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SEPTEMBER 25, 2009
HOME & GARDEN
Customized cultured marble transforms any room SAMIE HARTLEY
M
ore people are buying homes as property values decline, but many
of these affordable foreclosed homes have become fixer-uppers even if they are only a few years old. That’s where Francisco Ordaz and son Xavier lift up a new slab of cultured marble that will be cut and edged for a countertop.
Francisco Ordaz comes in.
Photo by Samie Hartley
is made of crushed limestone, granite or other stone mixed with resin) is cast and molded at the factory and ready for installation within a week. Ordaz designs everything from showers with seats and shelves, to bathtubs, sinks and kitchen counters.
He also makes designs with quartz that he imports from Minnesota, so everything is American made. Ordaz uses a special protective gel when creating the slabs of marble to create a permanent seal so that the finished
product is stain resistant and easy to clean. Customers only have to use a little soap and water to keep it looking like new. The seal also helps strengthen the already see Marble page 6B
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The owner of Ordaz Cultured Marble & Onyx, Inc. knows how a resurfaced counter top or new shower walls can transform a room and help a house become a home. “The houses have become cheaper, but a lot of the houses need some remodeling,” Ordaz explained. “There may be cracks in the shower or in the bathroom counters, and those surfaces need to be repaired to prevent further water damage. “Remodeling is also worthwhile because it allows the customer to make the house the way they want it. You can choose the style and the color. We help make the room the way they envision it.” Ordaz and his team of 20 employees make the cultured marble on site at their 33,000 square-foot Antioch factory, so customers can customize the marble based on color and design. The marble (which
Gen B C10 Electrical Lic. # 755004
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www.lawrenceelectricandconstruction.com
SEPTEMBER 25, 2009
HOME & GARDEN
Rick Varin, owner of The Pool Guy, cleans and maintains residential pools year round throughout East County.
Photo by Ruth Roberts
Off-season pool care RUTH ROBERTS
T
he calendar may say September, but for Rick Varin it’s swimming pool season all year round.
Varin is the owner and operator of The Pool Guy pool cleaning service in Brentwood, and for this chlorine craftsman the changing of the seasons doesn’t change his schedule; pools in California need to be cared for 12 months out
of the year. “Out here (California) pools are open all year, unlike in the East, where you open a pool in the summer and close it up in the winter,” said Varin. “Here, pools need to be taken care of year round.” In fact, said Varin, autumn is one of the busiest seasons, as leaves and other foliage fall into pools. Left unattended, they can clog see Pool page 4B
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BRIGHT IDEAS
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DESIGN CENTER
Pool from page 3B drains and filters, which can lead to an array of poolside problems. In winter, the potential for problems continues, including the occasional overflow when storms hit and excess water facilitates the need to drain a pool a few inches. Some newer pools have an automatic system that takes care of excess water when it hits a certain level, but for the older models, a good old-fashioned pumping usually does the trick. As the weather warms up and spring and summer arrive, that means more swimming, more bodies in the pool, and the need for more chemicals. “The more that people are in the pool, the more the chemicals have to be adjusted,” said Varin. “Too much chlorine burns the eyes, but not enough can cause problems too. Calcium build-up is a problem out here because the water is so hard, so that’s something that needs to watched. To keep a pool in good shape, they really should be serviced about once a week.” The amount of service depends upon the size of the pool – or spa – but all need a steady schedule of filter cleaning, vacuuming, skimming and chemical cleaners. And between pool services, said Varin, owners can keep their pools sparkling with a regular regime of brushing. “Pools love to be brushed,” he said. “The steps, sides and bottom. It all needs to be done.” Varin, who services residential pools, began his personalized business five years ago and has enjoyed a steady flow of clients ever since. “It (pool service) is a luxury, absolutely, but we’re holding our own,” said Varin, who estimates
SEPTEMBER 25, 2009 he has between 75 and 80 current clients. “The work has been steady.” So what should a potential customer look for in a pool service company? “Number one should be reliability,” said Varin. “You need to know that they are going to show up when they say they will. There are a lot of pool companies out there, so customer service is very important.” Clients should also understand the terms of the contract; meaning what the services will entail, whether it’s a weekly vacuuming and chemical changing, or just a quick skim over the top of the pool to pick out dead leaves. Or other dead items. Some of the less pleasant aspects of Varin’s job include removing dead animals that have somehow fallen into a pool and drowned. “Oh yeah, I’ve scooped out birds, frogs, rats, gophers and snakes,” said Varin. “People definitely don’t wait for your regular day to take care of it, and I get a lot of calls like that. I’ve also been bitten by customers’ dogs, been used as a fire hydrant, and had people call and tell me that their dog pooped in the pool. Those are the less glamorous parts of the job for sure.” Still, Varin says he can’t beat the flexibility of the job, the opportunity to meet interesting people and the chance to work outside, instead of behind a desk. “It’s good, I like what I do, I like being close to home and I enjoy working with people,” said Varin. “If someone calls and says they need a pool guy, I say “Great; let’s set a date and I’ll come out and meet your dog.” For more information on The Pool Guy, call 925-321-0866, or e-mail the.pool.guy@hotmail. com.
