Avenue Mosaic Tile

Our Avenue Mosaic lines offer a wide assortment of materials incorporated into mosaics: glass, metal, and stone. Designed by tile guru Michael Golden, Avenue mosaics are well engineered and have beautiful lines that pull these materials together into vibrant, sophisticated designs. They are sleek, modern, and original.

A word about Michael… I’ve had the privilege of working with him in previous jobs and he has been around the tile and stone block (pardon the pun) for many years creating cutting edge designs. Technical and creative, he’s a unique character in this business. We both come from extensive mosaic backgrounds, with different spins of course, so I am personally pleased to showcase his latest designs at Stone Wood.

I decided to call him and pick his brain about the Avenue line, which was quite interesting. He was educated at the Rhode Island School of Design, in product design and glass, and it shows. Michael has very carefully balanced the colors and ornament in each mosaic to be easy on the eyes. During the research and design phases, he views each mosaic from three distances: 18", 5’ and 25’. The purpose is to insure that each design and colorway is still appealing and interesting from a variety of viewpoints within a house. He also emphasizes trends, or patterns. He looks for patterns of patterns, so to speak, to understand what will be the next “wave”. Last point, and this one is my favorite, “nothing is random.” Every pattern, colorway, and texture is worked to create something new and different. While perusing the photos below, keep these ideas in mind and you will feel the creativity and engineering that he put into them.

Let’s begin with Skyline….a signature line, and a truly modern and geometric pattern designed to feel like skylines from London to Lisbon. A mix of metals, stone and glass….just like any line of buildings would include in reality.

The Impressions Hopscotch and Wicker designs, in linear and square patterns, include warm toned metals, as well as cool. Meant to remind one of a warm summer afternoon, picnic basket in hand or a cool afternoon on a boat.

Confections line, available in square piece format, also contains metals, but with varying textures to create dimension within the mosaic patterns. The glass pieces have different finishes as well… glossy, frosted, and matte.

Weave and Ripple series are our dimensional mosaic line within Avenue. They have that “must touch immediately” feel and bring life to any interior wall. The curved glass pieces are gentle and uplifting, bringing serenity to any room.

Last, but certainly not least, is Flemish Bond, a mosaic standard using all glass in rich, iridescent colors.

For additional information on our Avenue Mosaic tile line or any of the other great selections we carry at Stone Wood, please visit  http://stonewoodstore.com

Written by: Katherine Campbell

Stone Wood Design Center, part of the Nova USA family of companies, is the leading hard surface retailer in Portland, Oregon. With 3 locations, including the Crates store, in the Portland area, Stone Wood Design Center specializes in buying direct from the manufacturer and passing the savings on to the customer. The company hires experienced design and product professionals and has a reputation for outstanding customer service.

Stone Wood Design Center Opens Discount Store Stone Wood Crates

Stone Wood Design Center, Portland's very own hard surface superstore announces the debut of its new discount center, Stone Wood Crates. Located at 5600 NE 122nd Ave, just East of the airport and Cascade Station, the store features close-outs, discounted and discontinued items, along with some running line inventory.

"Our Crates store is perfect for the do-it-yourselfer or contractor looking for an awesome deal on beautiful material," said Steve Getsiv, CEO. "Manufacturers are always changing up their product lines and our Crates store allows us to offer these products at prices up to 80% below normal retail."

The Crates store will provide customers with the opportunity to create spaces in a design warehouse environment, while having access to the deepest discounted materials in Portland. Those materials consist of things like travertine and porcelain tile, colorful mosaics from all over the world and handscraped exotic hardwoods. A knowledgeable team of home improvement professionals will provide expert information and advice to create an excellent customer experience.

To celebrate the opening of the discount location, Stone Wood Crates will host a Liquidation Red Tag Sale on Saturday, November 10th. Customers who visit the Crates store will get to choose materials from all over the world, at the lowest prices in the Portland metro. We'll be using the store as a liquidation center until all surplus inventory is sold, at which point the company intends to keep the facility open for wholesale only.  

The Crates store will be open Tuesday through Saturday. For additional information, please visit Stone Wood Crates.

Stone Wood Design Center, part of the Nova USA family of companies, is the leading hard surface retailer in Portland, Oregon. With 3 locations, including the Crates store, in the Portland area, Stone Wood Design Center specializes in buying direct from the manufacturer and passing the savings on to the customer. The company hires experienced design and product professionals and has a reputation for outstanding customer service.

