Tile Archives - Flooring in Portsmouth NH

29 September 2015

Natural Stone

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Every year stone and tile companies continue to challenge themselves when it comes to the design of new products. They are continuously improving and expanding their product lines be it a new pattern, shape or size. But no matter how many tile product lines are added, there is one constant and that is natural stone. Who doesn’t love the look and feel of natural stone? Most do and there are many benefits! It’s natural, eco-friendly, it looks modern and luxurious at the same time and it adds a certain elegance that captures everyones heart.

When you visit our showroom, you will notice we showcase many tile samples of both natural and manmade stone. At a glance, it is hard to tell the difference…. but which one should you choose? Typically, it is your budget that will lead you to the right path of natural vs man made stone.

We are so excited to share with you a project we just finished in North Hampton, New Hampshire. Chris Howlett from Diamond Hill Builders spearheaded this project remodel. It consisted of a master bathroom all in natural stone and 2 other bathrooms (one for each daughter) in man made stone. Can you tell the difference?

We thank Diamond Hill Builders (http://diamondhillbuilders.com) again for thinking of us as their tile and installation company of choice!

MASTER BATHROOM
The master bath is all Crema Marfil Marble, 12 x 12 on the bathroom floor, shower ceiling and shower walls, some set straight and some set on a diagonal separated by a bursa beige mini brick decorative. 1 x 1 tiles are on the shower floor and there are also 2 pencil rails, 2 corner shelves and 2 wall niches. Grout Tec: Unsanded Pearl with Grout Boost: a grout protector.

The 2 kids bath have Alaska White 3 x 6 tiles on the tub walls with Bright White Grout, 1 Niche each. The floors are Roca Bianco 12 x 12 with Antique White Grout.

Filed Under: Bathroom, Tile

31 July 2015

It’s Summertime…

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And the living is easy…. As the jazz song goes from play “Porgy and Bess” written by George Girshwin in 1935. Summertime is a great time to kick back with family and friends. If you have a floor or tile home project that is preventing you from having guests over, now is a great time to tackle those home projects. The days are longer, the weather is perfect and you can pace yourself at whatever speed is best for you. We are here to help you from a do-it-yourself project to guiding you through the flooring options to the installation done by our experts.

Not only are we going to help you with your floor or tile project, we are also going to help you with summertime no-sweat, no-nerves summer gathering ideas for your family and friends (see below). Have them over once your project is complete or better yet, invite them over and have a do-it-yourself project party where everyone helps to get the project done.

For some ideas for a small summertime project, here are photos from a few of our do-it-yourself customers that just bought flooring from us:

Suggested Summertime Entertaining Ideas

Music:
Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong – “Summertime” from Porgy and Bess
Rosemary Clooney – “Come On a My House”
Nat King Cole – “Those Lazy Hazy Crazy Days of Summer”
Eddie Cochran – “Summertime Blues”
Bryan Adams – “Summer of ‘69”
Kid Rock – “All Summer Long”
Guess Who – “American Woman”
American Authors -”Best Day of My Life”
Colbie Callait – “Brighter than the Sun”
Lorde – “Team”
Nico & Vinz – “Am I Wrong”

Food:
Mini Beef Sliders with Caramelized Onions, Melted Cheddar Cheese and Garlic Aoli
1 1/2 lbs ground beef
2 1/2 tsp Montreal Steak Seasoning (divide in half)
10 slices good cheddar cheese
1/4 cup butter
1 large red or yellow onion sliced very thinly into 1/4” rounds
2 tbs. butter
1/2 cup good mayonaise
1/2 cup sour cream
1 tbsp. dijon mustard
2 tbsp. capers
1 tbsp. garlic paste
salt and pepper to taste
1 package mini slider buns

In a bowl combine half of the Montreal Steak Seasoning with the ground beef, and shape into 10 patties about 1/2” thick.

In a large skillet, melt butter and add onions and remaining Montreal Steak Seasoning, salt and pepper to taste. Cook onions until caramelized

In a small bowl add mayonaise, sour cream, mustard, capers and garlic paste, mix well add salt and pepper to taste.

