There are lots of unique natural stones to choose from when designing your kitchen. Natural stone has lots of advantages for your kitchen countertops, and each material is slightly different. As well as stones like granite and quartz, marble is a very popular choice for kitchen countertops. Let’s look at some of the main reasons people choose marble for their kitchen countertops.

You get an amazing, unique appearance

One of the main draws of marble is its elegant, timeless appearance. Not only does it look great, but you also get a completely unique appearance for your countertops because each slab is slightly different. The color tones, patterns, and veinings vary from one piece of marble to the next, giving it that uniqueness.

It’s heat resistant

You don’t have to worry about putting a hot plate or pan down on your marble countertops, because marble is completely heat resistant. This is a big advantage if you love to cook and bake a lot. In fact, marble is one of the best choices when it comes to heat-resistance. As a bonus, this also makes it a solid choice if you’re looking for a natural stone surround for your fireplace.

It’s incredibly durable

Marble is an impressively durable material, meaning it is resistant against scratches and will last a long time in good condition. Although it takes a little more maintenance than granite countertops, it is still a great choice for its toughness. Just look at all the old buildings and statues made from marble as a testament to its durability. So, you don’t have to worry too much about scratches and chips if you accidentally drop something on your countertops.

You can seal marble countertops for extra resilience

One downside to marble as a material in the kitchen is that it can be prone to staining and etching if acidic liquids are spilled on it. The good news is that this can be prevented effectively by sealing your countertops. Doing this fills the pores at the surface of the stone to prevent liquids from being absorbed so quickly. As long as you clean up spills quickly, your sealed marble countertops should be safe from stains.

Are you convinced to have marble countertops in your new kitchen design? You will love the look and richness they bring to your home. Contact Amanzi for more advice or countertop installation around Winston Salem, Greensboro, High Point, and Kernersville.

If you’re planning a bathroom remodel in the new year, then the shower is an important part of that. If you’re one to keep up with the latest trends in home design, then we’ve got some interesting ones you’ll want to incorporate into your shower design.

Natural stone tiles

This isn’t new but it’s a trend that’s certainly growing in popularity, for the shower floor as well as wall tiles. Marble and granite tiles are more commonly being installed in the flooring of walk-in showers. They often provide a more luxurious, spa-like look and feel to your shower. Walk-in and open showers are also great for creating a seamless appearance between your bathroom and shower floor, making the space look larger and removing any accessibility difficulties with getting in and out of the shower.

Full slabs

Not only are people moving more towards natural stone tiles, but they’re also changing the look of those tiles. Again, it’s all about becoming more seamless. With this in mind, homeowners are opting more for large tiles and full slabs rather than lots of smaller tiles. A smaller number of large tiles means fewer gaps and less grouting in between tiles, helping to create that seamless look and also making cleaning your shower tiles even easier.

Invisible drains

Now shower drains are even blending in with the tiles around them. The drain is often a part of the shower that detracts from the overall design, but not anymore. You can use a natural stone inlay for your drain so that it blends in with the rest of the floor, and the drain around it is barely visible, so the water seems to just disappear right into the ground beneath you. There’s no more breaking up the aesthetics of your shower floor with an out of place metal drain.

Smart showers

While not exactly related to design, we just had to include this one because of how cool it is. Following the lead of smart toilets made famous in Japan, showers are starting to adopt smart technology, too. Digital and smart showers let you set the water temperature exactly rather than spending ages finding the perfect spot. They can allow you to switch on your shower and set the temperature via remote control, so you don’t have to get a wet arm switching it on or stand under cold water waiting for it to heat up. These and other features are attracting more people to the idea of smart tech in their bathroom.

Work with Amanzi to design the shower of your dreams with your next home remodel. Contact us today for ideas and services for your natural stone renovations around Winston Salem, Greensboro, High Point, and Kernersville.

Do you love the aesthetic of natural stone tiles? Or maybe you’re more attracted to the practicality of them, or the affordability compared to the slab. Whatever your motivation, granite tiles are an incredibly versatile option for your home and garden. Here are just some of the ways you could use granite tile in your home renovation.

Granite countertops

Granite is the perfect material for your kitchen countertops or bathroom vanity. Since it comes in a variety of shades with unique patterns and lines, you can really make your granite countertops your own and ensure they match the rest of the room. Compared to granite countertops from the slab, granite tile countertops are more affordable and can be easier to install.

