Central El Paso Backyard Renovation: Fifteen years is a long time for a backyard to quietly wait. At first, it was full of intention—a pool that promised summers, laughter, and long evenings. But time has a way of settling in. The water turned still, then green. Edges cracked. The space became less of a destination and more of something you looked past. Life moved forward, but the backyard stayed behind. Then came the decision: it was time. Not a patch job. Not a quick fix. A complete reset. The transformation didn’t begin beautifully—it began with demolition. The old pool was drained, exposing years of neglect etched into its surface. Crews stepped in, breaking, clearing, reshaping. What once held stagnant water became an open cavity of possibility. Steel rebar formed a new skeleton, precise and intentional. Every line measured. Every elevation reconsidered. This wasn’t just construction—it was rethinking how the space should live. The shell was rebuilt. Surfaces were refined. Plumbing, structure, and flow were corrected at their core. What had once been outdated and failing was now engineered to last. Then the shift happened. Hardscape came in—clean, warm-toned concrete replacing worn decking. Stone walls, once just boundaries, were elevated into features. Subtle textures, intentional lines. A visual language that matched the architecture of the home instead of competing with it. The pool returned—but not as it was. Now it was sharp, modern, and inviting. A long, clean body of water with a shallow tanning ledge that catches the sun just right. Stainless steel scuppers arc water into the pool—movement, sound, life. Steps are crisp, geometry is balanced, and the water reflects clarity instead of neglect. Around it, the yard found purpose. Artificial turf introduced contrast—green, controlled, low-maintenance. A pergola structure rose in the corner, creating a destination within the destination. Beneath it, a built-in outdoor kitchen turned the backyard into a place to gather, not just pass through. Lighting stitched everything together, making the space just as alive at dusk as it is under the midday sun. By the end, nothing felt accidental. What was once forgotten is now deliberate. What was once avoided is now the center of attention. Fifteen years later, the backyard didn’t just come back—it finally became what it was always supposed to be.

Central El Paso Backyard Renovation: Fifteen years is a long time for a backyard to quietly wait. At first, it was full of intention—a pool that promised summers, laughter, and long evenings. But time has a way of settling in. The water turned still, then green. Edges cracked. The space became less of a destination and more of something you looked past. Life moved forward, but the backyard stayed behind. Then came the decision: it was time. Not a patch job. Not a quick fix. A complete reset. The transformation didn’t begin beautifully—it began with demolition. The old pool was drained, exposing years of neglect etched into its surface. Crews stepped in, breaking, clearing, reshaping. What once held stagnant water became an open cavity of possibility. Steel rebar formed a new skeleton, precise and intentional. Every line measured. Every elevation reconsidered. This wasn’t just construction—it was rethinking how the space should live. The shell was rebuilt. Surfaces were refined. Plumbing, structure, and flow were corrected at their core. What had once been outdated and failing was now engineered to last. Then the shift happened. Hardscape came in—clean, warm-toned concrete replacing worn decking. Stone walls, once just boundaries, were elevated into features. Subtle textures, intentional lines. A visual language that matched the architecture of the home instead of competing with it. The pool returned—but not as it was. Now it was sharp, modern, and inviting. A long, clean body of water with a shallow tanning ledge that catches the sun just right. Stainless steel scuppers arc water into the pool—movement, sound, life. Steps are crisp, geometry is balanced, and the water reflects clarity instead of neglect. Around it, the yard found purpose. Artificial turf introduced contrast—green, controlled, low-maintenance. A pergola structure rose in the corner, creating a destination within the destination. Beneath it, a built-in outdoor kitchen turned the backyard into a place to gather, not just pass through. Lighting stitched everything together, making the space just as alive at dusk as it is under the midday sun. By the end, nothing felt accidental. What was once forgotten is now deliberate. What was once avoided is now the center of attention. Fifteen years later, the backyard didn’t just come back—it finally became what it was always supposed to be.

