Jennifer Baiceanu

The mysticism and durability of granite has made it a popular choice for varied applications in both residential and domestic buildings. The availability of varied finishes and colors ensures that your kitchen and bathroom countertops are different from your neighbor’s and display your unique style and taste.

Granite is mined in quarries around the world and the stone from each area has its own unique color, texture and durability along with shiny flecks of minerals that exist in the earth’s crust. Different shades of natural granite are mined ranging from black, brown, green and yellow with bold veins of minerals or without any imperfections. Granite is regarded as one of the most durable and versatile natural stones that can withstand scratches and stains. It can also be maintained easily.

Naturally granite is available in different designs and colors and can be used for kitchen and bathroom depending on your taste and budget. It is also available in a over thousand colors that you can chose in an array of grains and finishes that you can select based on the color theme you have in mind. Here are details of a few choices available in granite that you can check in the granite slab yards in your neighborhood to pick the one you like.

Don’t miss our new, interesting article about “Different Levels of Granite“, you will discover a lot of fascinating information.

Bullnose Granite for raised panel cabinets – Though there are several colors and designs to choose from granite color charts, the best choice would be bullnose granite with solid colors to match raised panel cabinets in your kitchen.

Square and Beveled Granite for Shaker cabinets – Beveled granite slabs with polished or flamed finish are good for shaker cabinets as they enhance the beauty of the kitchen. The stone is durable so you do not have to worry about stains and burn marks ruining your countertop every time you enter your kitchen.

Granite with light creamy bases and flecks of gold, gray beige and ivory – This shade is referred to as Colonial cream and has sandy appearance like a river shore with light colored sand and stones. It looks stunning when paired with dark walnut cabinets or crisp white with antiquated matte finish. The shades on the white background sometimes blend together to giving a dark vein.

Mystery of glossy black granite – The allure of flawless black marble with no veins and flecks in different finishes will lend a unique finish to your kitchen. When paired with white cabinets or light colors like yellow, red and orange the black granite creates a stunning look.

Whenever Greece is discussed, the first thoughts that come into the mind of people are elegant marble columns and rich tapestry of frescoes. Whether you are using elegant white marble for your countertop or considering sandy blue for the backsplash area, Greek marble adds glory and class to every kitchen. Even in the early days when marble was being considered for use in homes, it was regarded as the ideal material for kitchen countertops and in bathrooms.

Quality and composition of greek marble

Natural marble is a metamorphic rock that morphs from limestone under extreme heat and pressure deep within the earth. It also contains calcite or dolomite along with limestone, which gives it different colors and tones. Though marble deposits exist all over Greece, the largest and best quality deposits are found in Drama-Kvala-Thassos region. It is also referred to as the Carrara region, which has large deposits of special white and off-white greek marble.

The Thassos white greek marble, which is regarded as the whitest marble in the world is so pristine that is appears as snow. The next grade of white Grecian marble is the Skyros Gold, which is white with a little golden tinge. French Vanilla is another popular shade of Greek marble, which is not as white as Thassos and contains tinges of light gray and beige.

Why Greek marble is popular

The greek marble industry is the most profitable of all production centers in the country and is exported around the world for its quality and durability. The long and deep roots of this industry exist in the nation’s historical monuments and antique statues. According to geologist the marble deposits present in the mines in Greece is practically inexhaustible and nearly 120 types of marbles in a wide variety of hues ranging from pure white to white with grey and orange tinges.

Besides white greek marble, the quarries of Greece also yield high grade marble in shades like gray, beige, red, green and black along with onyx stone of high quality. Though in recent years the exports of marble from Greece has reduced a little due to depression in construction activities around the world, but it still remains one of the most popular kinds of marbles demanded all over the globe.

Conclusion

Greek marble stands as a timeless symbol of elegance and class, gracing kitchens and homes with its diverse array of colors and qualities. From the pristine purity of Thassos white to the subtle golden hues of Skyros Gold, Greek marble’s exceptional quality originates from its deep-rooted history within the nation’s monuments and statues.

The marble industry’s resilience and inexhaustible supply of over 120 marble types showcase its enduring appeal, even in the face of changing global construction trends.

