Sex Up your Kitchen with Matte Black

In the fashion world, black always has an air of hipness and sophistication, as in the ubiquitous "little black dress".  Now, in kitchens and home decor, matte black is all the rage, it's neutral but also works as a stunning accent when used sparingly.   

Appliance manufacturers have been turning to black matte or something called black stainless as an alternative to the stainless steel finishes that have been a standard for so long. You can also opt to use matte black for your cabinet hardware and mix it in with stainless or chrome.  That's exactly what I did in my new sexy kitchen which will be revealed soon in Episode VIII of The Big Move.  This is a little preview

Check out my faucet, courtesy of Blanco, and I love it.  I cheated though, that is not my kitchen as the backsplash isn't in yet.  It will, however,  be very similar to the one you see above. Below IS a sneak peek.  Those are my luscious bamboo cabinets with quartz countertop featuring real shells! For more, you'll just have to wait for VIII.

(By the way, I have curated many of the items shown in this post on my new Amazon page. There is even a surprise "look for less" item included. In each future post, I will add more items to it.  Yes, I could possibly get coffee money from these links but I only post the products I either have or really love. I'm just curating them there for you.)

The more I thought about it, the more I saw black matte in art and nature too.  I encourage my clients to include images like these as they begin to consider options for a new kitchen or bath.  I'm fun like that ;) These are the things that make your space personal and reflect your style.  I will help you edit and translate the essence so that it works seamlessly in your new space.

I love this look as an alternative to stainless steel.  If you decide to be bold with black appliances, it's a good idea to buy the whole package so everything matches.  The black appliance finishes from different manufacturers are not all the same.  If you want to get a different brand dishwasher or refrigerator you can always put cabinet panels on them as another solution.

Many quartz countertop manufacturers are offering matte finishes. Above is Cambria's black matte as a backdrop to their mega-popular Brittanicca, also in matte finish. If you are thinking of doing a full height backsplash, as shown here, make sure to plan on using 2cm material which is 3/4" thick.  The other option of 3cm would be too thick.

Don't you love this pendant light fixture? I am enthralled with the streamlined cylindrical shape.  It's a series of nested and tiered cones that allow light to seep down in a cool way.  The outside is textured black and the inner surfaces are finished with hand-applied gold leaf. 

The clean contemporary lines of this black matte kitchen faucet by Moen caught my attention. Note the matte finish on the countertop and how nicely the black matte works with the stainless sink.  You can definitely mix metals!

Last but definitely not least, think how stylish you'll feel throughout the holidays cooking with this sleek chic mixer by KitchenAid. What do you think about the look and versatility of matte black? Let's start a conversation! Oh and in case I distracted you, don't forget to vote for Artful Kitchens right here. Thanks! :)

Quartz VS. Quartzite Countertops: Make the Right Choice for Your Kitchen

One of the things I love about my job is that I get to shop.  Let's face it, I live vicariously through my clients.  A question that has been popping up a lot lately on my shopping excursions is, "what is the difference between a quartz vs. quartzite for countertops"? 

They are definitely not the same thing and you shouldn't use the terms interchangeably.  Here's the scoop:

Quartz is arguably the most popular counter top material today and there is good reason for it.  It's composed of 93% quartz which is a mineral (see above).  It's gorgeous and exactly the same stuff you see sometimes in jewelry.  They ground this up and mix it with 7% resin to hold it all together.  The result is the hardest, most chip resistant and non-porous counter top you can buy.  This means it won't stain or etch.  Now between you and me, I've had it and I've even put hot pots on it BUT you should know that it is not recommended.  The resin bit has a melting point of about 300 degrees so it is possible that you could have a bad experience with the hot pot scenario.  

Two more nice things are you never ever have to worry about sealing quartz and today it comes in just about any look you could want from solid to a fine granite type pattern to the popular swirling vein marble look. Some well-known brand names of quartz counter tops include Cambria, Caesarstone, Silestone by Cosentino, Pompeii and Zodiaq but there are more.  Cambria is the only one manufactured in North America.  Silestone by Cosentino comes from Spain and Caesarstone from Israel.  Because quartz is non porous it is anti-bacterial by nature. The latest thing in quartz is leather finishes, as opposed to the usual polished look and BIG wild patterning such as in Cambria's Britannica. 

If you want variety (in price, pattern and color), consistency and no maintenance quartz is a perfect fit.

Enough about quartz.  So what the heck is quartZITE?  Quartzite is actually pretty different from quartz.  Where as quartz is a mineral, quartzite is actually sandstone that has been transformed through conditions of heat and pressure in the earth.  It is completely natural, mined from quarries just like granite.  It is also hard and durable and non-porous but not always to the same degree as quartz. Quartzite is a bit more heat resistant since there's no resin. Let's face it, it's breathtakingly beautiful.  Each slab is totally unique featuring beautiful patterns.  It can also be fabricated in a more matte, or leather, finish.  If you like that natural uncontrollable variation this could be for you.

