Megan Sprague Category Archive
Bill from Warmboard stopped by for a visit during the Log and Timber Show! We have partnered with Warmboard in the past on events and email marketing as our products are a great fit together. Bill works with the girls from our DC office, Janel and Hannah.
Here's a radiant heat panel that Warmboard let us borrow during the show!
Author's Name: Megan Sprague
Posted Date: October 28, 2008 at 9:44 AM
Filed under: Customer Service, Green Building and Eco Friendly Products, Home Building and Contracting, Home Decor, Megan Sprague, Regions
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Tags: chantilly show, relationships, subfloor radiant heat
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I had the opportunity to meet with Angela from Washington SPACES magazine when at the Log and Timber show in Chantilly. In the Fall issue of SPACES, Carlisle was interviewed in the article "The Ground Game" about our FSC Certified Antique wood and pattern floors. Click here to read the full article and to see photos of our floors!
Here's a photo of me and Angela at the show!
Author's Name: Megan Sprague
Posted Date: at 9:36 AM
Filed under: Customer Service, Megan Sprague, True Hardwood Story
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Tags: advertising, editorial feature
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We exhibited at the Log and Timber show over the weekend in Chantilly, Virginia! It was a neat show and we had the chance to meet with many people.
Before the show started, one of our preferred installers, Aaron Penney installed our wide plank Eastern White Pine and Heart Pine floors.
Here's a photo of Aaron putting the Antique Cut nails into the Eastern White Pine floor.
Once the show started, visitors stopped by the booth to look at our beautiful solid wide plank floors. Here's a photo of Janel from our
DC Design Center chatting with one of our guests! They're talking about our
hand scraped hickory floors.
Here's a few close up shots of the booth in between visitors stopping by.
Here's a nice shot of our wide pine floor, this has our signature Gingerbread stain!
Author's Name: Megan Sprague
Posted Date: at 9:10 AM
Filed under: Hardwood Flooring, Home Building and Contracting, Home Decor, Home Flooring Choices, Megan Sprague, Regions, True Hardwood Story
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Tags: DC area, events, floors over radiant heat, timber frame homes
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We're getting ready for the Log and Timber show in Chantilly, Virginia! The show is this weekend, October 24-26 at the Dulles Expo and Conference Center. In preparation for the show, we built two floors to show off! Here's a few pictures of one of the floors, our wide plank Eastern White Pine! It's unfinished in the photos, but our crew at the sample shop finished it by hand with our Gingerbread stain and Tung Oil finish.
Stop over and see us at the show! We'd love to give you free tickets, call us today: 800.595.9663!
Stay tuned...for a recap of the show when I return next week!
Author's Name: Megan Sprague
Posted Date: October 20, 2008 at 2:55 PM
Filed under: Home Building and Contracting, Megan Sprague, Regions
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Tags: log homes, prefinished hickory, shows
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Mark Nichols of our New England sales team, visited with his clients Elena and Lynn of Jewett Farms. We highlighted Jewett Farms last week on the blog with their newest studio in Newburyport, Massachusetts having Carlisle floors throughout. Lynn and Elena got the grand tour of Carlisle and nestled in at our design center and sample shop to talk about wood.
Here's Mark, Elena and Lynn chatting about the tight grain in this slice of Heart Pine.
This is the letter that Elena sent us following their visit:
Yesterday my colleague Lynn and I traveled from northern Massachusetts into the beautiful woods of New Hampshire – we lucked out and enjoyed a beautiful New England fall day. Our company, Jewett Farms, has become an exclusive partner with Carlisle and is distributing its wide plank floors from our new design studio in Newburyport, Massachusetts. It was very gratifying and educational to visit the Stoddard operation. We gained useful knowledge about the species, craft, and artistry of Carlisle flooring – so much of the language used to describe the work there resonated for us: it is the same language we use about the craft and art of our cabinetry. We were reminded each step along the way about the very special fit that seems to exist between Jewett Farms & Co. and Carlisle.
On a personal note, when I returned to my home in Massachusetts I realized I did not have my wallet and knew that I may have left it at Fiddleheads Cafe. I did not remember, in my panic, the full name of the Café so called Carlisle and explained my situation. Pat answered the phone – not only did she find me the contact information for the Café but offered, if my wallet was found there, to pick it up for me and send it back to me overnight. Previously I had remarked more than once about the friendly, courteous, and professional voices on the phone when I call Carlisle and Pat’s effort to ease my anxiety was above and beyond and much appreciated.
