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Stephen Alberts

Jul 28 2023

Going Bold with Black: Incorporating Dark Countertops for a Dramatic Effect

In terms of both kitchen and bathroom design, countertops play a substantial role in defining the overall aesthetic. While lighter hues have long been favored for their classical appearance, darker-tinted materials have become increasingly popular in a variety of design schemes in recent years.

Bold and sophisticated, these dark surfaces can imbue any space with depth and character, infusing interior spaces with drama and contemporary elegance.

Read on as we explore the art of incorporating dark countertops into your home’s interior design—we’ll unveil the secrets to creating a striking and practical space that aligns with your preferences.

Dark Countertops in Kitchens

best countertops in fort wayne

When making the most of dark countertops in kitchen spaces, careful planning and thoughtful design are essential to achieve a stunning, harmonious look. Here are some helpful tips for achieving a stylish dark kitchen countertop design:

  • Contrast is key. Pair dark countertops with lighter elements (cabinetry, appliances, etc.) to create striking contrasts that please the eye and add depth to the kitchen. This prevents the space from feeling “too heavy.”
  • Use adequate lighting. Ensure the kitchen receives ample natural or artificial light to avoid a gloomy atmosphere. You could incorporate task lighting under cabinets and pendant lights above the island or countertops to help brighten the space and highlight your dark countertop surfaces.
  • Incorporate natural elements. Balance the darkness by including natural elements such as wooden cabinetry, indoor plants, or stone floors to cultivate a sense of warmth and added texture.
  • Experiment with colors. You can also play with a mix of colors for decor, accessories, and even kitchen appliances to bring some vibrancy into the space and prevent a monotonous appearance.

Following these tips, you can successfully design a space with dark countertops that exude chicness and elegance.

Dark Countertops in Bathrooms

Designing a bathroom space with dark countertops can add a touch of drama and luxury, but it’s essential to create a well-lit, harmonious environment. Pairing dark countertops like granite with light-colored or neutral tiles, walls, and fixtures can prevent the space from feeling too enclosed.

Similarly, by incorporating large mirrors and strategic lighting throughout, you can more effectively reflect light and create a more spacious atmosphere.

Be sure to pay close attention to details like hardware and accessories, and opt for complementary tones to enhance the overall aesthetic.

By thoughtfully blending dark countertops with the right elements, you can create a captivating, serene bathroom space.

Ready to Revitalize Your Countertops?

Embracing dark countertops in your kitchen or bathroom design opens up innumerable creative possibilities. The juxtaposition of dark surfaces with contrasting elements can result in a visually captivating, refined space.

If you’re inspired to transform your home with the depth and charm of dark-colored countertops, look no further than Wise Stone Choice.

Our exquisite selection of premium dark countertop materials and professional team of expert designers can help you make your vision a reality. Don’t miss the chance to elevate your space—contact us today to embark on a journey to the perfect ambiance in your living spaces.

Categorized: Countertops

Jun 07 2023

The Art of Mixing and Matching: Combining Different Countertop Materials in Your Kitchen or Bathroom

Certain design purists will tell you that mixing and matching various countertop materials can never work, but this simply isn’t true. Experimenting with countertop materials can be a game-changer and unlock truly unique and inspiring design possibilities.

Gone are the days of limiting yourself to a single material throughout your kitchen or bathroom. By skillfully blending different countertop materials, you can achieve a stunning and dramatic look that adds layers of depth and character to your living space.

If you’re aiming for a bold and eclectic design or a harmonious fusion of different textures, this blog post will guide you through the creative process of combining various countertop materials.

Cultivating a Beautiful Space

Countertops hold significant potential to elevate the aesthetic of a kitchen or bathroom. Because of this, balance is one of the most important design principles to consider; it ensures the visual weight of the countertops is distributed evenly. When combining contrasting textures, colors, or patterns, you can create a balanced composition that catches and guides the eye.