Cook burgers on the grill until cooked to personal preference, add cheese until melted, place slider on a bun add the garlic aoli. Serve with green salad and or potato salad. Enjoy!

Drinks:
Sparkling Melonade with Mint
5 cups roughly chopped melon (watermelon, cantalope or honeydew)
3 tbsp. fresh squeezed lime juice
4 tsp. pure maple sugar or you can substitute with honey
Handful of mint leaves
2 bottles sparkling mineral water
Vodka optional

In a blender, put the mellon, lime juice and maple syrup and blend on high speed until smooth, add a few of the mint leaves and pulse a few times just to chop the mint.

Fill a glass about 2/3 up of ice cubes add melon mixture and top with sparkling water and stir. Add a mint leave for garnish. Add vodka if desired.

Filed Under: Ceramic Tile, Flooring, Hardwood

30 April 2015

Effortlessly Chic Backsplashes

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We are excited with this months topic for our blog, Effortlessly Chic Backsplashes. We have some great ideas for you that will enrich your kitchen just by updating your backsplash.

There are many options for your kitchen backsplash. In the past, many people just chose ceramic, porcelain or natural stone tiles. In recent years, however, other great choices have become more popular. We have been installing not only the classic ceramic, porcelain and natural stone tiles but we are combining them with glass and metal. The beauty of tile is timeless, your options endless. Follow along as we share some of our recent backsplash installations. We hope they inspire you to attain an effortlessly chic kitchen backsplash.

Below is a kitchen backsplash that we installed combining porcelain tile with metal tile accents. The majority of the backsplash is a 4” x 4” tile installed on a straight lay. Over the stove we switched to a 2” x 2” set on a diagonal surrounding the Daltile Urban Metal 6” x 6” Stainless Tile centered in the middle. The Daltile Ellipse Stainless Liner .5” x 12” encircles the area around the porcelain 2” x 2” tiles and 6” x 6” stainless tile.

We worked very closely with our customer in New Market, NH on this project. We guided them on the size of the tiles to choose – to be in keeping with the dimension of the area. We kept within their budget and offered suggestions to combine the husband and wife team’s individual styles. We provided them with several tile samples to take home to make sure it was exactly what they wanted for their kitchen. The outcome “effortlessly chic”!

The backsplash installation below was located in Stratham, NH. It is amazing by just choosing a few different sized tiles that compliment each other, how chic the outcome. Our customer wanted colors in the gray family, a very popular color pallette with a classic feel for todays kitchens. We installed 5/8” Mosaic tile, Color: Waterfall on the majority of the backsplash. We used 5/8” random linear Mosaic Glass & Stainless, Color: Quartz, over the sink and between the refrigerator and pantry. The Grout color: Silverado. Just Stunning!

The tile we used for another lovely Stratham, NH kitchen (they are actually neighbors of the family above) is Daltile, Clio Mosaic, CL15 installed horizontally on all walls except for above the stove and desk. Above the stove we installed a glass tile called Linen Color Washed Slate installed horizontally as well. Above the desk, we installed the same Glass Linen Washed Slate vertically. The grout color we used throughout the kitchen backsplash project was Birch.

Filed Under: Backsplash, Uncategorized

27 February 2015

New England Style Kitchen – Durham, NH

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A couple came to our store after purchasing their home is Durham, NH. They decided to renovate their kitchen first, it was the most outdated room in their new home The husband spearheaded the design but both husband and wife decided together on all elements of their newly renovated kitchen.

They got their ideas and inspiration from magazines, the internet and Houzz. The original kitchen was fairly closed in and they opened it up for a roomier feel with more storage. They really wanted tile flooring with a New England flair. They wanted their new floor to withstand high traffic and hide dirt that can be created by their son and Great Dane. To give a more cohesive look, feel and flow of the kitchen area, they decided to run the tile from the kitchen into a bathroom and entryway.

Their choice of tile:

Dal-Tile 4” x 8”

Style: Union Square

Tile Color: Courtyard Red

Grout Color: Silverado (this grey colored grout was chosen to hide dirt and create a contrast with the tile).

The tile was installed in a basket weave pattern with grout boost for grout protection.

The paint color they chose for their walls was Williamsburgh Pratt & Lambert: Palace Chambers Yellow Medium to compliment the floor and assist with the New England flair that they were looking for.

