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When this Cape Cod cottage was built, one important element was left out – a fireplace! The new owners wanted to add a fireplace to the living room, but didn’t want all the hassles associated with installing a chimney. They had the perfect spot chosen between two windows.
A direct-vent gas fireplace was selected, then the flexible yellow gas line had to be run up from the basement. The hearth and enclosure for the fireplace unit were framed with 2x4 studs, with plenty of support directly under the fireplace.
The hole for the vent was cut through the exterior wall, and the duct work installed. Electrical outlets were installed on both sides as well as on top of the fireplace and mantle to facilitate a big screen television and gaming system. A hard-line internet hook-up was also run up from the basement to the side of the fireplace unit.
The finished hearth was faced with multi-toned slate on the sides, and topped with a black and green granite. The edge molding is made from black slate. The sides of the fireplace a finished with the same multi-tonal slate, and the firebox is surrounded with wood finished to match the existing woodwork in the home.
A handmade decorative tile is in the center of the unit above the firebox. The owner’s television and gaming system fit easily on top of the mantle, with speakers on either side of the fireplace itself. With the added electrical outlets, there are no wires to detract from the beauty of the fireplace.
This beautiful pale blue tile was custom-made to the homeowner's specifications.
The counter tops are tiled with a high-gloss smooth tile.
The backsplash is accented with decorative tile with a raised design of birds, butterflies, bees, and dragonflies. The design is carried across several tiles to give a larger effect
The new porcelain sink and single-control chrome faucet fit the new tile much better than the old, stainless steel sink. Since the breakfast bar extends into the wood-paneled den, the owners had it tiled with five 16x16 porcelain tile with a sandstone appearance.
This mobile home’s kitchen was in desperate need of an makeover. The original cabinets no longer closed properly, and were insufficient for the homeowner’s needs.
The new cabinets had to be modified to fit around the unusual plumbing at the sink.
In addition to the new cabinets, counters and appliances, new light fixtures were also added, along with a new sink and faucet.
The new kitchen features a pantry cabinet next to the refrigerator, greatly increasing the kitchen’s storage.
By removing the built-in wall oven and range top and replacing them with a standard stove, we were able to install a built-in microwave above adding even more counter space.
The long counter dividing the kitchen from the living area was also tiled to match.
This 13x13 porcelain tile is set in a running bond pattern. Each row of tile is offset from the preceding row by half a tile width. By selecting porcelain tile, the owner was able to have the beauty of travertine, without worrying about stains.
The kitchen had been covered with seamless vinyl flooring. We removed the vinyl and went over the wood subflooring with a new product called EasyMat. Unlike other tile backing material, this comes in a roll rather than being a cement-based board. Additionally, it has sound-deadening properties which reduce the transfer of noise, and make the new tile floor much quieter. It is also dust and odor-free.
The new flooring is continuous throughout the kitchen and dining room. Since the dining room opens onto the backyard, tile was a great choice for easy cleaning from foot traffic.
The guest bath also had a vinyl floor. Once the toilet is removed we covered the floor with dust-free fiberglass and foam tile backer board.
After the tile has set overnight, the floor is grouted. The excess grout is washed off the tile and allowed to dry to a haze.
Finally the hazy grout residue is buffed off, the floor is finished and the toilet is reinstalled.
The entryway and the master bathroom were also redone using the same tile to give continuity throughout the home.
After we remodeled the restrooms at this Dairy Queen, the owner was so pleased, he decided to close for a week and re-do the entire restaurant.
We used a high-gloss white ceramic tile in the kitchen, tiling the walls up 8 feet for sanitation purposes.
The dining area walls were tiled with 16”x16” porcelain tiles with a travertine look. The outer walls were tiled 4 feet high, and the interior walls were completely tiled.
The interior walls with window openings were added to give the dining room a more separate feeling, and were tiled with the same porcelain tile.
For accent, the walls facing the ordering counter were tiled with natural slate, which was sealed. The slate was also used to finish the lintels between the columns.
