A Guide to Mastering the Wet Bar

The holidays are upon us! If you enjoy entertaining often, you’ll need a wet bar for thirsty guests. Whether you want it to be in the rec room or in the kitchen, here’s a guide to mastering your beverage-prep area:

• Be selective with the materials options. Keep the cabinetry, countertop, backsplash and other elements matched with both aesthetics and functionality. If your wet bar will be located in your kitchen, it should blend well with the overall kitchen design.

• Wine collection is becoming a mainstream coast-to-coast. When storing vintage in the house, keep it in space that don’t get a lot of moisture. For an instance, you can place an open wine storage above a wet bar.

• Opt for glass-front cabinets to showcase your glassware and collectibles. A dedicated fridge (or an ice maker) just for drinks is another handy addition. Get something that perfectly fits your space.

• Get a bar faucet – it can be in the same product line as your kitchen tap for continuity. Also, consider a coordinating sink that has better finish and is easy to maintain.

• Use a customizable drawer insert for storing wine charms, corkscrews, bottle stoppers and other essentials.

• Decide on the layout that works for you. For example, an L-shaped wet bar allows you to have more space for prep duties.

• If your wine fridge doesn’t have enough space to hold all your wine bottles, built-in racks or countertop models would be your best bet.

To learn more tips for setting up a stylish home bar, click here.

Prepare Your Kitchen for Christmas with These Tips

With Christmas just a few days away, it’s time to furnish, decorate, and prepare your home for the guests and festivities. If you’re hosting a party, your kitchen will certainly be the heart of the home. Be sure your kitchen is ready to do the job – it’ll save you time and stress.

There are simple ways to prepare your kitchen for the festive celebration:

Get organized. Remove unwanted clutter and organize your pantry. You can also make small changes, like adding dividers and recycling bins.

Mark out a triangle. Make your kitchen layout work for you. Remember the basics: The three main zones are storage (fridge/freezer and dry storage), washing (sink, dishwasher) and cooking. But you can also think about other tasks such as making coffee or tea. If you think something’s getting in the way when you carry out a task at hand, move that a little bit.

Add a splash of color. Give your kitchen a festive feeling by indulging in some Christmas-themed pieces, such as holiday jars, snowflake printed pot holders, and colorful candy containers. These small changes can make a difference and can spruce up any traditional kitchen.

Use festive lighting. This is a great way to create an inviting atmosphere whether you go for modern spotlights or a classic chandelier style. Also, perfect lighting makes you look great for Christmas dinner pictures!

      

Brighten your kitchen cabinets. If you have glass-front cabinets, stock them with seasonal accents or try dressing it up with patterned wallpaper.

Spruce up the countertops. While you want to keep your countertop clear for the busy season, you can add simple accents like cookie jars, holiday greenery, or a lush arrangement using colander. If there is plenty of space, you make a small Christmas village.

Milan Stoneworks wishes you a wonderful holiday season! Call us if you’re planning to upgrade your kitchen after the busiest time of the year!

Seven Hot Tips for Fireplace Remodeling

Do you have a gas-burning fireplace or a wood-burning one? With fireplace season upon us, you may think of remodeling your living room where you can plan cozy evenings. Ideally you want this and everything that surrounds it to complement the overall look and feel of your home. If you love sitting in front of a roaring fire, these tips will warm up your home remodeling project:

• When updating or building a fireplace, consider the style, cost and installation process.

• Decide what kind of fireplace you want to have. Browse photos of different fireplace styles in the magazines or on the web, then save your favorites. Contact a pro to get started.

• Choosing the right facing is a big decision. A slab of granite, marble, or another solid surface creates minimalist and dramatic aesthetic. If you need help in selecting and installing a slab, click here.

• If you are replacing an existing fireplace surround, check if the new one is compatible with the fire type. Some surrounds may not be heat-resistant and are designed for ornamental use only.

