Have a tile project on your hands and not sure where to start? How about with an appointment with Architectural Ceramics. Our associates are eager to start the creative collaboration process with you.
Whether working with a designer or tackling it on your own, here are six steps to prep for an appointment.
Request an Appointment
This seems like stating the obvious right? For some of you, you've already done this online or over the phone. Congratulations! You're a step ahead of the rest. As for the rest of us, there's no time like the present.
To schedule an appointment: submit a request
online or use our
directory to call one of our DC-metro area showrooms.
To help plan your visit with us, AC takes appointments during the work-week, with extended hours on Wednesdays. Due to increased foot-traffic on weekends, Saturdays are for walk-ins only.
Get Inspired
Are you a little bit country but your spouse is a little bit rock n' roll? Use AC's social media pages like
Houzz,
Pinterest, and
Instagram to let us know the look you're going for. Using
inspirational images lets us know your
vision and your
style.
Photo Credit: Pinterest
Baltimore Showroom Manager, Loren Tomas, advises her clients to not only use the web, but their own homes to illustrate their style. "I not only love it when clients have photos of the space they are working on, but photos of other rooms close by," Tomas says. "It helps me see their style and get an idea of their personality too."
"I not only love it when clients have photos of the space they are working on, but photos of other rooms close by. It helps me see their style and get an idea of their personality too."
- Loren Tomas, Baltimore Showroom Manager
Create a Wish List
If you already know your style, now you can find product that fits your look. Use AC's
Wish List function on our website to
create a list of tile products you love.
Photo Credit: ACI Website
Would you describe your style as Rustic Modern? Take a look at our wood-look tile options. Consider yourself Classic and Contemporary? Our Brocade collection fits your aesthetic.
Let us know before your appointment if you started a Wish List. We'd be happy to pull pieces for you to see up close and personal.
Size Up Your Space
Knowing the approximate
dimensions of your space or area you're tiling is key. Whether you're working with a designer or tackling a DIY project, having a
floor plan or
sketchin hand for an appointment is extremely helpful. AC's associates can help to estimate the amount of tile needed, but it's best practice however, to have those numbers confirmed by a contractor or installer before making a purchase. They will calculate overage for waste or a pattern repeat based on the layout of your choice.
Professional Tip:Confirm measurements with a contractor or installer before making your purchase. They will calculate overage for waste or a pattern repeat based on the layout of your choice.
Samples & Swatches
Working on a kitchen? Bring your
counter top or
cabinet samples. Redoing a mudroom? We'd love to see samples or photos of the adjacent hardwood or carpet.
Some homeowners have a lot of samples to work with while others have a simple
paint swatch. Don't under estimate the power of a paint swatch. Our associates can learn a lot about a your style and personality based on which colors you do or don't like.
Crunch the Numbers
For most renovation projects, the time frame and budget are both important numbers. We don't expect homeowners to have these set in stone (sorry, we couldn't resist the tile pun) but it is good to have an idea of what the numbers are going into your appointment.
Based on your project schedule, our associates know whether to offer readily-available stock or special order material that may take 8 weeks to arrive. Given the allowance, we know whether to consider a porcelain that looks like marble or if you may want to spring for the real thing.
Thanks for working with us! For further questions about appointments or placing a tile order, please contact sales@architecturalceramics.com or join our newsletterhere.
