Big Ideas for Small Baths

Home baths these days have nearly doubled in size, although some still keep their old 5- by 8-feet home bathrooms due to lack of space for remodeling. If you have a small bath, don’t fret as the makeover possibilities are just as enticing for your space. With the right colors, chic fixtures, décor, and glamorous finishes you can create the illusion of a roomy bath even without a big budget.

Maximize the corner. Put unused space into work by adding corner storage unit or shelving. You'll be surprised to see that you have just the right storage and more space to store the essentials, with no room left over for clutter.

Downsize the toilet. Replace your old toilet with a compact elongated model. Aside from the familiar comfort it gives, newer toilets use less water making them friendlier to the environment.

Use solid colors. Instead of busy patterns, go for light, natural tones. You’ll eventually notice the open, spacious feel. For a more creative look, play with textures and keep prints to a minimum. The powder room is a better choice to showcase your style.

Look for a bathtub designed for small spaces. Open up sight lines and make your bathroom look bigger with a lower-walled model bathtub. It’s perfect for either taking a shower or a pleasant dip.

Opt for a smaller faucet. Some faucets may just be too large for the sink. You’ll be happier with a space-saving, single-hole faucet.

Streamline the shower. A sliding shower door or screen come well-recommended for small bathrooms as it doesn't require space for door clearance. The clear glass creates an illusion of size and stretches the visual length of any bathroom.

Downsize the vanity. A wall-mounted sink is a real space saver and makes your bath look like there’s an added square footage. The best part about it is that you don’t even have to compromise your style. Add an extra dash of elegance by changing your standard mirror with a decorative frame that complements the style of your vanity.

Adjust your view. Keep this light and airy. Hang your cabinet at a more comfortable height to avoid unnecessary bending. Use niche shelving and a mirrored medicine cabinet to replace bulky furniture if necessary.

Choose the right countertop. Save on expensive cabinetry and give your bath an unrivaled, classic look by splurging on a marble countertop. It gives room for towels and toiletries under the sink. You can also use simple cotton skirting instead of traditional doors.

Just because a bathroom is small doesn’t mean it has to be short in style. Remodeling a bathroom, no matter what the size, doesn't have to limit your creativity. Use your imagination to transform your confined bathroom into a serene master bath.

Get a free quote for your countertop of choice and gain inspiration for remodeling your bath. Contact Milan Stoneworks today!

Call us today at 503.232.6206 - or visit our website to view our portfolio: www.MilanStoneworks.com

Also, be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for information on countertops in line with the latest trends in decor.

8 Popular Countertop Materials for the Kitchen

With so many options to choose from, picking out a kitchen counter is no easy feat. This area influences many kitchen palettes so it’s very important to choose something that fits your budget and style.

We've gathered some popular stone kitchen countertop materials to help you find what suits you best:

Marble. There’s nothing like the classic look of marble kitchen counter. It’s always in style and offers more variety like no other. To get the luxurious look, use it on an island or inset at a baking center. It is known more for the patina it develops. However, it's a softer stone than granite and can stain and scratch easily. Typically, the cost ranges from $70 to $100 per square foot.

Granite. This natural stone has unique grains, colors and customizable finishes. It defines elegance, holds up to heat, looks permanent and substantial, and has a high value to homeowners. Known for its durability, it can cost for as low as $50 per square foot installed depending on slabs and difficult installations. Although it has the second highest hardness rating after diamonds, some stones absorb stains if not sealed and can crack if not properly installed.

Solid surface. Solid surface countertops are custom-made to your specifications. Solid surface has the ability to emulate just about any look. It comes in different patterns, seamless, and stain resistant. Depending on the manufacturer, prices range from $50 to $100 per square foot.

Soapstone. Having a smooth feel and dark gray color, soapstone is used in laboratories because of its resistance to stains, chemicals and bacteria. It can be a natural choice for kitchen countertop and sink material and is often seen in historic and homes. Ranging at $80 to $100 per square foot installed, this might be on the more expensive side, but it can be a lifetime investment.

Engineered Quartz. This engineered product is composed of quartz particles, resin and pigments creating a tough, nonporous material that resist scratches. It is easy to maintain without the annual sealing required by natural stone. and is available in a larger range of colors which is perfect for any home. A safe bet for green homes but get ready to pay up since it costs around $95 to $105 per square foot installed.

Tile. Ceramic tile is durable and easy to clean. Add affordability to that and you've got a really good choice for your kitchen. It can be installed one section at a time and can be done by most resourceful homeowners with DIY prowess. Maintenance can be difficult as it can chip or crack easily and grout lines become stained.

