Tag: quartz

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Expert Tips Styling

A guide to using crystals in your home and work space

Whether you believe in their healing properties or not, crystals look beautiful and can be the perfect icing on the cake of your vignette! Stoned Crystals founder Ashley Bellino, put together these top tips for us on using crystals in your styling at home or work.

APL PHOTOGRAPHY - www.aplphotography.com.au

Crystals for Styling at Home:

Whether you’re styling a coffee table or dresser, Stoned Crystals has a simple, no-fail, three-step styling formula:

  1. Horizontal – choose one or two horizontal items to place on the surface you are styling. Think a stack of books or glossy magazines.

  2. Height – add something with a bit of height. A beautiful vase containing your favourite flowers will work perfectly here.

  3. Bridge – the bridging or connecting object should be placed between the horizontal and height objects. The bridging object should always be the most interesting in the arrangement as it will give character to the space and often guide the direction of the room. Crystals are the perfect object to bridge the horizontal and vertical planes by providing a story and energy that will intuitively guide the style direction of your room.

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Using Crystals in Workplace Styling:

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  1. Use natural stones or crystals as paperweights and bookends. Choose a stone that suits your personal style, mood and palette.

  2. Use carved stones or crystal platters and bowls to store all stationary and loose desk items.

  3. Place crystals on the soil of potted plants or terrariums in your work area.

  4. Have a favourite crystal as a worry stone, hand massage object or brainstorming object. Having this crystal on hand to deflect negative energy is a great way to manage workplace stress, clear the mind and get creative when brainstorming new ideas.

  5. Keep a cluster of stones near your office window or near your phone at your workstation. Every time you glance at your crystals, your subconscious remains mindful of your thoughts and actions.

  6. Manage workplace stress with crystals by offsetting the strong electromagnetic fields created by computer screens by placing a crystal next to any technology device in your office. Stoned Crystals recommends clear quartz for the absorption of electromagnetic radiation.

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Categories
Kitchens RENO ADDICT

The latest trends in kitchen benchtops for 2016

Ruba Jaajaa, colour expert and showroom manager for Cosentino, shares the following tips…

1. Blue is the new black

Blue hues will replace the traditional use of black for a bolder and warmer look in the home. Black tones can often look harsh and overpower other colours, whereas blue is the perfect complement to any space without compromising depth or style. It’s a new look that is both chic and daring!

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2. Matte finishes are a must-have

Matte finishes lend a stylish feel to any space, offering a modern edge that will add greater interest to the overall style.  You can add a subtle, elegant touch to your home with Silestone® Suede finish, a unique matte texture, perfect for modern designs. Suede is available in more than 30 colours across Cosentino’s signature Silestone® range. From the celestial, cool tones of Lyra,to the earthy hues of  Blanco Capri!

Trend 2 Suede (second option)

3. Nature knows

Nature-inspired design has become a popular part of home styling, which will only grow in 2016. Incorporating natural,warm, earthy tones of the beautiful Dekton Sirius and Keranium worktop is a perfect example of how to bring a contemporary nature feel into your home!

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Photo Credit: The Japanese Kitchen Studio

4. Traditional goes modern  

Don’t feel that you need to remove those traditional favourites from your space, instead try and give  them with a modern twist! Take inspiration from winning couple on this season of The Block, Shay and Dean, who updated the Scandinavian look in their apartment to make it a crowd favourite! The couple used contrasting benchtops in Blanco Orion on the island and Cemento Spa with a suede finish.

Trend 4Photo Credit: The Good Guys Kitchens

5. New neutrals

Neutrals are a key component of creating a comfortable and sophisticated atmosphere in your home. In 2016 neutral trends will continue to grow, highlighting the beauty of muted hues that offer a timeless look. Tones such as Makai from Cosentino’s Dekton Spring Colour range, complement a neutral palette perfectly!

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Categories
Design DIY Kitchens RENO ADDICT Shopping

Neale Whitaker’s 5 tips for creating a Block worthy kitchen

Ebony and Luke’s kitchen

Kitchen week is always my favourite week on The Block. The couples have been planning their kitchens (and budgeting for them) since week one, so it’s usually the week when you see their masterplans really start to take shape. For me the kitchen is the heart of each apartment and I believe it is for buyers too. Real estate guru John McGrath claims that “kitchens and bathrooms sell houses” and he’s right. The kitchens in this series certainly don’t disappoint.

