The Beauty of Marble Countertop

I always thought that my favorite countertop is quartz because it is not as busy as granite , yet its durable. But as i was searching for the perfect counterop for a kitchen of a client of mine, i discovered that i really love the look of marble countertop in kitchens.
Yeah, i know its more porous , softer , stains more easily and generally needs more care than other stones , but honestly, it adds this much more charm.

White marble stones such as bianco carrara, is one of the cheaper stone countertop options, and instantly adds a brighter , cleaner look to the kitchen. It can stain and etch easily if not taken care of properly, but these little imperfections is part of the character marble countertop adds to a kitchen.

Calcutta marble countertop are stunningly beautiful with their grey and gold veins, and Danby marble too, but sadly , they are not as affordable as the carrara.

It is believed that marble should not be used in the kitchen because it is porous and will stain easily. Actually, the reason marble needs a little bit more pampering than granite or quartz is because it will get etch marks when in contact with acidic stuff. But if you hone the marble, then the marks wont show.
And the good news is if you prefer the polished look of marble, etch marks can be removed using a marble polishing paste.

If you  decided on a marble countertop, here is a few quick tips on how to care for it.

- Use a good sealer for your countertop
- wipe up spills like red wine, citrus juice immediately.
- clean with mild soap and water
- Do not place hot surface directly on it
- Use a cutting board as your prep surface.

If you love the look of marble countertop, but are worried about all the extra care you need to put in, consider using it in smaller surfaces, such as on the island, backsplash or just the cabinet peripherals.

Here are a few more beautiful kitchens with marble countertops. I know for a fact that my dream kitchen is going to look somehow like this and I hope i will be able to post pix of them really soon.

If you have or had a marble countertop in your kitchen, do you love it or hate it?

Make sure to visit my blog again for more design talk.

Ruba

Couture Kitchens

I recently came across a very creative kitchen company from Japan named Toyo. Their designs are modern, yet the materials used are so over the top, making each of their kitchens classy and unique.  The focus of their designs is the island, where the range, sink, counter space and storage are all combined in it, making it very functional as well in smaller spaces.

Have you seen any kitchen as sparkly?

Make sure to visit my blog again for more design talk

Ruba

Guest Post - Set the Mood: Romantic Lighting

Hi, I'm Susi, a writer for Design Shuffle, a site that promotes designers and their projects from around the world. I'm so happy to be asked to guest post about romantic lighting today here at My Interior Design Diary. When setting the mood in interior design, lighting is a key element and your friend. Not all romantic lighting is dripping with crystals, but crystals do add that diamond-like sparkle that just says romance. Here are some of my favorite examples of romantic lighting. Enjoy!

A combination of lighting options is the best choice for romantically lighting a room. A sparkly chandelier on a dimmer, along with bedside lamps that have low wattage bulbs combine to create the perfect romantic lighting.

If one chandelier is romantic, two are even better. Love the idea of hanging two small chandeliers flanking the bed for ambient and reading light.

I love these chandeliers with a drum shade enclosing a crystal chandelier. The lighting it creates is so soft and romantic.

This capiz shell pendant has a modern pattern that is romantic yet modern. This light would work in a bedroom, entry or dining room.

Pretty vintage boudoir lamps with pleated shades trimmed in beads are romantic and nostalgic. With a feminine feeling, these romantic lights would look pretty on bedside tables as well as a vanity, making them perfect for a shabby chic bedroom design.

Moroccan lanterns cast a lovely, romantic light when hung next to the bed. A single lantern above each nightstand would be very pretty.

Pink scalloped shades on the glass and crystal chandelier add a touch of Paris, which in my book equals romance. How intriguing that the shades are not on every light!

Don't forget romantic lighting for the bath or powder room. Wall sconces hung with crystals and small chandeliers are perfect romantic lighting choices for bathroom designs. [ Images 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 ] Lighting is often the finishing touch on any interior! Get more inspiration from Design Shuffle, a social-media network that connects those with a passion for design and talented San Francisco interior designers, Boston interior designers and more!

Its all about Stripes

Lately , my new favorite geometrical pattern to use when designing a room has been the stripes. Being as much as on the walls or as little as on a throw pillow, stripes can immediately add drama and uniqueness to any space.

Not convinced? Here are some spaces that will definitely turn you into a stripes lover.

This Sarah Richardson design has stripes in many different parts of the room, which can be very busy, but the use of subtle , neutral colors makes this space relaxing.

I love this nursery. What makes it stand out is the chocolate brown and ivory stripes on the lower half of the wall.

Stripes in a transitional room makes it more than just a transitional hallway. Note that when the stripes are wide , the furniture should be minimalist.

Stripes in the least expected place takes the room to a whole new level.

This white simple room is tied together with the black and white accent stripes

This is a proof that stripes goes with different colors and patterns

Here are some more inspirational stripes.

Make sure to visit my blog again for more design talk.
Ruba

What Is Your Style ? -French Country-

One of my favorite styles, French Country. The combination of antique furniture, soft tone colors along with natural elements makes the french country living cozy,  elegant, charming and romatanic while adding an old-world feel to it. The look is completed with a big bouquet of flowers somewhere in the room, and , of-course, the rooster.

How to get the look :

1 - The over-all look is rustic, welcoming and charming with natural color palette and distressed wood.
2 - Colors used are inspired by the french country landscape : yellow, blue ,green and red
2 - Rusted iron or gilded metal used in furniture, chandelier, stair railing , accessories and door hardware
3 - The flooring is made of natural materials like stone , terra-cotta , brick and wood. The wood used is oak,  fruitwood ,walnut and mahogany and is usually not or lightly stained.
4 - The walls are painted pale colors with a textured finish and wood panels to give the room an antique look.
5 - The fabrics typically used in French Country are : Boutis, toile,  indienne, natural linen and cotton.
6 - Window treatments are simple and the fabrics used are pale in color.
7 - Lighting : Crystal chandelier and wall scones.
8 - Antique and rustic furniture are mixed with polished and elegant pieces.A popular furniture in French Country design is an armoire with open shelves.
9 - Wood beams on the ceiling can be used as an architectural element . They are usually left in their natural colors to add contrast against the pale walls.
10- Accessorize the room with copper pots , the famous ceramic rooster,  baskets and some wood pieces.

Tips :

 - Some popular French Country motifs that can be on pictures , fabrics and table clothes are  flowers , beetles and ofcourse , the rooster.

- Choose colorful fabric against the light furniture frame for a more casual look.

- To add a modern twist, mix fabrics with strips and geometrical patterns.

This french country livingroom is all elegance and charm with its rustic armoire , furniture, stone fireplace, gilded chandelier and accessories.

The dark oval dining table adds a beautiful contrast to the lighter french chairs and silk drapes. 

This daybed and the different fabrics , including checkered, stripped and toile, are typical in french country design.

From the moment you enter this house, you'll feel the welcomed with the soft tones and white & curvy furniture  

The wood beams on the ceiling, iron chandelier  and the Indienne & checkered fabrics makes this room cozy and charming.

The modern lighting makes this french country console more contemporary.

A leather chair and contemporary chandelier & accessories is added for a modern twist in this french country room. The toile fabric on the couch and the terra-cotta flooring adds the homey feeling in this space.


Here are some rooms inspired by the french country style :

What do you think of the French Country style ?

Make sure to visit my blog again for more design talk.

Ruba