Home Kitchen

Pros and cons of natural stone veneer

Natural stone offers numerous benefits over other building materials produced. Since it is generated directly from the earth, it has a uniqueness that only Mother Earth can generate. These offer a genuine color palette that is unmatched by substitute materials. Since it is not a fake product, it is colorfast and durable. Breakage and sun damage are not concerns for this stone. You can actually anticipate that the situation and exposure will only add to its strength and splendor.

Advantages of natural stone veneer

Thin natural stone veneer is a lightweight option to full-size veneer. It is engraved in natural stone and its width is from 3/4″ to 1-1/4″.

– Due to its reduced weight and ease of handling, this can be fixed faster, resulting in price savings for your task.
– Can transport 3,600 square feet per truckload of thin sheet metal while reducing shipping costs.
– This can be had in all colors and qualities when it comes to choosing fine stone for the house.
– The setting employs a bonding agent that allows the stone to be useful without a ridge or base stone. This feature makes it particularly useful in plan remodeling or in regions with unique support issues, for example, chimneys above the roof line and second story chimney.
– Being natural, this veneer will not have a replication pattern that is simply unique as is the case with faux stone materials.
– It adapts to any budget.
– Since it is quite thin, this is a reasonable option for those who have an accurate financial plan drawn up for their home improvement and renovation activities.

Cons of natural stone veneer

There are some points that can be recognized as drawbacks to employ natural stone cladding in the home area. These disadvantages are as follows.

1. This stone cladding is produced naturally. The desire of many people to stay away from the types of stone that form. If you are looking for a product that is produced from naturally acquired rocks, this may not be a perfect fit for you.

2. There is a possibility that the creation may experience tears and scratches. While this is essentially a drawback, there is a constructive side. If chipping or scratching occurs, the stone is shaped in such a way that the underside is equal to the outer surface. This means that it will merge properly.

3. People who use this type of stone veneer may feel that it is not as durable as naturally acquired stones. However, it has a high tolerance for severe conditions.

Home Kitchen

Granite Cabinet Knobs – They’re tough, strong, and beautiful!

The key to decorating a new area or renovating an existing one is definitely to focus on the big picture and the small details. In reality, the smallest features that you think are barely noticeable have a big effect on the big picture. That is why interior designers do not rush when it comes to looking for the small aspects of furniture and a good example is granite cabinet knobs.

It’s no secret that granite knobs are often a go-to for creative designers due to their great flexibility. They are impressive finishing touches that create a specific splendor for any space in the home.

The problem for you may be finding a good selection of granite cabinet knobs. You won’t find many styles at your local hardware store. They may have some basic styles, but most of them don’t have any styles at all. To find the largest selection of granite knobs, you’ll have to go online. You can find many different styles and you will be able to buy them at discount prices.

Granite bumps, of course, are made of igneous rocks that come in numerous colors. Granite rocks are normally hard, however they can be easily smoothed out for certain reasons in manufacturing facilities.

They can make an excellent cabinet knob, especially if the cabinet itself is made of an extremely lackluster substance. The reason is that the rough, crystallized design of the granite gives the appearance of the entire cabinet an attractive dimension.

Even if you select polished knobs, the unusual and elaborate design of the granite will still shine through. You can select a granite knob to separate the level of modern furniture or even add another layer of consistency to traditional furniture.

The level of popularity of granite cabinet knobs may also be related to the extent to which they are reasonably easy to operate. They can be extremely adaptable to customization, so you may discover some fascinating granite knob designs, in addition to the common circular. They can also be mushroom-shaped, cone-shaped, and assume various polygonal designs.

Granite can also be an excellent material for sweaters. It can be added to metals such as brass, pewter, and copper to achieve a noble finish on the entire piece of furniture. You can incorporate as much metal as you like, depending on how shiny you want it to be.

Granite cabinet knobs can be polished or unpolished. In either case, however, it will maintain a stylish appearance. An unpolished knob can make it look like you picked up some raw treasure. A polished knob can help create a much neater look for the entire room.

