Stone - Slab & Tiles
Wood & sand color mixed with bluish white of sky & water. .............................A Sandy, Watery, Woody Color Palette Once you have your beach in mind, that should give you a color palette. Architect Michele Kolb of Rosenberg Kolb Architects suggests starting with the floor or walls to anchor the scheme. “I think of sand, beige and gray tones of sand, so I might do a tile floor in that color palette,” she says. She pulls from watery tones as well, like the crystal blue or light aqua of the Turks and Caicos’ water, where she’s had many clients. She also pulls color from driftwood, as seen here in a New York bathroom she designed. “It’s a wood color but with a grayer tone, just like wood left on the beach to gray naturally,” she says. The variegated glass tiles, meanwhile, feel like the “undulation of waves in water,” she says. Shop for bathroom vanities
2. Small Marble Tile in Herringbone Pattern Designers: Liz Diseati (project manager) and VW Fowlkes (principal designer) of Fowlkes Studio Location: New York City Size: 50 square feet (4.6 square meters); 5 by 10 feet A midcentury modern bathroom with a double vanity and a large shower. “ - Main feature. Honed Calacatta Gold marble tile laid in a herringbone pattern on the shower walls. - Other special features. Custom walnut vanity. - ..Custom steel shower bench topped with a marble slab that matches the vanity countertop. - ...Matte black shower fixtures. - Small matte black hexagonal floor tile. - The walnut wood adding warmth to the black-and-white scheme.”
Guide to A transitional style bathroom: Design Detail: Subway Tile Bridging the gap between traditional and contemporary elements with ease, subway tile is crisp, clean, affordable and goes with just about anything. This classic tile can be applied in the traditional brick-like stacked pattern or in a herringbone or other layout for a twist.
Guide to transitional Style Bathroom: Elegant Stone Stone counters, floors or wall treatments can make a beautiful focal point in a transitional-style bathroom. Light-hued stone such as marble and quartz work well. Light-colored granite or engineered quartz are also good options, offering easier-care nonporous surfaces.
Black border on the wainscoting & bottom of wall.
Floor Tiles - Pental - Deco D’Antan
Black / dark gray strip on wall and on the mosaic floor tiles around the room.
Backsplash (slab?) same as vanity.
Subway tiles in the shower with a niche.
Powder Room: White stone slab paired with wood look vanity. Old and New In this Seattle powder room, designer Marianne Simon paired a lovely furniture piece with a beautiful stone countertop to create a vanity that feels timeless. Gray-and-white wallpaper, a gold framed mirror and traditional-style sconces lend a special feel to the room.
5. With Curved Seating Area Designer: Sasha Lanka of Westward Home Location: San Francisco Size: 518 square feet (48 square meters), including a butler’s pantry and breakfast area. Island. A 9-foot design with a curved cantilevered Carrara marble countertop that has seating for four. The countertop has a custom edge detail to “make it feel just a bit more like furniture,” says designer Sasha Lanka, who used Houzz photos to communicate ideas with her client. ..Handmade backsplash tile. Original oak flooring, restained a dark custom color. Designer tip. “Kitchens can easily feel sterile, so we papered the walls in grasscloth to add warmth and texture,” Lanka says. Cabinet paint: Dove Wing, Benjamin Moore
Other special features. Quartzite countertops. Marble mosaic tile backsplash laid in a herringbone pattern. Custom range hood. Hutch cabinet with patinated metal inserts. Zinc-topped dining table. Designer tip. “Work with prideful craftspeople,” Vincent says. “Find your tribe of local artists and engage them in the early start of the process. They know their scope of artistry and will help you elevate the vision and unique solution for your client.” Hood and metal hutch inserts: Raw Urth Designs
Good backsplash for black and gold range and hood
Good backsplash for black & gold range & hood.
