Carolina Lanterns & Lighting carolinalanterns.com
Inspiration for a coastal deck remodel in Charleston

This elegant salt water pool and outdoor entertaining area overlooks a golf course. The clients’ goals for the project were to: (1) have more privacy, (2) fit a traditional, geometric pool design into a smaller footprint, and (3) enhance their deck to function as an outdoor living space. Elite Landscaping owner and designer, Jason Decker, had worked with the clients on a variety of layouts and designs over the years. When the timing was right, the client selected a 15’ by 30’ main pool with a 9’ by 9’ sun shelf in one corner. Elite Landscaping added some in-pool wow factors, including: a slender set of all-glass tile steps descending from the sun shelf, and a raised, privacy wall with three, 24” wide sheer waterfalls on one side. Silver travertine was used for the bullnose coping and pool deck. The all-brick, poolside fire pit offers a great area to entertain and relax. The deck was rebuilt for beauty and safety, with a dry, underdeck system that creates office and/or dining space underneath. All outdoor lighting and pool lighting were professionally installed to be easily controlled from an app on the client’s smartphone.

Alpha Wellness Sensations is the world's leading manufacturer of custom saunas, luxury infrared cabins, professional steam rooms, immersive salt caves, built-in ice chambers and experience showers for residential and commercial clients. Our company is the dominating custom wellness provider in Europe for more than 35 years. All of our products are fabricated in Europe, 100% hand-crafted and fully compliant with EU’s rigorous product safety standards. We use only certified wood suppliers and have our own research & engineering facility where we developed our proprietary heating mediums. We keep our wood organically clean and never use in production any glues, polishers, pesticides, sealers or preservatives.

Alpha Wellness Sensations is the world's leading manufacturer of custom saunas, luxury infrared cabins, professional steam rooms, immersive salt caves, built-in ice chambers and experience showers for residential and commercial clients. Our company is the dominating custom wellness provider in Europe for more than 35 years. All of our products are fabricated in Europe, 100% hand-crafted and fully compliant with EU’s rigorous product safety standards. We use only certified wood suppliers and have our own research & engineering facility where we developed our proprietary heating mediums. We keep our wood organically clean and never use in production any glues, polishers, pesticides, sealers or preservatives.

Alpha Wellness Sensations is the world's leading manufacturer of custom saunas, luxury infrared cabins, professional steam rooms, immersive salt caves, built-in ice chambers and experience showers for residential and commercial clients. Our company is the dominating custom wellness provider in Europe for more than 35 years. All of our products are fabricated in Europe, 100% hand-crafted and fully compliant with EU’s rigorous product safety standards. We use only certified wood suppliers and have our own research & engineering facility where we developed our proprietary heating mediums. We keep our wood organically clean and never use in production any glues, polishers, pesticides, sealers or preservatives.

