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The photographs below are from a bathroom in Maida Vale W9 which had a lovely Slate tiled wall over a bath with shower. Unfortunately, the Slate tiles had been ruined by the use of harsh cleaning chemicals in an attempt to remove the limescale caused by hard water. The slate had now lost all its natural colour and looked completely washed out. The property had recently changed hands and the new owner was keen to have it renovated.
I went over to take a look and work out a solution, this in itself is a lot trickier these days with all the COVID precautions we need to take when working in someone’s house. It was clear that a strong acidic limescale remover had been used on the slate and this had etched the stone, leached all the natural oils away and generally ruined its appearance.
Fortunately, we have a solution for this (see below) and after conducting a small test I was able to confirm the problem could be resolved and gave them a quote which included a day’s labour, abrasive pads, stone oil and sealer. Our quote was gratefully accepted, and we booked a time in to carry out the work.
I returned to the property and I set about burnishing the slate wall tiles using a very coarse 200-grit six-inch burnishing pad fitted to a handheld buffing machine. This process resurfaces the stone slightly to remove the etching caused by the limescale remover. I used a medium dilution of Tile Doctor Grout Clean-up to lubricate the process and to remove the remaining limescale. Once done the slurry that is generated is rinsed off with more water. In a bathroom, it is easy the slurry can just be drained away. In other areas we would use a wet vacuum.
After the 200-grit pad the surface of the Slate was further refined using a 400-grit pad and then an 800-grit pad, this time only using water and giving the stone a thorough rinse after each pad to remove the soil.
The slate was then left to dry off over lunch and given more encouragement with a heat gun afterwards so I could move onto the next step. This involved applying a coat of Tile Doctor Stone Oil which puts back the natural oils back into the stone improving its appearance.
Once the Stone Oil had fully dried, I moved onto sealing for which I applied two coats of Tile Doctor Ultra-Seal; this is penetrating sealer that soaks into the stone to provide maximum stain protection without changing the colour of the stone. It is also an excellent grout sealer which is a bonus.
Before leaving I talked the client about how best to maintain the Slate and left them a complimentary bottle of Tile Doctor Aqua Pro tile cleaner which will help keep the limescale at bay. It is gentle enough to use every day but will help prevent the previous build-up and unlike the previous products used will not damage the newly applied sealer.
Jackson Davis
Central London Tile Cleaning

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a homeowner in possession of a leaking roof must be in want of repairs.
And though it makes for a fun Jane Austen allusion, an unreliable roof is a serious problem. Water can cause a great deal of damage in a short time, so this homeowner wisely called us in to help.
The roof of this custom-designed home was leaking in myriad locations, so our team removed the existing roof decks to access and repair the exterior trouble spots.
The new deck was constructed atop a Bison pedestal system; in fact, we custom-designed the deck in panels that can be lifted for seasonal roof sweeping and simpler maintenance.
The various roof decks were rebuilt with both reclaimed decking and new ipe decking. Our team also removed several faulty parapet walls and replaced them with a mixture of stainless steel cables and ipe railings.
Finally, we took steps to prevent future drainage problems by applying a sealcoat to the exterior stucco and creating a copper drip-edge too.
Leaking roofs are no laughing matter, but thanks to Houseplay, this story — like Austen’s Pride and Prejudice — had a happy ending.
Photo Credit: Anne Ruthmann Photography
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We took a tired backyard and pool and turned it in to a wonderful vacation spot. We removed old concrete and interlock around the pool, installed new acrylic 6’ French curved steps and poured a concrete foundation for an Antique Silver Valley natural stone nosing. The deck was replaced with Techo Bloc Blue 60 Shale Grey interlock stone in random square pattern. We replaced the plumbing and moved a new skimmer to the side of the pool that was not visible from the house. A full print white beach pebble was chosen with no border so as not to clash with the detail on the stone. Where we weren’t able to provide natural drainage, a Quaker deck drain was installed to prevent ponding .
This project won a Bronze Award in the Vinyl Pool Renovation Category at the 2017 Canadian Pool & Spa Conference & Expo.
Photography supplied by Jackson House Photography

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The glass tabletops can be used in many different ways, however most famous is to use glass to protect surface of the table, desk and coffee table. While used as the cover on wood surface, generally thinner glass like 1/4" is been used. Edges of glass will generally get polished to smooth this out and avoid possibility of the injury from sharp edges. While glass is used as the wood surface cover there’s not any need for tempering any glass. You have come at a right place for the replacement table top. You can custom cut, polish, bevel, Custom glass table top. or temper the glass. It ensures perfectly customized fit, and gives you an opportunity to choose glass type that you want, as well as gets this delivered in the record time for home or office needs. No matter whether it is for the glass table replacement, the glass table cover or table design of own, steps of customizing the glass table top will be the same. The glass table tops come custom manufactured that means all pieces are at your specification."

This new deck is made of grey composite material. A metal piece was added at the bottom to prevent animals from going down there. This grey composite material looks great and is going to last them a long time. We added a step, went around a tree enough to not get in the way of the roots, capped off some sprinklers, and also built in some hidden compartments that can be removed to access french drains.

