Marble Countertops: Are They Right for You?

Crisp. Cool. Distinctive. Elegant. If those words are describing countertops, we must be talking about white marble. Marble is a timeless classic that is right at home in a wide range of décor styles and rooms. Whether you’re looking to finish off your kitchen, upgrade your bathroom or incorporate a workstation in a home office, marble should be on your list for consideration. Like any material, marble has its pros and cons. 

Pros

  • Classic beauty – Marble is the Audrey Hepburn of countertops: classic, timeless beauty that exudes sophistication. It’s the only natural stone that comes in bright, crisp white, with or without grey veins running through it.
     
  • It’s got personality - As a natural stone, marble offers a unique, “no-two-are-alike” style that will give your countertop its own distinctive flair. Marble doesn’t conduct heat. It’ll remain cool to the touch, a welcome feature in kitchens and spa-like bathrooms alike. With age, marble takes on a patina. If you’re intrigued by a surface that tells the story of its lifespan with you, then marble is a terrific choice. 
     
  • Affordable – Unless you’re selecting a more rare variety of marble, this natural stone tends to be within a price range that's comparable to other countertop options. In some cases, it’s even more affordable than other natural stones. 

Cons

  • It’s a softy – The same thing that gives aged marble a story to tell may be a turn-off for some. Simply put, marble is prone to staining and scratching. Even with regular sealing, marble may show traces of the red wine you once spilled in the kitchen or hints of your favorite shade of blush on the bathroom counter.

Tips for living with marble

If the pros outweigh the cons for you (and for so many of us they do!), take note of these general maintenance tips:

  • Seal your marble and reseal it at least once a year (or sooner in high use areas). A sealer doesn’t mitigate stains and scratches, but it does give you some time to respond. A splash of wine on a well-sealed countertop that’s wiped up in due time might never leave a clue that it was there. 
     
  • Be gentle when cleaning. If you wouldn’t wash your hands with it, don’t use it on your marble. Avoid acidic cleaners and abrasive cleaners or pads. Marble prefers mild soaps (such as dish detergent) and warm water with a cloth or sponge. Need something a little tougher? Look for a natural stone cleaner.
     
  • When you’re choosing your marble countertop, opt for polished finishes over honed. Polished is more stain resistant, whereas honed is more porous and prone to staining. 

If your idea of the perfect countertop is one that retains the pristine, glossy shine from the day you bought it, then marble isn’t the right choice. Conversely, if you are attracted to a countertop loaded with unique character and beauty, classic marble may be for you!

by Anjie Cho

The Best Colors for Small Space Decorating

featured this week on About Home by Diana Hathaway Timmons

The best colors for your small room don't have to be light, or even neutral. How you decorate a small space is more important than choosing the lightest color in hopes of making the room look larger. Darker colors can work well in small rooms with the right lighting, trim color, and accessories. There are easy tricks to using color in small spaces that anyone can use, regardless of the color you choose.

Eleven top designers share their favorite colors for creating a beautiful small space with color in this gorgeous slideshow.

Baby Seal Black - Benjamin Moore

From designer Anjie Cho: "I love using Baby Seal Black for an accent wall that pops in a small room. Often there's a small space serving many different purposes, and this contrasting accent wall not only creates a focal point, but helps define a different area of the room. We often use the wall for a wall-hung TV and dark credenza so it blends in. The TV doesn't stand out like a sore thumb and the room ends up feeling more spacious."

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The Art of Hanging Art

Imagine you’re standing in the center of a room in your home, surveying the open wall space around you. In your hands is a piece of art that has spoken to you. It’s exactly what this room has been missing and you are about to affix it to the space that’s just made for it. 

While some may consider hanging a picture or other piece of art on the wall about as foolproof DIY as one can get, the truth is it’s not quite that simple. Follow these steps to make sure you get it right.

Make a plan

The worst time to figure out your new piece is off center (or otherwise not quite what you expected) is after the nail is in the wall. Whether you’re hanging a collection of pieces or just one, spend some time envisioning exactly where your art is going. Use a true-to-size paper template and painter’s tape for a trial run. When you’ve measured, admired and confirmed you’ve got it right, then grab the tools and hangers.

Remember, the eyes have it

In most cases, the best height for artwork is eye level, which means the center of your piece should fall at about 58 inches above the floor. If your ceilings are relatively low, however, you’ll want to adjust this. In that case, a good rule of thumb is to imagine your wall divided into quarters with your art falling in the third quarter. Another exception is when you’re hanging a cluster of pieces. In this case, align the center of your gallery at eye level and work the additional pieces in around it.

More than a nail

Is your idea of hanging art on the wall grabbing a nail and hammer? You’re not alone. There’s a better way, however. A single nail in drywall isn’t going to tolerate much weight. You may know already that hanging a heavier piece is a job best well suited for a stud in the wall. However, if you don’t find a stud in a ‘picture-friendly’ location, that’s okay; you have options. Consider using self-threaded anchors, screws, picture hangers or even a finishing nail hammered in at an angle. These tools provide greater holding power than a simple nail hammered straight into the wall.

Hang it straight and use bumpers

Remember the first step? Don’t eyeball this process. Grab a level and let the bubble lead you. Before you hang the picture, consider adding self-adhesive rubber bumpers to the back of the piece. These will help prevent movement on the wall, keeping the piece level once you’ve placed it. 

Don’t be framed

Framed art is gorgeous, but it’s not your only option. Get creative in what gets hung on your walls. Hanging clipboards to hold photos or art you wish to rotate makes a fantastic alternative! Empty frames, mirrors and other collections can be unique and eye catching wall art. The only thing holding you back is your imagination!

by Anjie Cho