The next project for this couple will be installing a beautiful stair runner for their foyer stairs. We cannot wait to share that with you on another blog post. Stay connected!

Filed Under: Flooring, Tile

2 February 2015

New Tile Flooring Finishes Like Distressed Brick and Wood Add Character and Durability

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Lots of new trends, exceptional products and flooring wow-factors are taking the flooring industry by storm. Talking turkey about the latest and greatest, top-notch tile flooring finishes opens new doors and new tile flooring options in Portsmouth. Ready or not, here they come!

New England Charm Demands Durability

Extreme temperature changes, rain, snow and flooring maintenance concerns can give home owners a lot to think about when purchasing new tile flooring. Durability is a must where foot traffic and seasonal wear and tear come in the picture. Fear not – tile flooring with the designer look of distressed hardwood planks has finally arrived.

The enchanting character that distressed hardwood tile invites into a space offers more than aesthetic appeal. It brings modern style with a rugged twist to the table where no man has gone before. No more warping. No more splinters. No more scratches, cracks and crevices to scrape the dirt and grime from. Owners get nothing but extra tough, traffic-tested, beautiful durability to create the most livable and lovable spaces available today.

Plank sizes come in many different widths and lengths to accommodate the pickiest tastes. Multicolored plank tiles and monotone colored plank tiles each add their own variety of visual and wonderfully touchable textures to suit every space. Grays, whites and browns are just the beginning of appreciated style. A whole host of patina-inspired tiles superbly portrays stunning quality and variety.

Mix It Up with Distressed Brick and Cobblestone Finishes

Chicago – Old Chicago 8 x16

Chicago Stateside 9 x 12 Hexagon

Chicago Southside 9 x 11

Today, tile flooring appreciators are re-awakening to the sophistication and demand for highly functional flooring. Gorgeous, distressed brick flooring adds a solid statement of strength, consistency and energy to any room, patio or driveway.

Nothing captivates that old-fashioned feel more than brick and cobblestone touches. Days of old fashionable and alluring detail with charismatic flooring appeal.

Clay brick tiles sporting natural color sprays within each brick is nature’s way of providing tough, yet stunning flooring capacities. Cobble stone flooring choices exhibit another breed of fabulous flooring options all their own. Adding the flair of authenticity by donning a well-worn look delivers a daring yet hopelessly romantic magnetism to all types of living spaces. Various textures, colors and sizes make for truly intriguing flooring design.

Today’s flooring selections offer more promise and satisfaction than ever before. With savvy style and superior tile durability on your side flooring problems are no longer under foot. It’s time to get creative using the newest and greatest tile flooring finishes you’ve been waiting for. The only distress you will experience is the amazing tile finishes you love.

Filed Under: Ceramic Tile, Flooring, Hardwood, Hardwood Tile Plank, Kitchen, Porcelain Tile, Tile

18 December 2014

KITCHEN BACKSPLASH IS A HIT

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Sharing Our Customers Experience

We usually don’t put testimonials on our blog, we save them for our testimonial page but we thought we would make an exception for this one and share it with you.

Dear Carol and Brett,

I cannot thank you enough for all your help and patience throughout the process of choosing a new backsplash for our newly remodeled kitchen. You did such a great job on our foyer that there was no question that we had to use B & C Floor Store!

I am not one to write a recommendation as I am about to do right now (although I regularly compliment those face-to-face who provide us with great service.) But I feel the need to do so for you and your crew for another outstanding job. I hope that you are able to post this testimonial where many can read it because we feel that it is important that your readers know what an amazing company B & C Floor Store is.

I know that this has been such a busy season for you and I just want to refresh your memory a bit on our project. My husband and I were torn between two backsplash ideas we found on Houzz – #1, a black vertical tile and #2 a herringbone Carrera Marble. Carol, we were thrilled you were able to locate and also send us a sample of these tiles so that we could match it up to our cabinets, countertop and paint choice. When we received the samples we were able to narrow down our choice to the Carrera Marble. Although the photo of the black backsplash looked stunning, we wouldn’t have been happy with the dark bold look of it. Thank goodness we had the sample to help us come to best backsplash choice for us – the Carrera Marble. My husband felt the black was too bold and we both loved the Carrera Marble. Although we were madly in love with the herringbone pattern, we were a little reluctant to choose this wondering if it was going to be too trendy (the herringbone pattern goes way back but not necessarily for a tiled backsplash).

