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

Imagine a sleek A-frame cabin near Fairplay, where mountain views steal the show. Redhill Road is a modern take on a classic shape, small in size but big on quality – perfect for embracing Colorado's wild beauty without extra fuss. Our clients sought a home that highlighted Mt. Silverheels and Crystal Clear Creek, using a simple gable design that's stood the test of time. With space like a townhome, it focuses on smart layout and top materials for a cozy, efficient life. In the mountains, cold and wind can drive up costs and discomfort. We tackled that with thick insulation and no weak spots, keeping the home warm and energy bills low for worry-free living. The concept celebrates basics – a clean roof over sturdy walls, wrapped in metal for a modern edge. A tall stone fireplace adds heart and texture, making the space feel solid and welcoming. Built with wood and advanced insulation, including spray foam in the thick roof, it's made to handle harsh weather. Metal siding keeps it durable and stylish, blending strength with simplicity. Cozy on the main floor with open living and dining that soar high, connected by custom stairs to upstairs bedrooms. Windows reach to the roof, letting you sleep under the stars in a light, airy setup. From its 2021 start, Redhill Road has become a timeless mountain haven. It saves energy, connects you to nature, and offers practical luxury – a home where simplicity sparks joy and lasting comfort.

This modern shaker bathroom remodel focuses on clean lines, built-in storage, and long-term durability. The custom vanity layout features: • Solid wood dovetail drawer construction • Full extension drawer storage • Soft-close hardware • Deep drawer organization • Quartz countertop with integrated backsplash • Brushed nickel fixtures • Frameless glass shower enclosure • Marble-look large format wall tile The double-sink vanity maximizes everyday functionality while maintaining a clean, clutter-free aesthetic. Deep drawers provide efficient storage organization, and precision joinery ensures structural integrity over time. The frameless glass shower keeps the layout visually open, while the neutral color palette enhances natural light and spatial balance. Designed and crafted by The Cabination.

Why Aerial Views Matter in Landscape Design Most backyards are experienced from the ground—but the best designs are just as impressive from above. An aerial perspective brings everything into focus: • Balance and symmetry ? • Clean spacing and proportion • How each feature connects ? • The overall flow of the space ? In this project, the turf, patio, fireplace, and stepping pads were all intentionally designed to work together as one cohesive layout—not just separate elements. That’s what turns a backyard into a space that feels complete, polished, and thoughtfully designed. Pro Tip: ? When planning your layout, think in shapes and geometry. The strongest designs are the ones that look just as good from above as they do in person. If you’re thinking about upgrading your outdoor space, it starts with a solid plan. ? Get started: https://landscapedesignhouston.com/contact/ ? Call/Text: 832-230-7277

Located in the secluded Rough Hollow Community on Lake Travis. Windows and Doors are Milgard Tuscany Vinyl in Solid Tan interior and exterior. These windows are some of the most energy efficient on the market and come with a Full Lifetime warranty. The tan was chosen to blend in with both the interior and exterior colors which creates a focus on the glass and highlights the beautiful views. Photos taken by Masters Touch Custom Homes

44 Photos · Updated 3 hours ago Our Louisville clients were proud new home owners who were excited to move into their home and start personalizing! We created a transitional design for their home that incorporates modern touches and classic lines to tie the spaces together. Our primary focus was to update the home and keep things feeling clean and fresh while making it comfortable for everyone in the family. We started by painting every room in their home, replacing all of their interior doors, and updating all of their light fixtures. One of the most transformative elements was the updated flooring throughout the home. We removed the oak floors and replaced them with a wide plank solid hickory which removed the yellow undertones and gave them a clean backdrop for the rest of the design. The clients really wanted to freshen up their kitchen and incorporate new appliances without starting from scratch, so we rearranged a few of their existing cabinets to make room for their new stove and range hood. We also lowered the original bar-height counter to make the kitchen feel more open to their family room. We then painted all of their cabinets a crisp white, replaced the crown molding, updated the hardware, replaced their counter top with a marble look quartz, and used a soft green mosaic tile on their backsplash. This home has a large family room, and the original fireplace was far too small and seemed to disappear under the 20 foot ceilings. So we removed the old square fireplace, replacing it with a linear gas fireplace and a floor-to-ceiling tiled surround with a custom wood mantle. This created a real focal point and helped to anchor the space. We then brought in a cozy blue sectional and a soft new rug to make this the perfect place for a family movie night. The clients have a real love of music, and wanted to create a space where they could lay back and enjoy their vinyls. So in their family room we created a custom stereo wall with floating cabinets and shelves to house all of their audio equipment and showcase a few of their favorites. We then furnished the room with clean and classically inspired pieces to tie in with the aesthetics in the rest of the home.

