Newsletter Fall 2013 - The Lykos Group, Inc.

Fall 2013
Home & Family News
FOR FRIENDS & NEIGHBORS
Drywall Textures
1
Tom’s Tips /
Employee Spotlight
& What Our
Clients Are Saying
2
Karen’s Korner &
Barb’s Picks
3
Project Spotlight
4
PHONE: 239-594-8510
Drywall
Textures
FAX: 239-594-2004
WEBSITE: LykosGroup.com
Acoustic drywall texture, which is also called
popcorn, is one type that stands out more than
other types. It is applied in a way that is not
unlike knockdown drywall, except the little chips
that stick out from the drywall are not knocked
off and the mixture itself is thicker. This is used
on ceilings only and can easily hide defects.
Acoustic texture is a dry bagged product that is
mixed with water to expand small chips of
polystyrene. This allows the drywall to form an
appearance that looks like cottage cheese or
popcorn. The look is much more noticeable and
this was a preferred look during the 1960s and
1970s.
Drywall textures is one of the most popular
types of finishes for ceilings and walls.
However, you probably did not know there are
several methods for finishing the drywall that
will make a difference in the look of the room.
In addition, if you are doing the finish yourself,
the difficulty level of different types of drywall
textures can be easy or require a little more
expertise.
Although many people think drywall finishes is
not what they want in their home, the truth is it
can be used to create some of the most
beautiful walls and ceilings in homes. Drywall
can be quite good looking if you do something
a little out of the ordinary when finishing it.
Here are a few types of drywall finishes
that are the most popular starting with the
spray only types:
It is not particularly difficult to apply - the main
thing is getting it to be consistent - but it is
harder to take down since it is quite messy. The
older popcorn drywall finishes may contain
asbestos, so testing a piece before beginning
the removal is a good idea.
Orange peel drywall is a texture that is
achieved by spraying on joint compound that
has been thinned. The compound should not be
so thin it will run when applied. Used as a fast
way to apply a finish, the look will be different
according to the size of the nozzle on the
sprayer you are using as well as how far away
from the wall you stand.
Knockdown drywall is probably the one you
will spend more time on than any other. It is also
more costly. The time consuming aspect is due
to priming and painting. The orange peel effect
that was mentioned above is knocked down and
the use of a drywall knife - a wider one - on the
compound that has begun to dry somewhat is
what flattens the drywall
This creates a kind of bumpy drywall texture
when it is complete and often has unique
patterns that are a part of the wall or ceiling.
The hand applied types of drywall
textures will include:
Venetian plaster is a type that brings back
the look of the old Venetian walls that were
used long ago. This is created by one of two
methods. The use of an actual Venetian
lime, pigments and marble or three coats of
the drywall compound are the way this look
is created.
Small trowels are used as a first step when
putting the material on the wall and the
smoothing is done with larger trowels. In
order to achieve the look you want, the
finish will need to be brushed before
applying the sealer. The Venetian plaster
method is more difficult than most and it
does take quite a bit of time.
A trowelled look for drywall is achieved by
putting the drywall compound on with a
drywall knife. This is usually put on in a
semi-circle. They may have high spots and
low spots and even be different sizes. The
way to vary the look is by using heavier
coats with larger semi-circles. The look is
one of Spanish stucco. It can also be a
smooth semicircle and resemble a plaster
finish. This is time consuming and is not for
the beginner.
Mud swirl is another that differs slightly
from trowel finishes.
(Continued on pg. 2)
Tom’s Tips
The 5 Biggest Mistakes Homeowners Make
When They Remodel Their Homes
Mistake #1 – The biggest mistake a homeowner can make is to
hire the lowest priced contractor.
Mistake #2 – Hire a remodeling company in the same manner
you would purchase a product off of the shelves.
Mistake #3 – Fail to check a contractor’s references, license and
insurance.
“Winning doesn’t always mean being first. Winning
means you’re doing better than you’ve ever done
before.”
~ Bonnie Blair
Employee Spotlight
We Are Pleased to Introduce Our Newest
Additions to The Lykos Group, Inc.
Our business is growing and we are as busy as ever. We are
pleased to welcome two new members to our team:
Mistake #4 – Fail to establish a budget and share it with your
contractor.
Mistake #5 – Fail to establish a schedule and share it with your
contractor.
For more details and how to avoid these mistakes, visit our
website at www.LykosGroup.com and download our free
reports.
What Our Clients Are Saying About Us
Read reviews and comments from our clients by visiting:
http://www.guildquality.com/lykosgroup
Customer Feedback Summary
Clean & Safe
Construction Quality
Expertise
Employees & Subcontractors
Likely to Recommend
Professional & Organized
Quality Of Workmanship
Employees Professionalism
98%
96%
100%
97%
93%
93%
100%
100%
Becky Nicholson has joined The Lykos Group as Design
Associate. A recent graduate of The Institute of Interior
Design at Southwest Florida College, Becky comes to us after
completing two Interior Design Assistant internships while
working on her degree. Becky will be working under the
direction of our in house Designer, Karen Gomez.