Eco-friendly materials. With all the materials out there – from salvaged wood to Bio-Glass and bamboo, a little research is all that's required today to give your kitchen an eco-friendly look. With these countertop materials, high style meets sustainable living.

Concrete. If you want a countertop with unusual shape, concrete may be a good choice as they cast right in your kitchen. Pigments, stains and dyes can give concrete counters a unique color and visual texture. With the right sealer, it can be worth the cost at least $100 to $150 per square foot installed. Make sure to give your kitchen an individual look and freestanding designs as it can look somewhat industrial.

Contact Milan Stoneworks today to discover the pros and cons of each countertop material and help you make the right choice for your kitchen.

Top 3 Granite Colors We Love

Your countertop set the style and tone for the heart of your home. There are so many options, from granite to marble and quartz. Among the three, granite is a popular choice for countertops (and a favorite among the Milan Stoneworks customers too). 

Known for its durability, it comes in many different colors and patterns more than you could possibly imagine.

Selecting granite requires an eye for detail. You should consider the color of your cabinet finish, flooring, wall paint, appliances and even the lighting. It must fit your lifestyle as well. If you cook often or have a busy household, opt for a speckled medium tone color. If you want a touch of modern elegance, look for a dark, polished color for your kitchen counters.

You can also draw inspiration from Pantone's 2013 color forecast for home and interiors that include 9 new set of palettes. From there, you can imagine what countertops will look great on your next remodeling project.

For those who are looking for new countertops, you will most likely see these 3 granite favorites:

White. Clean and simple, this color is very popular with modern design that can complement almost any color scheme. It makes your space look larger and provides a very crisp, refined look. White countertops are particularly desirable in the kitchen as it brightens the area and creates a stylish contrast with light-colored cabinets. Being as light as it is, it is easy to keep clean. You can easily recognize spills and remove it at once.

Gray. This neutral color can give a contemporary look to your kitchen with the ability to emphasize other colors. It adds a sleek, fresh ambiance to any space. It can be paired with light woods and offers more variation than white.

Gold. Another neutral color, gold brings elegant warmth to any space. It can go with either light or dark cabinetry. The metallic elements in gold remain adaptive can be mixed in white, cream, black, and dark brown to create a stunning palette.

Remember, getting the ideal countertop for your kitchen or bathroom depends on perfect planning and creativity that fit into the overall aesthetic. Let Milan Stoneworks help you! We specialize in delivering exceptional stone countertops that reflect the style of each client. We can also incorporate the top color trends into your home design projects.

Call us today at 503.232.6206 so you can select the right countertop for your space - or visit our website to view our portfolio: www.MilanStoneworks.com

Also, be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for information on countertops in line with the latest trends in decor.

Ready for new countertops? Follow these steps from Milan Stoneworks

Choosing a service provider for your new countertops can be overwhelming. The choices in materials seem endless and how do you distinguish between various businesses? 

Here at Milan, we make excellent customer service a priority. If you are going through a complete remodel, you can be assured that we will communicate closely with your contractor to make the whole process as smooth as possible.

Milan Stoneworks offers a wide variety of custom solid surface installation services, including both natural and engineered stones. Our team of experienced stone-craftsman ensure that you receive complete satisfaction through the entire installation process, which we back with a 1-year product guarantee.

At Milan Stoneworks, we utilize an established project management process that has been developed through our company's long history in the industry. By guiding clients each step of the way, our customers always know what to expect and even more importantly, when to expect it.

Here’s a sample sequence of tasks for new kitchen countertops:

1) The most important part of the process is the material selection: finding a vendor and selecting your slab. Then let the vendor know who will fabricate your project.

2) Milan will then need the scope of your project. This can be accomplished by emailing or faxing your dimensions. Or, you can schedule a personalized field measure provided by the Milan staff. This visit can accomplish a variety of tasks such as edge details, sink considerations and seam placement.

3) An estimate is then provided to include the template, materials, fabrication and installation total. There are no hidden expense or surprises!

4) Once you have decided to proceed, a template date is scheduled. Milan will take a physical template of your counter tops, pick up your sink, and go over final details.

5) Milan will then pick up your material from the desired vendor.

6) Your job will go into fabrication where your slab will cut to the template dimensions, edges polished, and sink opening cut and polished.

7) From template to install, Milan will complete your project in under 7 working days.

8) A typical kitchen will be installed in one day.

Contact Milan Stoneworks today to find out how we can help you improve your countertop aesthetics and functionality!