The clients had an existing stairway down to the water that was in need of replacement. They wanted to keep with the natural look and feel of the hillside. Something that would be functional and blend with the surroundings. Because of it's proximity to the grade of the hillside, all premium grade wolmanized was chosen for the decking and fascia to help prevent a future degradation of the material. The grasprail is made of western red cedar and Barkman Landscaping installed the beautiful stone steps at the bottom of the staircase and landing to help with the natural feel and to help keep the staircase from looking massive and overwhelming at the bottom. The clients now have a safe way down to the water with an aesthetically pleasing combination of materials to blend in with the surroundings. Thank you very much Mr. & Mrs. Glass for allowing us the opportunity to re-create your stairway !

A large solar heated salt water pool graces the back garden, A contemporary style gazebo adds a shaded sitting spot during hot summer days. Artificial lawn has been laid to save on water bills and prevent dead spots from the owners' two dogs. Spectacular views of the wine country and San Pablo Bay can be enjoyed here.

The view of the creek from the upper deck. The flooring is a walkable membrane roof. The stepped parapet wall on the right provides for solid flashing to prevent any leaks between the two roof sections.

We used marble step treads to transitions between the two different concrete finishes and tied beautifully into the pool coping. All the pots have drains installed underneath each one to prevent staining and a dedicated drip circuit just for pots with drip lines going the the bottom of the pots so you don't see any of it.

- N.C. SMARTWALL. Wall-mounted unit with simple, free modularity. Combining elements of the same depth, whether closed or open, in a vertical direction creates different levels of composition: 3 steps of 31"1/2 - 47"1/4 - 63", and even greater. Elements can also be combined in a horizontal direction, meaning that no limits are placed on size or your creativity. The composition can also be completed with deeper floor-standing storage units (N.C. Sideboard) or wall-mounted units (Blink shelf), according to your aesthetic and functional needs.
Many different compositions available.
https://cassoni.com/NC_Smartwall_05
- N.C. GROUND CASE. Deep ground units with wide support-surfaces where to place Hi.Fi. systems and different electronic devices connected to the TV, hiding them without preventing the action of the remote control, thanks to the sliding door in transparent reflecting crystal Stopsol Super Silver. Rear panel with technical band for wire management, backlighting and hole for the passage of the cables, vertical matt methacrylate spacers. The combination with Ground sideboards or side panels completes the composition.
63''W x 27''5/8D x 16''1/2H.
94''1/2W x 27''5/8D x 16''1/2H.
https://cassoni.com/NC_Ground_Case

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This bathroom remodel by Designed with Grace & Joy is a thoughtful blend of accessibility, comfort, and elevated design. Created with the homeowner’s long-term lifestyle in mind, this transformation proves that functional spaces can still feel luxurious and refined.
The layout was completely reimagined to feature a single-level floor with no shower threshold, ensuring seamless wheelchair accessibility and safe movement throughout the space. Strategically placed grab bars provide added stability without compromising the overall aesthetic. A drop-down shower seat and handheld shower fixture introduce flexibility and comfort, while the relocated shower controller prevents the shock of stepping into cold water.
To enhance both function and ambiance, a sleek lighted niche was integrated into the shower for practical storage and a soft glow. The removal of the dual-level ceiling visually expanded the room, creating an open, airy atmosphere that feels modern and inviting.
The result is a bathroom that balances smart universal design principles with timeless elegance — a space that supports everyday living while maintaining a clean, sophisticated look.

A client with a high-rise apartment in Manchester city centre contacted us in relation to the look of their bathroom tiles. The grout had become grubby and black with mould and it was clear from their message that they were considering have the grout replaced in order to freshen up the bathroom.
We discussed the problem over the telephone, and they emailed a picture of the bathroom across so I could get a better idea of what needed doing. It turns out that the apartment had been rented out previously and they needed the bathroom renovating so they could start letting it again. Clearly, they were keen to have the work completed as soon as possible. Fortunately, we are sometimes able to come out on short notice, especially for small jobs like this and so were able to do the work the following week
Re-grouting is a lot of work and very time consuming so I explained the benefits of Grout Colouring which is much quicker and results in a more practical finish as I will explain. There was a small issue with parking as one would expect from the city centre, but we were able to use one of the parking spaces of a neighbour in the basement of the building.
My first task was to get the grout as clean as possible before applying the colourant and given the amount of mould I decided to apply Tile Doctor Duo-Clean which is a Tile Cleaner/Mould Remover and ideal for use on ceramic tile and grout. The product was sprayed onto the tiles and grout and then scrubbed in by hand to get the grout as clean as possible. I also used a powerful steam cleaner to get the grout as clean as possible before rinsing the soil off with water. This process went well, and the grout looked much cleaner afterwards but was now a little patchy in places due to deep staining.
It’s worth noting that mould thrives in damp warm conditions and can easily be controlled by ensuring the bathroom has adequate ventilation. Some modern showers have a function that cool the bathroom down after use by running the shower on a cold setting. Improving cross-ventilation by leaving the bathroom door and a window open can also improve the situation and of course you can always apply Tile Doctor Duo-Clean on a regular basis.
Once the grout was dry and as clean as it could be, I applied a White Tile Doctor Grout Colourant along the grout lines with a small brush taking care to wipe off any excess from the tiles as I went. Only one bottle of colourant was needed, and I have found baby wipes work well when wiping off the excess.
The last step in the bathroom renovation was to strip out all the old mouldy silicone between the bath and the tiles and replace with new mould resistant silicone.
The cleaning and grout colour completely transformed the look of the bathroom leaving it looking fresh. The grout which was previously dark and patchy was now a consistent white colour giving the impression it had only been recently tiled. The colourant also forms an epoxy barrier over the grout that will prevent dirt from becoming ingrained in the grouts surface going forward, it’s also much easier to clean.
The customer was most impressed with the result and has informed us since that they will back in touch about renovating the grout in their own home! They left the following comment on the Tile Doctor website.
“Kamila made a wonderful job cleaning my grout and silicone. The bathroom looks like new. She was also easy to deal, very friendly and professional. Thank you!”
Alex Logozny
Greater Manchester Tile Doctor