She topped the vanity with a piece of quartzite that provides more subtle sparkle. The beautiful vessel sink and wall-mounted faucet maintain the clean look. Shop for vessel sinks
- The tile on the other walls is porcelain in a matching color. Variations in the crackled glaze give it a handmade look. - The porcelain floor tile resembles natural stone. It’s 1 x 4 inches in the shower and 12 x 24 inches elsewhere. - The concrete floors of the condo posed a drainage challenge, but the team found a clever solution. “Rather than building up a high platform above the concrete floor to install a drain in the shower, we were able to pitch the shower floor slightly so that the water could run down into a drain inside this niche,” says Hackerson, of Newschool Builders.
Ample light is another important aspect of universal design in a bathroom. They installed recessed lights, two four-bulb vertical sconces and undermount vanity lighting to provide plenty of light. All of the fixtures are on dimmers so they can adjust them from bright morning makeup light down to dim midnight-trip-to-the-bathroom light. The sinks are wall-mounted, ceramic and ADA-compliant, allowing access for wheelchairs and walkers beneath them. The homeowner built removable shelves underneath the sinks (see first photo) that they can use for extra storage now and remove them in the future, if necessary. A good friend of the couple who uses a wheelchair helped check the vanity clearances as the homeowner worked on the vanity. Universal Bath Design: Light Your Bathroom for All Ages and Abilities
The floor tile is slip-resistant. Natural stone shower walls have plywood backing so grab bars can be installed anytime. .....A large shower stall with a curbless entry. (What looks like a curb on the left side is actually the base of the glass wall.) The stall includes a bench and is large enough for a caregiver to fit in to help if needed.
Photo by Jeff Beck Photography After: The homeowners love unique, handcrafted wood items and one of the homeowners is a woodworker. He created the teak vanity and shelving himself. The countertops are Meridian Satin quartzite by Pental. Including plenty of light is an important element of universal design. The team installed recessed lighting, vanity sconces and undermount vanity lighting, all on adjustable dimmers. The wall-mounted sinks are ADA-compliant and have space for walkers or wheelchairs beneath them. Find a local bathroom remodeler
Gray-tone porcelain floor tiles ground the space and offer nice contrast to the white. - 5-by-8-foot space goals is - to make it feel bigger, - modern, light-filled and with warm golden tones. A - A cherry vanity and gold-colored metal finishes keep the mostly white room from feeling cold. - Wall color: Panda White, Sherwin-Williams; - faucets and shower heads: Delta
After: The designer knew that white would lighten up the 5-by-8-foot bathroom and make it seem larger. She also knew that the homeowner liked strong contrast. Adding a sleek white wall-mounted vanity gave the client storage and a place to tuck away his shaving supplies. More storage is hidden behind the mirrored medicine cabinet. A toilet with a narrow tank also helps the room feel bigger. Clean lines for all the room’s elements keep things feeling uncluttered. Wall color: Panda White, Sherwin-Williams; toilet: Persuade, Kohler Read more about this bathroom More on Houzz See more before-and-afters Find a pro Shop for products
Finishes in whites and grays brighten up the space and materials with a variety of textures help keep it from feeling sterile. Marble and marble-look tile create an elegant and luxurious atmosphere. The floor tile is large-format ceramic made to look like marble. A 3-by-5-foot basket-weave inlay of marble adds interest. .......Mirror is from Pottery Barn.
5. Lovely Oak and Warm Walnut Designer: Emily Castle of Castle Design Location: Minneapolis Size: 234 square feet (22 square meters); 13 by 18 feet Homeowners’ request. Blend transitional style with the sleek modern style of this two-story penthouse condo in an 18-story building overlooking the Mississippi River. Wood cabinets. Custom-made oak flat-panel main cabinets plus a wall of walnut flat-panel cabinets. “With the large, open space and light-colored tile floors, the kitchen needed some warmth and richness, and the custom-made walnut cabinets did just that,” designer Emily Castle says. “The warmth of the wood cabinetry adds depth and is echoed in the sandy tones and warm grays of the living room upholstery and rug.” Other special features. Stone slab backsplash of Arabescato Orobico, a dark Italian marble. “The stone has veining that picks up the warmth of the wood cabinets, while the Black Opalescence granite countertops add just the right amount of contrast,” Castle says. The large custom range hood features a patina steel finish. Designer tip. Castle looked for opportunities to incorporate elements into the design that softened the sharp lines of the interior architectur...
