Inlaid flooring ideas.

A few years ago I had some cherry flooring left over from a job, and I racked my brain trying to find a good use for it. The problem was that there wasn't enough cherry to do a complete floor in one of the rooms in our house.
Linda (my wife) and I had wanted to tile our entire house (the downstairs, anyway) ever since we first visited my parents' house in Beaufort, SC, where they had tiled their entire house. So when I told the guys they were going to set tile in my house, in the kitchen and Florida room, the inspiration hit me--do an inlay--a small section of wood flooring within the tile. I didn't bother telling Linda about it, because she might veto the idea. It's lucky for me that she really did like the inlays, otherwise I'd be sleeping in the garage.
So, here are some photos of the job--please excuse my mess--as I like to tell people, "Linda and I aren't passionate house-cleaners. Our house is lived in."
But have a look at the photos. Isn't this a neat idea?

Here's the job at the point where the tile was set and we were getting ready to install the cherry flooring in the Florida room.

This is a shot from the kitchen, before the kitchen was tiled, showing the Florida room.

This is the finished job in the kitchen. The cherry covers an area 2' 3" by 4' 6" in the kitchen, and 4' 6" by 7' 10" in the Florida room. I plan to carry the motif throughout the house as we tile the various rooms.

The next few photos show the finished Florida room. Isn't this a great idea? I love these floors.

So . . . if you want an unusual, yet beautiful floor, give us a call. Wesley and Kirk did most of the work, and they'd love to do one for you, too.

Handicapped ramps.

If you ever have need of a handicapped ramp--and we hope you don't--take a look at this one. It's built out of pressure-treated lumber, and we went back and painted it after it had weathered six months. I'll add an updated picture the next chance I get to grab one.

Wes, Kirk, and Chris--admiring their handiwork. We built the wooden steps
over the existing brick steps to keep the height and proportions correct.

                      The lattice adds a nice touch under the ramp, doesn't it?

Now, that's a ramp!

If you can see the shadows of the lone tree near the ramp--keep in mind--that was all the
shade we had. Whew! It was hot, too.

The shadows make it look crooked. It's not. It's as straight as it can be.

A Few Photos of Family and Friends.

Everyone loves to look at photos. Seeing pictures of other human beings helps us identify with them, and makes it easier to become friends. Since I enjoy being friends with my customers, I've decided to post some pictures of my family and my two main workers--Wes and Chris--who I also consider my friends. Here we go!

My granddaughter, Lily, her friend,
Grace, and my wife, Linda. Three cuties.

My eldest son, Earl, Jr., and
his best friend and
traveling companion.

My grandson, Cason, on
Lake Murray with my sister,
Doc Beth, in background. Beth's an
internist in Lexington, SC. 

Wesley, grouting a shower
 wall. It looks like hard
work, doesn't it? 

Linda and I congratulating
our friend and soon-to-be MD,
 Valerie Gribben, on the
publication of her second 
book. 

A life-size (honest--it's over
six feet tall) statue of
Johnny Cash, made of crayons
by my stepson, Herb.
See more of his work
at herbwilliamsart.com.

Wonder Woman! B. J. Teal,
our very own architect-designer.
 Her husband, Bill, looks on in
admiration. 

Here I am with some of my
third-grade Reading Buddies
from Prattville Elementary.  

My son-in-law, Jeremy,
holding Lily. Jeremy teaches at
The U. of South Florida.

My granddaughter, Lily. If you
call her Lily-Pooh, she'll get mad
and stomp around.

My youngest son, Jack. He manages
a tech company in Birmingham.

My step-son, Herb, with
 grandchildren, Maggie and Clay.
Herb is a sculptor and manages
an art gallery in Nashville.

A Stapelia gigantia. I enjoy
raising unusual plants.
The Stapelia blooms are beautiful,
 but they smell rancid,
and attract flies. 

My grandson, Henry. He may
look sweet, but I must warn
you--keep your eyes on Henry!

Herb's girlfriend, Campbell, with
Henry, in a game of tug-of-war.
I'm betting on Henry.

My grandson, Clay. As you
can see, they don't have
 barbers in Nashville.

Linda (in hat) with my
step-daughter, Jenny,
to her right. Jenny now has
four kids! Two are twins.
Poor, poor, Jenny. 

Wesley McLain. He didn't like
the way Chris checked
him out, and he tore it all
down so they could start over.
(Just kidding.)

Chris Brakefield, checking out
Wesley's work.

                            

                                   Anthony Williams--our computer/
                                    website guru. Without his help, none
                                     of this would be here. Thanks, Anthony!

Without Wes and Chris, nothing would get done. Thanks, guys. 

Exterior French doors.

Here are some photos of a recent job in Prattville, where we removed three windows and installed French doors. These doors were Atrium type doors, meaning that only one side is operable. These types of doors are better than standard French doors because they seal better at the threshold and between the doors. The customers can now host parties and easily move back and forth from the kitchen/dining area to a deck (which we also built). When the new mortar fades at the sides of the doors, where we filled in spaces left by the windows, the double doors will look as if they've always been there.

Wes and Chris examine the windows.

Wes and Chris make exterior measurements. 

Installing floor protection. 

The windows have been removed.

Adjusting the double doors.

The double doors are set in place.

The finished job. We love the bright colors, both inside and out, that the customers chose. 

The doors have been painted and we start on the deck. You can see the deck and the doors in a segment posted before this one. 

The doors are finished. This makes a nice breakfast space, doesn't it?