We wanted to send you photos of the finished backsplash and a close up of the tile installation. Just beautiful!! We couldn’t have done it without you! The standard, classic 3” x 6” honed subway tile in Carrera marble with Carrera marble 12” bull-nose trim, honed with white grout was the best choice for us… we couldn’t be happier! Thank you so much for the level of service we received. Your attention to detail and customer dedication cannot be beat, and your expert installer far exceeded our expectations. Every person that has come to visit our newly remodeled kitchen raves at our backslpash (and kitchen too)!

We cannot thank you enough, Carol and Brett, and we would like to tell everyone out there that is in need of tile and flooring, PLEASE give B &C Floor Store a call, you will not be disappointed!

We looking forward to working on our next project with you!

Kathy & John N
Windham, NH

To our Readers: Brett and I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to post this testimonial but our real intent is to let our readers know that we are here to help you throughout your flooring projects. If you are searching the internet and find a look you like, we can help you replicate it or find something similar just like our Windham NH customer.

We are very particular with the brands we carry, always keeping in mind availability, versatility, durability and affordability. Please visit us, our showroom has a gallery like setting with an open floor plan so our customers feel right at home.

Carol & Brett

Filed Under: Backsplash, Kitchen, Tile, Uncategorized

27 October 2014

Warm Ideas for the Cold Season Ahead

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Gather Around the Fireplace

New Hampshire is a great state to live in especially in the winter. We have great skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, snow mobiling, snowshoeing and many more outdoor activities to enjoy our cold season. And there is no better way to end the days activity than warming up to a nice hot fire with a cup of hot chocolate.

Before the season hits us with a blast of cold air and snow, now is the time to get your fireplace cleaned and to make any updates to enhance the ambiance as you gather around your fireplace during the cold months ahead. At B & C Floor Store, refacing fireplaces with stone or tile is one of our specialties. Provided below are some installations that we have done for our customers and we want to share them with you. We hope that some of these ideas will inspire you to update the look of your fireplace.

1) The focal point in this open concept family room is the floor to ceiling fireplace. As we have mentioned in another blog, gray is the new neutral color and in this room our customer chose Ottomano Argento tile (a tile that is in the gray family) 12” x 24” installed in a vertical running bond pattern. A hearth was also installed to give the illusion that this is a wood burning fireplace even though Dockham Builders installed the electric one. The tile and pattern certainly compliments the expanse of the fireplace and lends itself to a sleek modern look.

2) In this photo we installed Daltile California Gold Slate Vertex Deco, random lengths for the fireplace surround and Daltile California Gold Slate Vertex Deco 12″ x 12″ for the hearth. The colors on this slate are spectacular…there is such such a variety of tones that creates a warm feeling in this room even when the fireplace isn’t lit.

3) Who doesn’t love marble? It seems to be one of the most popular stones today. It is widely used in kitchens and bathrooms and what a better way to showcase your fireplace than using marble. Here we installed 12” x 12” marble tiles in a grid pattern giving this fireplace a classic look that will go with any style room.

4) Our customer was looking for more of a beachy theme in her family room and chose this porcelain tile, 12” x 24” called MGC Traverse, Color: Bone. The universal style, color and movement of the tile was just fitting for the look she wanted in her room. But this particular tile can be used in any style room from traditional to modern to eclectic.

Cozy up to your beautiful newly tiled fireplace with family, friends or a significent other and sip on a nice warm mug of hot chocolate (recipe below) that will keep you warm while you admire your fireplace.

