The Counters Blog

HDB Flat Mystery: What Is Causing The Marble Dropping Sound From Above? 50 Modern Bathroom Ideas — RenoGuide

Kinds Of Marbles

More recently they have been made of actual marble, clay, porcelain, glass and steel. The names and kinds of marbles you will find today have a lot to do with how the marbles were made, who made them, and how they were played. Glazed or unglazed, they were colored in tans, reds, and browns of the clays they were made. Latticinio core – akes its name from the italian word for “net” and refers to the open network of narrow strands of milky, white glass that appears in the center. Both have ribbons of color near the center which spiral from end to end. Aventurine, a yellow glass containing small copper crystals, give lutz marbles their phosphorescent brilliance. Colored glass coreless swirls – it was not possible to use colored glass ribbons with a colored glass marble since their interior colors wouldn’t be seen, or if they were visible their colors would be muddy or unclear. Clam broths – also known as clams, these are amongst most popular of collectible marbles. They characteristically have many thin outer swirl lines of contrasting color running from pontil to pontil. They have numerous thin white threats distributed evenly around the surface of the marble. Extremely popular and highly prized, onionskins take their name from the layering of glass, like layers of an onion. Accent colors were added by rolling the heated piece over fragments of crashed glass, creating the speckled effect. Sometimes mica was added to the glass, thus increasing its value. To make an end-of-day marble, the worker gathered a small amount of glass at the end of a rod and rolled it over a powdered colored glass that served as a base color. They are clear glass spheres with bits of colored glass suspended within. In come clouds, bits of colored glass were set within other colored pieces and required special skill to produce. Others have a latticino core, divided core, lobbed core, or no core at all. At first they may have been simple round stones or clay balls. The process for making marbles has changed over the years as new materials and technologies spread. If you want to understand marbles, you should know about all of the different kinds of marbles. Aggies were often colored with black, gray, green, blue and yellow mineral dyes. Alleys have come to mean very good marbles, or marbles in general. Benningtons are blue or brown glazed marbles that aren’t completely round. It is unusual to have black vanes inside this type of marble. The nickname commies originated then with a shortened form or “commoneys” because they were common, every day marbles children used for play. In corkscrews, the spirals rotate around the marble from one pole to the other, but they do not meet. Immies – glass marbles streaked with color so they look as if they were made of real aggate. They are still inexpensive and within reach of the average marble collector. In 1846, a glassworker in the town of lausche invented the marbelschere, or marble scissors, a tool that rounded a marble in one step. Lutzes are the crown jewels of marble collecting and are prized for their beauty and rarity. As a result, colored glass marbles were coreless and were decorated with either bands or swirls of white near the surface, or color applied to the surface. They take their name from the chowder white opaque glass from with they are made. Gooseberries – gooseberries are an example of a colored glass marble. The handmade ones have bands or strands running from end to end. The base color, usually white or yellow, was applied by rolling clear glass marble in powdered glass. There are va rious types of onionskins: single color, speckled, and segmented. Onionskins were known to exist from the beginning of the cane-cut marble industry. The flecks of mica in the marbles add sparkle and glitter when placed in bright light. Traditionally, they were not sold but were given as special treats to neighborhood children. Clouds – like end of day marbles, these marbles were individually made. All of them are made of transparent glass with the core and swirls of solid or transparent colored glass.

How To Create A Faux Marble Finish On Concrete Flooring by doityourself.com

Pay special attention to the corners and the edges, where the walls meet the concrete. Always start from the back of the wall and work forward to prevent painting yourself into a corner. Marble is often two colors, and if you want to match colors perfectly, you can take your sample to a paint store. You will need three colors for this job: a darker hue of your choice, a lighter hue of your choice, and white. After the lighter paint has dried, you can use a small brush to create lines between the two. Continue to care for your newly painted floor by polishing the concrete regularly. A small vacuum can help you remove dirt from these tight areas. Wait for the darker paint to dry, and then connect the dark swatches with the lighter paint to create thinner veins. Think of this process as creating a web of controlled cracks.

