Surface Blog
All entries by Lesley Anderson
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Georgia Pet Vet Picks Hickory Hardwood Floors for Second Home
Posted by Lesley Anderson
South Georgia-based veterinarian Dave Richards has had an unlikely connection to Carlisle... for 36 years: Carlisle is his wife's maiden name (no relation). Okay, maybe that's a bit of a stretch for similarities here, but this coincidence struck a chord with him during the process of building his second home.
When approaching building a second home, Richards knew what he didn't want from the beginning. "We went to some home shows, and looked at flooring in other people's homes, and some of the wood looked artificial, even though it wasn't! It was just the way it was finished...those standard skinny little boards. It just wasn't our style." he said. "I said, 'I want some wider boards. I want something that really looks like it came out of a tree!" which should come as no surprise coming from this self-proclaimed "tree hugger". After a quick Internet search for wide hardwood floors, the relationship with Carlisle Wide Plank Floors was born.
Posted on May 29, 2008 at 02:35 PM in Customer Stories • (1) Comments
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Kitchens Continue to be a Remodeling Hot Spot
Posted by Lesley Anderson
You know that phrase, "if you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen"? Well, remodelers are heeding the opposite, making the kitchen the hottest place in the house for renovations, and it's not too hard to see why. The kitchen has become more than just a place where food is prepared. It's become the family and social gathering place. No matter how big or small the home, people always seem to end up in the kitchen. Sometimes it's to keep the cook company during a family get-together, or to lend a helping hand. Other times, it's to gather around a bowl of snacks or to do homework after school. When you think about it, the kitchen really is the life force of modern living, so it's only reasonable that during the recent housing dip, people are turning to renovate their own homes instead of purchase new ones. Kitchen renovations top the list of home improvements, according to Remodeling Online.
As a result of this kitchen craze, kitchen manufacturers are cranking out more and more high-quality, eco-friendly options for DIYers and contractors alike. The green movement seems to have hit at a perfect time, since buyers are now looking to not only save the environment, but save money and be able to feel that they're doing their part by working on home projects themselves. Now, instead of simply renovating the look and feel of a kitchen, owners are becoming more invested in the long-term affects of their kitchen renovations by carefully choosing environmentally friendly materials and appliances.
Recyclable materials like glass and quartz are becoming more common in kitchen countertops, and of course you knew we'd mention hardwood flooring! Wood is one of the best examples of nature's renewable resources! Many people often think that once a piece of wood has lost its lustre that it's destined for firewood, but this isn't the case. Reclaimed wood in particular adds character and beauty to kitchen cabinets, and you can also have the satisfaction in knowing you're using a natural, renewable resource for your home that will last for generations. With so many different finishing options available, you could turn virtually any wood surface into something to suit your lifestyle.
Not far behind kitchens on the renovation list are bathrooms. Ironically, kitchens and bathrooms are two rooms we've talked about on the blog that seem further from the front of people's minds when thinking about hardwood flooring, but they can actually be some of the most affordable hardwood flooring projects since their square footage is generally smaller than that of a living room or bedroom. Have you recently renovated your kitchen? What were your biggest priorities in reshaping and refreshing your decor?
Posted on May 21, 2008 at 02:00 PM in DIY • Green Building • (0) Comments
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100 Mile Decorating
Posted by Lesley Anderson
You may have heard of the hundred mile diet -- purchasing produce and other food items grown, raised or created within 100 miles of your home -- in order to make life a bit greener and preserve the livelihood of local farmers and other small businesses. But have you heard of hundred mile decorating? This article talks about the environmental and local business benefits of decorating your home with the same approach as the hundred mile diet.
Hundred mile decorating takes the concept of "green home decorating" to a new level. In addition to being cautious of the materials your furnishings and decorations are made out of, there is the added environmental benefit of buying locally. This means no jet fuel costs from shipping goods across states or countries, and less automotive fuel by reducing the amount of truck driving required for shipment. It also means a sustained livelihood of local artisans.
It can be hard to adjust to lifestyle changes like hundred mile decorating or the hundred mile diet, but the key is to approach them with an open mind and allow yourself to get used to the adjustment before giving up. For example, if you live in New England, think of how many miles an orange has to travel to get to your fruit bowl! If you're buying locally, you may have to sacrifice the fresh citrus fruits in the winter, or plan ahead by canning or freezing your local seasonal fruits and vegetables when they're in season so you can enjoy them all year long. You can start to adapt to the change even simply by changing your approach when you go to the grocery store, and being more careful to pick foods that have been harvested nearby.
The same goes for green home decorating. It can be incredibly convenient to pick up whatever you need for your home at a mega-store where the goods are shipped in from all over the place, but even small steps can make a difference. For example, head to local flea markets to find locally made baskets and candles. Purchase your furniture from a local reclaimed wood furniture company. Buy homemade runners, drapes or curtains from a craft fair. There are many ways to get started, it just might involve a bit of extra looking!
Have you adapted any green home decorating methods, or have you taken the plunge into local purchasing? Leave a comment and tell us about it!
Posted on May 19, 2008 at 02:13 PM in Green Building • (0) Comments
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Hardwood in the kitchen - not just hardwood floors!
Posted by Lesley Anderson
You may be surprised to find out that having a hardwood floor in a room that traditionally has tile, like a bathroom or kitchen, is actually quite common and perfectly safe and durable against water and other spills. (See our entry about kitchen hardwood flooring concerns) Perhaps you have a hardwood floor in your own kitchen. More and more homeowners are warming up to the cozy feeling of hardwood flooring throughout the home, even in less likely places, but it's also important to recognize the role that hardwood surfaces can have even beyond the surfaces you walk on.
When people think of wood in the kitchen, they most likely think of cabinets. Granite countertops paired with luxurious wooden cabinets has been a growing trend with home and apartment renovations. It seems like when people see "granite countertops, cherry cabinets, stainless appliances!" in a listing, they're sold! But let's step back for a moment and have a look at a hardwood surface you probably wouldn't think of at first - hardwood countertops.
Your first reaction is probably the same as mine was - won't that stain? Won't water get in there? Can I use it kind of like a built in cutting board? Then what happens if the slice marks trap bacteria? Ahh! Thankfully, this article has recognized that hardwood countertops are a viable option for the kitchen, and just reminds homeowners that the extra warmth requires just a little extra care to make sure it retains its luster for years to come. Sealing or oiling periodically will keep the counter in top shape, and it never hurts to use a cutting board instead of cutting directly on the counter (even though you can do that!) if you're concerned about scratches and dents. Though depending on your home's decor, you may view those scratches as a symbol of your kitchen being lived in and a place of memories, just as you would with a hardwood floor.
Other posts you may enjoy:
Posted on May 16, 2008 at 11:00 AM in Home Building & Contracting • Home Decor • (0) Comments
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True Hardwood Story - Hardwood Flooring Design That Rocks!
Posted by Lesley Anderson
Take one look at the guys at Balash and Greene, and you might mistake them for rock stars.
They definitely don't fit the mold of what typically comes to mind when you think "hardwood flooring contractor", and they like it that way. Come to think of it, they probably have more in common with a rock band than you might think-they work together in a small group, they "tour", traveling around the country to different venues they're working at, and they live to get people pumped about the awesome work that they do. Balash and Greene bring a mix of master craftsmanship with a refreshing approach to floor design that pushes the limits of what was previously thought possible with hardwood flooring, and I got a VIP pass to go behind the scenes and find out what makes their wood floors rock.
Posted on May 6, 2008 at 03:00 PM in Customer Stories • Home Building & Contracting • (3) Comments
McKenna Lumber Company
Photo: Clark Kinsey
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