by aeb52298_admin | Mar 2, 2022 | Uncategorized
Have you been craving some change around the house, but you don’t want to do an entire renovation? If so, keep reading to see what you can do to enhance your kitchen without a complete room renovation!
If you don’t already have one, you could add a backsplash! Backsplashes have recently become more popular and are increasing in demand. But why? Backsplashes enhance the appearance of your kitchen, which can add to the home value. They also protect the walls from water damage and grease splatter. In addition, backsplashes are also easy to clean, so they do not require much maintenance.
Islands have a role in the appearance of your kitchen as well. When done correctly, the island becomes the focal point of the room. There are a variety of islands you could have, including but not limited to: a waterfall island, an island with an overhang, or a double island. A waterfall island creates the appearance of a high-end and modern kitchen. They also protect the base cabinets from scratching and chipping. Overhang islands add additional seating in the kitchen. Double islands also add additional seating and extra storage space.
Note: There are more options than the three listed above; if you would like to read about more, here is an article: https://kitchenseer.com/types-of-kitchen-islands/
More options to enhance your kitchen are to paint the walls. You could also replace the cabinets or counters. If you do not want to replace your cabinets, you could paint them or replace the fixtures on them. A small thing can make a huge difference.
Note: Popular paint colors in 2022 are greens, blues, beiges, pinks.
Ready to start? We can help you with your counter or backsplashes; schedule an appointment to visit our showroom to see what stones we have!
by aeb52298_admin | Feb 1, 2022 | Uncategorized
Once a marble slab is worked to a smooth, flat surface, a finish can be applied, creating polished marble. If you don’t want a shiny countertop, you can skip the polishing process and keep the slab matte, resulting in honed marble.
Polished marble has a glossy surface that reflects light and emphasizes the color and veins in the stone. The polish will bring the natural color to the fullest due to the reflection of light. When marble has a polished finish, any scratch or etch can leave a dull matte mark.
Note: To read more about etching, check out our blog on Etching Natural Stones
Honed marble has a satin look with a smooth surface and has little reflection of light. Honed marble appears flatter and lighter in color. Since honed marble is already matte, dull marks from scratches and etching are more likely to be camouflaged and can go unnoticed.
Whether you have honed or polished marble, the care for them is the same.
1. Use a cutting board to protect surfaces from knife damage.
2. Wipe up all spills quickly to prevent staining.
3. Wipe the stone down regularly with water and a mild detergent or a professorial stone cleaner. Avoid natural cleaners that contain lemon or vinegar; these are too acidic.
4. Lastly, seal your marble regularly as recommended by us or your installer. Sealing your marble will not prevent staining; it just means you have more time to clean spills before staining occurs.
Need a good stone cleaner? Check out the ones we are selling ⬇ Stop by and pick up a bottle today!
by aeb52298_admin | Dec 28, 2021 | Uncategorized
As the new year approaches quickly, here are some trends to look out for in 2022.
First: The demand for two-tone kitchens is on the rise. You can never go wrong with gray or white as one of the base colors; it is easy to find colors that complement them. But keep it simple and use counters, floors, and cabinets that will never go out of style.
Note: Popular paint colors to expect: greens, blues, beiges, pinks.
Second: Natural is in again (surprise surprise). You can never go wrong with granite and marble looks; they are timeless stones. Also, wood is back. A lot of homes are adding light wood accents around the house.
Third: Glossy finishes for counters are out, and matte finishes are in. Why? Matte finishes are said to give off a more calming aesthetic.
Fourth: You can expect to see concrete and copper-style counters; and terrazzo styling on walls and floors. 
Note: Terrazzo consists of chips of marble, granite, quartz, glass, shell or other suitable materials. It uses either a cement or epoxy matrix as the binder.
If you’re interested in reading more, here are some articles:
https://www.stoneinnovations.net/article/2022-kitchen-design-trends
https://ekitchentrends.com/2022-kitchen-design-trends-what-will-the-wind-of-change-bring-us/#Stone
https://newdecortrends.com/6-trendy-and-hot-trends-in-bathroom-design-in-2022/
by aeb52298_admin | Dec 13, 2021 | Uncategorized
We are here to make your home renovation easier; that is why we compiled a list of pros and cons for stones. We hope that this helps you choose the perfect stone for your home.
Here are a few things to keep in mind as you read:
- Stain-resistant does not mean stain-proof. Stain-resistant means that it is harder to stain the stone. If you properly care for it, you will not deal with staining.
- Heat resistance does not mean you should constantly place high heat objects on the stones. High heat can remove sealer or polish layers, eventually damaging the stone. Try to use a trivet or hot pad as often as possible.
GRANITE
Granite is a natural stone. It is formed under the Earth’s surface by magma that slowly cools and crystallizes over time. As a result, each slab is unique and full of different colors and patterns.