Grout haze or grout smears as it is often called can be a huge problem when laying tiles. Grout haze is basically grout that has been left to dry on the surface of the tile after installation. It’s a common problem which is exacerbated by the use of quick drying products. Take for example this interesting Wood Effect Ceramic Tile installation at a house in Guildford following installation by a builder. I was a bit slow in following up on the initial enquiry as we had been very busy so by the time, I got in touch I was told they had employed someone else to carry out the work. I apologised for my late response and said to call me if he needed help in the future. Three days later I got a call so we arranged a visit so that I could carry out a test and quote a price. As it turns out the builder had returned and failed to remove the grout haze and so had a rival firm that seemed more interested in selling unnecessary sealer than fixing the problem. I was astonished to see what a state the builder had left his floor. Grout was all over the floor with footprints walked across thresholds and more. I could understand it if there was some grout was missed after installation but not to this level! I carried out a successful test and confirmed to the customer that there was absolutely no need to rip and replace his £2k floor. We agreed a date to resolve the problem and to say he was relieved was an understatement! The builders had used Mapei grout which contains polymers. Polymers offer better flexibility and adhesion, however in order to remove the grout haze we would first need to break down the polymers in the grout first and this is why the rival firm failed. With that in mind, my first action was to apply Tile Doctor Remove and Go to the floor and leave it to dwell for five to ten minutes. I then worked it into the tile using a scrubbing pad fitted to a rotary machine. After washing the soil away with warm water and extracting with a wet vacuum I applied Tile Doctor Grout Clean-up to treat the grout. Grout Clean-up is an acid-based product that breaks down the grout so it can be rinsed away and extracted as before. Afterwards I rinsed the floor with warm water and extracted again to remove any trace of product and neutralise the floor. After removing as much moisture as possible with the wet vacuum I speed dried the tiles with a blower. Ceramic tiles won’t accept a sealer so once the floor had dried the job was finished and it took less than a day. The customer was over the moon with the difference. While his floor was in such a state, he has been unable to bring in new furniture as the serious possibility of removing the tiles was hanging over him. Relieved that the problem was now resolved he kindly left the following review: “I had a floor that had just been laid with very heavy grout haze. I had already had advice from two other professional floor cleaners who had advised me that the floor was irreparable and would need to be pulled up. As soon as I spoke with Rupert, it was clear he was extremely knowledgeable. He asked questions none of the other companies had. By understanding the specific nature of the problem, he was able to solve it by first removing the grout polymers and then applying an acid wash. The floor came up brilliantly. Rupert was the only person I spoke to that could fix this, everyone else told me I needed to replace my floor! Superbly knowledgeable, professional and did an excellent job. Don’t bother speaking to anyone else, just call Rupert! “ Rupert Mcleod West Surrey Tile Doctor

Alpha Wellness Sensations is the world's leading manufacturer of custom saunas, luxury infrared cabins, professional steam rooms, immersive salt caves, built-in ice chambers and experience showers for residential and commercial clients. Our company is the dominating custom wellness provider in Europe for more than 35 years. All of our products are fabricated in Europe, 100% hand-crafted and fully compliant with EU’s rigorous product safety standards. We use only certified wood suppliers and have our own research & engineering facility where we developed our proprietary heating mediums. We keep our wood organically clean and never use in production any glues, polishers, pesticides, sealers or preservatives.

Alpha Wellness Sensations is the world's leading manufacturer of custom saunas, luxury infrared cabins, professional steam rooms, immersive salt caves, built-in ice chambers and experience showers for residential and commercial clients. Our company is the dominating custom wellness provider in Europe for more than 35 years. All of our products are fabricated in Europe, 100% hand-crafted and fully compliant with EU’s rigorous product safety standards. We use only certified wood suppliers and have our own research & engineering facility where we developed our proprietary heating mediums. We keep our wood organically clean and never use in production any glues, polishers, pesticides, sealers or preservatives.

Susan Gilmore Photography
Great room - large transitional dark wood floor great room idea in Minneapolis with blue walls and no fireplace

Wallpaper Installation – Bathroom in Clovis Upgrade your bathroom with expert wallpaper installation in Clovis—combining water-resistant durability and designer style for a stunning, long-lasting finish. As a professional wallpaper installer, I specialize in high-humidity applications with: ✔ Bathroom-Safe Materials – Mold-resistant vinyl wallpaper, peel-and-stick wallpaper, and scrubbable finishes ✔ Precision Installation – Flawless pattern matching around mirrors, fixtures, and tight corners ✔ Moisture-Proof Solutions – Specialty adhesives that withstand steam and splashes ✔ Wallpaper Repair & Removal – Fixing peeling edges or updating outdated designs ✔ Statement Walls – Bold mural wallpaper, textured looks, or spa-inspired designs Why Clovis Homeowners Choose Us: ✅ Quick, Waterproof Results – Installs dry fast for immediate use ✅ Humidity-Tested Products – No bubbling or warping over time ✅ Free Design Consultations – Help selecting moisture-safe patterns ✅ 1-Day Bathroom Makeovers – Minimal disruption to your routine Popular Clovis Bathroom Styles: • Modern Farmhouse – Subway tile prints or shiplap-look wallcoverings • Spa Retreat – Organic textures and calming neutrals • Bold & Playful – Tropical prints or vibrant geometrics • Vintage Charm – Classic floral or damask patterns Serving Clovis Homes & Businesses – From historic neighborhoods to new builds. Let’s create a bathroom that wows!