Granite Countertops Still Top List of Home Improvements

Despite the sputtering economy, homeowners are still investing in home remodeling projects – especially kitchen makeovers – either to make their homes more appealing to buyers or more comfortable and enjoyable while they ride out the housing slump.

And one of the most popular home improvements is, once again, granite countertops.

A recent study of 10,000 consumers, conducted by the Research Institute for Cooking and Kitchen Intelligence, found that kitchen renovations remain at the top of the list for consumers seeking to add value to their homes.

When the study asked homeowners, “If you were changing your kitchen now and had no budget constraints, what improvement would you make?” granite countertops were among the kitchen features they coveted most.

Many consumers are tightening their belts but remain eager for granite countertops, according to Garis Distelhorst, executive vice president of the Marble Institute of America, the nation’s leading natural stone association.

“Historically, consumers recognize that granite countertops enhance the value of a home in ways few other improvements can,” said Distelhorst. “No other countertop surface can measure up to granite in terms of practicality, timeless beauty, durability and safety. This natural stone has held its value in ways more trendy materials have not.”

Consumers continue to invest confidently in kitchen makeovers because the projects typically increase the resale value of their homes. In the last five years, kitchen remodeling projects have generally returned 80 to 85 percent of consumers’ investments, according to the “Cost versus Value Report” from Remodeling magazine.

Because kitchen renovations increase resale values, experts agree that if consumers can only afford to renovate one room in their homes, it should be the kitchen. In fact, an all-new kitchen “that looks great and is fun to work in” was the top priority of 2,200 home enthusiasts surveyed recently by Better Homes and Gardens magazine.

“What we’ve discovered is that the home continues to be our emotional center and the sweet spot of everyday life,” said Gayle Butler, Better Home’s editor in chief. “Economic uncertainty aside, we won’t stop spending, improving and dreaming.”

Contact Milan Stoneworks today for a free consultation on your next project:
503.232.6206 or www.milanstoneworks.com

Building Your Own Private Island In The Kitchen - Milan Stoneoworks

Islands are the hub of family and social life as the “go to” spot for food prep, appetizers, and homework alike.

Recently, Milan Stoneworks was called upon by this family that outgrew their starter home in Happy Valley and moved to a larger home that would accommodate their three young children that are always on the go.

The homeowners wanted to engage the family while preparing meals - and what better way to do so but around an island...

Before

From start to finish this kitchen was template, fabricated and installed in 10 working days.  

During

Their granite was Persian Pearl from vendor Pental.

During - In Milan Stonework's Shop

The homeowners also painted their cabinets
 

They installed two, yes two dishwashers for
their family of 5!

Looking at starting a kitchen remodel of your own? Ask us to view samples. We can also show you how we've used granite in projects with other customers so you can get ideas on the possibilities! 

503.232.6206 or www.milanstoneworks.com 

Milan Stoneworks - Fabricating and Installing Eco-Friendly Quartz

As a naturally occurring material, quartz is a very Eco-friendly a material chosen for countertops mostly because of its strength, durability and low maintenance.

Only a few other materials found on the Earth are considered harder than quartz. But like anything used in building projects, quartz has advantages and disadvantages.

Quartz is a heavy material that is extremely scratch-resistant and resistant to stain, mold and bacteria growth. Unlike many other materials, quartz is also extremely low maintenance making it the perfect material for kitchen and bathroom remodels.

At Milan Stoneworks, we care about the environment while at the same time caring for installing only the best products in your home. These are a few examples of quartz products that we are proud to carry:

CaesarStone Quartz
Comprised of 93% natural quartz, with its stain, scratch, and heat-resistant properties, CaesarStone is the ideal choice for care-free countertops.

CaesarStone introduces the first of its kind lifetime warranty - the only warranty that covers your surface for as long as you own your home.

Staron Quartz Surfaces
Staron® quartz is a non-porous product. It is highly resistant to bacterial growth and stains such as red wine, cooking oil, and other spills. Thus, making the product virtually maintenance free, since, it doesn't require sealing or periodic polishing.

PentalQuartz
Achieve a look to last forever with PentalQuartz. Its timeless beauty is suitable for every room in your home- from kitchen countertops and bathroom vanities to bar tops and tub surrounds. PentaQuartz will complement your home décor for years to come.

PentalQuartz is easy to care for and requires little maintenance. Highly heat, stain, and scratch resistant, PentalQuartz is designed to withstand whatever life throws its way.

PentalQuartz is naturally nonpourus which prevents mold and other microbes from growing, without harmful chemical treatments.

Ask us to view samples. We can also show you how we've used quartz in projects with other customers so you can get ideas on the possibilities!
503.232.6206 or www.milanstoneworks.com