Granite worktops play a major role in providing the ultimate finish to any modern kitchen. Apart from looking extraordinarily beautiful, they are also durable and resistant to all kinds of damage. Furthermore, installing this kind of worktop in your kitchen is sure to delight and create a great first impression on guests entering your kitchen for years to come. We at London Granite are proud to take you through the various steps to consider when choosing a granite worktop for your cherished kitchen. Read the rest of this entry »
Top Tips For Creating A Contemporary Bathroom
July 30th, 2013
Like other rooms in the house, bathrooms can be more than just functional spaces. A well designed bathroom can become that sanctuary where you can escape after a hard day at work to indulge in valuable moments of relaxation. If you bathroom looks like it could do with a makeover, why not consider giving it a contemporary touch? Below you will find some simple ideas that can help you achieve this transformation. Read the rest of this entry »
How to Choose the Right Worktop for Your Bathroom
June 17th, 2013
Your bathroom worktop has to do more than just look good, it has to be able to withstand the regular day to day goings of a busy family bathroom. Your worktop also need to be able to withstand the high heat temperatures from hair straighteners and curlers as well as the numerous beauty and cleaning products you use. That’s why when you are choosing your worktop material you need to think about a number of factors such as durability and cost. We here at London Granite are here to help you to consider all of the factors before you decide. Read the rest of this entry »
Top Tips for Maintaining and Cleaning Your Granite Worktops
May 30th, 2013
Granite is an extremely popular material for countertops and worktops in kitchens. As it is an especially hard rock it is very difficult to scratch or crack. However, like any other material it is still prone to staining and marking. Follow these top tips to help clean and maintain your granite worktops: Read the rest of this entry »
The Advantages of Marble Worktops in the Home
May 16th, 2013
When choosing your kitchen countertop you want to be sure you’re making the right choice, especially as it’s not something you will be looking to change again anytime soon. Marble is an excellent choice and although some people have their reservations, there are some great benefits to it. Read the rest of this entry »
Why You Should Invest in Stone Worktops
February 19th, 2013
Redecorating your kitchen is a major project that takes careful planning. In order to achieve the look you love without breaking the bank, you may need to make a few important decisions about which features to prioritise in your budget.
One thing that is worthy of investment is the quality of your surfaces. Your worktops have a big impact on the look of your kitchen, so they need to be able to withstand daily use without beginning to look untidy or worn.
Solid granite and marble worktops provide a beautiful surface that simply cannot be rivalled by cheaper vinyl alternatives. The ideal finish for your worktop depends on the way that you use it. An open plan kitchen that is used for entertaining might suit a high impact gloss finish, but a matt surface helps to hide minor scrapes and scuffs, so this could be a better option for a kitchen that is heavily used.
With a little on-going maintenance your stone will retain its look for years to come and can even add to the value of your property. Since granite and marble worktops are so popular among prospective buyers, they also help to make a lasting impression that can improve the overall saleability of your home.
Here at London Granite we believe that natural stone work surfaces are worthy of a place near the top of your priorities list, and make a great investment for your home. To find out more about the full range of products that we offer, take a look around our website and contact us today.
A Brief History of Mosaics
January 31st, 2013
The technique of using small tiles of different colours and materials to create patterns and images is a familiar concept that we tend to associate with ancient Roman and Greek societies. In fact, they go back even further than that and the earliest known examples of a mosaic patterns was found in Mesopatamia in the second half of the 3rd millennium BC.
The tradition of creating elaborate images and replicas of paintings in the floors and walls came through Greece and was enthusiastically adopted by the people of the Roman Empire. As a result, examples of the craftsmanship of this era can be seen across the length and breadth of the most widespread civilization in human history.
Over the centuries, local cultures have crept into the art of mosaics in different parts of the world and influenced the designs in subtle but identifiable ways. The style of decoration was also adopted by a number of religious institutions and often used in Basilicas, churches and temples to depict religious figures and scenes.
Mosaics have never gone out of fashion and remain popular to this day as a form of art and interior or exterior decoration. From a simple geometric pattern in a bathroom to an elaborate image laid into a table top, mosaic is a versatile form of embellishment that be designed to suit any style.
Here at London Granite we can create custom mosaics using the design and colours of your choice. We will work with you to create the perfect mosaic from beautiful natural stones, giving you long lasting luxury at an affordable price.
To find out more about the design and installation process that we can offer you, take a look around our website or get in touch to speak to one of our friendly advisors.
How Marble and Granite Can Be Used in the Bathroom
December 20th, 2012
If we think of marble and granite in the home, the kitchen springs to mind. The London Granite website includes images of glittering marble and granite worktops that would improve the look of any kitchen. Marble and granite, however, do not have to be limited to the kitchen area and can be used to enhance the features of other parts of the home – especially bathrooms.
Tiling
Granite or marble tiles are an elegant addition to a bathroom. As a hard stone with dense graining, granite is hard-wearing. Granite can be polished to a high degree, meaning that bathroom tiles made of granite will look great. A key advantage of marble tiles is that for a relatively modest sum of money, it’s possible to increase the value of a home by many thousands more because marble looks so sophisticated. Another benefit of marble is that it is so easy to clean.
Bath Surrounds
Another place where granite and marble will enhance bathroom features is in bath surrounds.