Cumaru Flooring

Cumaru, also referred to as Brazilian Teak, is the lighter, color-sorted, pieces of regular Cumaru. Cumaru flooring is commonly sorted into Light & Dark shades. The Dark colored pieces are typically sold as Dark/Red Cumaru or Brazilian Chestnut, while the Light colored pieces have assumed the name Brazilian Teak. In lower non-color sorted grades the species is simply referred to as Cumaru.

Cumaru/Brazilian Teak is a beautiful tannish to dark brown color with shades of yellow & caramel throughout. The grain of the species is interlocked & wavy with a coarse texture. Cumaru is exceptionally hard with a Janka rating of 3200; 36% harder than Brazilian Cherry. From a stability stand-point Cumaru can be temperamental, especially in wider widths that are being installed in dry/arid climates. Proper installation procedures should be strictly adhered to when working with this species.

Of the five core flooring species imported from South America (Brazilian Cherry, Ipe, Cumaru, Tigerwood, & Santos Mahogany) only Brazilian Teak offers that warm, neutral, tannish-brown color so many customers ask for. That’s not to say Brazilian Teak is more elegant, or better, than the other species, but aesthetically speaking it is in a category by itself.

Stone Wood Design Center imports Cumaru/Brazilian Teak in 3/4" x 3”, 3-1/4”, 4”, & 5” widths. The product is Clear grade with 1’-7’ lengths and is available both Prefinished & Unfinished.

If you have any questions regarding this species, or any of our other products, please don’t hesitate to contact us at http://stonewoodstore.com

Stone Wood is Portland's Distributor for Adex Tile

Stone Wood Design Center is pleased be a select distributor in Portland, Oregon for the distinguished ADEX tile line from Spain, conceived not only for its timeless fashion statement, but as a functional asset to bathrooms, kitchens and more. What makes ADEX tile unique is its classic subway tile simplicity and beauty, bringing together multiple finishes, colors and styles that work well together or separately.

The Neri Collection is a sophisticated ceramic tile, which is both aesthetically pleasing, as well as functional, comprised of 4 colors and virtually unlimited applications. The color palette of Bisque/Bone, Celery, Classic White and Black can be used alone or in combinations and further adds to their appeal.

The Hampton Collection, offers a subtle crackle glaze, which adds to the tiles character and mystique. ADEX describes this ceramic tiles crackled surface as, "reminiscent of a fine wine that has aged to perfection." The collection comes with a myriad of decorative components and finishing trims, which can help to create a pleasing simplistic style or a dramatic design statement.

Both subway tile collections offer a variety of sizes, with wide beveled edges or a classic flat surface.

If you have any questions regarding this species, or any of our other products, please don’t hesitate to contact us. http://stonewoodstore.com

Santos Mahogany Flooring

Santos Mahogany is an absolutely gorgeous hardwood that grows from southern Mexico down through Central & South America. It gained popularity in the early nineties as a harder & stronger alternative to Genuine Mahogany flooring, which at the time was becoming more difficult to acquire and was steadily increasing in price.

Ironically, Santos Mahogany is not a Mahogany at all, but rather Mahogany-like in color & appearance. Its heartwood ranges from light golden brown to reddish-brown and will darken to a deep red-brown with hints of purple upon exposure. The sapwood of Santos Mahogany is typically a creamy white color and generally only seen in lower grades.

The grain of Santos Mahogany is generally interlocked with a fine to medium texture. Many of its quartersawn pieces will exhibit a beautiful iridescent and ribbon-like figure. The wood has a hardness rating of 2200, which is just under Brazilian Cherry and 70% harder than Red Oak. Santos Mahogany is commonly considered to be one of the most stable exotic hardwood flooring species available.

One unique characteristic of Santos Mahogany is its smell. The wood has a pungent spicy aroma, which is unmistakable. The upside to this is that it makes identifying unmarked pieces very easy; especially when cutting or sanding. The downside is that some people may experience adverse skin & respiratory reactions when exposed to its dust. Because of this, proper safety precautions should always be considered when working with this species.

Stone Wood Design imports Santos Mahogany in 3/4" x 3”, 3-1/4”, 4”, & 5” widths. The product is typically Clear or Select grade with 1’-7’ lengths and is available both Prefinished & Unfinished.