As a testament to its enduring allure, Greek marble continues to capture hearts and demand worldwide attention, embodying the rich legacy of craftsmanship and beauty that Greece is renowned for.

Granite is available in a number of mottled shades, which could either look fantastic with your cabinets or turn out to be a complete design flop. It is important you coordinate not only these two materials but also all the features and aspects of the kitchen as well. Since there can be endless color combinations, you should devote a little time to explore all granite options. Marble Unlimited proposes you check our article, how to Create old world kitchen design.

Coordination is the key
The steps that you have to do to coordinate your kitchen countertop with the cabinetry and other existing features of the kitchen will end up as an excellent investment. If you do not do this, there could  be a costly disaster waiting for you at the end of the decorating process.

Here is how you do it:

1. Unscrew one small cabinet door and take it to your granite retailer. Bring a paint swatch of your kitchen wall-if you will do the paint later-or a photograph of the existing wall. Take a few pictures of the kitchen in its entirety, taking in fabrics and artwork too, if present.

2. Go through the granite section. This can range from plain off whites to green, red and blue or even black coloration. Choose a color opposite to the color weight of the door. To give an example, if you have dark colored cupboards, seek out granite of lighter colors. If the walls are light colored, dark granite and dark cabinets give cohesion.

3. Hold cabinet door and the paint swatch (or pictures) over the many stone hues. Seek a stone which complements the decor, flooring and paint color.

4. Try to take a few samples of granite home. If the shop does not permit samples, request a few pamphlets containing your favored granite choices or take pictures using your camera.

5. Cover the old countertops with white paper or white sheet to get a neutral backdrop.

6. Put the pictures or samples of granite over covered counter tops. Analyze them under the natural lighting of the home or under standard electric lights during night time. The pictures may not impart a realistic look, but they will offer an excellent idea concerning contrast and color within space.

Take a look around your kitchen and compare all its features. Your aim is to see which sample is the best fit within the space. If necessary, change fabrics and repaint walls to match more expensive and permanent features like granite, flooring and cabinetry.

Green counter tops are recycled kitchen countertops with sustainable content, eco-friendly manufacturing process, low-toxicity binders, or a combination. Going green is quite the mantra today, but it is important to pick out something durable. That’s the soul of going green isn’t it, never having to replace the countertop again?

There are many options to choose from once you decided to go green. Marble Unlimited prepare A few of the most commonly used raw materials are:

Butcher block: Composed of small blocks of wood, this is a great choice of reclaimed or recycled wood. Butcher block is sourced from reclaimed demolished buildings or even from shipping pallets. Great choice to keep the knives edgy, and all you have to do once wear and tear shows is sand the wood to recover the finish!

Recycled paper: Paperstone, a recycled countertop material is made from post recycled paper which is completely pigment, resin and petroleum free. Often compared to sandstone, Paperstone has a warm appearance. The only drawback being that heat resistance cut off is at 350 degrees so its best to maintain caution before you lay a hot pan onto it.

Ice stone: A product of recycled glass counter tops, Ice stone is an opaque mesh of glass articles set in pigmented cement. The material is porous so sealing s required every two years.

Bamboo: A rapidly renewable green resource, abundant naturally and harder than most hard woods, Bamboo is the prime choice as a renewable resource. Transportation is a pricy affair because most Bamboo comes from China.

Resin: The recycled resin- based countertops are so highly imaginative with its bright colours, patterns and finishes, that it adds character to any living space. There are many companies that work on recycled resin to make the product PVC free.

Bio-glass: A 100 percent glass countertop manufactured from recycled glass with a characteristic translucent appearance. They aren’t knife friendly, keep a cutting board handy.

Stainless-steel: Yes you read it right, stainless steel it is! Stainless steel can be recycled over and over again offering top notch durability while maintain high kitchen standards. The only let down is keeping the surface smudge free is quite a challenge.

Concrete: Can’t get greener than concrete! It is an important building material, hard and durable. Look for locally cast concrete and low impact aggregates such as recycled glass or paper, and increased coal ash fly.