Granite is available in a wide number of colours, so the options are plentiful. No two marble tiles are exactly the same because the coloured veins that run through them vary slightly from tile to tile, therefore marble tiling, whether in a bathroom or elsewhere in a house, gives the room a sense of character. For those who are interested in the environment, marble is a natural material and therefore green householders will know that they are not using a synthetic product to enhance the features of their home.
Granite and marble do not, of course, have to be limited to the bathroom or kitchen, and they will improve the look of floors and walls throughout the home. For anyone who is looking to improve the features of their home in 2013, we would recommend using granite or marble. Here at London Granite we provide granite and marble products of high quality, with an equally high level of customer care.
Tips to Creating the Contemporary Look in Your Kitchen
November 30th, 2012
If you aren’t currently blessed with the nicest of kitchens, maybe the decoration is slightly dated, space isn’t used most effectively or you have to put up with old appliances, perhaps it’s time to take the plunge, put a bit of money aside and bring your kitchen into the 21st Century? The contemporary look with its clean sharp lines is bang on trend at present, so if you are looking for a few ideas as to how you can create this in your home, read on;
High Tech Appliances
One of the most effective ways of creating the contemporary look can be achieved through the introduction of high tech appliances. Everything from cookers and fridge freezers right through to kettles and toasters have as much effort put into their design as they do their function by manufacturers today so can easily become features of a room.
Built in cookers, in-drawer dishwashers and chrome sinks and taps are just a few of the ways appliances can be used to help consolidate the overall design.
Granite Worktops
Alongside the appliances, the design of worktop you go for also plays a huge role in the end result in terms of appearance. A dark granite finish is a popular choice for those attempting to develop the contemporary feel within the room as it exudes elegance and luxury as well as being easy to clean and maintain so never drops it stunning level of appearance.
Combined with the right appliances and units that reflect its design, a granite worktop is almost a must have for the homeowner looking to modernise a kitchen space.
Stylish Units
A further feature of the modern day kitchen is a collection of stylish, innovatively designed units. If you have the space available, an island unit is great both practically and aesthetically as is it can contain a hob, sink, oven and fridge whilst also offering additional storage space and seating so can become a stand-alone mini-kitchen.
With regards to cupboards and drawers, handleless units are becoming increasingly popular and really reflect the modern design ideals of today. High gloss black and grey units enhance the contemporary feel whilst wide drawers and tall cupboards make access much easier at the same time as looking great in the space that is available.
By taking into consideration one or two, or all of these tips, we at London Granite believe you will be well on the way to updating your kitchen, creating the contemporary feel and ultimately developing a space that you will be proud to show off within your home!
Cheap Granite Worktops Prices
October 8th, 2012
Granite Worktops At Great Prices
There is something special about granite. Granite worktops add a level of quality to your kitchen that no other material can as easily provide. Cool to the touch and pleasing to the eye, they are an excellent addition to your home or business.
It may be the versatility of granite in design that has done so much for the popularity of the material. The range of uses and possibilities is endless and kitchen designers often get creative with the vast color selection and design freedom allowed by modern cutting machines.
Not Just For Worktops
Granite is not only used for tops, it is also used for floor and wall coverings in a very beautiful way. One popular modern look is to match the granite worktops with the adjacent floor tiles to create a clean and sleek design. Since the material is a natural stone, the color goes through and any custom shape can be created. This allows for custom components to be designed, such as an accent in tumbled marble wall tile.
Common thicknesses of granite are 2cm and 3cm, which offer distinctly different looks around edges and sink cutouts. Another thickness option can be had by laminating two slabs of granite together to create even more thickness to the stone. Coupled with a wide range of available edge profiles, the creative and practical design options are quite impressive.
Ease Of Use and Maintenance
Granite worktops are among the simplest to keep clean. The glossy finish obtained by the polishing process is, on its own, very durable and beautiful. Many products are also available now that seal the stone surface to further enhance the natural resistance to moisture. Usually a quick wipe-down will result in worktops with a brand-new shine.
For the busy cook, granite has a very real advantage that no other material can match. It is generally impervious to heat, at least within the normal ranges of hot cooking appliances. This can greatly improve the efficiency of a kitchen in terms of workable space and allow more than one cook to work simultaneously.
Better Pricing Available Now
The pleasing thing is, granite worktops don’t cost what they used to.
Significant improvements in the processes of measuring, cutting, and installing granite have allowed for much more competitive pricing than in years past. This opens up the use of natural granite to a much wider range of consumers and builders.
Modern technology plays a large role in the lower costs available to those seeking to improve the kitchen with granite. Templates can be made digitally which allow for perfectly accurate prefabrication in the shop with all of the cutouts for sinks, faucets, or appliances done prior to arrival.
This improvement in efficiency also allows for a much simpler experience at time of installation. No longer is there as much need for cutting the material on-site which not only makes a tremendous noise, but creates a cloud of dust that is always ready to travel to the nearest, and least understanding, neighbor.
Great Feel, Great Practicality, Great Price
Thanks to the natural beauty of stone that was once reserved for the most elite and well-heeled of society, combined with the modern efficiencies of computerized cutting machines and manufacturing, the best material for worktops is now available to a wide audience.
This may be your year for granite. Take some time to browse the colors, edge details, and other features. Consider how it might work in your kitchen! There has never been a better time for this perfect worktop material.