Sunday, September 30, 2012

Slab Sunday: Jura Grey Limestone

Jura Grey is quarried from a boulder quarry in Germany.  It is an extremly dense limestone which makes it a popular & smart choice for outdoor applications.

Limestone is a sedimentary rock mainly composed of calcium carbonate. Like most other sedimentary rocks, limestones are composed of grains, however, around 80-90% of limestone grains are skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral, sea snails and other sea creatures. These marine organisms lived in the sea billions of years ago. When they died they fell to the bottom of the sea and rotted, but their shells, which were made of calcium like your teeth, did not rot and just stayed there. Pressure from other shells, from the water, and from sand being washed over the shells, squashed them all together into rock. Billions of years later, now that there is no longer a sea in that area, we have found the limestone & quarry it.

Photo: Positive Interiors
 Jura Grey is a very interesting color of limestone. It ranges quite a bit from a creamy grey to grey to blue tones to brown tones depending on the slab. It tends to have a few fossils, which are always fun to find in a limestone! It also has some white quartz veining in it.
Due to how much this stone can change from bundle to bundle be sure to select your exact slabs.  When selecting tile ask to see at least a few pieces of the current stock so that you can see the color range you will get.
Photo: SSL Group
Photo: Arizona Tile
Keep in mind that since limestone is a calcium based stone that anything acidic WILL etch the surface....just like marble.  Limestone may not be the best choice of material for your kitchen.
Photo: Ivett and Reed
Other names for Jura Grey include: Jura Graublau, Jura Blue, Jura Gray and Jura Grau.
Photo: White Hall
Jura Grey is available in 2 cm & 3 cm slabs as well as a variety of sizes in tile depending on the distributer. You will generally see Jura Grey with a honed (matte) finish.



Friday, September 28, 2012

FAQ Friday: Is limestone soft and chalky?

Today's question comes from Kathy in New Mexico...
"I love the look of limestone kitchens & baths.  I honestly have only seen limestone in photos, never in real life.  My question is sometimes it looks soft and chalky?  Is it?"

No, it's not soft and chalky at all!  I have Seagrass limestone in my Powder Bath and my Laundry and I actually like how it feels better than my granite. 
There are some limestones that are very hard and dense, nearly as hard and resistant as granite, and extremely non-porous. Keep in mind, though, that these very hard limestone countertops are still calcium-based and anything acidic that gets on them will etch the surface.

Think of using limestone in a kitchen just like using marble.  If you can embrace the etching and let the limestone develop a patina you will love your limestone countertops.  If you want your countertops to look perfect forever consider quartz.  There are quartz colors that have been made to look just like limestone.

Thanks for the question Kathy!  If you have a stone or design question you'd like to see answered here send me an email
Have a great weekend!

Thursday, September 27, 2012

5 Kitchens with Slab Full Height Backsplash

A Full Height Backsplash is when we install a slab of stone and take it all the way up to the upper cabinets or even to the ceiling. 
If you have a striking piece of stone this is a great way to show it off.  You definitely get the WOW factor when you see a beautiful slab of stone vertically in the kitchen.
It is generally more expensive than a tile backsplash (depending on the price of the tile).
Full Height Backsplashes are great for cleaning too....no grout lines!
Here are five gorgeous kitchens with Full Height Backsplashes...

This first kitchen has Soapstone countertops and a Soapstone sink.  The beauty of the Soapstone really shines though in the large splash piece behind the range.
Photo: Hickman Design Associates
I've been loving this next kitchen since I first saw it on Elle Decor's website.  The whole house is amazing actually, you can see it all here.
The cabinets are clad in hammered silver.  Isn't it unique and beautiful?  The floor, countertops and full height backsplash are Calacatta marble.
Photo: Elle Decor
The Madura Gold granite in the kitchen below isn't overly dramatic, in fact it's the simplicity of it that makes the Full Height Backsplash work so well in this kitchen. 
Traditional Kitchen design by San Francisco Interior Designer Home Systems , Wendi Zampino

Minimal upper cabinets and a unique hood allow the Calacatta marble to shine in this beautiful modern kitchen.
Modern Kitchen design by New York Architect Incorporated

This last kitchen used the same granite on the island and two large pieces behind the range and the sink.  They used tile for the backsplash everywhere else.  The perimeter countertops are stainless steel.   Great way to mix materials.

Would you like to see more Full Height Backsplashes?  I've written about it before!

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Whiteout Wednesday: 5 White Kitchens with Royal & Navy Blues

White kitchens and baths are definitely the hottest trend I am seeing right now.  It's also the subject I get asked about the most.  From white Carrara marble to white quartz there is a lot to consider when using white countertops.
Whiteout Wednesday is a weekly feature where I show five kitchens and/ or baths that have used white in a beautiful way.
If you have a white kitchen or bath that you would like to see featured here please
email me.
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My favorite color changes fairly often.  Right now I'm LOVING royal blues and navy blues.  I love how clean and crisp they look with white.  Today I have five beautiful white kitchens with royal & navy accents.  Do you like these blues as much as I do?
Photo: New England Home


Photo: James Michael Howard

Monday, September 24, 2012

4 Men 1 Lady :: Carrara Marble Master Vanity from MGS by Design

Today I have the last installment of Michelle's home (from the blog 4men1lady.com).
We did the marble countertop in her beautiful Master Bath.  
This bath was a HUGE transformation.  Be sure to check out her blog for the 'Before' pictures.  You'll be amazed it's the same home!
Photo by Wondertime Photography.  Property of 4 Men 1 Lady.
Photo by Wondertime Photography.  Property of 4 Men 1 Lady.
 For the countertop she chose a beautiful piece of polished Carrara marble that we had in stock.  The edge detail is the 1 1/2" Mitered edge.
Photo by Wondertime Photography.  Property of 4 Men 1 Lady.
I love the rectangle sink.  They look great but I also love how they function!
Photo by Wondertime Photography.  Property of 4 Men 1 Lady.
Don't forget to go to her blog to see even more pictures of her gorgeous bath!