The fantastic point about granite cabinet knobs is the fact that granite is definitely a durable substance. No matter how hard you pull on the cabinet knob, it will still be sturdy and strong. This is extremely significant, particularly with frequently used cabinets. They can also be shaped to fit the shape of your palms. The good thing is that opening cabinets with a granite knob is not unpleasant at all.

You will be able to find the largest selection of granite cabinet knobs on the internet. You can buy the perfect ones for your home at discounted prices!

Home Kitchen

Gluten Free – My Story

Last year I was asked to prepare food for a princess party at the local museum. It was going to be for girls, from very young to teenagers (with a queen accompanying them), to learn what it meant to be a princess in real life. The things they were shown were photos of royal princesses past and present, and talks about the rigors of growing up as a princess were featured. The budding little princesses were taught how to curtsy and wave.

Any girl hears the word Princess and is left with dreamy eyes. There are so many princesses in fairy tales, Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty to name just a few. All the girls wanted to dress up and come to a Princess Party.

My assignment, making the princess’s treats, led me to make some delicious and beautiful little foods. At the last moment, I found a recipe for chocolate mice.

They seemed so cute; He just had to try them, so I made just a few. Mice seem to feature prominently in some fairy tales, such as Cinderella. I thought they would be very appropriate. I used them to decorate the plates and the table, but there weren’t enough to give one to each little princess who attended. Still, they were well received and acclaimed, and everyone wanted one. I archived that success to use at a later date.

However, in the course of that party, I found out that one of the little princesses and the queen who accompanies her (who is one of the museum employees) have gluten intolerance.

That little princess, even though she wanted one of the little mice as much as all the other princesses, couldn’t have it because it wasn’t made gluten-free. I felt heartbroken. I love to cook and bake, and all the pretty meals were a big hit, but not for that little princess and the queen of hers. This was unacceptable. I had to learn about this problem.

The first Princess Party was such a success that a few weeks later the museum held another one, so that some of the little princesses who had not been able to attend the first party would now have a chance. The Queen who works in the museum would be present again with her little daughter. This time she would pay more attention to the food being served.

Beginning of the learning process

At that time, I knew that wheat contained gluten. He had no idea about some of the other things that might contain wheat, or even about cross contamination. I found a new recipe for chocolate covered mice. He used a basic cake mix recipe (with gluten-free flour), baked, then crumbled with a little frosting to form a batter for the bodies, shaped and dipped in chocolate. I used sliced ​​almonds for the ears and red licorice for the tails. Everything was ready. I made the little bodies. I got my licorice packet to do the queues. Something made me look at the ingredients. It contained wheat. Oh good grievance. Now what.

My husband, always willing to solve a problem, searched online and found a place that sells gluten-free licorice, ordered some there, and it arrived within a few days. I finished making the little mice, in a smaller size than the first time, and they were so cute that I couldn’t wait for all the little princesses to enjoy them this time, including the gluten intolerant little princess.

I kept the concept high in my mind during the creation of all the little gifts made for that party, and I was careful to have plenty of alternatives. Everything I made was delicious and everyone enjoyed it, and that’s exactly how it should be.

continuing education

After that event passed, I continued to be curious as to what could be made gluten-free. I help out at the museum quite often, making treats for events as well as just sharing. My sister-in-law also works at the museum and I have become an extension of the museum family. The young lady who is gluten intolerant is a very sweet person, and I didn’t want to have to exclude her from enjoying some of the things I do there, so I started looking online to see what all this gluten-free was all about. on.

That’s when I found out that aside from the obvious wheat, barley and rye also contained gluten. Oh my. Okay, so that really started to feel a bit overwhelming, in reference to making a recipe. I talked to my best friend in the world (since second grade), also named Chris. A few years ago, he decided to stop eating gluten because he felt that he was possibly gluten intolerant to some degree. Knowing this, I asked him what he did on his way to the gluten-free diet. What did she bake? How good was she compared to wheat based recipes. Has she ever made bread?

