BEAUTY or PERFECTION

The charm of natural beauty of radiant natural marble is poetic and incomparable, but with excellence of composite marble is seamless and inspirational. At the first look, it is a difficult choice to pick one over the other but longevity, versatility and price points have together given Composite marble an upper hand in most builds. Natural Marble is a natural resource which is extracted from rocks and quarried to cutting and polishing units and eventually to business giants for sale. Composite Marble on the other hand is man-made and composed of a polymers blend of marble dust, plastic, pigments and gel coating.

Which is more affordable?

Natural Marble is a natural resource and is expensive to extract and quarry. Marble is heavy and there is a huge transportation cost involved. Cutting and Polishing is also not something where cost can be overlooked. Composite Marble, on the other hand isn’t as expensive as Natural Marble. It is a unique mix of superior strength polymeric substances, marble dust and such pigments. A mold provides the composite stone a structure that is realistic looking, easy to replicate and low in cost.

Which is easier to maintain?

Natural Marble is expensive, difficult to source and needs constant care rituals. Marble is a porous stone and easily absorbs stains and impurities. It looks radiant, no doubt, but Natural Marble is prone to chipping, cracking or discolouration. You also have to be careful as to not apply chemical cleaning agents on marble as that may seriously damage it. Composite Marble is engineered to be non-porous and is given a protective covering of gel. The engineering process makes composite stone non-staining, anti-chipping and resistant to cracking. Plus, most commercially available cleaning agents work just fine.

Which has more choice options?

Visiting a Natural Marble Yard is an exciting adventure. There are huge slabs that look like they belong in mansions. There are blinding 6-10 ft arrays of natural stone that come in many textures and gradients. Natural Marble has different consistencies of grain and difference in shades that cannot be guaranteed. Composite Marble can be custom-made and guaranteed to have certain properties. The moulds can also be tailored to suit individual needs. This makes composite marble a creative decision more than an architectural one.

What about installation?

Natural marble is brittle and hard. It has high density and therefore is heavy to transport and carry. Even during installation, natural marble requires heavy duty machinery and great muscle power. Improper or clumsy installation will never be a good value-for-money proposition. Imperfect installation may also result in curling, crumbling or discolouration of marble. Seepage of water may also induce swelling. However, composite marble is easier to install and can be adjusted on site. Moreover, composite marble can be engineered seamlessly into one piece.

ARE YOUR KITCHEN TILES ALWAYS DIRTY?

If you are the proud owner of a typical Indian Kitchen, you know there possibly isn’t a way to keep your Kitchen tiles sparkly clean as they looked like in the catalogue of the tile company that sold it to you. Your kitchen is practically the most difficult place to keep clean and maintain. Traditionally, the kitchen was always situated in an open space for fire cooking, but in big towns with cloistered living spaces, the kitchen is no longer a secluded unit. With concept kitchens and high end service kitchens, cleanliness is fundamental. With cooking Indian food come lots of spices, fragrance and fumes which accumulate on tiles, slabs and walls and need cleaning from time to time. Here are some tips to keep kitchen tiles clean.

1.       Use Vinegar – Water

A solution of White kitchen vinegar diluted with water should be able to do the trick. Spread this solution on your kitchen tiles slab or wall tiles and let it stand for a couple of minutes. This trick may involve a little scrub cleaning so keep your cleaning gloves handy.

2.       Cleaning Grout

The real problem with cleaning wall tiles or floor tiles is the accumulation of grout. Grout is a layer or dirt which accumulates on the tile surface and is almost impossible to be seen with the naked eye. However, this layer of grout keeps attracting more and more dirt, making cleaning a tedious process with no end. Use a commercially sold ‘buff’ to get rid of grout for a long time.

3.       Rinse detergent thoroughly

Most of us use detergent to clean Kitchen Tile surface. It is very important to rinse the tile surface thoroughly after scrubbing. If detergent is left on the wall tiles or floor tiles, it may lead to soap scum which doesn’t solve the problems associated with tile cleaning.

4.       The dreaded Haldi stains

No matter how great a spice haldi maybe, there is absolutely no excuse to tolerate the stains. Turmeric stains are the most difficult to get rid of. Plus, the use of Haldi is widespread and almost every other recipe uses Haldi which makes it very difficult to abandon it altogether. So here’s a simple habit that would help keep your kitchen tile clean – Clean spills immediately. If you let dirt stand for long, the deeper it would stain. Even something as simple as orange juice or sugar syrup should be cleaned immediately to prevent stickiness.

5.       Avoid using soap to clean tiles

This on one hand may seem like a handicap because soap is the most popular cleaning agent we have known for the longest time – but remember that soap always leaves scum behind and it may be good idea to not use soap at all when cleaning wall tiles or floor tiles. Tiles have the tendency to accumulate things that they come in contact with. If you really need something stronger like soap to clean tiles, use a dilute mixture of ammonia water. Whatever you may be cleaning, whether wall tiles or floor tiles, remember to put on a pair of protective gloves.

Set Your Mood Straight With Vibrant Wall Colours This Monsoon Season

Colours are ruminative of a person’s mood. In fact, colours break the monotony of the frantic work-driven human lives. Colours make life beautiful and evade any sense of dullness that creeps in because of certain things happening every now and then. Monsoon is a season that is known for its vibrancy, beautiful rains, sumptuous delicacies and happier people. Why not transport this happiness to your homes? After all home is a place that stands for comfort and calm and therefore it should be laden with home decor items and wall tiles that are vibrant and chic.

Set your mood straight with vibrant wall colours this monsoon season by following these simple and fun tips:

1.       Change the wall colours: Well, this just makes good common sense to be appearing at the top of the podium. Indulge in brighter colours. Period! A pop of colour would add a new dimension altogether. It is less effort and more result. How about having a dash of orange on the beige wall tiles?

Also, make sure you maintain a good distance from the greys and blacks this season. It adds dullness and heaviness which is best avoided.

2.       Lighting: Home lighting assumes great importance in the monsoons.  Ensure that you manage it well. Try experimenting with yellow lamp shades for a brighter and warmer look. Also, pick some pretty and quirky lamps. There are so many to choose from in the market today. Imagine a creative personalized lamp donning your composite marble floor. It will add that personalized touch that you’ve always dreamt of.

3.       Curtains and drapes: Use lighter and free flowing materials and bright colours and you are set to experience the monsoon breeze in all its glory sitting in your living room.

4.       Window Fixtures: Monsoon breeze is perhaps the standout thing about the season, and therefore one should revamp the windows to make ample room for cross ventilation.

5.       Bed Linens: Playing with colours should not just be restricted to the walls but should be reflected in the choice of bed linen also. You could opt for traditional Rajasthani or Kutch embroidered cushion covers along with quirky crockery for an added appeal.

6.       Add a sleek and colourful piece of furniture or accessory to add that X-Factor to your home sweet home. Match it with the newly done wall colours. It would result in a stammeringly beautiful visual delight.

7.       Make sure to hang a beautiful wind chime. Monsoons are tailor made for these accessories. In a nutshell, a wind chime is a treat to the eyes and the ears.

8.       The floor mats and doormats donning your floor tiles should be rain resistant but should also compliment the wall colours. Choose the colours and material wisely. Utility and aesthetics go hand in hand here.

Wall colours should be the starting point of preparing your home for the ‘monsoon welcome’. Then you should co-ordinate and make sure the other accessories follow closely. It is all about coordination and mixing and matching. So what are you waiting for? Get going and add that dash of colour now! You can thank us later!