Need to catch up on the home of 4 Men 1 Lady?  Here are my previous posts....



Friday, September 21, 2012

FAQ Friday: How is Granite Formed?

Granite is formed when magma (molten rock) is forced between other rocks in the Earth's crust. It cools and crystallizes deep underground. As it cools slowly large crystals are formed. Granites often form large intrusions in the core of mountain ranges, and they are usually surrounded by zones of metamorphic rock (rock that has been altered by heat or pressure). Granite areas have characteristic moorland scenery. In exposed areas the bedrock may be weathered along joints and cracks to produce a tor, consisting of rounded blocks that appear to have been stacked upon one another.

Below are a few quarry pictures. I am so fascinated by quarries.
Also, go to our website here if you'd like to see more quarry photos.
Photo: Roman Victor      Rock of Ages # 1,
Active Section, E.L. Smith Quarry, Barre, Vermont, 1991
  
Photo: The Brooklyn Rail
Photo: Central Coast Tourist.
Do you read Paul Anatar's blog Kitchen and Residential Design? It's a great blog to follow daily. Anyway, I really enjoyed his post called Here's a Working Definition on Granite, check it out. Also, read the comments on this post. I posted a funny story of a customer telling me how Verde Marinace granite was formed.

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Not JUST a Housewife :: Giallo Ornamental Bath Vanity from MGS by Design

Not JUST a Housewife is a cute DIY blog & the owner Stacy happens to live right here in Utah!  She recently contacted us to do her bathroom countertop and we were happy to be a part of it.
Photo: Not JUST a Housewife.
She selected a pretty piece of Giallo Ornamental granite from our remnant yard
The edge detail is an Ogee Bullnose Step.  I think the upgraded edge really puts this vanity over the top, it looks great!
Photo: Not JUST a Housewife.
Photo: Not JUST a Housewife.
Stacy was fantastic to work with & as sweet as can be.  Be sure to check out her blog for more pictures of her cute vintage bath.
She caught our installers hard at work!  Photo: Not JUST a Housewife.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Whiteout Wednesday: 5 White Bathrooms with Spa Blues & Greens

White kitchens and baths are definitely the hottest trend I am seeing right now.  It's also the subject I get asked about the most.  From white Carrara marble to white quartz there is a lot to consider when using white countertops.
Whiteout Wednesday is a weekly feature where I show five kitchens and/ or baths that have used white in a beautiful way.
If you have a white kitchen or bath that you would like to see featured here please
email me.
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Today I found five beautiful white bathrooms that all have a spa blue or green accent color.   This is probably my favorite color in white baths.
Enjoy!
Photo: Decor Pad



Master Ensuite Bathroom - Divine Homes contemporary bathroom
highland park contemporary bathroom
Bath contemporary bathroom

Monday, September 17, 2012

Carrara Marble & Super White Quartzite Kitchen from MGS by Design

I'm so excited to show you all this beautiful kitchen!  I always say that we have the best clients, but we really do! This job was no exception. The homeowner was great to work with...we all really liked her. Plus, she designed a gorgeous kitchen that we were happy & proud to be a part of.
Photo: MGS by Design
Photo: MGS by Design
Photo: MGS by Design
The perimeter countertops are Super White quartzite with a Mitered edge detail.
The island countertop is polished Carrara marble with a Mitered edge detail.
Notice that the edges are Mitered around the Farmhouse sink opening.  It's all in the details!
Photo: MGS by Design
Photo: MGS by Design
A HUGE thanks to the 'P' family for letting us be a part of your beautiful renovation.  Their entire home is just stunning.

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Slab Sunday: Green Onyx

Green Onyx comes from a dyke quarry in Pakistan. This quarry produces three color ranges, a light green, a dark green and a multi-colored onyx.
The slabs are an overall green but they have red, brown and burgundy areas that will vary between bundles along with the depth of the green tone.
One of my favorite things about onyx is the transparent portions of the slab that, when back lit, will allow light to pass through, illuminating the stone. I have done projects from kitchens, vanities & desks to wall art where the onyx has been back lit. It is always breathtaking.  To read more about backlighting onyx go here.
The full slab in the shower below is back lit.  Amazing isn't it?!?

Photo: Arizona Tile

Photo: Arizona Tile
Onyx is a very soft stone. It is not necessarily recommended for kitchens, though it has been done plenty of times! You just have to be aware of the maintenance that it will require. It's not a matter of if it will scratch, but when it will scratch. Onyx will also etch if anything acidic gets on it.

Modern Bathroom design by Atlanta Kitchen And Bath Fixtures Modern Danish

Green Onyx is used a lot for sinks, decorative accessories and tile in all sizes. 

 Green Onyx mainly available in 2 cm slabs, though sometimes it does come in the 3 cm thickness.

Friday, September 14, 2012

FAQ: Can Granite Chip?

We are often asked if granite can chip.
The short answer: Yes.

The long answer: It's not easy to chip and it rarely happens. We just didn't want to lie to you & say that it never happens!

We have seen some rare cases, but most are from abnormal abuse with a hammer or impact tool. If a chip does occur it can be filled with a granite dust and epoxy mixture and will be virtually unnoticeable.
This can happen to any type of countertop surface including quartz. Unfortunately, nothing is completely indestructible!  If you want the most durable surface though, granite & quartz are definitely the way to go.
Photo: MGS by Design.  This is a kitchen we did a few years ago.  The countertops are quartz.
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