Granite or Gran...NOT?

For the past decade, granite has been the countertop of choice for most kitchen renovations.  Having this classic stone installed in the kitchen can definitely make or break a sale of a property.

However, its popularity may be starting to wane....or is it?  Many homeowners are branching out and trying other types of stone.  I personally think granite is still the best bet price wise and hold up to heat and abuse better than other stones can.  But what is no longer popular is that moldy looking builder grade granite; seeing them makes me shudder every time.

Are you renovating your kitchen?  Here are a couple wonderful choices aside from granite.

Kitchen by Suzanne Kasler

Polished marble.  I die everytime I see this kitchen.

Kitchen by Steven Gambrel

Honed marble - This is probably what I would put in my own kitchen.

Kitchen by Phoebe Howard

Another marble kitchen.  As you can tell, I'm totally in favor of marble countertops.  They give such clean,

timeless look to any kitchen.  Granted not as practical but if you take care of it and not let spilled red wine sit overnight, I think you are okay.  Why would you not wipe up spilled red wine right away anyway?

Unknown source

Soapstone countertops are not as well known in the West Coast but they are very popular in the East Coast and especially in the New England area.  They have a greenish/grayish hue when left in its raw state and a darker slate/black color when oiled.  If you want a rustic look, this is a great stone to use.

 

This Old House

I love soapstone sinks...if I had $ 2-3K to spare for a sink.  They give such "farmhouse" effects.  You can either have them custom made along with the countertop to create a seamless look or it can be paired with other stones.  

Kitchen by Frank Roop

Look at those Ann Sacks backsplash (we'll cover backsplash in another posting!)  Anyway back to countertops...This is actually granite that looks like soapstone.

via Decorpad

This is a granite countertop that mimics the look of marble

This brings me back to granite.  There are granite slabs that look like other types of stone: marble, soapstone, limestone, etc.  This is a great way to go if you want the look of say marble but the maintenance is more than you want to consider.  So I think granite is here to stay...at least for the next decade!

Master Bedroom Design

Remember where I left off with the master bedroom re-design?

Since this picture was taken, I have painted the room and added a 5 inch baseboard and 4 inch crown moulding to the room.  Crown mouldings are fantastic because they are an economic way to add depth and visual interest to a room, not to mention increasing the resale value of the home.

My vision for this room is semi casual french traditional.  I say semi because I want incorporate just enough casual elements that would make you want to dive right into bed; it is a master bedroom after all.  But I still want to retain the air of formalness with the antique furniture and lighting that I am using.  Check it out!

Aren't these '40s antique sconces fab?!  They were saved from a French hotel that is undergoing a major renovation.  Since the room is small and the nightstands I am using are petite, having sconces instead of table lamps help declutter the space.

A bedroom should always be conducive to relaxation so I chose a calming blue grey paint from Restoration Hardware.  FYI, the paint collection carried by RH contains amongst the lowest VOC level in the market.  Being green never hurts!

Appropriately named...Atmosphere Blue

Sheers at 200% full to create privacy but still let light through.  Custom curtains are still in progress.  Whew, it's a good thing my nails were painted when this picture was taken...

Damask = Formal 

The blue damask is a perfect match with the paint!

Circa 1930s English nightstand and I've got two!

Early 1900s French armoire that recently made it across the pond.

Fixtures to match the brass sconces

TO BE CONTINUED.....STAY TUNED

Baby Time!

I must apologize for being offline for so long.  For those of you who know me personally, I took some much needed time off.  However, I'm back and refreshed!

Seems like everyone is having babies this summer.  I am dedicating this posting to my dear friends, Michelle and Jack.  They are expecting their first child and also just bought their first home.  Hopefully, this will give them some ideas as to how to decorate the baby's room in their brand new house.

Art for Kids

This look isn't for everyone.  However, if you want your nursery to scream Old World Elegance rather than something more conventional say...Winnie the Pooh, then the over the top custom cribs and heavy silk dust ruffles could work for you.  I do love the double faced silk canopies hanging over the cribs!!

via DecorPad

I love this modern room with oversize lettering on the wall.  How chic!

via Flickr

Not all cribs have to be black, white or brown.  This yellow crib gives such a nice and sunny contrast to the sea foam walls.

via Flickr

Neutral doesn't have to be boring.  Make sure you make up for the lack of color by layering on different textures to add interest.  Having a crystal chandelier definitely adds bling to this room!

via Flickr

What I like about this room is the wainscoting.  Not only is it aesthetically pleasing, it is also highly practical.  Once your baby starts crawling or walking, there will be palm prints everywhere!  A wainscoting painted in a satin finish makes cleaning a breeze.  It also makes this small room look a bit roomier, don't you think?

Pottery Barn

Pink can easily look washed out after a while.  Brown is my favorite color to anchor baby pinks and baby blues.

Sarah Richardson Design

A comfy, plush chair for feeding and reading is a must in every nursery!  Why go for a solid fabric when you can have so much fun with polka dots?