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	<title>My Big Bob&#039;s Blog &#187; Natural Stone</title>
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		<title>Flooring Favorites from Shaw Flooring</title>
		<link>http://blog.mybigbobs.com/2011/06/flooring-favorites-shaw-flooring/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.mybigbobs.com/2011/06/flooring-favorites-shaw-flooring/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 08 Jun 2011 12:11:53 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>creatingyourspace</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Area Rugs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Carpet]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hardwood / Laminate]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Natural Stone]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tile]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Angela Adams]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[colors]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[environment]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hardwood]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kathy Ireland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[laminates]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lunar]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[materials]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Matrix]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Phillip Crowe]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Shaw Flooring]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[stone]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[textures]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tile]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.mybigbobs.com/?p=432</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Shaw Flooring collections offer a huge range of materials and colors&#8211; makes our job of choosing a favorite very difficult.  With products in carpet, area rugs, tile and stone, hardwood and laminates, Shaw flooring has a product for any room in your home. Durability, style, and environmentally friendly products mean Shaw&#8217;s collections are not only [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://blog.mybigbobs.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Big-Bobs-SP-2-of-30-6-Shaw-Favorites1.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-433" style="margin: 20px;" title="Big Bobs SP 2 of 30 (6) Shaw Favorites(1)" src="http://blog.mybigbobs.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Big-Bobs-SP-2-of-30-6-Shaw-Favorites1-300x236.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="236" /></a>Shaw Flooring collections offer a huge range of materials and colors&#8211; makes our job of choosing a favorite very difficult.  With products in carpet, area rugs, tile and stone, hardwood and laminates, Shaw flooring has a product for any room in your home. Durability, style, and environmentally friendly products mean Shaw&#8217;s collections are not only great looking but will last for years and have a smaller impact on the environment.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Carpet</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">There are nine carpet collections, including the Kathy Ireland, Tuftex, Inside/Out, Anso Nylon collections. We love the California inspired, natural colors of the Tuftex collection.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Area Rugs</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">With over 40 collections, including rugs by Kathy Ireland, Angela Adams, Phillip Crowe, and  Tommy Bahama Home, Shaw&#8217;s area rugs offer a huge selection of styles and colors to choose from.  If we had to chose, we&#8217;d say Angela Adams&#8217; modern rugs are our favorites.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Tile &amp; Stone</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Shaw Tile and Stone collections include ceramic tiles, porcelain tiles and natural stone. Our favorites are the Lunar, Martrix and Brustone collections because they use up to 40% post-industrial recycled content.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Hardwood</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The hardwood flooring collection from Shaw has ten types of wood, in both engineered and solid, with a range of stains to choose from. The Epic™ collection uses less harvested wood than other flooring options and comes with EnviroCore™, an inner layer made from recycled wood fibers.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Laminate</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Laminate flooring has come a long way.  Shaw&#8217;s laminate features OptiCore™, which is an  environmentally friendly laminate coreboard that&#8217;s strong and moisture resistant. The</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Shaw’s Luminiere™ collection is a realistic alternative to wood floors.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Visit <a href="http://www.mybigbobs.com/default.aspx" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Big Bob’s website </span></a>to choose your Shaw flooring today.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>The Drama of Stone</title>
		<link>http://blog.mybigbobs.com/2011/02/drama-stone/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.mybigbobs.com/2011/02/drama-stone/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 01 Feb 2011 20:14:33 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>creatingyourspace</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Natural Stone]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Stone]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[consistent]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[dark olive brown]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[drama]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Floor]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Furniture]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[home]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[jewel tones]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[statement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[stone floor]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[variety]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.mybigbobs.com/?p=356</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Have you been considering a stone floor? No other flooring choice can provide the natural variation and excitement of stone. Take a look at how this floor creates an eye-catching statement despite the simple rattan chairs and white umbrellas. The floor takes control. Every type of stone is different. Some show dramatic variety such as [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://blog.mybigbobs.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/18347344.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-357" style="margin: 20px;" title="LIPRRF-00030528-001" src="http://blog.mybigbobs.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/18347344-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" /></a>Have you been considering a stone floor? No other flooring choice can provide the natural variation and excitement of stone. Take a look at how this floor creates an eye-catching statement despite the simple rattan chairs and white umbrellas. The floor takes control.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Every type of stone is different. Some show dramatic variety such as the choice shown here. Others have a much more consistent look from square to square. If you have a large expanse of flooring, how about taking a chance on a floor that makes a statement?</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The variation on this floor ranges from almost white to a dark olive brown. This gives you the flexibility to vary your furniture from light in one area to dark in another, adding personality and variety to a large space. An earth-tone approach would work well with this floor, although it would also stand up to rich dark jewel tones and metallics.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">What message do you want your home to give? Would you rather keep to the more subtle approach? Then take a look at stone options with less variation. If you’re ready for the drama of a floor like this one, talk to one of our salespeople about the choices available to add this level of design daring to your home.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<item>
