AIA / ASLA Continuing Education

Friday March 21st, 12:00-1:00                        Credits: 1.0    Alliance Designer Products    Contractor Ready Advanced Formula Training on Polymeric Sand. Course Summary:   The objective of the course is to explore the difference between all the ICP joint stabilization options that are on the market.  We will discuss the natural and chemical makeup of jointing material.  How to avoid the most common failure issues.  You will learn the proper installation techniques and product expectations.  The course will explore the life cycle of the product and how natural and man-made occurrences define them.  This program will fulfill requirements for AIA, ASLA and ICPI for continuing education.

Belgard Hands-On Lunch 2-17-12

Charleston Home and Design Show

<><><><> <><>

Home and Design Show   Our exhibit at the Charleston Custom Home and Design Show last weekend received great reviews from the crowd.  Our outdoor fireplace with a "Sunbrite" waterproof TV received the most attention.  Throughout the show we periodically wet down the TV to show its waterproof abilities.  For those of you who stopped by to see our exhibit we will be honoring a 10% discount off your next purchase at the Fieldstone Center through December, so come by and see us.

Indoors Out filmed at Fieldstone Center

The television show Indoors Out is in its Fourth season on DIY and the hosts are the same guys you may have seen doing the popular show Rock Solid. Their goofy personalities make any DIY project educational and fun to watch. Their show Rock Solid has always been a favorite of mine, because it was actually a legit program that showcased all the steps that need to be taken to tackle a masonry project on your own. They don't simply skip from the before to the after. What is particularly interesting is their knowledge of stone and the stone industry. I have been involved with these types of landscape DIY television shows in the past and the "actors" are fed lines from cue cards and have no actual experience in the field. This is not true with Dean and Derek. They actually own their own masonry company in New England called Stearns Stoneworks. Check out their website at http://deanandderek.com/

Upon walking in our office they immediately commented on the superb craftsmanship on the building front stone work. Not your average actor would understand the material or the quality of work that went into the stone construction. They were both very down to earth guys and spent a long time walking around our yard looking at all the different materials we carry. One of the comments that impressed me most was that different than most DIY "actors" they have to stay after the filming for the day is complete and finish the project. Sometimes this requires them to work at night under the lights or extended weekends to get the work done for the next mornings shoot.

While in Charleston the Indoors Out crewed filmed two shows. One entitled "Zen Den" featuring local landscapers Adam and Rockell of Bella Blooms as they performed a backyard makeover, complete with a flagstone patio, millstone water feature and pergola.

The second episode called "Southern Style Family Room" was filmed at the home or Ryan and Ivana Watkins of Brownswood Nursery. They added an outdoor fireplace, fountain and stained the existing concrete to create an outdoor family room for the arrival of their second child. You can tune into here for a complete list of air times for both shows.

Picking out the stone at our stoneyard

Picture of the "Zen Den"

Bella Blooms Mill Stone Fountain

The "Southern Style Family Room"

Outdoor Fireplace manufactured by Buschbeck

Belgard University 2009

<><><><> <><>

Belgard University 2009 Staying ahead of the learning curve is essential to growing your business, so Belgard University is offering you an opportunity to expand your hardscape knowledge. Both new and existing Belgard customers can benefit from the basic and advanced levels of classroom and hands-on industry training we provide at Belgard University. " and "LEED Training." Our focused classes supply the resources you need to grow our business. Earn certifications in ICPI and NCMA classes, or expand your knowledge of the industry with classes like"Building Success from Failures  For more information CLICK HERE

33rd Annual Fall Tour of Homes and Gardens

One of the methods of my inspiration are the fall home shows. The Preservation Society of Charleston puts on a beautiful tour of homes October 1-25. http://preservationsociety.org/
The Preservation Society was founded in 1920 by a small group of Charlestonians concerned with the increasing threat to one of America’s outstanding collections of 18th, 19th and 20th century architecture. We are proud that the mandate to educate, plan and encourage the preservation of Charleston’s architecture, history and culture continues today in our beloved city. I have included a link to some pictures of a recent renovation we were involved with downtown. The attention to detail and the care of restoring the home to its original condition is just magnificent. The design ideas used in these homes and gardens are worth exploring. Sign up to tour one or two homes and you will be amazed at the wonderful showcase of products you will see.

AIA Continuing Education Course

On Friday May 8th, we had the privilege of hosting Jim Owens at our office on Johns Island. Jim is the executive director of the Indiana Limestone Institute of America. We had a great turnout with about 25 architects in attendance. In addition to our discussion of Indiana Limestone Simeon Warren, the Dean at the American College of the Building Arts and master stone carver gave a small presentation on how you can shape Indiana Limestone. I have included some photo highlights of the event for you to enjoy.

For those of you who did attend and had further questions about the subject matter discussed you can e-mail Jim Owens at jim@iliai.com or you can go to their website. http://www.iliai.com/

For more information about the Amercian College of the Building Arts go to their website at
http://www.buildingartscollege.us/

To reach Simeon Warren of the ACBA you can e-mail him at warren@buildingartscollege.us

Plants and Patios Workshop 2009

Thank you to everyone who joined us this past Saturday at Brownswood Nursery. The weathered was absolutely beautiful and we had a large enough turnout that we put on two workshops. I have included a few pictures of the event for those of you who missed the wonderful food provided by Edible Arrangements and JB's Smokeshack. Many of you walked away inspired to take on that patio project you have been putting off. Some even walked away with plant items to start your own garden expedition growing your own food.
















Feel free to stop by and take a look at all of the different products that we sell or call us at 843-557-1225






















































































Ryan Watkins of Brownswood Nursery talked about how easy it is to incorporate common and exotic Edible Plants with your regular flowering plants in your backyard and around your patio or terrace. Mixing Fruits, Citrus, Herbs, and Vegetables with evergreen and flowering plants. Utilizing containers for your edible and flowering plants.