If you love the natural, uncontrollable uniqueness found in nature choose granite or quartzite.  

Bear in mind, because quartzite is a natural material it can also vary in performance.  My best advice if you are considering quartzite is to get a sample and do your own science projects on it.  You know the drill, red wine, mustard, sharp knives, hot pots etc. All this goodness does not come without a price.  Quartzite does need to be sealed about twice a year and speaking of price, most quartzite prices out higher than quartz.

One of the hallmarks of quartzite is its translucence, beautiful layers that you can almost see through!  If you are in South Florida and would like to find the perfect counter top for your own kitchen, I look forward to hearing from you. Drop me a line at Gloria@ArtfulKitchens.net

Check out some of the other counter tops I LOVE on Pinterest !

   

 

Cambria Celebrates Launch of Two New Additions

Have I ever mentioned how much I love quartz countertops?  If not, I have been remiss.  Quartz tops, composed of 93% quartz and 7% resins, are the ultimate in durability, come in a variety of looks and are so easy to care for.  What could be better?  My favorite brand when it comes to quartz counter tops is Cambria.  I love their selection of patterns and colors plus they make it so easy, all the colors are the same price!  I was thrilled to be invited, earlier this month,  to the local launch of two new additions to their luxurious Marble Collection, Ella and Brittanicca.The event was held at the Pavillion Grille in Boca Raton.  The stage was set with style, elegance and a chance to view the two new offerings up close and personal.  It's easy to see that these latest marble looks were inspired by the seashore.  Crazy beautiful veining brings to mind patterns created on the sand.  Here is a quote from Cambria describing one of the new colors.  "Vast and expansive, Brittanicca™ offers a velvety marbled background of neutral white that provides a stage on which gray streams meander among intertwining ashen veins dotted with veiled charcoal sparkles." It's perfectly poetic, yes?  The second star of the evening, Ella, has a finer pattern but is also reminiscent of marble.  The background is rich and creamy.  Both of these options are a great way to get the opulent look of marble with easy to care for durability. Both new finishes are a part of Cambria's Oceanic Collection.

Tip #4: Granite or Quartz?

 

The last few posts we have been exploring the big questions I get from clients who are in the market for a new kitchen.  Today we are up to #4, and it's a biggie.  What counter top should we get?  Counter tops are a main component of the kitchen.  They have to look right but more importantly they must stand up to daily use.  During the 50s, 60s and 70s , other than the odd wood or tile counter top, most of us had laminate counters.  Formica ruled the roost.  To be fair, laminates have come a long way and are quite popular in Europe.  They are not as indestructible as granite or quartz but the price is right.  Truth be told, back in the day, it was not unheard of to have a laminate top last 30 years or more!

Traditional Kitchen by Newton Kitchen and Bath Fixtures Kitchen Concepts, Inc. 

Remember those "Boomerang" Formica counter tops?  If not, then you might find one now in a Mid-Century Modern style kitchen of 2013.

Today my clients  know about granite but what's this quartz all about ?  Here's what I tell them: If you love the uniqueness and natural variations of granite then it's the top for you.  If you can't stand that and you prefer consistent color and/or pattern then quartz is for you.  Quartz is man-made and is about 93% quartz with the other 7% being the resins that hold it all together.  Performance wise you can't do better than quartz.  It is non-pourous, very hard, heat resistant and does not require maintenance.   When it comes to price, at least in Florida, the price is comparable to granite.  Both materials are generally available in 2cm or 3cm material.  2cm is about 3/4" thick.  You can use it like that if you like the thin look but typically it gets doubled up to give you your 1 1/2" standard counter top thickness.  If you're planning a matching backsplash this is a good option since it can be 3/4".  Yes, the counter edge will have a seam in the middle but if your fabricator is worth his salt, you shouldn't really notice it.  A 3cm thickness will give you 1 1/4" thick counter top with no seam but it makes for a very thick back splash which may not leave you enough room for your faucet.  My favorite brands for quartz are Cambria because of the color selection and because all the colors are the same price.  That makes it easy!  Cambria is also made in the USA.  I also love Silestone which can be a little more expensive but is cutting edge when it comes to new textures and technologies.  Silestone is made in Spain and features their trademark Microban which enhances the antibacterial nature of quartz even more.  Granite can come from South America, Mexico, Europe and even India.  If opting for granite you'll need to make a trip to the yard to select your slabs since they vary so much.  If you need help deciding you know where to find me!

Next up: Tip #5: Glass Doors, Solid Doors or Open Shelves?