Thursday, April 9, 2015

Marble....Marble


Crema Marfil Marble - classic! I call it the Chanel of marble flooring.  This marble has a beige, creamy color which is absolutely breathtaking.  I wanted to a take a moment to go through some tips for marble and the different grades of marble that is available.

Before you go purchase the marble, take some time to get educated so that you can make an informed decision.  Tile may seem like a small purchase, but remember that it is permanent item which gets installed in your HOME! Do we really want to welcome something into our home without doing proper research? I thought so......read on!

Ok so marble is beautiful, no doubt! Be advised that it does stain and scratch easily - take extra care of your marble!

Marble, as defined, is a hard crystalline metamorphic form of limestone, typically white with mottling or streaks of color, that is capable of taking a polish and is used in sculpture, flooring, architecture, etc.

Tip #1:  Marble has a nice array of patterns, and varies from tile to tile - it is a natural stone.  No one is like the other! Prior to purchasing the marble, lay out a few pieces at the tile store and check the variation in the pallet - most tile stores don't mind! 

Tip #2:  Marble has different grades.  Judge the quality of the marble by the amount of variation that the marble contains.  When you are going through the pallet, look at tile, check the pits in the marble, check the corners, check the back of the marble - if you are unsure of the quality, just ask! Most tile stores will tell you the grade of the marble.  There are some marble colors which look even more elegant with tons of variations :)

Tip #3:  Marble does require maintenance, remember, it's a natural stone.  Please invest in some fantastic sealers to seal your beautiful marble.  I've known people to spend oodles of money on the marble and skip the sealant - BIG MISTAKE! The marble will get ruined over time so please make sure that you ask your installer to seal it - if possible, buy your own sealer to ensure the best quality product.

Tip #4:  Cleaning time!  Yes, we all have to clean at some point.  Whether you plan to clean or hire someone to clean, please be sure to buy natural stone cleaner.  You can use a mild detergent or just buy a cleaning product meant for marble.  If you spill your delicious cup of coffee or that divine glass of wine or any other acidic items, clean up those spills right away!! Remember, don't use abrasive cleaners, no no no! Poison for marble is vinegar, lemon, ammonia or orange - please do not use any cleaners that contain these ingredients! 

Marble is a stunner but it comes with a price.  If you are willing to dish out the extra cash and take good care of it then it will add elegance to your home!

I personally LOVE marble, especially Crema Marfil! There is just nothing like it....here are some more pictures! Enjoy and happy shopping :)