This job was for a repeat client in Toft near Cambridge who had aa stunning large hallway that was tiled in beautiful pale Limestone. My client had asked me back to work on the floor having previously completed the deep clean and seal of a Terracotta floor previously. The Limestone tiling in the entrance hall had years of some type of topical sealer applied to it. This caused the stone to look slightly discoloured and from certain lights showed up hundreds of scratches and smudges embedded in the seal. I’ve tried to capture this problem in the photographs on this page, but it was very difficult. A topical sealer sits on the surface of the tile where it is vulnerable to scratching, hallways are generally high traffic areas and so more likely to see this sort of problem. Ideally an impregnating sealer should have been applied, impregnators work by occupying the pores in the stone thus preventing soiling from becoming ingrained in the stone. Before starting we protected the woodwork against splashing with blue film, I don’t usually make a great deal of mess, but you can never be too careful when working in someone’s property especially one as beautiful as this. To strip off the old sealer I began by applying a strong dilution of Tile Doctor Remove and Go to the Limestone tiles. I split the floor into sections and used a 400-grit diamond burnishing pad to work the Tile Doctor Remove and Go into the tiles. The floor was then rinsed off using our high-pressure cleaning system that applies pressurised hot water to the floor whilst simultaneously extracting the soil with its built-in vacuum. The system is quite heavy, so it is built into my van, and I run a large flexible hose to a spinner tool that does the cleaning. It is an expensive tool, but it saves a lot of time and leaves the floor fairly dry afterwards. The 400-grit pad had released a lot of the sealer but there were quite a few layers to get through, so I changed the burnishing pad to a coarse 200-grit pad and repeated the process. After another rinse and extract I would see it had the desired effect and I was able to carry on building up the finish on the Limestone by apply the 400-grit followed by the 800, 1500 grit pads. It was a large floor and so this took up much of the day so once complete I left for the day so it could dry off overnight. The next day I finished the polishing process with the application of a 3000-grit burnishing pad which is applied with a little water sprayed onto the tile and really brings up the polish on the stone. This process has the added advantage of leaving the floor dry so not long afterwards I was able to move on to sealing. For this floor two coats of Tile Doctor Ultra-Seal were applied, it is an impregnating sealer that won’t alter the colour of the tiles leaving a natural look. My client was much happier with the new finish and has asked for another quotation on some more Terracotta flooring that needs attention. For aftercare I recommend using Tile Doctor stone soap, it’s a special formula that builds on the patina which will help maintain the polished appearance of the Limestone. Tom Conlon Cambridge Tile Doctor

Why Choose Stain Protection Services? StainProtect is much stronger, and lasts longer than our competitors. While most companies insist clients re-protect their furnishings every 12 months, StainProtect will provide full protection for as long as 30 to 36 months even in the most heavily used, and trafficked areas of your home. Our formulated protection penetrates each fiber for maximum protection. This nanotechnology penetrates the entire fiber and is not just a topical protector, providing great peace of mind for our clients. Visit our website at stainprotect.ca or call 647-779-7755 to set up an appointment or receive a "no obligation" quote!

This fun playroom was inspired by a 3-year old little boy who loves trains more than anything. Tee-pee from Pottery Barn Kids. Rug, toy boxes and curtains from Land of Nod. Photo Credit: Ryan Herrero

Plenty of daylight from the multiple A-frame windows showcases this cozy chalet living room, with beautiful wood moldings throughout the interior. It sports a modern wood wall art piece that is a topic of conversation for all its many visitors. It is complimented by the hand woven grass baskets nearby. A cozy reading chair is ready with a wool throw to curl up in and read or watch TV while you listen to the wind whistle through the trees outside. The TV wall is painted in Benjamin Moore - sea salt and the A frame wall is painted in Benjamin Moore - Potters Clay.

Photo: Nanette Wong © 2016 Houzz
Example of a 1950s living room design in San Francisco

The Art of Turning a House into a Home Remodeling or custom-creating elements of the home to suit the client’s taste is an art – one of which Bentz has delicately mastered. With careful attention to detail, W.A. Bentz Construction can steer any project in the right direction, from complete interior and exterior home renovations to deck or room additions. Each member of the W.A. Bentz Construction team is licensed, insured and experienced at all facets of home renovations. They can advise on a variety of building topics such as: which projects are likely to increase the value of a home; whether or not a building permit is needed; and which design ideas work well for the space. They also take careful precautions throughout the building process to protect the home and ensure maximum security. With over 35 years of experience plus access to a vast network of top subcontractors in the area, Bentz and his team flawless manage each project so that it’s completed on time, on budget, and to the client’s expectations.

Plenty of daylight from the multiple A-frame windows showcases this cozy chalet living room. It sports a modern wood wall art piece that is a topic of conversation for all its many visitors. It is complimented by beautiful wood moldings and hand woven grass baskets. A cozy red leather sectional is ready with a wool throw to curl up in and read or watch TV while you listen to the wind whistle through the trees outside. The TV wall is painted in Benjamin Moore - "Sea Salt" and the A frame is painted in Benjamin Moore - "Potters Clay".

Rachel Loewen Photography © 2017 Houzz

Photo: Jordana Nicholson © 2016 Houzz
This is an example of a farmhouse landscaping in Kansas City.

