Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional formal and enclosed dark wood floor and brown floor living room remodel in Birmingham with white walls, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

This client at a property in Bamber Bridge was really fed up with his Indian sandstone kitchen floor. The sandstone suited the age of the property but due to its course rough texture he was having issues keeping the stone clean and maintaining it to a decent standard. Ideally, he wanted something long lasting that was easier to keep clean. Sealers can only help so much on a rough stone like this, in my opinion really rough stone is best sold for use outside in patio’s etc. My client didn’t want to rip it up as it ran underneath the kitchen units and it cost them a lot of money to have it laid, so having been on our website and checked out our previous work they realised we could mill the stone and smooth down the rough texture to a much smoother finish and yet still leave enough texture in the stone for it to look very natural. We have developed a system at Tile Doctor called “Milling” which is very similar to sanding rough wood to reveal the inner patina. Once done we then we give it one more clean before adding a fresh sealer to add protection. Milling does change the look of the stone as you will see on the before and after pictures on this page, so it is not for everyone. It is however a one-off process so once done it will never need to be milled again. Like all stone floors it will still benefit from a deep clean and re-seal every five years (depending on use) just to keep it looking its best but after milling you will be able to walk on the stone in bare feet or socks and slippers as it really does make a big difference to the finish. By milling we mainly use coarse-grit burnishing pads that contain segments made from hard industrial diamonds. Working our way up the different grits the pads are applied using a weighted floor buffer which is run over each tile several times to cut the stone back. The process is so effective we often find that the pads are all you need to clean the stone so hardly ever use any chemicals with this process, apart from the sealer which is applied once fully dry. I should mention that Milling is not something a customer should consider doing themselves as you need invest in a heavy-duty weighted buffing machine which are rarely available for hire. To seal internal Sandstone floors, I usually use Tile Doctor Colour Grow which brings out the natural colours in the stone. On this occasion however two coats of Tile Doctor Ultra Seal were applied to the stone and grout which results in an invisible natural finish and better matched the clients’ requirements. My client was really pleased with the new floor and left the following feedback: “Only finished today but looks so good now. Russell did a great job milling the flags to a much smoother finish. Two coats of sealant applied by Heidi on last day which hopefully will keep it looking that way. Mark F. Bamber Bridge” For aftercare cleaning I left them with a bottle of Tile Doctor Neutral Cleaner which is specially designed for cleaning sealed floors. You need to be very careful when using supermarket cleaners as many are tool strong and will slowly strip the sealer off the floor, always read the label. Russell Taylor Lancashire Tile Doctor

This high-quality brass basin mixer faucet from Haiwei Faucet represents the perfect blend of modern aesthetics and durable engineering. Designed for premium bathroom projects, it features a lead-free solid brass body with a sleek chrome finish (or your specific finish). Our factory in Wenzhou ensures every piece undergoes 100% pressure testing to meet international standards. Ideal for architects and interior designers seeking reliable, stylish plumbing solutions for residential and commercial spaces.

These beautiful built in cabinets are in the Drift stain color from Wellborn. There is plenty of storage below for DVD's and components and there are ample places above to showcase books and collectibles. The Silestone tops in between give it a great visual contrast. In the hallway, there are additional built ins to match this unit. That unit actually houses a flat screen TV that is seen through a two-way mirror in the master bath! What modern amenities!!!

Example of a small 1960s open concept light wood floor, beige floor and vaulted ceiling family room design in Los Angeles with white walls, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace and a tv stand

  Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   We went with a minimalist, clean, industrial look that feels light, bright and airy. The island is a dark charcoal with cool undertones that coordinates with the cabinetry and transom work in both the neighboring mudroom and breakfast area. White subway tile, quartz countertops, white enamel pendants and gold fixtures complete the update. The ends of the island are shiplap material that is also used on the fireplace in the next room. In the new mudroom, we used a fun porcelain tile on the floor to get a pop of pattern, and walnut accents add some warmth. Each child has their own cubby, and there is a spot for shoes below a long bench. Open shelving with spots for baskets provides additional storage for the room. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKBD Photography by: LOMA Studios For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

These beautiful built in cabinets are in the Drift stain color from Wellborn. There is plenty of storage below for DVD's and components and there are ample places above to showcase books and collectibles. The Silestone tops in between give it a great visual contrast. In the hallway, there are additional built ins to match this unit. That unit actually houses a flat screen TV that is seen through a two-way mirror in the master bath! What modern amenities!!!

Example of a mid-sized transitional formal and open concept dark wood floor and brown floor living room design in Birmingham with white walls, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Living room - mid-sized transitional formal and open concept dark wood floor and brown floor living room idea in Birmingham with white walls, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Example of a mid-sized transitional formal and open concept dark wood floor and brown floor living room design in Birmingham with white walls, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Living room - mid-sized transitional formal and enclosed dark wood floor and brown floor living room idea in Birmingham with white walls, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Small 1950s open concept light wood floor, beige floor and vaulted ceiling family room photo in Los Angeles with white walls, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace and a tv stand

These beautiful built in cabinets are in the Drift stain color from Wellborn. There is plenty of storage below for DVD's and components and there are ample places above to showcase books and collectibles. The Silestone tops in between give it a great visual contrast. In the hallway, there are additional built ins to match this unit. That unit actually houses a flat screen TV that is seen through a two-way mirror in the master bath! What modern amenities!!!

Family room - small 1960s open concept light wood floor, beige floor and vaulted ceiling family room idea in Los Angeles with white walls, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace and a tv stand

Mid-sized transitional formal and open concept dark wood floor and brown floor living room photo in Birmingham with white walls, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

We created an open concept floor plan between the family room and kitchen to improve the traffic between the spaces. The Mercier maple species hardwood floor marries the two areas so they flow together seamlessly.

Shoe storage under stairway
Example of a classic wooden staircase design in New York

Photography: Stephani Buchman
Bathroom - mid-sized contemporary master gray tile and subway tile marble floor and gray floor bathroom idea in Toronto with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, gray cabinets and gray walls

3 BU No 122 Small Truck with 2 inch stem casters Photo Credit: Amy Gerber/Brown Eyes Plus Blue (www.browneyesplusblue.com)
Inspiration for a timeless u-shaped dedicated laundry room remodel in Boston with a drop-in sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white walls, a stacked washer/dryer and beige countertops