• Stone surrounds come in standard sizes and style but they often are custom-made. They need to be broken down into sections, which means that the assembly involves joining these sections together.

• If you’re remodeling the whole room (making changes to the walls or adding hardwood), it is best to do the fireplace first.

• Be sure to comply with building regulations governing the construction and masonry of fireplaces and chimneys. Installation of a new fireplace or reconstruction of an existing one will need to be inspected by the local building safety department.

Are you planning on remodeling your living room? Let Milan Stoneworks ignite your old fireplace.

Outdoor Kitchen Winterizing Checklist

There’s still time to winterize your outdoor kitchen and keep it in tip-top shape for next year. If you have an open-air cooking area, you’ll want to make sure all equipment, appliances, and surfaces are protected from wind chills. These essential steps will help you prevent damage and avoid costly repairs:

• Switch off power to all appliances and electrically powered units - unplug them or turn off the circuit breaker.
• Shut off water - an indoor shutoff valve comes in really handy because it won’t freeze.

• Any residual water might freeze causing the pipes to crack, so be sure to drain all water lines. Leave drain valves open for outdoor sinks, refrigerators, and ice makers.
• Do not cover outdoor refrigerators and ice makers as moisture can get trapped under the cover and might put electrical parts at risk for damage.
• Remove ice from trays and ice maker bins. The interiors should be free of any residual moisture.

• Clean the grill, cabinets, and refrigerator. Remove any spills and crumbs. Finish things off with a good stainless steel polish.

• Cover sinks to avoid debris settling in the basin. Disconnect hot and cold water supply lines. Remove the faucet and store them indoors.

It is important to note that minimizing exposure snow in general will prolong the life of anything, including your countertops. Cycles or freeze/thaw are the biggest culprit and you can minimize the damage by following these tips:

• It's a good idea to cover your countertops during winter months to offer protection against wind, snow, ice, and water. You can have a custom cover made for your countertop to keep the stone surface dry.
• The weather will wear down the surface finish and this requires having countertops re-polished.
• Seal stone countertops to protect the surface, otherwise, you’ll end up with leaf stains, or cracked and chipped counters from freezing moisture. We recommend Dupont StoneTech Professional BulletProof Stone Sealer for granite and marble countertop.

Make sure you do these things before winter so you can enjoy the snow and without worrying about your outdoor kitchen.

7 Tips to Keep Your Kitchen Organized During Thanksgiving

Now that Turkey day is rolling around, your kitchen may take a heavy hit. From appetizers cooling to flour and sauce spills, it’s a challenge to contain the mess. These tips will help your day go smoothly as possible:

Write down your menu. Post it somewhere in your kitchen to make things a little easier for you to remember. Add a timetable and prepare a cooking schedule. 

Start clean.  As you prepare a variety of dishes, your tables and countertop may be filled quickly with food items. It will help to remove the clutter and unnecessary items beforehand. Go through your entire kitchen and make room for extra food prep area. It’s also a good idea to start clean when it comes to your oven and stovetop. Doing so will eliminate fire risk from food and grease.

Organize your refrigerator. Be sure to clean out the fridge a few days before you begin cooking to make room for make-ahead dishes and leftovers.

Set your Thanksgiving table early. Organize your serving dishes and utensils and fill it with your favorite decorative pieces to reflect the warm colors of the season.

Check if your countertop is sealed. To keep your countertop in good shape during the holiday preparations, check if it is sealed. Drizzle some water onto the counter. If it beads up, you’re good to go. If the water seeps in, it's time to reseal.

Be prepared. It’s inevitable that the messes will accumulate as you work with all the cooking. Stay on top of the messes by wiping down countertops and cleaning up spills immediately. This will eliminate tough cleaning at the end of the day. Also, place a trivet or hot pad below hot crock pots, pans, and electric skillets to prevent damaging your counter.

Show your countertop some TLC. Accidents happen. If you notice any scratch or etch marks, polish them right away. Look for products designed for cleaning your countertop surface.

