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One of the best parts of living near the beach is access to it natural wonders. We had our friend James out and decided to walk the dog after dinner. Little did we know that the moon was full on this night and rising, while the sun was still setting - summer wonder ( makes me think of our Tilano Chalk Board paint ) perfect colour. There is something inspiring and comforting about beach life, I think I have an idea that fits a little Tilano just right... I will keep you posted when it is ready.

It is a common problem these days, 100's of photos on your computer, but so few ways to display them. Well, not a problem! At Tilano.net, creative solutions to traditional photo framing. 

I should let you know BTW, we have posted instructional videos on YouTube for our kits. Well almost all of our kits.
We are working on more... there are five to view, keeping you completely entertained. Check out the latest on our Tilano Marble Coaster Kit

You may be new to Tilano and our blog, if you are welcome and if you're not, welcome again. I'm asked from time to time, how did Tilano come about? The answer is simple, I have had the good fortune of being invited into 100's of homes in recent years ( and still do ), since my core business is being a professional interior deocrator. More specifically a decorative artist, 'I make new rooms look old and old feel new' - helping my customers achieve a feeling/statement in a room with colour and textures.

The bonus for me, is that I work with some of the most talented interior designers in Vancouver, BC. I see some of the latest in design trends, as well as very creative interiors. But one thing resonates in every home I'm in,  pictures. I see all sorts and realize that Tilano is a great alternative to the mass production of traditonal framing trends that are available at your local gifts store and the Big Box chains.

I always try to be different when creating an interior theme and the same for Tilano ideas with pictures. Different, not for attention, but because we can and it is great to express creativity in ways that make people say, "I love that." That is what Tilano is about, thinking differently about the way we display life's moments and the way we incorporate them into your homes and lives.

As I learn with my kids and share, creativity is a unique process. One of the books I refer to for craft projects is The Best of Making Things, by Ann Sayre Wiseman. A very good resource for ideas, simple projects for the kids

and parents.

Ann lists "Permissions" for the kids, sometimes I think it is for the adults too! Needless to say, they are good for all.

Permissions

It's OK to try something new.
It's OK to make mistakes.  You will learn a lot from them.
It's OK to take risks.
It's OK to take your time.
It's OK to find your own pace.
It's OK to try it your own way.
It's OK to fail.  You can always try again free of fear.
It's OK to look foolish.
It's OK to be different.
It's OK to wait until you feel ready.
It's OK to experiment (in safety).
It's OK to question the "shoulds."
It's special to be you.
It is necessary to make a mess - which you are willing to clean up.
The act of creation is often messy.

Yes my daughter is passionate for Bubble Bee Popsicles, ...nothing like summer time and the moments it brings.

This my one of the passions, experiencing GREAT customer service. No matter if it is restaurant, retailer, web site or manufacturer etc, I love receiving GREAT customer service. After all it is what makes a business a success.
My awareness to customer service and it's correlation to a profitable business was recently heightened after reading The Ultimate Question by Fred Reichheld.

Funny how when you read something one day and the next you get to experience it.
When I was in Toronto last week for the CGTA trade show, I went into a store call Mastermind to pick up some gifts for my good friends Jeff & Morgan's children, whom I was staying with. I was immediately greeted by a young girl (just like Wall mart) a door greeter, except 60 years difference. She asked me if she could be of any help, I mentioned I was in a hurry to find 3 gifts. The young greeter asked one of the Sales ladies to come help me fine the gifts I needed. Within just a few moments the sales person had asked all of the right questions to find 3 gifts for the kids I was looking for. Than directed me to the sales counter to check out. She took my gifts behind the counter, while I was lined up in a small queue to pay (very orderly in a pleasant way), a minute or two later I had paid for the gifts and was hand a back with each gift beautifully wrapped. In 7 minutes, I was in and out, looking like a hero.

Mastermind in Toronto, check them out, since they have it figured out!

Here is a first! Well for me and Tilano, we are starting to share ideas and a project each and every month with Tilano products and ideas that I see the potential for doing something different, with a picture or something to do with creative interior decorating, POM (Project of the Month) is the place to find it.
Much like the old Apple mantra "think differently". Download chalk_paints.pdf

I just recently visited a store in the Beaches in Toronto, Kids At Home.
They have been carrying our line of Tilano Chalk Paints and have been selling very well, so much so I had to do an in store interview to find out what was going on.
I will be posting the video on our retailers  page at the end of this week, so watch for it there.

The before the big trip

After returning from Toronto and attending the CGTA recently, I keep seeing the signs of what Debbie Travis was referring to: retailers need to listen to their customers and simply give them what they want. Service, expertise and a place to go - make the store a destination.
Many retailers don't realize they are a destination, they appear to set up shop and open the doors expecting the customers to come and keep coming.
Well like Smith Barney would say "we earn our customers one at a time."
Tilano is no different, since the retailer is our customer and so is the end consumer - double the opportunity! Some might say double trouble.
I loved meeting Debbie Travis since she was very inspiring to how retailer and the manufactures need to work together - "otherwise you will die."

Make shopping easy for the customer no matter the business, everyone has less time these days "especially women" as Debbie put it "WWW, it is not just world wide web, it is WHAT, WOMEN, WANT" - make retailing easy for them.