If you have any questions regarding this species, or any of our other products, please don’t hesitate to contact us. http://stonewoodstore.com

Patagonian Rosewood Flooring

Patagonian Rosewood, also referred to as Curupau or Curupay, is commonly found throughout Argentina as well as the sub-tropical forests of Brazil and Paraguay. When freshly milled, and prior to exposure, it is a pale to light reddish brown color with distinctive black streaks.

Upon exposure the heartwood of Patagonian Rosewood darkens rapidly much like Brazilian Cherry to a beautiful deep reddish-brown. Another key characteristic of this species is its hardness. Patagonian Rosewood has a Janka rating of 3840 psi, which makes it even harder than Ipe at 3680. This extremely dense & durable wood is excellent for high traffic installations and will hold up to even the heaviest levels of abuse. Stability-wise, it performs similarly to Brazilian Cherry.

Stone Wood Design Center's Patagonian Rosewood, although natural in appearance, does have a light stain applied to it. The stain is not intended to change the natural look of the species, but to instead mimic the darker post-oxidized color. By doing this it eliminates discoloration concerns/complaints due to area rugs and low lying furniture. Additionally, it makes it easier from a design standpoint when the customer can see the final color right out of the box rather than waiting until it has darkened.

Stone Wood Design stocks Patagonian Rosewood in 3/4" x 3”, 4”, & 5” widths. The product is Clear grade with 1’-7’ lengths and is only available Prefinished.

If you have any questions regarding this species, or any of our other products, please don’t hesitate to contact us. http://stonewoodstore.com/

Tigerwood Flooring

Back in the “old days” when white floors were really cool and waterbase finishes were still in their infancy, there was a beautiful exotic hardwood species just starting to make headway in the North American flooring market called Goncalo Alves. That name, however, didn’t really catch on in the flooring world so the more eloquent trade name Tigerwood was coined and the rest is history so-to-speak.

Tigerwood trees can be found from Mexico all the way down through Central & South America. The color of the heartwood is a stunning golden brownish-orange to reddish-brown with subtle to very defined black striping throughout. As the wood ages it will darken to a deep reddish-brown color accentuating its characteristic stripes. The grain of the wood is interwoven or wavy and sometimes straight with a fine texture. Tigerwood has a hardness rating of around 2000 psi, which puts it just under Brazilian Cherry at 2350. It also has an average stability rating for an exotic and historically performs well in service.

One of the most commonly asked questions about Tigerwood has got to be, “How much striping can I expect to see?” This is a slippery slope much like, “How many quartersawn boards will be in my Rift & Qtr’d shipment?” There are some broad parameters, but it really just depends on the luck of the draw. As a general rule, when it comes to Tigerwood, we usually tell people 50% of the boards will have some degree of striping and 50% won’t. Don’t hold us to this however. Like we said before, it just depends.

Stone Wood Design Center imports Tigerwood Flooring in 3/4" x 3”, 3-1/4”, 4”, & 5” widths. The product is typically Clear grade with 1’-7’ lengths and is available both Prefinished & Unfinished.

If you have any questions regarding this species, or any of our other products, please don’t hesitate to contact us.http://stonewoodstore.com

Penny Rounds and Hexagon Tile

Ah Portland, we love our bungalow homes here, and appreciate the quirky tiles and colors that come with them. I once had a 1920’s bungalow with pink and black tile running up the walls. …tres chic!

“Hexes” and “penny rounds” have been around longer than some may realize, starting in the 1800’s actually, but fell out of favor sometime when suburbia boomed after WW II. They were quite practical (more grout lines means more traction), and not nearly as expensive as a “mosaic,” even though they are technically mosaics. They had their day during the Arts and Crafts movement, certainly.

However, we still prefer to give them the love they deserve and update while retaining the original character. Character is why we buy them in the first place.

At Stonewood, we have launched a new product line specifically for this, and it’s full of hexagon, penny round, and octagon dot patterns.

Hexagons

Penny Rounds

Now, I wouldn’t want to leave anyone out. There are plenty of Portlanders who prefer the clean, simple, slightly edgy look for their lofts, condos, and yes, even suburban homes. Penny rounds, especially, “modernize” very well.

And while the bungalow owner may prefer the “hexes” on the floor, in the traditional setting, the loft owner might prefer them on the walls of a living room for a super modern feel.

Hexagons and penny rounds….they’re not just for your grandmother’s house. Unless you want them to be, of course.

