Jennifer Baiceanu

When it comes to the world of interior design, there are few materials quite as stunning and enchanting as marble. While the use of this natural stone in architectural design can date back thousands of years, there’s nothing like incorporating a clean structure of marble in your kitchen for a fresh and modern look.

With the right elements and color schemes in place, designing your kitchen with a touch of marble is enough to evoke a high-end feeling. The individuality found in every piece of marble can transcend your space into a scene of luxury and sophistication.

Moreover, we’ve compiled an in-depth guide on Greek marble heritage, perfect for enthusiasts and history buffs.

Here are our top five favorite kitchen design concepts that incorporate marble and are sure to complement your space.

1. Minimalism

One of the most opted for marble kitchen designs is one that is clean and minimalistic. Going the minimalism approach can genuinely capture the striking beauty of the stone. Having limited additional pieces can avoid overshadowing the marble, allowing it to be noticed.

If you go for marble structures with a white background, incorporate other white elements such as your cabinets, chairs, and appliances. Incorporating sharp shapes using the cabinets, décor objects, and chairs is a great way to facilitate a modernist look. In addition, we’d recommend going for darker flooring to add a clean contrast to the space.

2. Organic/Natural Elements

Wood and stone pair beautifully in the kitchen together. Earthy and organic elements can liven up the marble in your kitchen while also giving a slightly minimalistic feel. This approach is best for bright, open-concept kitchen designs, so the space doesn’t feel too busy.

Try incorporating a wood-grain and white marble island for a natural contrast between elements. If you already have bright hardwood floors, marble countertops will be the perfect addition to complement their organic ambiance and natural hue.

Consider placements of few, minimal organic objects such as plants or bamboo kitchen items. These can further compliment the combination of these two natural materials.

3. Contrast

We discussed the use of contrasting elements in the previous two kitchen designs using a muted style. But going for a dramatic juxtaposition can be just as attractive. Pairing high-contrast light marble with clean dark elements such as black cabinets can make a striking impact on your kitchen space.

Try going for a softer material for your backsplash to provide a sense of relief between the two opposing elements. This way, the space won’t feel as stark or overwhelming at first glance.

4. Monochromatic

Going monochromatic can create a soft and warm atmosphere that fades seamlessly into another space. Monochrome visually reflects colors in shades of limited colors or hues. This can help make a space feel unified and engaging once it encapsulates you.

Consider layering a grayscale marble island or countertop with a monochrome backsplash or wall. This can complement multiple textures and shades found elsewhere in the room as well.

5. Glossy Finish

For a moody yet glamorous look, having a polished, dark marble structure can add a daring dash of drama to your kitchen. These sorts of kitchen designs can provide a bold yet airy feel for those of us looking to do something a little more adventurous with our space.

With black accents, consider sharp, geometric shapes with your decor. Low-hanging lights with a glossy gold finish can also emphasize the drama in your space. Having matted wooden flooring will provide just enough softness in contrast, rather than going over the top with glossy tiles.

Contact Us for Custom Quartz Countertop Installation

No material is quite as spell-binding as marble is and, in its application, you can truly transform your space into luxury. It’s also perfect for kitchen designs due to its everlasting durability, not to mention the ease at which it can be cleaned.

Whether you’re looking for something soft and minimal, bolding and daring, or organic and natural, marble structures in your kitchen design can make a world of difference. It’s a versatile material, so even if you wish to change your kitchen’s design in the future, you can easily incorporate new and updated décor ideas.

At Marble Unlimited, we stock some of the most popular and beautiful marble countertops and island colors. We also offer custom installation services. Are you looking to revamp your kitchen with stunning marble designs? Give us a call to discuss your options, and we can recommend the perfect design for your space, budget, and other specifications.

There are very few materials that can match the versatility that granite provides for countertop installation. Granite is a natural stone that you can find in different colors such as pink, white, gray, and black. Granite has a porous surface that can be susceptible to stains. However, you can apply a sealant to keep the stains at bay.

Be sure to check our new article about “Grades of Granite Countertops“. Don’t miss it!

Granite is also available in a wide range of patterns along with the different colors that it comes in. The easily accessible variety that granite provides makes it by far the most popular choice for kitchen countertops.