Another important design aspect to consider is unity, which involves establishing a cohesive theme throughout the space. Countertops can contribute to a feeling of unity by either complementing existing elements or serving as a focal point that ties other elements together.

You can also use varying materials to create emphasis, which highlights specific areas, features, or characteristics of the countertop materials. Using dark, sparsely veined granite to emphasize subtle hue variations in marble can create a subtle, sophisticated feel, for instance.

By incorporating these principles of design when considering your countertop materials, you can transform your kitchen or bathroom into a visually stunning and inviting space.

Achieving Different Looks with Different Materials

best countertops in fort wayne

There are innumerable ways to achieve different looks by combining various materials. For a minimalist, modern style, materials like quartz, stainless steel, and concrete can be used together to create a clean, crisp aesthetic.

Or, to imbue an area with some warmth and elegance, you might consider granite or marble countertops, which provide a classic, timeless appeal.

For a rustic, farmhouse, or cottage-core vibe, butcherblock or reclaimed wood countertops can be incorporated into a kitchen design and add layers of depth and character to your home.

Pairing a solid surface material with a bold-patterned stone can create a striking contrast, while blending different colors and textures can also add harmonious elements and visual intrigue. Balancing light and dark materials, for example, results in a cohesive look as long as the balance is visually satisfying.

Considering the desired style and carefully combining countertop materials can help you achieve a space that reflects your unique taste and personality.

Ready to Upgrade Your Kitchen or Bathroom Counters?

The art of mixing and matching countertop materials opens up a world of design possibilities for your kitchen or bathroom. By applying principles of balance, unity, harmony, and emphasis, you can create beautiful spaces that reflect your personal style.

If you’re ready to discover endless combinations and find the perfect countertop materials for your project, visit Wise Stone Choice today! Browse an extensive range of high-quality countertop materials, and seize the opportunity to transform your living space into a veritable masterpiece!

Categorized: Countertops

Nov 12 2022

Brown Is Back, Baby!

From 2022 fashion trends to home design, shades of brown are having a moment.
For the past decade or more, countertops went through a cooling off stage with taupe, gray and white leading the way in many new kitchen designs. However, in 2022, home design trends shifted to warmer tones like brown, beige and rust.
Paint industry leader, Dunn-Edwards, recently named its autumnal Art & Craft as the 2022 Color of the Year. And brown is resurging once again as a favorite amongst interior designers for kitchen surfaces.
What makes brown such a timeless choice for countertops? And, how can we update our home design aesthetic without looking like a 1970’s throwback?

Brown Is Anything but Boring

Brown. Dull? Never!
Brown is a neutral color that goes with everything, and comes in a vast variety of shades. When you pair brown stone counters with the right cabinets and furnishings, the result can be an elevated warmth you can’t get from a white or a gray.
For a modern kitchen remodel, choose from a range of stone materials that are softer white or cream with brown veins, flecks and ribbons to incorporate a touch of warmth.
Brown stone countertops can be:
  • Contemporary, without being cold. A copper-colored countertop against crisp, white cabinet creates a modern look.
  • Rustic & earthy. Brown, woodsy tones in your kitchen counters can bring the great outdoors in—connecting your home to nature. Incorporating warm metals and plants transforms any space to a natural escape.
  • Rich & luxurious. Dark oak- or chestnut-colored counters will boldly lend a hint of extravagance to any kitchen or bathroom.
  • Sophisticated & cozy. With chocolate counters and a cup of hot cocoa, your kitchen can feel like an intimate space to snuggle up with your favorite cookbook.
  • Toasty & inviting. A cinnamon-brown or caramel island will offer a festive centerpiece where family and friends can gather.

