Bianco Antico Granite
Bianco Antico Granite - Versatile and Durable Natural Stone
While most of us can appreciate the look of a beautifully decorated showroom, many homeowners prefer a home that offers a warmer, more personal appearance. Creating this atmosphere, specifically in the kitchen, begins with the foundations you choose, from the flooring and paint to the granite used for your countertops and backsplashes.
There’s certainly something to be said for the dazzling appeal of pristine white marble, but if you want to add a little warmth to the mix, you can’t go wrong with the warm browns and taupes found in Bianco Antico granite. Quarried in Ceará, Brazil, the name for this granite translates to “antique white”, and you’ll immediately see why when viewing this artfully dappled stone.
Set against a backdrop ranging from bright white to soft grays are distinctive flecks in browns, bronzes, taupes, and even pinkish tones. From a distance, the surface of the stone appears as a blend of white and gray, but up close, a stunning array of warmer tones take shape, with a measure of metallic sheen punctuating the darker areas, courtesy of mineral deposits.
Slabs vary greatly in appearance, with some featuring sparse deposits, making for more uniform lightness, while others have heavier, denser deposits, delivering greater color contrast. You’ll simply have to decide on the level of drama you want from your granite and the statement you wish to make with your countertops.
The particular beauty of Bianco Antico granite is its supreme versatility. If you prefer a light and airy kitchen or bathroom setting, the bronzy browns will add a dollop of warmth to an otherwise white interior. If, on the other hand, you lean toward a more daring approach to interior design, you can contrast the lighter tones of the granite with dark wood or even black cabinetry for a stunning juxtaposition that causes the darker flecks in the countertop to pop.
Largely neutral, this stone naturally lends itself to pairing with warm wood tones like honeyed oak, rustic cherry, or rich mahogany. Golden paint tones popular to kitchen settings bring out the warmer aspects of this granite, especially alongside darker wood to mimic the contrast in the stone.
Like other types of granite, Bianco Antico is relatively hard, making it ideal for high-traffic areas in the home like kitchens and bathrooms. It is a 6.5-7 on the Mohs Scale of Mineral Hardness. This scale is a rating system for mineral hardness and ranges from 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest and 10 being the hardest. As far as natural stone countertops are concerned, a 6.5-7 rating is considered rock hard.
It’s also a suitable choice for fireplace surrounds, where it can add a dose of visual texture and depth. Bianco Antico granite is suitable for use in both traditional and contemporary home styles, but you’ll want to choose the right slab for your setting.
Softer, less grainy slabs with a more uniform coloration are better suited to traditional spaces, while the heightened drama of greater contrast and variation is best suited to a more modern interior design. If you want to include the bold character of this stone in your home, be careful not to pair it with other strong patterns as the two will likely contrast to unsettling effect. Make your granite the showpiece of the room.
Check out Academy Marble's Portfolio for design inspiration. If you're ready to get help with your project, we welcome you to call us or stop by our Bethel, CT or Rye, NY marble and granite warehouse. Fill out the form to the left and we'll get back to you.