A Step In The Right Direction

It is often said that your home represents your frame of mind and body. A cluttered mess and disorganized surroundings can represent chaos within. At the same time, a clean and well-organized home can represent more balance, clearer thoughts and a healthier lifestyle.

As you walk through your home, look around at the things you would like to change. Perhaps you’d like to replace your dark, outdated cabinets in the kitchen, or brighten up the hall bathroom for guest. Maybe you’d love to get the garage organized, so you’d finally feel inspired to finish all the small projects that you’ve started. Perhaps you want to have a place where you can entertain guest and celebrate with family, like a back porch, or a deck with a huge BBQ pit and hammock. Very much like standing in front of a mirror and pointing out little things you’d like to change about yourself, all of these home improvements are attainable.

Great, so we have this bucket list of what we’d love to improve around our house. Now what? Well, now we work towards changing what is most important to each of us. Everyone is different. Finally installing hardwood flooring in the living room, may be a priority for one person, while laying new tile in the master bath may be a priority for someone else. The point is, you don’t have to overwhelm yourself, because once you’ve decided what you want to change, Stone Wood Design Center can help you with the rest.

When you walk through our doors, you’ll be greeted by the smiles of our ‘degreed’ Interior Designers. The best part is, that it’s a complimentary service that Stone Wood Design Center offers to all their customers. Do you know what that means? Are you sitting down? It means that you get to work with a real Interior Designer on your project. It’s kind of like deciding you want to lose a few pounds, so you head to the gym, to tackle the treadmill alone. Instead, as you walk through the doors, you are given the opportunity to work with a certified trainer, as a complimentary service offered by the gym. You have to admit, that’s pretty cool.

Our Interior Designers will help walk you through your entire project, which comes in handy when deciding on colors, material and how much product to buy. If you decide to tackle the project yourself, we even have a full time DIY guru, who is available to give you step-by-step instructions. This is just another complimentary service that Stone Wood Design offers.

Before you know it, your home will begin to brighten and look more alive. You’ll feel excited about the changes you’ve made and the encouraging words from friends and family. You might even look back and remember a time when you seriously thought about moving, because you had such a strong urge for change. Yet, with a little creative thought and far less stress, you realize you have built a new home for yourself, by just making some changes here and there, with the help of Stone Wood Design Center.

Somewhere down the road in life, you might even hear it again, how your home represents your frame of mind and body. You’ll smile, realizing that you’re feeling less stress, you have a healthier lifestyle and you’re happier than you’ve been in a long time. Could Stone Wood Design Center really be attributed to such positive changes, inside and outside of your home? We like to think so. 

SWDC Top Sellers: Mosaico+ Perle Tile

At Stone Wood Design Center, it’s our mission to bring Portland tile customers the finest tile products from around the world. That’s why we’re so pleased to tell you about our latest offering, Mosaico+ tile from Italy. Mosaico’s Perle line of jaw-dropping iridescent tile is the subject of this edition of SWDC Top Sellers.

Like proud parents, we love all our tile products equally, but this one really is something special. The base color of the tile is complemented and multiplied by the extraordinary, multicolored iridescent finish, whose colors shift and shimmer with each stray shaft of light they catch.

Because the individual plates that comprise the mosaic are smaller than average — just 15x15mm — they conform to curved surfaces like wet silk, and the tiny tiles also lend a refined, luxurious air to the installation that will turn your guests iridescent green with envy!

We’re proud to bring Portland Mosaico tile flooring all the way from Italy — after, all, when it comes to refined and elegant style, Italian design is hard to beat. It’s no exaggeration to say that what Prada is to couture, or Lamborghini is to autos, Mosaico is to tile.

Mosaico tile flooring from Stone Wood Design Center will surely have your guests green with envy!

Frankly, photos can’t do justice to this shimmering and exotic tile flooring product — you simply must see it in person. Stop by one of our three conveniently-located Portland tile showrooms to see this must-have product with your own eyes!

Stone Wood Design Center Resources: Tile Term Dictionary

In keeping with our long-standing goal of being your first and best place to go when it comes to Portland tile flooring, we at Stone Wood Design Center would like to tell you about a resource that’s sure to make any tile flooring project easier. We’re talking, of course, about our Tile Term Dictionary.

This handy glossary of commonly-used terms in the tile flooring industry will help you understand your options no matter what phase of a project you’re in — whether you’re just beginning to consult Portland interior design professionals or in the final phases of a ceramic tile installation.

