Lauzon Distinctive Hardwood Flooring

Posted on March 2, 2011 by Catalfamo Gallery

If you’ve ever looked down at your carpets and thought “I wish I had hardwoods,” it may not be a bad move to make. According to Realtors, hardwood flooring throughout a house makes it a much more marketable choice. But even if you’re not looking to sell, it’s a good move for the value and longevity it provides your home. Not to mention the beauty and luxury you can enjoy.

Lauzon Distinctive Hardwood Flooring is a company committed to quality that you should definitely consider if you decide to go for the gold…golden oak, that is. But golden oak is by far not the only choice for your new floor.

In 2010, Lauzon celebrated 25 years of business, and there’s a reason for that longevity. Lauzon prides itself on its customer satisfaction focus as well as an amazing selection of colors, patterns, and textures that our natural world has put in our hands. This great company not only provides quality products and warranties, but it also carries the torch of environmental responsibility by having FSC-certification on a selection of their maple solid hardwood products, which means Lauzon’s production processes meets strict requirements for using raw materials from responsibly managed forests as well as recycled sources. Quite a nice stamp of environmental approval. Lauzon also uses eco-friendly finishes that contain no VOCs, solvents, or formaldehyde agents.

In addition to environmental quality practices, if you select a Lauzon engineered hardwood flooring product, you are getting the absolute best. Lauzon uses a process of dry solid saw milling, which differs from how many other manufactures handle their engineered products. It provides for a more natural look to the finished product as well as allows the floor to be resurfaced in the future if needed.

Lauzon also provides your classic, traditional solid hardwood flooring as well. All Lauzon’s products are coated with a unique, ultra-strong Polynium + with Titanium Traffic finish with Ultra-Fresh. Lauzon’s amazing finish is a step ahead of the more traditional aluminum oxide coating in its gloss and its ability to allow the pure look of the wood to shine through, as well as its unmatched resistance to scratches and denting. The Ultra-Fresh element is added to the finish and gives the floor antimicrobial properties that even further protects the wood from breaking down over (lots of) time and protects inhabitants from the sometimes perilous world of the unseen microbe!

Have a ball selection from Lauzon’s huge selection of colors and styles. There’s sure to be more than one you’ll have to choose between.

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MacKenzie-Childs

Posted on February 16, 2011 by Catalfamo Gallery

MacKenzie Childs TileYou haven’t seen tile until you’ve seen MacKenzie-Childs’ tile. Throw out all the standard neutral looks you’re used to, and take a look at vibrant! If unique, handcrafted ceramics with a touch of whimsy inspired by nature is your style, then look no further than the MacKenzie-Childs line of ceramic tile.

The company is based in Aurora, New York, and has stores in New York City and Palm Beach, Florida, as well as at their plantation in Aurora. Their unique workspace is mirrored in their superb, one-of-a-kind creations.

MacKenzie Childs TileThe Aurora plantation is a 64-acre farm that is home to a small herd of Scottish Highland cattle, many gardens, and hayfields. The old dairy barn was transformed into a studio and creation space for over 100 MacKenzie-Childs artisans to do their magic. The ceramics that are created by MacKenzie-Childs staff are handcrafted. They start as clay and are molded into the various sizes and shapes and designs needed and are then hand painted and fired to achieve that rustic, unique appeal.

MacKenzie-Childs also has a terrific website where you can view their items. Tile is just one of the many products their artisans develop and create, but their tile products are truly works of art with their bright yellows and oranges juxtaposed with vibrant blues and reds and greens in diamond and square patterns, stripes, and grid patterns to name a few. And their ability to marry different patterns and designs together to create such unique styles is fresh and exciting.

You can have MacKenzie-Childs ceramic tiles installed in several places in your home or office…countertops, backsplashes, bathrooms, showers, and so on. Basic installation for ceramic tiling is what’s called for, and you can install the tile yourself. Do consult a professional, though, if you’ve never installed tile. There are a few tricks, especially in dealing with placement and cutting of tiles that have design elements on the pieces. And realize that these tiles are handmade, so no two will be exactly alike.

MacKenzie-Childs is certainly not your ordinary, everyday tile. Their blend of fancy and fierce quality make the products they design stand out above the rest. And if your tastes slant toward fun, then you’re certain to find you in these farm-born ceramics!

