Creative uses for remodeling "trash"

While I know there is work to be done as I sit at my desk, I can't help but take some time to honor those that think outside the box when it comes to home improvement and around-the-house projects. I came across an article on MSN's homepage, as I'm sure many of you did, about cool sheds built using recycled materials with a strong swing to creativity.
Deviating from more traditional construction and building practices that I learned earlier in my career, I have found new motivation and inspiration to think outside the box-store when it comes to projects around my own house and business. I am a sucker for places like The Re-Store in Ballard, Earthwise, Second Use, and the Habitat for Humanity Outlet Store in South Seattle, as well as Skagit Valley Building Salvage in Mount Vernon and various other sources for cool old stuff that is NOT in the landfill.
I've gotten better at recognizing when I can utilize those resources, and I love the results. I've used old doors, shutters, fir flooring, radiators, garden fences, and windows. The character I believe is out of this world, while the appeal of the scratched and scuffed and dinged and chipped and dusty history, in my mind, just can't help but ooze (that actually could be bug guts, I suppose) from a 10-light leaded-pane window salvaged out of a 1925 Tudor in Magnolia or a reclaimed fir porch door rescued from demolition while "updating" a 1902 craftsman on Queen Anne like nothing else. If you have an overwhelming drive like I do to sift through piles of reclaimed building materials and cool old funky stuff like radiators-turned-tablelegs or farmhouse-windows-turned-chicken-coop, I urge you...nay...IMPLORE you...turn on your cranial porchlight and peer thru the fog into front yard of possibilities...they really are endless.

New owner, new energy, new growth...new floors!

Hello all! Well, it's been some time since anyone has recieved any new posts from the LeBlog. In case you don't know the story, here it is:
Back in June 2009, my friend Wayne approached me about taking over his hardwood flooring and floor maintenance company. Being in the flooring industry myself for the past 11 years, I felt it was a good opportunity and we shook on it--- best decision I ever made.
In the time since Wayne and his lovely bride, Roz, retired to the sunny shores of the land down under to float around on their new home, my staff and myself have been working diligently to uphold the reputation that Wayne and Roz built through their quality service, quality product, and personal attention to each of their customers--- it is a philosphy we shared in our business, Pro Home Services, and continue today. We will do our best to keep you up to speed on our business growth and the development of new processes and finishes, all the while keeping with the tradition of "earth-friendly floors", sustainable and eco-friendly products and practices, and "good-neighbor" attitudes. See you all soon!!
Sincerely,
Kevin Plumacher, Owner 425-754-3224
Pieter Sundgren, Project Manager 206-852-8969

FSC Vida Grandis Flooring with NON toxic Finish

We get so many calls from people who think they have to have a Swedish finish and they don't. There is great healthy choices for hardwood flooring finish that don't have to stink your house up with chemicals.
Erin here in this photo is admiring her new Vida Grandis Floor finished with OSMO Hardwax Oil Finish. It's even repairable!

Compass Rose Medallion in Floor

Craftsmen Wayne LeBlanc puts the finishing touch on an artistic handmade compass rose medallion. All our medallions are hand made by LeBlanc Floors, not factory made. This one was made with Walnut, White Oak, and Brazillian Cherry and Maple to compliment the red oak floor. All finished with Non Toxic Hand Rubbed Berger Sidle Hardwax Oil Finish. - Compass Rose & BS Finish on special this month. Call us for a quote.

Why have any floor when you can have a LeBlanc Floor!

Tigerwood Flooring with NON Toxic OSMO Finish

Beautiful!

LeBlanc Floors Partners with Carbonfree

Were really happy to partner with Carbonfree Organization

and support the fight against global climate change.

For many years now we have promoted green practices. It is in our company vision to be a part of the solution.

Here are some of the ways Leblanc Floors works to

be green.

*Offer green/non toxic flooring choices

*Paperless Office (contracts/invoices/estimates all electronic)

*We believe in giving as much initial info as possible via the phone/email for customers who are getting general info. This includes pricing and technical info. This cuts down on unecessary car trips/emissions etc. I have had contractors refuse to give me any info unless they came and did a big presentation, which was a big waste of my time!

