Project Diary #10 Vinyl Floor Tiles

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Finally! I know. It’s been a while since the last update. Lots of work! There is something to report in the #helloredreno series, a bit of progress that includes beautiful new vinyl floor tiles and walls in a back entry and main floor restroom area for the workshop. I’m still working on final details like getting a sink/vanity installed, trim work, some fun DIY projects and decor but I just can’t wait to show you this beautiful flooring! 

shaw fairmount sweetbriar flooring

Back Story // Before: 

Real quick: the “painted cardboard” walls were removed to reveal very dirty lathe? I’m not sure but it was filthy. Oh and the ceiling tiles are gone as well! We installed some insulation and my sweet Mr. DIY guy put up some fresh new drywall. Side note: It was a very verbally colorful experience since nothing is square in this 100  year old building but thank goodness it’s done! Now Let’s get the the before shots from when it just changed hands from the previous owner to us…

back entryway – everything was so dirty

backroom before

back entryway looking into the main {half} bathroom area

coatroom before

back entryway and what we call the hobbit door (watch your head!) leading to the basement stairs, front door and staircase

back entry before

bathroom before

DIY craft studio // workshop - before room makeover @diyshowoff

bathroom before ownership

DIY craft studio // workshop - before room makeover @diyshowoff

bathroom before – those cabinets were from the original kitchen over 100 years ago!

DIY craft studio // workshop - before room makeover @diyshowoff

Okay, the floor before had blue industrial carpeting (in.a.bathroom!, you guys!). ::gag:: That definitely had to come out!  Good bye flimsy walls. Good bye ceiling tiles. Good bye carpet! Good bye!

Demo day: 

Behind those walls? SO much black sooty dirt. It was everywhere! Fingerprints for months! 

diyshowoff demo day demoday

We kept the original pine floors throughout the rest of the main floor. 

studio renovationlathe before drywall

Product Choice: 

I chose these gorgeous grouted vinyl tiles for their durability, beauty and warmth – a perfect choice for this space. It’s a product from the Shaw Fairmount collection. Design is “Sweetbriar”.  

Fairmount Sweetbriar

fairmount sweetbriar

From the Shaw inspiration gallery: 

Shaw Fairmount Sweetbriar

Fairmount is a 12×24 rectangle vinyl tile. I love the color variation and that it’s super resilient! And boy can we ever attest to that! 

Installation: 

Mike, a subcontractor with A&S Carpet in Allison Park, PA utilized a glue-down installation in a brickwork pattern. The fun part? This product can be installed with or without grout! How cool is that? I went with the grouted installation. 

subfloor bathroom renovation See how the flooring was installed before the walls? When I say this floor is durable, I speak from experience! More on that below. vinyl floor tile installation

Progress // After:

Since it’s not fully completed, I don’t have true reveal photos just yet but here are some sneak peeks. This space is a back entryway which will also house a small beverage station, built in wine storage and a place to hang coats. 

shaw fairmount sweetbriar flooring

view through the back door 

beverage station

back room

fairmount sweetbriar vinyl flooring

And this is the main floor restroom for the studio/office/workshop. I love the durability and warmth of the vinyl tile, especially since we may be working with glass…a harder surface wouldn’t have been as forgiving or functional in that case so this softer surface was a pretty and wise choice. 

fairmount sweetbriar vinyl tile flooring fairmount sweetbriar flooring

So, what do you think? Isn’t it gorgeous? If you’re choosing a vinyl flooring for it’s warmth, durability and beauty, you’re going to want to add this to your list of options for sure!

fairmount sweetbriar flooring shawstyleboard

Stay tuned for a completed reveal of these two spaces! 

Care and Maintenance:

vinyl floor care

How do I know this floor is durable and the right choice? Because of timing, the flooring was installed prior to the walls, so you can just image the mess (drywall mud and dust, caulk, paint, dirty shoes, tools, renovation, etc.). It stood the test of time and workers! All of that grime and dirt, dragging ladders, tools, supplies and drywall, all that comes along with renovating, the behind the scenes not so pretty stuff. And despite my warnings, I didn’t see a drop cloth in sight! 

