Lampert Renovations
Inspiration for a small modern gray tile tub/shower combo remodel in Toronto with a vessel sink, shaker cabinets, black cabinets and quartz countertops

Photo of a contemporary landscaping in Detroit.

NEW Viking Gas Cooktops | Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center Designed to fit virtually any existing cutout, Viking Professional Gas Cooktops offer a hassle-free kitchen upgrade with superior cooking power. These surface units strategically deliver all the power you could want from your cooktop, giving you the freedom to not only cook whatever you like, but however you like. To learn more about NEW Viking Gas Cooktops stop by Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center in Studio City and Calabasas. BUILT-IN GAS COOKTOP FEATURES Commercial-Type Cooking Power - Highest combined BTU rating in the industry, featuring sealed burners with brass burner rings in a wide variety of sizes - Powerful 18,000 BTU burner delivers commercial power for high heat sautéing, rapid boiling and quick recovery - Simmer settings on all burners allows low BTU output for heating delicate sauces - EXCLUSIVE SureSpark™ Ignition System ensures automatic ignition/re-ignition should flame extinguish at any time while cooking Easy Maintenance and Cleanup - Permanently sealed burners prevent spills from entering burner box - Deep, seamless recessed burner pan retains liquid spills - Updated beveled edge design provides sleek styling and easy cleaning - Durable laser-etched graphics withstand the rigors of regular cleaning - Removable knobs, grates, and burner ports/caps make cleanup easy Safe-Easy Operation - Child proof, push-to-turn metal knobs for safe use - Automatic electric spark ignition means no standing pilot to re-light, waste energy or add extra heat to the kitchen - EXCLUSIVE ScratchSafe™ Grate Design provides ultimate protection from scratches and ensures proper placement of the heavy-duty, porcelain-coated cast iron grates Optional Accessories - Porcelain-coated cast iron wok ring fits securely over grates to accommodate a traditional wok - Portable non-stick cast aluminum griddle fits securely onto grates for griddling or defrosting food The Industry’s Best and Most Comprehensive Warranty - 3-year full – complete product - 90-day full - cosmetic parts such as glass, painted items and decorative items - Lifetime limited - stainless steel exterior - 5-year limited - surface burners

C.L. Fry Photography
Large transitional single-wall open concept kitchen photo in Austin with a single-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, beige backsplash, stone tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances

Wing Wong/Memories TTL
Transitional home design photo in New York

This Quarry tiled kitchen floor was in very good condition, with no cracked or broken tiles. However, my customer, who lives in the town of Tutbury, near Burton-on-Trent, was keen to boost the condition of the tiles further through professional maintenance, including a deep clean and a fresh seal to restore the sheen to the Quarry. NB, did you know it’s estimated that Tutbury has actually been inhabited for 3000 years, having once been the site of an Iron Age hill fort, this house of course was a lot more recent. To clean the tiles, I chose to use our tried and trusted alkaline cleaner, Tile Doctor Pro Clean. We use Pro Clean on most types of natural stone floor, including Quarry, Slate, and Victorian. I applied Pro Clean liberally across the floor and left it to dwell for a short period, giving it time to seep into the tile to get underneath and lift out any ingrained dirt. The cleaner was then agitated using a scrubbing pad fitted to a rotary machine to remove the dirt and other general muck. I then rinsed the floor with cold water and soaked up the resulting slurry with a wet-vac machine. Some areas of the floor proved to be quite stubborn to clean, so in these areas the cleaning process was repeated until satisfactory results were achieved. Finally, the floor was given another rinse and left to dry off overnight. The next day I returned to the property and checked that the floor was ready to seal by running several damp tests, with the results indicating that was no excess moisture remaining on the tiles. We carry out these tests before sealing because moisture can cloud the sealer and prevent it from properly protecting the tiles. My choice of sealer was Tile Doctor Seal & Go, a cost effective topical sealer that builds up a robust layer of protection on the surface of the floor and provides a durable sheen finish that, as you can see from the photographs, really lifts the appearance of the tiles. It’s a fact that any sealed tiled floor will need to be regularly maintained as sealers do wear off over time, especially in the high traffic areas, and this is when the floor starts to lose its appearance as dirt becomes trapped in the pores of the stone. The life of the sealer can be extended however by ensuring you only clean the floor with a PH Neutral cleaner. Trevor Preeece

Photos by Jeremy Mason McGraw
Inspiration for a large transitional home design remodel in Other