She gave me many good ideas, as well as more knowledge. She talked to me about cross-contamination, about not using anything made of wood, since it could never be completely cleaned of wheat; how much all this could affect a person who was intolerant to gluten. It was daunting. Scary. Frustrating.

Next steps

I thought a lot about all this. I thought about how glad I was that gluten intolerance wasn’t one of my problems. But I also thought about what it would be like to have to face this problem, as many people do. What would it mean to me? He was determined to learn.

The local supermarket (a local grocery and a fabulous store) offers five different varieties of gluten free flour mixes. They also carry most different single type flours that can be used to create your own gluten free mix. For starters, I bought a Namaste brand gluten-free flour mix to try. The next day I made pancakes for breakfast, using my normal pancake recipe, but substituting this gluten-free flour, plus a half teaspoon of xanthan gum. I love peaches on pancakes, so I added peaches to the recipe. They were completely delicious. I put a couple on a plate with some maple syrup and gave them to my husband to try. He loved them. Okay, he was on a roll.

I used that same flour mix (in a regular wheat flour recipe) to make a cake, again adding xanthan gum. It turned out perfect. The texture was slightly different, but the flavor was great. I don’t think anyone would know the difference if I didn’t tell them.

You may be wondering about xanthan gum. I did. I read about it, and it’s a thickener. Add cohesion to gluten-free recipes. It’s an expensive ingredient, but you don’t need a lot at once. I’ve just been guessing, mostly. If I’m making a recipe with 1 cup of flour called for, I can use 1/2 teaspoon of xanthan gum. If it’s a larger recipe, like a two-layer cake, you could add 1 teaspoon of xanthan gum to the entire recipe. I sift it along with the flour and any other raising agents normally used in the recipe. I also recently read that more top chefs are using Xanthan Gum these days, as it thickens things without the need for heat. Making a runny salad dressing can gain a bit of body by mixing it with xanthan gum, for example. I haven’t tried this yet, but I will.

branching out

The vast majority of the recipes I’ve made gluten-free in my testing phase are ones I’ve made many times in the past with all-purpose regular (wheat) flour. Most of them have been pastries or coffee cakes, in addition to pancakes. He wanted to see what would happen, using recipes he knew well. In general, I find cakes to be more moist and I really like that aspect. Now I felt it was time to try a different combination of flour. King Arthur Flour catalog had their own gluten free all purpose flour blend, although they also supplied the combination of the flours, as well as selling the 3 different flours used to make that mix. I bought all three flours and proceeded to mix my mixture. I made pancakes. yum. Okay, that was a try, so I moved on to another cake. Exit.

I’ve been trying to bring some of these cakes to the museum, to get her opinion from the gluten intolerant young lady who works there, along with everyone else. I even scheduled a time to talk to her, just to poke around in her brain a bit and see if there were any other traps I wasn’t aware of. I got more tips from her as well as sharing another coffee cake with her that was so delicious. I feel like I have a better handle on the whole thing. I went online, searched for recipes, and fell in love with a particular website. I found a lot of recipes out there that I want to try. I’ve tried quite a few, from various sites. However, so far, my biggest successes have been with old tried-and-true recipes. I just substituted flour (and xanthan gum).

What about the bread?

I wondered about the bread. I read about it online and how it doesn’t work like regular wheat bread dough. I talked to my friend Chris again. She said that she tried to make bread a long time ago and made enough bricks to clad the front of my house. She said that she gave up bread. It’s okay. I know what a good cook and baker she is, so it was a bit disheartening to hear that. Still, I’ve been making bread for over 40 years. Okay, regular wheat breads, but I have a lot of baking experience. I have printed numerous gluten free bread recipes online. I haven’t tried them yet. Except one. And oh, it was good. I told my friend Chris. I don’t know if he’s tried it yet, but I did bring some of this bread that I made to the young lady at the museum and she loved it.

