All posts by Carter Smith

Article written by Marcus Monroe.

The holiday season brings joy, celebration, and often a flurry of activity in our homes. It’s also a time when the natural stone features in our homes, like marble countertops, floors, and decorations, can be especially vulnerable to damage. From the bustling preparation of festive meals to the constant foot traffic of guests, these beautiful yet delicate surfaces require extra care. I spoke with experts at Marble Systems, a renowned natural stone provider located in Fairfax, Virginia, to gather essential tips for protecting and maintaining natural stone during the holiday season.

Understanding Your Stone

The first step in caring for natural stone is understanding its nature. Each type of stone has its unique characteristics, says a Marble Systems specialist. For instance, marble is more prone to etching and staining compared to granite. Knowing your stone’s properties helps tailor the care it needs.

Regular Cleaning: The Key to Preservation

Regular cleaning is crucial, but it’s more about how you clean than how often. Experts at Marble Systems emphasize using a pH-neutral cleaner specifically designed for natural stone. Avoid acidic or abrasive cleaners, as these can damage the stone’s surface. For daily spills, a soft cloth or sponge with warm water is often sufficient.

Sealing: A Shield Against Stains

Sealing is another critical aspect of natural stone care. A good quality sealant can provide a protective layer, making the stone more resistant to spills and stains – a common occurrence during holiday festivities. Check with your installer about the recommended frequency for resealing. It typically ranges from once a year to once every few years, depending on the stone type and usage.

Preventing Etches and Scratches

During the holidays, your stone surfaces might be exposed to acidic substances like wine, citrus juices, and vinegar, which can cause etching. Marble Systems advises using coasters under all glasses and bottles and placemats or trivets under dishes and cookware. Even a small measure like this can prevent unsightly marks on your precious stone surfaces.

Dealing with Spills Immediately

Accidents happen, especially during busy holiday gatherings. The key is to address spills as soon as they occur. Blot—don’t wipe—spills to prevent them from spreading or seeping deeper into the stone. For oil-based stains, Marble Systems recommends a poultice, a paste-like cleaning agent that can draw out the stain.

Professional Help for Stubborn Stains

For stubborn stains or if you’re unsure about the right approach, seeking professional help is advisable. Marble Systems in Fairfax, Virginia, not only provides natural stone products but also offers expert advice for stone care and maintenance. Their team can assist with proper deep cleaning, repair, or resealing, thus ensuring your stone stays in pristine condition.

Decorating Wisely

Decorating your home for the holidays is exciting, but caution is necessary when it comes to natural stone. Avoid adhesive tapes or anything that might leave a residue or scratch the surface. Also, be mindful of holiday plants like poinsettias, which can leave stains or water rings.

Managing Foot Traffic

Holidays mean more foot traffic, which can bring more dirt and grit that can scratch stone floors. Placing doormats at entrances and encouraging guests to remove their shoes can significantly reduce the risk of scratches.

Climate Control

Natural stone can be sensitive to temperature and humidity changes. Marble Systems suggests maintaining a consistent indoor environment to prevent any potential damage due to these fluctuations.

After the Holidays: A Thorough Inspection

Once the festivities are over, it’s a good idea to do a thorough inspection of your stone surfaces. Look for any signs of damage or wear and address them promptly. Regular inspection ensures that minor issues don’t turn into significant problems.

Final Thoughts

Caring for natural stone requires a bit of effort, especially during the busy holiday season. However, with the right practices and support from experts like those at Marble Systems in Fairfax, Virginia, your stone surfaces can continue to add beauty and elegance to your home for many holidays to come.

In the game of golf where tradition often trumps innovation, a new company is changing the game for women’s apparel and speaking to an entirely new generation of players. The company, Pirdie, was launched in March 2023 by three dynamic co-founders – Jaimee Newcomer, Kelley Holderman, and Kendra Nash.  Since then, their clothing is taking the women’s golf, tennis and pickleball worlds by storm.

According to the founders, Pirdie is more than just a brand; it’s a movement aiming to reshape the landscape of women’s golf.

“Our diverse backgrounds bring a unique perspective to Pirdie,” shares Kelley, the pragmatic force behind the trio. Jaimee brings a deep understanding of consumer psychology and Kendra, a seasoned interior designer with a keen eye for fashion, completes the founding team. 

Their combined strengths have positioned Pirdie not only as a brand of choice but as a beacon for inclusivity and empowerment in a historically male-dominated sport.

Pirdie’s success lies in its vibrant, comfortable, and functional athletic apparel that seamlessly transitions from the golf course or tennis courts to casual social gatherings. “Our clothes are about feeling good and playing better,” explains Jaimee. “We want to challenge the norms while respecting the rich history of golf.”

Pirdie’s business model is a blend of B2C and B2B, focusing on tactile consumer experiences through pop-ups and trunk shows, alongside a growing e-commerce presence. “We believe in the power of community,” adds Kelley, underscoring the importance of Pirdie’s grassroots connections in expanding their brand. “Yes, we have free returns and exchanges to help mitigate the hesitancy of trying a new brand, but that will never be a substitute for getting out and showing the community our clothing in person.”

