From the Floors Up

The Benefits of Natural Stone

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Stonewhy01We love telling you about the advantages of this product because we know how much you value the true and the genuine in life.

Natural stone is the real deal. Strong, solid and stable to live with (be still our heart), this is the world’s oldest building material. It was the material of choice for Egypt’s pyramids, Grecian temples and splish-splashing in Rome’s ancient baths. (Imagine you in a marble bath in your home!)

Natural stone is beauty solidified. From granite, the hardest, most dense stone, to luxurious marble, from soft limestone to “touch me” travertine, natural stone exudes elegance, transforms your home – speaks to your soul.

Natural stone has a unique personality. Quarried from Mother Earth, natural stone’s “complexion” is impacted by temperature, pressure, minerals and underground springs. Each slab cut from this environment is one-of-a-kind. You’re not imitation. Why should the “face” of your home be?

Natural stone invented variety. You only need to walk a seashore, lakeside or riverbed to experience the variety of stone. Colors, patterns, finishes and textures beyond imagination – all available for the walkways of your home.

Natural stone can be affordable. (Now we’ve really got your attention.) Today’s stone quarrying and processing technology is more efficient than ever before. Automated equipment cuts the stone in thinner slabs for less cost and, being lighter, it’s cheaper to transport. You’re the solid winner.

For the joy of you list lovers, here are ALL THE BENEFITS OF NATURAL STONE FLOOR COVERING:

• Natural stone is genuine, timeless and authentic

• Natural stone embodies beauty and rich character

• Natural stone is singular, exclusive, one-of-a-kind

• Natural stone offers variety, choice, imagination

• Natural stone has become more cost conscious

• Natural stone virtually always adds resale value

• Natural stone is ideal for radiant heat applications

Feel free to call me for more information or to ask a question.

And don’t hesitate to leave a comment here – we’d love to hear from you!

Warm Contemporary Designed Bathroom

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Warm and contemporary are not usually thought of as going together. Contemporary design, with its minimalist decoration and clean lines, is often referred to as being cool or cold. This bathroom is a great example of a contemporary design that can feel warm and inviting. Despite the lack of flourishes and a plethora of stone surface, this bathroom has a warm feeling.

 

The warm neutral color of the wall above the sink has enough tint to counterbalance the cool grey of the marble tiles in the shower.  Continuing the same warm cream from the wall onto the counter creates a wide swath of warmth. Both the stone countertop and wall color are complemented by the warm wood of the vanity.

 

The lack of flourishes and clean lines actually puts more emphasis and color and materials in this bathroom.  Wood grain, wall color and the stone all stand out as key design elements. The marble of the shower or the warm wood of vanity could either be put on the floor for a cohesive overall design. Another choice would be to carry the countertop and wall color onto the floor.

 

Adding an orchid brings in a beautiful organic touch to the cool surfaces and straight lines of the room’s designs.  A single natural element like a plant or vase of flowers stands out in a sleek space.  The orchid adds a pop of color as well as visual interest. Wood accessories would also add organic, natural warmth to the cool stone that dominates this bathroom.

 

Spa Style Bathrooms for the Home

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Many bathrooms today have separate shower enclosures and free standing tubs. These soaking tubs have a luxurious spa like feeling. This luxurious feeling carries over into the design scheme for the bathroom. Spa style bathrooms are very popular today. Here are some tips to create your own luxurious spa feeling in your bathroom.

Use natural material like stone and wood. Natural stone subway tiles are placed in a running bond on the walls surrounding the tub. Dark wood floors and moldings provide a nice contrast to the lighter color of the stone. A large clam shell provides an interesting storage option for soaps or sponges.

Soothing colors of the ocean, like warm sands, cool blues and fluffy, cloud whites create a soothing colorway. Towels and washcloths are stored on shelves close to the tub for easy access. Roll or stack neatly folded towels for a tidy look. A white terrycloth robe hung on a hook or back of the door is an added comfort.

Accessorize with pretty bottles. Store bathroom necessities in vintage glass jars, boxes or baskets to keep the room looking organized. Mix different elements but keep the lines clean for a spa feeling.

For a long soak in a spa tub, reading material is a nice touch. Shelves near the tub can hold books or magazines. If you don’t have shelves, a basket of favorite reading material placed near the tub works well.

Creating a spa like feeling at home doesn’t require a complete renovation. Simple luxuries like thick Egyptian cotton towels and spa products can turn home into a spa.

