| |
| |
|
Interior Decorating Information |
|
|
|
The Increased Popularity of Granite Kitchen Countertops
The popularity of granite kitchen countertops has increased dramatically in recent years, with the media focus on kitchen remodeling and personal incomes rising. Originally the choice for granite countertops was limited to wealthy individuals. Today, homeowners of moderate means choose granite countertops for their durability as well as beauty. In addition to their utility and longevity, granite kitchen countertops are one of the few home improvements that maintain their value. Typically, any appliances, flooring or cabinetry decisions will only add about twenty-five percent of their retail value to the appraisal value of a home. In addition to long term value, the beauty and warmth of granite makes it an ideal material for aesthetic appeal among homeowners and interior designers. The natural beauty of a granite kitchen countertop complements any style of cabinetry, from French country to the sleek lines of cosmopolitan styles. This ancient stone adds warmth and character to any kitchen, whether it's a new build or a remodel. Granite is found world wide, and is available in hundreds of colors. Brown and beige tones are the most popular, as they work well with a variety of kitchen color schemes and offer a great deal of flexibility. Some granite colors exhibit "movement," or a noticeable design within the color, while others have very small patterns. The combination of color and movement means that no two countertops look exactly alike. Opinions regarding the color that is best for a kitchen will vary. Dark cabinets can be warmed up with a light colored stone, while light colored cabinets can be anchored with a dark stone. When choosing the granite that will be added to a kitchen décor, it is best not to make selections from "chips" that the decorator or major retailer has on hand. There is too much variation in the color and movement in each slab to be captured in a single chip. Rather, it is better to go to the stone supplier and look at each slab. The slab needs to be reserved at the time of decision, or it may not be available at a later time. Granite countertops are a favorite choice for their beauty and durability, however they are not impervious to damage. Regular care includes proper cleaning and the use of sealers to prevent staining. Granite can also easily be chipped, although a professional can perform "invisible" repairs. The installed prices for granite countertops range from $60 to $120 a square foot, installed. The initial cost is much more than other countertop surface treatments. The majority of the cost is not in the stone itself, but in the cutting, transportation and labor of installation. When it comes to granite countertops this is one home project that needs to be left to the professionals. Despite the strength of granite, the oversized sheets are extremely delicate and must be precisely cut. Failure to properly set a granite countertop could cause it to break during regular use. The durability of granite as a countertop makes it a favorite of home chefs, as it can withstand more abuse than standard laminate countertops. A hurried cook can quickly set down a hot pot without fear of damage to the polished finish. The hardness of this ancient stone serves as an excellent surface for rolling dough and working with confectionery. When it comes to rolling the perfect piecrust, it's easy to chill a section of the countertop by setting a bowl of ice water over the chosen workspace for 15 to 20 minutes. Granite kitchen countertops have proven to be a wise investment for homeowners. While the final cost of installing granite countertops will be more than other countertop material choices, granite will outlast other materials. Selecting granite as a counter surface proves to be an investment in the value of the home as well as the enjoyment of use for the family chef. Granite Countertops provides detailed information on granite kitchen and tile countertops, advice on installing and cleaning granite countertops, information on price and locations to purchase discount granite counter tops, and more. Granite Countertops is the sister site of Kitchen Sinks Web.