No worries! When I reached out to Shaw, they provided me with some great vinyl floor cleaning tips: 

Proper care will help protect and maintain the appearance and performance of your Shaw resilient floor!. A care program consists of key areas: 1) Preventive maintenance; 2) routine maintenance; and 3) spot and spill removal.

1) Preventative Maintenance

Always protect floors when moving heavy objects to prevent permanent scratches and tears.
Walk-off mats should be used at all externally facing entrances to absorb soil and moisture.

2) Routine Maintenance:

Daily removal of dirt and dust is important to prevent particles from abrading the surface of resilient floors.

Sweeping, dust mopping and vacuuming are recommendations to remove soil particles that can result in scratches and worn appearances. IMPORTANT: Do not use vacuums with rotating beater bars on hard surfaces.

Periodic wet cleaning will be necessary to help maintain the floors appearance.

3) Spot and Spill Removal

Absorb wet spills as quickly as possible by white paper or cloth towels.

Recommended by Shaw: Use Shaw’s R2X® Hard Surface cleaning products or products formulated for vinyl floor cleaning.

Remember: The most effective part of any floor maintenance program is the simplest: sweep, dust mop, or vacuum your Shaw resilient flooring daily, or more frequently if needed.

Next up on the renovation: 

Baseboards and door trim, a fun door DIY to dress up the cheap hollow bathroom door, light fixtures, sealing brick, a wine cubby and beverage station, decorating and then the reveal! Then we’ll be back in business!

The building has so much historical charm. It’s about one block from our town’s Main Street. The bus stop is literally steps away. There are breweries, the YMCA, shops, restaurants, salons, florists, candy/coffee shop, holiday parades and festivals within walking distance. So fun! If renovation from blah to ahhhhh is your thing, stay tuned!

So subscribe and be reminded of updates as the renovations progress! I’ll share before and after photos, projects underway and updates, plans and design boards, sources and links as they relate as well as fun events going on in and around the downtown area. I’ll be using a specific hashtag on social media to keep things all neat and tidy and organized.

#helloredreno

I welcome your thoughts and ideas! And as always, thanks for your encouragement and support and for sharing in my joy and vision! Watch for #helloredreno!

 

Project Diary #9: Carpeted Stairs

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The #helloredreno series continues! The stairs at the studio needed some attention. We started with carpeted stairs and I knew that I wanted to go in the same direction. Choosing carpeting for the studio space from the entrance of the commercial area to the residual space upstairs makes a lot of sense.

My choice: Shaw Carpet Final Piece Coatbridge 

The before: 

A commercial grade glued down blue with no padding.

DIY craft studio // workshop - before room makeover @diyshowoff DIY craft studio // workshop - before room makeover @diyshowoff

At our house, our stairs are noisy and the painted risers show a lot of scuffs so while I don’t anticipate daily use of the stairs at the studio, I wanted to soften the vibe, cut down on the noise, and add warmth to the space. I also wanted something more neutral than the original blue as well as something that contributed to adding a beautiful statement to the area. 

DIY craft studio // workshop - before room makeover @diyshowoff

The landing will be the entrance to the future studio apartment. So I want something warm and inviting.

DIY craft studio // workshop - before room makeover @diyshowoff

My choice: 

As a member of the Shaw Styleboard, I had the opportunity to choose from their carpet collection. I wanted something neutral but with texture, something durable but pretty. Read the description: Warm up rooms and reduce energy bills with the natural insulation and comfort of carpet. With many styles to choose from and the best stain-fighting technology in the industry, Shaw carpet brings color, texture and value to your floors. Create distinctively stylish looks when you play with texture, loop, pattern and twist options.

Final Piece Coatbridge Shaw Carpet

Shaw Carpet Final Piece Coatbridge 

A perfect fit! I chose the color “coatbridge” from the “Final Piece” collection. It feels timeless and classic. I like to switch things up when it comes to design and decor so this option gives me the freedom to go any direction when it comes to decorating. It’s the perfect base palette and texture for any style. 

Installation: 

The same installer, Mike, who did worked with me on the Floorté vinyl floor planks in our home installed the carpeting. We had removed the former blue carpets to prepare for placing the new carpet.