We are so excited about this stylish Houston patio addition! It's one of our most recent outdoor living space design projects - and one of our new favorites! We particularly love the rustic corner fireplace, the beautiful, vaulted pine ceiling and the Restoration Hardware furniture and accessories. "Even though this space has an outdoor kitchen - often the highlight of our projects - the focus here is beautiful, comfortable outdoor living," says Outdoor Homescapes of Houston owner Wayne Franks. "And I have to say, I think this is one of the most gorgeous spaces we've created for doing that - in style." "This project was special from the start, as we were creating this space for a friend of Wayne’s who had been a long time mentor to his boys growing up," adds Lisha Maxey, owner of LGH Designs in Houston (she coordinated furniture and finishes for the project). "This client was the principal of their high school and knew all of them very well and Wayne, too. This made it very personal, indeed, and we wanted everything to be perfect!" The 23- by 16-foot addition, located at the back of the house in Cypress, looks out onto a manmade lake in the homeowners' subdivision. The focal point? A 9-foot-8-inch-high-by-7-foot-wide corner fireplace in Earth Grey rustic ledgestone from Colorstone in Houston. The fireplace features a custom wooden mantel, stone bench seating and a 52-inch Sunbrite outdoor TV. Another highlight is the flooring - silver travertine tile laid out in a Versailles pattern. "We chose silver travertine in a 'Tumbled' color palette with variations of cream and brown," says Lisha. "So we had those two colors, plus grey, to pull from." The 7-foot-long, stucco outdoor kitchen island's countertops are also noteworthy - Absolute Black granite in a leathered finish offering a modern look and a dark grey hue that works perfectly with the color palette. The kitchen island also houses an RCS 30-inch grill and fridge. The seating area includes a sectional couch, coffee table, two swivel chairs and two ottomans - all from Restoration Hardware. "We used Restoration Hardware's Biscayne sectional, swivel chairs and ottomans in gray, with textured linen weave in Sand and cushions and peacock accent pillows in gray," says Lisha. The coffee table is made of solid teak with a concrete top - as is the matching side table. "We added a console table, also in teak, behind the sofa. And for accents, we added three Amalfi lanterns from Restoration Hardware in weathered zinc." A Sunbrella® Heathered area rug (in Gray) was added to anchor the space and visually tie it together. "The space as a whole leans towards a transitional style, in that it has many traditional cozy comforts and colors, but the furniture gives it a more contemporary look," says Lisha. "The idea from the beginning was to marry these two styles, as our clients wanted a look that would not age and be in vogue for years to come." On the exterior, you can see how we worked to make the addition blend with the existing home - matching the shingles and stucco and continuing the landscaping. 3D graphic renderings and a virtual video tour allowed the clients to know exactly what the space would look like beforehand. "It takes a lot of the guesswork out of the process," says Outdoor Homescapes' graphic designer, Kristy Buell Franks. "Floor plans and elevation drawings are good for giving an idea of the overall scope of the project, but it's the 3D renderings that really show what the space is going to look like." The 3D graphics and video tours also help immensely when choosing finishing materials and furniture, she says: "The clients' choices can be put into the design to allow the clients to see how the materials will work with the existing materials on the house and how the furniture will look in the space." What do you like about this space? Post a comment and let us know!

Glenview Haus Classic Collection of front doors provides solid wood doors that are elegantly styled with archetypal designs. These custom-made wooden front doors feature elaborate, raised moldings. Showcasing two-panel and one-panel door styles, clients can choose which time-honored look will better suit their home. The Classic Collection of front doors can additionally be customized with intricate and beautifully unique jointed and lead patterns to better fit the personalities of the individuals who live inside. The artisans at Glenview Haus focus on enhancing the natural elegance of the high-end wood grains by using furniture-quality stains and techniques.

