Italy can be called the Mecca of marble. Really, there is hardly any building in this country where you can not find any marble. This applies to all the commercial, private or public buildings. This has given Venice its own place among the cities. In fact, the Venetian marbles can be placed right by the side of other iconic things of the city such as the gondola, Casanova, coffee houses, Murano glass, Amarone wine.
When you reach this amazing city, you will be very eager to watch the Venetian palazzos and the sight of the Palazzo Ducale, or Contarini Del Bovolo and Ca d’Oro. In all of them, marble has been used exquisitely to create an ambience of luxury and class. Basilica di St. Marco is another place where you can witness the fascinating art with the marble. In the hotels, restaurants, and every where in Venice, you will find mosaic, tiles, columns and panels all made of marble. In fact, most of the buildings use marble to construct the floor and the marble.
Venice had witnessed an unprecedented high during the time of Renaissance. The famous stonemasons of that time had lent Venice an unparalleled beauty that still fascinates people all over the world. Among those artists who made Venice the city of romance, Jacopo Bambagiani, and Andrea Palladio should be mentioned.
One of the greatest features of the Venetian marble is its variety. According to experts, there are more than hundred different types of marbles that have been used in different construction across the city. Now, when you consider the geographical locale and the fact that almost all of them are imported from far away, you must admire the variety.
In fact, the Venetian marble was generally imported from the Mediterranean area. However, the Rosso Verona was quarried from the surroundings of Verona. However, Venice showcases different other marbles quarried from Italy as well. This includes Statuario, Portoro, Rosso Lepanto, Bianco Carara and Botticino.
Both the Bianco Cararra and Statuario were quarried from the Carrara region that is located in Tuscany. The later is whiter and has less veins black and grey veins than the first one. This type of the marble was used by the legendary sculptor Michelangelo and this is the stone that he used to create the famous statue of David. This statue can still be seen at the Accademia Gallery in Florence.
However, many feel that Portoro and Rosso Lepanto have an essential Venetian flavor in them than the other ones. The later has a rich color, while former has a texture that creates a spell. In fact, the city of Venice has the essential shine, the joy in it to match the marble, which is derived from a Greek word meaning shining.
The marble mosaic floors of Venice are yet another example of that colorful facet of the city. However, you can install them in your house. But, to make the most of them, you must take the help of the experts. Remember when you add them to your house you bring home a piece of history.
Showing posts with label marble countertops il. Show all posts
Showing posts with label marble countertops il. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Add A Little Luxury To Your Home Décor!
Almost all of us are keen to have an attractive home. We thus use several home decor and home building materials to increase the beauty of the house. A person who wants to add some luxury to his home can opt to use natural stones. Men have used natural stones for ages. Some of the ancient pieces of art and architecture, which exists till today were made up of natural stones.
Marble, a natural stone was preferred by ancient people for its beauty and elegance. Romans preferred granite for its strength. Someone who wants to add little luxury to his house can use marble and granite. Wall claddings made up of granite and marble can impart an excellent look to the exterior of the house. They are easy to maintain and so a person can retain the bright look of the house easily. With marble or granite exterior decorative, one can give a sophisticated elegance to the house.
Slate and limestone can also be used for decorating the exterior of the house. One can use different colors of granite to give a stunning look to the house. Limestone can be used by a person who wants to give his house a country feeling. For using any natural stone decorative on the exterior of the house, a person needs to prevent the weathering of the rock. Non polish surfaces are preferred for protecting the surface from weathering.
Roofing of the house plays a great role in determining the look of the house. Someone who wants to give a unique look to his house and is also careful about the durability of the material can use slate roofing. If a person takes proper care of the slate roofing then he can make it last for decades. Many building in India, constructed almost 1000 years back, have their original slate flooring and roofing. This has been possible owing to the proper maintenance of the stones.
Apart from the flooring and roofing, a person can use natural stones for fireplaces and hearths. Fireplaces made up of marble or granite can change the complete look of the house. If selected appropriately and installed properly, they can change the look of the house. Someone who wants to give his home an elegant look can use vanity tops and bar counters made up of marble.
A person who wants to add some touch of luxury to his house should always be careful about the finishing of the home decoration. One should always give equal attention to all parts of the house. If the kitchens and bathrooms are neglected then it can reduce the esthetic appeal of the house. Marble and granite sinks, countertops and other materials are available for kitchen as well as bathrooms. If they are used appropriately then the house can really get an excellent look.
If a person has a garden in front of his house, then he can use statues and fountains made of natural stones to decorate the garden. This would change the entire ambience of the house and make a house look great.
Marble, a natural stone was preferred by ancient people for its beauty and elegance. Romans preferred granite for its strength. Someone who wants to add little luxury to his house can use marble and granite. Wall claddings made up of granite and marble can impart an excellent look to the exterior of the house. They are easy to maintain and so a person can retain the bright look of the house easily. With marble or granite exterior decorative, one can give a sophisticated elegance to the house.
Slate and limestone can also be used for decorating the exterior of the house. One can use different colors of granite to give a stunning look to the house. Limestone can be used by a person who wants to give his house a country feeling. For using any natural stone decorative on the exterior of the house, a person needs to prevent the weathering of the rock. Non polish surfaces are preferred for protecting the surface from weathering.
Roofing of the house plays a great role in determining the look of the house. Someone who wants to give a unique look to his house and is also careful about the durability of the material can use slate roofing. If a person takes proper care of the slate roofing then he can make it last for decades. Many building in India, constructed almost 1000 years back, have their original slate flooring and roofing. This has been possible owing to the proper maintenance of the stones.
