Monday, March 29, 2010

Kitchen Island Furniture – The Missing Piece to My Kitchen

Kitchen Island Furniture – A Substitute for Dining Tables?

When the last room in my new apartment was decorated, I realized that because of the bargain shopping we did, I still had some money left. I had initially planned not to have a dining room since the space between my kitchen and living room was too tiny. Also, I had stools for my kitchen counter.

It was then that one of my friends opened the idea of having people over. Having a counter with a few chairs wouldn't suffice. With the money left from the renovation project, I decided to buy a kitchen island table set, since this was the only thing that could fit my one bedroom apartment. This way, I didn't need to buy a large table. This was enough for relatives who come over.

One thing I enjoyed most when I shopped for kitchen island furniture was that these were also created for decorative purposes. I was able to see not only wooden ones but also glass, marble and many others. The best part about this was that, they all came with their own set of stools. The only problem was choosing one that was both attractive and sturdy. These weren't all heavy duty. In fact, not all of them will be able to carry a certain weight. You really have to test it out first if you're planning to use it for more than just an interior decoration.

A Better Place to Find Kitchen Island Table Revealed!

Yet, there was one difficulty I face while browsing for these. It took me a while before I found a good priced set. I didn't have any luck with outlet malls or furniture stores. In fact, I wasn't able to find mine in-store. I had to find a "kitchen island for sale" online. I was able to browse through this dealer's site. Thankfully, this person was from within my vicinity. I was able to see his island table collection and choose from them.

The bottom line is that, if you want something more, don't just rely on malls and furniture stores. Always have a back up plan. The internet is a great place to browse and the best part about this is that, it's easier to find bargains there. You don't have to drive around town or exert too much energy. All you have to do is sit in front of your computer and make a few calls—at least, that's how I got my set.

Now, my kitchen is complete and I really have to thank my granite tile countertops and my new kitchen island table set.

Prefabricated Granite Countertops – Good for Bathrooms Too!

Who Else Wants To Use Prefabricated Granite Countertops for Your Home?

When I bought my apartment, I didn't like the looks of the rooms inside it, especially the bathroom. It looked like a disaster. Although I liked the pink and green theme, the ceramic tiles were in bad condition. So bad that there were pieces which fell on the floor, as well as cracks and chips. Maybe this was why I got the place for a low price. The old owner didn't maintain the place well.

Thanks to the discounted price I got for my flat, I was able to add the cash I saved to my renovation fund. After picking granite tiles for my kitchen, the contractor I was working with suggested that I should use these for my bathroom instead of any other material. Despite the fact that these were prices slightly higher than other materials, it was a long term investment. Now, when you look at my kitchen and bathroom, you'll see that I used prefabricated granite countertops. It's functional, attractive and who could forget, cheaper!

Some Reasons Why Granite Tiles Are Useful

Just in case you're not familiar with using granite, here are the reasons why they're so useful for rooms that are frequently used like bathrooms and kitchens.
  • Granite is the strongest stone, next to diamonds, in the world. These can withstand heavy weight and high temperatures.
  • There is a sealant that protects the surface of granite. Meaning, when you spill something on the surface, this will not get damaged like wood or ceramic. In fact, the granite will absorb the liquid.
  • You don't need any cleaning materials for these countertops. You can use a regular cloth and water.
  • Using granite tiles, instead of slabs, will help you save tons of money. Because of their practical qualities, slabs can be very expensive. Thanks to processed tiles, even homeowners can have something close to the real thing.
Using black granite countertops in my bathroom is actually one of the best decisions I've ever made. Not only does my bathroom look like a room fit for a queen, but I don't need to exert too much effort and money maintaining it. Granite tiles are definitely one of the best household inventions since indoor plumbing!

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Granite Countertop Colors – A Palette of Beautiful Granite Colors

Choosing Granite Countertop Colors Can Be Quite A Feat

It took me a while before the granite tile I chose crossed my eye. This is because I had to choose through myriads of granite countertop colors. Although one of the most common colors of granite is similar to the one I picked (brown/orange base color), there are tons, specifically, hundreds of granite hues available.

Just like the slabs, granite tiles in the market also have a lot of colors to choose from. If you're sticking to a theme, then that's good! It will make your search easier. Take note, however, that there are different kinds of granite for each color. Doing a research on each color will make it very easier. In fact, the web has tons of resources about granite (both slabs and tiles) for people who wish to use it for their homes or even offices.

A Rundown of the Main Granite Countertop Colors

One of the most common granite colors is the black one. Although this is only one color, there are several kinds such as Uba Tuba granite, Cambrian Black granite, Black Galaxy and many others. This one is very nice especially if you wish to add a modern-slash-elegant appeal to your kitchen. In fact, you don't only have to use these for your cooking area. I actually had black granite tiles installed to my bathroom. Now, it looks like it's fit for royalty!

The brown/orange/yellow color also brims with elegance. Take it from me, this is the color I used and it looks fantastic. Although I didn't use wood for my countertops, it complemented nicely with the tiles when I used them for cabinets and drawers. One great thing about these colors is that they can truly make your home look like a home—it's warm and cozy.

There are other colors such as rose, white, blue and green. Each of these has their own variations. These colors aren't that common though. Because of this, these can be a bit expensive compared to black and brown based colors. However, by using these, your house will look more refreshing.

All in all, people who care much for aesthetics will surely enjoy experimenting with these granite. Just in case you're wondering, just be creative! Whichever color combinations you make, these tiles will make your kitchen, bathroom or whichever area in your house look absolutely fab!

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Santa Cecilia Granite – Added Class To My New Work Station

No Cook Wants To Work In A Messy Environment! Have You Ever Considered Granite Tiles?

I've always loved cooking ever since my college days. Because of that, you'll find me more often than not inside a kitchen preparing something. Now that I have my own place, this fact is still very true. Because of this, I make sure that this area of my home is not only well decorated but also, brims with functionality. With that, I made sure to use granite tile countertops.

Before I had my place redecorated, I had two choices for the counters in my kitchen. Between, Santa Cecilia granite and even counters and cabinets with wooden finish. I decided on the former since I heard that the latter can be a bit delicate, especially with all the hot pots and spilling juices that can touch it. I've read somewhere that granite can withstand all of these.

What's So Special With Granite Countertops?

Basically, granite is a low maintenance type of material. Instead of worrying about stains and even cracks, this slab will keep its natural beauty. It has a natural sealant that will absorb liquid and at the same time, it can withstand any kind of temperature. The only thing I need to do is wipe stains away and they're gone. I don't even need to buy some sort of a product to clean it.

Unfortunately, granite is a very expensive piece of rock. It's often used in buildings or luxurious resorts and establishments. For homeowners like me (who own a small flat), there are tiles—the next best thing. I used colors like orange, brown and earthly hues since this matches the granite tiles I picked. It adds a comfortable accent to my kitchen.

Just in case you wish to have a kitchen you can be proud of, consider using tiles. You can browse the web for good sources of discount granite countertops if you want. But take it from me, as an aspiring cook, I'm loving my new work station thanks to granite tiles.