 

Travertine Tiles – Guest Post

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Today’s post is by Rob Jones, chief blogger and social media coordinator at BuildDirect, an online flooring and building materials firm in Vancouver, Canada. Here, Rob talks about the appeal of travertine tile, treasured and well-used in the Ancient World, and now offering the same imperial qualities to your indoor and outdoor spaces …

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Marble and granite are well-known for use in commercial applications. Slate is naturally slip-resistant, and ruggedly beautiful too in various settings, both indoors and out. And even limestone gets a look-in when it comes to patios and foyer spaces in the minds of most consumers looking for a sturdy material in a natural stone surface. Yet, travertine has also been a natural stone workhorse for thousands of years and across many cultures.

Travertine is possibly most associated with the Classical era of Ancient Greece, Palestine, and the Roman Empire, when it was a key building material in building residences, municipal buildings, and even the famous Roman Coliseum. As a result, travertine has taken on something of that history, suggesting a sort of imperial air, and sense of permanence.

The color range of travertine tile offers gray, tan, beige, golden, and brown tones, with variation from tile to tile, which renders a refined-to-rustically-earthy-appeal. Even if there are associations with its use, you’re open to use travertine nearly anywhere, just because of its subtle decorative potential.

But, when it comes to buying and installing travertine as a floor or wall tile, what are your options? What kinds of surfaces and their visual effects are available for you use to transform your space? Let’s take a look at three options that stand as the more popular choices for travertine tile surfaces.

1. Honed and Filled Travertine Tile
With this surface treatment, the natural pores in the travertine, once caused by escaping gasses seeping through when the stone was formed, are filled with color-matched cement. Then, the tiles are polished until smooth. For those who like a refined, more pristine look in a stone surface, honed and filled is the perfect choice if you also want the unique color range of travertine.

2. Brushed and Chisled
Because travertine is known for its classical look, a very popular choice is travertine that has been artificially aged. The surfaces of the tile have been literally brushed, using a wire implement. And the edges of the tile are similarly treated using, you guessed it, a chisel. The effect is a replication of wear over the course of hundreds of years, giving the space in which brushed and chiseled travertine is installed the look of imperial regality.

3. Tumbled
Another way that this worn, imperial look is achieved is what’s called ‘tumbled’ travertine tile. In the travertine tile tumbling process, the tiles are placed in a machine, with gravel and smaller stone fragments, and then shaken. The smaller stones score the surface of the tile, and that aged effect that so many love is produced.

There are of course variations to be found here, with tiles which are only partially filled to gain the best of both worlds when it comes to a smooth tile that shows off the natural pores in the stone. Also, there are multiple tile sizes to consider, which also affects the way the tile will look, from mosaic 1″x1″ tiles, to 24″ x 24″ tile.

But, whatever way the tiles are purchased and installed, the use of travertine surfaces tie your space with a tradition of style that extends back to when civilization itself began. It’s hard to match that kind of longevity.

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You can read more about travertine and other natural stone surfaces from BuildDirect on the BuildDirect blog.

The Importance of Sealing Granite

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Granite is still one of the most popular countertop choices for today’s kitchens and bathrooms. Because granite is an expensive item and one that you probably don’t intend to replace, you will want to take care of it so that you can enjoy it for many years to come.

You may be asking yourself, why is a sealer needed for a hard stone like granite? Granite is actually semi-porous and if left unsealed, stains can penetrate deep into the stone. Using a sealer allows the sealer to penetrate deep into the pores of the granite, filling them so that stains cannot penetrate  those pores.

Keep in mind that not all sealers are the same. There are topical sealers and penetrating sealers. To get the best job, you want to use a penetrating sealer.  A penetrating sealer fills the pores of the granite so that when a stain tries to fill those pores it can’t because the sealer is already there blocking the pores.

With granite sealers, you get what you pay for. Look for sealers with the longest warranty and generally the highest price tag. The higher priced sealers usually are better quality. Cheaper sealers can require more coats and more frequent applications.

The good news is, sealing granite is something you can do yourself. There are no tools needed, just the sealer, a clean cloth and your time. However, if doing it yourself is not your thing, you can certainly hire a professional to do it for you.

Like carpet cleaning, granite needs to be sealed annually. It’s easy to forget until you see stains that can have already caused permanent damage. You need to reseal every year because normal use and cleaning dissolves the sealer. For kitchens with high traffic and use, sealing may be required bi-annually.

How can you tell if you need to reseal? Simply pour some water on your countertop. If after half an hour your countertop does not turn dark, then your sealer is still working.

Protecting your investment is easy. Call your local retailer today to find the best sealing product for you. If you have another natural stone besides granite that needs sealing, there are products available for those as well.

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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