Surface Blog

Welcome to Surface, a blog by Carlisle Wide Plank Floors. Join us in discussion about hardwood flooring wood grains & styles, home decor, green building products, trends and more.

One of Carlisle’s sales reps in Atlanta offices gets much-deserved recognition

Posted by Christine Halvorson

We got a lovely note from customers Jim and Georgia Connell in Atlanta, who took the time to let us know how much they enjoyed working with a member of our team in the Atlanta Design Center--Sharon Bondie. Jim actually wrote to Don Carlisle, Carlisle's president:
Don,
I'm emailing you to let you know how pleased we are with the Wide Plank floors we just recently purchased from Carlisle. We have been researching these floors for more than three years and they look great in our house. The real purpose of my email is to recognize one of your employees Sharon Bondie.
We started engaging with Sharon more than 6 months ago. She is extremely knowledgable of the product, how the colors differ all the way to best practices on how to install the floors. In addition to that she was EXTREMELY responsive in dealing with me and my wife whenever we needed information. This is a large purchase for me and my wife and we told ourselves that when we started this project we were going to do it right. Making the decision to go with Carlisle floors was absolutely the right decision but having Sharon as our consultant in this project made the experience that much better. She is a valuable asset to your company and I wanted to make sure you knew she is great at what she does and we appreciate all of her help.
Thanks very much,
Jim and Georgia Connell
Well, Sharon seems a little embarassed about this attention, but Don had this to say to Jim about his note:
"Sharon is an incredible asset to the Carlisle family business. I hope you enjoy the floor we craft for you for many years and if you ever are visiting New England stop in and visit us....we love to meet our customers.
So, just to embarass her further, here's a photo of the Atlanta Team. She's the one on the far right in the green dress. Yay, Sharon!

Posted on March 6, 2009 at 07:00 AM in Customer Stories • (0) Comments
Do-it-yourselfers on Whidbey Island do a great job with their Carlisle floor

Posted by Christine Halvorson

Our Sarah Bergren got a nice note from Diane (and Bob) Billingsley from Whidbey Island, Washington. They ordered a Carlisle floor about one year ago--a 3" to 7" Anitque Oak and, as a cost-saver, they installed the floor themselves and did the final finishing with Tung Oil. Good for them! Here's the note from customer Diane:
Hi Sarah:

I am not a photographer but these will give you some idea of how beautiful the floor came out in the kitchen. We still have not put the great room floor down or the stairs and landing. Do you think the wood will be 'acclimatized' sufficiently? We hope to get it all down within the next month or so....

We went to see a house that is being remodeled here on the island yesterday and one of the gals with us remarked on the floor. It was a simple, tight knot (she said) pine, stained and sealed. The owner said she was disappointed with the floor, that it was not a "Carlisle" but she had to live with it. I didn't say anything, didn't want to make her feel any worse, but I was beaming inside and Bob (my husband) and I exchanged a wink. She and her husband are coming over to see our progress next Saturday...
Ciao,

Diane

Posted on March 5, 2009 at 08:03 PM in Customer Stories • DIY • (0) Comments
Don Carlisle offers some floor nailing tips

Posted by Christine Halvorson

Erik Paulson, a client, wrote to our Lauren Power about his pre-finished Eastern White Pine with Indian Summer stain, 8" to 12". The floor was installed in his house that was under construction.
Thanks for all your help. We love the floor, although I haven't yet put the antique nails in, partially because I don't want to ruin anything.-- Erik Paulson
Don Carlisle dropped in with this note to give Erik some confidence in putting in the nails:
Pre-drill the holes with a small pilot drill 1/8" to avoid splitting. Make sure the nail is parallel to the grain. In doing this, you'll get some little areas around some of the nail heads where there is bare wood from the nail going in. Trust me, I tried not to and you just can't help but get some. I took a little tiny sponge brush--you could even use a paintbrush--like the little ones you use for artistry. Just dabble a little stain in around the nail head and let it sit while you do the whole row. Then go back with a little rag and wipe off any excess that gets on the surface of the floor. You would also only want to put nails in every other joist. I'd only use three on the face every other, and two on the ends and every other. --Don Carlisle

Posted on February 20, 2009 at 01:11 PM in Customer Stories • DIY • (0) Comments
Even the dogs were happy when the floor arrived

Posted by Christine Halvorson

We got a nice note from Todd Gourley, owner of Powder River Construction in Breckenridge, Colorado, who had been working with Edie Putnam, director of our customer specialist group. Todd was thanking Edie for the dog treats and a Carlisle hat that Edie had sent to him along with the delivery of his floor. Todd also noticed some higher-ups in our company had called him personally. Todd writes:
You must have been listening when I mentioned I had two doggies and no kiddies.
All is well with your product...17" E.W.P. (Eastern White Pine) is huge and beautiful. It will be easy and fast to install.
Your attention to customers' satisfaction and to quality sets the standard!
Thanks again and thanks to H.Q.--Todd

Posted on February 18, 2009 at 11:34 AM in Customer Stories • (0) Comments
One designer’s unsolicited endorsement for Carlisle flooring

Posted by Christine Halvorson

Sales Account Manager Peter Switzer, in our Stoddard offices, has been working with Linda Sypherd, a potential customer, and getting some samples sent to her, etc. He was tickled when Linda took the time to send along this note recently:
Last night, I ran into a friend that I haven't seen for years and she does designing for new construction, etc.
Told her I wished I had bumped into her a few months before, as planning my kitchen was somewhat overwhelming; but as we talked, she was asking about my house, and then she asked the big one: What kind of flooring are you looking for?
So I told her wide planking! And she immediately said, "Carlisle was the best!" She was even more surprised that I knew that!. )
Linda moved to Egg Harbor City in New Jersey about two years ago and lives in a 2-story farmhouse on the river. Her house dates back to the 1800s and she and her husband began talking to Peter about using hickory with a hand-planed surface or antique heart pine.
Going to try and do all the floors downstairs at one time to make it look complete - kitchen, dining room, hallway & then the living room. Never know what we might come across once we get started...but that is our goal...hope!!!--Linda
Peter has now sent her some samples of, not just the two she wanted to see, but two more he thought might work in this old house. He wrote:
I also sent some samples of heart pine and even antique ash. I have been doing this a long time, and there are so many ways to make "new" wood look old. At the same time there is just something about the look of say antique heart pine that just adds 200 years to the home!

Posted on February 13, 2009 at 10:10 AM in Customer Stories • (0) Comments