What sets Pirdie apart is not just their innovative designs and business acumen but their commitment to creating apparel that resonates with a broad range of women. “We design with every woman in mind, offering clothing that is as flattering as it is functional,” states Kelley. The average cost of their California-made apparel is $120, which strikes a balance between quality and affordability for many.

Pirdie’s innovation shines in the small details. Features such as secure yet unobtrusive pockets, adjustable waistbands, and moisture-wicking liners are carefully integrated into the designs. For pickleball enthusiasts, there are special features like reinforced areas that withstand the unique wear and tear of the sport. In golf apparel, Pirdie introduces sleek, subtle integrations like hidden tee pockets and glove-compatible designs.

Historically, women have faced numerous obstacles in sports, ranging from lack of access and representation to unsuitable apparel. For many women, finding sports apparel that is both functional and feminine has been a struggle. Pirdie’s focus on fashionable, yet athletic designs offer women the confidence to step onto the court or the course, knowing they are well-equipped both in performance and style. This empowerment plays a crucial role in encouraging more women to participate in the game.

The “Pirdie girl,” as the founders call their target customer, is a spirited blend of millennial and Gen X women who value active lifestyles, friendship, and a dash of rebellion against the conventional preppy aesthetics of golf.

“Our brand is designed to help grow the game of golf for women, and cultivating our Pirdie community is a huge part of that,” Jaimee emphasizes. “If our clothing plays a small role in drawing women to try golf for the first time and become what we have coined the ‘casual golfer,’ that is a win for the game as much as it is for our brand. On the flip side, we will always honor and support our female pros and have designed our clothing to marry their performance needs with their aesthetic wishes. Women’s golf is an insane force right now and we will always cheer for these athletes that have trailblazed for female golfers of all levels.”

Looking to the future, Pirdie is poised to maintain its momentum with several strategic moves on the horizon. There is palpable excitement about the upcoming launch of a new collection that will blend state-of-the-art material technology with sustainable practices and set a new benchmark for performance wear.

The company’s trajectory has been one of striking growth, underpinned by an ethos that extends beyond profit to encapsulate the spirit of sport and community. As the brand eyes the future, its plans are not merely a pledge for continued expansion but a continued commitment to redefining the ethos of women’s sports apparel.

While Pirdie is still a nascent brand, its future looks bright as it drives towards making women’s golf apparel synonymous with style, comfort, and inclusivity. As Jaimee puts it, “Golf is now for the girls, and Pirdie is here to dress them for every tee time and sporting occasion.”

TheTableCompany.com, a leading online retailer of premium-quality teak hardwood furniture, has been making waves in the furniture industry. With a commitment to excellence, sustainability, and customer satisfaction, the company has quickly become a go-to destination for discerning buyers seeking long-lasting and environmentally responsible furniture solutions.

At the heart of the company’s success is its founder, Ken Phillips. With decades of business experience, Phillips has a deep understanding of what it takes to create truly exceptional company and a truly exceptional product. He is dedicated to sourcing the finest materials and working with skilled artisans to craft timeless pieces that are built to last.

Phillips’ passion for teak hardwood is evident in every aspect of TheTableCompany.com’s operations. Teak is an incredibly durable and weather-resistant wood that has been prized for centuries for its beauty and versatility. It is one of the few woods that can withstand exposure to extreme weather conditions, making it an ideal choice for outdoor furniture.

But what truly sets teak apart is its natural oils, which give the wood a unique luster and protect it from decay and insects. This means that teak furniture can last for decades, even in harsh outdoor environments. As Phillips notes, “Teak is the best investment you can make when it comes to furniture. It may cost a little more up front, but you’ll save money in the long run by not having to replace your furniture every few years.”

TheTableCompany.com’s commitment to sustainability is also a key factor in its success. Phillips has made it a priority to source teak and other wood from sustainable plantations. This ensures that the wood is harvested in an environmentally responsible manner, with minimal impact on the surrounding ecosystem. It gives jobs to those in the community and enables the company to produce the caliber of table it does in a reasonable amount of time and for an even more reasonable cost. In addition, TheTableCompany.com’s furniture is crafted using traditional techniques that minimize waste and maximize efficiency.

The artisans making the tables for the company are trained in old-school, sustainable practices.  Special care is placed on joints, connections, and the longevity of each table.  This is generational furniture at its finest.

But it’s not just the quality of the furniture that sets TheTableCompany.com apart from its competitors. The company’s commitment to customer satisfaction is second to none. Phillips and his team provide personalized service and ensuring that every customer is completely satisfied with their purchase. From the initial consultation for a custom piece to the final delivery and installation, TheTableCompany.com is there to guide customers through every step of the process.

Looking to the future, Phillips and his team are focused on continuing to provide exceptional products and service to their customers. They are constantly exploring new designs and techniques to push the boundaries of what is possible with teak and other hardwoods. And with an ever-growing demand for high-quality, sustainable furniture, it seems that TheTableCompany.com is poised for even greater success in the years to come.