SEPTEMBER 25, 2009
HOME & GARDEN
Orchids add style, healthful benefits
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from the natural world.
Adding houseplants to interior design provides homeowners a simple way to be
625-4963
creative with home décor while providing
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valuable health benefits. And, contrary to many common myths, designing with plants such as exotics can be fun and easy.
see Orchids page 7B
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selection that can last for years, flowering up to twice a year with blooms that remain up to four months. Houseplants come in dozens of colors and many patterns, so they can be chosen to harmonize with fabrics, furnishings and artwork. Select houseplants with complementary colors to match walls and draperies. For example, the soft orange of a Phalaenopsis Orchid ‘Peachy’ and a few other matching apricot accessories would be a perfect pairing in a room with warm earth tones. Placing pink orchids like Phalaenopsis ‘Showpiece’ in a little girl’s room will give the space a sense of color arrangement. To transition an area for entertaining, place a daring plant such as the bright-yellow Guzmania Bromeliad ‘Hilda’ in the center of a foyer table. This creates an
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typical person spends most
“Houseplants are eclectic. They can finish the look of a country style setting or soften the stiff lines of a formal room,” says Ilma Bartha, co-owner of Silver Vase, Inc., a national grower of high-quality orchids and bromeliads. “For example, adding delicate, creamy white orchids to a room can create an instant classic look. Or, homeowners can add bold, tropical bromeliads for a spicy, colorful addition when entertaining friends.” Just as paint color can affect the overall mood and ambiance of a room, so can colorful accessories such as houseplants. Plants can help overhaul a space quickly with bright splashes of color, or simply add continuity by complementing a well-laid foundational design. “Buying orchids and bromeliads in superior condition, without diseases or chemical reliance, will boost the homeowner’s success when using them for decor,” says Bartha. Select orchids are bred with superior standards such as those introduced by the European breeder Floricultura, and offer disease-free and low-maintenance beautification options. These plants with robust root systems provide a decor
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Contractor’s Lic. #533790
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SEPTEMBER 25, 2009
HOME & GARDEN
Photo by Samie Hartley
Francisco Ordaz and his son Xavier custom design cultured marble, which can be used for showers and countertops as well as bathtubs and sinks.
