DYI Diva’s Quick Tips

Marble and granite countertops are in fashion for a reason. They are beautiful and easy to care for. As tile and grout get grungy in older homes, the practical beauty of slab stone solutions becomes obvious. For a relatively small investment, you can completely refresh the look of your kitchen and add value to your home.

Natural stones like Marble and Granite are increasingly popular with residential and commercial builders. Both these stones have the following benefits when used while building a new kitchen or during kitchen renovation:-

1. Beauty. The variation in colors, textures, patterns and designs are endless. You can choose just the right color and texture which suits your taste.
2. Uniqueness. Every single slab of granite and marble are unique. With differing shades and patterns these marvelous stones will surly add a sense of elegance to your kitchen.
3. Financial return. Granite and marble add a lot of value to the kitchen and give it a very up market and chic look.
4. Durability. Kitchens regularly face a lot of rough and tough usage like sharp knives, hot pans and pots, stains and leakages. Granite and marble countertops can easily survive these for a longer time than any synthetic material.

Choosing between granite and marble during kitchen remodeling is a master of taste. Consider the two stones carefully including the cost factor, look, durability and suitability. Granite is more durable, while Marble offers more artistic possibilities.

Marble will scratch easier than granite countertops. Also, acidic substances, like vinegars, ketchups etc affect the surface of marble very easily in comparison to a granite countertop; effecting the glossy surface of a marble which may be lost with time due to exposure to chemicals commonly used in kitchen. Although heat does not harm the actual marble core in any way, exposure to heat may cause the marble to discolor significantly. You will have to use heat absorbing ‘boards’ or have to replace the entire countertop as this damage can not be repaired. Granite on the other hand is the second hardest stone available and is not as easily affected by chemicals, scratching, and typical kitchen heat. Chipping and scratching granite surface is rather tough in comparison to marble, which can be chipped.

Cleaning granite surface countertops is very easy and is limited to cleaning by cloth and soap. However, you will have to “coat” the granite twice a year in order to upkeep its fresh look. One area where marble scores over granite is the choice of color, granite is limited by the colors found in nature. So, you will have to consider the color scheme you desire. You may have to go with marble instead of granite if the granite colors do not match with your color scheme.

Always wanted a breakfast bar? They are a good idea. They add functional value and an appealing look. They are simple to design and give a great return on your investment of time and effort. With a little ingenuity it’s not as expensive as you might think.

As you look at the configuration in your home, you may have a wall you wish to open up or an open space you want to ‘close off’ partially with a kitchen bar. This doesn’t make you lose the feeling of space since it leaves the visual space over the counter, while creating more usable space with seating and counter.

If you are breaking into a wall to create a breakfast bar, you will need a contractor or a good understanding of what is in the wall. What is helping support the cabinets and structure of you home, etc. before you remove walls or vertical supports.

Filling in open floor space with a new bar is much easier, requiring a base, few L-shaped brackets, and your choice of counter tops. L-brackets can be used to attach the counter tops with cabinets placed below. They are also required for attaching the breakfast slab to the floor. It is a good idea to have an electrical point on the bar. The electrical work should be made on the underside of the breakfast bar rather than above it.

Your breakfast bar is not complete without some bar stools. You can choose from a wide variety of bar stools available in the market. Bar stools in appropriate designs and colors are advised so that they mix easily with the overall look that you want to give through kitchen renovation.

I’m sure you will be satisfied with cost effective update to your kitchen. It offers a casual way to serve meals, chat over coffee, visit with family members as you do kitchen tasks and in general make the kitchen a more social and functional room in your home.