Central El Paso Backyard Renovation: Fifteen years is a long time for a backyard to quietly wait. At first, it was full of intention—a pool that promised summers, laughter, and long evenings. But time has a way of settling in. The water turned still, then green. Edges cracked. The space became less of a destination and more of something you looked past. Life moved forward, but the backyard stayed behind. Then came the decision: it was time. Not a patch job. Not a quick fix. A complete reset. The transformation didn’t begin beautifully—it began with demolition. The old pool was drained, exposing years of neglect etched into its surface. Crews stepped in, breaking, clearing, reshaping. What once held stagnant water became an open cavity of possibility. Steel rebar formed a new skeleton, precise and intentional. Every line measured. Every elevation reconsidered. This wasn’t just construction—it was rethinking how the space should live. The shell was rebuilt. Surfaces were refined. Plumbing, structure, and flow were corrected at their core. What had once been outdated and failing was now engineered to last. Then the shift happened. Hardscape came in—clean, warm-toned concrete replacing worn decking. Stone walls, once just boundaries, were elevated into features. Subtle textures, intentional lines. A visual language that matched the architecture of the home instead of competing with it. The pool returned—but not as it was. Now it was sharp, modern, and inviting. A long, clean body of water with a shallow tanning ledge that catches the sun just right. Stainless steel scuppers arc water into the pool—movement, sound, life. Steps are crisp, geometry is balanced, and the water reflects clarity instead of neglect. Around it, the yard found purpose. Artificial turf introduced contrast—green, controlled, low-maintenance. A pergola structure rose in the corner, creating a destination within the destination. Beneath it, a built-in outdoor kitchen turned the backyard into a place to gather, not just pass through. Lighting stitched everything together, making the space just as alive at dusk as it is under the midday sun. By the end, nothing felt accidental. What was once forgotten is now deliberate. What was once avoided is now the center of attention. Fifteen years later, the backyard didn’t just come back—it finally became what it was always supposed to be.

Central El Paso Backyard Renovation: Fifteen years is a long time for a backyard to quietly wait. At first, it was full of intention—a pool that promised summers, laughter, and long evenings. But time has a way of settling in. The water turned still, then green. Edges cracked. The space became less of a destination and more of something you looked past. Life moved forward, but the backyard stayed behind. Then came the decision: it was time. Not a patch job. Not a quick fix. A complete reset. The transformation didn’t begin beautifully—it began with demolition. The old pool was drained, exposing years of neglect etched into its surface. Crews stepped in, breaking, clearing, reshaping. What once held stagnant water became an open cavity of possibility. Steel rebar formed a new skeleton, precise and intentional. Every line measured. Every elevation reconsidered. This wasn’t just construction—it was rethinking how the space should live. The shell was rebuilt. Surfaces were refined. Plumbing, structure, and flow were corrected at their core. What had once been outdated and failing was now engineered to last. Then the shift happened. Hardscape came in—clean, warm-toned concrete replacing worn decking. Stone walls, once just boundaries, were elevated into features. Subtle textures, intentional lines. A visual language that matched the architecture of the home instead of competing with it. The pool returned—but not as it was. Now it was sharp, modern, and inviting. A long, clean body of water with a shallow tanning ledge that catches the sun just right. Stainless steel scuppers arc water into the pool—movement, sound, life. Steps are crisp, geometry is balanced, and the water reflects clarity instead of neglect. Around it, the yard found purpose. Artificial turf introduced contrast—green, controlled, low-maintenance. A pergola structure rose in the corner, creating a destination within the destination. Beneath it, a built-in outdoor kitchen turned the backyard into a place to gather, not just pass through. Lighting stitched everything together, making the space just as alive at dusk as it is under the midday sun. By the end, nothing felt accidental. What was once forgotten is now deliberate. What was once avoided is now the center of attention. Fifteen years later, the backyard didn’t just come back—it finally became what it was always supposed to be.

