Richmond Hill, ON (PRWEB) April 29, 2014

Marble Treasures Inc. was originally established in 2008 and has since become the premier marble and granite company in the City of Toronto.

The company has successfully done this by strengthening a bond with their clientele that has yet to be challenged by any other company in this space.

Bathroom countertops are quite a bit different from kitchen countertops which are more or less installed according to functionality. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the options for installing bathroom countertops are wide and open as it is appearance above all else. Granite is a long lasting, stain resistant, and exquisite material that can be used for a bathroom countertop. The most durable and easiest to care for, Marble Treasures Inc.s premium customers often make the choice for either granite or marble.

The fact that granite is easier to clean than marble makes it a suitable choice for fireplaces as well another popular installation among premium customers of Marble Treasures Inc. customers

Contact Marble Treasures today to find out how the company can work with you to achieve your dream kitchen and have it installed in your home less than two weeks after you order.

Whether its granite, marble, or quartz, Marble Treasures Inc. has got it covered. The company works according to the customers preferences and specifications, and never leaves a job without having put a smile on the customers face. Thats a given. Clients are, beyond all else, the most important asset to Marble Treasures Inc. and the company recognizes this.

Dont be told that a breathtaking kitchen that is tailored to your stylistic preferences is too expensive to consider hiring Marble Treasures Inc. Contact the company today to inquire about more information on the types of projects Marble Treasures Inc. has completed. One can browse through multiple galleries of kitchens, bathrooms, fireplaces, and recent projects on the companys website.

Marble Treasures Inc. services bathrooms, fireplaces, and kitchens among other areas of the house that require fine marble and granite installations.

Dont wait another minute. Call Marble Treasures Inc. today to add an extra degree of beauty and functionality to your home at a reasonable cost.

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Marble Treasure Installs New Marble And Granite For Bathrooms And Fireplaces

(PRWEB) April 29, 2014

ThinkGlass is proud to present a new way to utilize glass in an architectural setting: impressive glass panels for doors.

ThinkGlass announced today that they have debuted a new category of architectural applications for their glass product line. Glass doors and glass panels made with ThinkGlass special textured glass are the latest offering from glass master Michel Mailhot.

Glass has long been a key element in architectural design, appreciated for its natural beauty and its ability to transport or transform light. Often the elements are glass countertops, translucent windows with artistic colors, glass sculptures or glass vanity tables.

Large glass panels are rarely textured, and almost never contain hand painted embedded colors. These great architectural elements from ThinkGlass are versatile and can be used as panels between rooms, and can be made either in sliding or tilting models depending on the preference of the user. These doors offer a more original aspect than regular glass panels or glass panes with patterns or images applied to them.

Architects and designers appreciate ThinkGlass' glass designs for their versatility and unique properties. With its vast array of textures and artistic movements, ThinkGlass creations will dramatically improve any architectural design and create a special attraction element.

Since glass counters are gaining popularity as the hottest new material for residential kitchen and bathroom countertops, it was only a matter of time until glass would be used in a multitude of architectural applications. From banks and hotels, to retail stores and restaurants, all manner of businesses are now discovering that glass adds a dimension of beauty and elegance to the workspace, and are asking their designers and architects to incorporate glass into their designs.

No other material has this relationship with light; glass is like a light magnet. The piece of glass on a sunny morning is not the same at sunset and will be different again the next morning if it is rather cloudy, said ThinkGlass glass master Michel Mailhot. Glass is living through light. It's captivating. It is also the best chameleon material that can meld into any decor or space. In the history of the glass was never set aside, it is always present in the human construction.

Glass has the rare strength and durability needed to withstand the challenges of constant daily use and the end result is always mesmerizing. Go for purity, go for ThinkGlass.

About ThinkGlass The ThinkGlass story began in 1999 in an empty room under the leadership of two creative individuals who were passionate about beautiful glasswork. Today, the company is one of the most successful glass design and manufacturing studios in the world with a shop that encompasses more than 30,000 square feet, 27 employees and 21 state-of-the-art, custom made ovens.

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ThinkGlass Adds Glass Doors/Panels to Its New Approach to Glass Architectural Applications

For Andrew Alexander, president of the Red Roof Inn budget hotel chain,a $24 strip of electrical outlets proved to be the killer room addition.

That wasnt the only change Alexander made as part of a sweeping renovation following the companys default nearly five years ago. At dozens of Red Roof Inn locations, the company ripped up carpet and installed faux-wood flooring, replaced old countertops with granite surfaces, changed out the sinks, switched to larger flat-screen televisions and higher-quality beds, and began doling out free snack boxes to guests. The cost to upgrade each room runs as high as$10,000and nowhere has the return on investment been better than those inexpensive power strips fitted on nightstands. Can you imagine all those people in fancy hotel rooms crawling around the floor looking for a plug? says a bemused Alexander, a former corporate attorney. Everyone travels with their gadgets.

