From the Floors Up

Bathroom Blogfest 2012: Using Marble in the Bath

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We are participating in the 7th annual Bathroom Blogfest! This year’s theme is “Still Coming Out” and it is a great way to bring together bloggers from all over the globe to talk about bathroom designs.  Take a look at who’s participating this year and get the inside scoop on everything bathroom.

There is just something classic about marble in the bathroom. Marble counters and sinks are traditional designs that continue to be popular today.  But there are new ways to use marble in the bathroom in addition to the classics.

Marble tiles can be applied to the floor, walls, and shower stall.  New tile sizes and patterns make this centuries old material feel contemporary.  Laying the tile in a horizontal pattern, rather than a traditional vertical pattern turns these classic tiles into a contemporary style.   Oversize horizontal tiles, like in this bathroom, are another way to put a contemporary twist on marble tiles.

Marble can be polished, honed and tumbled for shiny and matte surfaces.  Honed and tumbled are better choices for flooring as they are not as slick when wet.  Placing a bath mat down can help absorb water and prevent slips.

The tile is a neutral color, which allows a homeowner to have versatile options for the sinks, countertop, and bathroom accessories.  This homeowner chose to keep the bathroom sinks and countertop clean and neutral by choosing white, but they always have the option of adding a pop of color with towels or candles. Another great option for marble tile choices is classic white marble with grey veins.  A mix of white fixtures and marble has a crisp feeling that makes us think of a luxury hotel or spa.

Covering the walls and tub surround in the same marble tile gives this bathroom a uniform look and only adds to the luxurious spa feeling. Using the same material throughout the space makes the room feel even larger.

Even a little marble can make a big impact. A marble counter in the bathroom would take a small amount of stone and could fit most budgets. You could also add a strip of small marble tile for a sink’s backsplash in the bathroom.  It will add detail and interest to your bathroom.

Read more about Bathroom Blogfest 2012 from other writers:

Name Twitter Username Blog Name Blog URL
Susan Abbott susanabbott theIdeaStudio www.theideastudio.ca
Laurence Borel blogtillyoudrop blog till you drop www.laurenceborel.com
Bill Buyok AventeTile Avente Tile Talk http://www.aventetiletalk.com/
Jeanne Byington jmbyington The Importance of Earnest Service blog.jmbyington.com
Nora DePalma steamtherapy The Mr. Steam SteamTherapy Blog http://blog.mrsteam.com/
Mr. Steam noradepalma OR-DP POV www.oreilly-depalma.com/blog
Stacy Garcia kbtribechat kbtribe http://kbtribe.wordpress.com
Diane Kazan dkazan Public Bathroom Blog http://thekazan.blogspot.com
Arpi Nalbandian Arpi_Nalb Avente Tile Talk http://www.aventetiletalk.com/
Victoria & Shelley Redshaw & Pond scarletopus Scarlet Opus Trends Blog www.scarletopus.com
Sandy Renshaw sandyrenshaw Purple Wren purplewren.com
Bruce D. Sanders rimtailing RIMtailing http://rimtailing.blogspot.com/
Paige Smith none Tile tips from installation professionals http://neusetile.wordpress.com/
Todd Vendituoli TALV58 Thebuildingblox http://www.thebuildingblox.com/
Shannon Vogel cyswebsites From the Floors Up http://fromthefloorsup.com
CB Whittemore cbwhittemore Content Talks Business Blog http://simplemarketingnow.com/content-talks-business-blog/
Irene Williams crossvilleinc Elevate Your Space http://elevateyourspace.wordpress.com/
Linda Wright skiptotheloo Skip to the Loo! http://lindaloo.com/

 

Where Do You Find Inspiration?

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24021915Those who are familiar with Greece will recognize this typical street scene. The bright white sun-washed stucco walls provide an inviting contrast to the vivid blues that pepper the country as doorways and railings.

One couple wanting to remember their dream vacation decided to use these images as a starting-point for their kitchen renovation. This is a fun approach to designing – thinking beyond the traditional sources of inspiration by drawing on memories and photographs of a favorite country, season or moment as the foundation of any room in your home.

Take a look at the kitchen they designed in the photo below. You can see many aspects of this street scene echoed in the room. The flooring is the most exciting match – finding a good quality vinyl with a similar pattern of grey stones against the white concrete edging was a stroke of luck. The stones pictured in the kitchen are smaller, which suits the smaller proportions of a kitchen as opposed to a street.

30485736The white stucco walls are reproduced here as white cabinets, and the rich cobalt blue that is uniquely Greece covers the back wall. The softer blue of the door to the left is reflected in the countertops, and even that splash of turquoise with the upper right railing comes into the kitchen with a vase in a lighter tone of that same hue.