Milan Stoneworks wishes you a Happy Thanksgiving! We’re grateful for amazing customers like you!

Ten Easy Kitchen Projects to Spruce Up Your Home

For most homeowners, the kitchen is the most important room in the house. It’s a place to cook meals, bond with the family, entertain guests, you name it. This can also mean that there’s a lot of stuff to fix, replace, organize, and clean! And you need to stay on top of what needs to be done. Here are 10 simple projects for your kitchen:

Get a new kitchen sink. This is probably the stuff that gets used the most so it’s very important to get the right one for your space and replace it if necessary. These easy tips will help you choose the right sink

Replace your kitchen faucet or pick a new one. If you have a broken faucet that can’t be fixed, you can replace it or pick a different type to help define the style of your kitchen. Take a look at this guide on getting a high quality faucet

Install a kitchen backsplash. This can either be a relatively simple DIY project or a work with the help from a professional contractor. This is a great way to change the look and feel of your kitchen. Here are a few tips to help you navigate through the process

Add storage to your backsplash. Now that you’ve got a new backsplash installed, you want to make better use of it by adding storage for hanging pans, pots, and utensils.

Reface or paint your kitchen cabinets. Refacing is an affordable way to give your gloomy cabinets a new life. Or if refacing isn’t your style, clean them and brush on some new paint. This is another budget-friendly option than replacing.

Get new cabinet knobs and pulls. There are a variety of styles to choose from and a new kitchen hardware can make a big impact on the look and feel of your cabinets and the entire room.

Organize everything. This is an easy weekend task that you can accomplish. Arrange the pantry, shelves, drawers, counter, and appliances and keep everything in order. That way, you can maximize your storage space.

Clean tile grout. No one enjoys cleaning grout. It can be a tedious work especially when it contains hard-to-remove stains. But it doesn’t have to be complicated. A store-bought tile grout cleaner offers good results, or you can use something homemade.

Make a stand for tablets and cookbooks. If cooking apps and recipe books are a must-have for your kitchen, making a stand or purchasing one is a practical solution. This little accessory can make your life in the kitchen a breeze.

Put a fresh shine to old counter. Give your countertop a new sparkle by cleaning the surface with soapy water and a dedicated cleaner. For an instance, you can keep your granite in tip-top shape with these tips.

If you are looking to replace your countertop, visit www.milanstoneworks.com or give us a call for your free estimate today!

Finishing Touches You Can Add to Your Remodeled Bathroom

An appropriate element to a newly renovated bathroom can help define the overall style of your bath. That’s why it’s essential to choose accessories that complement the traditional or modern feel of your home.

Here are some finishing touches you can add to turn your basic bath into a relaxing retreat:

Bath hardware. You can cleverly use a few bars and shelves to make daily routines easier. You can install a robe hook right where you need it, place shelves for your toiletries and grooming tools to minimize clutter, or add grab bars for extra help when you need it. Or simply replace the knobs and pulls, drawers and door handles for easy upgrades.

Use these tips to plan a functional master bath

Lighting fixtures. Add ample lighting to illuminate a space and make it more attractive and inviting. Bright, warm colors are recommended to enhance the beauty of everything in the bathroom. Choose one that fits your taste and will get you ready for your close-up. You can add a classic and elegant touch with a chandelier, while recessed lighting provided a clean, modern look. Installing a dimmer on the light switch is another option,

Mirrors. For spaces with limited windows, you can place multiple mirrors up to make the room seem a lot brighter.

Additional storage space. If you have a small bath, take advantage of wall space or use vertical shelving. They key to making a petite room look bigger and brighter is to organize it efficiently.

Decorative elements. Scented candles, soaps, artwork, and other add-ons can add glamor to your bathroom and turn it into a spa retreat. Also, a little luxury won’t hurt. Here’s how to create a relaxing retreat

Are you planning to create a new bath, spruce up an existing one, or go for a full-scale remodel? Let Milan Stoneworks do all the work so you can focus enjoying your cozy nook. Visit www.milanstoneworks.com and check out our portfolio for more bathroom improvement ideas.

