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Design Dialogue – January 17, 2013

Design Dialogue – January 17, 2013

Hello, everyone – it’s time for your chance at FREE interior design advice…Welcome to the weekly Design Dialogue!

Every Thursday, I offer you a chance to ask design questions and get some answers.  Whether you need advice on a paint color, help with a room layout or suggestions for window treatments, this is a great place to get some free design advice – just in time for those weekend projects.  Free design advice!  Or, if you want to chat about design trends, the newest colors on the market or that great piece of furniture you saw last week, this is the place.  If you spot any great deals on home decor, feel free to share them here, as well.

So, let’s get started!  Leave your questions and thoughts in the comments below.  I’ll be checking in throughout the day to offer advice and answer questions; you are also invited to answer questions posed by your fellow readers.  Let’s get this conversation started!New Kitchen

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2 Responses to Design Dialogue – January 17, 2013

  1. We have a kitchen with white cabinets, a brand new beautiful eggshell tile floor and stainless appliances. The countertops are going to be either soft grey corian to contrast the cabinets or a speckled black granite, with white and red flecks. Thoughts? Pros / Cons on materials?

    • Teri says:

      Hello – thanks for dropping by today! There are several answers to your question, depending on what level of contrast you prefer in your home. The soft gray countertops would blend nicely with the stainless steel appliances, and they would offer a less dramatic level of contrast with the white cabinetry. On the other hand, the darker granite would give a pop of color and contrast, which could also be lovely.

      Since either color could work, let’s take a look at the materials themselves..that could help you make a decision pretty quickly. Corian is a solid polymer material. While surface wear and scratches can be buffed out periodically, scratches and stains cannot be avoided. In addition, if the gray color you are considering is a solid – or nearly solid – color, it will show scratches, bread crumbs and stains more readily than something with a pattern would. If you choose Corian or a similar product, be sure to always use a trivet to protect the surface from scorching due to hot pans.

      Granite, on the other hand, is nearly scratch-proof. It offers a polished look, and minimal maintenance – although it can stain as all natural stone is porous. The more pattern your stone has, the less you may notice stains or dirt. It has a colder “feeling” in the room, but it is very elegant and timeless. Most granites need to be sealed periodically to keep them from staining, but this is not a labor-intensive or difficult process.

      I know that wasn’t a straight answer to your question, but hopefully I gave you some things to think about as you work through your options!

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