Designers

Over the years I have felt the biggest contribution that Designers perform is introducing new products to their clients. Products that the clients would be unaware of otherwise. It's also been my view that many designers like to impose THEIR taste on clients as they seemingly feel they 'know' better than their clients what is currently in vogue.

Recently I have become impressed by a Designer who LISTENS to her clients. Aside from her knowledge of materials, especially floor coverings, Margaret Ohannesian impressed me by saying how she puts her clients' desires and interests first and then tries to convey those desires into an attractive environment. It always seemed to me that if a person is spending money on their home to enrich their own enjoyment in it, it should be decorated with that purpose primarily. If it's for sale ability there ought to be a compromise at best.

I felt I owed her a plug by passing on her number: 480-948-5940.

Choosing a grout color for floors

Typically I have advised customers to choose a color some one or two shades off the color of the tile chosen. What you want to do is showcase the TILE not the grout. By choosing a grout similar to the tile, the observer is now drawn to viewing the tile rather than the lines!

Unfortunately tile grout darkens with time, even though it can be cleaned as already discussed. I therefore have urged customers to consider a medium tone grout if practical so that darkening will still look attractive in time. Dark grouts will also become darker!

And perhaps, not too amazingly, often 5 or 6 colors may be equally appropriate for most tiles. It shouldn't be a big decision to choose an appropriate color grout. One of a few will likely look fine and subtly change with time anyhow.