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

How to Clean Ceramic & Porcelain Tile Floors Ceramic tile and porcelain tile floors are incredibly durable but there are a few things that can make keeping them clean and looking good easy. Here's the simple process we follow: 1. Clean up loose debris: Sweep or vacuum your tile floors regularly to keep them from getting dull. Ceramic tiles may be resistant to dirt, but sand and grit can dull the glazed surfaces. 2. Choose the right floor mop: Clean tile with mild detergent and clean water using a rag or chamois-type mop rather than a sponge mop. Rag and chamois-style mops are best for cleaning tile because sponge mops tend to push dirty water into the grout lines, making them harder to clean. Be sure to change the water frequently while mopping; dirty water equals a cloudy floor. 3. Be on the look for tile stains: If you find a discoloration, try to determine what type substance made the stain and use the right cleaner to remove. 4. Watch for soap residue: If your tiles look hazy even after cleaning, you might be dealing with soapy residue. Remove the film with a nonabrasive all-purpose cleaner. 5. Dry tiles too: Don't let your glazed tile floors air-dry—the sitting water will form water spots. Take care of that by drying the floor with a clean, lint-free cloth immediately after washing.

Recently I was contacted by a man in the town of Bedford who was worried that he had damaged his Victorian tiled hallway as a result of dragging a piano across the floor. I went round to the property to get a better look at the problem and, on closer inspection, realised that the tiles were actually fine; however, the piano had torn through the old surface seal. The 150-year old tiles, dating back – as the name suggests – to the reign of Queen Victoria, had been poorly sealed and additionally had not been maintained correctly with the appropriate cleaning products. I was commissioned to remove the old sealer, clean and re-seal in order to restore this fantastic floor to its former glory. My first task was to mix a solution of Tile Doctor Pro-Clean and water, which was then spread across the floor. Pro-Clean is a high alkaline cleaner which also contains stripping properties and this helped to break down the old, damaged sealer. The solution was left to dwell for approximately 20 minutes, giving it time to seep into the stone to get underneath, and lift out, any ingrained dirt. Pro-Clean was worked into the tiles using a heavy low speed rotary machine fitted with a black pad. Once cleaned and stripped, we rinsed the floor using plain, clean water to neutralise the high alkaline Pro-Clean and the removed the resulting slurry using a wet-vac machine. At this point I noticed that the white/magnolia tiles were particularly well worn and still very dirty and in need of further cleaning. Around this time Tile Doctor had also been discussing the successful use of Burnishing Pads (normally used on polished stone) on Victorian Tiles so I hand burnished the most stained tiles with a small 6 inch diamond encrusted burnishing pad with a little water to help lubricate the process. Following this, I rinsed the entire floor once again. After leaving the floor to dry for four days, I returned to the house to seal the tiles opting to apply a single coat of Tile Doctor Colour Grow impregnating sealer first followed up with four coats of Tile Doctor Seal & Go. This combination of sealers provides a durable internal and surface stain protection whilst lifting the colours and adding a nice subtle sheen finish. Once dried and cured, the floor was buffed using micro-fibre clothes to further enhance the appearance of the tiles further. My client was very pleased with the results, and couldn’t believe it was possible to get a floor that was so old appear brand new! The floor will dull with wear so I advised my client on the benefits of a regular maintenance plan going forward to ensure this great flooring feature remains in top condition. Andrew Evans Bedfordshire Tile Doctor

House parties are a regular event here and inspired many of our design decisions. The front door opens directly into the kitchen - the center of party action. I designed the cabinetry as a geometric composition that plays off the art and the feel of a gallery home. Photo by Brad Dickson

Bedroom - transitional bedroom idea in Miami

Paul Crosby Architectural Photography
Arts and crafts exterior home photo in Minneapolis

A Minimal Modern Spa Bathroom completed by Storybook Interiors of Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary master gray tile and ceramic tile ceramic tile bathroom remodel in Grand Rapids with quartzite countertops, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets and a vessel sink

Cesar Rubio Hulburd Design transformed a 1920s French Provincial-style home to accommodate a family of five with guest quarters. The family frequently entertains and loves to cook. This, along with their extensive modern art collection and Scandinavian aesthetic informed the clean, lively palette.