So if you’re planning to renovate yourself, here’s my top five tips for revamping your kitchen, Block style!

1. Plan, plan and then plan again

Ebony and Luke’s kitchen
Ebony and Luke’s kitchen

Kitchen renovations are expensive so you want to make sure that you are really getting the kitchen you need. You need to put your requirements first and think what you like to do in the kitchen, do you like to entertain, is your kitchen the hub of a family home or does it need to double as a dining room or study? Ebony and Luke did this perfectly by making the bold decision to remove a wall in the planning stages of their design.

2. Keep potential buyers in mind

Vonni and Suzi's kitchen
Vonni and Suzi’s kitchen

While you may be renovating the kitchen for you, consider its potential appeal to a buyer should you decide to move on. Kitchens can make or break a sale so it’s always good to have that in mind when you’re choosing surfaces, splashbacks and appliances. Suzi and Vonni thought this through, keeping an entertainer in mind when designing their kitchen, opting for a monochrome colour palette brought to life with contrasting Silestone benchtops in moody grey Carbono and crisp, white Helix for the island.

3. Play it safe with neutral palettes

Kingi and Caro's kitchen
Kingi and Caro’s kitchen

Remember that most of us only fully renovate our kitchens every five-to-10 years. It’s far wiser to choose good-looking neutral surfaces and cabinetry that can be easily and inexpensively updated with new stools, lighting or kitchen accessories. They need a long life so it was great to see that this season’s teams weren’t tempted to choose colours or styles that would age quickly. Kingi and Caro have been smart with a unique design without going overboard — balancing the bolder elements nicely with the fresh tones of Silestone Blanco Zeus on their benches.

4. Storage is crucial

Shay and Dean's kitchen
Shay and Dean’s kitchen

Not everyone can afford the luxury of a butler’s pantry but maximise your storage options in terms of drawers and cupboards. The basic rule is that you can never have enough storage! Think about the task lighting (overhead pendants are hard to beat), the dimensions of the sink and the classic ‘kitchen triangle’ — the distance between cook tops, sink and refrigerator. It’s also worth considering the height and convenience of your appliances. Shay and Dean were smart with their kitchen design to reclaim space and create a hidden butler’s pantry to give future home owners plenty of smart storage solutions.

5. Subtle but smart features

Whitney and Andy's kitchen
Whitney and Andy’s kitchen

Remember that soft-close cabinetry (integrated handles) and concealed appliances will help create a sense of space in the kitchen. Think about the visual impact of a mirrored splashback, not only in terms of reflecting outdoor views but also creating a sense of space. And finally consider the aesthetic relationship between floors, work surfaces, joinery and splashbacks. Modern combinations like Silestone quartz surfaces complemented by timber, brick and matt laminates can look amazing and still feel timeless. Whitney and Andy were on-trend with their Scandi style, with the subtle marbling of Silestone in Lyra for their surfaces contrasting with Ballina Oak timber for their cabinetry.

For more information.

— Neale is a judge on The Block, the editor-in-chief of Vogue Living and a Cosentino ambassador.

Categories
Bathrooms Kitchens

Caesarstone launches Sleek Concrete design

It’s been a good month for exciting new products from Caesarstone. Last week, we shared the new Calacatta marble-inspired quartz surface, and today we bring you Sleek Concrete.

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With a warm grey base, it encapsulates the look and feel of fine concrete, but has the durability and ease of maintenance that Caesarstone surfaces are renowned for. There’s also a more on trend concrete matt textured finish, which creates an industrial, aged look and feel. It never requires sealing and will acquire a natural patina over time.

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Perfect for both residential and commercial use, Sleek Concrete can be used for kitchen benchtops, splashbacks, wall panels, vanities, café tables and benches and bars. Sleek Concrete is available now and comes with 10-year limited warranty. Find your nearest showroom here.

