6 TOP TRENDS IN KITCHEN COUNTERTOP DESIGN FOR 2017

The countertop is an essential component of the kitchen. It is where all the important kitchen work takes place. But more than that, the countertop is the bedrock of kitchen décor when doing a kitchen renovation. It bears the burden of setting the tone and feel of the space.

Seeing its importance in kitchen décor, it matters a lot what material, finish and design you choose for your countertop. We have put together the hottest countertop trends for 2017 to give you ideas for your own kitchen. As you would expect, these trends focus heavily on color and material choices. Spoiler alert: quartz is still king of kitchen countertops.

1. Quartz is Here to Stay

Quartz was introduced as a high-end alternative to granite, check out our  granite vs quartz article.  Granite a natural rock, has for years dominated the countertop scene especially for homeowners who want something strong, durable and good looking. But it has a downside… It is porous. This means that liquids like water, wine, and oils can seep through the surface causing staining. Even worse, it encourages breeding of dangerous bacteria that could leave your countertop unsanitary.

The porous issue can be resolved by sealing the granite surface with a non-porous sealant. But the sealant wears off with time & wear, so the countertop has to be resealed at least once every year.

Quartz on the other hand, is completely non-porous and does not have to go through regular re-sealing. This means it is highly resistant against staining and is one of the most hygienic countertop options for homeowners. Add to that the fact that quartz is extremely strong, making it super durable and you can see why it is not going anywhere soon as the countertop material of choice for many homeowners.

Quartz now comes in many styles and colors, that give it a granite, marble or natural stone look.  In 2017, Kitchen quartz countertops will remain king not just for the year but for quite some time to come.

Read more at sebringservices.com

Natural Stone and 2017 Color Trends

Incorporate 2017 Color Trends Into Your Home Design

If color forecasters are to be believed, 2017 will be the year of greenery, deep purple (called Shadow), and taupe (Poised Taupe, to be exact), according to Pantone, Benjamin Moore, and Sherwin Williams, respectively. Considering each of these hues are nowhere near one another on the color wheel, is it any surprise homeowners are wondering how to incorporate them into their designs? Might this year’s colors impact how homeowners and businesses choose natural stone designs?

“Color trends impact the world of natural stone less than other design elements such as paint and fabric,” says Brock Mettz, owner and lead designer at Brock Lane Mettz Design. “With the exception of trending neutrals, such as white, grey, black, and beige tones, natural stone will be less impacted by the ‘colors of the year.’ Natural stone most often acts as the backdrop for other, more temporary, elements.”

There is no denying that color can energize or soothe, creating a feeling of warmth or coolness in a room. But color is more than just paint on the wall. Natural stone colors can complement metals in a kitchen design and make it feel less industrial, while all-white kitchen cabinets might pair well with white marble to create a contemporary kitchen landscape.

Color trends are influenced by a number of factors – from nature and the arts to the political climate and economic environment. How does this translate into home design? Homeowners are seeking to create an ambiance in their spaces using color and light.

Alyssa Bockman, design consultant with Stoneshop, realizes homeowners scour websites and home décor magazines for ideas because they want their home to be on trend or in style. When it comes to color, most homeowners near their Philadelphia metro area headquarters opt for keeping their major fixed surfaces in neutral tones and then accent with fun pops of color, such as greens or jewel tones.

Read more at usenaturalstone.com

Use Marble Tile for Your Flooring

Most definitely, you want to have the finest for your home, so you would want to make sure that your home will achieve beauty and elegance. But how can you add up beauty and elegance to your home?

If you want to make your home elegant enough not only for you but for your guests, definitely, you will make improvements that can surely give appeal and glow to your home. Having marble tile flooring can add up to the glow and beauty of your home. Yes. Marble tiles are very popular materials that are being use for home building and not only that; marble tiles are use for sculptures and work of arts as well.

Since ancient times marble tiles have been some of the best materials that being used for sculptures and work of art. The Asians and Europeans have for centuries used these materials in terms of building homes and offices because these materials are durable and elegant.

Marble tiles come in different pattern, shape, size, design and texture, so homeowners have lots of choices to choose from. So they have variety of choices and can find the right one that matches the design and style of their homes.

If you want to make sure that the marble tiles will add beauty and elegance, you have to match it with your home's style and design. Definitely, you can find the right one that can be best for your home. You can find marble tiles in the market and even online. Just take your time in finding the one that you want.

Marble tiles are quite expensive but more and more people are using marble tiles for the flooring and not only that they use it in their countertop and other decors at home. Even if it is quite pricey, it is worth it since it can add glow and beauty to a home.

