YOUR ULTIMATE GUIDE TO SELECTING LUXURY TILES & SLABS
Selecting luxury slabs and tiles for the interior and exterior of your home can be daunting as there are hundreds of stones and slabs available. Finding the right materials can be difficult, especially if you are unsure of where to start. Susan Spath, Principal Interior Designer at Kern & Co., has the expertise to guide you through the process of slab selection for your home.
Slabs and tiles are a big part of your home design especially in a kitchen or bath when they are one of the primary materials. With many different slabs available like exotic onyx, unconventional limestone and travertine or traditional marble it can be hard to determine what is right for your home.
INSTALLATION IS EVERYTHING
If you are interested in adding an extra wow factor to your install consider doing a stunning use of a bookmatch slab. A bookmatch slab install is using two slabs and installing them so they mirror one another. It adds such a beautiful impact and is completely stunning, it works beautiful in showers or even bathroom walls.
Another popular installation method is using a semi precious stone feature. A backlit stone is spectacular to look at and makes the perfect statement wall. It will really catch the eye and grab all the attention in the room. Natural onyx is a popular stone choice for backlit installation. Susan loves the end result of this installation process, it looks incredible for bar counters, statement walls, and more.
The installation process can not be completed without the proper details. Details are ever so important in the installation process. It is important to figure out what edge you want on the counter tops before the installation begins. The edge detailing can seem overwhelming as there are so many different options from countertops, sinks, waterfall detailing and more. It is also important the tile installer lays out the material to make sure your design won’t be compromised by poor layout of the tiles. It is a good idea to have an trusted expert help in the installation and detailing process as knowing where and when the detailing should be is very important.
THE MANY STONES
Lets dive into a bit of a stone master class to give you the background information to best select your slabs.
ONYX
Onyx is gaining popularity as an interior slab material for properties in the top end of the residential and commercial market. Known today as the, “Sexy,” material onyx is quite rare when compared to other natural stones. The rare natural stone, also referred to as a semi-precious natural stone, can come with a relatively high price tag.
MARBLE
Marble has been around for ages and has been a stone of choice for sculptors and architects in many of the world’s great works of art, for example Michelangelo’s David and the Taj Mahal just to name a few. Elegant, dramatic and lustrous, marble’s subtle veining and special reflective play of light adds a distinct dimension to vanities, bathrooms, flooring and walls.
LIMESTONE
Beautiful, versatile limestone has been the fine stone of choice for world-renowned architects, especially throughout Europe and North America, for centuries. Due to its subtle patterning and pale neutral colorations, limestone has been used to construct landmarks such as banks, train stations and monument structures that have withstood the tests of time.
TRAVERTINE
Travertine is a natural stone from the limestone family, which can (over time) transform into marble. It is also often called travertine marble; made of calcium carbonate and usually found near warm and hot springs. Travertine was frequently used in ancient times as a building material. Today, travertine is most commonly used for countertops, flooring and can also be used in showers and tub surrounds as well as in exterior décor. Available in multiple colors and finishes from natural neutrals such as creamy white and gold to tan and reddish brown depending upon the impurities and iron content. Aside from its obvious beauty durability is one of the elements that lead people to choose travertine.
WHICH SLABS & TILES ARE RIGHT FOR YOU
While everyone has different needs and lifestyles it is best to consult with a designer on the best slab and tile choice for you. Susan will be able to assist you in figuring out what stone is best for your lifestyle and will achieve the look you desire. Susan loves all luxury slabs and tiles but her absolute favorite is calacatta and statuary marble. These natural stones are completely timeless and always provide such a beautiful clean look no matter how you use them. When it comes to designing your home’s interior and selecting the right slabs and tiles for your lifestyle, trust the expert designers at Kern & Co. Contact us today to discuss the right options for you!
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