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Villi Glas – Glass Tiles

Posted on February 9, 2011 by Catalfamo Gallery

Glass tiles can bring a dimension of light and depth to a wall or floor like nothing else can. Your brain doesn’t necessarily jump to glass when you’re brainstorming about flooring, but glass tiling can bring a whimsical or luxurious feel to your floor when used to complement other types of tile flooring. It can even be used in some spaces as the complete floor. And of course, glass tile is perfect for outdoor use around pools and spas as well as for kitchen backsplashes and bathroom walls.

Villi Glas, a premier manufacturer of glass tiles and mosaics, sets the bar for quality glass tile flooring products. Not only are Villi’s glass selections beautiful, but they are also durable and reliable.

Villi GlasA metallic coating is fused to Villi’s glass, which protects the tiles from corrosion, scratches, and color bleed and is one of the reasons Villi Glas tiles can be used indoor or outdoor and for flooring. The reverse side of the tiles are also given a coating, a white layer that gives the back of the glass tiles a rough surface that makes them adhere better to the surface they are attached to, as well as keeps a clean, precise look when you look through the glass. The tiles are also available with a choice of surfaces, from glossy to mat to fossilized, as well as a skid resistant.

What really makes Villi’s glass stand out is their innovation in style and beauty. They have standard tiles in several different sizes, but they also have created mosaic style tiles on mesh backing that are incomparable, some of which are reminiscent of river stone in glass form…gorgeous.

Glass tile from Villi GlasFrom muted, pastel hues to vibrant colors and metallics, the colors you can choose from are incredible. They also have some stunning glass tiles called Décor that have designs fused to the top of the glass—filigree, relief, and geometric designs. They even have a Spectral glass line that has a patented coating that oxidizes surface dirt, causing it to disappear. It’s actually self-cleaning!

So if glass tile is something you are considering for your next project, be sure to consider Villi Glas. You won’t be disappointed.

 

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Ellen Blakeley Glass Tile

Posted on February 2, 2011 by Catalfamo Gallery

You’ve never seen anything quite like Ellen Blakeley glass tile. If you have a project—a shower, a backsplash, a wall, a countertop (the list goes on and on)—and you want a truly unique, dazzling look, then you must check out Ellen Blakeley. She has created the perfect blend of individuality, versatility, and striking beauty, along with environmental responsibility in her products and artwork.

The story goes that Ellen was cleaning up some vandalism in her neighborhood one day, which happened to be some shattered glass that had been shot out of a bus shelter. Inspiration hit, and she began to experiment with tempered glass. Its transparency made it the perfect medium for unending variations of colors and designs in the mosaic style.

But Ellen Blakeley has taken mosaic to the next level. With a combination of pigments and grouting, as well as the use of ordinary objects, such as lace and leaves and paper, fused with epoxy resin, she has created a unique and vibrant line of glass tile that can be used in a million different applications. It isn’t just tile, it’s art.

And responsible art, at that. The primary resource for Ellen Blakeley’s glass products is recycled tempered glass obtained from commercial glass companies’ waste materials. Someone else’s trash and all. This recycled glass is deliberately broken into fragments and used, along with different paints and grout, to create glass tiling (among other things). Ellen uses low-VOC paints and water-based grout in her made-to-order products, which is good for the environment as well as for keeping indoor emissions low.

One of the collections Ellen Blakeley offers is Winter Whites, a line of tile whose glass has had all the green pigment removed, resulting in spectacularly bright white mosaics. Add a touch of gold accent, and the effect is amazing. Also available is the Elements collection, which as its name implies is inspired by the elements of the earth—air, water, fire, and earth, with metal and “after dark” added to the mix. These are just two of the collections. Take a look at Ellen’s work, and see for yourself…and maybe add a touch of dazzle to your next project.

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Pacilantic Tile

Posted on January 26, 2011 by Catalfamo Gallery

Pacilantic brings you the standard in ceramic, porcelain, metal, and glass tile with an artistic flair rarely seen with other tile companies. The vibrancy of their designs are inspiring—you have to see it for yourself to appreciate it. You’ll be hard pressed to find any more beautiful tile than Pacilantic hand-crafted tile.

Installation can be done by a do-it-yourselfer, but you should definitely at least consult a professional for tips and warnings about installing these types of products. Also be sure and read the installation documentation thoroughly for your product before jumping in. The tiles should be installed with regular white thinset mortar, applied with a notched trowel. The tile sheets or tiles themselves should then be placed according to the design pattern and after a curing period can be grouted. Glass tiles can also be installed outdoors because they are non-porous and handle expansion and contracting that occurs when temperatures rise and fall.

