BRIAN KNIES, PRESIDENT/OWNER It feels like 2006 . . . only busier! Consumer interest in tile and stone has been off the charts since the fall. Our website traffic has doubled and our showroom traffic is up by 40%. Our tile visualizer is getting over 2,000 users per month. New features on our website like chat and sample requests are getting heavy usage. We are expecting this level of business to continue through the first half of this year and possibly much longer. Luckily, the disruption in the supply and shipping industries has not had a material impact on our business. While some have seen a decrease in the commercial market, we are still seeing good activity on larger projects. Our architectural and commercial representatives have been getting steady sample requests for jobs in and out of state. It's great to see Connecticut thriving after so many years of population stagnation.

PRODUCT MANAGER LANA CAMARA – Product trends seem to be having a slight shift from the sterile white and gray palette that has seemed to dominate the decorating world to white-light neutrals but that infuse texture and earth tones that add warmth. People have the need for their home to feel comforting and safe therefore adding organic colors and textures found in the earth. Colors like blues, greens, or textures like jute, wood, and bamboo all contribute to the feeling of a spa or sanctuary retreat.