Backsplashes

You can also use granite tile as an extension of your kitchen countertop, either matching or contrasting the material used for this surface. Backsplashes are both functional, protecting your wall from food and grease stains, and aesthetically pleasing, allowing you to create somewhat of a feature wall. If you don’t want to splash out for complete granite tile walls, then a backsplash can be a lower cost way of working granite into your kitchen.

Tiled kitchen floor

Granite is an extremely durable material, making it ideal for high traffic areas like the kitchen. A tiled floor is easy to clean, and you can rest assured that granite won’t stain or scratch easily, keeping your floors in good condition for longer. If you’re planning on selling your house, then granite floors can also add a lot to the resale value.

Bathroom or shower floors

One potential problem with natural stone is its porosity, meaning it absorbs water and other liquids. However, granite is one of the least porous natural stone options, making it suitable for use in the bathroom or even for the floor of your shower. Granite should be properly sealed for use in the bathroom to reduce its porosity and keep it in good condition. A tiled bathroom or shower floor made from granite can be incredibly attractive and is also easy to clean and maintain.

Tiled walls

Granite tile is also a popular material for the walls of shower cubicles, or for bathroom and kitchen walls in general. Again, granite tiles are nice and easy to clean, so you can keep them looking great all year round. With granite available across a range of colors, you can choose the tile to suit the style and décor of the rest of the room.

Are you ready to install granite tile in your home? Contact Amanzi Granite for our advice or for more about our services to help with your bathroom or kitchen remodel in Kernersville, Winston Sale, Greensboro, or High Point.

While travertine may not be the go-to countertop material for homeowners, it is rising in popularity. This natural stone is closely related to limestone and has a similar aesthetic to marble, but typically at around half the price of it. So, there’s no wonder it’s becoming so popular for kitchen countertops, bathroom vanities, and other aspects of home design.

If you’re considering travertine countertops for your home, here are some design ideas to help you out.

Color variations

Like other natural stones, travertine comes in a variety of different hues and colors. This allows you to choose a color that will suit the style of your home and the room you’re placing the travertine in. Common colors include cream, beige, ivory, chocolate, gray, silver, and gold.

Which edge to choose

Like with any natural stone countertop, you also need to choose the edge profile for your travertine countertops. This can make a big difference to the style of your countertops. The simplest option is a square edge, where the countertops are finished at flat, right angles. If you’re looking to smooth the edges of your countertops, then a bullnose countertop is another popular edge profile that’s not too complicated or intricate.

Or, if you’re looking for a little more flair and a more traditional style for your kitchen, then you could try an ogee countertop. This features a curved step down into a smooth, curved edge. Or go for a double ogee to add a second step down, which can be a good way to accentuate a focal point like a kitchen island. Try out our countertop edge visualizer to help you choose the perfect edge for your countertops.

Finishing travertine countertops

There are a variety of finishes you can apply to your travertine slab that can make a big impact on its appearance. Travertine typically comes with many pits and holes, so you first have the choice of whether to fill these in or leave them as they are. Unfilled travertine can produce a more natural, rustic appeal, while filled stone creates a smoother finish.

You can then choose from a number of finishes. A polished finish, for example, leaves a glossy shine to the surface, while a tumbled finish creates more of a natural, worn effect. You should choose a honed finish if you’re looking for the smoothness of polished travertine without the shine, as it produces more of a matte finish.

Do you need new countertops for your home in Kernersville, Winston Salem, Greensboro, or High Point? Get in touch with Amanzi Granite for help choosing the right stone and design elements for your home. Or visit our showroom in Kernersville to see the stone for yourself.

Peacehaven Community Farm’s 2nd annual Harvest Celebration Sunday, November 6 from 2:00-5:00pm A family event with music, food, hay rides, bonfire, face painting and so much more! The event is FREE and everyone is welcome! Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy…rain or shine. You will get a chance to see the…

Come out this weekend to the Fall 2011 Parade of Homes starting Saturday Oct. 15th through Sunday, Oct 16th from 1:00pm -5:00pm. Don’t worry if you can’t make it this weekend, it will continue Saturday, Oct. 22nd through Sunday, Oct. 23rd from 1:00pm to 5:00pm. Click Here to Learn More Enjoy touring the…