TRANSFORM YOUR VISIONS INTO REALITY

Inspired design comes from inside your heart and your head! You know what you like. If you took a month and tore out photographs from various magazines, you would find your style coming through loud and clear. Pay attention to what you like and stay true to it. Then ....follow these simple tips to let it shine:



- Start a collection! From trinkets to artwork, a collection will ground your space and reflect your own unique personality. Why buy "accessories" that mean nothing when you can spend your hard earned money on objects that inspire you?!



- Use pattern and texture....checks, stripes, paisleys and plaids should be mixed and matched with confidence. Just remember to match the scale of the prints with the size of the room and choose fabrics that share at least one common color.



- Choose appropriate lighting. Lighting should be functional as well as enhance the beauty of your home. Start by considering the natural lighting of your home, then supplement with artifical lighting.



- Design around a focal point. A focal point is usually the largest element in the room such as large windows or a fireplace. You can also create a focal point with a statement piece of furniture or artwork.



- Use flooring as the foundation for your design. Again, always consider the size of the room. Larger rooms require larger patterns. Bew sure to consider doorways and other features that may cause a break in the flow of the room.



And last but not least, HAVE FUN!! Stay true to your style, trust your design instincts and in no time, your vision will become a reality.

READY....SET....DESIGN!

It seems like an overwhelming task, which is why many of us wait so long to update our home! Paint colors go out of style, furniture has seen better days, kitchens are outdated....but taking on design projects are scary! Too many decisions. Too expensive. Too messy. Too much time! Even if you are smart enough to hire a professional from Bedrock or Rite-Loom, it still requires effort and organization.



Make it a little easier and do what the pros do:



Create a project binder. This is a "job" after all so approach it like a job and you'll be rewarded with sucess.



- Pick a binder that inspires you. There are lots of fun and colorful notebooks available. Buy one with a pattern that you love.

- Use dividers. If you are working on your kitchen, section it in tasks: cabinets, flooring, countertops, appliances, etc. Each section should have a "contact" page where you can put trade information, companies you are considering working with, phone numbers, etc. You can also use a piece of cardboard to staple business cards to. Plastic sleeves can store swatches, bids, paint chips, etc.

- Keep a "swipe" file for ideas out of books and magazines. Post-it a note of what you like about the design in case you pass it off to one of your contractors.

- Fill a zippered pencil bag with a highlighter, measuring tape, small stapler, masking taper and note pad.

- Tote a tote. Put the binder, file and pencil bag in a tote bag for hauling it from one shop to another. Bring it to Rite-Loom so you can used it for fabric samples to match to carpeting, and to Bedrock for your kitchen granite ideas. Having everything in one "grab and go" bag will save you time and energy.





Now....Ready, set......design!

THE LATEST & GREATEST

While natural stone tile and manufactured tile in soft neutrals are still very popular, people who want something a little different are turning to contemporary trends that offer some really unique looks. While you would never connect these three styles, check out why they work:




Metals: Those of you out there who love your stainless appliances will really flip over the classy new "metal" tile. Sleek and sophisticated, snall metal tiles can create some really cool patterns and complement those big commercial sytle kitchen stove hoods that are so popular right now. There is also a broad range of finishes in these metal collections - from polish to satin. Use them on your backsplash for the WOW factor that makes a real statement.









Glass: Accent tile in cool shades of green, blue and browns are really in right now. They offer a relaxing sheen and sparkle that few can resist.

Put them on backsplashes, shower walls and accent walls for a trendy look that will never go out of style. Another plus.....most are made with recycled tile!

Hardwood "tile": Yes, Hardwood! Now you can have that beautiful hardwood look that you love in your bathroom. When your contractor tells you no, tell him your Bedrock/ Rite-Loom designer suggested faux hardwood porcelain tile! Manufacturers have gotten great at creating products that look like other material. They've mastered stone, now hardwood. Available in 2, 3 and 4 inch planks, this "wood" can take the moisture that natural wood can't. So....run the shower and jump into the warmth of wood in your bathroom!

KNOW YOUR TERMS

Have you ever sat across from a trade professional and felt like they were talking a different language? Your head spins while they toss around confusing words like Un-gauged, Igneous and Metamorphic. Well, no need to grab your dictionary....below are some common stone terms:



Backsplash: the area located between the countertop and upper cabinet -n usually 16-18 inches in height.