I’ve also been making pesto for over a year now and using it in my no-knead (non-GF) bread. I brush it on, sprinkle with some grated Parmesan, and broil for a few minutes until the cheese is melted. It’s fantastic. I made this with a slice of gluten free bread that I made and it was just wonderful. I also had a slice of pesto bread for the woman in the museum, and tears came to my eyes as she said, That has to be the best thing I’ve had since going gluten free.

Now I know how careful you have to be when embarking on this path. I also know that I can’t give things I bake to anyone with a severe gluten intolerance, because my kitchen is regularly used for baking and cooking with wheat flour. I better understand what works and what doesn’t.

I have tried buns. Unsuccessfully. Still. I have tried the cookies. Unsuccessfully. Still. I will be there. You can too.

Home Kitchen

The Custom Shoppe Furniture Review: Design Your Own Fine Furniture

In this The Custom Shoppe furniture review, we explain how the company helps you design your own fine furniture by selecting from a number of variables on offer that allow you to modify standard pieces to your specific needs. This furniture manufacturer not only offers a wide range of bespoke furniture, but you can also choose from their standard products without modifications.

This company began life in Wisconsin in 1981. A few carpenters got together and began making custom furniture, eventually developing the company to produce a line of furniture that was easily modified in all three dimensions: width, length, and height. It developed to the point where he could select his own initial designs and his own woods – the closest thing to fully bespoke furniture at mass production prices.

The Custom Shoppe: what it offers

Custom Shoppe offers many things that you would never find in a regular furniture store, online or offline. It has developed a range of standard products based on the wishes of previous customers. You can then modify these layouts to suit your needs. Your furniture is not stored anywhere, it is made specifically for you.

Given this degree of customization, your order can be ready in approximately a month. If your order is very large, it will take longer, but a month is incredible for furniture made to order by skilled carpenters. This material does not come from Taiwan or China, but from the US and is made from solid wood, not, in their words, ‘compressed sawdust’.

Who designs Custom Shoppe furniture?

You do! You may not be the best furniture designer in the world, but you can design your own furniture by checking the boxes and filling in the numbers, no drawing or sketching required! Just choose a base template and let them know your dimensions and modifications, and you’re all set to go.

Instead of building loads of furniture and hoping people like and buy it, the Custom Shoppe does what the name suggests: offers what it calls “a toolbox of options” and you do the rest! How cool is that!

Alternatively, you can choose from the standard items they have to offer without further modification. These are high quality pieces made with the same high level of craftsmanship that you would get if you had designed your own custom furniture.

Who makes the furniture?

The people who make up the company make the furniture by hand. There are no employees as such: they are all in this together. Each joint is hand-cast and hand-glued, and each dowel, dowel, and screw is inserted by hand. Custom Shoppe furniture is truly handmade.

Each person in the company designs their own furniture for you to modify and decorate their own offices; there is no ‘us and them’; This is a business where creativity and originality are encouraged and recognized. You design what you want and they make it, then you pay. What more natural than that! No assembly lines and no massive overhead.

The Custom Shoppe Review: Product Range

The product range is extensive. You can design your own office from scratch, at home or at work. Choose which pieces you want and in what size. Choose your own wood: oak, maple, pine – you name it, you can have it. Design your bedroom wardrobe with as many doors and drawers as you want, and choose your bed, as long or as wide as you want. If you’re a seven-foot giant, no problem at The Custom Shoppe.

Do you want a kitchen? No problem with furniture from The Custom Shoppe – choose your cabinets, countertops, doors, hardware, and even your type of glass. You can have your choice of handles on your cabinets or touch-open hinges.

