Stone Tile: A Natural Choice

Though stone has been used as a building material for centuries, its popularity has never been greater—and for good reason. When it comes to modern design for the kitchen or bath, stone tile—with its beauty and durability—is the perfect choice.

Which type of natural stone tile you choose, though, will be based on the assets and challenges presented by each type. Here's a guide to the most used materials in the natural stone tile family:

Marble could well be called the stone of kings, having been used in palaces, grand spaces and sculpture since man first discovered it centuries ago. With distinctive veins of colors (replicating the pattern of the water that flowed over the calcite and dolomite in underground streams that eventually formed the marble) this smooth and elegant stone can bring an elegant and upscale ambiance to your space. With colors ranging from dark green and amethyst to blue black, rust red and warm golds—truly the entire color spectrum-- marble can be used on countertops, floors, back splashes, mantlepieces, and even as wall cladding. When used in the kitchen, you must commit to keeping the stone sealed as it is vulnerable to staining after spills—particularly acid-based liquids like red wine or some juices.

Travertine shares some of the birthing process of marble—it, too, is born in underground streams, but instead of the veining patterns, little pores are made in the stone from gas escaping under water. (Sometimes these pores get filled for a smoother look or tumbled or brushed to make the stone look weather-worn and older.) Travertine has a rich color scheme ranging from creamy ivory through all the shades of brown—from cocoa to nutmeg--and creates a warm look, wherever it is used. Depending on the climate, the stone can be used indoors and out (thus all those temples of Ancient Greece and Rome) and works wonderfully as flooring, sink surrounds, molding, wall cladding and tub surrounds. Like marble, sealing is required to avoid damage from acidic stains.

Slate was created when clay, soil and all the minerals contained therein got compressed (and heated and cooled) for eons. There is nothing prissy about this rough beauty, which may be polished to a high sheen for the “wet” look or left in its natural flat state, where it can enhance a rustic or casual ambience. Color can vary from blue black to light gray (and may even vary box to box) and its color variation is part of its appeal. Another is its natural slip resistance, making it a great flooring material, particularly in the kitchen and bath, though it may also be used on walls or as a sink or tub surround.

Granite is formed when molten rock in pockets underground and its wide color spectrum depends on what minerals were trapped within it during this cooling process. These minerals also account for the fact that granite is one of the hardest materials known to man. Colors range from darkest black to speckled white (high quartz contained in the stone create the distinctive speckle patterns) and many colors in between, making granite a good choice for floors, wall cladding, countertops and vanities and even back splashes. Its incredible hardness makes it a durable choice (that is why is it used in high traffic commercial building like offices and bank lobbies) but it is also hard to cut exactly. Make certain your contractor chooses an experienced granite firm for your installation.

Limestone may contain actual fossils as it also comes to life in underground water sources, but the stone itself ends up smooth, not porous like its cousin Travertine. With no regular veining, limestone offers a wide range of colors, from dark green to warm brown and is so durable, the pyramids were built out of the stone. Limestone is a good choice, therefore, for flooring and may be used on walls as well. Limestone also needs sealing and, with diligence, will resist stains.

Sandstone, likes its name suggests, is formed when grains of sand got compressed under heat and tremendous pressure, forming a naturally decorative stone. With a color spectrum in the “earthy” range (golds, browns, rusts and beiges), sandstone often has a striated pattern and can be finished to look natural for a warm casual look or “wet” for shinier or a higher-tech vibe. Used on floor and walls, sandstone has the advantage of being hypoallergenic and is very durable, but must be sealed well. This stone is particularly susceptible to spills.

Soapstone, obtained through quarrying, is made up of magnesite, talc, chlorite and dolomite and got its name because of its smooth surface, which feels like rubbing a bar of dry soap. A very durable stone, soapstone is usually used for flooring and available in shades from its natural white to dark gray. One of soapstone's best features is that is does not absorb water, nor get too slippery and even stays warmer to the feet in cool weather, making it an ideal floor surface. Alkalis and acids don't affect soapstone, meaning it requires minimum maintenance.

Quartz, a common mineral (silicon dioxide) is one of the hardest substances on earth (on the MOH scale, a diamond ranks 10. Quartz ranks 7) and it is this quality that makes it a good selection for countertops, flooring, showers and on vertical surfaces. Though hard, quartz not impervious to damage—it can be chipped (but is scratch-resistant.) Available in a range of earth tones, from buff ivory to darkest black (and a full range of colors is available in composite quartz-resin tiles) quart also has the benefit of being bacteria-resistant, making it a good choice for both kitchen and bath.