What’s interesting about granite is that it is a crystallized stone that has been solidified from lava that was once a molten state. And as a finished product, granite has a scratch-, stain-, and heat-resistant surface.

When considering granite as a choice for your new kitchen countertop, you should be aware that it is available in two kinds of finishes. The polished finish gives the stone a shiny appearance, and then there’s the honing finish, which results in a matte finish.

Several factors go into the pricing of granite. Factors such as the color, finish, and the place from which the stone is sourced can all impact the price of granite.

Care and Maintenance

Stones of all kinds require a certain amount of care and upkeep, and granite is no exception. Choosing granite allows you to enjoy a few granite countertop advantages. Those advantages are a durable and stain-resistant countertop that will last for decades to come—so long as the right amount of care is applied.

Taking care of your granite countertop requires that you clean spills immediately. Refrain from using hot water and a sponge as it can harm the surface.

Granite cleaner is good to use periodically to protect the counter’s sealant. Other granite countertops’ advantages center on the fact that granite is a durable and natural stone and therefore does not require placing hot pads underneath your pans and pots or mugs when these hot items are placed on its surface. However, glasses can cause water rings, so it is a good idea to purchase some coasters.

Granite Countertops Advantages and Disadvantages

Of course, while you’re mulling over which countertop is best for you, you should consider what works best for you. Take practical needs into consideration, such as whether your counter resistant to heat, scratches, and stains. Granite checks off all of these, which means it works well in kitchens and bathrooms.

Like anything, granite isn’t without any drawbacks. However, there are very few. Granite can be a bit costly when compared to tile and laminate countertops. Additionally, because granite is natural, each granite slab is unique, so it may lack uniformity.

Pros of Granite Countertops:

• Sustainability
• Durability
• Heat Resistance
• Stain Resistance
• Scratch Resistance
• Each slab is unique, visually appealing
• Adds value to your home

Cons of Granite Countertops:

• Can be costly
• No two slabs will match
• May chip over time

At Marble Unlimited

Marble Unlimited imports directly from the source. We travel around the world to hand select stone from sources in India and Brazil. This process removes the middleman and ensures that we can offer the best price.

Our talented and experienced technicians comprehensively understand the aesthetic of cut stone and how it is essential to building the foundation of a kitchen and other interior designs.

We complete over 1,000 counter installations and fabrications a year. And thanks to our state-of-the-art technology, we’re able to install your countertops within five days.

All of our fifteen employees share a passion for delivering you a perfect product from our vast and diverse selection of slabs. We guarantee that you receive the best value that money can buy.

Adding most popular quartz countertop colors into your kitchen or bathroom is a beautiful way to upgrade any home. They are a beautifully engineered stone that is relatively easy to care for and maintain. If you want to keep your countertops looking new and in pristine condition, then keep reading for the best tips and tricks to manage and maintain your quartz.

Quartz Basic Cleaning Tips

Caring for quartz countertops requires less maintenance than other natural stones. Although they are low maintenance, they do require regular cleaning.

1: Use a towel and mild dish soap to wipe off your countertops. A soft sponge or cloth with warm water and a little drop of soap will go a long way. Use it to wipe any dust or spills off of the quartz as often as necessary. You can also use glass cleaner or a vinegar and water mixture to gently clean spills and dust.

2: Scrape off dry spills. Use a putty knife to gently scrape any tough, dried buildup off of your quartz. After scraping, use a cloth and soap to wipe any remaining debris away.

3: Degrease with a household degreaser. If there is greasy buildup, use whichever degreasing spray or gel you want, as long as it says it is safe to use on quartz. Do not use anything with bleach or harsh chemicals, as they can damage the quartz. We recommend using an eco-friendly brand and wiping it off after you spray it.

Quartz Deep Cleaning and Tough Stains Cleaning Tips

1: Use an adhesive remover. Goo Gone is an example of a cleaner that can help remove any tough and sticky stains from your quartz. Isopropyl rubbing alcohol can also help remove tough stains that won’t come off with soap.