3. Marvelous Maple Designer: Julie Deuble of Sierra Unlimited Construction and Arbor Craft Cabinetry Location: Buffalo, New York Size: 299 square feet (28 square meters); 23 by 13 feet. Fantasy Brown quartzite countertops, Italian porcelain floor tile with a gray-washed wood look set in a herringbone pattern, steel-gray beveled mini-subway backsplash tile. A covered radiator box on the left with a soapstone top acts as a window bench. Homeowners’ request. Replace dark cherry cabinets, an island with a bar and other elements to create a brighter, more open-feeling kitchen. Wood cabinets. Natural maple. “They were never interested in painted cabinetry, preferring the beauty of wood grain,” designer Julie Deuble says of her clients. “It keeps the kitchen bright and airy without having to choose white cabinetry.” Other special features. Fantasy Brown quartzite countertops, Italian porcelain floor tile with a gray-washed wood look set in a herringbone pattern, steel-gray beveled mini-subway backsplash tile. A covered radiator box on the left with a soapstone top acts as a window bench. Designer tip. “Trim color does not have to be the same in every ro...
Unlacquered brass and honed Carrara marble countertops punctuate the country-European style that Wikman and the homeowners were going for.
The waterfall-edge island, the wood base and satin brass finish on the cabinet hardware also wowed users.
The floor tile is white marble. The chandelier features crystal.
All Marble - Blanco Macael Marble from Paris Ceramics - on the wall in 3x12” & 3x16”. - on the floor in 1”x1” - countertop also same marble (in a slab?) - Kohler Sink -Stone seat is 14” wide x 11” deep x 1” thick, supported by concealed steel brackets. - all the same Marble in different sizes & textures. All white: - Slab on counter, -1x1 mosaic on floor, - subway mosaic on shower wall, - slab under shower door
A view out a large picture window enlarges the space visually. The 4-by-6-foot window provides a lovely focal point and is surrounded by a stacked slate accent wall. The slate is a natural stone veneer on mesh-backed tiles that can be installed by a tile installer rather than a mason. The ceilings were under 8 feet high,
Soda brought in warmth via a cultured stone backsplash. It has a color palette similar to the new brick veneer in the family room addition. The homeowners found the black hardware at Ikea. “If you mix higher- and lower-end items right, the whole thing winds up looking high-end,” Soda says. The Shaker cabinets are custom, and the perimeter countertops are a dark leathered granite, a modern update on the soapstone typically seen in farmhouse kitchens. Take the kitchen tour: A Balance of Modern and Country for a Family Home
Calacatta Gold Marble Island with Fossilized Pistachio Limestone perimeter counters: This photo shows the richness of the island’s Calacatta Gold marble top with a polished finish. “It has a pretty dramatic vein that’s very wide that runs through it and reflects the colors used in the space,” Shibles says. The darker perimeter counters are fossilized pistachio limestone with a honed finish for contrast. This photo also shows the cutouts used to open the island drawers, where the Holzwarths keep dishes, bowls, silverware and a stainless breadbox. Take the kitchen tour: A Better Design for Modern Living in Rhode Island
Quartz: Con: It isn’t the real deal. As durable as engineered quartz is and as innovative as manufacturing processes are becoming, it won’t ever be 100 percent natural, and that’s a deal breaker for a lot of homeowners. Granite’s natural beauty, sweeping swirls and gorgeous veining aren’t easy to replicate, even with today’s advanced machinery. Tell us: How do you feel about quartz vs. granite countertops? More Battle of the Backsplashes: Glass Mosaics vs. Natural Stone Your Guide to 15 Popular Kitchen Countertop Materials Find a kitchen designer in your area
Quartz: Con: Slabs of the same color always look the same. I’ll say it: Quartz kitchen countertops are a tad cookie-cutter. Slab designs are predictable (which some homeowners like) and always look the same from slab to slab. In other words, you won’t ever have a truly unique countertop when it comes to quartz. If you’re wanting a one-of-a-kind work surface, it’s best to stick with granite and other types of natural stone.
