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When you think of durable countertops, many designers won’t hesitate to recommend for you to use granite. Rugged but elegant, natural yet refined–granite countertops are luxurious yet functional. One way to bring out the beauty of your surfaces is to pair them with an equally elegant backsplash.

Backsplashes have to be just as attractive as their horizontal counterparts, though you should be careful to choose a design that complements them rather than creates a distraction. To avoid monotony and to create visual interest, backsplash materials should be visibly different from the countertops. Suitable backsplash materials include tile, concrete, or in some cases, wood.

If you need help looking for the right backsplash to go with your countertop design, here are few ideas to consider:

Contrasts attract

When selecting backsplash materials, try to go for sharp contrasts. A darker granite will pair well with a lighter-colored back wall, and vice-versa. Black Pearl granite would match beautifully with a white subway tile backsplash. Grey or white countertops against a blue herringbone tile would also make a lovely match. The key here is to limit the pop of color to the back wall, don’t overuse it around the kitchen.

Complement patterns

Try to balance the busy pattern of granite with a backsplash in a simple style. If you are working with a heavily-speckled granite such as New Tropic Brown or Fiesta Gold, which can already draw a lot of visual attention, play down the background with a plain tile in a simple horizontal or hexagonal pattern.

Color-coordinate

Suppose you are struggling with patterns, try instead to look for a tile in the same color family, but using different materials. Slate tiles might go with granite color like Silver Waves. Beige and cream granite hues of Arena and Creama Caramel might go with similarly-hued tiles. The continuity of color throughout the room can make the room look bigger and countertop space wider.

Try different textures

Playing around with textures can make even a simple background look interesting. Some designers like to use stamped concrete, or tile that has raised or etched freeform patterns. You can use plain colors and simple materials but still create sophisticated designs by playing with varying grades on its surface.

Beautiful but functional

Backsplash material should cohesively match your kitchen cabinet and counter design, but keep in mind that it should be easy to clean and maintain as well. Pick a coated tile if you opt for white or light colors because they tend to collect food, oil, and dirt over time. Concrete can make it possible to have intricate patterns and textures, but it is not always easy to wipe down.  Some homeowners and designers opt to have the backsplash remain bare, but this can leave the walls susceptible to stains and look dirty and worn over time.

In conclusion

When selecting a design for your back wall, Ask your suppliers or designers to provide you samples of the tile and stone to see the actual material before it is installed. If you are renovating your kitchen yourself, bring a sample of your granite countertop with you to the store, or view samples online. Make sure to test the design in a small section of the kitchen wall, doing so can help you confirm if you have found the right match.

Are you looking for high-quality granite kitchen countertops in Seattle? We offer a wide variety of stones and patterns that can suit any price range. Browse our selection online and request an estimate for your needs!

Most consumers today prefer granite for their kitchen countertops or bathroom vanity tops. People will often choose this material over other types of surfaces. Granite is available in various colors, 100 percent natural, and is exceptionally durable, making it great for areas where people prepare and consume food. Here are a few more reasons why you should choose this material for your renovation.

It increases your home’s resale value

Granite conveys luxury, far more than quartz or other materials used for kitchen surfaces. It is highlighted as a plus when homes are featured in listings. Although your granite kitchen or bathroom countertops are probably not your only selling point, it may be the thing that convinces a buyer to choose your home over another.

It is incomparable in style and value

Granite veining can look dramatic and bold, or it can be soft and subtle. People who like marble patterns but are hesitant to use it because of the price tag will find granite an acceptable alternative. In particular, white granite looks as luxurious as marble but more durable.

Nothing beats the real thing; granite alternatives like quartz or laminate attempt to recreate it but are often unsuccessful. These materials have fake-looking veins or uniform surfaces. Although they look the same from a distance, you will certainly see the difference up close.

It is a great long-term investment

You do not have to do much to clean a granite countertop. After preparing a meal or eating, you only need to wipe it down with a cloth and a gentle cleanser. This material resists stains and etching, and it will not scorch if you accidentally rest a hot pan on it.

In case you want more protection for your countertop, you can have it sealed by a specialist. This process does not take more than ten minutes and protects your surfaces against a lifetime of staining.

Granite surfaces can last up to 30 years. Comparably-priced countertops will have been replaced at least twice in the lifespan of this material. Since granite bears the brunt of daily routines in the bathroom and kitchen, they need to be made of something that lasts a while.

You get a unique surface

When you choose a man-made countertop, you have to base your selection on a small sample. What’s more, the pieces delivered to you might not even look like the sample you chose.