Details below of a restorative clean and seal that I recently completed on a Quarry tiled hallway at a house in the small village of Riseley, North Bedfordshire. The floor was a mix of fantastic black and red tiles; however, it had lost its character after a long period without professional maintenance. My client commissioned me to strip off the old sealer from the floor and replace it, but not before providing a thorough clean, including tackling some adhesive staining and inherent grout haze. The first task involved mixing our high alkaline cleaner, known as Tile Doctor Pro-Clean, with water to form a strong solution. The solution was applied to the tiled floor and left to dwell for a short period. This dwelling time allows for the Pro-Clean to seep into the stone to get underneath the ingrained dirt and lift it out. Pro-Clean also contains stripping properties, and thus helped to break down the old (and now ineffectual) sealer. After completing this initial clean I rinsed the floor using a standard mop and bucket method. With the old sealer removed, it became evident that there was also plaster residue marking the tiles, as well as inherent grout haze on the surface of the tile probably from the original installation. To tack these problems I used Tile Doctor Grout Clean-Up, which is an acid-based cleaner that dissolves the adhesive and the grout. Being an acid you have to be careful and ensure the floor is rinsed thoroughly after use and if you’re considering using this product yourself read the label and make sure you use the right protective equipment. After the floor was thoroughly rinsed with water it was dried as much as possible using a wet vacuum which literally sucks the water off the floor. The floor was then left to dry for four days, with the help of several air movers. By the time I returned to the house, the floor was completely dry and ready to take the seal. I opted to use a combination of sealers, including one coat of our colour enhancing, impregnating sealer, known as Colour Grow, followed by three coats of Tile Doctor Seal & Go to provide a truly robust and aesthetically pleasing surface seal. The photographs demonstrate the finished results better than words can and I think you will agree the floor is quite transformed. Andrew Evans Bedfordshire Tile Doctor

Alpha Wellness Sensations is the world's leading manufacturer of custom saunas, luxury infrared cabins, professional steam rooms, immersive salt caves, built-in ice chambers and experience showers for residential and commercial clients. Our company is the dominating custom wellness provider in Europe for more than 35 years. All of our products are fabricated in Europe, 100% hand-crafted and fully compliant with EU’s rigorous product safety standards. We use only certified wood suppliers and have our own research & engineering facility where we developed our proprietary heating mediums. We keep our wood organically clean and never use in production any glues, polishers, pesticides, sealers or preservatives.

Alpha Wellness Sensations is the world's leading manufacturer of custom saunas, luxury infrared cabins, professional steam rooms, immersive salt caves, built-in ice chambers and experience showers for residential and commercial clients. Our company is the dominating custom wellness provider in Europe for more than 35 years. All of our products are fabricated in Europe, 100% hand-crafted and fully compliant with EU’s rigorous product safety standards. We use only certified wood suppliers and have our own research & engineering facility where we developed our proprietary heating mediums. We keep our wood organically clean and never use in production any glues, polishers, pesticides, sealers or preservatives.

Alpha Wellness Sensations is the world's leading manufacturer of custom saunas, luxury infrared cabins, professional steam rooms, immersive salt caves, built-in ice chambers and experience showers for residential and commercial clients. Our company is the dominating custom wellness provider in Europe for more than 35 years. All of our products are fabricated in Europe, 100% hand-crafted and fully compliant with EU’s rigorous product safety standards. We use only certified wood suppliers and have our own research & engineering facility where we developed our proprietary heating mediums. We keep our wood organically clean and never use in production any glues, polishers, pesticides, sealers or preservatives.