How To Get A Marble Look When Painting A Wall by homeguides.sfgate.com

A brush creates thick gray squiggly bands of paint for added realism. The feather, or a fine artist’s brush if you don’t have one, is key to the marble vein look. Blot that color on, then some of the lighter shades, using the same sponge. Add veins with a feather, mimicking the vein color of the genuine marble. Fantasy marble has the visual depth of an exotic polished marble, which transfers well to a faux painting technique. Instead of blotting them all on with a sea sponge, a sponge or brush is smeared atop a layer of another color, resulting in unusual color bands. Thin veins aren’t typical to fantasy marble, so the feather step is skipped. The technique is similar to the basic marbling technique, except a dark base coat goes on first — for instance, black as the base rock color with white and light green bands and veins running throughout. Rather than undergoing such an extreme project, repainting a wall in a faux marble finish results in that classy marble look at a fraction of the cost. The beauty of learning how to faux marble paint is that you can create the look of a specific marble variety you like, or tweak the technique to come up with your own unique marble colors. The glaze is simply a little gray paint with glaze mixed in, based on proportions recommended on the glaze container. Blot the gray onto the wall to create bands of cloudy gray areas, then smooth some of that out with a dry feathering brush or another sponge dipped in white paint. A feather dipped in gray or black creates fine veins, which can be softened by blotting with a sponge or rag. To recreate the complexity of multicolored marble, note the colors in a marble variety that you like, and pick three or four paint colors based on the true marble. When that’s dry, pour a pool of each paint color into a large tray, dipping a sea sponge into one of the darker colors. The multiple paints on the sponge will create the multiple shades in the marble. Metallic tints in some of the layers, as well as a little extra glaze mixed into the paint, create visual depth. A little glaze mixed in with the light paints gives the faux stone an additional appearance of depth.

