Are you getting ready for your next kitchen renovation project and searching for fresh ideas? Home renovation can seem like a daunting process, but doing your research beforehand and knowing the design aesthetic you prefer can make it less stressful.
Autumn’s falling leaves line a path that leads right to the holiday season. It’s time to remodel for the holidays so that you and your guests enjoy each gathering in style and comfort. At Academy Marble, getting your kitchen or bathroom ready for the holidays is our specialty. Our countertop and vanity updates can be completed in seven days or less for a quick turnaround and little disruption before the holidays.
Consider the following holiday remodeling ideas to make your home the destination for holiday events.
Renovating or remodeling any room is costly, but kitchens and bathrooms rank among the most expensive revamp because of the cost of natural stone countertops. It’s important to spend time shopping around to get the best price possible for your budget.
“How much will the stone countertops cost?” Is the first question many homeowners ask when putting together a kitchen design budget. Even before considering the cost of natural stone countertops, you should sit down and figure out your kitchen budget. Next, decide which tasks you’re willing to delay. Things like waiting to paint or adding a new appliance can help get the countertop renovation done first. … MORE
In the world of stone, the name Cosentino is synonymous with luxury, durability, and uniqueness. A family-owned, global corporation headquartered in Almeria, Spain, The Cosentino Group© manufacturers leading brands of luxury surfaces, such as Silestone®, Dekton® and Sensa by Cosentino® – all technologically advanced surfaces for creating spaces and unique designs for residential and commercial use.
Quartz countertops are one of the most durable types of countertops and although they have been around for a long while, it’s not until recently that we’ve seen more and more people selecting quartz for either their kitchens and bathrooms. But amazingly, as quartz countertops increase in popularity, so do the misconceptions around quartz. … MORE
While natural stone surfaces rarely go out of style, there are certain colors of stone that are more trendy and popular in Connecticut’s luxury homes than others. Natural stone has always been a popular choice among architects and builders for landscape design, kitchens, bathrooms, outdoor kitchens, and flooring. Its durability, aesthetics and classic appeal are a given, but more and more homeowners are bringing their own sense of color and style to the design process, and this is what they’re choosing.
Granite has long been a solid choice for kitchens, especially given the variety of different granite colors and slabs available. Although it is commonly used for kitchen countertops, people also love it for flooring, tiling around a fireplace, as a backsplash or even in the bathroom around the tub since granite can withstand all the elements, which even makes it an ideal option for outside use. But among all the granites, Santa Cecilia Granite has established itself as a popular choice among homebuyers and designers looking for an always satisfying, versatile natural stone surface. … MORE
One of the most appealing features of granite countertops are the variety of finishes you can choose to highlight the elements of your slab. If you’re like many homeowners, granite is a go-to option when it’s time to upgrade from an outdated counter. And, there’s a reason for that.
Granite is available in hundreds of colors, including shades of white, black, gray, green, blue, red, pink, yellow and tan. The colors can be bold or muted, patterned, speckled, dotted, veined or a combination. Because each piece of granite is made from a unique mineral makeup, each stone countertop is a unique work of art. And if that wasn’t enough, granite is more than just art. It’s a workhorse in the kitchen. The sharpest knives won’t scratch it, and a bubbling pot won’t mar it. It’s just about as close to the perfect countertop that a homeowner can select.
With all the new developments in sealers for marble, granite, and quartzite, maintenance for new stone countertops is practically non-existent if properly sealed. However, there are some things you do need to know about maintenance and caring for your countertops.
First off, you don’t need specialty cleaners. You can use them, but they’re just an extra cost to you. All of these countertops (marble, granite, and quartzite) can be cleaned with just 1-to-3 drops of dishwashing soap and a few cups of warm water, and a good rinsing.
If you do go heavy on the soap, expect to put in extra time and effort cleaning. If you don’t rinse the counter thoroughly, you’ll notice over time that the stone will look and feel oily or greasy. That oily, greasy feel is soap residue! It means you’ve been using too much soap and not rinsing well. Soap and water is a simple solution, but you must make sure you rinse the entire surface well when you do use it.
Caesarstone vs Granite—which is the best countertop? The answer is, “It depends on what you’re looking for.” Both stones are very popular, and both have a range of colors, and features, pros and cons. The debate about which is “better” comes down to two qualities: Looks and durability. The cost of Caesarstone is about the same as the cost of a mid-line range of natural granite.