For example, you may be surprised to learn that “crazing” isn’t what happens to your brain after poring over sample books for a few hours, it’s the cracking in certain kiln-fired glazes. And while you might suppose that a “tile cutter” is a certain tradesman and a “tile nipper” his young son, our guide will assure you that both refer to specific tools used in the trade.

All levity aside, we’re proud of our Tile Term Dictionary, and we hope that you find it useful. It’s just one of the ways we make the extra effort to be the Portland tile flooring leaders. Visit one of our three Portland-area locations to view our entire tile selection and talk shop with our experienced flooring professionals.

SWDC Top Sellers: Tigerwood Decking

Welcome once again to Stone Wood Design Center Top Sellers, the blog series that’s dedicated to making you the best-informed consumer in the Portland hardwood decking market.

In the last installment, we told you about a great interior product, Grand Mesa Laminate Flooring. This time, in honor of the nice weather that we hope is just around the corner, we’re going outdoors with an eye-catching exterior hardwood decking option: Tigerwood Hardwood Decking.

Tigerwood Hardwood Decking is a beautiful and durable hardwood that gets its name from its striped appearance: each plank shows a pattern of black stripes interspersed with golden and umber tones. This pattern in integral to the wood itself; it’s not a staining or antiquing effect.

Left untreated, tigerwood hardwood decking will gradually age to a mellow silver-grey glow, but this medium-density hardwood also takes oils and stains quite well. Many homeowners choose this option to bring out the wood’s natural beauty, finishing their Tigerwood hardwood decking so as to retain its rich, dramatic russet-brown tones.

In spite of a lustrous beauty that you might associate more with fine cabinetry than with exterior hardwood decking, Tigerwood is neither fragile nor delicate. This tough, kiln-dried material is noted for its resistance to both fungi and termites. Moreover, it resists these blights without harsh chemicals, meaning it can be used for installations near water without fear of contamination.

Learn more about Tigerwood Hardwood Decking with a call or visit to the Portland hardwood decking professionals at Stone Wood Design Center. We’re happy to help!

Meet Our Team, Part 3: NE 122nd Store

Welcome to the third and final installment of the Stone Wood blog’s latest series, “Meet Our Team.” In this feature, we share a little info about the installation and design experts who you’ll be working with when you visit one of our Portland design stores.

This time, we’ll meet the Portland interior design professionals of our NE 122nd Avenue location.

Nancy

First up is Nancy, who comes to the Portland interior design community by way of Oregon State University, where she earned a degree in Interior Design. She brings six years’ experience in design and remodels to the job, and specializes both in Craftsman-style and ultra-modern installations. Nancy is an award-winning interior designer and holds a certification from the National Kitchen and Bath Association.

Alisha

Next we have another degreed interior designer, Alisha, who earned her sheepskin at Washington State. She brings broad experience to Stone Wood’s Portland design stores, having designed residential, commercial and urban projects. Alisha has a passion for bringing a contemporary touch to classic designs, often with a European flair that reflects her old-world heritage.

Justin

Justin’s 15 years of experience in the design and building industries makes him the seasoned veteran of the group. His hands-on experience in the Portland interior design scene helps him find the perfect materials suppliers, and his breadth of knowledge gives him a steady hand when it comes to guiding clients through even the most challenging projects.

Meet Our Team, Part 2: Tigard

Welcome back to our introductory blog series, Meet Our Team! As you'll remember from the last installment, we have a lot of talented new designers and installation experts at each Stone Wood Design Center location. This week we're shining the spotlight on the professionals at our Tigard location. Enjoy!

Christina

Christina graduated from the Art Institute of Portland with a degree in Interior Design. She focused her studies on Urban Design, Residential and Commercial Design, and has over 4 years of interior design and historic home restoration experience.

Sarah

After receiving an Architectural Design and Drafting degree from Portland Community College, Sarah worked for over 13 years in various interior design and retail showroom management jobs. She specializes in stone, tile, hardwood flooring, and cabinetry.

John

John has been working in the building materials industry for over 10 years and is now the Tigard store manager. His passions include incorporating environmentally sustainable building materials into high-end home design projects and working with homeowners to create a warm, welcoming design in every room of their home.

Spring Cleaning: Preparing Your Outdoor Decking for Nicer Weather

With the summer months fast approaching, it’s time to start to start think about your exterior decking and how to prepare it for the warm-weather season.

