The Surface Design Show is set to take place from 9 to 11 February and it’s sure to be a memorable event. Whether you are looking at redecorating your home or surfaces for a newly build home or room, this show will offer dozens of fabulous ideas. Read more courtesy of Surfacing Magazine
One of the main allures of natural stone is the beauty of its imperfections. The conditions that allow for such lovely stone masses to be formed make these some of the most durable work surfaces of all. That said, granite worktops might not always live up to our expectations. There are times when these surfaces chip or crack and they don’t quite look as perfect as they once were. In some instances, cracks can occur during or even just after the installation process. If this happens, it’s important to have the problem dealt with by the manufacturer. If a crack occurs several years after the installation, the damage might not be covered by the manufacturer and this is when you can take on the repair yourself or hire your preferred professional. Remember that granite sometimes has hairline cracks that you may not notice immediately. During transportation, installation and eventual use,
When choosing worktops for your kitchen or bathroom, you are likely to hear some facts mixed up with myths. It’s important to be able to differentiate between the two since this decision will have as much of an effect on your budget as it will the value of your home. One common myth is that marble is not suitable for kitchen worktops. This is so far from the truth! Marble has been used in kitchens for decades throughout Europe and for good reason! While some stones are harder, marble is still perfectly durable. They do, however, tend to wear differently to harder stones which will help create that “lived in” feel rather than make your kitchen seem like an untouched museum. Another myth is that granite doesn’t need to be sealed. Granite might be harder but it still has some porous elements. It should be sealed once it is installed
Quartz worktops are both durable and elegant. They can completely transform your home and increase its resale value. Whether you install quartz in your kitchen or bathroom, the best way to get your money’s worth is by taking care of your investment. Quartz countertops should last a lifetime (at least) and require very little maintenance if you follow the correct cleaning guidelines. The first rule is to never use any kind of harsh chemical (like bleach or an abrasive cleaner) on any kind of natural stone surface. It can dull the surface, cause scratches or patches and leave your worktops looking worse than they did before. The second golden rule is to avoid using abrasive cleaning tools. Stick to soft cloths and sponges rather than anything that could leave scratch or swirl marks. If you do end up scratching the surface, you may eventually need to re-polish them. This takes
When you consider the price of natural stone worktops for your bathroom, it can be tempting to skip the additional cost of a professional installation. Homeowners are reminded to be cautious when it comes to the DIY approach since natural stone presents challenges that other materials do not. The first potential obstacle is the weight of the worktops. Stone weighs more than wood and other materials which can add to the complexity of the installation process. If the stone is not handled correctly, it could chip, crack, or end up damaged in the process. These damages can sometimes be repaired but, at times they are so severe that the stone requires replacement. The second important factor is the fact that professionals have both the tools and the experience needed to provide a perfect and smooth installation. All you will need to do is choose your stone and let the pros
Natural stone worktops are available in various materials, patterns and colours. They are the most durable and elegant options in terms of kitchen and bathroom worktops. Although they might be more expensive than many other options, they more than make up for this with their durability. That said, it is extremely important to ensure that your stone worktops are sealed as soon as they are installed. All stones are at least slightly porous. Some are more porous than others but none are immune to the effects of spills. Sealing your worktops will add an extra layer of protection that penetrates the tiny holes and prevents any substances from seeping in. When you seal the surface, you will make it that much easier to clean up a spill before it has any chance of damaging your worktop finish. Of course, it is also important to test your worktops from time to
If, after weighing up your various natural stone options, you choose marble worktops, you will need to make several other choices including the colour and type of edging you would like. Another important decision is deciding between Calacatta and Carrara marble. Both of these types of marble are beautiful and luxurious. Some Calacatta patterns are large, thick and well-defined. Carrara marble normally has finer veining. There are some varieties with thicker veining but these patterns are light in colour and they have more of a feathered effect rather than distinct lines. The colours of each type of marble vary which means that you will always be able to find the perfect match for your bathroom, kitchen, or any other area of your home. Combining more than one colour in a room will help both of them stand out in their own way. For example, if you fit a gray Carrara
There are some styles and design materials that look dated after just a few years. Natural stone, however, can give your kitchen that timeless style and elegant appearance it deserves! Read more courtesy of House to Home
Quartz is a fine stone worktop to install in various parts of your home, including your bathroom. It is durable, elegant, and available in a wide variety of colours. When it comes to remodelling your bathroom, you might be wondering which colour will work best. One of the most popular colour schemes for a bathroom is white. White makes a small space look bigger and it also has that hygienic “feel”. If most of the features in your bathroom are white, you can choose between light and dark shades because white is a basic colour that looks good with anything! White quartz is available with or without patterns. Some have a pure white appearance while others lean towards grey or off-white. All of which are perfectly acceptable depending on the style you hope to achieve. If you want to create more of a contrast, then darker countertops are the way
While functionality is important in any kitchen, many homeowners also look for fixtures and furniture that will add class and style. Choosing a colour scheme is, therefore, high on the list of things to consider when planning to remodel. White is a popular colour for kitchen cabinets and appliances, which is why it is usually chosen as the base colour. If you choose white, there are several options when it comes to choosing a colour for your countertops. Just because your cabinets are white does not mean that you need to avoid white worktops. On the contrary, white worktops can look wonderfully elegant and hygienic when accompanied by white furniture. If you are looking for a strong colour contrast, on the other hand, you will be best off fitting black or dark grey worktops. The added bonus of darker worktops is that they are that much more resistant to stains.