Alpha Wellness Sensations is the world's leading manufacturer of custom saunas, luxury infrared cabins, professional steam rooms, immersive salt caves, built-in ice chambers and experience showers for residential and commercial clients. Our company is the dominating custom wellness provider in Europe for more than 35 years. All of our products are fabricated in Europe, 100% hand-crafted and fully compliant with EU’s rigorous product safety standards. We use only certified wood suppliers and have our own research & engineering facility where we developed our proprietary heating mediums. We keep our wood organically clean and never use in production any glues, polishers, pesticides, sealers or preservatives.

Experience life in the heart of Paris Montorgueil Quarter with this rustic 1-bedroom, 50 square meters apartment located on the 2nd floor of a secure residential building without an elevator. There is a space that can be used as a living, dining or home office area. It is furnished with a sofa bed, flat-screen TV, decorative fireplace and a dining table and chairs. We understand the importance of staying connected, which is why there is a high-speed Wi-Fi (1/Gbps) connection. The fully equipped kitchen has a sink, toaster, electric tea kettle, full refrigerator, stove, drip coffee machine, microwave oven, dishwasher and more. The kitchen also comes with all the cookware, dishes and utensils needed to prepare meals at home. There is a clothes washing machine in the property and a drying rack is provided. Cleaning supplies, a vacuum, broom and mop are also provided. The apartment is heated with electric heating. The bedroom is street-facing with a double size bed with a superior quality mattress. All the necessary bedding and linens are provided and professionally laundered. This property can host up to 4 guests. The flat has one bathroom accessible via the hallway with a shower/bathtub, toilet and sink. You will find soap, shampoo, toilet paper and paper towels to start off your stay.

Bath mats are vital elements in bathroom decor, beautifully blending style and functionality. These bath rugs offer essential moisture protection, ensuring your floors remain dry while providing slip prevention for safety. When choosing a bath mat, prioritize quality; look for options that are absorbent, comfortable, and add warmth to your space. Consider the size and proportion of the bath mat in relation to your tub and vanity. If you have a double vanity, you can select individual rugs for each sink or opt for a long runner rug for a cohesive appearance. Always measure your bathroom area to ensure a perfect fit, allowing enough space for doors to open freely. Durability is another crucial factor. Since bath mats frequently encounter water and foot traffic, choose rugs with a nonslip surface and rubber backing to enhance safety on wet floors. Many options are crafted from high-quality cotton, providing a soft texture and easy maintenance, as most are machine washable. However, some may require professional cleaning, so checking care instructions is advisable. Made with polyester, this multicoloured oriental print footmat is sure to add flair to your house. With it's Turkish roots, it is sophisticated and goes well with the latest trends. This piece is a practical accessory to enhance your aesthetics in budget.

Alpha Wellness Sensations is the world's leading manufacturer of custom saunas, luxury infrared cabins, professional steam rooms, immersive salt caves, built-in ice chambers and experience showers for residential and commercial clients. Our company is the dominating custom wellness provider in Europe for more than 35 years. All of our products are fabricated in Europe, 100% hand-crafted and fully compliant with EU’s rigorous product safety standards. We use only certified wood suppliers and have our own research & engineering facility where we developed our proprietary heating mediums. We keep our wood organically clean and never use in production any glues, polishers, pesticides, sealers or preservatives.

Alpha Wellness Sensations is the world's leading manufacturer of custom saunas, luxury infrared cabins, professional steam rooms, immersive salt caves, built-in ice chambers and experience showers for residential and commercial clients. Our company is the dominating custom wellness provider in Europe for more than 35 years. All of our products are fabricated in Europe, 100% hand-crafted and fully compliant with EU’s rigorous product safety standards. We use only certified wood suppliers and have our own research & engineering facility where we developed our proprietary heating mediums. We keep our wood organically clean and never use in production any glues, polishers, pesticides, sealers or preservatives.