143 Luxury Kitchen Design Ideas by designingidea.com

The dark wood of the floor stands in contrast to the crisp clean whiteness of the counters and cupboards and the soothing soft dove-grey of the kitchen walls. The sturdy wooden island bar in the center anchors the room. The two level kitchen island offers plenty of dine-in seating from the wood bar stools. Visit this page for additional kitchen island ideas for an assortment of styles. The warm tones and smooth textures of cherry wood contrast with the cooler feel of the muted grey-brown marble counter tops and walls. Pendant lights over the marble topped wooden island-bar cast a soft glow on the workspace. The light cream walls and white ceiling helps balance-out the dark colors of the wood, as well as the beige granite countertops. Under the soft glow, the two tiered black-granite counters of the breakfast bar take on a cozy sheen. The extensive use of light colored wood flooring and paneling lengthens this rooms dimensions and make it took lighter. The strategic placement of marble accents – from the soft off white of the counter tops and the jaunty grey marble tiled arch over the dark panel cabinets – lend the room a sense of sleekness and a warm shine. The white walls and white paneled cabinetry contribute to an overall atmosphere that feels clean, bright and airy. The warm, homey details are set off nicely by the extensive use of light wood on the floors, cabinetry and even the furniture. The cabinets display a tasteful love for detail with their raised panel doors and decorative inserts provide plenty of storage. A slight indent on the far wall allows room for an inviting, airy breakfast nook facing the windows. White cabinets paired with white quartz countertops look beautiful together. A discrete microwave nook provides a unique way to store this appliance and keep it from taking up space in the counters. A white paneled oven hood provides an eye-catching bit of detail to the walls. The black granite countertop and splash board adds a bit of dark contrast to break the warm yellows, but is a nice touch in creating a balanced modern look. Pendulum lights with metallic bell shades and pinpoint lights on the ceiling cast a glow on the center island. Set off with dark wood square chair back bar stools the island provides a place where both work and socializing can be done. Set in a herringbone patter, the tiles lend a clean and light air to what could have been a gloomy and dark kitchen. Decorative glass inlays in the paneled cabinets break up the monotony of the otherwise all dark wood paneled cabinetry. One of which is that white kitchen cabinets offers a timeless and classic look. You don’t really have to worry much about what countertop would go best with it, or what wall color would complement it. It works well for achieving a complementary, monochromatic or a contrasting color scheme for your kitchen. A cottage themed kitchen, on the other hand, may be achieved through white shaker style cabinets with a tile backsplash. Since it is the brightest color, it reflects lighting well making it appropriate to use for small kitchens. Light colors create an illusion of space making rooms feel open and airy. Also, keep in mind that white comes in different shades too, ranging from the brightest ultra white to a snowy and creamy tone, so choose the perfect white for your cabinetry depending on the style you want to achieve. Paned windows let in ample light to this kitchen with bay windows providing a cozy space for a breakfast nook. The over-all light and airy feel of the room brings a soft sheen to the dark wood floors. The walls are painted in a light dove gray color with whit e moldings, doors and windows. The counter tops are solid wood slabs, treated so it would not rot with prolonged water and moisture exposure. The wall behind the main kitchen counter stands out with its faux stone brick wallpaper and white tiled backsplash. The counter area with the cooking range goes even further by combining white kitchen cabinets with black overhead cabinets, black granite countertop and white tile backsplash. The white kitchen cabinets blends well with the beige walls and seamlessly matches with the moldings. The kitchen cabinets are all in an off-white color and has paneling to give it a classic appeal, while the center island stands out from the rest of the kitchen with its use of wengue-stained wood for its base. The rest of the kitchen goes for the understated off-white cabinets with dark gray granite countertops and beige wall color. Walls are in light cream with white moldings and ceiling, and the bar stools used are copper-colored metal. The countertop material is black polished granite, while the faucets and appliances are all stainless steel finish. The splashboard is white ceramic tiles in a brick layout, while the splashboard behind range combines black and white ceramic tiles in a diagonal layout. Although it seems to go against the common perception that kitchens should be airy and bright, dark kitchen cabinets create dimension and drama within a space. One of which is that dark cabinets offer a rich and elegant look. Deep colored wood cabinets, for example, make your kitchen more cozy and homey. Choosing the right dark cabinets will depend on the style you want to achieve. You can make the space more contemporary by adding pops of color in your accessories. Super luxurious kitchens usually use black cabinets with a contrasting bright white countertop. White cabinets may be easy to pair with, but dark colored cabinets require more care to pull off because each different shade has a unique impact. Also, as a general rule, balance off dark kitchen cabinets by selecting a lighter color for the walls, floor and the counter top. For example, if using dark brown cabinets, pair it with a countertop that has golden shades. If you are on the more experimental side, you can try playing with the backsplash color and material — a pop of green graphic coat kitchen backsplash perfectly matched with dark charcoal cabinets can create a stunning modern kitchen. The main kitchen countertop uses white solid-surface, while the island counter uses stainless steel countertop, to match the rest of the appliances which are also in stainless steel. The kitchen are has an iron chandelier to highlight its center island. This is combined with the use of stainless steel appliances, cream granite counters and stone backsplash. The countertop uses beige marble, and the walls uses a matching beige color. The lower part of the kitchen counters are open shelves in black, with stainless steel supports, while the overhead cabinet doors has