The use of
natural stone in renovations and home building isn't new by a long shot.
Recently, however, there has been a trend towards the use of stone slabs. While
large
stone slabs do have
their merit, more and more people are considering the use of marble, granite,
limestone, quartz, and other stones in a different capacity, namely, natural
stone mosaics. Mosaic is the beautiful art of creating patterns, designs, and
images through the use of small pieces of glass or stone. The method has its
roots placed in the fourth century BC, in Macedonia. The practice itself is
ancient, but there are a few reasons why this interior design technique has
remained a staple throughout the ages.
Practicality
It's hard to deny that natural stone isn't
among the most
easily maintained building materials around. These
beautiful surfaces are easy to keep clean with little more than a clean rag and
some water. The fact that they are naturally resistant to mold and fungal
outbreaks can provide comfort in the knowledge that your home is kept as close
to allergen free as possible. The tiles themselves are generally made to be
waterproof and are therefore an ideal material for sprucing up kitchens and
bathrooms. Repairs to mosaic pieces are also much easier to do, and vastly
cheaper than replacing an entire chipped or cracked slab of stone.
Versatility
Functionality and permanence are at the
foremost of importance when selecting a new surface for your home, whether it
is a
floor,
a countertop, a table, or even embellishments for your walls. A marble mosaic
can be crafted to fit any size space and offers the same great strength,
scratch and heat resistance, durability, and resilience to fungal growths that
slabs do, but with the added benefit of being a little more economically
friendly. Mosaic designs can be applied to nearly any surface in your home.
Some popular options include spicing up a dull area of your floor, framing
doorways, customizing your countertops, adding colour to your backsplashes,
creating exciting tabletops, swimming pools, patio areas, indoor/outdoor
kitchens, and driveways.
Decorative
Marble and granite are two of the most
beautiful stones available for home use. They are available in colours ranging
from white to black, with every colour in between. The patterns available are
as diverse as the colours themselves. Choosing the right colour and pattern in
a stone slab can be a daunting task, and even with all the unique options open
to you, you may have a difficult time selecting your material. Selecting a
natural stone mosaic design for floor or countertop will provide you with all
the benefits of a stone slab, but with an increased ability to customize the
surface to your décor, lighting conditions, and personal taste.
The next time your home is up for
renovations or a remodel job, consider the design options available to you.
Contemplate an option that is a little more financially feasible which can help
to improve the look and feel of any room in your home.