Border: a decorative piece of tile. Often long and narrow, set within the field tile to create interest.



Bullnose: rounding of an exposed stone edge.



Cladding: when a wall is faced in stone.



Face: the portion of the stone tile or slab that is exposed.



Forty-Five: a way of describing a diagonal stone setting design (on the 45 degree angle...)



Grout: an epoxy based material used to fill joints between tiles.



Inserts: decorative tile or accents that can be inserted in the field tile design.



Joint: an area where two tiles or two slabs meet.



Liner: a long narrow piece of decorative tile placed within a design to create interest.



Mortar: the material used to set stone.



Quarry: the physical location where raw blocks of stone are removed from the earth.



Slab: a linear piece of stone cut from the original quarried block.



Watch for some not so common terms next week!



And by the way.....Un-gauged is when a tile has been cut without strict uniform thickness, igneous is a type of rock that is formed from the cooling of molten matter, and metamorphic rock is a type of rock that is altered in appearance by extreme heat or pressure.

HIRE RITE!

WE post tips on hiring the right contractor often....why? Because it can be the most important decision you make when updating, building or remodeling your home. For a successful renovation, follow this advice:

- Get a referral!! If a family member or friend has had a good experience, you probably will too.

- Hire a contractor who specializes in the type of work you need done. Don't hire a general contractor to install your wood flooring or granite countertops. Choose a professional with experience in EXACTLY what services you require.

- Check licenses and insurance information with your city's/state's Contractors Licensing Board. Ask your choice for copies of the following documents: Contractors Certification, Worker's Compensation Status, and Liability Insurance Certificate.

- Get at least three References and CALL THEM....even better, ask if you can check out the work in person.

- Go on-line and research your choice with the Better Business Bureau.

- Request a written estimate for the work you need done and if it is a large project, pay in three installments - 1/3 at the start of the job, 1/3 when the job is half way done (or on a mutually agreed upon date) and the balance at completion.

- Sign a written contract that details the above agreement.

Both Bedrock and Rite-Loom Flooring have all of the above documents and licenses available at your request. So, check with your representative and give them an opportunity to show you how it's done RITE!

IS YOUR BACKYARD AND LANDSCAPING READY FOR SUMMER GUESTS?

Whether you are planning your summer parties like professional entertainer or you just want your yard ready for the occasional stop-by guest - look out your window and ask some hard questions: Would I be proud to invite them outside? Have you tended to trees and lawn? Are your flower beds in shape or full of weeds? Is your stone path broken and chipped or covered in dirt?

Come on! Get Busy! Warm sunny days offer no excuses for ignoring the potential of your backyard property. And, once you invest a little time and effort - YOU TOO can step outside and smell the roses!

PICK YOUR PROJECT then have some fun!

- Invest in that new BBQ you have been lusting after.

- Ask Bedrock Stone Fabrication about an outdoor fireplace that can make summer evenings super special.

- How about a dramatic waterfall to update your pool?

- Design a granite island for dining al fresco!

All of these great ideas add value to your home and give you the perfect reason to pick up the phone and ask your friends over to celebrate summer! Dial Bedrock TODAY while summer fun calls!

Marble Staircase - A HOLLYWOOD

Marble flooring has become one of the hottest new materials on the market - and for the extra extravagant (and bigger budgets!) marble staircases are at the top of the wish list. The elegant and natural beauty of marble offers a luxurious, sleek and graceful look which dates back to the glamorous movies of old Hollywood. Who wouldn't feel like Fred Astaire or Ginger Rogers walking down a staircase made of this elegant natural stone?

In addition to the natural beauty that marble possesses, marble is also a much sought after material because of its resistance to fire, as well as its natural strength and hardness. It's not just beautiful, it is strong too! And you won't have to worry about stains like you would with a carpet runner - Marble also possesses a rigidness that resists most stains.

And, to keep you're sought after marble staircase at its beautiful best, don't use bleach or any acidic based cleaners - A damp cloth or mop is the best way to remove any dirt or dust. So....not only is a stone staircase luxury at its finest, it's also easy to maintain. Just one MORE reason your Bedrock designer should help you fabricate the marble staircase of your dreams!