With granite, you have the freedom to view slabs of stone and select the ones you want for your project. When you are allowed to view the whole slab, you can base your choice on things like color variation and veining. These things vary widely, even among slabs of the same type of granite.

Conclusion

Granite is a classic material that will be fashionable for kitchen and bathroom surfaces for many years. Its durability and aesthetic appeal is a solid combination that makes it the perfect choice for discerning homeowners. With granite, you can sustain daily activities for many years, while reaping the benefits of having a stunning focal point for your kitchen or your bathroom.

Work with Granite Designer and be sure of the quality of your kitchen or bath countertops. We have the best granite countertops in Seattle, and we guarantee top-quality custom countertop fabrication every time. Get in touch with us today for a free estimate!

In the olden days, marble and natural stone were symbols of wealth, grandeur, and power when used for floorings and other surfaces in residences. Quarrying, cutting, and transporting such materials were incredibly labor-intensive, meaning only the wealthiest could afford to furnish their homes with such material.

Fortunately, natural stone has become a much more affordable option thanks to modern equipment and more widely available transportation systems. To this day, natural stone remains a classic building material that exudes elegance and style.

If you’re considering natural stone for your bathroom countertops, here are three things to consider:

It’s Aesthetically Pleasing

Seeing a bathroom that’s furnished with marble and other natural stone immediately makes for a grand and sophisticated impression. Natural stone has always symbolized exclusivity and taste, which will carry that same atmosphere to your bathroom. In fact, natural stone countertops are so timeless and stylish that they instantly elevate the feel of any room.

If your bathroom is a fairly small space, natural stone countertops are a great way to dress it up while making it feel like it’s a much larger room. They’re also flexible because they can be cut to the specific shape of your counters and incorporated into any design you have in mind. You can have counters of any shape, from the standard rectangular ones to ones that are T-shaped!

It Improves Resale Value

Natural stones come from quarries, which have been used for thousands of years to extract stone for building material. These quarries have a different form of stone even within the same quarry, which means you’ll have a unique slab of stone for each countertop or design element in your house.

This uniqueness, coupled with the properties of natural stone, automatically increases the resale value of your home. Natural stone has always been a desirable building material and will remain so in the years to come, making it classic and timeless yet modern at the same time.

The presence of natural stone in a residence is always a strong positive among buyers, so if you’re thinking of offering your home for sale in the far future, you can count on your natural stone countertops to bump up the selling price.

It’s Durable

Natural stone has long been considered a durable building material, but it was once off-limits to wet locations like bathrooms. Thanks to modern technology, sealants have provided natural stone with added protection against water and other liquids. In fact, they can withstand the accidents and mishaps of everyday life: food spillage, splashes of wine, and even cups of hot coffee can easily be wiped off natural stone countertops.

In fact, natural stone is so sturdy that it can even bear the brunt of knives with little to no damage. They’re also low maintenance, requiring additional applications of sealant every few years to further protect them. These kinds of countertops easily last a lifetime, which will save you plenty of money on maintenance and replacement costs.

Conclusion

Natural stone countertops are a great addition to your bathroom. They’re upscale, unique, and long-lasting, which will make your bathroom one of the most stylish spaces in your home. They instantly upgrade the room while providing it with more durability, making it easy to clean and maintain. Natural stone countertops are definitely something to consider when designing your bathroom.

Are you considering marble countertops for your bathroom? Let us know at Granite Designer! We are the top choice for vanity and kitchen countertops in Seattle, WA that also offers installation services for premium countertops, fireplace surrounds, and accessories. Get in touch with us today to see how we can help!

Quartz is a popular countertop material among homeowners because it can resist stains and is tough, making it an excellent material to use for kitchen surfaces. Moreover, quartz is nonporous, which means that it is impervious to mold and mildew growth. Despite the strengths of quartz countertops, it still requires some TLC that you should regularly practice, and taking care of these kitchen surfaces is the best way to make it last for a long time.

If you are looking for surefire methods to make your countertops shine longer, here are two options to consider:

Schedule Routine Cleaning

Although quartz can resist permanent staining, it still requires routine cleaning. An effective way to keep your countertops spotless is to schedule a regular cleaning. Be sure to set aside time at least every month to thoroughly clean these fixtures, or you can do this weekly as well.

For fresh messes, you can take care of it using mild dishwashing soap. On the other hand, you can remove dried spills or heavy stains with the use of a glass or surface cleaner.