black graphicote glass with stainless steel handles. Whether you’re looking for ideas to create the perfect kitchen for culinary creativity, or as a beautiful gathering spot, you’re sure to find something you love in the pictures on this page. The rich sheen of the hardwood floor draws the eye and lends a feeling of warmth to the room. Glass fronted cupboard doors allow kitchenware to be displayed for effect and also allow for ease of location. The bar’s white counter top provides a clean and inviting place for cooks to do their work. The honey oak cabinetry is beautifully detailed and topped by light beige granite counters. Recessed, under-counter, and pendant lighting offer plenty of illumination. The contemporary bright stainless steel appliances stand out nicely against the darker wood of the traditional dark wood cabinetry. The rich colors and contrasts of the room give it a cozy and intimate feel that is easy on the eyes. Stainless steel finishes from the appliances are left exposed, giving a nice balance of colors and textures in the space. Build in counters and appliance nooks keep the space from seeming cluttered. The clean lines of this kitchen are highlighted by a color scheme that utilizes shades of cream and white. The dark hardwood floor, as well as the dark hardwood tables and chairs of the breakfast nook stand out in pleasant contrast with the rest of the room. A backsplash of grey tiles adds a nice bit of detail to the kitchen walls. The lighter wood of the floor reflects the light to give the whole space a homey, airy feel. The sheen of the granite provides a nice clean contrast with the dark grain of it’s hardwood base. Old fashioned paneled cupboards and cabinets line the wall of the room for a homey feel. A breakfast bar separates the kitchen from the living room without completely closing the kitchen off lending the set up an inviting feel. Yellow tones dominate the finished used in the space and it can be seen from the ceramic tiles, to the laminates used in the cabinet and even the off-white tones of the walls. The center island is an interesting combination wooden topped butcher block table and counter. A strategically placed curved sliding glass window lets outside light shine on to this kitchens granite topped island bar for a nice reflective sheen. A mosaic inlayed backsplash and white marble oven hood are a cheerful touch to the work area. Kitchen fads may come and go, but having white kitchens cabinets will enable your home to adapt to any trend, style and theme easily. There are a number of reasons and advantages as to why white proves to be the number one choice for kitchen cabinetry. When used in kitchen cabinets, it evokes a sense of visual serenity and class that no other color can encompass. Generally, white is a color which can go with almost anything, the same remains true for white kitchen cabinets. Working with a white cabinetry color is like setting up your kitchen into a big canvass, where you can easily integrate splashes of color. Although some may consider it as a plain and boring color, one can not go wrong with using white kitchen cabinets. Whether you are aiming for that classic country kitchen or that ultra modern vibe, white cabinets are perfect. If you want to achieve a modern kitchen, use high gloss ultra white kitchen cabinets and contrast it with a black galaxy granite countertop. It has positive vibes which represents purity and makes a space more inviting. White kitchen cabinets can make small kitchens appear bigger. White kitchen cabinets are more reflective than dark colored cabinets, thus helping maximize the effect created by the flow of natural light. The island counter stands out from the rest of the kitchen as its cabinets/legs are in black, with interesting black pendant lights lights hanging above. Kitchen cabinets with moldings are all in white, with interesting silver pulls on the center. For the floors, 60×60 gray porcelain stone tiles were used, with matching gray walls. The large butcher block island with stainless range hood makes an impressive centerpiece. White cabinets are topped with black granite counters while the black center island uses white granite countertop. The walls are all painted in a warm gray tone, with white moldings and plain white ceiling. All counters use a thin slab of a beige-colored salt and pepper countertop and uses oil-rubbed kitchen fixtures and a pair of crystal pendant lamps. Backsplash tiles are laid-out diagonally, and the island counter’s corner was cut away to give it a diagonal element. Both are topped with black granite countertop, while the backsplash uses off-white ceramic tiles. The exposed parts of the walls are painted in a peach colored semi-gloss paint. On top of the island counter has 2 pieces of elegant pendant lamps to complete the look. Just like white kitchen cabinets, there are also number of reasons and advantages as to why dark kitchen cabinets may work well for your home. It gives off drama to a space and works perfectly for luxury themed kitchens. Although it doesn’t spark the lively feeling you get from white cabinets, it brings about a calm excitement. Dark cabinets are ideal for creating depth and contrast to a space that light colors cannot achieve. Dark cabinets work well with traditional, contemporary and modern styles. If you are opting for a modern look, pair a high gloss black or dark gray kitchen cabinets with a light colored solid surface countertop. While, if you are aiming for the traditional style, achieve that rich opulent look by finishing dark cherry or espresso cabinets with moldings, a marble countertop and hardwood floors. Mediterranean kitchens can be achieved with a deep reddish cabinet color accentuated with earth tones. In mixing and matching dark cabinets, figure out what will work cohesively with all the other aspects of your kitchen and the final look you are aiming for. Dark cherry and walnut cabinets may be combined with light hardwood flooring. For the floors, porcelain stone tiles in beige tones were used and cut-out in long slabs as to mimic the size, look and layout of wooden flooring, without having to worry about damaging it when it gets wet. The breakfast nook separates itself from the wood tones with its use of a circular area rug and black-stained wooden furniture pieces. For its floors, it uses golden oak solid tongue and groove floors with water-resistant coating, while the cabinets are laminated with ebony wood, with brushed stainless steel handles and even stainless steel pendant lights above the counters. The center island counter goes for the darker, black-painted wood and is topped by solid wood slab.