MORE RESOURCES:
Interior-Decorating - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Kids Ceiling Fans There are ceiling fans designed especially for children, which have designs made to appeal to the imaginations and interests of young ones. There is a wide selection of children's ceiling fans from many different manufacturers. Cleaning Granite Countertops Homeowners who are seeking to increase value to their homes enjoy the durability and easy maintenance when upgrading to granite countertops. Granite is the most durable of all stones, second only to diamonds. Area Rugs - Accent Your Rooms with Area Rugs One of the easiest ways to accent and decorate your home is with the use of accent rugs and area rugs. Rugs are far more than just something to cushion your feet and keep them warm in winter. Do You Need An Interior Designer? All of us want our homes to be places of comfort and beauty. Some of us enjoy decorating and furnishing our homes and some of us don't. A Look at Edible Fruit Baskets By their very nature, all fruit baskets, especially the original ones, qualify as edible fruit baskets. After all, when a fruit basket was filled with nothing but fruit, by definition everything in them was edible and therefore qualified as an edible fruit basket. Tuscan Style Decorating - Three Essential If Under the Tuscan Sun left you breathlessly and hopelessly in love with tuscan style decorating you're certainly not alone. The rolling hills and the call of the earth itself seem to have imparted their presence into the psyche of those who either read the book or saw the movie. Decorating with Brains Did I get your attention? Sorry, I just couldn't resist!When I was a little girl, we called them "brains". We would gather them into huge piles and either throw them into the woods or throw them at each other. Spring & Home Decorating - A Fresh New Look Open Windows ? Curtains fluttering from a warm breeze ? The air smells fresh and clean ? Buds on the trees are beginning to open ? Tiny flowers are popping up threw the ground ? Finally that little bird with the red breast is backAll of these can only mean one thing "Spring" has arrived.Those days of blustery storms and frosty drafts have come to an end. Is It Time To Move? Change Your Home Into A House... Have It Staged! Heart and Soul Designs - Changing your Home into a HouseSpring is in the air.. A Place For Everything In Your Home Are there homeless items living in your home? If you're likemost families, you have countless bits and pieces lackingdesignated spaces, so the homeless items are left lying on thenearest shelf or countertop.After awhile all the little items without a home begin toaccumulate, causing clutter and chaos in your household. Feng Shui Decorating Guidelines The importance of following feng shui decorating guidelines.Feng shui decorating guidelines show us the correct way to place objects, furniture and how to decorate in order to achieve harmony. A Look at Portable Dishwashers Portable dishwashers are just the ticket for those with less than enough space for a more permanent and heavier dishwasher. They range in widths from a slim 18 inches to a maximum of about 24 inches for the "larger" portables. How Do You Choose Art for Your Home? You have just moved into a new home. Perhaps it's your first real home that you plan to invest time and money into decorating and styling. Quick And Easy Bathroom Decor Changes Are you tired of the way your bathroom looks? Don't feel bad, a lot of folks are in the same boat. The bathroom is one room in the home that can look drab and run down very easily. Furniture Slipcovers - The Cheap and Easy Way to Give Your Furniture a Makeover Are you tired of the look of your furniture? Do you fancy changing the appearance of your room, but don't want the cost and hassle of buying a whole new suite? Well, the good news is that giving your home a makeover can be as simple as adding some furniture slipcovers. If you have some pieces of furniture with mismatching upholstery or you simply want a change, then some new slipcovers could work wonders. Building Your Own Grandfather Clock Timeless and elegant, classic and stately-grandfather clocks are all of those things. They are also rather expensive, with heirloom-quality grandfather clocks costing upwards of $10,000, making them inaccessible to much of the population. Childrens Furniture Children's bedroom furniture and nursery furniture can help turn a bland and boring bedroom into a fun and cozy retreat. Since there is a wide range of designs and materials available, you can find the perfect children's furniture for your child's bedroom, whether you prefer a whimsical decorating style or practical, sturdy pieces. Choosing Bathroom Vanity Lights The basic bathroom vanity includes a mirror or medicine cabinet above, a sink or basin and counter or 'top' below, and a cabinet beneath. In some cases the sink and top are one unit. Installing Hardwood Floors Hardwood floors can be secured using various installation methods such as floating, glue-down, nail-down, and staple-down. The ¾ inch solid floors can be nailed down. Save Money & Time... Plan Home Decorating Projects Why is planning home decorating projects important? Let's start by asking the following question.What do the following have in common?1) Boxes of odds & ends collecting dust in the basement2) Bags of discarded curtains, bedspreads and pillows in the attic3) Half empty paint cans stacked against a wall in the garageIt could mean you have a hard time parting with anything, however, in this case all these point to decorating attempts gone astray.
|
| home | site map |
| © 2006 |