The Red Roof Plus+ concept debuted at 31 properties this spring, with nine more upgrades planned by yearend. Ultimately, the chain expects to have as many as one-quarter of its 360 properties converted to the new design. The privately held company says the new rooms cost an average daily rate of $72, or 8 percent above pre-renovation rates, and the upgrades have led to increased occupancy of about seven additional rooms per night at the revamped properties.

The average daily hotel room rate across the U.S. was $112 in the first quarter, according to lodging research firm STR, almost twice Red Roof Inns average room rate. Theres a limit to how far upmarket the brand will go. We are not about amenity creep, Alexander says. We are not about throwing things at our customers that they dont want.

Across the budget hotel sector, however, amenities are on the rise, from free Wi-Fi to nicer pillows. Since the 2008 financial crisis decimated the hospitality industry, budget chains such as Wyndham Worldwide (WYN)s Days Inn and Super 8 and Choice Hotels International (CHH)s Quality and Comfort Inn brands have been making strategic investments aimed at boosting room rates without alienating their core customers: families on vacation, truckers, small-business travelers, and the self-employed. The trend is being driven by travelers who insist that a hoteleven at the budget endoffer the comforts of home, says Red Roof Inns chief marketing officer, Marina MacDonald.

That has led to some blurring of the lines between budget and midrange brands, such as Hilton Worldwide Holdings (HLT) Hampton Inn and La Quinta Inns & Suites (LQ). It has also left economy to a hodgepodge of brands with varying levels of consistency, Alexander says,creating a new opportunity for Red Roof Inn. You want consistency of quality, and our competitors are not delivering that.

Red Roof Inns sale by Accor in 2007 was among the last of the big buyout deals before the financial crisis, a $1.3 billion transaction led by Citigroup (C)sGlobal Special Situations Group. The chain collapsed into default two years later amid more than $350 million in debt payments it was unable to make. Its now owned by three real estate investment firms: Dune Capital Management, Five Mile Capital Partners, and Westmont Hospitality Group.

The Columbus (Ohio)-based company owns nearly half its properties and franchises the rest, a higher ratio than many of its budget rivals. Over time, as Red Roof Inn seeks to expand to 500 properties next year and 600 in subsequent years, it is likely to have more franchisees. The company also needs to add properties west of the Mississippi River, Alexander says, given its meagerfootprint there.

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Red Roof Inn Pitches Its Less Low-Budget Accommodations

Ceramic Tile World: Tile Clearance Center in Toronto
visit http://www.ceramictileworld.ca to find great prices on Tiles, Countertops, Bathroom accessories and more. Tile sale in Toronto: Discount tile store Toronto Tiles on sale from Floor...

By: Ceramic Tile World

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Ceramic Tile World: Tile Clearance Center in Toronto - Video

The Granite Countertops - Love Is A Verb
LOVE IS A VERB, written and performed by THE GRANITE COUNTERTOPS (J Neo Marvin Davis Jones) Production, editing and special effects by John Bassham for Ear...

By: earcandleproductions

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The Granite Countertops - Love Is A Verb - Video

The display for Sterling Greenery of Sterling sits at Wallace Civic Center in Fitchburg awaits visitors to the Central Mass Home Show, which begins this afternoon and continues through Sunday. SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE / JOHN LOVE

Sentinel and Enterprise staff photos can be ordered by visiting our SmugMug site.

FITCHBURG -- Thinking about replacing those drafty windows? Still rocking gold and olive kitchen countertops from the Carter administration?

If this describes you, the Central Mass Home Show could be the ticket to a more stylish and modern living space.

"If you want to increase the value of your home, knowing it's difficult to sell a home in this market, you will find all the ideas and contacts to make it happen," event organizer Jack Weld said.

The annual event kicks off tonight at 5 p.m. For the first time in 20 years, it will be held at the Wallace Civic Center, 100 John Fitch Highway, at Fitchburg State University.

Sentinel and Enterprise staff photos can be ordered by visiting our SmugMug site.

The three-day event is expected to draw hundreds of people looking for deals on all kinds of home-improvement needs, from home security and new windows and siding, to cooking implements and pools and hot tubs, to bathroom remodeling, solar paneling and roofing.

The show started in 1970 at the Wallace Civic Center. By 1990, the city was no longer able to properly maintain the building, Weld said, so the show moved to the Royal Plaza Trade Center, which is now Great Wolf Lodge.

The renovations under way at that facility prompted organizers to bring the event back to its original home.

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Home show hits Fitchburg this weekend

Countertops Matter
See more at: http://www.thedesignnetwork.com Countertops are more than just an afterthought! We work on them, eat off them and they represent some of the most vital surfaces in our homes, so...

By: The Design Network

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Countertops Matter - Video

Single mother's home ransacked, vandalized twice within weeks Single mother's home ransacked, vandalized twice within weeks

Updated: Wednesday, April 23 2014 6:45 PM EDT2014-04-23 22:45:46 GMT

A single mother's home has been ransacked and vandalized for the second time in a month.

A single mother's home has been ransacked and vandalized for the second time in a month.

