At Intermountain Stone & Marble Company, we’re proud to be your first stop for custom stone fabrication services. Our granite, marble and quartz countertops are all made using high-quality craftsmanship and care, and are perfect for several different areas of the home or building. 

Perhaps the most common area our countertops are commissioned for is the kitchen, a central hub of nearly any home or building. New countertops are just one part of what might be a full-on kitchen remodel in some cases, and the goal from many homeowners in these situations is, at least in part, to make the space look and feel more spacious for both residents and guests alike. How can this be accomplished during the countertop and remodel process? Here are a few basic tips we can recommend keeping in mind. 

Color Scheme

Color is one of the primary tools you have at your disposal for opening up a given space. In particular, you want to lean toward neutral shades like white, off-white or various light pastels. These color schemes can be applied not only to your countertops, but also to your walls and cabinet areas for consistency. 

To make this pop, we recommend accents of color in certain parts of the kitchen as well. A bright stripe on cabinets or along an opposite wall lends the illusion of depth, plus prevents the room from becoming dull or bland. 

Lighting and Reflection

It’s also important to consider your lighting, both on its own and for how it will reflect off various elements of the redesigned kitchen. You might consider items like tinted glass cabinet doors, for instance, which can go a long way to complementing a neutral countertop color. Some homeowners also look to areas like mirror tiles for the countertops or back bar, as these provide the illusion of more space. 

In addition, be sure to consider your natural and indoor light here separately. There are certain forms of lighting that natural light just can’t replicate – think of recessed lights underneath cabinets or countertops, which remove dark corners that shrink the visible space. But when you can capitalize on natural sunlight, doing so can also help a room feel much larger. 

Stripes and Accents

Many designers are fond of the wide horizontal stripe pattern, which is known to immediately draw eyes to the back of a given room. If you don’t want to paint entire walls or areas in this manner, consider painting the bottom edge of cabinets or countertops in a shade that matches the wall color, just for consistency. 

Flooring

Finally, your flooring can lend a big hand in terms of opening the room up. If you’re using neutral colors for your walls or countertops, consider solid dark tones for the flooring that will complement this and really broaden the look of the space. If you use wood, make sure your pattern remains across the entire length of the room.For more on using countertops and other remodeling tactics to make your kitchen feel more spacious, or to learn about any of our stone counters, speak to the pros at Intermountain Stone & Marble today. 

For those looking for a beautiful natural stone countertop look, marble should be one of the first options you look at. Marble is one of the most aesthetically pleasing stone products out there, and it’s no shock that it’s one of the most popular countertop products as well.

At Intermountain Stone & Marble, we have a variety of marble countertops for your home. One common question we get from clients looking for marble countertop installation: Is it suitable for a kitchen where heavy cooking will done? Marble and other natural stones are slightly less durable than something like quartz, for instance, but this absolutely does not mean they aren’t suitable for a significant cooking environment – as long as you do the right research and take the right steps to protect them. Let’s look at all the basics here.

Basic Protection and Stains

One of the primary concerns from some clients here is hot pots or pans, which some worry will compromise countertop integrity if they come into contact. Firstly, we’re here to tell you that this is very unlikely – our marble products will not be melted or cracked by hot pans, so you don’t have to worry about this.

On the other hand, these hot materials can lead to staining and discoloration. For this reason, we recommend using trivets, hot pads and other forms of basic protection for very hot pots and pans being placed on your countertops.

Naturally Porous

Like other natural stones, marble is porous – this means it will absorb water and other liquids, which in turn can damage or permanently stain the countertop if you don’t take the right steps. Luckily, there’s a simple solution available: Sealer application.

Regularly applying a basic stone sealer helps fill all the little areas where moisture could make its way into the stone. It will also protect against light scratches and etching. We can help you with regular stone sealing using the proper sealant materials, which takes a day or two for first application and needs to be done at least once a year – possible more often if your marble is a very light color.

Cleaning and Spills

With proper sealing, marble countertops are very easy to clean. They just need soap, water and a soft cloth or sponge. Stick with mild soap or detergent so as not to risk any staining. If you have a very stubborn stain, you can use a water and baking soda paste to clean them. Never use acid-based cleaners or items like vinegar or lemon juice, all of which can damage the marble.

If any food or liquids spill onto marble countertops, sealed or otherwise, cleaning them quickly is vital. Failing to do so can lead to permanent stains, particularly for tomato-based stains, red wine or similarly dark stains. If these kinds of spills are a common risk, consider coasters, trays and mats to protect countertop areas.

Chipping or Cracking

Marble is strong and durable, and if you take the proper care listed above, it will last for decades. Sealing prevents basic scratching and etching. At the same time, you have to be aware that it’s not indestructible – it can still be cracked or chipped with heavy impact or sharp items, so be careful about the activities you take part in around it.

For more on marble countertop care in a busy kitchen, or to learn about any of our granite or marble countertops, speak to the pros at Intermountain Stone & Marble today.