As soon as you finally choose the marble tile you want for your home, you have to hire someone to install it, in order to make sure it is properly place. Since if the marble tiles are properly installed, it can surely add glow and elegance to a home.

Since your marble tile flooring can give glow and elegance to your home, you need to maintain that glow and appeal that the marble tile possesses. You have to take good care of your marble tile flooring. It is advisable to clean it regularly. You can mop it and let it dry. Do not let spills be left on your floor surface, if there are any spills, make sure to wipe it immediately with soap, lukewarm water and clean cloth, wipe your marble tile floor gently and dry it after. Always keep your marble tile flooring dry.

You have to clean your marble tile flooring, in order to keep the glow and beauty of your marble tile flooring.

Using Natural Stone Surfaces in the Office

Most natural stone importers and fabricators are aware that the kitchen and bathroom are prime locations for the installation of materials like granite, marble, limestone, quartzite, quartz, slate, gemstone, onyx, and more. These stones also make guest appearances in other areas of the home too, such as fireplace surrounds, home bars, bulter’s pantries, and, last but not least, the home office. Why not install some luxury into your home work area to feel like you’re in a lavish skyscraper in Manhattan? In this article we’re going explain how you can follow these design principals to create a home office that’s worthy of a Fortune 500 company.

A Natural Stone Office Desk

A granite office desk lends class and sophistication to the entire room. As a matter of practicality, granite is very durable by nature, and is not easily damaged. This means it would be a good desk material even if it were not beautiful, natural, and elegant. Granite is a much better, and longer lasting option, than any wood-based desk. Despite its rugged nature, you will want to add a desk mat to place items like your coffee mug, notepads, and keyboard. This will help keep the granite surface free from blemishes.

There are several style options for your granite office desk. You can create an L-shape that will allow for plenty of space to add a workstation for your spouse or you can opt for the class desk style, with space for one. Either way, granite, or another natural stone, will have your desk being the visual masterpiece of your home office.

Natural Stone Coffee Table

If your home office is spacious, consider adding a natural stone coffee table, which can really increase the overall design and value of your home office. For this piece, consider matching the coffee table’s surface to your natural stone desk, or perhaps pick a complimentary color. Marble, while not ideal for kitchen countertops, is excellent for a coffee table in a low traffic area like a home office. It will provide an elegant setting to host business meetings or to simply wind-down with a book at the end of your workday.

Read more at marble.com

Granite Tile Basics

If you want to know all about granite tile encompassing the basics, key characteristics and the processing manner, this article will prove to be quite useful for you.

Granite is a natural stone that offers a wonderful alternative for interior and exterior design. The stone is beautiful to look at and practical to use. People love to install it due to its durability and classy look.

When it comes to the beginnings of this stone, you would be amazed to learn that granite is formed deep inside the earth due to the extreme heat and pressure applied by the atmosphere over thousands of years. The stone can be defined as an igneous rock formed due to the pressure applied to liquid magma between other layers of rock. Thereafter it cools and forms a layer of it's own.

The rock is amalgamated with various elements such as feldspar, mica and quartz. The cooling process is very slow. The suspended mineral elements inside the magma result into the crystalline look of granite. Granite is hard in nature due to the harsh origins and lengthy process that suspends several stabilizing elements within it. You can vouch for the durability of this stone.

As soon as the raw granite is removed from its bed, the first stage of granite processing starts and the stage is known as cutting. Here, the large portions of granite into manageable blocks. Thereafter, these blocks of granite are cut to size so as to utilize them as slabs and tiles with the help of wire saws treated with different types of durable abrasives such as sand, diamond and aluminum oxide.

High pressure water jets are also used to cut the granite in tandem with traditional wire saws. As soon as the process of cutting is accomplished, the stone undergoes three more processes that make them look like tile flooring or countertop slabs. The stone is polished on one side, calibrated and gauged.

Once the processes are over, the stones are ready to be used as tiles and slabs. Most commonly these tiles are used as kitchen installation and outdoor installation. The leftover granite tiles are used as cutting boards, coasters and fireplace surrounds.

If you want to care the granite tile flooring and countertops, the process is very simple. The stone is heat-resistant and works as worry-free countertop solution. You can use hot pots and plates on the surface of this stone directly. The granite tile is durable. However, it still requires your attention. You should consider the application of an appropriate sealant seriously. Consult a specialist to determine the variety of granite tile you want to install. The sealant acts as a protective coat for your granite tile. It protects the tile from moisture. You can purchase different types of cleaners and polishes to keep your granite tile free of dirt and scratch.