Onyx, though not the most practical of building materials, makes up for it by its exotic beauty, created by nature. With a smooth, somewhat porous surface, onyx comes in shades from dark red to glowing gold that are usually honed or polished, creating a high shine. Back lighting can highlight onyx’s natural translucency for an even more dramatic effect. Onyx is susceptible to scratching, etching and staining and liquid particularly can soak through even a properly sealed surface, making it a less-than-ideal choice for full floors. But it does make for beautiful mosaic inlays and back splashes, providing dramatic accents to any space.

For recommendation on the perfect stone tile to choose for your project, consult with award-winning kitchen and bath designer, Jason Landau at Amazing Spaces, LLC. Jason brings two decades worth of experience in space planning, kitchen and bath design and working with the world's finest cabinetry firms to your project. Call him today at 914-239-3725 or visit www.amazingspacesllc.com.

Your Fine Cabinetry: Which Wood Is Right?

Much like the trees from which they came, woods are all unique, with differing characteristics and choosing just the right one for your custom cabinetry can be confusing. Here is some information about the characteristics of different types of woods to help you choose:

Cherry can take on a deep red patina over time, but its natural color ranges from pale yellow to reddish brown. A warm wood, it creates an elegant appearance distinguished by mineral streaks, small pinholes, grain swirls and subtle shadings when it is sometimes called Rustic Cherry.

Maple is a durable smooth wood, has a color range from creamy blonde tones to dark reddish shaded browns, and mellows with age into a rich patina. This wood also features mineral streaks and markings, which shouldn't be considered defects, but assets as they create a unique look.

Hickory is a dense wood that is very durable and known for its dramatic color variations--from pale white to grey to deep red heartwood. With Hickory, no attempt is made to minimize discrepancies. Knots and streaks are part of the charm of this wood.

Alder is a tight and straight grain hardwood, getting more popular each year. Though it dents fairly easily, Alder accepts stain well, thus allowing custom color application. Since it is elastic, it also is good for carving intricate details and is sometimes uses as a substitute for cherry. Knotty Alder has the same characteristics, but is distinguished by knots, knotholes and pin holes, adding character to the wood.

Oak is known for its strength and durability. With a color range from tan to deep reddish brown, Oak takes on a golden glow with age. When finished with a light color stain, grain patterns (ranging from straight to arcs) will be easier to see. Darker stains make the difference in color between the open and closed grain areas more uniform and therefore less detectable. What recommends Oak for cabinetry is its ability to forgive nicks and bumps. Rustic Oak is like the regular wood but has more knots and pinholes.

Mahogany
 is a tropical medium-to-hard wood indigenous to South America, Central America, and Africa. Mahogany’s strength makes it an excellent carving wood. It's stability and resistance to decay makes the wood ideal for cabinetry. Ranging from tan to reddish brown, is may have ribbons, ropes, ripples, stripes or rings.

Lyptus
 is a strong hardwood that has similar graining to Mahogany with a mainly straight grain and occasional “ticking” to give it a distinctive look. As it ages, Lyptus mellows into a rich, deep color.

Pine
 is a light colored wood with brown to black colored knots which turn (with age) into a traditional yellow pin color. This wood is used to create a rustic feel and is often used in cabins and country homes.

Walnut is a rich premium hardwood, prized in North America for high-end cabinetry and furniture. Walnut provides strength, hardness, and durability without excessive weight. It has excellent woodworking qualities and takes finishes well. Walnut is light to dark chocolate-brown in color, with a straight grain in the trunk. It can be found in the United States and Canada, usually appearing as Black Walnut―smooth-grained with a dark brown color. (Lighter sapwood is never used in cabinetry.)

Bamboo is actually a grass that grows like a weed pretty much wherever it is planted, making it a highly sustainable natural resource and a good “green” choice. Bamboo is strong and hard (meaning it can take some punishment) and offers three different grains to add to its unique appeal.

Birch
 is a stiff, close-grained hardwood. It has good shock resistance, but its light color (predominantly a light yellow) and heavy texture makes it used less often in cabinetry.

Exotic Veneers: For those who like a veneer wood door style (considered a contemporary style), many exotic species are available,  such as lacewood, sapele, zebrawood, teak, beech, pearwood, anigre, and limba.

Reconstituted Veneers:  Recent developments in wood technology have given rise to “engineered” wood veneers. Made from real wood, these veneers are reconstituted products that have the grains of different wood species – from the common to the exotic – applied to them. They have all the warmth and character of the rare woods on which they are modeled, but are more cost effective with less environmental impact.

For recommendation on the perfect wood to choose for your fine cabinetry, consult with award-winning kitchen designer, Jason Landau at Amazing Spaces, LLC. Jason brings two decades worth of experience in space planning, kitchen design and working with the world's finest cabinetry firms to your project. Call him today at 914-239-3725 or visit www.amazingspacesllc.com.