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

Custom design Craftsman Style close up of trim around doors
Inspiration for a mid-sized craftsman master carpeted bedroom remodel in Austin with beige walls and no fireplace

This gorgeous kitchen resides in Austin TX. Our client wanted a clean look with some artistic areas to be the focal points. The sink is one of two focal points in the kitchen. The sink is a copper farmhouse workstation sink featuring interior ledges to hold various cutting boards and a copper drain grid (shown). The apron portion of Rachiele sinks is an opportunity for unique patina artwork. All Rachiele sinks have a lifetime transferable warranty and a stated guarantee: If, for any reason, you are not THRILLED with the quality of my sink, I will (1) promptly and fully refund your money, (2) pay for the return shipping cost and (3) send you a check for $100, in recognition of the inconvenience experienced. Rachiele has been the leader in kitchen sink design since 1999. Rachiele has over a dozen patents as well as being known for introducing the following elements into kitchen sink design> 1. The workstation sink 2. Rear corner drain location 3. Ergonomically designed sinks 4. Single bowl corner sinks 5. Farmhouse sinks that have a channel behind the apron to allow for retrofit installation without cutting existing cabinetry 6. Workstation sink with two interior ledges 7. Copper sinks with no maintenance self-healing interiors. 8. Rustic Matte stainless - easy to remove scratches and scuffs. 9. Millennia textured stainless - hides scratches, water spots and scuffs.

The owners of this Edwardian property in Finchley had purchased it a couple of years prior and since then had slowly been renovating it to restore its original character. The project was almost complete and now attention had turned to the tiled floor. The tiles were in quite a state and I was asked to work our Tile Doctor magic and bring it back to its original condition. When they moved in the hallway had been covered with carpet which gave the tiles underneath some protection. Unfortunately, however the carpet has been secured with carpet grippers that had been glued to the tiles around the edges. There were also paint splashes on the surface that would need dealing with. On top of that the floor had a few missing tiles that had been back filled by cement to provide a level base for the carpet, the client wanted like them replaced if possible. After surveying the floor, I explained what could be done and ever completed a small test clean to demonstrate how the tiles would look once deep cleaned. I was confident on being able to source very similar reclaimed tiles so replacing the missing should not be a problem. The client was very happy with the initial test result and my quotation so booked me in to restore the floor. On my return I started by applying Tile Doctor Remove and Go to soften up the glue which allowed it to be carefully peeled off the tiles with scrappers. Once all the carpet adhesive was gone, I worked a strong dilution of Tile Doctor Remove and Go into the tiles using a black pad to work the cleaning solution deeper into the tiles. A wet vacuum was used to remove the slurry created, and I followed this by giving the tiles an extra clean using a 200-grit diamond burnishing pad lubricated with water. The last step in the cleaning process was to give the floor an acid rinse using Tile Doctor Grout Clean-up, I did this for several reasons, first it removes old grout smears from the surface of the tile and second it neutralised any efflorescent salts lying dormant in the floor. This can be quite a problem for old floors which don’t have the benefit of a protective damp proof membrane under the floor. The floor was given a final rinse with water which was again extracted with a wet vacuum. I then set about lifting all the loose tiles (approximately ten) and carefully removing the concrete infills. I had previously managed to source replacements for these holes from original features. Unfortunately, they didn’t sell the correct sized octagon tiles, so I had bought 150mm square tiles and then needed to cut them on site to get the right size. After cutting and fixing the tiles I fixed them in place and regrouted the rest of the floor. I then left the floor to dry out overnight and returned in the morning. Before applying a sealer, I took several moisture readings with the damp meter to make sure the tiles were dry enough to take the sealer. I was able to confirm the floor was dry, so went ahead and applied three coats of Tile Doctor Colour Grow sealant. Colour Grow is an impregnating sealer that is fully breathable sealer which is important when it comes to old floors like these that don’t have a damp proof membrane installed. My client was very happy with the renovated floor and for aftercare I left them with a bottle of Tile Doctor Neutral Tile Cleaner and gave advice on how best to clean the floor going forward. Andrew Newstead North London Tile Doctor

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

Example of a large minimalist light wood floor eat-in kitchen design in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, medium tone wood cabinets, quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances and an island

