Atlanta, Georgia - 1 May, 2001 -

Most homeowners are familiar with ceramic tile in the kitchen and bath. However, many don’t realize that tile is so versatile it can be used in nearly every room of the home, and even on the backyard patio or around the swimming pool. Whatever your personal style, ceramic tile offers a virtually unlimited range of design options. Floor Coverings International (FCI), the country’s oldest and largest mobile floor covering retailer, offers the following exciting new trends and design tips for using tile. Available in every size, shape and color imaginable, tile is decorative, practical and a smart choice for nearly every budget. Virtually maintenance-free and highly durable, tile is a great choice for floor coverings, from the entry hall to the living room. Tile also is a beautiful and nearly indestructible wall covering. And, tile works great outside. Dense porcelain tile is impervious to temperature extremes and gives patios and courtyards a polished look. “Decorating with tile can give your home a unique look,” said Cindy Gandee, FCI vice president of product development and a former interior designer. “Depending on the tiles you select and the pattern you create, you can give your floors a distinctive personal touch.” Ceramics 101 When it comes to design, a few principles apply. In choosing ceramic tile for your floor, always consider size, shape, color, texture and pattern. Generally speaking, small tiles make the floor look larger, and large tiles tend to decrease the apparent size of the room. Small tiles, however, have more grout lines and often produce a busier pattern, especially if you start mixing colors. Busy patterns decrease apparent floor size while simple patterns enlarge it. Most tiles are square, so when you chose a different shape or combine more than one shape, you immediately draw attention to the floor. Dark colors make the space look smaller but more intimate, while light or bright colors provide a more open feeling. Finally, a strong, directional pattern running lengthwise makes a room look longer and narrower, while a crosswise pattern makes the room look shorter and wider. An FCI representative can help you design a signature look for your home with tile. Whether you prefer a matte or semi-gloss finish, a mosaic pattern, or even natural stone tile like marble, granite or slate, FCI can help you create a look that is distinctly you. Imagine the Possibilities Square tiles can be laid on a grid or diagonally. Different sizes, colors and finishes can be combined to create a dramatic look. Grout, the cement-like substance that holds tile in place, is available in many colors select one to match or contrast sharply with the tile, or lay it in a wide line to create a more rustic look. Consider using a secondary tile pattern around the perimeter of a floor to add interest. Decorative border tile is a great choice for the fireplace. If a room is small, try small format tiles on the floor to give the illusion of more space. Wake up your kitchen choose bold colored or patterned tile for the backsplash. Maintenance Tips and Tricks for Ceramic Tile From FCI Ceramic tile provides a unique combination of beauty and durability. With a minimum amount of care, you can keep your tiles bright and clean. Keep your ceramic tile looking new with these handy tips from Floor Coverings International: Simply sweep or vacuum tile floors and wash routinely with a diluted solution of a household cleaning detergent. Rinse thoroughly to remove residue and wipe dry. Before cleaning bathroom tiles, run the shower on hot for five minutes. The steam will loosen dirt and grime. For stubborn stains, apply a paste of scouring powder and water and let it sit for five minutes. Use a nylon pad to rub the stain out, rinse and wipe dry. To keep grout joints on tile countertops in tip-top shape, wash with solution of 1 to 2 tablespoons of chlorine bleach in one-quart of water. Dry thoroughly, then apply an acrylic sealer or three coats of lemon oil, allowing each coat to dry one hour before the next application. Banish mildew and keep tiles sparkling by sponging the area with solution of ammonia and water. Remove soot from fireplace tiles with a simple mixture of lemon juice and salt, followed by a water wash. Floor Coverings International (FCI), the country’s oldest and largest mobile floor covering retailer, makes shopping for floor coverings faster and easier than ever with the help of its fleet of mobile CarpetVan showrooms that come right to consumers’ doors. Inside these unique showrooms on wheels are more than 3,000 colors and styles of today’s hottest floor covering choices. Carpeting. Ceramic tile. Hardwoods. Laminates. Vinyl. Area rugs. And even window treatments. FCI brings it all to the home to save consumers time and energy. And, because of its extensive franchise network, FCI franchisees are part of one of the country’s largest buying groups, which means they offer competitive prices. For more information about designing with tile or FCI’s unique services, call 1-800-DIAL-FCI or visit www.floorcoveringsintl.com.

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