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Why Engineered Stone Might Be The Countertop For You

two sinks in a hall bathroomEngineered stone countertops, which are man-made countertops composed of crushed stone held together by a resin, are becoming more and more popular among homeowners. The reason for their popularity? In addition to their extremely low maintenance appeal, the ability to mimic natural stone has been making leaps and bounds. It’s truly a great option for those who love the look of natural stone, but aren’t fans of the regular maintenance required, such as sealing it.

home wet bar with blue cabinets, floating shelves, and blue backsplash tile

Consistency and predictability in the countertop’s aesthetic is a significant benefit to choosing engineered stone, one that can take some stress out of making your selection. Since it is a man-made material, the color tones and stone patterns are more consistent. Natural stone, on the other hand, is cut from the earth and no two slabs are alike, which means you’ll get a varying degree of colors, textures, and movement in the material used for your countertops. This variability makes tagging a specific natural stone slab a must when choosing your countertop, but in most cases, you can skip a trip to the stone yard when choosing an engineered stone or quartz countertop.

While engineered stone can be comparable in cost to some natural stones, the time and money saved on maintenance is often attractive to homeowners. Popular industry choices for engineered stone include Cambria, Silestone and Caesarstone because of their strong reputation in the industry. However, there are many other manufacturers and brands to consider that also offer a large variety from which to choose.

If you’re planning a kitchen or bathroom remodel, give our Designers a call. Selecting the countertop material is just one part of designing an entire space you’ll love for years to come. In the meantime, sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date on design trends and helpful ideas for your home.

 

Built in hutch with gray painted and dark stained cabinetry, mullion cabinet doorsPowder room with accent tile, floating vanity and vessel sink  kitchen with dark cabinetry at perimeter and quartz countertopsall white kitchen with island featuring quartz countertop

 

Using Pops Of Color In Bathrooms To Make A Statement

blue bathroom tile created by Normandy Designer Ann StockardAdding pops of color is a favorite, retro trend in bathrooms and kitchens alike right now, and this contemporary bathroom remodel is a fantastic example. “The homeowners really wanted a vibrant space to reflect their personalities in this master bathroom,” says Normandy Designer Ann Stockard.  “We went with turquoise tile mosaic accents throughout the space to create focal points and a sense of harmony.  The quiet, neutral beige really sets off the turquoise, giving the homeowners the vibrant bathroom they desired.”

blue tile mosaic in bathroom with freestanding tub created by Normandy Designer Ann Stockard“Adequate storage is always a priority in bathrooms,” commented Ann.  “In this bathroom the large vanity provides ample storage, but there’s also ledges throughout for storage.  There’s one on the vanity that does double duty as a shelf and creating architectural interest and one behind the tub for the homeowner to rest a glass or book on while bathing.”

“Bathroom lighting is becoming more of a concern than it has in the past, so we went with two pendant lights hung at different heights to go with the contemporary style of the bathroom,” says Ann.  “We also incorporated recessed lighting in key points throughout the bathroom.”

Ann is a seasoned designer who makes it a priority to meet her customers’ goals for a space, while staying on top of the latest trends and products to be able to provide the best service possible.  To have her take a peek at your bathroom’s potential, schedule a complimentary, in-home consultation with her today!

glass shower doors idea with bench created by Normandy Designer Ann Stockardblue tile shower ideas created by Normandy Designer Ann Stockardcurved bench in shower created by Normandy Designer Ann Stockardbathroom lighting ideas created by Normandy Designer Ann Stockardbathroom toilet ideas created by Normandy Designer Ann Stockard

vessel sinks in master bathroom created by Normandy Designer Ann Stockard

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