Apart from the flooring and roofing, a person can use natural stones for fireplaces and hearths. Fireplaces made up of marble or granite can change the complete look of the house. If selected appropriately and installed properly, they can change the look of the house. Someone who wants to give his home an elegant look can use vanity tops and bar counters made up of marble.
A person who wants to add some touch of luxury to his house should always be careful about the finishing of the home decoration. One should always give equal attention to all parts of the house. If the kitchens and bathrooms are neglected then it can reduce the esthetic appeal of the house. Marble and granite sinks, countertops and other materials are available for kitchen as well as bathrooms. If they are used appropriately then the house can really get an excellent look.
If a person has a garden in front of his house, then he can use statues and fountains made of natural stones to decorate the garden. This would change the entire ambience of the house and make a house look great.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Why Granite is So Popular
You may know one or more people in your social circle or family who have granite in their homes. You may have either opted to install granite yourself, or moved into a home where granite countertops or other granite pieces already existed. That may have even been a perk for choosing your home. Have you ever thought why granite is so common? You no doubt have your theories, and they may include the following four reasons.
Granite is popular because...
It's a classic. Granite countertops, and in fact, granite as a building material, seem to be as old as time. More often than not when you find quality building materials in a home, granite is among them. Especially popular for kitchen countertops and bath vanity tops, granite has proven to be practical and beautiful over years of use. The familiar graining and versatile color palettes seem to make a house a home instantaneously. Really, when you see a granite countertop in all its glory, you don't doubt why it's considered a classic material.
It's practical. It can be rare with more modern man-made materials to find that beauty and function merge. Not so with natural granite. One of the main reasons it works its way into houses, modern and ancient, is because it holds up so well. Considering that granite is cut from the sides of mountains, you would think it would be durable. But even after intense polishing and fabricating to make it countertop-ready, granite still maintains its solidarity underneath. The solid, side-of-a-mountain qualities come in quite handy in a busy kitchen or bathroom. Almost unbreakable, granite is also scratch, stain, and mildew-resistant. The natural coolness also finds function in the kitchen, making it perfect for baking especially. And granite is sanitary, highly resistant to harmful bacteria.
It's versatile. There are very few materials that go with almost every style of kitchen or bathroom. Granite is one of them. The natural stone look blends with most design tastes but the sheer amount of colors to choose from certainly helps. From low-profile browns and tans to stunning reds and emeralds, granite can work with almost any style of kitchen. Whether your taste is more traditional with crown moulding and white cabinets, or more industrial with flat-paneled cabinets and stainless steel appliances, granite will not only coordinate but enhance the look.
It's valuable. When renovating, the goal is often twofold: to improve the home's appearance and to raise its market value. Nothing fulfills both goals like granite countertops. For as long as you live in your home, you'll adore your granite countertops. But should you ever sell, they will work in your favor to appeal to a wide network of buyers. A finished kitchen is a prize for homebuyers and the better quality materials, the higher bids you'll receive. So granite can be a perk today but also in the future should you choose to sell your home.
These are just a few basic reasons granite is such a popular choice for kitchen and bathroom design. There are few materials, natural or synthetic, that combine beauty and function so flawlessly to create a classic, practical, versatile, and valuable product. If it isn't already, granite is sure to be a classic and a standard in your home very soon.
Granite is popular because...
It's a classic. Granite countertops, and in fact, granite as a building material, seem to be as old as time. More often than not when you find quality building materials in a home, granite is among them. Especially popular for kitchen countertops and bath vanity tops, granite has proven to be practical and beautiful over years of use. The familiar graining and versatile color palettes seem to make a house a home instantaneously. Really, when you see a granite countertop in all its glory, you don't doubt why it's considered a classic material.
It's practical. It can be rare with more modern man-made materials to find that beauty and function merge. Not so with natural granite. One of the main reasons it works its way into houses, modern and ancient, is because it holds up so well. Considering that granite is cut from the sides of mountains, you would think it would be durable. But even after intense polishing and fabricating to make it countertop-ready, granite still maintains its solidarity underneath. The solid, side-of-a-mountain qualities come in quite handy in a busy kitchen or bathroom. Almost unbreakable, granite is also scratch, stain, and mildew-resistant. The natural coolness also finds function in the kitchen, making it perfect for baking especially. And granite is sanitary, highly resistant to harmful bacteria.
It's versatile. There are very few materials that go with almost every style of kitchen or bathroom. Granite is one of them. The natural stone look blends with most design tastes but the sheer amount of colors to choose from certainly helps. From low-profile browns and tans to stunning reds and emeralds, granite can work with almost any style of kitchen. Whether your taste is more traditional with crown moulding and white cabinets, or more industrial with flat-paneled cabinets and stainless steel appliances, granite will not only coordinate but enhance the look.
It's valuable. When renovating, the goal is often twofold: to improve the home's appearance and to raise its market value. Nothing fulfills both goals like granite countertops. For as long as you live in your home, you'll adore your granite countertops. But should you ever sell, they will work in your favor to appeal to a wide network of buyers. A finished kitchen is a prize for homebuyers and the better quality materials, the higher bids you'll receive. So granite can be a perk today but also in the future should you choose to sell your home.
These are just a few basic reasons granite is such a popular choice for kitchen and bathroom design. There are few materials, natural or synthetic, that combine beauty and function so flawlessly to create a classic, practical, versatile, and valuable product. If it isn't already, granite is sure to be a classic and a standard in your home very soon.
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