custom order the tile to match woodwork
or wallpaper.

products, stone tiles are a relatively new
idea . The stone industry has begun to
market a product called thin tile, light-
weight slices or marble, limestone, gran-
ite or onyx. Slabs measure three eights
of an inch or half an inch in thickness.
Although thin stones sold well in Eu-
rope for years, the technology for cutting
them only developed in the United
States ten years ago. Prices for the tiles
vary widely according to the type of stone
used and the thickness of the tiles.

RUGS

Exotic kinds of tile are on the mar-
ket, too. Armstrong World Industries
produces lines of vinyl sheet flooring that
incorporate tiny particles that shimmer
in the light. Some tiles are painted with
real gold and silver. Small tiles can be
used to create a mosaic on the floor. The
mosaic tiles have been aged to look like
pieces from ancient works of art.
If you'd rather live in a country home
than a Greek temple, several manufac-
turers now make hand-painted, hand-
made traditional tiles. Although these
tiles are expensive, they can add a rur-
al touch to any traditional tile pattern.
Many consumers use these tiles to pro-
vide a decorative atmosphere. Others

When buying a rug, it is always im-
portant to know exactly what you're buy-
ing and how much of it you need. Some
retailers will put their private labels on
rugs to make it difficult for consumers
to shop prices.
Rugs have a lot to offer the consumer
when it comes to choosing flooring. Rugs
can cut down on drafts in cold rooms,

New hardwood floors can
now be stained and finished
before they are laid, which
saves the customer
aggravation and mess.

add texture and color to living space and
make walking more comfortable.
Not to be outdone by the other floor-
ing industries, rug manufacturers, too,
have come up some creative ideas in an
attempt to capture their corner of the
market.
Custom-made area rugs are popular.
They come in any shape and color and

are usually designed by the customer
and interior designer. These unique
rugs can be expensive. A scatter rug can
cost as much as $1000 while larger rugs
can be priced as high as $4000.
Along the same lines, some local re-
tailers offer custom wall- to- wall car-
peting. Homeowners can choose their
own wall- to- wall design, including
insets or borders of different colored
carpet.
Other consumers have begun putting
commercial wall to wall carpet in resi-
dences because of its durability. This
carpet stands up better than residential
carpet to the strain of heavy use.
While more expensive than commer-
cial carpeting, pattern carpets made of
wool are also renowned for their lon-
gevity. Nylon carpets clean better on
the spotting principle, but wool cleans
better professionally. Over the long run,
a wool carpet will usually look better.
Wool carpets also have a slightly differ-
ent texture than standard nylon carpet.
Two other types of carpets, berber and
sissal can also provide the homeowner
with unusually textured footing. Berber
carpets, which are made with a popcorn

THE WORST TIME TO SELL THIS IS NO TIME TO HAVE
YOUR HOUSE IS THE BEST TIME
INEFFICIENT
OFFICE.
AN
TO REDO YOUR CLOSETS.

If your house suddenly feels like it's too small,
don't call a real estate agent. Call California Closets.
We can take the smallest rooms in your house
(your closets) and double the storage in them. By custom-
designing a system that makes every cubic inch count.
Call us before you have to get out of town.

Competition being what it is these days, smart
businesses are scrutinizing their office efficiency CUSTOM PRODUCTIVITY CENTERS
and calling us.
Our professional designers analyze your individual operation and
personal. And create custom-designed work stations that are
flexible and space smart. And a boon to productivity.
This could be your secret weapon.

CALSPACE

CALL FOR A FREE IN-HOME DESIGN SESSION

CALIFORNIA

CLOSET COMPANY •

Novi Twelve Oaks Mall
(Next to Lord & Taylor

W. Blfd. • 3160 Haggerty Rd.
(North of Pontiac Trail) 624-1234

OVER ONE MILLION SATISFIED CUSTOMERS

CALIFORNIA

CLOSET COMPANY'

STYLE • FALL 1992

• 69