Author's Name: Megan Sprague
Posted Date: October 15, 2008 at 8:44 AM
Filed under: Customer Service, Hardwood Flooring, Home Decor, Home Flooring Choices, Megan Sprague, Regions, Wood Grains & Styles
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Tags: customer visit, jewett farms
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We received these photos from our clients in Pennsylvania. The homeowner is a designer and used our wide plank, 13-20" Eastern White Pine with signature Plymouth Pumpkin stain and authentic face nails for their historic restoration project!
Author's Name: Megan Sprague
Posted Date: October 13, 2008 at 10:17 AM
Filed under: Home Decor, Megan Sprague, Regions, Restoration Projects
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Tags: 1800s vintage home, historic restoration, pennsylvania, pine with plymouth pumpkin
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At Carlisle Wide Plank Floors, working with designers is part of our passion. Whether it’s a fifty floor high rise, private residence or a boutique hotel our design consultants have had countless opportunities to work on their share of stunning projects with the best of designers.
While researching one such project, Katharine Posillico McGowan came across Carlisle on an Internet search when a client of hers wanted to do a solid wood floor over radiant heat.
This particular project was a French chateau style home in Lloyd Harbor, Long Island. She chose our White Oak wide plank floors as they are a perfect fit for the old world/French chateau style and well suited over the radiant heat system the homeowner chose. “The wood captures the essence of the home’s old world look and adds an aged character to a new home,” mentions Katharine. She chose to use a dark stain on the white oak and in the dining room selected a very special Versailles pattern. Katharine adds, “my client loved the oak grain and how beautifully the wood took the stain”.
Katharine enjoys working with Todd Waterman, regional manager of our New York sales department. In commenting on the Lloyd Harbor project Katharine states, “he answered all of my questions and willingly sent numerous samples to make the process easier”.
Her work has been featured in Distinction Long Island magazine and was recognized as a one of the “10 New Designers to Watch” by New York Spaces magazine.
Just last month, Katharine was recognized at the 2008 Mansions and Millionaires Designer Showcase as the “Notable Designer” of the Mill Neck Manor Showcase.
To enjoy a video of a special interior design project we’ve done, click here.
Looking for a designer in the New York area—visit Katharine’s website.
Author's Name: Megan Sprague
Posted Date: September 1, 2008 at 3:00 PM
Filed under: Megan Sprague
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Believe it, or not, there’s a very simple way to make your own wood floor cleaning solution—right in your own kitchen!
Next time you wash your wood floors (after you’ve vacuumed or swept them clean), try adding a few cap-fulls of white vinegar to your bucket of hot water. It’s that simple! There’s no need to add any soap or floor cleaners to the solution, simply the vinegar and water.
I have even heard of some people adding 8-10 drops of an essential oil to the vinegar/water solution—this gives the room a nice, fragrant smell without adding any harsh chemicals like some of the store bought cleaners. Consider peppermint or lavender!
Choosing to make your own wood floor cleaning solution is very cost effective, simple and great for the environment. Try it out the next time you are doing your weekly chores.
Author's Name: Megan Sprague
Posted Date: July 23, 2008 at 11:27 AM
Filed under: DIY - Do It Yourself, Hardwood Flooring, Megan Sprague
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Tags: Cleaning, DIY
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At Carlisle Wide Plank Floors, working with designers is part of our passion. Whether it’s a fifty floor high rise, private residence or a boutique hotel our design consultants have had countless opportunities to work on their share of stunning projects with the best of designers.
While researching one such project, Katharine Posillico McGowan came across Carlisle on an Internet search when a client of hers wanted to do a solid wood floor over radiant heat.
This particular project was a French chateau style home in Lloyd Harbor, Long Island. She chose our White Oak wide plank floors as they are a perfect fit for the old world/French chateau style and well suited over the radiant heat system the homeowner chose. “The wood captures the essence of the home’s old world look and adds an aged character to a new home,” mentions Katharine. She chose to use a dark stain on the white oak and in the dining room selected a very special Versailles pattern. Katharine adds, “my client loved the oak grain and how beautifully the wood took the stain”.
Katharine enjoys working with Todd Waterman, regional manager of our New York sales department. In commenting on the Lloyd Harbor project Katharine states, “he answered all of my questions and willingly sent numerous samples to make the process easier”.
Her work has been featured in Distinction Long Island magazine and was recognized as a one of the “10 New Designers to Watch” by New York Spaces magazine.
