This kitchen was in a duplex off Telegraph Avenue in Oakland. A general contractor found us through our Craigslist ad and brought us in for the cabinets. The project was on a very restricted budget, and it was a straightforward, one-day job. The cabinets were sourced locally, and the work included the plywood underlayment for
We’ve installed so many hexagonal mosaic floors that they’re pretty straightforward for us. But straightforward doesn’t mean easy. Mosaic tile has its own rules, and this Albany job touched most of them. Hexagonal mosaic comes in sheets, with dozens of small tiles held together by a mesh backing. Unlike larger tile, it’s set without spacers.
The title of this post is a bit of a paradox. There should never be mortar on the surface of a tile in the first place. Mortar goes behind the tile, bonding it to the backer. Grout goes between the tiles, as the final stage. When mortar ends up on the face of the tile,
Tile Surface Mortar Removal, San Bruno, CA 2025 Read More »
Most of our jobs have a narrow scope. The homeowner already has a window in mind, has bought the materials, and needs someone to install them. We consult on design too, but on maybe a third of our jobs or fewer. This San Ramon condo was different. A realtor introduced us to the homeowner, who
This remodel used pre-sized stone veneer to cover a fireplace that looked dated. Recladding, or resurfacing, means setting new stone directly over the existing surround instead of tearing the old fireplace out. It’s faster and far less messy than demolition, and it can transform the focal point of a room. The stone appeared to be
San Rafael Fireplace recladding (resurfacing), November 2024 Read More »
This Orinda job was pretty straightforward. Part of the slab in a washroom had been demolished, and the homeowners wanted it patched and covered with tile to match the rest of the floor: standard six-by-six-inch restaurant tile in a terracotta color. It helps to know the difference between three materials people often use interchangeably: Cement