The Pros and Cons of Fix and Flip Real Estate Investment Last week, we covered The Pros and Cons of Buy and Hold Real Estate Investment for rental property investors. This week, we want to talk about the other most common type of real estate investment: “fix and flip.” The Appeal of House Flipping We all love the house flipping shows on HGTV and other reality channels. They’re great and they make the prospect of buying, renovating and flipping homes for big profits seem super sexy and fun. However, any experienced real estate investor will tell you it’s not quite as easy as they make it look. There’s a lot of work that goes into a successful fix and flip investment. The basic premise of a fix and flip investment is pretty simple. You buy a property, usually one that needs some work and is available at a great price. You renovate the property, making the necessary repairs and upgrades to maximize its resale value. Then, you sell the property on the open market for the highest possible price. You get in and out as quickly as possible. Full-time flippers will move from property to property or will have multiple properties being worked on at the same time. Rather than the “buy and hold” strategy where you keep the house while earning rental income and equity over time, you are looking for the quick sale to earn your profits. If you are going to explore house flipping—whether as a full-time career or just a side hustle—you will want to know exactly what you are getting into. That is why we are going to cover the pros and cons of fix and flip real estate investment in this article. The Pros of Fix and Flip Here are some of the pros of fix and flip investing: Faster Return on Investment—The biggest appeal of fix and flip investing is that it gives you a quicker return on investment. Buy and hold will take you longer to see your ROI. House flipping allows you to see your full profit (hopefully) as soon as the house sells. The average house flip for an experienced investor is around six months. It may take longer for a first-timer who is just learning how to do certain things. Fairly Safe Investment—As long as you do all your projections and calculations carefully and avoid any major problems along the way, house flipping is a relatively safe investment strategy compared to something as turbulent as the stock market. Real estate markets are generally predictable and the short time frame of a flip helps you avoid losses if the property happens to depreciate over a longer period of time. Exciting—There is a reason why there are so many reality shows based around flipping and none based on buy and hold investing. It’s an exciting process to buy a home, gut it and completely renovate it. Then, you get the ultimate reward of selling it and collecting the profits—as long as you do things right. The Cons of Fix and Flip Here are some of the cons of fix and flip investing: Upfront Expenses—A house flip will require a lot of upfront expenses. We’re not only talking about financing the house itself, but all the renovation costs and other expenses involved in the flip. You are laying out all that money at the beginning and only seeing your returns when the property sells. This can create cash flow issues and stress if you fall being schedule or go above your initial budget. Taxes—House flips will usually create dramatic swings in income year over year, and that can increase your tax bill. You have to pace things correctly to take advantage of specific capital gains tax rules. Capital gains taxes are higher on any property owned less than a year, so you have to find that balance of how long you own any specific investment properties and how long it takes to complete the renovation and sale. Before you get too deep into fix and flip investing, you will want to talk with your tax advisor to make sure you have the right plan in place. Surprises—All real estate investment is susceptible to surprises. You don’t always know what lies behind the walls until you start the renovation process. You cannot plan for everything as a real estate investor, but you have to be prepared for anything. It is a good idea to add some wiggle room in your budget and overestimate your renovation expenses/timeline to cover any surprises that may come up. These are some of the biggest pros and cons of fix and flip real estate investment. Of course, there are other things you need to know as an investor, so be sure and do your homework in order to get the most out of your investment portfolio. Both fix and flip and buy and hold strategies can be highly lucrative if you do things right. There are no wrong answers, but there are wrong ways of doing things if you truly want to be successful in this field. If you are looking for great investment properties to fix and flip, join the exclusive PropertyLark home buyers’ network. If you qualify, you’ll have access to our exclusive off-market deals and analytics tools that will help you identify the best investments and get the highest possible ROI. Fill out the contact form and questionnaire on the PropertyLark buyer’s site to apply!

