Crimson’s Design Team Tours Kohler Facilities

December 10, 2012 by  
Filed under Continuing Remodeling Education, Design & Planning

For the majority of our projects, Crimson specifies Kohler plumbing products. They are a company known for their high quality plumbing fixtures, and they stand by their products with a lifetime warranty. We’ve had a great history using Kohler’s fixtures and never hesitate to recommend them for all of our projects where Kohler’s products are applicable. For this reason, we jumped at the opportunity to tour Kohler’s factory when we were invited by Ferguson Enterprises, our plumbing and lighting dealer.

Kohler fixtures used in a Crimson bathroom project

Joel and Carolyn joined Ferguson with a group of about 20 other design professionals recently on a day trip to Kohler, WI where their factory has resided since its conception in the late 1800s. While there, they were able to tour all of their factories, view their extensive showroom, and hear about Kohler’s newest products and offerings for 2013.

 While walking through the facilities, they were able to witness first-hand the craftsmanship put into each and every tub, sink, toilet, and faucet. They saw the molten cast iron being poured into the molds and the enamel being sprayed on each piece. They witnessed artisans carefully smoothing out the edges of a vanity sink and the large ovens where each porcelain piece is fired. They marveled at the machinery lifting cast iron bathtubs as if they were paper weights.

 Finally, Joel and Carolyn were able to tour the Kohler Design Center with 3 floors of Kohler’s latest and greatest products for your kitchen and bath. Along with the countless fixtures in every color and finish imaginable, one of the most impressive features of the design center showroom was the designer galleries. The designer galleries were an entire floor devoted to displaying vignettes designed by famous designers from all over the world using, of course, Kohler products.

The Kohler Showroom in Kohler, WI

What a valuable day of education and inspiration for Crimson’s design team!

Neil & Joel Visit Daniels Design & Remodeling

March 29, 2009 by  
Filed under Continuing Remodeling Education


We recently got back from Fairfax Station, Virginia where we visitedDaniels Design & Remodeling. Here we are with the owner, Ted Daniels. We have known Ted for about five years since we both joined Remodelers Advantage.

Remodelers Advantage is a peer review group we are members of. Every six months we get together with ten other remodeling companies from around the country and evaluate their business. This month we all descended on Ted’s company outside of Washington, DC. We spent two days getting to know his employees, his systems and his family. On our third day we gave Ted advice on how to improve his operations. For our part we take home valuable knowledge not only from Ted, but from the other companies in attendance. We do nothing but eat, drink and sleep remodeling for three days.
We found some great new ideas on marketing as well as a fresh new energy to get back to work. We also learned about some new products being used in other parts of the country. The West coast always seems to lead the way on new technology. In the Midwest we tend to let them be the guinea pigs and learn from their mistakes. There are definitely some new and exciting ideas making their way here soon.
Even though we where in our nation’s capital we didn’t get to see the sites. Unless you count this view from Reagan International Airport!

The tall skinny white object in the background is the Washington Monument. Underneath is the barely discernible Lincoln Memorial. So much for sightseeing! We need to get back home to Illinois and building things.

Neil & Joel Reach the Summit

November 3, 2008 by  
Filed under Continuing Remodeling Education

Joel & I just returned from Park City, Utah where we attended a meeting of Remodeler’s Advantage. RA is group of like-minded remodeling companies from all over the country that come together twice a year to learn, share ideas and improve their businesses.

While in Park City, Joel & I were determined to reach the summit of Bald Mountain (9,400 feet). Each evening after our meetings where over for the day we spent an hour or so before dark attempting to hike up to the top. Finally on the last day we got the timing right and we made it to the top before the sun set! Our friend Mike DuKate, ofDuKate Fine Remodeling in Indiana, came with and took this picture.

Being completely out of shape I didn’t think I would make it. There were a couple of times I thought Joel and Mike would have to carry me. But I eventually made it and got to share in the spectacular view from the top. Then I had to get back down. Thankfully, that part is much easier!