Popular Types of Brown Stone

There is a glorious array of browns to be found in high-end natural stone—ranging from solid tans to dark chocolate to stones streaked with ribbons of gold.
Some of the favorite natural stones for brown countertops include:
  • Granite. Granite has been the longtime gold standard of countertops, due to its elegant style, resistance to damage, and range of colors, including browns such as Coffee Brown, Macadamia, and Chocolate Bordeaux,
  • Fantasy Brown. Fantasy Brown is a light-colored stone with brown veining rippling throughout the surface. It’s technically a combo of marble and quartzite, making it an extremely durable choice.
  • Calacatta Laza Quartz is a white engineered stone with gorgeous brown veining to create a lavish marble look.
  • Chakra Beige Quartz weaves contrasting tones of creams and grays with rusty highlights—an ideal complement for natural wood cabinets.
  • Other popular quartz selections:
    • Royal Teak (tan and chocolate)
    • Statuario Gold (golden-brown veining)
    • Calacatta Bali (taupe and brown veining)
    • Clarino (golden-tone veining)
    • Allegro (Long, rippling veins of gold)

Design Tips to Make Brown Its Best

When it comes to making the most of the brown in your countertop colors, consider the following:
  • Utilize light. If you have a lot of natural light in your kitchen, you can get away with having solid, dark brown countertops. If not, consider a lighter color with warm accents in the countertop surface and your wall paint or backsplash to brighten the space.
  • Tone down the brown. Don’t go with brown for everything. Create dynamic contrasts by layering a variety of tones and textures, be it with your cabinets, wallpaper, metals, or upholstery choices.
  • Decorative tie-ins. Choose décor accessories that bring out the browns in your counters—canisters, dish towels, or a wooden salad bowl, purposefully placed.
  • Compliment your furniture. The stain of your wooden dining room table will be a big factor when selecting the tone of brown in your countertops.

True Blue Surfaces: Creative Designs & High-End Countertops

Whether you’re after the latest trends in brown or other spectacular looks, True Blue Surfaces is here to help you design and install quality stone countertops that speak to your aesthetic.

Contact us today for a free quote, or view our stone gallery to select the best stone offerings in Texas.

Categorized: Countertops

Nov 09 2022

Showcasing Success With Stone Surfaces

Final installment in our binge-worthy kitchen series reviews the strong style sense from The Morning Show and Maid.

Part #3: Showcasing Success with Stone Surfaces

It’s always a pleasure to witness successful female characters in today’s most-watched TV series. Whether the host of a famed talk show or a prosperous lawyer, The Morning Show and Maid showcase strong, stylish women at the top of their game. As we witness their journeys, we shake our heads at some of these characters’ behavioral choices, but we always cheer for the fabulous interior stone designs featured in their homes.

The Morning Show

Jennifer Aniston is reported to have had a direct hand in designing her character Alex Levy’s to-die-for apartment. This swanky Manhattan penthouse on Apple TV’s The Morning Show embodies the pinnacle of success, representing a woman who calls the shots in her career and in her home. The wraparound, almost-lavender veined slab for the kitchen countertops are decadent icing on her dark, brown cabinets. The thick, stone island is certainly sturdy enough to withstand Alex’s heavy vodka pours.
But the real stone stand-out?
This tiered-marble serving station provides an impressive display, even without the finger foods. Whether it’s to serve up Alex’s daily news report, or all the Thanksgiving pies, this look is fantastically functional.

Maid

In Netflix’s Maid, a down-on-her-luck cleaning woman goes toe-to-toe with Regina, an intimidating attorney. But the real knockout comes from Regina’s kitchen—a dreamy isle of gray and ivory-veined dolomite, cascading top-to-floor in her cavernous, waterfront home.
And can we talk about the matching accent wall?
Wow! This floor-to-ceiling piece ties the great room to the marble in the kitchen. Bouncing the light from water-facing windows, it reflects the many shades of Regina’s personality. This is a house of a classy, educated woman. It’s no wonder the main character, Alex, wants to pretend it’s her own.
At True Blue Surfaces, we value the importance of creating a space where you can bask in your success. Reach out to True Blue Surfaces today to request a quote or book a showroom appointment for work done with pride, precision, and care.