The homeowner wanted something different, out of the ordinary, as an entertainment center and bar combination that would add an unusual dimension to watching TV. It had to be in character with the rest of the residence, tastefully designed and executed to deliver the maximum effect. A two-piece combination bar and seating, coupled with a fireplace and large screen TV was designed. A system was designed and custom built cabinet consisting of a radius front entertainment center houses a large flat screen TV and enclosed stereo speakers on the top level, and a gas log fireplace below. A custom built see-through bar sports a matching radius front, plenty of storage, and room for three to eat, drink, and enjoy the warmth of the fireplace without missing any of the action on the TV. For even greater functionality, the TV is also viewable through the large opening in the bar while meals or snacks are prepared from the kitchen. Traffic flow is unique: access and egress between the bar front and TV can happen with ease around both sides of the bar, and the opening in the back of the bar provides for service both from and to the kitchen area. Because of the free and easy movement about the space, adequate lighting, and lack of combustibles at or on the fireplace, safety, as well as an ample use of space, are both achieved. Both pieces are custom fabricated from start to finish, and match each other identically in all respects. Both are constructed of clear cherry finish with a clear satin lacquer. Both enjoy chrome accents strips and custom crafted, glass cabinet doors with matching radii, and both are tastefully lit with accenting puck lights. The design and fabrication for both units shared issues in common as well as individually. The entertainment center was fabricated in the shop in three units and then assembled onsite. The opening for the flat screen TV had to be carefully considered as it too had a radius and therefore had to be designed so that the TV would fit. The entire bar system, except the countertop, had to be fabricated onsite due to the structural columns on either side between which the curved lower cabinets would rest. Then the countertop template was prepared, fabricated elsewhere, returned and installed. After the countertop was in place, the cabinetmaker had to wrap the two columns on either side as well as the overhead beam while making sure the joints at the columns and header maintained alignment. A complement of matching radii cabinet doors had to be constructed for both units. Radius glass inserts had to be ordered with precise dimensions to assure a perfect fit to openings with tight tolerances. Any mistake would have been expensive to correct. Because of the abundance of natural light into the space, the finishes had to be dead-on, otherwise every flaw would show. The custom walnut inlays were fabricated out of square stock, which protruded above the radius in each door. A jig matching the radius had to be designed and fabricated, then a router used to trim excess material and then sanded and finished. Solving the multitude of challenges associated with the project was one of the parts that made the project fun and interesting. The homeowners now can entertain every night.

The homeowner wanted something different, out of the ordinary, as an entertainment center and bar combination that would add an unusual dimension to watching TV. It had to be in character with the rest of the residence, tastefully designed and executed to deliver the maximum effect. A two-piece combination bar and seating, coupled with a fireplace and large screen TV was designed. A system was designed and custom built cabinet consisting of a radius front entertainment center houses a large flat screen TV and enclosed stereo speakers on the top level, and a gas log fireplace below. A custom built see-through bar sports a matching radius front, plenty of storage, and room for three to eat, drink, and enjoy the warmth of the fireplace without missing any of the action on the TV. For even greater functionality, the TV is also viewable through the large opening in the bar while meals or snacks are prepared from the kitchen. Traffic flow is unique: access and egress between the bar front and TV can happen with ease around both sides of the bar, and the opening in the back of the bar provides for service both from and to the kitchen area. Because of the free and easy movement about the space, adequate lighting, and lack of combustibles at or on the fireplace, safety, as well as an ample use of space, are both achieved. Both pieces are custom fabricated from start to finish, and match each other identically in all respects. Both are constructed of clear cherry finish with a clear satin lacquer. Both enjoy chrome accents strips and custom crafted, glass cabinet doors with matching radii, and both are tastefully lit with accenting puck lights. The design and fabrication for both units shared issues in common as well as individually. The entertainment center was fabricated in the shop in three units and then assembled onsite. The opening for the flat screen TV had to be carefully considered as it too had a radius and therefore had to be designed so that the TV would fit. The entire bar system, except the countertop, had to be fabricated onsite due to the structural columns on either side between which the curved lower cabinets would rest. Then the countertop template was prepared, fabricated elsewhere, returned and installed. After the countertop was in place, the cabinetmaker had to wrap the two columns on either side as well as the overhead beam while making sure the joints at the columns and header maintained alignment. A complement of matching radii cabinet doors had to be constructed for both units. Radius glass inserts had to be ordered with precise dimensions to assure a perfect fit to openings with tight tolerances. Any mistake would have been expensive to correct. Because of the abundance of natural light into the space, the finishes had to be dead-on, otherwise every flaw would show. The custom walnut inlays were fabricated out of square stock, which protruded above the radius in each door. A jig matching the radius had to be designed and fabricated, then a router used to trim excess material and then sanded and finished. Solving the multitude of challenges associated with the project was one of the parts that made the project fun and interesting. The homeowners now can entertain every night.

