Articles

Consumers demand a seamless and simple journey. Once complicated by the stark contrast of what was presented online and what was in store, web-based and brick-and-mortar, when done right, can allow the consumer to research and select the product that fits both their need and personal style in a truly aligned and easy way. Today, that journey is being influenced by opposing forces further complicating the process of engaging and capturing the consumer’s attention and dollars. Read More

Just as the world comes out of the two-year pandemic, record inflation and gas prices have put the brakes on what was a fast-growing economy. With everything from groceries to gas costing more, consumers are reconsidering where to spend their money — and increasingly, that doesn’t seem to be on home projects and flooring products. Read More

I’ve made a presence telling people to change their rates and charge more. It’s a basic message. When you look at the complaints of most installers, they always say the rates are from 20 years ago. Well, in order to change that, CHARGE MORE! It all seems pretty simple when looked at like this. However, this is not how you become profitable. Your rates will only climb so high before your bids are no longer accepted when you are charging solely based on price. You have to decide what else you bring to the table. Read More

According to the analysis, in 2019 it took 39 days for a container ship to travel from China to the United States, while in 2020 it took 49 days and in 2021 68. Costs increased as well: in 2019 shipping a container by sea cost an average of US$1,421, rising to US$2,171 in 2020 and to a whopping US$7,556 in 2021. Read More

Confindustria Ceramica (the Italian Association of Ceramics) and EdiCer SpA (the organizers of Cersaie) are pleased to announce the second edition of the Destination: Cersaie | Bologna program. Now open for applications, the initiative, organized by Ceramics of Italy, gives North American architects and designers the chance to win a five-day, CEU-accredited trip to Italy’s culinary capital, Bologna, to attend Cersaie—the International Exhibition of Ceramic Tile and Bathroom Furnishings - taking place September 26 - September 30, 2022, at the Bologna Exhibition Centre. Read More

If so, you may be considering wallpaper. That’s right — a century after the 1920s wallpaper obsession, wallpaper is coming back into style, with options ranging from the traditional to the ultra modern. But before you roll out paper wallpaper, let us introduce you to the advantages of ceramic wallpaper. Read More

Designing a new bathroom, or simply refreshing an existing space? Either way, browsing the latest bathroom tile trends is a great place to start. Bathroom tile trends give you not only insight into what’s popular in interior design, but also a launching point for exploring your own personal aesthetic and preferences. Increasingly, we’ve seen homeowners being a bit more adventurous with small powder room designs and making primary bathroom spaces uniquely their own — not merely making a functional space. Read More

If your company is having trouble finding qualified workers to fill open positions, you’re certainly not alone. Many companies have been forced to cut back services, extend deadlines or even turn down new business because of labor shortages. There are more than twice as many job openings nationally at present as there are unemployed persons, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Read More

Mesabi Black granite from Coldspring’s quarry in Babbitt, MN, was selected for the exterior facade of the Charles Library on the campus of Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. Read More

One of the most exciting aspects of architectural and interior design is experimentation. Design provides an outlet to play with colors, dabble in shapes, mix and match textures, explore patterns and expand creative boundaries, to craft a space that is as unique as the individual who inhabits it. Read More