1 An overall image of the space. As you can see, it's filled from floor to ceiling.
2 For the size of the space and the amount of materials it contains, it needs to be well organized.
3 All the wood is separated by species.
4 That's a lot of trees.
5 A fork lift is needed to move planks up and down.
6 These wood samples are so organized. I love it.
7 One of the storage areas for supplies.
8 More supply storage.
9 One of the work areas in the shop.
10 A collection of tools. Check out the inlays on top of the cabinet.
11 An inlay being put together.
12 Another wood inlay project.
13 A shop display of wood species.
14 A collection of potions.
15 Perhaps some secret formulas.
16 Jose DeJesus preparing a sample.
17 A flooring sample made for a client.
18 I love the look of this sample.
19 A large flooring sample made for a commercial project.
20 Mr. Mark Van Dewater packing up some samples.
21 These are planks reclaimed from the Coney Island boardwalk. They will be refinished and used in new projects.
22 Here are some of the boardwalk planks refinished to look like driftwood . I love that they will get a new life. The project is a work in progress due to the slow demolition of the boardwalk.
As I mentioned in my intro post, my apartment came with dark, Wenge floors, which are not ideal for a space surrounded by windows (fading). Plus, dust and dirt show up so easily on them. So, I decided to lighten the floors. I searched around and found an expert who could take the dark wood to a whitewashed, driftwood tone. Craig Margolies, of Haywood-Berk Floor Company, Inc., came highly recommended and said that while it is an unusual and difficult process, lightening my floors could be done through a series of sanding, bleaching, staining and sealing.
While Craig had a great reputation, I decided to check out the workshop in Brooklyn for myself and spent some time touring the shop. Impressed with what I saw and heard (his knowledge and understanding of wood is incredible), I decided that his team was hired.
Kevin Sharkey 
From: Mary | 8/14/09 at 3:18 pm
I love your new Blog - found it by accident!
I hope you do more posts like this - I love learning about craftsmen and how they practice their trade. It makes me feel good that this level of detail still exists - and that there are others who are willing to support these trades.
From: Margot Ganster | 8/14/09 at 4:16 pm
I've heard of Mr. Margolies and his reputation in his field. I'm glad to hear that it's all true!
From: catherine joyce | 8/17/09 at 7:52 am
This is an excellent blog. Highly informative and well written. I too found it by accident. I'm presently upgrading the doors and windows (the roof will have to wait) of my 30's semi. All good current DIY information is greatly received.
From: Beverliey Nash | 8/20/09 at 3:18 pm
I am about to have engineered white oak 7"plank flooring installed at my
beach house on Georgian Bay CANADA this was suggested because it is not winterized and the flooring company says an engineered product will do better
with the temperature differences 0-100, and the cottage is open underneath
so proper hardwood which I normally use on all my projects might buckle !
I am hoping to achieve a driftwood greyish color with 2 coats of bleach
then a mix of DuraSeal Country White and Gray with a little bit of Ebony added for depth then sealed with Bona Kemi pacific strong in matte/satin = best product
if you do not want any yellow amber effects !
From: Bob Tobin | 10/16/09 at 8:46 pm
Hi Kevin,
Me again Your contractor, I like the fact that you took the time to visit Craigs shop. Maybe soon I can give the tour of our shop in Brooklyn, there's a great old fashion luncheonette next door, my treat.
Bob Tobin aka, "Contractor", "Bobby BC", 'Bob the Builder" but I think that ones taken.
Till next time.
From: Floorboard Sanding | 12/23/09 at 7:36 am
Thanks for the great information on the floor sanding .
I really enjoy reading your blog, it is very useful for us.
From: composite doors | 7/8/11 at 4:26 am
thanks for this info......... gave me an idea. Thank you