Focus on the natural looking stone step structure. Products used: -Permacon: -Esplanade Slab in Range Grey -Esplanade Step in Range Grey -Browns Concrete: -Belvedere Garden Wall in Manitou Blend Photo Credits - Cameron Maiolo

The Glenview Haus Classic Collection of front doors provides solid wood doors with elegant, archetypal designs. The custom-made styles range from two-panel doors with elaborate raised moldings to beautiful glass doors with leaded patterns, adding beauty and grace to the home’s entrance. The artisans at Glenview Haus focus on enhancing the natural elegance of the high-end wood grains by using furniture quality stains and techniques.

A 1940’s West End commercial offiice space converted to a modern residential home for a family of four and a dog. The completed space has over 2800 square feet and includes two bedrooms on the lower floor and a master with ensuite on the second, a 600 square foot rooftop deck and a bright and airy main floor with kitchen and great room. Special focus on spaces for art to hang in a gallery like setting, custom built-in storage where you might least expect it and the installation of an aluminum curtain wall window system. Of special note, reclaimed fir joists from the demolition were turned into stunning 11” solid fir flooring, adding character throughout.

Eliesha Hagemann Photography This couple was excited to extend their living space out to the unused patio. We were able to give them an expansive U shaped outdoor kitchen with built-in 36" grill, a serving island, an electric burner, a full beverage center including high powered blender, and refrigerator. The focus was to be sure the new outdoor living space looked as if it was part of the original plan. With stone veneer to complement the brick color along with solid surface live edge limestone countertops, they couldn't be happier with the results!

Glenview Haus Classic Collection of front doors provides solid wood doors that are elegantly styled with archetypal designs. These custom-made wooden front doors feature elaborate, raised moldings. Showcasing two-panel and one-panel door styles, clients can choose which time-honored look will better suit their home. The Classic Collection of front doors can additionally be customized with intricate and beautifully unique jointed and lead patterns to better fit the personalities of the individuals who live inside. The artisans at Glenview Haus focus on enhancing the natural elegance of the high-end wood grains by using furniture-quality stains and techniques.

A unique collection of furniture designed for the exterior living. The collection is created with an eye for the simple and solid elegance with an exclusive touch. It is designed with focus on seat comfort and functionality. It is hand woven from an outdoor fibre on a strong hot-dip galvanized metal frame, which is powder coated to ensure a finish that can endure all weather types and temperatures.

COL_Amelia_AMA510_RM_CU We are a customer-driven company, focused on increasing our sales and market share. We differ from our competition by our products, presentation, and service while continuing to support our reputation for value and selection. Quickly put…to make Century Tile “simply the best." Century Tile’s eleven locations and commitment to Chicago for over 65 years; First Quality Flooring, Value Pricing, Best In-stock Selection and Knowledgeable Staff. We also have the Midwest’s largest in-stock selection of flooring. We carry over 10,000 styles and colors of floor coverings which we import direct; as well as carry many of the major flooring brands domestically offered. Century Tile’s size and buying power allows us to offer you the best selection of products at the lowest price and best value in Chicago that you can take home today. Century Tile offers you Chicago’s most knowledgeable people who have an average of 12 years flooring experience. Our sales staff will assist you with any flooring project that you might have.

44 Photos · Updated 3 hours ago Our Louisville clients were proud new home owners who were excited to move into their home and start personalizing! We created a transitional design for their home that incorporates modern touches and classic lines to tie the spaces together. Our primary focus was to update the home and keep things feeling clean and fresh while making it comfortable for everyone in the family. We started by painting every room in their home, replacing all of their interior doors, and updating all of their light fixtures. One of the most transformative elements was the updated flooring throughout the home. We removed the oak floors and replaced them with a wide plank solid hickory which removed the yellow undertones and gave them a clean backdrop for the rest of the design. The clients really wanted to freshen up their kitchen and incorporate new appliances without starting from scratch, so we rearranged a few of their existing cabinets to make room for their new stove and range hood. We also lowered the original bar-height counter to make the kitchen feel more open to their family room. We then painted all of their cabinets a crisp white, replaced the crown molding, updated the hardware, replaced their counter top with a marble look quartz, and used a soft green mosaic tile on their backsplash. This home has a large family room, and the original fireplace was far too small and seemed to disappear under the 20 foot ceilings. So we removed the old square fireplace, replacing it with a linear gas fireplace and a floor-to-ceiling tiled surround with a custom wood mantle. This created a real focal point and helped to anchor the space. We then brought in a cozy blue sectional and a soft new rug to make this the perfect place for a family movie night. The clients have a real love of music, and wanted to create a space where they could lay back and enjoy their vinyls. So in their family room we created a custom stereo wall with floating cabinets and shelves to house all of their audio equipment and showcase a few of their favorites. We then furnished the room with clean and classically inspired pieces to tie in with the aesthetics in the rest of the home.