Just last month, Katharine was recognized at the 2008 Mansions and Millionaires Designer Showcase as the “Notable Designer” of the Mill Neck Manor Showcase.
To enjoy a video of a special interior design project we’ve done, click here.
Looking for a designer in the New York area—visit Katharine’s website.
Author's Name: Megan Sprague
Posted Date: July 9, 2008 at 1:08 PM
Filed under: Megan Sprague
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Check out this great do-it-yourself project out of Trabuco Canyon, California. Donnelle & Tony Koselka decided to purchase our wide Eastern White Pine floors to complete the look of their New England-Style Farmhouse. Originally, Donnelle & Tony chose Marmloeum for their living room, but after some thought realized that a solid wood floor would be more reminiscent of the look they were trying to achieve. While searching the internet and flipping through several magazines, they came across Carlisle Wide Plank Floors. They thought the wide Pine floors would truly fit the New England feel they were hoping for. After speaking with Dan ONeill in our West Hollywood office, they made the jump. Dan helped them understand how long wide boards can extended their home visually, and enlarge the prospective of their living space.
With the help of Dave Delfs, a local installer, the pine floors were easy enough to install. Dave used the Bostik’s 2-part glue system directly over the existing floor. The truth is in these before and after photos! Such an easy change drastically brought the Koselka’s the look they were dreaming of. Donnelle recites, “While I loved our unusual Marmoleum floors (cork-based lineoleum), the wood floors complete our New England-style farmhouse. What a difference the pine makes!”
With a slight eased edge to emphasize the dimensions, warm honey tones of the tung oil finish, and the slow natural distressing that comes with life, it was a perfect fit…especially for their little dog, Riley.
Are you dreaming of a New England-Style home?
Click here for more photos and information.
Already a Carlisle customer…want to upload photos of your DIY project? Click here:
Author's Name: Megan Sprague
Posted Date: June 23, 2008 at 2:22 PM
Filed under: DIY - Do It Yourself, DIY - Do It Yourself, Megan Sprague
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During my trip to the West Hollywood center last week for the Avenues of Art and Design event, I got a chance to meet up with Pam Gurstein from Southern California Public Radio Station, KPCC. Carlisle has done underwriting with KPCC (if you are in California listen at 89.3FM) and our West Hollywood staff enjoys the stories and daily programs, download podcasts at www.kpcc.org.
After working together for quite a few months, Pam and I finally got to meet each other! It’s always nice to put a face to the voice! She and I had a nice visit and enjoyed a delicious lunch at the famous Ivy Restaurant. Here’s a photo of us standing outside the Ivy.
Author's Name: Megan Sprague
Posted Date: June 16, 2008 at 10:16 AM
Filed under: Megan Sprague
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Just a quick update on my bathroom project: Dan began hand-crafting our vanity last weekend. He spent Friday through Sunday in the garage measuring, cutting and constructing the vanity…all while I was away with my Mom in Virginia visiting with my Grammy. I am pleasantly surprised by the results so far.
Here’s Dan doing a little bit of touch up sanding.
We have quite a few more steps to complete until we’re finished, but we’re getting there. Next we have to: paint, build the doors and drawers and choose our counter tops. That’s all for now, I’ll write more soon once we begin the painting and door/drawer crafting.
Author's Name: Megan Sprague
Posted Date: May 16, 2008 at 3:54 PM
Filed under: Megan Sprague
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I have just returned from our Georgetown design center and firstly, what a beautiful space—secondly our open house event was a great success!
We had a wonderful group of people stop in for the evening. I was able to speak with quite a few clients that our sales group is working with and help them locate some new samples, talk about the wood species they are interested and overall talk about their projects.
Jane stopped in, she is one of Lynne Rafuse’s clients and she lives in Georgetown—a short jaunt from our center. I enjoyed my chat with her about Heart Pine and how she’s really looking forward to it in the complete renovation project of her home. I also had the pleasure to speak with Sue and Jay of Maryland. They bought our Eastern White Pine from Gary Ryer a few years ago and installed the floor themselves. In their upcoming project, they want to use the Eastern White Pine again, but they want wider boards, up to 15” this time!
Throughout the night, it got the chance to meet many other Carlisle friends. The girls from Washington SPACES stopped over too! We’ve chosen to advertise in SPACES, it’s such an awesome publication—check it out.
Clare, Hannah, Janel and I had so much fun visiting with all of our guests! We thank those of you that were able to make it!
Join us for Green Drinks DC—June 10th from 6:30-9:30.