The custom store: negative aspects

Like any other company, this business has some negative aspects. They’re pretty bad at the tables, but they probably have their reasons. The longest you can get is 5 feet, or for a round table, 3.5 feet. It serves no purpose other than a small family dining table. Your choice of wood is solely maple or cherry, but they can be painted or lacquered in different colors. If you want a beautiful polished French dining table for 10, look elsewhere.

No other negatives to be honest. You get what you pay for, and The Custom Shoppe furniture prices are very reasonable for furniture made to your specifications. It is less expensive than many of the major manufacturers and the quality is good. What more can you ask!

Home Kitchen

Remodeling your kitchen: buy only what you need

Remodeling your kitchen is often a huge task that is expensive, time-consuming, and exhausting. Having the materials you need on site at the start of a project will save you time and money, while buying the right products will save you money down the road. With proper planning and shopping, you can. You simply need the right knowledge to tackle the job with confidence.

To learn how to shop for what you need for your kitchen remodel, read on for 5 tips on the right materials to order and how to get them quickly and cheaply.

1. Always ask about the builder’s discount.

Don’t be afraid to ask a supplier for a builder’s discount. If you can’t afford it, look elsewhere or ask your contractor to do the shopping for you. Builders and contractors can save 20-60% on the cost of their materials.

2. Go directly to the provider.

This mantra is especially true for mosaics. Remember, an inexpensive tile will run you around $2 per square foot, $8-$20 for more upscale materials like ceramic and granite and up to $50 or more for high-quality or hand-painted tile. Going directly to the supplier or a tile warehouse means you can save a lot of money on overstocking and returned or canceled orders, saving yourself anywhere from $5 to $30 per square foot.

Buying directly from the supplier or from a retail store also means that you can usually take the product home right there. You don’t have to wait long for your pending orders to finally arrive.

3. Opt for energy efficient appliances.

This is a tip that will save you money in the long run. Your price may be higher now, but purchasing energy efficient appliances will have a dramatic positive impact on your future water and electric bills.

4. Find a multi-flow faucet.

Many faucets and faucets on the market today are available in a dual or triple flow format, which means they come equipped with interchangeable water filters. By using one of these, you can eliminate the need for bottled water or cumbersome purification systems.

5. Know your countertops.

If marble or granite countertops are out of your financial reach, try products like Corian or Formica, which are known to be tough and scratch-resistant. Luxore is a new product that is non-porous and heat resistant, which means you can put your hot pots right on the counter. Finally, Swanstone is another new alternative stone product that provides a smooth, moisture resistant surface that is easy to install.

Home Kitchen

Mala Beads and Meditation

Guiding your soul with mala beads, balancing your chakras in meditation with the help of mantras, spiritual meditation is an excellent healer of the human body. 108 is a sacred number in Hinduism and Buddhism and most malas are 108 plus the Guru Bead. Mala beads are a beautiful tool for keeping score during mantra meditations. Malas bracelets can also be made with 27 beads or 21 beads and can be used for some mantras to balance according to syllables. For example, the Gayatri mantra, which is an elaboration of “OM”, is perfect for a sunrise meditation repeated 27 times with the Himalayan quartz crystal or sphatik mala. Some Malas are made of gemstones that match the color of the chakra you are trying to balance or energize. Yoga Malas are the sacred intent affirmations of your ritual and are placed on altars as a reminder of your beautiful and meaningful positive affirmations. Tibetan Buddhist beads or Buddhist prayer beads, rudraksha beads strung with carnelian and agate, rose quartz and jade, japa mala beads have been used since ancient times.

Aligning the energies dispersed in the atoms of our body, connecting to the ethereal soul, the mala is a reflection of its journey beginning as a very basic grounding tool and slowly working its way up to the crown chakra where the connection to the Spirit guide is like an effluent flame, bright and blinding, in the sheer ecstasy of complete acceptance. Yoga and meditation go hand in hand with the practice of yoga guiding the energies of the body and meditation connecting with the spiritual universe.