Pros of Granite:
- One of the hardest substances on Earth, making it very durable
- Heat resistant
- Scratch-resistant
- Can be repaired if broken, unless shattered
Cons of Granite:
- Needs to be sealed; otherwise, there can be staining
- Is porous
QUARTZITE
Quartzite is a natural stone formed by crystallizing from molten magma. Many slabs have marble-like colors and veining.
Pros of Quartzite:
- Resistant to etching
- Low maintenance
- UV resistant
- Durable
- Can be repaired if broken, unless shattered
- Scratch resistant
Cons of Quartzite:
- Some varieties need to be sealed
- Can stain
MARBLE
Marble is a natural stone. It’s created by the metamorphosis of a combination of rocks under intense pressure and temperatures.
Pros of Marble:
- Are beautiful and timeless stones
- Can be repaired if broken, unless shattered
- With proper care, they can last a long time
Cons of Marble:
- Porous
- Can stain or etch. To prevent etching we recommend a honed marble. Honed marble is marble that has not gone through the polish process, which leaves it matte.
- Delicate and can be damaged easier than other stones
PORCELAIN 
Porcelain is a ceramic material made by heating clay-type materials to high temperatures.
Pros of porcelain:
- UV Resistant
- Heat Resistant
- Essentially scratch resistant (ceramic knives may scratch)
- Stain-resistant
Cons of porcelain:
- Can crack if hit by a hard object (ex: hammer).
DEKTON
Dekton goes through a high-tech process that mimics the metamorphic change that natural stone undergoes over thousands of years.
Pros of Dekton:
- Scratch Resistant
- Heat Resistant
- Stain Resistant
- UV and ice resistant, making it the perfect stone for outdoor use
Cons of Dekton:
- Difficult to repair if broken
QUARTZ: 
Quartz is an engineered stone made up of natural components.
Pros of Quartz:
- Is not porous
- Does not need to be sealed
- Stain-resistant
- Same durability as granite
Cons of Quartz:
- Not heat resistant
- Can be damaged and stained by chemicals, ex: nail polish remover or high pH cleaner
by aeb52298_admin | Mar 23, 2020 | Uncategorized
Here at Italian Marble & Granite things are beginning to change due to COVID-19. Due to many of our customers not having operating kitchens and bathrooms we were granted an essential business. However we are not taking this lightly and operating with many precautions. Please see the list below of the changes and procedures being implemented during this challenging time.
Our showroom is currently closed. If a customer would like a sample, we can leave one outside for them to pick up and return. If you would like to see stones in our warehouse they are visible online and we can also do a video conference to show you material. You can also submit a quote online through our website where it says “get a quote.” This will be sent directly to our estimating department. Our operating hours are 8:00am-4:30pm and we have cancelled evening hours for now. If you need assistance please call the office and we can try to figure something out.
Installations and field measures are still moving forward. Our installers and templator are wearing masks and gloves and disinfecting before every installation and field measure. However we are asking for no homeowner to be in the kitchen or bathroom while we install or field measure. We would like everyone to stay a minimum of 8 feet away from our employees at all times.
Layouts are still being conducted, but they are being done through email. Once again, if you would like to see you slabs we can do a video conference.
We are taking this very seriously in order to protect our employees and customers. We are sanitizing and washing our hands regularly. All employees that do not feel well as being asked to stay home.
Please stay safe everyone!
by aeb52298_admin | Mar 16, 2020 | Uncategorized
Keeping the surfaces in your home clean is a top priority when it comes to your family’s safety, especially in the kitchen and bathroom. While many of us would instinctively reach for a household disinfectant or wipe, it’s important to understand that many types of cleaners could cause serious damage to natural stone countertops.
Alcohol based cleaners can potentially remove the sealer on your granite or marble surfaces, and seep into the stone, causing permanent damage and etching. It’s worth noting that quartz, a manmade product, is completely non-porous, and can often handle harsher cleaners that its natural stone counterparts cannot.
We recommend that consumers use a mild liquid dishwashing detergent and warm water to clean surfaces, and if soap scum is a concern, Miracle brand granite and marble cleaner afterwards to minimize the appearance of streaking.
To clean your counterop:
- Put warm water into a bowl
- Add a small amount of detergent or soap, diluting it
- Clean the surface of your countertop with the solution
- If you are experiencing soapscum or buildup, use Miracle brand granite cleaner
The Natural Stone Institute also suggests a mixture of water and ammonia if a deeper clean is necessary, but warn that repeated ammonia application can cause damage to the stone. Under no circumstance should you ever use bleach, or any acidic product on a natural stone countertop.
We understand that disinfecting your countertops is an essential part of routine cleanliness, and we hope this information helps keep your home a safe and healthy environment while maintaining the longevity of your stone. At Italian Marble and Granite we are happy to help address any concerns you have with the maintenance of your granite, marble and quartz countertops. Please feel free to call us with any questions.