The homeowner wanted something different, out of the ordinary, as an entertainment center and bar combination that would add an unusual dimension to watching TV. It had to be in character with the rest of the residence, tastefully designed and executed to deliver the maximum effect. A two-piece combination bar and seating, coupled with a fireplace and large screen TV was designed. A system was designed and custom built cabinet consisting of a radius front entertainment center houses a large flat screen TV and enclosed stereo speakers on the top level, and a gas log fireplace below. A custom built see-through bar sports a matching radius front, plenty of storage, and room for three to eat, drink, and enjoy the warmth of the fireplace without missing any of the action on the TV. For even greater functionality, the TV is also viewable through the large opening in the bar while meals or snacks are prepared from the kitchen. Traffic flow is unique: access and egress between the bar front and TV can happen with ease around both sides of the bar, and the opening in the back of the bar provides for service both from and to the kitchen area. Because of the free and easy movement about the space, adequate lighting, and lack of combustibles at or on the fireplace, safety, as well as an ample use of space, are both achieved. Both pieces are custom fabricated from start to finish, and match each other identically in all respects. Both are constructed of clear cherry finish with a clear satin lacquer. Both enjoy chrome accents strips and custom crafted, glass cabinet doors with matching radii, and both are tastefully lit with accenting puck lights. The design and fabrication for both units shared issues in common as well as individually. The entertainment center was fabricated in the shop in three units and then assembled onsite. The opening for the flat screen TV had to be carefully considered as it too had a radius and therefore had to be designed so that the TV would fit. The entire bar system, except the countertop, had to be fabricated onsite due to the structural columns on either side between which the curved lower cabinets would rest. Then the countertop template was prepared, fabricated elsewhere, returned and installed. After the countertop was in place, the cabinetmaker had to wrap the two columns on either side as well as the overhead beam while making sure the joints at the columns and header maintained alignment. A complement of matching radii cabinet doors had to be constructed for both units. Radius glass inserts had to be ordered with precise dimensions to assure a perfect fit to openings with tight tolerances. Any mistake would have been expensive to correct. Because of the abundance of natural light into the space, the finishes had to be dead-on, otherwise every flaw would show. The custom walnut inlays were fabricated out of square stock, which protruded above the radius in each door. A jig matching the radius had to be designed and fabricated, then a router used to trim excess material and then sanded and finished. Solving the multitude of challenges associated with the project was one of the parts that made the project fun and interesting. The homeowners now can entertain every night.

The homeowner wanted something different, out of the ordinary, as an entertainment center and bar combination that would add an unusual dimension to watching TV. It had to be in character with the rest of the residence, tastefully designed and executed to deliver the maximum effect. A two-piece combination bar and seating, coupled with a fireplace and large screen TV was designed. A system was designed and custom built cabinet consisting of a radius front entertainment center houses a large flat screen TV and enclosed stereo speakers on the top level, and a gas log fireplace below. A custom built see-through bar sports a matching radius front, plenty of storage, and room for three to eat, drink, and enjoy the warmth of the fireplace without missing any of the action on the TV. For even greater functionality, the TV is also viewable through the large opening in the bar while meals or snacks are prepared from the kitchen. Traffic flow is unique: access and egress between the bar front and TV can happen with ease around both sides of the bar, and the opening in the back of the bar provides for service both from and to the kitchen area. Because of the free and easy movement about the space, adequate lighting, and lack of combustibles at or on the fireplace, safety, as well as an ample use of space, are both achieved. Both pieces are custom fabricated from start to finish, and match each other identically in all respects. Both are constructed of clear cherry finish with a clear satin lacquer. Both enjoy chrome accents strips and custom crafted, glass cabinet doors with matching radii, and both are tastefully lit with accenting puck lights. The design and fabrication for both units shared issues in common as well as individually. The entertainment center was fabricated in the shop in three units and then assembled onsite. The opening for the flat screen TV had to be carefully considered as it too had a radius and therefore had to be designed so that the TV would fit. The entire bar system, except the countertop, had to be fabricated onsite due to the structural columns on either side between which the curved lower cabinets would rest. Then the countertop template was prepared, fabricated elsewhere, returned and installed. After the countertop was in place, the cabinetmaker had to wrap the two columns on either side as well as the overhead beam while making sure the joints at the columns and header maintained alignment. A complement of matching radii cabinet doors had to be constructed for both units. Radius glass inserts had to be ordered with precise dimensions to assure a perfect fit to openings with tight tolerances. Any mistake would have been expensive to correct. Because of the abundance of natural light into the space, the finishes had to be dead-on, otherwise every flaw would show. The custom walnut inlays were fabricated out of square stock, which protruded above the radius in each door. A jig matching the radius had to be designed and fabricated, then a router used to trim excess material and then sanded and finished. Solving the multitude of challenges associated with the project was one of the parts that made the project fun and interesting. The homeowners now can entertain every night.

