Memo
One Hundred & Eighteen Degrees
My Five Dollar Story
Joe C., or JC for short. Back then it was Uncle Joe. He became my first employer in the Rag Business.Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design...
The Big Sasquatch
Let's talk about the big sasquatch in the room. Otherwise known as the white elephant. The one no one ever wants to talk about. Imagine an elephant who dragged it's trunk as it moved forward. How far do you think it would get before it collapses from exhaustion? Now...
Sweet Retirement!
Sunday, September 1, 2024 Today I have officially retired from floor covering installation. I've been looking to retire since the day I got in. One foot out the door, I always said. I was seven years into a twenty year stint in the NY Carpenter's Union when I was run...
‘THIS PAGE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION
My reputation in the industry speaks for itself, but what doesn’t get told is that I am first and foremost a consumer advocate.
One year, back in the eighties, in New York, I laid carpet for fifty days straight. I was moving Christmas trees on Christmas Eve. As I looked at my bleeding fingertips, I said to myself, what’s wrong with the world? My fingerprints didn’t reappear until spring.
Hard & Soft came after FloorMagic. That’s when I knew he wasn’t the real deal.
New York in the eighties and early nineties, it was a dumpster fire. Hypodermics washing up on the beach. What was up with that? Mobsters in every nook and cranny. Especially in the construction industry.
Seams – If I accept it, it’ll be acceptable. Tackless strip – they have no friends. Leave them alone, they’re fine. Unless they get wet, Then the pins rust and the wood loses integrity. They become too weak to hold the tension.
PS: If you want to know the story behind any of the pics below, feel free to ask me, I’m happy to tell you. Eventually I’ll blog about them and answer questions there; but IRL discussions always create better content.
Surfaces 2002
Go For Outstanding! Excellence is not enough…
The Late, Great ~ D. Christopher Davis
A Memo from the Godfather of Floors.
Excellence is not Enough
Excellence is not Enough Go For Outstanding
The D. Christopher Davis Award
I have to believe this is the first D. Christopher Davis Award. My most prized possession.
Happy Thanksgiving from Jim & Jane Walker
The art of seeing things invisible
A Recent Email From a Former Skeptic
Hard & Soft Floor Covering Contractors
A Note from Andrew & Cynthia Aufiero
The First Chapter Conference
National Installation Contest
Installation Contest at Surfaces Showcases Talent and Technique
Solving Installation Marketing Challenges
This expert panel of retailers and contractors will explain how to assemble and maintain a skilled crew of installers. Find out the specific ways you can transform your installation services from a perceived liability to a profitable customer satisfaction asset.
Award Winning Craftsmanship
Winner of the Surfaces 2002 National Installation Contest, CFI Certfied Master II, Charles R. Gress Memorial Award in Recognition for Unselfish Contributions in Promoting Quality Floor Covering Installations.
Eat At Harlow’s ~ The beginnings of CFI in AZ.
The Best Carpet Installers DO! Harlow’s is right. Baker Bros. had some great talent back then. They knew it too. And they abused us anyway.
Through The Woods & Over The River
This is a Polaroid I took from the 59th St. Bridge, circa 1982. My first time working in Manhattan. I wound up working in all those buildings. In the background is the Twin Towers, come up a little and the flat one by the East River is the UN Building. In the background at midtown you can see the top of the Empire State & Chrysler Buildings.
Floormaven-watermark2
Excellence…
…in floor covering installation is worth about five dollars, give or take.
Charlie Gress
I never met the guy. I’m told he’s dead.
Uncle
A note from the salesman that sold me my first work truck.
FORD E250 EXTENDO
My first work truck. A proud, albeit naive, carpet-layer just doin’ the best he can.
Dave & Buster’s in San Jose
That’s a bunch of raggedy carpet layers. A good crew though. We got shit done.
Marriage of Woven & Tufted
This was fun back in the day. All hand sewn, the field is tufted and border is woven. I got a bunch of pics from this job. It was a fun one. One of the few.
SLC Steps
I rebuilt these steps when Self Leveling Cement was introduced to the floor covering trades. I covered them with laminate. Some sort of uniclic.
The Heyday
CFI 1998 – 2003 The Heyday
Hand Sewn Wilton
Me and JC racing to the finish.
PRESIDENT
THE GRAND CANYON STATE CHAPTER OF CFI
THE POWER OF ONE
THE COMPUTER GUYS
NATIONAL INSTALLATION CONTEST CARPET
WINNER OF THE NORTHWEST DIVISION BEATING THE NATIONAL INCUMBENT
BAKER BROS ~ JOHN BROOKS-RESIZE
I never bothered to ask him why he didn’t sign this letter of recommendation. Anyone venture to guess?
NATIONAL INSTALLATION CONTEST 2001
Has showcased installation talent and successfully competed in this annual competition.
NATIONAL INSTALLATION CONTEST 2002
Has showcased installation talent and successfully competed in this annual competition.
AZ ROC 1995
This is my original contractor’s license from AriZona state. Then a renewal from 2001 when I ceased being a sub-contractor. My license is still active as of today. Next year will be thirty years.
WFCA Judge Contest
Carpet Division Judge 2003
