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Full-overlay Rustic Beech cabinets in the "Charleston" door style and "Briarwood" finish. Village Home Stores
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I recently worked on the restoration of a Victorian tiled hallway in Cwmbran Wales which is six miles North of Newport. As you can see from the photographs the floor was in quite a neglected dirty state and many of the the black and white border tiles needed removing and replacing. The worst part was the area by the front door where most of the tiles had been removed and then backfilled with concrete. I can only assume at some point in the past it was deemed to difficult or expensive to restore the floor, so they simply covered it up. After visiting to survey the floor I did offer to source replacements for the concreted section and restore that as part of the work however my client’s budget would not stretch to that at the time. My quote was therefore focused on the main section of flooring and included replacing border tiles, deep cleaning the whole floor and then sealing the tiles to add protection. Although I did need to check that I could indeed source the replacement tiles before being able to provide the quote which as it turned out would not be an issue. They were happy to go ahead and we arranged a suitable time to carry out the work which would enable me to work in the property whilst minimising contact with the owners due to the Covid-19 situation. I spend the first day sorting out the black and white border tiles which needed to be gently prised out of position without upsetting the main part of the floor. The exposed subfloor was then cleaned up to remove old adhesive and replacements were fitted where required and secured into place. The floor would need to be solid before cleaning so that was left for day two so the new adhesive could go off overnight. On day two I gave the floor an initial clean using a combination of Tile Doctor Pro-Clean and Remove and Go diluted with water. This produces a strong cleaner/stripper that will tackle dirt and remove coatings such as previous sealers. The old tiles had accumulated years of ingrained dirt, so I needed this extra power to remove the years of dirt and contaminates from the tile. It was sprayed onto the tiles and then left to soak in for ten minutes before being actively scrubbed into the tile using a rotary machine fitted with a black scrubbing pad. The soil was then rinsed off with water and extracted with a wet vacuum. The floor was inspected, and the process repeated on the tough stains until I was satisfied all the dirt had been removed. Next the floor was treated to an acid wash using Tile Doctor Acid Gel using a similar method as before. This is an important treatment for these old Victorian floors that have no damp proof course as it neutralises efflorescent salts trapped in the tile which can appear as white salt deposits later. Once I was happy with the condition of the floor it was given a final rinse and left to dry off. I use a wet vacuum to remove liquids from the floor and on this last extraction I spent extra time to remove as much moisture from the tiles as possible. I came back a few days later and after checking the tiles were dry using a damp meter, I started the application of the sealer. For this floor I applied seven coats of Tile Doctor Seal and Go for a satin finish. Tile Doctor Seal and Go is a specially formulated water-based sealer that provides both stain resistance and a durable low-sheen finish. It is perfect on a floor of this age where it leaves a lovely finish and will remain durable in what is a essentially a high traffic area. Although we didn’t manage to sort out the area by the front door the client managed to fit a made to measure coir door mat along with carpet bar which was quite practical and looked fine so they were able to resolve that problem without blowing their budget. The client was over the moon with results, the floor had a lovely pattern and the colours now shone through. I suggested the use of Tile Doctor Neutral Tile Cleaner to keep the floor clean and in good condition. It is neutral in pH so will ensure that the newly applied sealer stays in place and will ensure maintenance is nice and easy for them. Paul Wales Monmouthshire Tile Doctor

DARIS BROWN, WRITER If you think choosing the right shingle color is hard, you are not alone. With an endless array of colors to choose from, getting started can be difficult. But don't worry – we’ve got a great system to help you pick the perfect shingle color. If you are ready to look at shingles in a way you probably never have before, our three-step process can help you choose the color that works best for your home. Choosing By Style Before you can start flipping through a collection of earth-tone samples, you need to determine which shingle style best fits your home — and your price range. You don’t want to waste time falling in love with a beautiful shade of brown (let’s say hickory) if it’s not available in a style you like. Most homeowners are not aware that shingles come in different styles, including three-tab, architectural and slate-look. Three-Tab: These shingles have a traditional, flatter look and are considered the most affordable. They also are available in a wide range of colors. Slate: These asphalt shingles, as the name reveals, are meant to mimic the look of slate but offer the easy care and affordability of asphalt. They come in a variety of colors. Architectural: Also known as laminated or dimensional shingles, architectural shingles are manufactured with aesthetic appeal in mind. Layered to resemble wood shake, they are thicker and provide a more dimensional, interesting look than traditional three-tab shingles. Choosing By Features By comparing the available features, you can systematically narrow down your options to determine the best shingle available. Here are a few features to consider: Class 4 Impact Resistance – Do you live in an area of the country that experiences regular hailstorms? Class 4 impact resistant shingles deliver superior impact resistance to help protect your home during hail season. Algae Resistance – How humid is your region? Do you see roofs all around you with black streaks? Shingles manufactured with Scotchgard Protector help resist those ugly black streaks caused by algae. High Wind Rating – Do you get nervous anytime a strong wind blows? Shingles with high wind resistance, up to 130 mph wind speed coverage, are designed to stay put – and look good in the process. Comprehensive Warranty Protection – Do you want to feel secure with your investment? For maximum protection and warranty coverage, have a full roof system installed and receive an enhanced Premium Protection Period for total peace of mind. Extensive Color Palette – Are you tired of plain black shingles? Get ready for an explosion of color, as there are many different options available. Woodland Green, Desert Shake, Burnt Sienna and Pristine Oyster are a few of the many great colors you can explore. Choosing By Color By choosing shingle style and features first, you can significantly narrow your list of colors. Now go through your shortened list and pick the best color for your home. You could match the shingle color to your shutters or door. If you want to enhance your home, lighter-colored shingles can help make it look bigger. Finally, opposites attract. If you have a light-colored home, you can go with a dark roof, and vice-versa for a dark-colored home. The contrast will help your entire home pop. Don’t be afraid to spread out your sample boards and make a side-by-side comparison to help with your selection process. Likewise, don't hesitate to lean on the advice of your roofer. Years of experience and thousands of homes roofed make them a valuable resource for homeowners trying to choose the best shingle color. Choosing By Heart While many homeowners will go straight to color, taking a methodical approach often provides better results. Take a step back. Decide what style you truly like and what features are available, and the best color for your home will fall right into your lap. Visit AtlasRoofing.com for a quick start to your shingle selection process. Atlas offers a broad range of beautiful designer colors and styles, which makes it easy to find an exceptional shingle to boost your home’s curb appeal.

