Showing posts with label marble home decor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label marble home decor. Show all posts

Monday, July 6, 2009

Tiled Backsplash In Your Kitchen: The Perfect Guide To Installation

Installing a tiled backsplash in the kitchen is very easy DIY project. Backsplash adds a touch of style to the kitchen and protects the walls from the kitchen mess and mishaps. Backsplash is also quite easy to clean. Here are 10 tips for you to install tiled backsplash in the kitchen.

Firstly, before installation you should know how much tile is exactly needed. So calculate it on the basis of square footage of space. By reading the label on tile box, you will come to know how many square feet per box covers. Select a box as per your need.

Secondly, there are many things that are needed to install tiled backsplash. You need to make a list of them and buy it before installation. The things that are needed for installation are sufficient number of tiles, tile mastic or adhesive, tile nippers, a tile cutter, tile spacers, notch trowel, sponges, grout, grout float, silicone, grout sealer, pencil and level.

Thirdly, before installation, you need to make the surface ready. Scrape any flaking or cracked paint, remove any high gloss paint or any wallpaper. Clean it thoroughly with spray cleaner and then allow it to dry.

Then, don’t forget to set the guidelines. Have a look at the backsplash area. Visualize the center and mark it. Make use of the level and draw a vertical line few inches away from the mark. The first tile is to be laid on the vertical line. Leave 1/8 inch in between the countertop and tile bottom. The gap is to be filled up with silicone afterwards.

Now, the tile is to be applied. Spread mastic or adhesive over the area of about four tiles. Drag the notched trowel through adhesive to create ridges. Set a tile to the adhesive and press it. Insert the tile spacers if the tile does not have the self spacers to the adhesive closely against set tile. Spread mastic to the small areas with the progress of your job and remember to wipe off the adhesive on tile surfaces when it is wet.

Next, make use of tile cutter for fitting tiles. You can also make use of nippers to cut out odd shapes and curves of the tiles. The tile backsplash should be allowed to dry completely.

Again, don’t forget to apply grout. Get away with spacers after the adhesives dry up. You should wear the rubber gloves while dealing with grout. After mixing the grout, spread it all over tiled surface with grout float. However, the surface of the tile should be kept clean.

So, cleaning up is important point which should never be neglected and taken proper care of. When grout becomes hard wipe the surface by using damp sponge. Clean grout lines with gloved fingertip. When tile dries up, buff up vigorously with a cotton T-shirt.

Sealing the grout is also an important point that should be considered while installation. The sealer helps to keep away the moisture from the grout and thus helps in protecting its color. Lastly, don’t forget to fill up the gaps with silicone.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Top Tips For Marble Restoration

Marble is one of the best options for the decoration of the house. It is used for various applications and this stone is a huge favorite among all home owners. Undoubtedly it can add beauty and elegance and give a new look to your house. But you need to take proper care of these tiles in order to maintain its color, beauty and texture. Stone restoration process is very important to maintain its beauty. The process or technique of removing dull spot and scratches from the marble surface is called as stone grinding. Consumers need to polish the floors on time. A diamond pad can be used to get the best result. It is better to hire a skilled labor in order to do this job.

Restoration of the honed marble floors should be done with enough care. Powders or diamond pads can be used to give a new look to the floor surface. Restoration professionals can be hired to do this job. You can hire them without any hesitation. They take enough care to protect the furniture and walls from dents and splashes. The diamond grinding process includes water. It can damage the floor covering or the wood floor if the process is not performed carefully.

Flamed surfaces can be restored by using abrasive brushes and abrasive powder. Flaming method should be performed by an experienced professional. Otherwise the floors can be damaged. Open flame torch is used in performing this process. There are many factors that should be considered before starting this process. It should be done in a non flammable environment. It should be performed in a place where enough ventilation is available. Different procedures and techniques are used in the restoration of the stone surfaces.

Marble is one of the durable and soft stones. Consumers need to take enough care of the marbles in order to maintain its beauty. It is also a highly porous material, as it could be easily stamped or etched by tomato juice, orange juice, vinegar or other kinds of acids. Some marble tiles are even sensitive to water. Spots and stains can occur on the marble surface due to water.

Slate, tumbled and limestone are considered as the most elegant and common flooring materials used for offices, commercial buildings and homes. These materials are valued much for their color hues and unique textures. Proper sealing of the marble surface should be done in order to maintain its beauty and to prevent stains. The right treatment methods and sealants can help in giving an elegant look to the marble floors.

Before selecting the marble tiles one should consider many factors. You need to select the materials that are durable and beautiful. It should also match the color coding of the interior. The flooring colors should be selected in such a way so that it matches well with the colors of the cabinets, counters. Consumers should select the floors that can resist spills, wear and tear. You can take the help of the manufacturers or the dealers to select the right kind of marbles. You can also scroll through the net to find the right kind of marble tiles and floorings.

Marble Mosaic Art: Overview

The worth and quality of the materials are adjudicated on certain parameters. The merit of buildings, whether used for private or commercial purposes, is judged by its aesthetic value. Another important factor that supports this judgment is the quality of the substance or the materials used in constructing the buildings. People paint the walls of their houses with beautiful colors. Marble tiles and floorings can be installed to enhance the beauty and aesthetic value of the building. The popularity of marble mosaic is increasing with time. Different colored glasses and stones are intermixed to form various patterns, designs and pictures. This is how marble mosaic is created.

Many people prefer to use marble mosaic to decorate their houses, offices and commercial buildings. There are many historical evidences of mosaic use. During 3rd and 4th century BC, mosaic was developed with the baked clay cones by the Mesopotamians. These cones were painted differently to give a more beautiful look to it. Use of mosaic was also common among the Greek community. They used pebble mosaics to decorate their floors. Pebble mosaics (Polychrome) were used by the Macedonians to beautify their homes. Hunting scenes, animals and birds were represented in the mosaics of 6th and 4th century BC. Floral pictures were represented in the mosaics of 7th century. Many changes had bee made in mosaic art. But no changes have been made in the technique of mosaic formation though the art has become more refined.

This art got a new dimension with the help of a company, named Phoenician Arts. It has gifted many marble mosaic patterns and designs to the world. These designs and patterns were carved out of semi precious and natural marble stones. It has also reproduced and revived the traditional mosaics of Byzantinians, Romans and Greeks. Phoenician Arts created wonderful mosaics that have paradigms of contemporary and primitive existence. Marble mosaics increase aesthetic value of the houses and other buildings. It is one of the common materials that people prefer to use in their homes for decoration purposes.

Many kinds of themes, like geometric, animals, medallions, religious, and kitchen related, scenes & figures are developed by mosaic artists. These types of designs are created to adorn outdoors as well as indoors. It adds elegance and beauty to the house. Within a workplace or house mosaics can be placed in dining areas, hallways, floor center, in an archway and over the fireplace. Mosaics can also be used outside the house. It can beautify the entrance, garden areas, pools of houses and buildings.

Phoenician mosaics are becoming more popular with time. It is considered as one of the best options for decorating the interior and exterior of the buildings. Many people prefer this material over others due to its durability and long lasting quality. Mosaics give an elegant look to your house. It is more authentic and appealing. The best part is that it can resist water and heat. So, you can also install it to give a more stylish look to your house.