Quartz: Con: It isn’t suitable for outdoor installations. This is one area where granite has the upper hand. While quartz is generally heat-resistant, it won’t perform well outdoors, whether it’s on an accent wall or in an uncovered outdoor kitchen. Its surface can fade and discolor after long-term exposure to sunlight. On the flip side, a natural stone countertop like granite was born to survive sunlight and other weather elements with ease.
Con: It’s more expensive. If you’ve already figured out that less maintenance plus greater strength equals a higher price tag, kudos. An entry-level quartz usually costs as much as a level two granite (depending on where you’re located and where you’re buying the material from). While granite styles under $45 per square foot installed are plentiful, it’s difficult to find a quartz countertop under $50 per square foot installed.
Pro: It’s in high demand. Whether it’s home design’s shift toward clean lines or a desire for less daily upkeep, quartz is hot right now. It’s a huge selling point for home buyers, so it’s worth taking a look at for house flippers and soon-to-be sellers. If the quartz’s price is right, you could net a larger return on investment in the near future. See why one designer chose quartz kitchen countertops
Pro: It’s stronger than natural stone. Quartz isn’t totally immune to scuffs and stains, but it’s about as stain resistant and scratch-resistant as kitchen countertops get. As an engineered product, it’s nonporous, so coffee, citrus juice, cooking oil and other common kitchen ingredients won’t stain it. The resins and polymers used during the manufacturing process form strong bonds that aren’t easy to break. You won’t have to worry as much about it cracking during installation.
Con: It’s brittle. Granite is strong, no doubt. However, it breaks far more easily than quartz does. Breaks can occur in larger pieces with angles and turns during installation. Though most professionals offer to patch up the cracks or cover the costs of a new slab, it’s an extra headache that can set your home improvement project back several days to several weeks. Plus, no one wants to see an investment of several thousand dollars get split in half.
Con: There aren’t many “clean” styles. Granite has a lot of movement in it, from veins and swirls to spots and speckles. While this is definitely one of granite’s stronger assets, it’s also a drawback for homeowners who don’t want busy countertops. It’s almost impossible to find a clean, simple style without much patterning. If you’re looking for counters without much hoopla, quartz is likely the better option for you.
Con: It requires more maintenance. Granite isn’t necessarily a high-maintenance material — it just requires more care than quartz does. It’s important to be mindful of the detergents you use to clean it, as certain soaps can stain the stone. Because it’s porous, you also need to seal it regularly, a task that can become a nuisance for some homeowners. Depending on the product you use, it’s best to reseal your granite countertops every two to five years.
Con: It’s porous. Like other stones, granite isn’t naturally resistant to moisture. It’s best not to let spills and water rings sit too long since they can stain your granite countertops. An engineered product like quartz is nonporous and can better handle long-term exposure to moisture, and most spills won’t require immediate attention.
Pro: It’s a natural beauty. Jaw-dropping granite countertops don’t come from a factory. Granite is natural, and with that comes all sorts of intangibles a man-made material like engineered quartz can never have, namely one-of-a-kind patterns and textures that you won’t see anywhere else. Every slab is unique, which really lets you personalize your kitchen design.
Pro: It costs less. If you’ve ever purchased a high-end, exotic granite, you’re probably chuckling at this one. But it’s true that granite has more bank account-friendly options than quartz countertops. Entry-level granite can run from $35 to $55 per square foot installed, which is significantly less than most quartz options. This price difference really adds up with larger kitchen designs.
Pro: It’s available in wide slabs. Though granite comes in all shapes and sizes, it’s common to find slabs more than 70 inches wide. For comparison, quartz slabs are seldom larger than 65 inches wide and are most often about 56. Wide slabs are a huge benefit for kitchens with sprawling angles since they usually mean fewer seams. Some home kitchens may need only one granite slab, which can cut costs. Find a kitchen designer on Houzz
Small mosaic tiles on both sides of the corner - great impact.
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