Categorized: Countertops

Nov 09 2022

5 Natural Stone Upgrades Beyond The Kitchen

Natural stone is a favorite choice for interior designers and homeowners looking to add style and value to the kitchen. Granite, quartz, marble, and soapstone are long-lasting and easy to clean—perfect for busy families who love to cook and entertain. But stone can be used for so much more than islands and kitchen countertops. From outdoor ovens to accent walls, here are five design ideas where natural stone can make a sensational statement beyond the kitchen.

Natural Stone Fireplace Surround

Nothing brings warmth to a home like a fireplace—literally and design-wise. A stone fireplace surround can add a spectacular focal point to any room. Natural stone is heat-resistant, so you can really stoke the flames on chilly nights. For a traditional feel, you can’t go wrong with a classic, white marble design, while black or blue marble can offer a sleek, contemporary look.
If a contemporary feel is more your style, layers of light-colored granite or quartz lend a down-to-earth vibe while elevating the room. With a variety of textures and colors to choose from, natural stone can create a welcoming environment, while adding to the value of your home.

Stone Accent Walls for Any Room

An accent wall of natural stone makes a dazzling design statement, while adding weight and depth to the space. Selecting a dark color stone slab can create a dramatic contrast to a brightly painted living room wall. Custom insert shelves within the stone provide a space for personalization—books, mementos, and photos. You can even use small blocks of quartz or marble for stylish bookends.
Incorporating a marble accent wall into a bathroom design yields an exotic result. The dramatic veining and cool textures give off a high-end feel. If your goal is luxury, a wall of marble behind the tub will make a real splash.

Natural Stone Behind the Bar

Serve up some class with unique stone designs for your wet bar. A raw, rough-cut stone countertop and accent wall behind the bar can achieve the feel of a rustic farmhouse.
For a sophisticated, modern look, a white onyx bar, with an under-glow of soft light, creates an ethereal atmosphere. Or shake up a martini behind a striking, curved countertop with a pop of red porcelain tiles. With the right mix of natural stone and a dash of creative backlight, you can really bring the wow-factor to your happy hour.

Stone Fire Pits

You don’t have to head to the woods to build a cozy campfire. With a natural stone fire pit, friends and family can stargaze in the comfort of their own backyard. A round marble or granite fire pit can lift your s’more-roasting to a new level of elegance. While a rectangular-shaped fire pit offers a chic, communal centerpiece. Add custom stone benches around the fire to tie the whole look together and create an air of intimacy—perfect for nighttime ghost stories. Whether wood-burning or gas, resilient stone fire pits can really take the heat, and bring the hearth outside the home.

Soapstone Outdoor Kitchens and Pizza Ovens

Soapstone is virtually indestructible, making it an ideal choice for outdoor kitchens. Usually gray, green, or bluish in color, its earthy aesthetic blends perfectly with natural surrounds. Soapstone paired with stainless steel creates a modern, polished look. Place soapstone countertops atop stacked natural stones for a rustic, al fresco experience.
Add bar stools and extend the counters beyond the food prep area for expansive seating arrangements. Soapstone offers endless design options and durability—go ahead and place that lobster pot right on the surface!
Showcase your own outdoor pizzeria with a wood-fired oven crafted from natural stone. Guests can assemble their pizzas right on the counter. Soapstone gives you plenty of style without the stress of marinara stains.

Stone Adds Value and Warmth to Your Home

Incorporating natural stone throughout interior and exterior designs promotes fabulous cohesion, while adding uniqueness with every piece. Impenetrable and easy to clean, its functionality and longevity adds great value to your property. Whether your goal is a spa-like getaway in your bathroom, a wet bar for convivial gatherings, or a memory-making outdoor retreat, natural stone will create a warm and inviting home, inside and out.
True Blue Surfaces is here to help you achieve your home design dreams. Schedule your appointment today!

Categorized: Countertops

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