Three reasons tile is the most popular choice in the Bay Area.

Reason number one: the return on investment. Several studies have shown that you'll get more resale value with tile over carpet. Think about it... when is the last time you ever looked at an MLS listing that said," Carpet through out" ? They don't. People will pay more for tile.Reason number two: "cleanablity". Tile is the perfect solution for people with allergies. Unlike carpet none of the allergens or "Florida sand" become trapped within. It doesn't promote dust mites or micro organisms either. Reason number three: market saturation. Florida has become know for it's tile industry. With real estate growing at an exponential rate for so long and the Tampa and Miami ports Florida has set the bar for the tile industry. Most manufactures base their product lines off of the Florida market. For example Mohawk Industries has a whole "Florida Regional" program which is stocked in Miami.Tile is an excellent solution for most people. It is very durable, it has beautiful stone "looks" with out the maintenance of stone, and will provide a long time return on your investment.

Top 10 Most Unusual Kitchen & Bath Products

From Kitchen and Bath Business

http://www.kbbonline.com/kbb/news_trends/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003603135

Smart Strand

Mohawk's new fiber that is corn based that remains durable and stain resistant. Every 7 yards of 40 ounce SmartStrand carpet saves 1 gallon of gasoline...

Learn More at
www.greenworksblog.com

5 Tools Installers Should Hear About

http://www.fcimag.com/CDA/Articles/Feature_Article/BNP_GUID_9-5-2006_A_10000000000000113371

Can paint be recylcled?

http://www.interiordesign.net/GreenZoneNews/CA6454876.html?subhead=Ask+Penny&nid=2068

First Carpet Products from Shaw

First Carpet Products Certified by MBDC. The carpet products can be applied towards LEED certification.
by Mairi Beautyman
Interior Design · June 15, 2007
http://www.interiordesign.net/id_newsarticle/CA6452328.html?nid=2068

Reclaimed Wood Showroom Opens in NYC

The first reclaimed wood showroom on the east coast opens-Restoration Timber

http://www.interiordesign.net/id_newsarticle/CA6449920.html?nid=2068

New Green Standard could make Waves

http://www.interiordesign.net/id_newsarticle/CA6447844.html

How to Think About Exterior Paint Color

Color consultant Cindy Bailen provides helpful tips for using color to unify a home’s various components.

http://www.swstir.com/use.do?method=article&id=402

Shaw Creates a new Hospitality Division

They unite their two companies to create the Shaw Hospitality Group.

http://interiordesign.net/id_newsarticle/CA6437660.html

"Polished Concrete Outshines Other Flooring Options"

Creating a green floor by polishing and grinding concrete.

http://www.interiordesign.net/GreenZoneElement/?subhead=Environmental+Building+News&elementid=2140020684

DalTile launches new Products

http://www.daltileproducts.com/newproducts.cfm

"A Diamond is a Congealed drop of Sunlight"
-Acres of Diamonds
By: Russell Conwell

"Therapy is expensive. Popping bubble plastic is cheap.
You choose...."

"Rethinking Sustainable Development"

"Historic preservation can play a meaningful role in sustainable development. "

http://www.swstir.com/use.do?method=article&id=381

"Using Color to Create the Illusion of More Space: a Case Study"

"Deborah Reed of Deborah Reed Interior Design explains how she used paint and design techniques to seemingly change the proportions of a room. "

http://www.swstir.com/use.do?method=article&id=382

"Palate-pleasing palettes: how to whet the appetite with color"

"From the food court to the four-star restaurant, the science of color theory plays a key role in the design of restaurant interiors."

http://www.swstir.com/use.do?method=article&id=363

Green Design is Here

"Green Upscale Hotels—No Longer an OxymoronOld habits are hard to break but the hospitality industry is making progress. "
Penny Bonda
Interior Design · February 20, 2007

http://www.interiordesign.net/GreenZoneNews/CA6417856.html?subhead=Features

" Hardwood and natural stone visuals are still the bread and butter "

"Resilient on a roll: Commercial, residential styles that look great and last a long, long time. Armstrong's Stratamax resilient flooring is designed for loose-lay installation. "

by Michael Chmielecki April 13, 2007

http://www.ntlfloortrends.com/CDA/Articles/Cover_Story/BNP_GUID_9-5-2006_A_10000000000000088792

How Does Color Affect You?

Here is an excellent article about How Color Affects Us all the time. There is another article about how American Hardwood is really a sustainable resource that is not being used to it's fullest too.

http://www.interiordesign.net/ArticleCEU/2140028110.html