Were always looking for more ways to be green. Email us if you have some good ideas!

Beautiful Weyerhaeuser Lyptus Flooring -Lightly Stained

Here is a treat!

Beautiful Weyerhaeuser Lyptus Flooring

custom stained to owner preference.

Lyptus flooring is plantation grown.

This new home is in Ruston WA, and the floors were an important

choice for the new owners Bill & Polly.

Go ahead ask us about Lyptus-and other sustainable flooring.

gogreen@leblancfloors.com

Happy New Year

Bang! it's 2009!

Were closing down the shop and giving all our employees the day off on Tuesday to watch the Barack Obama Inaguration.

2008 was a super year for green flooring!

As Seattle's leading green flooring contractor, LeBlanc Floors was able to bring lots of healthy -ecofriendly flooring choices to our customers. It is important to make healthy choices in all your living spaces. Floors are a big part of your home, so healthy floors contribute to healthy families, and a healthy planet.

We hope your 2009 is filled with peace and love!

Black Tigerwood

Walt & Jenifer love their black stained Tigerwood

Floors and custom staircase.
We used FSC Tigerwood and Zero VOC's

black stain and Zero VOC's Hardwax Oil

for a one of a kind floor.

Vida Grandis Eucalyptus

Robert & Kathleen on Vashon Island
(click on photo to enlarge)
just finished their beautiful home and choose this lovely flooring
from Ecohaus in Seattle. We used Zero VOC's Hardwax Oil finish.

Happy Holidays from LeBlanc Floors

Please consider what your spend and purchase this year during the holidays, is it really necessary to purchase gifts with so much waste in packaging?

LeBlanc Floors is committed to change.

Instead of sending out cards or calenders this year we have donated $500 to Childrens Safe Drinking Water Organization. We encourage you to do the same and donate to where it's really going to make a difference.

Check this out: http://www.csdw.org/csdw/index.html

Have a Safe & Happy Holiday Season
Think about it!! Make a committment!! Don't drink and drive!!

Wide Plank Yellow Pine with OSMO Hardwax Oil

CUSTOMER COMMENTS

"Thanks for the amazing job on our floors. We so appreciate your care and commitment. They turned out exactly as I had hoped. Thank you both and to your crews. Please send me some business cards! Until we meet again! Barbara and Tom"

Custom Inlay Walnut & Quarter Sawn White Oak

Vlad installs custom Walnut inlay rosettes in Quarter Sawn White Oak, all finshed with OSMO Hardwax Oil Finish. Beautiful!

PAGE DOWN FOR LOTS OF PHOTOS

AND...here are some customer comments

Roz,
Just wanted to let you know the floors are really beautiful! They came out much better than I expected.....I didn't get home until late last night and got slammed at work today, but wanted to drop you a line....please pass my thanks along to Wayne. Again, they did a great job!

Julie

Customer Comments

Wayne and Roz,

The floor looks great! Thank you very much for staying on task and being so easy to communicate with during this, what with our several problems and postponements.
Thanks again for your work. You're good people to deal with which me as DIY'er and half-ass general contractor-for-me really appreciates.
Marc

More customer comments

Had my floors refinished in my condo prior to selling. Everyone loved the place and said the floors made it special. My condo sold in 2 weeks! Thanks for the good job.
T Schmidt

Before and After Old Fir Floors - Seattle

Sanded and Finished with

Non toxic Hardwax Oil finish.

Notice how the old Fir developes

a patina pattern. This is a

characteristic or really old fir.

Tigerwood with OSMO Professional Polyx Oil Finish

FSC Wood and Non Toxic finish. You can see this and other
Earth Friendy Floors at the New Ecohaus showroom
in Bellevue.

Leblanc Home in San Francisco

Wayne's parents home in San Francisco. This is the house

he grew up in. Just refinished with OSMO and new paint!

San Francisco Classic

Wayne just got back from refinishing his parents floors in San
Francisco. They had very old carpet, and he was able to pull up and sand and finish the red oak parquet with OSMO non toxic finish. They have lived in this house since 1949!