Miami Real Estate Blog

Going to San Francisco was such an amazing experience that no matter what I say or how I describe it, I will be doing it injustice.

Teresa Boardman's perspective hit it right on the spot - "The People in my computer" - HOLY COW!!!! Those people are real and they are exactly what we imagine them to be and it is so overwhelming you wish you could stick them back in there to catch your breath.

I arrived at REBarcamp on Tuesday and in the middle of a session got to meet Jeff Turner, JeffX, Todd Carpenter, Roberta Murphy, Teresa Boardman, Jay Thompson, Kris Berg, Maureen Francis, Kristal Kraft, Jonathan Dalton........OMG!! I couldn't run to them and give them a hug because I would be disruptive (all except tool boy of course).

I felt like I was running out of air (I am not at all exaggerating) - then I met "the boys" Rich Jacobson, Bob Stewart, Brad Andersohn (I already knew Matt from an AR get together in Florida last year).

So before I take more time from you with my crazy thoughts - I created a Flickr Group for San Francisco that puts everything into perspective with over 400 photos of all the SF events (from REBarcamp, Zillow's Beer with Bloggers, Blogger's Connect, The Active Rain Party, The Trulia Party, The Home & Garden's Party, Inman's Connect........) The photos are not just mine - contributors include Kim, Missy, Brad, Jeff, Desiree, Kristal, Linda, Jay, The Zebra....to name a few.

Oh! and David Gibbon's from Zillow has such an amazing accent and happened to be a really nice guy - no matter what others say about him ;)

• San Francisco Connectism

• Teresa's I Love San Francisco

• Missy's photos of SF

• Connect SF Twitterstream

You know I love old homes and have a passion for historic preservation. Cuban Tile is one of the popular flooring materials of the known "Spanish Mediterranean Revival" homes found in Miami - not to be confused with Historic Cuban Barrel Tile used for roofs (see article).

*photo courtesy El Nuevo Herald - FOTOSGALERIA - losas de la Habana*

Cuban Tile flooring is popular in South Florida and found in historic 20's homes as well as 30's, 40's and 50's and although the patterns are not as intricate as their historic counterparts, it's a great material nevertheless.

Trying to find the history of Cuban Tile, my mom brought me an article written by Sarah Moreno for El Nuevo Herald that gives great information from a gentleman by the name of Arturo Hernandez who has researched and documented these beautiful historic floors. Hernandez claims that Cuban Tile known also as cement tile, Encaustic Cement Tile or Hydraulic Mosaic Tile can be traced to Cataluña back to mid 19^th century where The Industrial Revolution allowed for the technical innovation and mass production of these tiles that did not need to be fired. Even known architect Gaudi, designed floors with cement tiles that looked like Persian rugs.

I was also recently contacted by Lundy Wilder, a maker of cement tile who has a beautiful site that includes not only history, but also an array of patterns for modern installation.

Until the 1920's, colorful mosaico encaustic tiles were considered high-end ultimate flooring that decorated the palaces of the Tsars, the mansions of the Côte d'Azure, Gaudi's Barcelona and Berlin's official buildings. Later on, the encaustic cement tile expanded as a creative and durable flooring all over Europe, and the French, Spanish and Portuguese colonies. Around the 1950's the mosaic hydraulic lost importance and was replaced by less labor intensive, and less colorful floors. The beginning of this century, the trend for authentic products and 'green' flooring has brought attention back to the encaustic cement tile. Recent storms along the Gulf Coast have raised awareness of durable, waterproof architecture. We hope to spread the word. We have first hand knowledge of the need for sensible flooring along coastal U.S. Additionally; this type of tile flooring is perfect for high traffic areas and any place where discriminating people gather.

Cuban tile is a mixture of Portland cement, marble powder and earth pigments for coloring. The end result can be as shiny as Terrazzo floors and as beautiful as hand painted tiles. The restoration of Cuban Tile Floors can be an intricate project depending on the tile design, but I have now given you a great resource if you need to replace or compliment existing flooring with www.VillaLagoonTile.com

The material is easy to make and fairly inexpensive, does not require heavy machinery and is considered green because of the recycled marble powder and the fact that it does not require firing. The endurance is amazing - to think that all those historic homes were thinking "green" and didn't even know it!

There are many stories why cement tile is called "Cuban Tile" here in Miami and one of the theories is that Cuban Tile was entrusted as a special order to Cuban manufacturers who would hand make these tiles for residential applications in Miami. Next time you walk into a historic home in Miami or read a miami real estate description that includes "cuban tile", you will know a little about the history of Cuban Tile, how these were made and how it is possible to restore them.

Thanks again to Lundy for sharing his beautiful website, and here's a silent video on the making of cement tiles in Morocco.

Other Historic Preservation Posts:

• Historic Cuban Barrel Tile

• Lime Paints - another important element for historic homes

• Use of awnings for your historic house

• Please don't use the wrong window

• Cuban Tile Flooring - history and applications

We would like to announce Miamism Team's new home - Majestic Properties.

It was time for a change, a change that would compliment not only our business and marketing style, but a change that would benefit each one of our clients individually.

Coldwell Banker was good to us and we are the first to admit that, it offered a strong corporate backing that Rick and I were used to with our prior corporate lives as an architect and accountant, but there were also limitations and we had to think past our personal comfort and look into the future of our business as well as the type of service we offer our clients. (in other words.....the decision was by NO means easy).

Because Miami Real estate has changed, so has the way we conduct business in a way that benefits you, our client, even in a down market. We have learned that this business is not so much about us, but about you. We still hit the streets the same way as before, but we also blog and are very active in the social networking aspect of the Internet. We have had to think outside the box and use the tools before us in way no one else has, putting us at the forefront of the industry. (I know, I know....tooting my own horn is not polite). Majestic Properties will not only support our new methods, but welcomes them and will help us customize marketing strategies one client at a time and expose ourselves to every new marketing medium available to be able to offer better service.

We found a company that will compliment our style. Majestic Properties is a respected full-service real estate organization that focuses on providing the highest level of service by employing cutting edge resources. Talk about a match made in heaven!

They have an amazing reputation in South Florida, with beautiful high design offices in the Design District and Miami Beach; and in 2006, INC 500 Magazine ranked the company fastest growing, privately held, full-service real estate company in the United States.

Majestic Properties successfully identifies industry trends in residential and commercial markets, incorporates cutting-edge technological tools, hires passionate and dedicated agents and staff and plays a prominent philanthropic role in the community. It boasts an internal Advertising and PR agency, a one-stop marketing shop for Majestic agents and clients. Additionally, Majestic helps customers from all over the world with financing and mortgage, and then there's an interior design team and furniture showroom. From real estate to marketing to financing to design, Majestic Properties offers it all.

We also have a new Miamism Team member! Karen Alvarez, who, as our buyer's agent, will compliment our growing business and help us provide even better service. Karen is known in the industry for her superior business ethics and outstanding customer service.

Making a change is never easy. It was especially difficult for us because we did not want our customers to be affected in any way. We are looking forward to using all the positive energy we are getting from to help our business expand to the next level.