Not too long ago I visited a client who had just moved into a lovely old cottage in Milton, Oxfordshire. She wanted to restore many of the antique features of the building, including a fantastic Quarry tiled floor in the kitchen. Quarry is typically a robust, hard wearing stone, but in a high traffic area like a kitchen, the tiles will need regular maintenance. These tiles clearly hadn’t seen a thorough clean and fresh seal in a long time, and so I was called in to provide just that. On the first day of work, I gave the Quarry tiles a deep clean using a strong solution of Tile Doctor Pro-Clean and water. Pro-Clean is a versatile alkaline cleaner that also helps to break down any old and no longer effectual sealer remaining on the tiles. The solution was applied evenly to the floor and left to dwell for half an hour, allowing time for it to seep into the stone to get underneath and lift out the ingrained dirt. I then removed the dirt by agitating the solution with a scrubbing pad fitted to a rotary floor scrubber. I worked in small sections at first, and gradually finished the entire floor. After completing the initial clean, I rinsed away the soiled solution and vacuumed up the excess moisture using a wet-vac machine. I then scrubbed the floor an acid wash using a dilution of Tile Doctor Grout Clean-Up to remove grout smears and other mineral type deposits. The resulting solution was then removed in a similar fashion using a wet-vac. The final step in the cleaning process was to rinse the floor with Tile Doctor pH Neutral Cleaner to remove any trace of product helps to tackle any remaining dirt and reset the pH balance of the tiles before sealing. After leaving the floor to dry overnight, I returned the next day to the house to seal the floor with Tile Doctor Seal & Go, a water-based topical sealer which gives the floor an aesthetically pleasing sheen and a robust surface seal. The photos demonstrate the results better than this short account can, needless to say the floor is now transformed. Barry Woodward Oxfordshire Tile Doctor

Let’s be honest. Chimney cleaning probably isn’t the first thing on your spring to-do list. But if you used your fireplace this past winter, scheduling a chimney sweep before warm weather arrives is one of the best home maintenance decisions you can make. Here’s why Spring is the best time to schedule your chimney cleaning. Your Chimney Just Worked Hard All Winter It’s tired, simply burnt out! Every time you burned wood this season, creosote, also known as soot, was clinging to the inner walls of your chimney. It’s a natural byproduct of burning wood, but it’s also highly flammable and the leading cause of chimney fires. The longer it sits, the more it builds up. A professional chimney sweep, such as Superior Chimney, takes a look at your chimney flue liner, damper, and firebox — clearing it all out before that creosote becomes a serious issue. Spring is the Best Time to Take Care of the Chimney Fall is when everyone panics. The temperature drops, and the fireplace suddenly seems appealing. By scheduling now, in spring, you get to clean your chimney now so your house doesn’t smell from the creosote left in your fireplace and chimney Superior Chimney includes a FREE 14-Point Certified Written Inspection with photo documentation sent straight to your email with every chimney sweep we do. That’s the kind of full-service you want, and you’re more likely to get it when things aren’t hectic. Catch Problems Before They Get Expensive Here’s something homeowners don’t regularly remember: a chimney sweep isn’t just about cleaning. It’s about integrity. When a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep technician pushes rods and brushes through your chimney system, if pieces of fire clay tile, tile joints, or brick start falling, that tells you exactly where a structural issue exists. That’s critical information for fireworthy, continued use of your fireplace. Avoid Any Obstructions Obstruction-free chimney systems is another key reason for a spring chimney sweep. Birds, squirrels, and raccoons love a quiet chimney during the warmer (and definitely the cold) months. Nesting, debris, and feces can create blockages, and a simple cleaning alone won’t remove most of them. Knowing what’s going on inside your chimney before critters move in is a whole lot easier than dealing with it in October. It’s the National Safety Standard — Not Just a Suggestion The NFPA 211, CSIA, NCSG, and IRC all recommend annual chimney inspections and cleanings for both wood burning and gas fireplaces. It’s not optional; it’s a safety standard. As the CSIA puts it simply: clean chimneys don’t catch fire. Well put CSIA. Did You Know? All of Superior Chimney’s technicians are certified by the CSIA, so you know you’re getting expertise you can trust. Then we take the extra step of taking pictures so you can ‘see’ exactly what’s going on with the chimney. Everything looks good from the ground. We’ll email the pictures to you so you can keep your own records of what we all saw during the last visit. Now you know why spring is the best time to schedule your chimney cleaning. Contact us or give us a call today at 877-244-6349 to get started.

We can eliminate the dust, dirt, and pet dander that is hiding in your HVAC system and air ducts.

Example of a transitional kitchen design in New York