Author's Name: Megan Sprague
Posted Date: May 8, 2008 at 11:57 AM
Filed under: Megan Sprague
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I’m just returning home from another Carlisle open house! Last Thursday, May 1st we opened our doors for friends, neighbors, architects, designers and the media. We were very pleased with our attendance. A few friends of mine stopped by: Melodie Bishop from Chicago Public Radio. I enjoyed showing her our “Recycling History” DVD which is all about our FSC Certified Antique wood.
Jan Parr, Editor of Chicago Home + Garden also stopped over for some goodies and a nice chat. She’s got a
blog of her own. Our friendly neighbor, Doug Van Tress from The
Golden Triangle also stopped by. A very nice Dean Batogowski, Publisher of Luxe Magazine’s Chicago edition was also kind to visit. The Chicago team: Brian, Eric, Erin, Kate and Katelyn had a lot of fun mingling with their clients and meeting new ones. Erin and I both enjoyed meeting the folks from the local
ASID chapter, James and Elizabeth who we spoke at length with.
The event was a great success and we are very pleased to be members of the River North neighborhood.
See us at the Showcase River North, May 13th at the Holiday Inn-Mart Plaza from 4-7 pm.
Author's Name: Megan Sprague
Posted Date: at 11:14 AM
Filed under: Megan Sprague
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As a proud member of Carlisle’s marketing team, I wanted to share my most recent do-it-yourself project—the installation of my very first Carlisle floor! I chose Walnut because of its beautiful brown tones with highlights of golden honey and the nice figuring in the grain patterns.
I began my project in September 2007 when my boyfriend Dan and I first decided to embark on the demolition of our current bathroom. We knew straight off that it was going to be a fairly large undertaking, but we also knew it had to be done. After two days of destroying, hauling pieces of old sheetrock, insulation and tile out by the truckload we were finally down to the rafters.
As we have delicately built the bathroom back up we decided to make our project as custom as we could afford. Firstly, we’ve done the entire project ourselves: plumbing, electrical, everything! (We did have the extra hands of our dads helping out, which is great.) Dan invented his own radiant heat system—it’s a built-in subfloor unit with PEX tubing (which we purchased on EBay inexpensively). We were able to install our Carlisle floor directly on top of our radiant heat system. We also did a tile inlay underneath our toilet and in front of our bathtub, and it was really easy to make both the tile and the walnut work nicely together during the installation—we had zero hiccups.
One of the best parts during our renovation was applying the tung oil to our floor. We thought the wood was stunning before we started the finishing process, but as we added the coats of tung oil we were amazed at how it heightens the swirling grains and warm chocolaty tones.
A few holidays, snowmobile season and a litter of Weimaraner puppies later and we are still working on our bathroom! We are hand making our vanity and that’s our current stage of the process. Stay tuned for the vanity and completion of my bathroom
Author's Name: Megan Sprague
Posted Date: April 22, 2008 at 11:54 AM
Filed under: DIY - Do It Yourself, Megan Sprague
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I just returned from the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show in Chicago—what a great show! The venue is in such a beautiful place, bordering Lake Michigan and large enough to fill three exhibit halls worth of kitchen and bathroom products/services. Carlisle’s booth was in the Lakeside Center. Our 200 square foot booth had two of our signature wood floors: 12-16” Eastern White Pine with Plymouth Pumpkin stain and 7-10” Hickory with our Tung Oil finish. Both floors and sample panels were show stoppers and attracted DIY homeowners and architects/designers alike. Our sales staff had a nice time chatting with clients and really enjoyed the high number of people walking KBIS this year. Gary and Erin especially liked answering questions and educating booth visitors about our new Custom Coat™ Pre-Finished floors—our latest product to launch. Brian and Eric, members of our sales staff from our new Chicago design center commented that dispelling common myths about wood floors was one of their favorite topics to speak about.
As I walked the show, I did see some neat products. The latest kitchen and bathroom counters that peaked my interest are of recycled glass and I saw some neat handmade pullware for kitchen or bathroom cabinets, designed to match any style or decor. Lastly, radiant heat—which has become a popular heating source, is a luxury underfoot in bathrooms. Before the show ended I was able to listen to Home Magazine Live, a radio program hosted by Alan Taylor—he interviewed our very own Gary Ryer for a short segment on our wide plank floors.
Author's Name: Megan Sprague
Posted Date: April 16, 2008 at 4:38 PM
Filed under: Megan Sprague
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