		<title>Design Perspective: Mixed Granites and Accent Tiles</title>
		<link>http://blog.mybigbobs.com/2010/03/design-perspective-mixed-granites-and-accent-tiles/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.mybigbobs.com/2010/03/design-perspective-mixed-granites-and-accent-tiles/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 03 Mar 2010 23:15:11 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>creatingyourspace</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Ceramic/Porcelain]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Design Perspectives]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Natural Stone]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[accent tiles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[design perspective]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mixed granites]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.mybigbobs.com/?p=154</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[This kitchen is a good example of how to use multiple granites in one room. It also shows how you can use contrasting accents of the same material. Let&#8217;s dive in and talk more about what&#8217;s happening in this room that&#8217;s worth noting from a design perspective! The colors in the room blend and compliment [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-155" style="margin: 20px;" title="CG2991B_Dal Granite dots" src="http://blog.mybigbobs.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/CG2991B_Dal-Granite-dots.jpg" alt="CG2991B_Dal Granite dots" width="430" height="430" />This kitchen is a good example of how to use multiple granites in one room. It also shows how you can use contrasting accents of the same material. Let&#8217;s dive in and talk more about what&#8217;s happening in this room that&#8217;s worth noting from a design perspective!</p>
<p>The colors in the room blend and compliment each other very well together. The silver and black flecks in the granite on the countertop and the floors subtly tie the plumbing and appliances together.</p>
<p>The use of a slab of granite on the countertops, the granite backsplash and the same granite cut into tiles on the floor shows how you can use the same material in different forms.</p>
<p>On the floor, there are granite dots placed in the intersections of the granite tiles. Some might say that the number of &#8220;dots&#8221; on the floor draws too much attention to the floor because the rest of the room is so simple and that a better use of the granite accent dots may have been to use less of them. Others may argue that the floor with all of the dots serves as a focal point for the room.</p>
<p>From an installation standpoint, using the same material for the accent tile as the field tile (main tile) helps with the ease of installation because the materials are the same thickness.</p>
<p>The good thing about this kitchen is that all of the major cost items in this room are all neutral choices. If the homeowners of this kitchen would like to change the look in a few years, they can easily do that with a BOLD paint color or wall covering. Another way to add some punch or WOW to this kitchen would be to add a backsplash. Adding a backsplash made of the same granite may be a little too much of a good thing, but a complimentary ceramic or porcelain tile or a stainless tile might be a nice addition.</p>
<p>What are your thoughts on this kitchen? What would you change? What would you add down the road?</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Natural Stone and Ranges of Color and Movement</title>
		<link>http://blog.mybigbobs.com/2009/09/natural-stone-and-ranges-of-color-and-movement/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.mybigbobs.com/2009/09/natural-stone-and-ranges-of-color-and-movement/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 09 Sep 2009 19:48:49 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>creatingyourspace</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Natural Stone]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[color range]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[range of color]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[stone tiles]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.mybigbobs.com/?p=52</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Natural stone can be an intimidating purchase when you first start shopping for new hard surface floors. Are you the person that says: &#8220;I don&#8217;t want a floor that busy!&#8221; or &#8221; I only want it if each piece and look the same&#8221; or &#8220;I would get tired of a tile with all of that [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-53" style="margin: 20px;" title="IMG_3972" src="http://blog.mybigbobs.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/IMG_3972.JPG" alt="IMG_3972" width="129" height="190" />Natural stone can be an intimidating purchase when you first start shopping for new hard surface floors.<br />
Are you the person that says: &#8220;I don&#8217;t want a floor that busy!&#8221; or &#8221; I only want it if each piece and look the same&#8221; or &#8220;I would get tired of a tile with all of that pattern&#8221;. We&#8217;re here to help you understand how to shop for natural stone and overcome some of the common obstacles that come along with it.</p>
<p>One thing to keep in mind when looking for natural stone floors or tiles that are made to look like natural stone is that you want to look at more than one piece of  the tile or stone to get a feel for what it will actually look like. Place a few pieces on the floor and walk back several feet from the selection of tiles. This will give you a more accurate feel for how the whole floor will look when it has been installed. Most people tend to look at one sample about 4 inches from their faces. Think about it, how often are you looking at your floor from only 4 inches away!?!</p>
<p>When looking at a floor as an overall picture rather than one single tile or piece, you begin to see that the more range of color and movement a floor has, the more it has to offer. For example, think about a room full of white tile. Now think about a room full of stone with lots of colors and movement. Which one is going to be easier to keep clean and hide dirt? Which one are you going to grow tired of more quickly? The more range and movement a floor has, the more it will hide dirt AND the more color options you have to pull from if you decide to change the colors in your design scheme. White or a solid color can get old and boring very quickly. Floors with color and movement allow you to change the things around the floor giving you a fresh new look without being limited.</p>
<p>Because natural stone is a natural product, it will have variations in color, sometimes texture and pattern. Don&#8217;t be intimidated by this. These features make your floor unique. Because no two pieces of stone look alike, you can have the same type of stone floor as your neighbor, but it can look completely different due to its origin. Who wants a floor that looks just like someone else&#8217;s? Celebrate the beauty of the range in color and pattern and embrace its uniqueness. Natural stone floors are timeless and stylish options that you can plan to live with for many, many years.</p>
<p>Call us today or come in to our store to give natural stone a chance. Our professional and qualified sales staff are here to help you every step of the way.</p>
<p>For more information on natural stone, click <a href="http://www.mybigbobs.com/prodcat.aspx?Id=4&amp;page=12264">here</a>. For information on natural stone tiles that are in stock, click <a href="http://www.mybigbobs.com/prodcat.aspx?Id=4&amp;page=12264">here</a>.</p>
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		<slash:comments>6</slash:comments>
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