The stairs before:

staircase before carpeting before and after carpeting stairs

The landing at the top of the stairs before:

stairs before

He set to work with the underlayment and prep work. Who knew that carpet padding is just as important as the carpet itself? I kind of assumed it wasn’t something really necessary but luscious, soft carpet padding minimizes noise, maximizes warmth and extends the life of your floor! I had no idea! 

shaw carpet padding

After: 

You guys! IT IS GORGEOUS! I am in love with my choice! The texture and pattern add interest to the space, without an overpowering or super trendy style. It’s the perfect base for whatever I choose to do with wall paint and decorative accessories. It’ll work when I change my mind and swap out decor. It’ll work with seasonal decorating colors. It’s warm and inviting.

The stairs: 

Shaw Carpets Final Piece Coatbridge Shaw Carpets Final Piece Coatbridge stairs

Shaw Final Piece Coatbridge carpet meets SanFrancisco hexagon tile

carpet tile transitionShaw Final Piece Coatbridge carpet San Francisco

The landing at the top of the stairs: 

stair landing Shaw Carpets Final Piece Coatbridge staircasestair landing Shaw Carpets Final Piece Coatbridge

Shaw Final Piece Coatbridge carpet meets Monterrey Grandview rustic wide plank hardwood floors.

Shaw Final Piece Coatbridge carpet Grandview Monterey hardwood

 

And that padding? Luxurious! Seriously. I don’t think I’d need an air mattress if I decided to camp out in this space! It’s that cushioned! Slumber party, anyone? Oh! And ever accidentally bounce down the stairs on your back side? This makes for a better ride and less painful experience. lol

More decisions: 

I cannot wait to get started with decorating and to call this area complete. I’m still deciding how to finish it. Options:  

  • To make it an entry space for the apartment with a bench, shoe storage, coat hooks, plants and a side table. (The apartment will not have a full time tenant. It’s for overnight/short term guests.)
  • To furnish it with a small writing desk in front of the window, book shelves on either side, plants, a lamp, curtains, a comfy chair, fun wallpaper on the back wall. 
  • To suspend some swinging chairs or a bamboo-type porch swing, fun wallpaper, a coffee table, plants. 
  • A small conversational area with a love seat or two comfy chairs.
  • A window seat and comfy reading nook, plants, diffuser, book cases. 

So many options. I’m all set with a beautiful blank slate, gorgeous cushion-y textured patterned floor that I love! I’m leaning towards the window seat and a hanging chair with a shelf for plants and a small accent table for a cup of tea or a good book…a little escape and restful spot for meditation with the vibe of a private porch area only indoor and then creating a small entry area inside of the apartment right inside the door instead. What do you think? What would feel more welcoming to you as a guest? 

As we keep checking projects off of the ‘to-do’ list, I’m getting so excited for fun parts – decorating and furnishing! I can’t wait!

Next up on the remodel:

Clean up the railing and banister, paint, baseboards, installing doors, light fixtures, fun feature wall, possibly creating a kitchenette then furnishing, decorating and then the reveal! Then moving in! Okay, not that last part but I do plan to extend the invitation and welcome you to visit! 

The building has so much historical charm. It’s about one block from our town’s Main Street. The bus stop is literally steps away. There are breweries, the YMCA, shops, restaurants, salons, florists, candy/coffee shop, holiday parades and festivals within walking distance. So fun! If renovation from blah to ahhhhh is your thing, stay tuned!

So subscribe and be reminded of updates as the renovations progress! I’ll share before and after photos, projects underway and updates, plans and design boards, sources and links as they relate as well as fun events going on in and around the downtown area. I’ll be using a specific hashtag on social media to keep things all neat and tidy and organized.

#helloredreno

I welcome your thoughts and ideas! And as always, thanks for your encouragement and support and for sharing in my joy and vision! Watch for #helloredreno!

Project Diary #8: Hardwood Floors

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Project Diary #8: Hardwood Floors! Finally! The day I’ve been waiting for! 