Traditional Hindu malas are made with Rudraksha beads associated with Shiva, lotus seeds that reflect the energy of Laxmi, Bodhi seeds from the Buddha Tree, or rosewood connected to Ganesha. Mala healing chakras are made of semi-precious gemstones, which carry different wavelengths of energies and colors. Black onyx is a foundation stone and when used with quartz crystal it represents ying and yang or shiva and shakti. Turquoise, rose quartz or jade are associated with the heart chakras and emotional stability. Handmade malas also make beautiful jewelry gifts and should always be treated with sacred care as they carry the energy of the wearer.

The mala, in essence, becomes whatever the wearer wants it to be, engaging their wavelengths of energy through the mantras that pass through the beads and with each repetition, their prayers, hopes, and dreams come into manifestation.

Sit comfortably, relaxed, but with your spine aligned, eyes closed, take a deep breath and empty your mind by exposing your intention. Hang the first mala bead on the index, middle or ring finger of your right hand, each finger is connected to different nadis so it will energize a different layer of the body. Hold your thumb over the guru’s bead and begin chanting his mantra, feeling the flow of energy up through the basal chakra. Go through the entire mala until you reach the guru bead. To do another round of mantras, turn the mala and move in the opposite direction completing a full circle of chakra balancing, please do not cross the Guru bead as this is the seat of Knowledge.

Home Kitchen

The finishing touch in any bathroom: towel rails and towel rails

Towel racks and towel racks being the finishing touch in any bathroom is definitely not an accident. While you could possibly simply place your towels on the edge of the sink or over the shower rod, these items can really turn an ordinary bathroom into something extraordinary.

When shopping for towel rails or towel racks, experts may recommend selecting styles that match your bathroom décor.

For example, towel racks and towel racks should match the color and finish of your fixtures. That means a copper grate for a copper sink faucet. Of course, you can vary this general rule, choosing a white porcelain or wood shelf or bar, which really goes with just about anything. But for those new to interior design, you can’t go wrong when these have matching colors and finishes.

Another important consideration is purchasing racks and bars that are large enough to hold the towels. Most towel bars and towel racks come in standard sizes: 7-inch, 12-inch, 18-inch, and 24-inch. Traditionally, a 7-inch bar or rack is made for hand towels and washcloths, while larger ones are made for bath towels. If you have a slightly smaller wall, you may need to cut a larger shelf or bar to the correct width. You can easily do this with a hacksaw or, if they are made of wood, a wood hacksaw.

In many cases, you will want to get a rack that can hold more than one towel. This is even more important if you share a bathroom with another person. Everyone will want a place to hang and dry their towel. Fortunately, manufacturers make many different styles of multi-level racks and bars.

Towel racks and towel racks by the sink are a bit more challenging. Space is often limited, so you may need to opt for a smaller shelf than you had planned. However, a multi-tiered rack, even a smaller one, will fill the bill nicely, allowing you to put hand towels and wash towels within easy reach.

To really hit a home run, you need to make sure they’re installed correctly. If you’ve ever tried to make the two sides of a shelf match up and look even, you know it can be difficult. In the old days you either looked at it and said it was good enough or you took a yardstick and measured from where the ceiling and wall meet and hoped the ceiling was level. Today, you don’t have to improvise. You can buy a laser level at any home improvement store that makes setting up towel racks and towel rails a breeze. All you have to do is use the built-in level to make sure the fixture is plumb, then mark the holes for wall mounting. It’s a perfect match every time. This works even if you have cathedral ceilings, where the measurement of a wall is almost impossible.

While shopping for the perfect towel rack or bar, many consumers have opted to shop online. There’s a huge selection there, much more than you’ll find at your local home improvement or hardware store, and the search feature on retailer sites makes locating the perfect ones quick and easy.