Categories
Bathrooms Kitchens

Caesarstone’s new Calacatta marble-inspired design its most talked about yet

I am obsessed with marble. You could call me a marble freak. It’s just gorgeous, right? Nature can do no wrong, but it did really REALLY well with marble. Trouble is, it isn’t always the most practical choice and certainly not the cheapest. Which is why Caesarstone’s interpretation of the famous Calacatta marble, Calacatta Nuvo, is bound to be a hit.

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They’ve been talking about it for months but it’s finally available, and the opportunities for both kitchens and bathrooms (where real marble isn’t always a smart choice) are endless. “The response we received from designers from many of our global markets was exceptional,” says general manager marketing for Australia, Andrew Dixon. “Calacatta Nuvo is proving to be perhaps our most anticipated new design ever. Like several recent marble-inspired designs, we take inspiration from natural marble products, but go on to create something relevant to many markets and unique to Caesarstone.”

Calacatta Nuvo works beautifully with a range of complimentary materials including crisp, modern white cabinets, stainless steel and simple wood grains. Likewise, it brings the classic luxurious marble look to both transitional and traditional kitchens and bathrooms with its polished gloss surface.

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I was present at its first showing to global consumers and designers at the recent Milan design week, where Caesarstone exhibited a major installation designed by London-based Raw Edges. The 18-metre long kitchen ‘island’ demonstrated the subtle strength and impact that the large vein structure can give the overall look and feel of the kitchen. I thought it was very impressive.

“Whilst kitchens and especially islands, are certainly the main area of application, we are seeing significant interest from designers considering selection for commercial uses in hotels, restaurants, bars and retail interiors where the ease of maintenance and high durability bring added benefits to the aesthetic impact,” Andrew adds. “In addition, Caesarstone’s low porosity makes it extremely well suited to bathroom wall linings, bath surrounds and benchtop surfaces.”

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Given the large‐scale design, Caesarstone recommend viewing large panels of Calacatta Nuvo during the selection process and to that end all Caesarstone showrooms across Australia have full panels on display. Calacatta Nuvo sells at a higher price than other designs in the marble-inspired supernatural range.

Established in 1987, Caesarstone pioneered the original quartz surface. Caesarstone surfaces consist of up to 93% quartz. Applications include kitchen bench tops, bathroom vanities, flooring, wall panelling, furniture and more.

For further information, go online or call 1300 119 119.

 

Categories
Kitchens Travel

Caesarstone think outside (or inside) the bench top in Milan

Last night, I went to a beautiful Caesarstone event in Milan as part of the international furniture fair Salone del Mobile. The crowning glory of the installation was a 19-metre long, super sleek and modern ‘island’ for cooking and food prep, looking striking in the middle of one of the historic Palazzo Clerici’s ornate old rooms, with a lemon tree springing from its centre.

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Two further islands, also made of various Caesarstone surfaces, comprised a table tennis table and a stunning bath with built-in record turntable!

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Islands is a collaboration with London-based Raw Edges designers Yael Mer and Shay Alkalay. In their eight years, the young duo have designed for Cappellini, Established & Sons, Moroso, Kvadrat, Stella McCartney, Arco, Mutina, Lema and more, and their many works have been showcased in museums and exhibited in expos in Milan, London, Paris and New York.

The main idea was to look at the Caesarstone product differently; beyond simply a surface that you put things on top of. The main island had cut-outs for sinks, dishes, chopping boards and much more, showing just what’s possible. The only limit is your imagination!

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Caesarstone Australia marketing manager Andrew Dixon explains the idea is to really inspire people to think outside the box, and while it’s unlikely many customers will go as far as putting a turntable in their bathroom, the many possibilities available to customise the flexible and super strong product are not fantasy.

“We’d like people to think ‘do I really need all these cupboards?’ for example. Caesarstone is so user-friendly and so much more than just a bench top. I personally love the idea of creating a raised appliances station on top of the bench top where you keep appliances out, but out of the way of the main preparation surface,” Andrew says.

“Innovation is really important to us and we like to provide the customer with direct inspiration.”

Two exciting new products should hit the market around June/July: Sleek Concrete and the marble-inspired Calacatta Nuvo (I’ve seen it and it’s great).

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I’m in Milan thanks to Freedom Kitchens and Caesarstone Australia.