All is not lost....

For a while, I was posting about excellent customer service experiences. That had gone by the wayside because, quite honestly, I was simply not having good customer service wherever I went....which, as a business owner, is extremely disheartening. But, all is not lost because I have a little story to tell you that has restored my faith. About a month ago, my husband and I had gone to Outback Steakhouse in Harbison. We hadn't been able to do anything 'date related' for so long because he sustained horrible injuries after falling off a ladder.....so this was our first date night in more than 3 months. We had lackluster service, screaming employees in the kitchen and food that was less than stellar. Because there was so much anticipation about our night out, and didn't receive that, I let management know. John Griffin, the manager of this location, certainly made things right. He has since paid for an entire meal for my husband and I and we thoroughly enjoyed it. Our service was excellent and the food was, too. Thank you, John Griffin, for knowing the VALUE of a customer and the VALUE of excellent customer service. I find that very few companies these days truly understand what customer service IS. John gets it. Go visit his restaurant - 252 Harbison Blvd, Columbia. Happy eating!

Bathrooms are going naked!

In case you haven't noticed, there is an industrial look to bathrooms.....gone are the days of 'furniture-looking' vanities. Now the pipes and everything else are exposed....The example in this picture shows grated shelving but unless you have that or something similar, you will need to find another place to put your linens/towels, etc. What do you think of this look? I think it's clean and polished. It's certainly minimalist, and you better make sure your items are arranged nicely underneath since they'll be exposed! One thing's for sure - it's easier for plumbers to get access to the pipes! :)

What comes around, goes around!

Just like so many things in the design world, those pretty 4x4 tiles are making a comeback (never left Europe!), so no need to update if you don't want to! Here are several reasons why they are making a comeback, according to Houzz:
1. Those cute tiles are nostalgic! They simply remind us of our own homes we grew up in or homes our parents grew up in....
2. You like Scandinavian design: the 4x4 tiles mimic the simplicity of a checkerboard floor....
3. Colorful square tiles add cozy country charm to any kitchen. Add a soft palate of cabinets and a simple counter and the square tiles take center stage.
4. The cute tiles can add modern whimsy to a vintage space.
5. The 4x4 tiles lend to a modern cottage look as well.
6. Want an industrial-looking bathroom w/o too much fuss? Just add some 4x4 tiles w/ a darker grout.
7. If your house is a Spanish Revival style, this is perfectly suited for you because it honors your home's history.
8. These tiles lend to a simplistic look, added w/ other shapes, like a round mirror or over-sized square flooring.
9. They add a whimsy that is unexpected in certain places, particularly the bathroom. You may want a classic-looking bathroom, but these 4x4 tiles are an unexpected surprise!
10. If you're just plain tired of the 'typical' subway tile look, this gives you a different look with almost the same product.
So enjoy this design element that has never really left Europe!!

Get the most bang for your buck!

You may or may not know this, but a few rooms in your home give you the most ROI (return on your investment). One of those is the kitchen. You are likely to get about a 93% ROI when you remodel your kitchen. Updated kitchens and bathrooms sell houses. So if your kitchen is outdated, it will be worth the money to invest in some upgrades, or do a complete re-do. Transitional style is one of the most popular styles these days, followed by farmhouse style (can you say "Fixer Upper?"). That means it is a mix of contemporary and traditional design. Here's a nice example of transitional: Happy renovating!

Magnificent Monday Review! (a litlte late!)

It's hard to believe, but sometimes it is truly a struggle finding companies that actually give exemplary customer service....but I had a great experience (so far) w/ a company that is worth praising. I went to the Columbia Home Building/Remodeling Expo over the weekend. We have some sort of gutter guard system on our house and there is a section that is clogged. My husband thought they were Leaf Guard brand, but they are not (they confirmed this w/ our address). I talked to the rep at the leafguard.com stand (Trish) and she said if I took a pic of our product, they would be able to tell us who made them so we can get them fixed. That is amazing to me. She knows we don't have their product, and yet she's willing to help us remedy our problem. I really appreciate when a company / employee goes the extra mile. Kudos to Leaf Guard!! :)