Home Kitchen

Quick Information on Kitchen Cabinets

Kitchen cabinets have a variety of uses, but are most often used to store food, utensils, and dishes. Home appliances like refrigerators, ovens, and other heavy machines can also be built into kitchen cabinets. In keeping with the times, kitchen cabinets have undergone many changes that can be attributed to technological improvements. New machines are developed for use in the kitchen that require adequate space in the kitchen. Below is a discussion of the factors that need to be known and considered when deciding on your kitchen cabinet designs.

Desired type of kitchen furniture
There are three types of cabinets: the common cabinet; the custom stock; and semi-stock cabinets. The choice of which one to install in your apartment is an individual decision. The money factor is a matter of concern when deciding your choice. Common cabinets are the cheapest of the above types. They are limited in terms of furniture styles and space. Semi-customs are average in size and may have enough storage space than the standard cabinet. They are very well furnished and incorporate a great application for interior design.

Cabinet decoration styles
No matter what others say, proper interior design can make a kitchen appear larger than it is. Find a good color scheme, as this will help enhance the design. You can find a lot of information about suitable interior designs on the Internet or in magazines. Kitchen cabinet types come in different styles. The style of the kitchen should be combined with the architecture of the room. The kitchen is the center of the home and is a crucial and important social part of home design.

Kitchen furniture and technology.
Modern kitchens are an area of ​​interaction for family members. The trends have changed, children and parents commonly discuss matters in the kitchen, and in some homes it has even become a romantic spot. You need to be up to date with recent technology. These changes are in terms of architecture and kitchen cabinet design. There are guides available on interior design websites online. However, these changes do not happen immediately and patience must be exhibited.

the body of the cabinet
Modern cabinets are made of plywood or other quality material. They must be of precise sizes and adequate strength to be able to handle the weights. The body of the cabinet must also be reinforced. Regarding the position of the cabinet frames from the door, they should be towards the edges of the door and color compatibility should also be taken into account. This is to ensure that the setup is as attractive as possible.

There are other sources that can act as kitchen cabinet guides, found in magazines, seminars, and brochures. However, precautions should be taken when buying equipment to avoid buying low-quality machines and equipment in the kitchen cabinet.

Home Kitchen

How to find out what style of living room you like

If you’ve watched any of the countless TV shows that deal with makeovers and remodels, then you’ve probably heard the show’s designers discuss terms that describe different styles: modern, rustic, vintage, county, contemporary, colonial, etc. .

But what does it all mean? In most cases, you’ll want to choose a style before you start redecorating, so let’s go over the various design styles so you can match them to your taste in furniture and decor.

American

There are several styles of American furniture: antique, modern, rustic, country, and Amish.

Old: This style is just what it says on the tin. The look harkens back to styles that arrived from Europe around the time of the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. They are practical pieces that may have some nice details, but they were designed to be used, not simply admired.

Traditional: This includes Queen Anne, Chippendale, and Hipplewite furniture. The woods are typically dark and the furniture is characterized by ornate carvings and an overall regal appearance. They make a living room look extremely formal and elegant.

Modern: Also known as contemporary furniture, modern takes a page from the visionary designers of modernism who felt that form should follow function. As such, the pieces are streamlined and devoid of blatant ornamentation. Typically, modern pieces use chrome or stainless steel, aluminum, plastic, and fiberglass. Much of it is playful in nature and the emphasis is on comfort.

Rustic – This style emphasizes natural materials, handmade pieces, and often has regional or cultural influences. It is very casual and organic in approach and sentiment. A rustic living room can feel like a cozy cabin that is comfortable and inviting.

Country: This style of living room would focus on comfort and color. The use of clean lines and equally simple furniture is complemented by natural fibers, a worn look of the wooden pieces and country-style fabrics.

Amish: This has a beautiful handcrafted look. The Amish use lighter colored woods like pine and oak, giving your room a warm, relaxed look that emphasizes craftsmanship and clean lines.

European

Of course, European-influenced furniture can take many forms, given centuries of influences from some of the greatest cultures in ancient and modern history.

English: An English-inspired living room has lots of oak, walnut, and mahogany furniture that has a dark, heavy look. The artisan details are evident and the decoration is limited.