The homeowner wanted something different, out of the ordinary, as an entertainment center and bar combination that would add an unusual dimension to watching TV. It had to be in character with the rest of the residence, tastefully designed and executed to deliver the maximum effect. A two-piece combination bar and seating, coupled with a fireplace and large screen TV was designed. A system was designed and custom built cabinet consisting of a radius front entertainment center houses a large flat screen TV and enclosed stereo speakers on the top level, and a gas log fireplace below. A custom built see-through bar sports a matching radius front, plenty of storage, and room for three to eat, drink, and enjoy the warmth of the fireplace without missing any of the action on the TV. For even greater functionality, the TV is also viewable through the large opening in the bar while meals or snacks are prepared from the kitchen. Traffic flow is unique: access and egress between the bar front and TV can happen with ease around both sides of the bar, and the opening in the back of the bar provides for service both from and to the kitchen area. Because of the free and easy movement about the space, adequate lighting, and lack of combustibles at or on the fireplace, safety, as well as an ample use of space, are both achieved. Both pieces are custom fabricated from start to finish, and match each other identically in all respects. Both are constructed of clear cherry finish with a clear satin lacquer. Both enjoy chrome accents strips and custom crafted, glass cabinet doors with matching radii, and both are tastefully lit with accenting puck lights. The design and fabrication for both units shared issues in common as well as individually. The entertainment center was fabricated in the shop in three units and then assembled onsite. The opening for the flat screen TV had to be carefully considered as it too had a radius and therefore had to be designed so that the TV would fit. The entire bar system, except the countertop, had to be fabricated onsite due to the structural columns on either side between which the curved lower cabinets would rest. Then the countertop template was prepared, fabricated elsewhere, returned and installed. After the countertop was in place, the cabinetmaker had to wrap the two columns on either side as well as the overhead beam while making sure the joints at the columns and header maintained alignment. A complement of matching radii cabinet doors had to be constructed for both units. Radius glass inserts had to be ordered with precise dimensions to assure a perfect fit to openings with tight tolerances. Any mistake would have been expensive to correct. Because of the abundance of natural light into the space, the finishes had to be dead-on, otherwise every flaw would show. The custom walnut inlays were fabricated out of square stock, which protruded above the radius in each door. A jig matching the radius had to be designed and fabricated, then a router used to trim excess material and then sanded and finished. Solving the multitude of challenges associated with the project was one of the parts that made the project fun and interesting. The homeowners now can entertain every night.