Get the Dream Kitchen You’ve Always Wanted with These Tips

To create your dream kitchen, you should have a clear vision. It all boils down to making smart choices and staying within the budget.

Whether you're redecorating or totally remodeling, these tips will get you started:

Get measurements. You should have a clear idea of the dimensions of your current layout. A tape measure is going to be your best friend.

Weigh the pros and cons. Determine what you like about your existing kitchen features and what you like to improve on.

Set goals. Make a list of all your makeover plans - from simple tasks to accomplish, overhauls, and the decorative elements.

Create a collection of stylish ideas. Save or print out photos of kitchen setups from magazines, websites, or you can even snap a shot of kitchens you come across at you’re the homes of your friends.

Prioritize your goals. Define your priorities while being realistic and keeping practicality in mind.

Decide what you can afford. You should be able to come up with a reasonable budget and make a sound investment. After deciding on the general layout, you’ll need to determine the components that go with it. The choices for countertops, faucets, sinks, cabinets, flooring, lighting fixtures, backsplash, kitchen island, and appliances are many so you need to choose wisely.

Be patient. Remodeling usually takes time so be sure to plan adequately and anticipate the days you are not able to use your kitchen.

Let’s build your new kitchen that feels like home! Visit www.milanstoneworks.com for a free estimate.

What You Need to Know Before Using Marble in Your Kitchen

Marble is a classic, versatile choice for countertops, but there a few things you need to know before using marble in your kitchen. 

Some people prefer this high-maintenance beauty as it adds character and charm to any kitchen; others skimp on this surface because it is quite soft and porous and can easily be stained and scratched. To make sure if it is the best choice for your home and lifestyle, read on. Having the right expectations from the beginning means greater satisfaction and absolutely makes a difference. Here are a few things you need to know before choosing marble:

Interesting Facts about Marble

Marble is a metamorphic stone that’s created by the physical or chemical alteration of sedimentary carbonate rocks into a denser form through pressure and heat. The resulting rock has a crystalline nature and can be polished to perfection. Notice the veins of minerals deposits having patterns – it’s the reason why no two slabs are exactly alike. While it is prone to staining, marble is heat resistant, strong, and doesn't chip or dent.

More reasons to love marble countertops

Marble countertop brings a sophisticated touch to your kitchen. Most homeowners are attracted to the wide range of natural colorations. It comes in hues of white, gray, black, pink, yellow, and subtle patterns to suit all kitchen styles.

Because it mixes well with different materials, such as stainless, tile, and wood, white marble remains a popular choice for kitchen countertops. Another reason is that etching is less visible on white marble than on darker colors.

It is important to note that marble finishes affect the look and performance of the countertop. For an instance, a leather finish works great with dark marbles as the texturing can effectively hide fingerprints and other imperfections. For a casual look, you can never go wrong with a honed finish. If you want to bring out the details, such as veining and character, go for a polished marble.

How to Shop for Marble Countertops

Selecting marble needs preparation and research. First, know your size specifications. Most slabs are .75 to 1.25-inches thick and for those who want a wider counter, laminating the edge is recommended. There are a lot of colors and patterns to choose from so make sure you do your research and take in all the local options. Because slabs aren’t affixed with price tags, ask the representative about how the pricing works. This will help narrow your search and get the right materials that suit your budget.

Want to add a layer of elegance to your kitchen? Our team of experienced stone-craftsmen ensure that you receive complete satisfaction through the entire installation process, which we back with a 1-year product guarantee. Give Milan Stoneworks a call today for a free estimate on marble countertops.

Routine Care of Your Kitchen Countertop

Investing in a quality countertop and taking routine care can preserve the look and feel of the surface. 