When you plan a redesign or choose options for a new home, take advantage of the opportunity to think outside the traditional box. This couple made a daring choice, and has the chance to be reminded of the trip of a lifetime every time they step into their kitchen.

Professional Kitchen Designers

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For a full down to the studs kitchen remodel or an update, working with a professional kitchen designer can be a great idea. Professional kitchen designers can help you design your dream kitchen or choose new countertops for a quick update.

 

Flooring, counters, backsplashes, cabinets, appliances and lighting can each change the look and feel of a kitchen. On their own they can update the kitchen; together they will give your kitchen a whole new look. Selecting a single one of these to work with your existing kitchen can be tricky. Choosing a combination of new counters, cabinets and flooring can be downright daunting. Enter the kitchen designer.

 

Kitchen designers can help you select a stone backsplash that coordinates with granite counter tops that also work with your existing cabinetry. Larger guts and remodels can be planned by a kitchen designer to change not only the look of your kitchen but its functionality.  These designers can recommend changes to floor plans that can up the function of your kitchen without expanding the floor plan.  For major projects an in home consultation to take measurements is a must.  Even for surface changes, a home appointment should be done for measurements and color samples.

 

To hire a kitchen designer you can begin by asking friends and neighbors for recommendations who have recently remodeled their kitchens. If there is a local kitchen showroom, visit and ask for a consultation. Get several estimates before deciding to make sure you find the right kitchen designer for your home and budget.

Granite Countertop Myths – Reader Question

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Reader Question:

I am thinking about granite countertops in my kitchen and have heard many conflicting stories about whether you can cut directly on them or use hot pots directly on them. Before I fall in love with a color I want to be sure this is the right product for me! Can you clear up either of these and also tell me if there are other things I should know about? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Theresa from Washington

Answer:

Theresa,

Great questions! These are questions I hear very frequently, so you are not alone. Granite is a wonderful choice for countertops, but even though it is a rock- it is not indestructible. Below are answers to your questions as well as a few other things you may want to know about granite.

  • Hot pots should be placed on trivets or potholders rather than directly on the countertop. Placing hot pots directly on the countertop can burn the sealer that has been applied to protect the tops.
  • You should always use a cutting board on any countertop surface for cleanliness, slip resistance and also protection from knife blades.
  • Granite countertops should be sealed because granite can be permanently stained by  grease and other oily substances. It can also be etched by acids found in common household products and foods such as lemons.
  • Granite countertops can be made from slabs or granite tiles. When choosing granite tiles, its always a good idea to seal the grout or use epoxy grout to prevent staining.
  • When selecting the color of your countertops, look at the largest sample possible to see the veining and color variation that is naturally occurring in granite. (Remember, the more movement and variation in your granite, the more unique it is and also easier to hide dirt!)

Enjoy your new countertops, but protect your investment by taking proper care of them. Thanks again for the question. I am sure there are others out there wondering the same thing!


Kitchen Tile Design Ideas

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If you love to cook, you probably spend a lot of time in your kitchen.  Even if you don’t love to cook, but you have a family, you probably still spend a lot of time in your kitchen. Why not make your kitchen so beautiful that you want to spend as much time as you can in it!?!

This kitchen is a great example of one I would want to spend a lot of time in. There’s lots of space, plenty of color, a variety of textures and even a whimsical element in the furniture.

Let’s take a look at some of the features in this kitchen that make it unique and give it a look and feel that encourages you to spend time in it!

  • Notice the pattern of the floor tile. There is not only a beautiful tile that shows color and range, but it is mixed with metal accents. The floor starts out straight around the perimeter and then is divided by a metal floor border. Then, inside the border the direction the tile is laid changes to a diagonal install with metal accent dots in the alternating intersections of the joints.
  • The warmness of the floor compliments the color of the cabinets well. Then, notice how the countertop does an excellent job of tying the colors in the floor and the colors in the cabinet together. Note how things blend and coordinate, but do not match.
  • The designer chose to go with a lighter, more neutral backsplash and use a pattern to set the tile for the focus rather than introducing more color.  It serves as a nice restful backdrop for the decorative items displayed on the counter.
  • Of course there has to be a comment about the whimsical Picasso barstools. The finish on the stools ties in well with the color of the cabinet hardware. The seat cushion brings in the warmth of the wall color -all while introducing an element of fun!
  • Overall, this kitchen achieves a feeling of warmth and comfort while being extremely functional and not to mention – easy to keep clean!

What are your thoughts on this kitchen? What would you change? Does the warmth and color scheme appeal to you?

From the Floors Up

From the Floors Up blog was created with the goal of providing a destination for consumers, designers and those interested in the flooring, design, and kitchen and bath industries. Here you’ll find, current, accurate and informative information that is always just a click away!

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