Updated: Wednesday, April 23 2014 5:46 PM EDT2014-04-23 21:46:50 GMT

A local 14-year-old girl was shocked when an unknown number texted her phone, trying to recruit her into an escort service.

A local 14-year-old girl was shocked when an unknown number texted her phone, trying to recruit her into an escort service.

Updated: Sunday, April 20 2014 7:58 PM EDT2014-04-20 23:58:55 GMT

A special Michigan's Most Wanted. We're looking for the people responsible for three murders. Crime Stoppers will take your call right now at 1-800-SPEAKUP.

A special Michigan's Most Wanted. We're looking for the people responsible for three murders. Crime Stoppers will take your call right now at 1-800-SPEAKUP.

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Single mother's home ransacked, vandalized twice within weeks

Although summer months mean a break for students, summer is also peak improvement season for school district buildings, and Chippewa Valley schools are set to undergo several upgrades in summer 2014.

Barton Malow Company representatives gave a presentation to the Chippewa Valley Citizens Advisory Committee on April 17 for a bond issue update on upcoming school building projects.

One item on the list that will affect buildings district wide is the concrete and asphalt repairs that need to be done.

Because this winter was so brutal, we have issues throughout the district that are going to need to be attended to, Chippewa Valley Assistant Superintendent of Business and Operations Scott Sederlund said.

He said that the district will begin to determine where the concrete focus will be sometime in May.

Also, the Cherokee drive is being replaced through the board awarded contract, Sederlund said.

According to the Barton Malow presentation, Cheyenne Elementary School in Macomb Township will get new multi-purpose room carpeting, new science room platform flooring and some new toilet partitions. Costs of Cheyenne projects are $40,000, Sederlund noted.

Fox Elementary School in Macomb Township will have its lobby ceiling and lights replaced, as well as storage cabinets in the work room. Existing countertops throughout the school will be upgraded, and the classroom faucets as well as the building back-flow preventer will be replaced. The fire alarm system will be upgraded and five air handling units and frequency drives will be replaced. Costs of Fox projects are $375,000, according to Sederlund.

Mohawk Elementary School in Macomb Township is scheduled for a series of upgrades, according to the presentation. These include creating a new front entrance feature and replacing the lobby ceiling/lights, creating an exterior fenced-in planting/garden area, replacing select glazed tile block around exterior doors and upgrading existing countertops. Sederlund said that the front entrance of the school will be remodeled to intuitively identify the entrance of the building, similar to what was done at Iroquois Middle School two years ago.

Other improvements include replacing classroom faucets, replacing some toilets, urinals and sinks, replacing variable frequency drives and upgrading the fire alarm system. Costs of Mohawk projects are $215,000, according to Sederlund. Continued...

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Chippewa Valley outlines construction projects for 2014

There's probably no other surface in the houseother than perhaps flooringthat matches the range of product types and styles available for countertops. Examples include granite, engineered stone, glass, wood or butcher block and marble. Photo by Wanda Jackson

Published on: Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Wanda Jackson, Sentinel Arts Reporter

Choosing a countertop material can be confusing. There are the practical needs and differences to consider, as well as a kitchen's layout, style and character.

"When designing a new kitchen, typically we select cabinetry first unless a client happens to know exactly which counter they want," says Jan Goldman, owner of Kitchen Elements in Olney, Md.. Generally that isn't the case. So, Goldman advises selecting cabinets first, then "floors and counter come together as the next choice."

Another tip: "If a client is able to show me a handful of media photos (magazine or websites), I can find the thread of design details that appeal to them," says Goldman. "Once 'the feel' is established, we move into a conversation about wear and tear, housekeeping talents, who will be using the kitchen on a regular basisWe need to be mindful of children using the kitchen, and of course, financial comfort for the expenditure."

Countertop materials range from natural to synthetic, from inexpensive to pricey, from practical to well, less practical. Here is a roundup of several popular options:

Marble comes in a variety of colors and patterns, has a smooth surface, won't chip or dent and is heat-resistant. However, it tends to be expensive (averaging $100-$400/foot); it can be scratched or etched by acids (citrus, coffee, alcohol and some cleaning products), even if it's sealed. If you are cautious about spills and seal your countertops several times a year, marble is a good option.

Granite is more durable than marble, low maintenance, won't scratch, resistant to stains, heat and water if sealed, and has high resale value and tons of color options. However, it is expensive (averaging $100-$400/foot) and normally requires resealing at least once a year.

Engineered Stone such as Silestone, Cambria and CaesarStone are nonporous, resists scratches and stains, is easy to maintain and does not require a sealant. It looks like natural stone (it's at least 90 percent quartz) and can be mixed with pigments for custom color. The material will withstand limited exposure to heat without burning or scorching; however as advised by slow cookers and electric skillet manufacturers, these appliances should not be placed directly on an engineered stone countertop. Always use trivets when placing hot items on any natural stone or quartz surface to avoid thermal shock. Engineered stone averages $50-$150/foot.

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Home & Garden: Which Countertop Material Would You Choose?