In the case that you come across a sticky situation when the stains are too stubborn to remove, don’t give up easily. If it’s cooking grease, know that you can use a degreasing product to loosen and remove it from the surface. All you need to do is follow the instructions in the pack.

If you have kids at home and your countertops are filled with stains from a permanent marker, rest assured that you can still remove them using a special product you can find online and rub it in the stain. Thanks to technological advances, there are now many products in the market that are designed to remove permanent inks on countertops. Make sure that you do some research on the best products that can remove permanent stains and go for the ones that have gained lots of positive reviews.

Set Aside Time to Deep Clean the Countertops

Routine cleaning is great, but you should also set aside time for deep cleaning your quartz countertops. Spray a generous amount of non-abrasive surface cleaner and let it sit for several minutes – you can do this once a month!

Make sure not to use any abrasives and acid or alkaline cleaners on your kitchen surfaces because it can make them dull. If you’re looking for products to use for your countertops, be sure to choose those that are specifically designed for quartz.

Likewise, avoid exposing the surfaces to extreme heat. Even if the material is heat- and scorch-resistant, it can still melt when exposed to heat over 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, a sudden change in temperature or prolonged heat exposure can cause the countertop to crack.

Another habit that you should never practice is slicing or dicing on the countertop without a cutting board. As much as quartz is a hard surface, it isn’t hard enough to withstand the effects of sharp objects that can do severe damage.

Conclusion

At this point, you now realize that taking care of quartz countertops isn’t as tricky as you might have initially expected. All you need to do is devote time to clean and maintain them. By following the two practical tips mentioned above, you can look forward to shiny and functional surfaces that will last for a long time.

If you’re looking for quality quartz countertops in Seattle, WA, we have got you covered. We offer affordable rates for our products and guarantee 100% on-time delivery. We provide quality countertops from the leading stone suppliers in the region – get in touch with us today for an instant quote!

Quartz is an excellent choice for countertop material because of its many aesthetic and functional advantages. It is a non-porous material that withstands staining from juice, wine, oil, coffee, and other stain sources. It has stain resistance better than concrete, marble, and granite.

Because of its non-porous material, keeping a quartz countertop bacteria-free is relatively easy. Moreover, quartz is a durable and elegant material that allows you to experiment with different edge styles.

Types of Edge You Can Partner With a Quartz Countertop

When it comes to incorporating natural stone elements into projects, quartz is almost always the top-of-mind option for designers. Its unique design and elegant appearance add beauty and value to any space.

Both the waterfall and the mitered edge are popularly used in kitchen and restaurant countertops and bathroom vanities. Here is how the two differ.

The Waterfall Edge

The waterfall edge is characterized by a 90-degree angle at the countertop’s end. Instead of ending the countertop with a finished edge, a waterfall edge heads toward the floor. It flows right over the side of the cabinet, seating area, or the island, appearing like water falling over a cliff.

This type of edge is considered a modern style because of its clean design. Quartz is the perfect material for this unique style because it is durable enough to support larger overhangs. If you use granite for this style, it may crack or break over time because of its weight.

The Mitered Edge

The mitered edge is somewhat similar to the waterfall edge. The difference is that a mitered edge does not extend to the floor. If you look closely at its edge, you’d see two 45-degree angles joined together. This cut does not make the edge appear seamless, but it makes the countertops look thicker than regular quartz slabs.

With a mitered edge, your countertop will surely stand out in a room. Because mitered edges give the illusion that they are thicker than they are, they can quickly become the center of attention.

Edge Profile for Quartz Countertops

Quartz is also versatile when used as edge profiles. There is a variety you can choose from that will look fitting for your quartz countertop. You can choose a simple edge profile, such as the bullnose, to achieve a classic look. If you want a more luxurious look, choose a more elaborate design, like the double ogee.

An edge gives your countertop personality, and that tiny element could complete the style vision you have for your space. The most popular edge used in most countertops is the eased edge. The eased edge gives the countertop a rounded square edge or a softened square look. It is both aesthetically pleasing and safe and is perfect for contemporary, transitional, and traditional styles.

Quartz is also an excellent option for your edge because it will not peel over time, unlike lower-quality materials like laminate.

Conclusion

Countertops are one of the most used parts of a house. Make sure to choose a material that will look good and offer great functionality for the long term.

If you are looking for a quartz countertops supplier in Seattle, know that our countertops are carefully designed and crafted to fit your personal and unique style, budget, and needs. Contact Granite Designer today and find the material you are looking for.