Work In Progress

We are currently working in a house in Folsom installing a Shaw product called Deja Vu.

I stopped by the job today to see how it is coming along. As usual the installers are doing fabulous work!

Luis has worked on our hardwood crew for 10 years. He is a skilled craftsman and does clean and precise work.

The staircase will be completed tomorrow. Be sure to check back next week for a photo of the completed stairs. This shows the beginning, with the face of the bottom stair started.

A close-up of the fireplace. We undercut the brick and installed the hardwood under the brick to make the wood look like it has been there since the house was built. The look is professional and sharp.

The customer chose a designer mix option of 2 different colored woods to accomplish the look they wanted in their home. Notice the step-down into the living room is completed, and again, the workmanship is meticulous.

Shaw and Simas at Disneyland

Last week Jan and I flew to Orange County to attend the Shaw Floors Market at Disneyland. Shaw put us up at the Grand Disneyland Hotel. Right outside the hotel is Downtown Disney and California Adventure Park.

The theme for Shaw Floors Market was "Strength Amidst Change". I think it's an appropriate theme for the times. To be more blunt, I might substitute "change" with something else. Are you familiar with the Tower of Terror ride that drops down quickly from about a 10 floor building? I think that's the change they're referring to. Change isn't always good.........

Shaw Floors had a good variety of hardwoods and laminates on display. If you're in the flooring industry you have probably noticed some of the new finishes on both hardwood and laminates. It seems the "glossy" look is coming back around. If you like dust-mopping your floor everything 5 minutes, it might be a good look for you. I'm sticking with the handscraped mat finished as long as I can!

Our Tuftex rep, Craig Early with Jan. We are bringing in a new Tuftex display to our retail showroom that will update the Tuftex collection. I think customers will like the new Anso Caress Nylon products because of how soft the yarn is! There is also a new loop product in Tuftex that looks and feels like a wool product. I'm interested to see how it will do in our retail showroom.

Jan and I outside the hotel. We had a chance to visit Disneyland and California Adventure. Can you believe a one-day hopper pass costs $97?! We got our money's worth because there were hardly any lines at all! Our favorite was Tower of Terror at California Adventure! I wasn't ready for the big drop! (Kind of like the economy!)

Jan with Scott R. The Shaw group was friendly and helpful as always. Thank you for your hospitality!

A new carpet line by Shaw called Modern Classics. It's made on the area rug machines and can be ordered in broadloom for wall to wall installation or area rug sizes. I've never seen a zebra pattern I like more than the one shown here! The threads are so compacted and tight that it seems like leather. The color on the zebra pattern is natural looking, instead of being a bright white and dark black. I want some of that! It would be perfect in my bedroom in an area rug!

Thanks again Shaw Floors for a fun 2 days! Let's keep working together to make it a great 2010!