Artisan Design Concepts

06/17/2026

I’ve been getting a lot of messages asking for my opinion on Stone Coat Countertops’ new Apex product.

To be completely transparent, I have not used Apex and I do not currently plan to. Because of that, I’m not going to make claims about its long-term performance.

What I can comment on is what I’ve observed from the launch materials and what I look for as a licensed contractor.

For years, many contractors raised concerns about epoxy yellowing. Now the conversation has shifted toward non-yellowing alternatives, which is something our company recognized years ago when we made the decision to move away from traditional epoxy systems for many applications.

After watching the Apex launch, a few things stood out to me:

• The product appears to be poured much thicker than most contractors are accustomed to seeing with polyaspartic-type materials. Anytime a coating is applied outside traditional installation methods, I want to see extensive testing and long-term performance data.

• A significant amount of bubble release spray was used during the demonstration. That raises questions about air entrapment, application sensitivity, and how forgiving the product will be for everyday installers.

• Technical Data Sheets matter. Before I trust any coating system, I want to review the TDS, application limitations, coverage rates, cure schedules, compatibility information, and testing data. At the time of this post, I have not been able to locate complete technical documentation for the Apex system itself.

• During the launch, the use of alcohol-based effects was discussed. Traditionally, true polyaspartic systems are known to be sensitive to moisture contamination, so that’s an area I would personally want to see thoroughly tested and documented before making recommendations.

At the end of the day, products don’t earn my trust through marketing videos. They earn it through transparent technical documentation, third-party testing, real-world performance, and years of successful installations.

For that reason, I’m sticking with Savage Patriot Polymers and the PolyKote product line.

We’ve been using PolyKote for over two years, and we’ve seen the results firsthand in real-world installations—not just controlled demonstrations. The products are tested both independently and in the field, and the company has always been willing to answer technical questions and provide the documentation professionals need to make informed decisions.

Just as importantly, Savage Patriot Polymers is a small family-owned company whose values align with our own. They have built their reputation on transparency, integrity, and long-term performance rather than chasing the latest marketing trend.

From what I’ve seen so far, Apex also comes with a significantly higher price tag, which makes the need for proven performance, complete technical documentation, and long-term track records even more important.

As always, I encourage everyone to do their own research, ask questions, review the technical data, and choose the products they feel most confident putting in their customers’ homes.

For our company, we’ll continue using the systems that have already earned our trust through proven results.

06/10/2026

💰 "Why does it cost so much?"

It's a question every contractor hears.

What many homeowners don't realize is that they're not just paying for labor and materials. They're also paying for the years of experience, specialized tools, equipment, insurance, licensing, vehicles, administrative work, material pickups, and everything else required to run a professional business.

When we install baseboards, you're not just paying for trim—you're benefiting from thousands of dollars invested in miter saws, nail guns, compressors, laser levels, and other specialty tools.

When we paint, you're benefiting from professional sprayers and equipment.

When we repair drywall, you're benefiting from specialized tools and texture equipment.

When we install epoxy flooring, we bring approximately $35,000 worth of equipment to the jobsite.

Even before work begins, hours can be spent researching products, preparing estimates, sourcing materials, and planning the project.

And yes, we charge for material pickups because someone's time is required to purchase, inspect, transport, and organize those materials.

The truth is, most homeowners would never buy an $800 ladder to change a few light bulbs or thousands of dollars in tools to complete a single project. That's why you hire professionals who have already made those investments.

The next time you compare estimates, remember: you're not just paying for what you see. You're paying for everything happening behind the scenes that helps ensure the job is done safely, professionally, and correctly the first time.

Contact Artisan Design Concepts today for a free estimate and let us show you the difference that professionalism, preparation, and quality craftsmanship can make. Because the true value of a project isn't just what you see when it's finished—it's everything that was done right behind the scenes to get it there.

📞 760-515-1111
🌐 www.artisandesignconcepts.com

06/05/2026

Not all handyman companies are the same.

When comparing quotes, don’t just ask about price. Ask if they’re insured. Ask how long they’ve been in business. Look at their reviews. Check if they have a website, a business license, and a track record in the community.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of “taillight warranty” contractors out there—once you see their taillights driving away, that’s the last you’ll hear from them.

At Artisan Handyman Division, we believe in doing the job right the first time, communicating clearly, and standing behind our work. We may not always be the cheapest option, but we take pride in our craftsmanship, attention to detail, and reputation.

If you need help with repairs, installations, drywall, trim, doors, faucets, fixtures, or other home projects, we’d be happy to help.

📞 760-515-1111
Veteran-Owned • Insured • Local

05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, we pause to honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

As a veteran-owned business, this day holds deep meaning for our family and our company. We are forever grateful to those who served, those who gave everything, and the families who continue to carry their legacy.

