Puzzle Floor
If you're puzzled about what product you should choose to update your floors you might want to check out something called Puzzle Floor. It's a very unique and interesting product that is made of solid northern hardwood cut into the shapes of large puzzle pieces. This product is intended for self installation and it cut and prepared to fit your specified room requirements with no waste. You can't find Puzzle Floor in stores. It's only available online at Puzzlefloor.com The website guides you how to measure your room then you send your specs to the company via an order form and the floor is custom cut (complete with edge pieces) to your specific needs. The kit is then shipped to you and includes the flooring, adhesive and a trowel. All of the pieces are sealed (including top sides and bottom) prior to staining and finishing. The product comes with a 25 year residential warranty.
Interesting options
I like this puzzle design because it comes in 13 different wood finishes but you can add accents to your floor by opting to have a few darker or lighter puzzle pieces added to your base colour. This allows for a truly unique design on your floor. The various finishes range from a blond wood tone to rich mahogany so you have a good selection to choose from. The website boasts a design room where you can see great photographs of various applications. The website also has a downloadable installation guide that you can review before you even buy.
Environment
The website states that Briggs Engineered Wood Products Inc. the manufacturer of Puzzle Floor, sources all of its hardwood from certified managed forests. Responsible resource management protects the environment and aids in wildlife preservation, forest regeneration, and limiting soil erosion
I e-mailed the company to get information for this article and received a very prompt and detailed response to my questions. While I haven't tried the product, it appears that the company is very interested in making sure the customer is satisfied. They even offer a money back guarantee. They are about to launch two new product lines which offer a more traditional looking hardwood design that can be installed over existing flooring. Check out their website.
Candice Olson rugs now at Bill Knight flooring
One of my favourite TV designers, Candice Olson, (Divine Design) has a new line of high end area rugs that are now available exclusively (in Manitoba) at Bill Knight Flooring in Winnipeg. Candice's unquestionable design taste lends itself to her line of lovely wool area rugs that are sure to make a statement in any home. Her modern, contemporary designs are a breath of fresh air. Bill Knight Flooring carries a selection of 5 X 8 rugs but you can order various sizes once you've chosen the rug that's right for you. Drop in and check them out. You can view the rugs and other Candice Olson designs at Candiceolson.com.
Bath to shower retrofit
We had our bathroom redone by Bathfitter a few years ago and still love it. We had a tub liner placed over our old bathtub as well as a new shower surround making the entire area fresh and clean. Recently, I noted that Bathfitter now also offers a bath-to-shower retrofit wherein they will remove your old bathtub and create a large shower area where the tub used to be. For those who find it difficult to get in and out of the bathtub, this new installation might be a great option. They use a one-piece seamless wall system to ensure that the shower is water tight. You can add accessories like a corner seat or a grab bar to make your shower experience a positive one. The great part about Bathfitter is that they can do a job like this usually in one day which is very convenient.
Decorating books for less
There is a small discount book store where I get all of my decorating books for a great price. Star Books near Ellice and Wall carries all sorts of books as well as great gift sets and children's toys. I've purchased many of my decorating books there over the years at very reasonable prices. It's so much more than just a book store. Drop by or check out their website at www.star-books.ca.
Well, that's about it for now. If you come across anything new and exciting in the decorating realm be sure to let me know so I can share it with our readers.
coliver@web.net
