural grey and the porcelain grey and white tile is a perfect compliment. The slate blue mosaic tile accents the room In a geometric design. Adding the Plantation Shutters and the Charleston Forge pedestal that supports a Boston fern that loves the humidity are the perfect touch. Photographer Tom Kessler

Beth Therriault Photography, LLC www.bethtphotos.com This brown granite countertop seems flecked with glittery gold. Very warm colors are forgiving & beautiful.

The kitchen is the heart of the home and this one is no exception! The warm wood tones and plenty of seating greet guests and spills are easy to forgive with a hard-wearing dining table, leather and wood seating and a stylish indoor/outdoor area rug.

This new construction custom home was built for a family on a private wooded lot in Wildwood. Surrounded by acres of forest, this home offers total privacy, while allowing for ample natural light and views of the nearby scenery. Light colors, beautiful wood, natural light, and custom tile are a design theme throughout the home. The light color palette paired with the large windows, which allow in natural light, makes the home light and bright. Beautiful wood is a feature throughout the home. Timber beams accent the main floor, extending from the kitchen, through the dining, and living rooms. The kitchen island and bathroom vanities all feature reclaimed wood paired with white ceramic sinks. A finished lower level was built for this family’s young children to have plenty of space to play. The lower level features Earthwerks Derby Plank flooring throughout. The flooring is naturally beautiful and durable – forgiving of messes and accidents that may occur when young children play.