Delicious and Easy Hot Chocolate
4 1/2 cups milk
8 ounces chopped milk, bittersweet or combination of both chocolates
1 tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 tsp. instant espresso or coffee powder
Mashmallow fluff or whipped cream to dallop each mug of hot chocolate

Heat the milk in a saucepan on medium heat just as the milk starts to bubble on the sides (stirring all the long). Remove pan from the heat and add the chocolate. When melted add the sugar, vanilla and coffee powder and wisk vigorously until all ingredients are combined. Return to heat for a few minutes and serve immediately. Garnisg each serving with a dallop of mashmallow fluff or whipped cream

Filed Under: Fireplace, Tile, Uncategorized

29 September 2014

Exeter, NH Bathroom is a BIG Splash

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A Mother and Daughter Team Up to Design a Bathroom

A homeowner of Exeter, New Hampshire lived in a condo prior, and a few years ago purchased a home on a cul-de sac with a beautiful yard and lots of privacy. Living in a detached home was a big change from condo living but a welcomed one. The bathrooms needed updating especially the master bathroom. This homwowner/mother teamed up with her daughter to design a bathroom similar to one that was on a design show. It is true that necessity and budget will drive the project, but magazines, TV home shows and your local floor and tile store will offer much inspiration.

It was important to our Exeter, NH homeowner to keep her home up-to-date for both personal and resale reasons and we were happy to assist her! She wanted something current, yet classic with a contrast between the walls and floor.

The homeowner had the walls painted in the Ben Moore, Color Navajo White. The tiles we used in the

Master Bathroom:
Master Floor: 12 x 24 Dark Gray Tile installed running bond w/ charcoal gray grout providing a contrast with the walls
Shower Floor: Dark Gray 2 x 2 matches the bath floor for a rich cohesive look throughout the bathroom
Shower Walls: Mediterranea Statuario Venetino 3 x 6 Running Bond (similar to white carrara) with 4 rows of Anatolia Bliss Iceland Random Decorative. We customized a corner shelf ideal for sitting or for the lady of the house a great shelf to shave your legs. The shower nook is a perfect decorative solution for storing shampoos and conditioners.

Guest Bathroom:
Daltile Veranda Color Rock 12 x 24 with Tec Delorean Gray Grout installed on a running bond horizontally across the room to give a wider feel in this guest bathroom.

Powder Room:
Daltile Veranda Color Rock 13″ x 13″ with Tec Delorean Gray Grout installed on a straight lay for a simple clean look. This was the best choice pattern for this small powder room.

Our customer is so pleased with her new spaces. The tile feels clean and soft where everything felt gritty and old before.

A lovely transformation!

Filed Under: Bathroom, Porcelain Tile, Tile Tagged With: bathroom, exeter new hampshire

25 September 2014

Wood Textured Ceramic Tiles Provide NH Homeowners With Durability in High Traffic Areas

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The Benefits of Ceramic Tile with the Beauty of Wood – Wood Textured Ceramic Tiles

Replacing your home’s floors can be stressful and expensive, but it can result in gorgeous new floors for you and your family to enjoy. With the amount of time and effort you spend replacing your home’s floors, you understandably want to make a decision that will result in floors that you can enjoy for years to come. While there are many materials options available for you to consider, many homeowners are overwhelmingly making the decision to install durable wood textured porcelain tiles in their high traffic areas.

There are many lovely flooring materials that you may be interested in installing in your home, and some of these include real wood and carpeting. Each type of flooring has its appeal, but also has drawbacks that should be considered. A common issue with some flooring materials stems from the fact that they do not hold up well in high-traffic areas, such as family rooms, hallways, entryways and kitchens. You may love the warmth and beauty of real wood, but you may cringe at the thought of your wood floors showing wear due to foot traffic, scratches from your pet’s toenails and more. Carpet is another option, but can show wear patterns in high traffic areas. More than that, carpet also is prone to staining, and it may hold onto odors from drink spills, pets and more.

Why Wood Textured Ceramic Tiles Are the Best Option
With these factors in mind, you may rule out options like hardwood floors and carpeting from contention, but you may discover that wood textured porcelain tiles are ideal for these areas of the home. These are specially engineered ceramic tiles that offer all of the benefits of durable, affordable ceramic flooring coupled with the beauty of real wood. Some homeowners believe that these tiles will not give the same overall look as real wood however wood textured tiles carry the same sheen, texture, size and shape as wood. And they will not scratch, stain or show other signs of wear. Grout lines can be minimal and can be matched to the surface of your tile.