There are many challenges in Milwaukee commercial exterior painting. With such a wide variety of building fascia materials requiring different coatings, materials and application equipment, there are varying environmental and atmospheric conditions to deal with and elaborate equipment required to complete many of the jobs. Hi-rise buildings need staging, weatherproofing, special machinery and applicator lifts to reach all surfaces. One of the toughest challenges is the requirement to complete the Milwaukee commercial exterior painting project while the business or government office is in continuous operation. All of this requires professionalism, experience, expertise and knowledge that can only be gained by years of work with the diverse coatings and equipment that is necessary to complete large exterior commercial painting projects. Richmond Painting is regularly selected by facility owners and general contracting firms. For the right commercial exterior painting job, we’ll travel as far south as Libertyville, IL and as far north as Mequon, WI. From where we are centrally located in Racine, WI, Richmond Commercial Painting dispatches professional crews and equipment to paint commercial building exteriors throughout the area. Commercial Exterior Painting ServicesAt Richmond Commercial Painting our professionals are available to assist with every aspect of the exterior commercial painting project, from planning, to design, to budgeting, to application and completion. With a solid record of projects completed on time and within budget, our expertise will make any job move like a well-oiled machine; smoothly and quietly. Whether the job requirements are for using elastomeric coatings to weatherproof masonry exterior walls, applying two-part epoxies, spraying high-solids paint for protecting exposed metal, or any of the other specialty architectural coatings, we have the experience, equipment and highly trained personnel to satisfactorily complete the project. We can also tap a network of competent tuck-and- point subcontractors to repair any joints, corners or sprawls in brick or masonry. Our experienced project managers provide their years of background in all types of exterior coatings jobs to make every commercial painting project a successful joint venture with the owner, architect-designer and/or general contractor. We effectively dovetail our portion of the project with those of the other trades, contributing to a smooth “critical flow” on the job. Our portfolio of successfully completed projects includes all types of commercial exterior painting projects: hotels, hi-rise office buildings, factories, warehouses, industrial parks, schools, churches, apartment buildings and just about every other type of commercial facility you can find around Milwaukee. Our clients have learned that with the professional, commercial exterior painting services provided by Richmond Painting, Inc., a job done right the first time saves money over one that requires a number of return visits to the job to touch-up or correct flaws. Keeping that in mind, we’ve found that it really costs no more in the long run to hire the very best.

A young couple recently bought a house in Barnsley and were renovating it from top to bottom, included in the plan was the desire to have the previously unloved Victorian floor made beautiful again. The house stands in an area of Barnsley famous for its’ big Victorian villas and quite rightly they felt it was important to ensure period features like this original floor were correctly maintained. Due to the floor being covered up for many years the floor had developed damp staining, it also had a lot of paint splattered on it. There were also some loose tiles that needed fixing back in place and the layer of old floor polish was present which would need removing. I started by protecting all the skirting boards, doors and carpets bordering the tiles from splashing. The loose tiles were then cleaned up and then secured back in place using a fast-setting adhesive. Once the adhesive was set, I turned my attention to stripping and cleaning the floor starting with the application of a coarse 200-grit diamond pad fitted to a weighted rotary buffing machine. The pad was lubricated using a dilution of Tile Doctor Remove & Go which was applied to small sections of the floor and left to soak in for ten minutes first. I run the buffing machine at a slow speed to minimise splashing. Remove & Go is amazing at removing old floor coatings (i.e. sealers), dirt and grime from the floor. When the diamond pad had been used on each section of the floor for five minutes the slurry was vacuumed up using a wet vac machine and I moved onto the next section. Once the whole floor had been cleaned in this way it was time to start the next step. Old floors like this which don’t have the benefit of a damp proof membrane, and have been covered up for a long time, can suffer from efflorescence issues due to moisture being trapped in the tile. This will result in white salt staining appearing on the tiles for days, weeks and sometimes months afterwards. To counter this the alkaline salts are neutralised by giving the floor an acid rinse using Tile Doctor Acid Gel and leaving it to dwell for five minutes before going over the floor again with the coarse diamond pad. The slurry was again removed with a wet vacuum and the floor was scrubbed clean with damp cloths. I returned a few days later once the floor had dried to seal the floor. The client wanted a satin finish so knowing the floor had damp and efflorescence issues I opted for Tile Doctor Seal and Go Extra. This is a topical sealer which leaves a lovely satin finish but also allows for the floor to breathe. six coats were required to make the floor look perfect, allowing the lovely colours to come through. Once complete the floor looked much brighter and the colours really shone through. The owners were really happy with the renovation we carried out and before leaving I took time to discuss how best to maintain the tiles going forward including the use of Neutral Tile cleaner. Matthew Lovett South Yorkshire Tile Doctor