A New Dining Room on a Budget
I recently had the pleasure of working with a couple to create a new formal dining room in their home. Because it was an older house, and the space was pretty worn and outdated, the couple decided to gut the room and start over. I couldn't have been happier. But the joy of working with a clean slate was quickly tempered by a somewhat limited budget.
The project began with a long anticipated day of demolition. We took out the windows and butler door, tore down the walls all the way to the studs, and pulled up the old floor. It was both exhausting and exhilarating at the same time. As I headed home after that first day, I was wondering how we would be able to pull of my designs while staying within budget.
During the design phase we talked about using things like vinyl flooring and Corona furniture to keep the costs down. But as a professional with a lot of experience, I knew cost overruns were part of the game. Thank goodness the demolition didn't reveal any hidden problems that needed repair.
The second day met us with new vinyl windows, double-paned of course, and a truckload of drywall. The windows were installed in a just over an hour, leaving us to start the drywall after a hot cup of tea. It took most of the rest of that day to hang the board, tape it, and get the first coat of compound on. We decided to leave the floor until after the walls were finished.
Four days later we found ourselves on hands and knees installing a vinyl floor that simulated real wood. We considered using an engineered product but couldn't justify the cost on such a tight budget. The floor went down without a hitch and, as an added bonus we were all surprised by how good it looked. A stained pine baseboard finished it off nicely, complimented by the matching crown moulding above.
With all the construction work finished, it was time to discuss the dining table and chairs. I was hoping my clients were serious about the Corona furniture idea, because they wanted a china cabinet in addition to the dining set. With the budget already being very close, I showed them pictures of two Corona sets; a light but elegant Seconique and a dark standard Corona. Much to my relief, they chose the darker set.
It's been about three weeks since the first dinner party in their new dining room. I'm happy to say that my clients are very pleased. We completely remodelled their dining room space with a look they love and budget they could afford. And that makes me happy, too.
The Prestige of Kahrs Wood Flooring
There are lots and lots of manufacturers that can provide you with adequate wood floor, and you will be reasonably happy. None though have anything like the prestige associated with very high quality Kahrs wood flooring. The fact that Kahrs have a global customer base and have been in business for over one hundred and fifty years makes them unique.
Kahrs are trusted among incredibly prestigious clients around the world and are highly regarded in both domestic and commercial markets. The installations they can boast literally beat their competition in every sense of the word. The usual style of buildings that typically install Kahrs wood flooring are more traditionally associated with high quality marble furnishing or at a minimum polished slate.
Kahrs have been the wood flooring of choice for governments around the world when they have chosen to refurbish their embassy and administration buildings. The Czech Republic Embassy in Vienna, Austria has gone with the Oak Siena from the European Naturals Collection. Oak Siena also appealed to the designers that worked on the Swedish Parliament building when they decided to put down wood flooring.
Customers even stretch as far as the Indian Government who chose the Oak Cornwall which was from the same European Naturals collection. Also the Van Palace in Beijing, China has had a Kahrs installation completed in this stunning new sky scraper. The list of amazing client goes on and on and with each new client, so the reputation for quality grows.
What is obvious is that Kahrs wood flooring is in a class unlike any other wood floor. Thanks to their vast experience that can only be attributed to the highest level of expertise within the industry. Other wood floor manufacturers pale by comparison when they are scrutinised in detail and judged according to Kahrs standards.
It has been no secret to people in high end building trade that Kahrs have led the way for many years. Their reputation has been growing since wood floors saw a surge in their popularity over the last twenty years. Thankfully with around a thousand employees, Kahrs are well equipped to cope with the increased in demand for their products.
Their ability to supply orders for very large installations while still maintaining their quality is another factor that sets Kahrs wood flooring way above the competition. Being able to deliver specifics to building and retail trade customers on time and to specification is something the company has prided itself on for a long time. With all the positives aspects relating to Kahrs then they could well be in business for another 150 years.