Although there are materials that can withstand wear and tear from daily use, it can be easily damaged if durability doesn’t match closely with the aesthetic appeal. To avoid damaging your counter, consider these preventive steps so you can enjoy an attractive surface that looks fresh for years to come.

Keep it dry. Hard water marks can make the surface dull and the finish to appear blotchy and uneven. To prevent this, it is important to wipe the counter completely dry immediately after spills and cleaning.

Clean up spills. For most residues, all you need is warm soapy water or commercially available cleaners. Do not use strong chemicals and abrasive cleaning pads to clean the surface. Moreover, you can wipe the surface with diluted household bleach to disinfect the counter and sink. In order to safely remove food, gum, dried paint, or other adhered materials, scrape it off with a plastic putty knife at a 45 degree angle. Then use a damp cloth to remove any residual dirt.

Prevent heat damage. For most of the countertop, it is important to minimize direct heat exposure to protect the surface. Use coasters under hot drinks and heat trivets/pads when placing hot pots and pans on the counter. Always use a trivet under the oven toaster and other portable heat-generating appliances.

Prevent other damages. Use a cutting board when preparing food. You should also avoid sitting or standing on top of the counter as the added weight could be damaging.

Seal to increase durability. Natural stone is porous and may easily absorb food spills or hard water deposits. A sealer is recommended to keep stains from affecting the countertop. If you have a granite countertop, it must be sealed every six months or at least once a year. To find out if your sealant is effective, spill water on a small area. If the water starts to seep into the granite and made the surface appear darker, it’s time to reseal.

Repair damages. Sometimes accidents happen. For minor damages, you can purchase a repair kit and replacement that match the color of your countertop from a local home improvement store. Follow the instructions written in the manual. Be sure to wear protective gear, such as gloves and mask while you work to avoid contact with the chemical. If home repairs are beyond your DIY prowess, consider calling a professional.

With proper care, your countertop can stay looking good as new. To know more tips for cleaning your countertop, click here.

Six Questions to Ask When Choosing Your Bathroom Countertop

When choosing a bathroom countertop, you want something that’s not only stylish but functional as well. Knowing how you are going to use your bathroom will help you narrow down your choices and decide on what’s best for your needs.

Before making any remodeling plans, consider the following six questions to ask when choosing your bathroom countertop, to help you infuse your bathroom with character and convenience:

1. What are your bathroom requirements?

Consider how the space will be used. Are you planning a powder room, master bath, or one for everyday family use? Think about all the toiletries you and your family use there. A good bathroom countertop is the one that fits your lifestyle.

2. How will you use your countertop?

More traffic In the bathroom means more mess. Do you have children in the household? A good choice for this situation is getting a durable and easy-to-maintain surface.

3. How much maintenance can you handle?

Having kids and teenagers at home usually means that your countertop needs cleaning more often. In this case, less delicate surface makes sense.

4. What’s your budget?

The cost of a bathroom countertop varies widely – you’ll pay more for custom counters than for a vanity. Keep in mind that a good bathroom counter, if maintained properly, will last for many years to come. It’s smarter to determine your ideal material and find one that you can afford.  

5. Is the upgrade for your home or your next home buyer?

Go with what you really want if the countertop is for you. If you're upgrading to sell your home, keep practicality in mind while not compromising the quality and appearance.

6. What materials speak to you?

In any aspect of remodeling, aesthetics can’t be ignored. But you shouldn’t decide based on beauty alone. Take the time to look around. You should get something that’s non-porous and doesn’t stain easily. Quartz and cultured marble are all good options. If you want to add some “green” to your bath design, choose recycled-content surfaces or these eco-friendly alternatives.

Answering these questions while you’re in the planning zone can help simplify the process and find the materials that work best for your space.

When it comes to bathroom renovation, we can custom make and fit the countertop to meet your needs. Contact us today at 503.232.620 or visit www.milanstoneworks.com for a free estimate.