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My Blog
Tile Surfaces
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Pam DiTomaso, Allied ASID: Posted on Tuesday, February 21, 2012 3:45 PM
Recycled Glass  Recycled Glass invites a tremendous number of uses in design. Bits of broken glass bottles and porcelain transform
floors, furniture and counter tops into beautiful works of art. Utilizing this
sustainable component in design means that instead of mounting in a landfill for
thousands of years, post-consumer glass and porcelain are turned into gorgeous
fixtures by mixing crushed, recycled
glass with an epoxy resin thereby creating an endless number of sparkling terrazzo
designs! If you can’t find one that matches your home or office,
you can design your own, based on color, size and finish.
 The best part, terrazzo is virtually maintenance free, and lasts as long as your
building or home stands.
Unlike marble, which has to be removed from the earth, recycled glass is made from some of the 30 billion bottles
that would otherwise end up in landfills.
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Pam DiTomaso, Allied ASID: Posted on Tuesday, January 24, 2012 3:39 PM
As a professional, I thought it to be important that I define who I am and what I do! Here is a sample of my business philosophy I use to be the best Designer I can be for my clients...
1.
I am an artist! What I do is creative work;
designers need talent, skills and experience! Design is not easy; I am paid to
make it look that way.
2. I am the expert!As
the expert, I only want to give you the best
outcome for your project. I will explain
the reasons behind major decisions. The
way I do things is based upon my education and training!
3. Your Feedback is important!With all the information available on the web, your feedback might just
reveal a better idea that will improve the final results! However; not everyone is a designer because
they can identify colors or new products!
Be careful not to spew guidelines; after all, I am the expert and I am
the one with the education and experience!
4. Communication is crucial
Your input is very important so that I have a clear understanding of your
wants and needs; if you have invited me into your home, be prepared to answer
my questions and most importantly to discuss money! Without a clear understanding of what you
want and what your budget is to accomplish that, our relationship is doomed
right from the start! For me, including
my clients usually means they have a great appreciation for the work I do as they
see it develop from a basic idea to the completed project.
5.
Deadlines We know all want what we want as
fast as possible; understand that it takes time for even the simplest project
to be completed. While I work with
timelines, I do not directly manufacture the product that goes into a project. The materials that are available today may
not be available tomorrow; especially when it comes to fabric. For example, the availability of a fabric
being used on your project, could easily become unavailable if the manufacturer
sells the bolt to another vendor!
6.
Respect the contract The contract is important; this is
serious business and the contract we sign needs to be respected by both you and
me. I am a serious professional and I want to be able to provide you what you
want and to be paid at the appropriate times.
I want to adhere to work schedules and timelines; but I can only do that
if you respect the contract by making yourself available when needed, and honor
the payment schedule.
Bottom
line Being a designer is not easy and I
am not saying this only because of the amount of skills you need, but because I
work with all types of clients with all types of expectations; trust me I’ve never had two clients or two projects that were
the same. Challenges and difficulties arise all the time; I like to err on the
side of resolution; you are a happy client and I am able to show off another distinctive design! (It is a win- win situation!) |
Design Connections, TradeShows, Community, Cooking, Dining Rooms, Wall Art, Tile Surfaces, Color Conversations, Living Rooms, Entertaining, Floors, Accents, Holiday Decor, Outdoor Entertaining
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Pam DiTomaso, Allied ASID: Posted on Tuesday, September 20, 2011 11:55 AM
Flooring installation by Miller Flooring, Inc .and painting by JY International Painting.
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Posted on Friday, September 09, 2011 2:39 PM
You know what they say about opinions; everybody has one. So lets take a gander at Sherwin Williams predictions for
2012. Sherwin-Williams' colormix 2012 forecast highlights 40 hues,
in four earth-inspired, color-family groups: reds, blues, greens and neutrals.
Colors that are analogous, or adjacent on the color wheel, are a dominant
trend," said Jackie Jordan, director of color marketing for
Sherwin-Williams. "We discover a fresh array of combinations within
color families be it fiery reds, watery blues, grassy greens or organic
neutrals."
The company says reds will be seen in many shades,
specifically flowery tones like fuchsias, red-oranges, violets and
delicate pinks. Two shades of blue that are expected to be popular
are denim and water.