From all of us at Artisan Design Concepts — thank you.
We honor. We remember. We will never forget. 🇺🇸

05/20/2026

15,000 SUBSCRIBERS… 🤯🇺🇸🎉

What started as us simply sharing our journey, projects, mistakes, lessons, and passion for this industry has turned into an incredible community of 15,000 people on YouTube.

We are beyond grateful for every single person who has watched a video, left a comment, shared our content, supported our business, or trusted us enough to learn from us. Whether you’ve been here since the beginning or just recently found our channel… THANK YOU. ❤️

This industry has challenged us, humbled us, exhausted us, and blessed us all at the same time. Being able to connect with so many amazing people through our videos means more than you know.

Here’s to more projects, more learning, more honesty, more laughs, and probably a few more resin disasters along the way 😂

We appreciate all of you more than words can say.

04/15/2026

Quick reality check for homeowners…

Not everyone calling themselves a “handyman” is actually running a legitimate business.

Social Media is full of posts from people offering services, but many don’t have:

- insurance
- a business name
- a website
- reviews
- or any real job history you can verify

And that might seem fine… until something goes wrong.

A true handyman isn’t just someone who’s “pretty handy.”
It’s someone who understands multiple trades and knows how to do the job correctly, safely, and in a way that lasts.

In a typical week, we’re handling everything from drywall repair and door adjustments to light fixtures, plumbing fixes, and full install projects. Every job requires a different skill set—and experience matters.

We actually wrote a blog breaking this down, including what a handyman really does and what you should be looking for before hiring someone.

https://artisandesignconcepts.com/resources/blog/the-true-value-of-a-skilled-handyman/

If you’re comparing options, just make sure you’re asking the right questions:

Are they insured?
Can they show real project photos?
Do they have consistent reviews?

If the answer is no… it’s probably not worth the risk.

If you want it done right the first time, we’re happy to take a look and provide an estimate.

What does a handyman really do? Discover the true value of hiring a skilled, insured handyman—and why the cheapest option can cost you more in the long run.

04/07/2026

From mild… to WILD 🔥

This one was FUN.

I started this client off with some more subtle sample options… and he stopped me and said:
👉 “Staci, I want you to go wild. I want your ART on my counters. If I wanted it to look like stone, I would have bought stone.”

Say less 🙌

So we went all in with this black, white, and gold “Liquid Gold Noir” design—bold movement, metallic accents, and a finish that truly looks like functional art.

In this video I show:
✔️ Full color coat process
✔️ Clear coat with shimmer
✔️ Why a topcoat is NOT optional
✔️ Prep + application of the topcoat
✔️ Final reveal 🔥

If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to get a finish like this (and make it last), this one breaks it all down.

👇 Watch the full transformation here

Watch this stunning black, white, and gold countertop come to life using non-yellowing hybrid resin- PolyKote. From bold movement to metallic veining, this p...

03/31/2026

Sneak peak of this little beauty I poured yesterday using non-yellowing PolyKote Pro followed by a clear coat using PolyKote Enhanced! 🔥 Video coming soon after I apply the matte Fortified Topcoat (FTC).

02/24/2026

Today was a long, dusty one! We kicked off at 6am out at CalTrans in San Bernardino and let me tell you… grinding all day is no joke. 💪

I’m already energy-challenged, so the last two days have definitely kicked my butt. 😅 And we’ve still got 6–7 more days of this fun ahead!

Counting down the minutes until a hot shower… is it clock-out time yet? 🚿

02/24/2026

😂 No, this is not a medieval torture device…

This is what it actually takes to properly remove 50+ year-old industrial coatings the RIGHT way.

We originally quoted this floor for coating removal and reapplication. Showed up with our standard tooling (PCDs, 30s) ready to roll… and after a full day of grinding we had maybe 40 sq ft to show for it. 😅

Why?

Because this floor was PACKED with layers:

🔹 Epoxy coating
🔹 Multiple unknown topcoats
🔹 Another solid color coating underneath
🔹 And possibly urethane cement at the base (aka: the beast of beasts 🦾)

If you know… you KNOW. Urethane cement is no joke and absolutely eats standard tooling for breakfast.

So what do pros do when the floor fights back?

👉 We reassess
👉 We upgrade the tooling
👉 We bring in the big guns

Back at it this morning with the proper setup and ready to make this floor tap out. 💪

Moral of the story: Not all coating removals are created equal — and sometimes what’s hiding under the surface tells a very different story.

—
From Mild to Wild
Artisan Design Concepts
Licensed • Bonded • Insured • Veteran Owned