2: Do not use harsh cleaners. High-alkaline and highly acidic cleaners can damage your quartz over time. Things like oven cleaner, drain cleaners, nail polish remover, bleach, turpentine, and other chemicals should be immediately wiped up if accidentally spilled or splashed onto your quartz countertops.

Quartz Maintenance Tips

1: Use a cutting board. This will help protect your quartz from scratches and dents from sharp knives. Whenever you are cutting or working with food, use the cutting board rather than your counter.

2: Use hot pads. Place a hot pad or a trivet under any hot pots and pans from the stove or oven. Do not place them directly on the quartz because the resin used to bind the quartz matrix can turn white under extreme heat. Always use a buffer.

3: Clean up spills as quickly as you can. Quartz is made to be stain resistant for some time, but it will stain if things are left for too long. If you wipe up and clean spills as soon as they happen, you will ensure that they stay clean and pristine for as long as you have them.

Conclusion

If you can follow these simple tips for caring for quartz countertops, then your kitchen and bathroom will stay looking new for years to come.

Clean them regularly, use mild products, and keep them safe from heat, knives, and chemicals. Quartz is a beautiful addition to any home and, compared to other natural stones, takes very little time and effort to care for and maintain.

For more information on quartz countertops—and to see about installing them in your home—contact us at Marble Unlimited today.

If you’re thinking of redoing your kitchen countertop, you’ve probably seen a lot of quartz options lately. Except you don’t want anything fake or synthetic, but rather something natural. So that begs the question: Is quartz natural stone? How do you know which variety of quartz is natural? Fabrication of Quartz?We’ll explain below.

1. What Is Quartz?

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth’s crust, behind feldspar. It also exists in several different varieties, usually used as jewelry and headstone materials.

Quartz is a rock, but it has an icy look about it. The ancient Greeks called quartz krustallos, whose root kruos translates to “icy cold,” believing that the rock was a form of supercooled ice.

Quartz Varieties

Most varieties of quartz are colorless and transparent and are traditionally known as rock crystals.

Color differences arise from the presence of impurities in the crystal’s molecular makeup. Such changes change molecular orbit, allowing for electronic transitions in the visible color spectrum, allowing the naked eye to see regular quartz crystals in different colors.

How is Quartz Made

Quartz typically comes from quarries worldwide, usually in India, Brazil, Mexico, and the US. No product is truly 100 percent quartz. After extraction, the quartz gets generally weighed to about 90 percent quartz before it gets combined with other materials, such as polyester resins and pigments.

Large amounts of pressure then compact the quartz and other materials together to create the slabs. With all materials packed so close together, it doesn’t allow liquids to seep into the slab.

Finally, the slabs are cured together in kilns, which creates a seal to truly maintain the slab’s nonporous nature. A finish completes the slab’s look.

Natural Forms of Quartz

Caches of naturally colored quartz exist all over the world.

Smoky quartz is gray, sometimes brownish-gray or black. The color arises from natural irradiation acting on the aluminum found in the crystal structure.

Milky quartz is the most common crystalline quartz. The color comes from small, trapped fluid inclusions of gas, liquid, or both when the crystal forms.

Rose quartz is pale pink or light red because of small bits of manganese, iron, or titanium. Some samples contain microscopic rutile needles that produce a small group of star-like lights in transmitted light. Crystalline rose quartz, a rare variety of rose quartz, has a color created by phosphate or aluminum traces.

Amethyst ranges from bright violet to lavender and gets its color from traces of iron.

Synthetic or Artificial Forms

Synthetic quartz is treated with heat or radiation to produce different colors. Quartz might also get coated with metal vapors to create a lovely sheen over the gemstone.

Sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference between natural and synthetic quartz. Previously observed in Poland, natural prasiolite is mint green, but heat treatment can create the same olive color in synthetic quartz. Citrine also occurs naturally but can be synthetic through heat-treating smoky quartz and amethyst (purple-colored quartz).

Some varieties of clear quartz receive artificial color through heat or gamma irradiation. However, how well that variety of quartz takes to the intended color depends on where the quartz gets mined.

Conclusion

Whether quartz is natural stone depends on what type of quartz you’re looking at. Overall, it is a naturally occurring stone but is not mined in for slabs for tabletops.