"As
we seek economic blue skies, we're rediscovering denim, the rugged fabric of
the American worker," Jordan said. "Clean water is another
essential commodity, from oceans to tap. Our serene blue palette pays homage
to both of these treasured resources."
Greens with a more yellow-tint will be seen less, in 2012 than
previous years, as lush shades of green are paired with rustic
tones and organic elements like algae, moss and seaweed. Raw materials
continue to influence color trends, which will be seen in golden tones and
subtle neutral shades inspired by linens, wood and unfired porcelain.
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Pam DiTomaso, Allied ASID: Posted on Tuesday, February 01, 2011 12:03 PM
When considering granite as a choice for countertops;
most people come to the conclusion that they either can afford granite or they can’t! What they don’t consider in their decorating scheme is granite tile. As an interior
designer there are some situations in which I will offer it as a less
expensive option. For example; a home
that is being updated for sale or as an investment property to be rented… granite tile is an appropriate choice
for up to date home décor.
But a granite tile countertop
rather than one made from solid granite? As a design choice, I recommend this option
when the kitchen needs the feel of being “grand”
but budget does not allow it. Granite tile is about 1/3 the price of granite slab. Additionally granite tile styles and colors are numerous.
 When paired with wood cabinetry,
a natural surface stone always looks better and adds polish & flair to the
design concept. And, as with any type of
countertop; whether it is part of kitchen décor or bathroom décor; a great installation
is just as important as the material being installed! A great installer knows
how to place the tile to minimize the number of cuts; and ensures that grout
lines are exceptionally thin.
Additionally, the benefits of
granite are still realized whether
or not it is in tile form or slab form.
As a natural stone product, this igneous rock is relatively comparable
in hardness and strength as a diamond.
Its density causes it to be highly
resistant to bacteria, making it an ideal material for countertops. Since maintenance is minimal, why not consider
granite tile as a great value option?
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Pam DiTomaso, allied ASID: Posted on Tuesday, September 28, 2010 6:32 PM
As an interior designer I have seen even the most confident
client loose her courage when it comes to selecting Tile. Tile has evolved so much over the last few
years that is understandable that you may feel unsure and overwhelmed. Tile is no longer the traditional glazed ceramic tile that we are used
to. Instead it has grown to include many different materials and styles; porcelain, granite, marble, and glass and metal tile.
To ease the painful decision of what material and style to use
for your project, consider that you know what you are trying to accomplish and
then evaluate how the properties of that
specific material fit into the design scheme.
Here are some tips to ponder to help you with the selection process: Glazed Ceramic Tile: Is durable and comes in various sizes, and
colors. An unlimited array of styles and
designs can be created just by altering tile sizes and/or changing direction of
the tile. Little maintenance is required;
however, if the tile chips or cracks, the color does not go through the
tile. So it is likely you will see the
clay orange material underneath. Porcelain Tile: Is durable and comes in various sizes; this natural
substance comes in array of neutrals. Unlimited
designs can be created create by altering sizes and changing tile direction. If this tile chips, the color is through and
through! It requires more maintenance
then a glazed tile. Marble: Is extremely durable and is available in
standard tile sizes and in slabs
which are then converted to counter tops,
floors and walls. Large sheets are
prominent in commercial settings, such as hotels and office buildings. Marble is a natural material; which means it
is porous and can stain easily; so, be careful with that glass of red wine! Marble needs to be sealed once a year and
requires polishing. Granite: Has all the great qualities one could ask
for; it is extremely durable, is available in standard sizing, slabs are cut
for counter tops, floors, and walls, it is not porous so it is not subject to
staining…but, it can be quite expensive!
The more exotic the granite, the more expensive it is. Granite needs to be sealed once a year and
requires little maintenance. Glass& Metal: These are the newest on the market. The styles are limitless. Glass tile is open
to so much color interpretation that this is a tile that will never go out of
style! But they are costly; and you must
be ready to dig deep into your pockets! Pair
them with a tumbled marble for a truly custom look. Keep in mind that glass
breaks easily and metal scratches easily so you can see how you might limit
their use on floors!  If
you are still struggling, then it is time to call in a professional. At RyanAlexander Interiors, we can provide
you with expertise on tile, proper installation, maintenance and exquisite
design! |
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