Marble from page 2B dense material so that it is heat- and chip-resistant as well, making it a worthy investment. “We offer marble, onyx, granite and quartz, and while it can get expensive depending on what you want, the end result is a quality, low-maintenance product. This is an especially nice feature to have in kitchens and in bathrooms where spills are common.” Ordaz said marble, onyx, granite and quartz are also popular now because most of the surfaces have natural earth tones, and the natural textures of the rock provide a stimulating design that adds character to any room. While the natural stone colors are popular, Ordaz can customize any color. After being in the business for more than 25 years, he’s created more than 100 custom colors. Ordaz designs marble for homes and businesses. Some of his more recent work can be found at Steeltown Coffee & Tea in Pittsburg. His product is so valued that he’s shipped his marble across the world to Korea and Peru as well as Mexico and Canada. Ordaz first opened his business in Concord in 1991, but the neighbors didn’t like the noise and smells that go along
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with creating cultured marble. So when he found the large Antioch location, he moved the production operation while keeping a showroom in Concord. The Antioch location has a modest display of showers, baths, sinks and bathroom countertops. But Ordaz likes to have customers go to the Concord location, which has more samples and a less industrial atmosphere. For those willing to brave the fumes, Ordaz has dozens of color and style samples at the Antioch location to help potential customers figure out what they want. He doesn’t employ any salespeople and prefers to help customers one on one. “Some people come in and only want to look around to get ideas, and that’s fine,” Ordaz said. “Some people want to take pictures to take home to figure out what they want, and that’s fine too. But if they need me, I’m here. I also like to go to the locations during installation to make sure that everything is done right. I want customers to have the best service. This is for their home and they deserve the best.” Ordaz Cultured Marble & Onyx, Inc. is located at 2601 W. 10th St. in Antioch. For more information, call 925-755-9625 or visit www.ordazmarble.us.
Ordaz Cultured Marble & Onyx
Quartz & Granite Kitchen Counter Tops starting at $59 per sq.ft. installed
755-9625
www.OrdazMarble.us
• Custom Sizes & Shapes • Kitchen & Vanity Tubs • Wall Surrounds • Homeowners Welcome
Shower Stall starting at $795 installed
Visit our showroom! 2601 West 10th Street, Antioch
SEPTEMBER 25, 2009
HOME & GARDEN
Orchids from page 5B impactful focal point that will last longer than the traditional lemon bowl centerpiece. Implementing houseplants with sleek, slender shapes such as orchids provides softness to areas that might otherwise feel too structured. The gentle white blooms of Phalaenopsis Orchid ‘Alabaster’ provide an
elegant touch without overwhelming a space. Balance and scale are important when adding houseplants. “Plants should neither overpower the interior, nor look lost in a room,” explains Bartha. Small spaces can be magnified by plants to create an impression of depth. Crowding a petite corner or room with too many plants, however, can quickly clutter the area and make it appear smaller. Varying
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the heights of three or so plants will create a bigger impact in a large area. Practice elements of Feng shui to alleviate stress by placing a container plant every 100 square feet. Adding a plant near a nightstand can help enhance sleep patterns, as it reduces the presence of carbon dioxide, cleanses pollutants and acts as a natural humidifier. Orchids and bromeliads are low-main-
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Jordan Hooper correctly identified the August Mystery Spot as the sign at the intersection of Knightsen Ave and Delta Road in Knightsen.
Have you seen this spot? All callers who identify the location of this week’s Mystery Spot will automatically be entered in our monthly drawing for $50 in cash! Call 925-634-1441, ext. 100 before midnight on Monday, Sept. 28 to take a guess. Limit one entry per person per week. Last week’s photo was taken at Iron House Elementary in Oakley.
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COLLECTION DAY Tips for Transporting Your Waste • Do not mix materials • Keep in original containers • Pack in a sturdy box or tub with newspaper • Transport a maximum of 15 gallons or 125 pounds • When you arrive – stay in your car!
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tenance plants and thus easily bring nature indoors. Since they are tough plants that look delicate, they work well in most any interior. It has been shown that houseplants are a healthy decoration, as they can calm the mood of a room and even boost productivity in a workplace by improving focus. To learn more, visit www.silvervase.com. – Courtesy of Family Features
MYSTERY SPOT Call about our Friday Night Dinner Specials! $150 for up to 3 hours!
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Household Hazardous Waste
Saturday, October 3, 2009 9:00 am - 2:00 pm at the Solid Waste Transfer Station Elkins Way off of Sunset Road Event is open to all residents of East Contra Costa County
For more information, contact Delta Hazardous Waste Program (925) www.ddsd.org
Accepted: batteries household cleaners paint motor oil pesticides & insecticides chemicals fluorescent tubes electronic waste •CPUs •monitors •TVs Not Accepted: appliances tires radioactive or infectious materials
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