Because the double doors were the showpiece of the courtyard entry, the homeowners chose a different latch and lock for their side yard gate. They chose the Nero Contemporary Lever Latch and Square Modern Style Deadbolt in black. This photo shows the interior of the gate, latching against a fence panel. Photos by 360 Yardware

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Woodwerd
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Materials and interior paint selected by Cherry City Interiors & Design
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Whole house remodel by GAM Construction
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Iron Fence Painting in Wicker Park: A Windy City Painters Case Study Iron fence painting in Wicker Park is one of the most requested exterior services Windy City Painters performs each season, and this recent project shows exactly why. Set behind an ornate 1890s greystone two-flat, the client's wrought iron fence had endured years of Chicago winters without professional attention. Rust had spread across the pickets, the original black enamel was flaking away in sheets, and the fence's structural hardware had begun to loosen at several joints. As the trusted local expert for Chicago's North Side and Near West Side, Windy City Painters approached this project the same way we approach every iron fence painting job in Wicker Park: with a methodical, multi-step process designed to outlast Midwest weather rather than simply mask the damage. The Process, Step by Step Step 1 — Rust Removal and Surface Preparation. Our crew wire-brushed and mechanically ground every rusted section down to clean, stable metal. For pitted or heavily corroded areas, we applied a chemical rust converter to neutralize corrosion at the molecular level before any coating touched the surface. Furthermore, because this greystone was built well before 1978, Windy City Painters tested the existing paint layers for lead and followed strict containment protocols throughout the removal process. Step 2 — Spot Repairs. Loose pickets were re-secured, small pits were filled, and hardware at the gate hinges was tightened. In contrast to a quick spray-paint refresh, this stage ensures the fence is structurally sound before a single drop of primer goes on. Step 3 — Priming. A full coat of rust-inhibiting primer, engineered specifically for ferrous metal, was applied by brush to every surface — with particular attention to welds and joints where moisture tends to collect and restart the corrosion cycle. Step 4 — Topcoat Application. Two finish coats of industrial-grade, direct-to-metal enamel were applied by brush and roller. This built a durable, uniform barrier in classic gloss black, the most popular finish among Wicker Park's historic properties. Finally, our team inspected every inch of the fence for thin spots or missed sections before calling the job complete. Project Specs Surface: Ornamental wrought iron fence, posts, and gate hardware Products used: Rust-inhibiting DTM primer, chemical rust converter, industrial-grade direct-to-metal enamel Coats applied: 1 primer coat, 2 finish coats Finish: Gloss black Timeline: Completed in under two days Advice for Wicker Park Homeowners Before starting a similar iron fence painting project in Wicker Park, homeowners should keep a few things in mind. Notably, never paint directly over active rust — trapped moisture underneath will cause the new coat to fail within a season. Additionally, always ask whether a contractor tests for lead paint on pre-1978 homes, since many Wicker Park greystones fall into that category. Meanwhile, hand brushwork matters: the intricate scrollwork common on Wicker Park ironwork requires careful, detailed application that spray equipment simply cannot replicate. Therefore, hiring a crew experienced specifically in historic Chicago ironwork, like Windy City Painters, makes a measurable difference in the finished result. Windy City Painters also handles related exterior and interior work for Wicker Park properties, including interior painting, drywall and plaster repair, and additional metal refinishing for porches and railings. Iron fence painting in Wicker Park protects one of the neighborhood's most defining architectural features while restoring curb appeal instantly. As a result, this greystone now has a fence that matches the quality of the home behind it — and will hold up through many more Chicago winters. See more of our work and request a free estimate at www.windypainters.com. Ready to transform your Wicker Park home? Contact Windy City Painters for a free estimate — visit www.windypainters.com today. Proudly serving Wicker Park, West Town, Lincoln Park, Roscoe Village, Lakeview, Ukrainian Village, River North, and all of Chicago.

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Custom steel gate with keypad locking handle - Angelica Norton
Photo of a small modern partial sun front yard gravel garden path in Austin.

Josiah Zukowski
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