Wood textured ceramic tiles are becoming increasingly popular for use in New Hampshire homes today because of the durability, affordability and overall style of the tiles. The good news is that the popularity of this material has led to even greater color and style options. If you want to enjoy the benefits of ceramic tile with the beauty of wood, you can take a closer look at some of the beautiful wood textured ceramic tiles available today.

Guest Bathroom in Stratham New Hampshire

Tub Walls: Maine Tile 20″ x 20″ Porcelain Tile w/ Delorean Gray Grout

Bath Floor: Madiera Beige 5″ x 31″ Porcelain Tile w/ Standard Gray Grout

Filed Under: Bathroom, Flooring, Hardwood, Porcelain Tile, Tile Tagged With: affordability, ceramic tiles, durability, Stratham nh, wood textured tiles

22 August 2014

Making a Statement in Your Kitchen with Just a Backsplash

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Stratham, New Hampshire Couple Chooses a Beautiful Backsplash for their Kitchen

Some rooms simply function and others tempt you never to leave. Whether you are remodeling or just thinking of making a transformation to your your kitchen that offers richness and texture – we suggest tiling your backsplash as your captivating feature.

Our Stratham, New Hampshire customer has lived in their beautiful neighborhood for about 10 years. And for them, resale value is always considered when doing any renovation project to their home. They always try to balance what is best for resale and what they like sometimes this can be a difficult task. When we met them they were ready to take on a new project.

As many of us homeowners know there is always something that needs attention in the home, and it is always good to have some extra cash at hand for those projects. Our customer had built up their slush fund and decided that their next project would be a new backsplash for their kitchen. They were tired of the paint on their backsplash and wanted more of a pop to give more personality to the space.

They love working as a couple and they both searched the internet (no particular site) looking for tile ideas that would look good with their dark cabinets and Galaxy black granite counter-tops. They both love natural stone and neutral colors but they also wanted something that cleaned up easy. The husband loves to cook and wanted something with a bit of a commercial feel, maybe using a stainless steel element on the backsplash. His wife wanted to stay traditional. They wanted to keep it simple but did like having a design feature over the stove and decided that is where they wanted to add the stainless.

We worked very closely with them on this project. We guided them on the size of the tiles to choose – to be in keeping with the dimension of the area, we kept within their budget and offered suggestions to combine their styles. We provided them with several tile samples to take home to make sure it was exactly what they wanted for their kitchen.

The final choices were Porcelain Tile Marmol, Color Cr.me Brulee 4 x 4 & 2 x2 with Tec Grout, Color Birch, Natural Stone Switch plates for all their outlets, Color Sand.

The majority of the backsplash was 4 x 4 tile installed on a straight lay. Over the stove we switched to a 2 x 2 set on a diagonal surrounding the Daltile Urban Metal 6 x 6 Stainless Tile which is centered in the middle. The Daltile Ellipse Stainless Liner .” x 12” encircles the area around the porcelain 2 x 2 tiles & 6 x 6 stainless tile.

Our customers were most pleased with our installers Steve and Sonny. The wife felt comfortable being around them while she was home alone with the kids and they were great with her older dog. Both of which are very important to her. She loved the fact that we were flexible and easy to work with and most important we were able to help her put her vision onto her backsplash. We truly enjoyed this project!

Filed Under: Backsplash, Ceramic Tile, Kitchen

Natural Stone

It’s Summertime…

Suggested Summertime Entertaining Ideas

Effortlessly Chic Backsplashes

New England Style Kitchen – Durham, NH

New Tile Flooring Finishes Like Distressed Brick and Wood Add Character and Durability

KITCHEN BACKSPLASH IS A HIT

Warm Ideas for the Cold Season Ahead

Gather Around the Fireplace

Exeter, NH Bathroom is a BIG Splash

A Mother and Daughter Team Up to Design a Bathroom

Wood Textured Ceramic Tiles Provide NH Homeowners With Durability in High Traffic Areas

The Benefits of Ceramic Tile with the Beauty of Wood – Wood Textured Ceramic Tiles

Making a Statement in Your Kitchen with Just a Backsplash

Stratham, New Hampshire Couple Chooses a Beautiful Backsplash for their Kitchen

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