The look is rich, the feel is luxurious and the material is durable.
Such is the definition of natural stone countertop.
Whether it comes in the form of a slab or produced as individual tiles each piece of the natural stone is unique unto itself.
Most are virtually maintenance free and some require a bit of tender loving care to look their best such as regular staining or oiling.
Natural stone countertops come in a variety of finishes with the most common being polished, high gloss, honed or matte.
Below are some of the variables of living stone countertops.
Granite is the most durable of the natural stone countertops. The only harder stone is the diamond.
It will not scratch, crack or chip and can withstand heat.
It can though break dishes or glasses if set down too hard. Granite is available in rich colors and a polish that won’t wear off.
Soapstone, which is primarily made up of the mineral talc is popular in both modern or country style kitchens. The nature of soapstone means acids won’t etch the stone and the stains can be easily sanded out.
Homeowners tend to like the not so perfect soapstone and view it as character instead of flaws.
Mineral oil brings out its rich, dark color and makes it shine.
The sleek and elegant marble countertop is timeless.
Usually found in the baker’s kitchen, it is the serious bakers’ choice for rolling dough. Marble is more porous than granite so it requires sealant to be applied more frequently to prevent stains.
Since it is not nearly as hard as some other stone countertops, it is best to be used in small sections instead than the primary countertop.
Beautiful slate is available in tones of gray, green, purple and black. It’s certainly not just for roofs or floors anymore. Slate is definitely becoming a popular choice in the kitchen.
Its beauty and strength make it a durable and stylish option. As with soapstone, regular treatment with mineral oil will bring out the beauty of this material.
Any scratches can usually be removed by rubbing with a damp sponge. Deeper scratches can be buffed out by using steel wool.
Limestone consists mainly of calcite, a neutral-toned mineral. Limestone varies in hardness but is a more porous stone that stains easily. It requires regular resealing to prevent stains.
Though often called engineered stone, this material is composed of natural quartz mixed with epoxy resin binders. Quartz is an incredibly hard and durable surface. It is nonabsorbent that makes it more user friendly and stain resistant.
It is basically maintenance free with just a simple wipe off with warm water. Different pigments are mixed in the making of the quartz surfacing and because of this there are beautiful colors to choose from.
Lava stone is a more unusual countertop material that is often sold under the French brand name Pyrolave.
Lava stone is quarried in France then enameled and fired.
It has a very high gloss finish and colors can be customized.
If you have been thinking about replacing your kitchen countertops, contact us today to discuss your project. Let us create the kitchen that you have always wanted.
Over the last 10 years kitchen granite countertops have become popular with homeowners, after first being popular with designers for decades. Kitchen granite countertops are unique because no two pieces of granite are exactly the same, therefore granite provides an interesting design element and adds certain richness and texture to your kitchen not found in other surfaces
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It’s that time of the year, friends!
Spring is officially here so we wanted to give you 10 tips you can use right now to refresh your space for the warm months ahead.
Neutral tones are just fine, but add in some of the cool blues and greens that are making a statement this Spring. Pastels and Ultra Brights are the spring and summer trend for this year.
Time for spring cleaning.
Get to those scary spots (under the bed, closets, storage) and throw away all that old junk that you don’t need.
A good philosophy to follow is ‘The things you truly need will come to you’.
This will reassure you when you come across that shoebox of old trinkets that you would probably be too embarrassed to put on display anyway.
Whether it’s a light-hearted oil painting, a sleek sculpture, or a Monet piece you’ve been eyeing for a year, reinvent your space!
Reframe your photos with more interesting casings.
The heavy woods and metals are out for the spring.
Change up that china vase, try blown glass, recycled glass cobalt, or topaz!
There are a variety of colors and shapes to choose from.
Throw pillows can bring any color into your room or out of your artwork.
Lighter fabrics such as satin, chiffon, hand painted or dyed silks, are all in this spring.
The colors are zesty and the look is fresh!
Move away from the heavy traditional patterns and textures.
Look for stripes, polka dots, and Kandinsky-esque styles.
Slipcovers are still the way to go!
Solids are always safe, but if you want to branch out, a lot of the light colored damasks are coming back in.
Again, if you want to be trendy, go with greens and blues–light to bright colors.
If you know your taste, then just be creative with it!
If you can’t change them out completely, cover up the winter table tops with some light colored scarves or placemats.
Work with what you’ve got, it brings out your most creative self!
Use fun, bright colors and chic designs on pottery or glass. Tangerines, ocean tones, hot pinks and purples!
They are at their best now and the colors are the inspiration for modern color trends.
House plants and foliage of any kind (even if it’s faux) are a must in your spring space!
So there you have it!
Spring-summer 2019 is the time for reinventing and refreshing!
Use your invigorated senses to inspire your dwellings.
Happy Spring!
With warmer months just around the corner, spring cleaning isn’t far away. Whether you want to clear some of the winter clutter or just feel like a change in scenery, spring cleaning can make it happen.
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