We cannot stress enough how unique and beautiful these Pacilantic products are. Their ceramic tiles are hand painted and then layered with a unique glaze that gives the ceramic a glass-like appearance. The painted tiles can either be individual, or some are actually part of a mural that can be installed in coordination with other tiles to give you a unique look and feel.

Pacilantic glass tile products are also a vision. Their stunning pebble glass series has an almost otherworldly feel. The mosaics they offer come in a wide range of themes including the tropics, fruits and vegetables, and flowers and animals. Because the work is hand-produced, some variations of color and tone can occur. So if it’s not exactly as you see on the website, it’s ok, it’s actually more than ok — you’ll know you have a look that no one else will have. You can also find beautiful metal tiles in black, copper, or silver tones that can add splashes of light and a clean feel. Pacilantic also provides your “normal” slate and stone tiles as well as a combination of glass and stone that bring the rugged, sturdy look that is so popular today.

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Dune Tile

Posted on January 19, 2011 by Catalfamo Gallery

Tile can make an ordinary room look dazzling. It’s easy to install, and you can find glazed ceramic, stone, or glass tiles that can fit most budgets. The only trouble is, how do you pick with so many styles, colors, and textures to choose from!

Dune doesn’t make that any easier by offering a huge array of tiles to choose from. Whether it’s for your bathroom or kitchen or breakfast nook, Dune’s ceramics can fill the spaces for you. The thing about Dune also is their versatility: they have everything from natural stone, to ceramic, to glass. And they don’t just provide your run-of-the-mill tan look. There are vibrant reds and yellows oranges and blues. Their ceramic borders really make a statement as well. You can mix and match the different styles and put together a look all your own.

Most tiles are easy to install for the do-it-yourselfer. If you are laying tile for flooring, you just need to make sure the subfloor is level and free of any dirt and debris and then apply thinset, and lay the tiles in the order and direction you have in your layout according to your product’s specifications.

If you are applying the tile to the wall as a backsplash or in a shower, make sure you have the appropriate underlayment in place, such greenboard sheetrock for backsplashes or cementitious ceramic tile backerboards for shower walls. Apply with thinset mortar or mastic (check your exact product installation guidelines to make this decision) in the pattern you have created or chosen.

Apply both types of adhesives with a notch trowel, making sure to back-butter your wall tiles to get a sure hold. Glass tiles are installed in a similar fashion. You just have to make certain any air pockets that might get between the glass tiles and the wall are eliminated because with transparency in some glass tiles, you might be able to see imperfections like that. The next step is to grout. Again, consult with your supplier and documentation for your particular product to see what kind of grout is recommended and follow directions on the grout packaging.

Take a few minutes and check out Dune’s selections online — you’ll be delightfully overwhelmed — and get to work designing your project with your own personal style.

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Terra Verre Tile

Posted on January 12, 2011 by Catalfamo Gallery

There’s a beauty and richness that natural stone and glass tile bring to a space. Your home or office is a direct reflection of you, so you want it to be something to be proud of. Terra Verre tile and stone products can help you do just that.

Terra Verre is a supplier of top quality ceramic, porcelain, and glass tiles as well as natural stone floor and wall coverings. You can bring the qualities of nature into your home with these products as well as maybe bring some “bling” to a room that needs a pick-me-up.

Tiles and tiling squares (which are basically smaller portions of the stone, glass, or ceramic/porcelain products that are formed together and glued to a mesh backing) come in several different collections. They are installed as most ceramic tiles are installed — using thinset mortar or mastic over a clean surface that has the appropriate underlayment in place. The tiles or stone should then be grouted to give the final look. Be sure and consult your product’s specific installation and care guidelines to make sure you are selecting the right installation and maintenance products for your tiles.

Most of Terra Verre’s products are the smaller look — tiny glass or stone squares and accent pieces. They are often used for backsplashes in kitchens, bathroom and kitchen counters, and flooring as well. The different styles and types of materials used give you a range of “feels.” You can go with natural looking tile and stone or go crazy with some vibrant reds or purples or blues and yellows. You can choose a mix of products to create a look that represents you well and that will stay looking beautiful for years to come. Terra Verre’s design team has taken the mantle of furnishing excellence and has brought some amazing designs that will tantalize you.

Whether it’s the bright, reflective look of glass or the muted, solid look of porcelain stone, Terra Verre is your source for unparalleled quality. You put yourself in their hands, and your space look better than you even imagined.

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