English: Obviously, Louis IVX furniture comes to mind when you think of French decor. The carvings are very intricate and the elaborate furniture uses lush fabrics. It gives the living room an elegant and formal look.

Italian – Italian styles are also ornate, but are usually larger than French. A hall decorated in the Italian style would take its influences from classical Roman architecture, using materials such as marble and stone.

Other styles

Many people gravitate towards less formal styles. This can include urban and eclectic approaches to living room decor.

Urban: This is a very minimalist design style. Think IKEA and you’ll get an idea of ​​the urban look. The woods are black, blonde or white with lots of glass and brushed aluminum. The pieces are tailored for smaller rooms and work well in a small flat or apartment.

Eclectic – If you want your room to be a mix of styles, you might consider an eclectic approach to your living room. While the pieces may span different periods or styles, they are tied together with a common color palette, texture, shape, or finish.

As you can see, there is a style for almost every taste. When deciding what style your living room should be, you should go with your personal preferences. You want something that reflects your lifestyle and tastes, not those of a famous interior designer or something you saw on HGTV.

A large part of your decision will be the type of home you live in and the approach the builders used to build your home. For example, you might want to go for an Amish look in an Arts & Crafts home, while a downtown loft might call for a more modern, contemporary, or even urban approach.

The best way to narrow down your options is to look at the different styles online. Start by saving photos of rooms you like or furniture you’re especially drawn to. Once you have a collection of photos, go through them and look for common themes, such as colors, textures, design elements, or style. The results may surprise you. Instead of thinking that urban is what you’re after, you may be drawn to traditional or vintage styles. By focusing on images instead of tags, you might like a style you never would have thought of if it had a particular name.

Home Kitchen

Why are granite kitchen countertops unique?

Granite is a natural stone material that comes from the earth and seems to have been around as long as any other form of rock. Granite is made when streams of molten magma travel to cooler locations, after which the magma is cooled directly into a slab of mixed material. Since there are various mineral deposits in the magma, granite has a naturally unique pattern with endless color variations. Granite slabs are available in quite a few places around the world, and people have been using them to make slab countertops for a long time. Granite slabs can be found in shades of white, brown, red, green, blue, and black, with several different swirls and patterns that help make each piece unique. Granite is not only rock strong, but it is also a very beautiful stone that adds color and ambiance to a room.

Granite countertops have become one of the most popular options among buyers, as well as being the highest quality option for designer homes. Home designers and builders have seen a sudden increase in interest in granite countertops in both kitchen areas and bathrooms, but it is by far the most common for kitchen countertops. As a result of its natural earth tones, the granite is beautifully complemented by wood cabinets. One can find granite slabs that could match virtually any wood tone, from light oak to dark cherry finished woods.

Granite is also timeless, therefore the cabinets can be changed to keep up with the growing fashion, while the countertop will remain in style. The most requested granite countertop shades are probably the shades of brown and beige, which generally work well with countless kitchen shades and allow for many varied redecorating options in the future. Black and blue granite slabs are becoming more popular, and darker woods are once again commonplace in bathrooms and kitchens. Granite countertops also have patterns that can be both large and small, which can look best in kitchens of different sizes. No two granite countertops are alike. Some homeowners choose to coordinate their granite countertops with their cabinets, while others prefer a contrast. A light-colored granite can warm up dark cabinets, while a dark stone can anchor lighter cabinets. There is a lot of variation in color and pattern in different granite slabs, so it is important to go to a California granite countertop manufacturer and see the slabs first hand.

Granite slabs must be reserved at time of decision, or they may not be available later. It is impossible to find a specific combination of a color used in a decoration magazine, since they are all unique. However, the uniqueness of granite countertops is one of the attributes that makes them so attractive, making every kitchen totally unique. In a land of rugged people, it’s no wonder that a strong and unique stone like granite is your go-to choice for kitchen countertops.