For this three-bedroom house in the Southdowns Estate, ARCA Unlimited was appointed to design a home with bedrooms that boast private outdoor spaces and living areas that live out onto the adjacent farm fields. The design incorporates a courtyard concept to maximise privacy and use of available erf capacity. The house is expressed as three linear, north-facing, solid masses linked by a central, transparent passageway, which forms a visual focus point onto the pool and the farm fields beyond. Rooms, with outdoor extensions that facilitate both northern sunlight and natural ventilation, live out onto two secure and private courtyards. Central courtyards are connected to the living and entertainment areas, which spill out onto the farm fields. The free flow of spaces into one another and in and out of nature is a highlight of the house. Photographs by Malan Kotze Photography

A couple took ownership of their new residence on a top floor of a quiet street in central Lisbon. Our studio’s brief was to transform the duplex into a hideaway to detach from daily life and spend quality time with visiting relatives. The design manifests family-focused features: upon entry, there is plentiful storage for shoes and coats; in the main living room, a custom island crafted in solid surface extends the compact kitchen into the social area, seamlessly bridging cooking and convivial gatherings. A buffet supports more elaborate meals. Sculptural pendants and niches that accentuate horizontal continuity favor interaction between the dining and flexible lounge areas. Reimagined with durable materials, the bathrooms embrace efficiency and elegance. Cabinetry is integrated around the planes of countertops and insets carried across the room. Dark wood and textured accents punctuate the white surfaces, grounding the spaces in tactile warmth. The bedrooms, designed for adaptability, offer separable sleeping arrangements, peaceful workspaces, and versatile wardrobe solutions. The light-toned furniture and organic elements are tailored to the interior, softening the contrasting architectural palette and rectilinear forms. Soothing accent lighting is interwoven throughout, offering an adaptable, serene atmosphere.

