I am giddy, it's so cute!
Friday, December 3, 2010
It's Christmas at The White City Project!
Just for the holidays, I thought I would change the blog to be a little more festive!
I am giddy, it's so cute!
I am giddy, it's so cute!
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Flooring Update
Sooooo, after many, many visits from flooring company representatives, tests, photos, and phone calls; Amtico, the manufacturer of my Artica flooring, has DENIED my flooring claim for the main floor of the house and refuses to warranty their product! This is especially unfortunate because their 25 year warranty was one of the major deciding factors when we selected the flooring.
The reasons for their denial are mute. A company should stand by their product…period. If there are no concerns of workmanship or installation then it’s time for the big, bad corporation to suck it up and repair or replace their defective product!
I am the kind of person who gives people (and companies) the benefit of the doubt and I always, co-operate to ensure that they have every opportunity to make things right. In this case, the company saw no value in making sure that they had a happy customer.
The bottom line is that Artica flooring fails at nearly every turn. Based on my experience with the product, I would absolutely NOT recommend it. They tout that their product is nearly indestructible, yet even the smallest fleck of material on the floor can and has caused deep scratches that cannot be repaired. The only option is replace the plank or tile. They claim that there is no telegraphing (when lines or nail pops are visible through the flooring material), yet telegraphing is the main issue with our flooring, despite our sub floor being glued and screwed down!
I made a good faith effort to use environmentally responsible flooring throughout the house but at this point, there do not seem to be the kinds of products that can realistically compete with traditional flooring materials. They are slowly coming along, but they are not there yet.
Thankfully, I have been working with a flooring company, United Carpet, that has been a strong advocate on my behalf the entire process and has, despite not being financially compensated by Amtico to do so, agreed to replace the flooring at their cost. They have stepped up to make things right! THAT is what a company *should* do!
We have decided to go with hardwood throughout the main floor, including the kitchen. Here are the options I narrowed it down to (all are engineered Vintage Hardwood Flooring from their Pioneered line):
I ended up picking the Hickory Old Mission. It was very close in colour to our current flooring (which we really like), and a nice change from the natural oak tones in the cabinets and trim.
They are also going to replace all of the bathrooms and laundry room flooring. I chose to go with DuraCeramic in Black Earth (from their Rustic Stone line) by Congoleum. The only down side is that I have to say "bye bye" to my sparkly floor. It was fun while it lasted (picture a sad face here). Here's what I chose:
The owner is trying everything in his power to ensure that the floor is done for Christmas. He’s not making any promises, but I have my fingers crossed!
The reasons for their denial are mute. A company should stand by their product…period. If there are no concerns of workmanship or installation then it’s time for the big, bad corporation to suck it up and repair or replace their defective product!
I am the kind of person who gives people (and companies) the benefit of the doubt and I always, co-operate to ensure that they have every opportunity to make things right. In this case, the company saw no value in making sure that they had a happy customer.
The bottom line is that Artica flooring fails at nearly every turn. Based on my experience with the product, I would absolutely NOT recommend it. They tout that their product is nearly indestructible, yet even the smallest fleck of material on the floor can and has caused deep scratches that cannot be repaired. The only option is replace the plank or tile. They claim that there is no telegraphing (when lines or nail pops are visible through the flooring material), yet telegraphing is the main issue with our flooring, despite our sub floor being glued and screwed down!
I made a good faith effort to use environmentally responsible flooring throughout the house but at this point, there do not seem to be the kinds of products that can realistically compete with traditional flooring materials. They are slowly coming along, but they are not there yet.
Thankfully, I have been working with a flooring company, United Carpet, that has been a strong advocate on my behalf the entire process and has, despite not being financially compensated by Amtico to do so, agreed to replace the flooring at their cost. They have stepped up to make things right! THAT is what a company *should* do!
We have decided to go with hardwood throughout the main floor, including the kitchen. Here are the options I narrowed it down to (all are engineered Vintage Hardwood Flooring from their Pioneered line):
Ash Carriage House
Red Oak Chariot
Hickory Old Mission
Red Oak Mocha
I ended up picking the Hickory Old Mission. It was very close in colour to our current flooring (which we really like), and a nice change from the natural oak tones in the cabinets and trim.
They are also going to replace all of the bathrooms and laundry room flooring. I chose to go with DuraCeramic in Black Earth (from their Rustic Stone line) by Congoleum. The only down side is that I have to say "bye bye" to my sparkly floor. It was fun while it lasted (picture a sad face here). Here's what I chose:
The owner is trying everything in his power to ensure that the floor is done for Christmas. He’s not making any promises, but I have my fingers crossed!
Off Topic...Prayers Please
Many of you may now be aware that Mr. Mel and I are mommy and daddy to three special little furballs: Nicodemus Agamemnon (Nicky), Indiana Jones (Jonesy), and Butterball Shot (Buttah).