The Art of Turning a House into a Home Remodeling or custom-creating elements of the home to suit the client’s taste is an art – one of which Bentz has delicately mastered. With careful attention to detail, W.A. Bentz Construction can steer any project in the right direction, from complete interior and exterior home renovations to deck or room additions. Each member of the W.A. Bentz Construction team is licensed, insured and experienced at all facets of home renovations. They can advise on a variety of building topics such as: which projects are likely to increase the value of a home; whether or not a building permit is needed; and which design ideas work well for the space. They also take careful precautions throughout the building process to protect the home and ensure maximum security. With over 35 years of experience plus access to a vast network of top subcontractors in the area, Bentz and his team flawless manage each project so that it’s completed on time, on budget, and to the client’s expectations.

Upon entering the home from the screened porch, MOSS installed floor to ceiling semi-custom cabinetry to be used as a sort of butler’s pantry to store kitchen items, additional entertainment ware, guests’ coats, cleaning equipment and supplies, and more. The use of the unique green tone was a beautiful touch as the color green is used throughout the home’s updated décor and brings a sense of unity to the overall space. Immediately off the long hallway is the home’s kitchen, which was completely updated. Square footage was not affected but MOSS re-designed the space so that it could be used in a more functional manner. A massive kitchen island with a beautiful soapstone countertop dominates the room. Semi-custom white cabinetry lines the perimeters. New large windows provide an incredible view of the yard. Finally, a seating area with built-ins was added to supply more space for seating and for the dining room table to be moved from the center of the kitchen, previously, to the side. The kitchen also features a beautiful fireplace which had its wooden surround updated. The home’s sunroom, located next to the kitchen, was previously a few feet lower than the rest of the home. To bring a better flow to the space, MOSS raised the entire floor of the room up to meet the rest of the main level. Stunningly, the hardwood floor matches to a “T”. In the home’s living room and office, full wall built-ins were added, allowing the homeowners to display their favorite books on topics ranging from art to history, as well as showcasing statues and art sculptures and other items that are meaningful to their family. The living room fireplace’s stone and wooden surrounds were updated by MOSS as well.

Ricky Perrone Sarasota Luxury Waterfront Home Builder
Large island style master gray tile and stone tile freestanding bathtub photo in Tampa with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets and quartz countertops

My House Design/Build Team | www.myhousedesignbuild.com | 604-694-6873 | Duy Nguyen Photography -------------------------------------------------------Right from the beginning it was evident that this Coquitlam Renovation was unique. It’s first impression was memorable as immediately after entering the front door, just past the dining table, there was a tree growing in the middle of home! Upon further inspection of the space it became apparent that this home had undergone several alterations during its lifetime... A home that was once pieced together now flows seamlessly from one space to the next. This home is a direct reflection of the homeowner’s vivid personality. There are so many details that can be the topic of conversation and we are so happy we had the opportunity to work with these clients.

My House Design/Build Team | www.myhousedesignbuild.com | 604-694-6873 | Duy Nguyen Photography -------------------------------------------------------Right from the beginning it was evident that this Coquitlam Renovation was unique. It’s first impression was memorable as immediately after entering the front door, just past the dining table, there was a tree growing in the middle of home! Upon further inspection of the space it became apparent that this home had undergone several alterations during its lifetime... A home that was once pieced together now flows seamlessly from one space to the next. This home is a direct reflection of the homeowner’s vivid personality. There are so many details that can be the topic of conversation and we are so happy we had the opportunity to work with these clients.

Inspiration for a cottage home bar remodel in Richmond

Balinese style water garden including a pond less waterfall and 18’ stream, crossed by a custom made wooden bridge and stone mosaic pathway. 12’ x 16’ Pergola custom built to enjoy the sound of the running water.

My House Design/Build Team | www.myhousedesignbuild.com | 604-694-6873 | Duy Nguyen Photography -------------------------------------------------------Right from the beginning it was evident that this Coquitlam Renovation was unique. It’s first impression was memorable as immediately after entering the front door, just past the dining table, there was a tree growing in the middle of home! Upon further inspection of the space it became apparent that this home had undergone several alterations during its lifetime... A home that was once pieced together now flows seamlessly from one space to the next. This home is a direct reflection of the homeowner’s vivid personality. There are so many details that can be the topic of conversation and we are so happy we had the opportunity to work with these clients.

My House Design/Build Team | www.myhousedesignbuild.com | 604-694-6873 | Duy Nguyen Photography -------------------------------------------------------Right from the beginning it was evident that this Coquitlam Renovation was unique. It’s first impression was memorable as immediately after entering the front door, just past the dining table, there was a tree growing in the middle of home! Upon further inspection of the space it became apparent that this home had undergone several alterations during its lifetime... A home that was once pieced together now flows seamlessly from one space to the next. This home is a direct reflection of the homeowner’s vivid personality. There are so many details that can be the topic of conversation and we are so happy we had the opportunity to work with these clients.

My House Design/Build Team | www.myhousedesignbuild.com | 604-694-6873 | Duy Nguyen Photography ------------------------------------------------------- Right from the beginning it was evident that this Coquitlam Renovation was unique. It’s first impression was memorable as immediately after entering the front door, just past the dining table, there was a tree growing in the middle of home! Upon further inspection of the space it became apparent that this home had undergone several alterations during its lifetime...A home that was once pieced together now flows seamlessly from one space to the next. This home is a direct reflection of the homeowner’s vivid personality. There are so many details that can be the topic of conversation and we are so happy we had the opportunity to work with these clients.