Kermit Barker joined The Lykos Group in September of 2013
as our new estimator. Kermit has 30 years in the
construction industry and has worked hands on in several
trades. He comes to us with several years of estimating
experience in a variety of industries.
YOUR project will be handled with care – by the best talent in
the business!
Thank you Friends For Your Referrals!
We cannot thank you enough for referring The
Lykos Group, Inc. to your friends and neighbors.
Your confidence in us is greatly appreciated.
Drywall Textures (continued from cover)
The big difference is the semi-circle or swirl that is applied has a uniform shape. When completed the wall should have a pattern that repeats
itself. The use of this method is quite time consuming and needs to be done by someone with experience or you will not achieve the look you
want.
Brush textures for drywall surfaces are very popular; they look good and are easy to do. Brush textures go by several names, slap brush, stomp
texture, crow's feet, etc. One thing they all have in common is the use of a drywall texture brush. This brush can be used for simple fast textures
to unusual and unique texture that are eye catching.
Skim coating is achieved when the last layer that goes on the wall is applied evenly. The use of this method is for creating a wall that is almost
perfectly smooth. When people have a wall they are putting coverings on that are lighter or if they have an area that will have more light than
normal, this is typically the type of finish they choose. Before painting the wall it should be lightly sanded. This evens the wall and takes out any
marks that may have gotten on the wall prior to painting. This is not always necessary as some may just need a light dusting before the final step
which is applying a drywall sealer.
As you can see drywall textures will vary for the different types of finishes from which you can choose. Some are better for walls that are not as
flat or smooth and others can help to soften the angles of a room and create a great new look. These types of finishes can be used on walls and
ceilings to give a great new look to your home.
Mirrored Subway Tiles
Karen’s
Korner
Suede Wall Panels
“Tip of the Month”
Adding Texture to Your
Room With Wall
Treatments
There are many ways to treat your
interior walls. Paint is probably
still the most popular but there are
many fabulous alternatives that
add real life to focal walls. Among
these choices to name a few are
wood, leather, tile, modular
panels, wallpaper, fabric, stone
and mirrors.
Wood Wall Slats
The wood, tile, stone add beautiful
dimensional textures to the
surface.
Modular Arts Panels
For more information, please
contact:
The modular panels add dimension and
movement and the mirrors always add the
appearance of larger spaces due to the
reflection. There are more up to date
applications than your typical old fashioned
mirrors.... they can be antiqued or applied in
a mosaic pattern to add visual interest.
Karen Gomez, ASID
Interior Designer at
The Lykos Group, Inc.
239-594-8510 – Office
239-777-0914 –
Mobile
Karen.Gomez@LykosGroup.c
om
Barb’s Picks
Swan River Seafood
818 Neapolitan Way
Naples, FL. 34103
239-774-0199
9080 Collier Blvd., Naples, FL 34114
2.3 miles south of exit 101/I75
(239-774-6000 / fax (239)774-5099
http://cracklinjacks.com/
You can visit this outpost to comfortably get your fill of
regional specialties such as catfish, gator tail and frog legs;
one of my favorites, baby back ribs, country fried steak, fried
chicken livers and delicious fried chicken. Southern style
cooking at its finest. A roll of paper towels sits on every table
and country music twangs in the back ground. And there in
the middle of the restaurant sits a bathtub filled with ice and
beer. Very colorful.
http://www.caffeportofinoinc.com
Open 9am – 8pm Mon-Thurs.
9am – 9pm Fri. & Sat.
10am – 8pm Sunday
A cozy New York Style Deli and Bakery. Fresh bread and
pastries baked every morning.
Better to call ahead and place an order. Menu consists
of: Fresh homemade pasta dishes, classic subs and
grinders. They make a great New York pizza. For a
casual lunch or dinner give them a whirl.
LGI Special News
We are happy to report that our last “Project
Spotlight” in the Summer 2013 issue was nominated
and won the Sand Dollar Award for Whole
House Remodel Over $1,000,000. Thank you to
our wonderful production department who
brought the project to life, to Architect Don
Stevenson of Dons Stevenson Design, Inc., who
also won the award for the design and to Anne
Ross of Ross Design Associates for pulling it
together with the finishing touches.
Project Spotlight - 2685
4779 Enterprise Avenue
Naples, FL 34104
239-594-8510
www.LykosGroup.com
Crayton Road, Moorings
We are pleased to introduce to you our latest project located at 2685 Crayton Road, in the Moorings. It’s always compelling
when a client of a previous project comes back to us with their newest one. We have had the honor of working with the Bakers
on a previous interior remodel project. As you can see by the rendition, their latest endeavor is a brave one. We appreciate the
confidence our clients have in us and we are grateful for their business. Follow along with us on Facebook as we move forward
with the transformation of the Baker’s home.
Before front and rear…
Rendition of what’s to come
Follow this and other projects on Our Facebook Page
For more before and after photos of this and other projects, please visit our website: www.lykosgroup.com