Custom Curved Wooden Slides by Top Tread Stairways ~ Transform Your Home Into Something Extraordinary Custom Curved Wooden Slides When was the Last Time Someone Walked Into Your Home and Their Jaw Literally Dropped? Picture this: Your guests arrive for dinner. They step into your foyer, and suddenly—silence. Wide eyes. A moment of pure disbelief. Then, inevitably, the question: “Is that really what I think it is?” Welcome to the world of custom curved wooden slides, where Top Tread Stairways turns childhood dreams into sophisticated architectural statements. The Secret is Out For years, Clyde Martin and his team at Top Tread Stairways in Sierra Vista, Arizona, have been quietly building something extraordinary. While most stair companies focus on traditional projects, TopTread Stairways has been perfecting the art of custom hardwood slides—creating installations so remarkable that we joke about renaming the business “Chutes and Ladders.” The truth? These aren’t just slides. They’re conversation pieces. Works of functional art. The kind of architectural element that sets your home apart from every other one on the planet. And we build so many of them that we’ve shipped custom slides all over North America and beyond. Four Ways to Make Your Home Unforgettable Every slide project we undertake is unique, but they generally fall into four categories: 1. Curved Stair-Slide Combinations – The ultimate space-efficient solution, where stairs and slide spiral together in a stunning combination of form and function. 2. Curved Slides Separate from Stairways – For those who want the drama of a standalone curved slide that makes its own architectural statement. 3. Straight Stair-Slide Combinations – Perfect for modern, linear spaces where clean lines meet playful innovation. 4. Straight Slides Separate from Stairways – Sometimes simplicity creates the most powerful impact. But here’s where it gets interesting: Some slides feature flat seat areas with vertical sides. Others embrace a barrel shape for enhanced comfort. We’ve built slides wide enough for several people to descend shoulder-to-shoulder, laughing all the way down. And we’ve crafted intimate slides designed for solo adventures, regardless of age or size. Our clients? They absolutely love them. Stories That Will Make You Rethink What’s Possible Take the 11,000-square-foot home in Beverly Hills, overlooking the famous Sunset Strip. In one child’s bedroom, we installed a 12-foot curved slide crafted from white oak. Understated location, extraordinary feature. Or consider the 35-foot-high round tower room in an 8,500-square-foot custom home bordering the Sacramento River in Northern California. This project has become our most famous installation—a stunning 33-foot curved stair-slide combination built entirely from solid black walnut, featuring 445 layers of cross-laminated hardwood and a spiral newel post that took eight months to construct in our shop. The homeowners had searched for eight years to find someone “crazy enough” to build their dream. When we completed it, one of Clyde’s trusted business partners—someone who’d seen him tackle countless unique projects—admitted he thought Clyde had lost his mind taking this one on. He genuinely didn’t believe we could pull it off. We did. And the homeowners? Still thrilled years later. Where Imagination Meets Reality But these slides aren’t just for private estates. We’ve installed a 24-foot hickory slide in an elementary school library just east of Dallas, where kids absolutely love it. And here’s something that will make you smile: We built the longest wood slide ever for a children’s hospital in Springfield, Illinois. Have you ever heard a child beg to go to the doctor? We’re pretty sure it happens in Springfield. That walnut slide stretches 45 feet long and 3 feet wide—spacious enough for three children to sit side-by-side or for an adult and child to slide together comfortably. We built it in one piece, filling an entire semi-trailer for transport. It lives in the hospital lobby, and no appointment is needed to experience it yourself. In Raleigh, North Carolina, we installed a 36-foot white oak slide in a custom home. The client loved it so much they ordered a second one—literally 15 minutes after we finished the installation. When Clyde returned to the office, there was already a check in the mailbox for slide number two. This 14,000-square-foot home now features 72 linear feet of curved white oak slide: one connecting the second floor to the main level, another linking the main floor to the finished basement. What a ride, indeed. Then there’s the curved stair-slide combination in Visalia, California—32 feet of knotty alder complemented by a hanging netted loft and climbing wall. Creative? Absolutely. Fun? Beyond measure. The People Behind the Dreams What inspires us most isn’t the technical challenge of building these slides—though engineering a 33-foot curved slide from 445 layers of cross-laminated hardwood certainly keeps us engaged. It’s working with clients who refuse to think inside the box. These are creative individuals willing to explore ideas that set their homes and businesses apart. They dream of installations that make people stop and stare. They understand that architecture can—and should—inspire joy. Listening to them describe their visions, explaining their dreams of a slide design unlike anything else on earth? That’s a privilege. And bringing those dreams to life? That’s what we live for. My team and I have as much fun designing and building these slides as our clients have riding them. We’d love nothing better than to hear from you! Custom Curved Wooden Slides What Sets Top Tread Stairways Apart Since 2006, Clyde Martin has built Top Tread Stairways on a simple premise: there’s a better way to build stairs. With roots in eastern Pennsylvania and years of experience installing hundreds of pre-built stairways, Clyde brought that expertise west and founded a company dedicated to exceptional craftsmanship. We stock thousands of stair parts in more than ten wood species—hickory, jatoba, maple, cherry, mahogany, alder, red oak, white oak, poplar, Douglas fir, and walnut. Quality levels are high. Lead times are short. We understand the urgency of your project schedule and deliver accordingly. But here’s what really matters: When it comes to custom wooden slides, Top Tread Stairways is one of—if not the—premier builders of indoor wooden slides in the United States. This isn’t a side project for us. It’s a specialty we’ve refined through years of experience, countless installations, and an unwavering commitment to turning impossible dreams into breathtaking reality. Your Home, Reimagined Whether you’re envisioning a straight wooden stand-alone slide for your office or a jaw-dropping curved wooden slide/stairway combination that will become your home’s signature feature, we’d love to hear from you. We’re not here to build ordinary. We’re here to build extraordinary. Ready to set your home apart? ~ Custom Curved Wooden Slides ~ ART YOU RIDE!