Moving right along! As a member of the Shaw Styleboard, I had the opportunity to choose flooring for the studio renovation. There are so many beautiful flooring options to choose from! After viewing a lot of samples and going over my options, I decided on Monterrey Grandview which is a solid hardwood in wide distressed planks. Hickory is classic, right?! It has a variation of earthy gray and brown tones, not too dark, not too light and an 8 inch width making it it more of an eye catcher. Plus, you guys! It has a hand scraped look! Bonus! AND stunning beveled edge! All the things you’d choose if you were creating a drop-dead-gorgeous flooring product. #mine

Shaw Hardwood Floors – Monterrey Grandview

Shaw Monterrey Grandview sample Shaw Monterrey Grandview hardwood sample

Old meets new…old floor vs new floor

Before:

The original floors were covered by an industrial type blue carpeting which was glued over the original pine floor which was in poor condition. Here are some before photos:

DIY craft studio // workshop - before room makeover @diyshowoff DIY craft studio // workshop - before room makeover @diyshowoff DIY craft studio // workshop - before room makeover @diyshowoff DIY craft studio // workshop - before room makeover @diyshowoff DIY craft studio // workshop - before room makeover @diyshowoff

And after removing the carpet:

old floor with fireplace damaged pine floors damaged hardwood floors with glue damaged hardwood floors hardwood floors before

Follow the #helloredreno series for the entire renovation diary.

The subcontractor, Tim and his team, installed the floors in the basement in our home and this subcontractor from A&S had his work cut out for him with this project!

how to tile a bathroom floor gray and white hexagon tile

Remember the hexagon tile floor from the adjoining bathroom and how I wanted it to transition to the hardwood floors?

hexagon tile floor transition shaw hardwood floor installationhardwood floor installation hardwood to tile installationcutting hardwood flooring installing hardwood floors new hardwood over old Shaw Monterrey Grandview hardwood floors

After:

Tricky! But Tim and his team got the job done!

flowing tile to hardwood transition

And it’s beautiful! I’d go as far as saying ‘stunning’! I love the flow of the transition from the San Francisco hexagon tiles to the hardwood…

hexagon tile to hardwood transition

Look again:

Shaw Monterrey Grandview hardwood San Francisco hexagon tile

Shaw San Francisco hexagon tiles Presidio // Lombard

Can’t get enough? Me either! How about from this angle…

hexagon tile flooring

OoOoOoOhhhh! Isn’t she lovely? I love.love.love that I can be more creative than ever with this design! It’s exactly the look I wanted. You know how good it feels to get what you want! hehe 

Shaw San Francisco tile Monterrey Grandview hardwood

It takes some serious skills to be able to work with that and thankfully Tim was up for the challenge! I would have looked at it and cried. Just the measurements and math of it! I like puzzles and all, but this required master skills!

hexagon tiles meet hardwood

The rest of the hardwoods were installed without a hitch. Because of the original floor and working with the height of the tile, each room got it’s own direction and I think that actually adds to the charm, a break in the pattern. Love it! 

Shaw Monterrey Grandview hardwood Shaw Monterrey Grandview hickory floors Shaw Monterrey Grandview handscraped hardwood Shaw Monterrey Grandview rustic hardwood

And now the floor is not only gorgeous, it’s durable and sturdy and will be here, admired and adored for all time, the beautiful base for what’s going to be a gorgeous comfortable get-away living space!

Shaw Monterrey Grandview wide plank flooring

I cannot wait for the full reveal! 

Next up on the remodel:

Replacing carpet on the stairs and landing, paint, baseboards, installing doors, light fixtures, fun feature wall (wallpaper or shiplap … what say you?), possibly creating a kitchenette then furnishing, decorating and then the reveal! Then moving in! Okay, not that last part but I do plan to extend the invitation and welcome you to visit! 

The building has so much historical charm. It’s about one block from our town’s Main Street. The bus stop is literally steps away. There are breweries, the YMCA, shops, restaurants, salons, florists, candy/coffee shop, holiday parades and festivals within walking distance. So fun! If renovation from blah to ahhhhh is your thing, stay tuned!

So subscribe and be reminded of updates as the renovations progress! I’ll share before and after photos, projects underway and updates, plans and design boards, sources and links as they relate as well as fun events going on in and around the downtown area. I’ll be using a specific hashtag on social media to keep things all neat and tidy and organized.

#helloredreno

I welcome your thoughts and ideas! And as always, thanks for your encouragement and support and for sharing in my joy and vision! Watch for #helloredreno!