Protecting your deck from the sun is just as important as protecting it from the damp. Why? Most of the hardwood decking Portland homeowners use is treated with oils and chemicals to keep out the damp. The heat of the sun boils off these essential oils, leaving your exterior decking vulnerable to warping and rot.

What to do? Each spring, clear your deck completely and wash it down. Now is the time to check for algae and mold spots that may have formed over the winter. If you find any, scrub them out with a mild bleach solution.

Next, check for loose fasteners and rotted or broken boards, replacing as necessary.

Finally, use a manufacturer-approved deck sealer to seal your deck. Your Stone Wood Design Center representative can help you choose.

These simple, regular maintenance routines can be the difference between a deck that starts looking shabby after just a few years and one that lasts for decades. If you take good care of your hardwood decking, Portland weather will be no match for it!

SWDC Top Sellers: Grand Mesa Laminate Flooring

Welcome back to your favorite design-focused blog series, Stone Wood Design Center Top Sellers. You may recall that our last installment covered Peruvian Travertine tile. This time, we’ll be examining a wood-style flooring solution, a laminate flooring product called Grand Mesa Laminate Flooring.

Among the many strong points of this particular flooring product is a factory-applied aluminum oxide finish. This “crystal finish” lasts on average two-and-a-half times longer than traditional urethane finishes, making Grand Mesa one laminate flooring Portland homeowners should seriously consider if they want to save time and money over the life of their installation. It’s so durable, in fact, that Stone Wood Design Center backs each residential installation with a 25-year warranty.

Unlike some laminate flooring products, Grand Mesa presents with a textured wire brush finish, making it a good choice for that vintage, “lived-in” look, rather than the flat, painted-on appearance associated with less-advanced laminate flooring products.

Since Grand Mesa laminate flooring comes as a single plank per piece, with beveled edges on each plank, when installed it has the appearance of true hardwood. The handscraped look of the wire-brushed relief make the illusion complete.

Grand Mesa is available in four rich finishes: Pecan Rustic, Gunstock Oak, Sierra Hickory, and Saddle Walnut. Stop in one of our three Portland locations today and see which is right for you.

Product Showcase 2012

We've been cleaning and organizing all Winter long - and now we are pleased to invite everyone to come on down to the Yeon store on Friday night and check out all the awesome new products, design-inspired vignettes and enjoy a glass of wine.

Friday March 2nd from 4pm to 8pm - Wine Tasting provided by The Wine Shop. Light snacks as well.

Here's one of the cool vignettes put together by our interior designers to help inspire you:

New products include Italian Glass Mosaics, Award Winning Porcelain Tile from Emser and the Provenza line of wood flooring.

Trust me, you will be inspired. This is not a sale event - we just want everyone to enjoy the beautiful new products.

Meet Our Team, Part 1: NW Yeon

One of the most exciting parts of our company-wide re-branding campaign is the addition of many talented new designers to the Stone Wood team. Each Stone Wood Design Center location now has multiple professional interior designers and installation experts that can assist you with almost any design or installation question you may have, whether you're looking for new hardwood flooring materials or refinishing a bathroom with tile flooring and countertops. Over the next two weeks we'll be introducing you to each designer at every Stone Wood location. This week we're meeting the stellar design team at our NW Yeon location. Don't hesitate to drop in and say hi!

Karri

Karri has an interior design degree from Portland Community College and is passionate about sustainability and green building. She is trained in ADA compliance, LEED certification, lighting design, and CAD.

Kristen

Kristen has over 10 years of experience in interior design and has worked with contractors, architects, and homeowners. Her clients appreciate your innovative style, enthusiasm, and expertise.

Kristi

Kristi is the Stone Wood Design Center's resident DIY expert. She has extensive hands-on experience in all types of home remodeling projects, including hardwood flooring, glass mosaics, and cabinets. Kristi is passionate about building materials and always approaches projects in a creative and collaborative way.

Terese

Terese has an interior degree from Oregon State University, where she focused on single-family housing and commercial interiors. She has experience working as a professional interior designer and skillfully blends many types of contemporary design elements into a room design that is both modern and timeless.

Come back next week when we'll introduce our designers from our Tigard location. See you then!

Some Exciting New Changes At Stone Wood!