We added a few boulders, and two new flagstone pathways, edged with river rock. Plants immune to juglone were selected and planted for year-round interest, drought tolerance, and low maintenance.

This half bathroom is a perfect blend of design and usability. With the new modern layout, the space feels clean, breathable, and comfortable.
With the remodeling, we improved the user experience in all aspects. The vanity holds more storage with the improved cabinet space and mirror medicine cabinet. The vanity also has a new stone textured countertop that gives the space earthy and calm color tones for a spa-like experience.
Since this bathroom is on the smaller side, the shower draws the most attention when stepping into the layout; So, of course, we made it look and feel more modern with all the new amenities added. The shower now has sliding glass doors that prevent any spread of moisture and leaks to the rest of the space to better preserve the longevity of all the new materials. The shower space also has a new set of wall tiles that compliment the color pallet for the entire bathroom and add to the earthy tones.
Like this remodel? Use the link to check out our similar projects and more! https://mayflowerva.com/bathroom/

BLACK CAST IRON GEORGIAN STYLE VINTAGE DOOR KNOCKERS
Find beautiful and durable door knockers now in a variety of designs and finish that matches everyone's style. Step up your curb appeal and add value to your home entrance with the finishing touch of a door knocker. This black Georgian stye door knocker is made of 100% solid Cast Iron. Polished perfectly in our exclusive RSF to prevent rust. Make A STATEMENT with our unique bold, beautiful and functional door knockers. Add Outdoor Home Accents that make your Entry Way Front Door 'Pop'.
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Made of heavy duty solid cast iron material
It measures 7 In. Height x 2.5 In. Width
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Package includes complete mounting hardware
Easy and secure installation through the door via given thread bolts

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The original idea was to update the tile floor and the tub. That’s it.
A further discussion of wants and needs revealed intentions for an eventual larger shower and an improved vanity storage. It made sense to map out the possibilities and design our update with potential next steps in mind. The process was exciting, ultimately leading to the decision to do a full primary bath remodel.
Design Objectives:
-Maintain existing locations for all major bathroom functions
-Make the shower larger and more open
-Use luxurious materials throughout
-Improve vanity storage and define accessories for specific items
-Incorporate luxury shower fixtures
-Include the latest technology
Design Challenges
-Enlarging the shower in a typical rectangular shape would block the view and light from the alcove windows behind the tub
-Logical placement of the built-in shower caddy and all shower components in accordance with how and where they were to be used
-Keeping the long, back wall free from any shower modules to maintain the decorative tile design
-Combining the owner’s existing smart home system with a comprehensive shower system
-Planning cabinetry for hidden storage and use for various small appliances and make-up
-Integrating expensive shower wall tile with less expensive wall tile for aesthetic and budget purposes
-Incorporating special design features to balance the highly decorative shower tile
Design solutions:
-A clipped corner was planned for the shower bench seat – this allowed for a larger glass wall. The glass wall at the angled bench also brought more natural light into the shower
-Thoughtful shower space design prevented the crowding of features – the shower caddy and handheld shower head were placed on the full-height wall by the shower bench, the regular shower head and body sprays remained on the opposite wall, and the rain head was placed in the center of the shower
-A multi-port DTV system was installed, providing control of all shower components, including chromotherapy and music inside and outside the shower
-The lavish water-jet stone and glass decorative tile was paired with a less-expensive glass tile found in the mosaic
-Pull-out grooming organizers and electrical docking stations were incorporated into the cabinetry
Additional storage was created in the lower corner cabinet
The homeowners are thrilled with their new primary bathroom. Clear goals and carefully evaluated materials informed a fun and functional design that is both thoughtful and sumptuous!

We used marble step treads to transitions between the two different concrete finishes and tied beautifully into the pool coping. All the pots have drains installed underneath each one to prevent staining and a dedicated drip circuit just for pots with drip lines going the the bottom of the pots so you don't see any of it.

To prevent having patios at various heights we chose to raise the surface above the undulating slopes and grades of the property. This allowed us the freedom to create large and flat patio space.
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