Forget Ordinary Paint: Use These 8 Stylish Faux Finishes by popularmechanics.com

And, increasingly, these kinds of jobs are within the reach of weekend warriors, not just expert contractors. Wipe the plaster on the wall at a 15- to 30-degree angle relative to the floor or ceiling. Artisan finishes can be used on drywall or wood to give the impression of marble or stone. The finishes can range from decorative to rustic to natural. Tissue paper requires you to place a sheet of tissue in the wet paint. Application starts with a base coat that a person rolls on and cuts in along the trim and corners, as with any paint. To begin, apply a base coat with a trowel in a broad, sweeping motion. The more contrast in color between the texture coat and skim coat, the more dramatic effect you’ll have in the finished product. But painted drywall lacks the handcrafted personality of plaster applied over lath. However, you can get the look in modern houses by using a faux plaster. The second layer goes on with a trowel to create color contrast and texture. This is one of the fastest, easiest, and least expensive textured finishes to apply. After it dries, you roll on your base-color paint and let it dry. This second color is mixed with a glaze, then applied using a cloth and wiping in a circular motion to cover the underlying color. Then, before the paint dries, roll the length of the wall from floor to ceiling to smooth out any lap marks. It’s best to avoid this finish in high-traffic areas, however, because the delicate surface can scratch easily, and touchups are hard to blend into the surrounding paint. Once it’s dry, apply a second coat at a 60- to 90-degree angle. What makes these finishes unusual is that the various shades and hues in the paint seem to change depending on the light that shines on the wall, so as the lighting changes it highlights different colors. Then apply the metal paint with a roller, going from floor to ceiling, rolling in a continuous vertical motion to prevent lap marks. Similar to metallic paint, metallic plaster is thicker and typically applied with a trowel instead of a roller. It has a deep luster and offers the shimmering effect of having metal in the finish. Applying plaster the old-fashioned way isn’t an option for homes built in the past 50 years or so, because they weren’t constructed with the lath in the walls. The first application goes onto the walls with a standard roller. A third and final layer goes on top, also applied via trowel. The finish is slightly raised and somewhat gritty to the touch. Then you apply a second color that is different from the base color.

How To Paint A Faux Marble Surface by diynetwork.com

Sand the dresser to rough up the surface, which will help to make the paint adhere. Remember to paint the veins over the edge of the tabletop as well. Here’s an inexpensive way to update bland, outdated dressers and nightstands. Thoroughly brush off the dust, then go over the dresser with a tack cloth to pick up any of the finer particles left behind. Dip the sea sponge into all three colors at once and dab the sponge lightly on the tabletop. For a lighter look, sponge off excess paint onto a paper towel as you work. Dip a detail brush in diluted white (or very light green) paint and add fine lines to simulate veins. If desired, sponge on lighter shades of green to soften the tabletop and add more depth to the surface. If marble isn’t your thing, try another patterned contact paper.

52 Dark Kitchens With Dark Wood OR Black Kitchen Cabinets 2019 by homestratosphere.com

Maybe it’s a subconscious association with bygone eras of construction, like the fascinating turn of the century lumber baron homes now residing as museums in my hometown. These days dark cabinets come in all types of wood, materials and tones. Look out for bright metallic hardware, contrasting marble countertops, and intricate tile backsplashes punctuating the rich expanses of wood in these kitchen. Some match their surroundings, with exposed beams or fireplace surrounds, while others become standout features in otherwise light toned spaces. White marble countertops and backsplash fills out the space. Exposed beams and natural hardwood flooring complete the look. There’s something about dark stained wood that absolutely screams luxury. A hundred years ago, cherry and mahogany and the like were clear markers of wealth and taste; the leaders of industry and society constructed homes absolutely laden with the materials. Carved, painted, inlaid with gold, or minimalistic flat panels are some of the varieties of dark wood style cabinetry you’ll see in this collection. Ultra luxurious kitchen features gilded black wood cabinetry over beige marble flooring. Black marble countertops and patterned tile backsplash, plus aluminum appliances, add contrast. Marble countertops and white brick backsplash add variety of texture. Dark natural wood cabinetry and island support dark marble countertops over grey stone flooring.

Gray Bedroom and Living Room Paint Color Ideas by architecturaldigest.com

High-gloss finishes add a sense of luxury and give the space a soft glow by reflecting light. We’ve gathered spaces that use paint to dazzling effect, as well as some rooms that take the look a step further with marble, fabric or rugged concrete. Dark walls inset with beige panels and framed by white moldings bring a sense of drama to the living room. The starburst chandelier and mirror over the bed give the room a breezy glamour. In the entrance hall, stone-gray walls temper the room’s abundant natural light. When it comes to neutrals, gray has been the hot shade for the past several years and its popularity has yet to wane. With more depth than white, the shade serves as a sophisticated backdrop to any space. From near-black to pale silvers, there’s a shade of gray to fit any space. The cool color works in any space from the kitchen to the bedroom and compliments any style of furniture, artwork, and accessories. The hue looks beautiful paired with classic white trim and ceilings, or it can be applied from top-to-bottom to bring a sense of coziness. As these rooms prove, a chic new look is just a few coats of paint away. Silvery grays cover the ceiling, walls, fireplace, and floor of a guest room. At one end of the living room, an understated gray wall color works in harmony with lively patterned throw pillows and a subtle striped rug.