One of our furbabies is dealing with some serious complications from Diabetes and we need your prayers and good energy! Poor stinky Nicky was diagnosed with Diabetes earlier this year and we have struggled to stabilize his blood sugar levels ever since. He is currently on Caninsulin twice daily, but he has now developed severe Diabetic Neuropathy that seriously limits his mobility. The neuropathy is damage to the nerves in his legs (usually the hind legs) that results from the high levels of sugar in his blood. It is a condition that is treatable, but only if blood sugar levels can be regulated enough for the damage to reverse itself. In the meantime, we are adding Vitamin B12 supplements to his daily routine to help boost his resilience!
We are focusing on getting Nicky healthy but, knowing the reality of the situation, are also making sure we get in plenty of snuggles and lovin’ while we are blessed to still have him with us.
Please keep our Nicky in your thoughts.
One of our furbabies is dealing with some serious complications from Diabetes and we need your prayers and good energy! Poor stinky Nicky was diagnosed with Diabetes earlier this year and we have struggled to stabilize his blood sugar levels ever since. He is currently on Caninsulin twice daily, but he has now developed severe Diabetic Neuropathy that seriously limits his mobility. The neuropathy is damage to the nerves in his legs (usually the hind legs) that results from the high levels of sugar in his blood. It is a condition that is treatable, but only if blood sugar levels can be regulated enough for the damage to reverse itself. In the meantime, we are adding Vitamin B12 supplements to his daily routine to help boost his resilience!
We are focusing on getting Nicky healthy but, knowing the reality of the situation, are also making sure we get in plenty of snuggles and lovin’ while we are blessed to still have him with us.
Please keep our Nicky in your thoughts.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Slipcovers and Slip Ups - Part 2
Check out Part 1 of this project here.
Mission: Slipcovers Part Deux was underway. Pin-fitting these covers was so much easier than cutting pattern pieces. Pinning the piping in between the fabric was a bit tricky but it got easier once I worked with it for awhile. Check out this post at The Nesting Place on basic steps to pin-fitting slipcovers.
Once I had all of my pieces pinned together on the chair and basted, I took the entire piece to the machine. I would periodically refit the cover in the chair to make sure it fit properly. It's a bit tedious for sure, but it’s fun watching the piece come together! Jones, as usual, is all up in my bidniss, I have learned to just work around him.
After 9 hours, multiple mental breakdowns, achy and swollen fingers, and several hundred f-bombs, this is what I ended up with. Hmmm, I am not feeling it. I decided to stop here. This was not the look I was going for, so I started to debate my options. But what to do? Ah ha...reupholster! Yes, I would reupholster them!
Stay tuned for Part 3 of this marathon transformation…
Mission: Slipcovers Part Deux was underway. Pin-fitting these covers was so much easier than cutting pattern pieces. Pinning the piping in between the fabric was a bit tricky but it got easier once I worked with it for awhile. Check out this post at The Nesting Place on basic steps to pin-fitting slipcovers.
Once I had all of my pieces pinned together on the chair and basted, I took the entire piece to the machine. I would periodically refit the cover in the chair to make sure it fit properly. It's a bit tedious for sure, but it’s fun watching the piece come together! Jones, as usual, is all up in my bidniss, I have learned to just work around him.
After 9 hours, multiple mental breakdowns, achy and swollen fingers, and several hundred f-bombs, this is what I ended up with. Hmmm, I am not feeling it. I decided to stop here. This was not the look I was going for, so I started to debate my options. But what to do? Ah ha...reupholster! Yes, I would reupholster them!
Stay tuned for Part 3 of this marathon transformation…
It's Beginning to Look Alot Like Christmas
I love Christmas. I love it most of all because it's an excuse to indulge in my love of bright colours and to fill my house with sparkle and glitter and all things over-the-top! I am really looking forward to decorating the house this year. It's been awhile. For the past two years we haven't had an holiday decorations so it was a treat to dig them all out and discover them all over again! It was like........Christmas! Imagine that! I usually put up all the decor the first week of December, so the past few weeks I have been sorting through my decorations to make sure I have everything I'll need.
I wanted to first share a bunch of holiday decor inspiration photos I've collected over the years (I apologize that I have no clue of the sources of many of these pics).
If you have some time, check out Trendy Tree and sit awe inspired at their drool-worthy trees and decorations!
Check back in a few weeks to see the Christmas decoration extraveganza at my house!
Check back in a few weeks to see the Christmas decoration extraveganza at my house!
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
A Girl Can Dream
I am a toolie. I love tools and gadgets. I get a thrill when I buy a new drill or fire up a mitre saw. My dad is a handy guy and, when I was growing up, he always made a point of showing me how to build or fix everything from a leaky tap to a flat tire. They are skills that really are invaluable.
On my Christmas wish list this year, I am asking for a pretty place to store my tools. Considering that my tools are currently being kept in a roll away tote, a cardboard box and an old dresser, I think it's time to upgrade. In fact, I want this tool cabinet and tool chest from The Original Pink Box.
On my Christmas wish list this year, I am asking for a pretty place to store my tools. Considering that my tools are currently being kept in a roll away tote, a cardboard box and an old dresser, I think it's time to upgrade. In fact, I want this tool cabinet and tool chest from The Original Pink Box.
Aren't they awesome?!
I wouldn't mind if they were well stocked with some cute tools, either! Hint hint, Mr. Mel!
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