As you've probably noticed, Stone Wood has been going through some major changes the past few weeks. We realized that offering beautiful flooring and home improvement products at low prices was great, many of our customers were also looking for expert design advice. That's why we've changed the focus of our business from outlet-style sales to professional design and high quality products. Say goodbye to Stone Wood Outlet - say hello to Stone Wood Design Center!

A Brand New Look
With a brand new name comes a brand new look. We've changed our logo, the color scheme of our website, and the look of our blog and social media accounts. We have a brand new Facebook page, a new Twitter handle (@Stone_Wood_DC), and a brand new website URL (www.StoneWoodStore.com). What do you think of our new look? Leave us a comment and let us know what you do or don't like.

More New Arrivals
We knew that if we were going to make the switch from outlet store to design center we would need a lot of beautiful new products to go along with our expert design advice. The new Stone Wood Design Center features the latest in contemporary tile, mosaics, and hardwood flooring products. We still offer all of our tried and true flooring, decking, cabinets, and countertop products, we simply have made a commitment to adding new and exciting products as often as we can. Visit one of our three Portland-area locations to view all of our latest products.

Experienced Design Professionals
It takes more than great products to turn a hum-drum house into a beautiful, personalized home. Our new team of designers and installation experts have years of experience making homeowners' design dreams come true. We value our staff members and want you to feel confident in their design experience. Visit our new site to Meet Our Team and learn about their respective backgrounds.

Try It Before You Buy It
Sometimes it's difficult to imagine how something will look when installed. That's why each of our three Stone Wood locations now features state-of-the-art design stations that allow you to try different product combinations. Our design experts can help you pick the perfect flooring or tile product and match it to your home's existing decor, or can help you come up with a brand new design scheme. Home improvement projects are a big investment, and Stone Wood Design Center wants to make sure you are completely confident with the products before you buy.

Visit Stone Wood Design Center online to learn more about our new look and commitment to high quality design and decor.

SWO Top Sellers: Peruvian Travertine Tile

Welcome back to our brand new blog series, Stone Wood Outlet Top Sellers. This week we're taking a look at one of the highest quality tile products available: natural stone Peruvian travertine!

Travertine tile is a type of sedimentary stone that is formed when limestone is put under extreme pressure for thousands of years. Limestone, travertine, and marble are all made of the same calcium carbonate deposits, with the difference being the amount of time the stone is exposed to pressure.

Travertine has a medium hardness rating - about 4-5 on the ten-point MOHS hardness scale. This makes it perfect for many high-traffic areas of the home, including hallways, kitchens, bathrooms, and more. However, travertine is a porous stone material, so the material should be sealed with a penetrating sealer to prevent stains and water from seeping into the stone and damaging it.

Travertine tile has a number of useful applications, including:

• Flooring
• Walls
• Shower surrounds
• Fireplaces
• Vanities
• Exterior applications
• ...and much more!

Visit one of our three Portland-area locations today to view our large selection of travertine tile products, or call our professionals today at 503-222-9663.

This travertine tile dining room is just application of the versatile natural stone product.

Floor-to-Ceiling Tile: A Trend That Will Last?

Tile has been used as a functional and stylish building material for hundreds of years. From porcelain tile flooring to glass mosaics, tile is one of the most popular building and interior design materials available. It's easy to see why: tile flooring, counter tops, and back-splashes marry style and usability in a versatile, long-lasting way. They are also pretty easy to clean - take a damp sponge to most any tiling and it wipes clean.

This combination of style, function, durability, and ease of maintenance has led to a hot new design trend for today's modern kitchens: floor-to-ceiling tile. Used by such designers as Christina Murphy and Lauren Liess and featured in such design mags as Elle Decor and House Beautiful, floor-to-ceiling tile projects are all the rage recently. With cabinets, cupboards, and appliances taking up so much room in most kitchens, little wall space is left for decoration. Floor-to-ceiling tiling adds a dramatic focal point in a room that is often overlooked when it comes to design.

There are some drawbacks, of course. Like tile flooring or counter tops, a floor-to-ceiling tile project is a major investment. Tile is one of the longest-lasting building and design materials you can use, so if you're considering a floor-to-ceiling project you will want to make sure you absolutely love the look. You will want to make sure you have the budget for it, too - even the most affordable tile can start to add up when you cover large areas such as walls.

What do you think of floor-to-ceiling tile in the kitchen? Would you ever consider such a project? Where else would you think to use this design technique? Leave us your answers in the comments section below!

Image courtesy of House Beautiful Magazine