MAKE YOUR DESIGN DECISIONS REAL JEWELS!

Making design decisions is a lot like picking an outfit. What does the interior of your closet look like? Are the clothes bright and colorful? Are the designs bold or subtle? Is there a lot of bling, or do you go for simple, textured fabric instead? These selections provide clues about other design preferences that you may have - including tile, stone or carpeting.

What does your jewerly box look like? Is it full of small delicate pieces, or big, flashy stones? If you love strong style, pick big 12"x12" tiles. If you like tiny, tasteful pieces, go for smaller tile with intricate borders and trims.

Do you take fashion risks? Then you'll do the same while designing your bath and kitchen. Go for unusual stone for the countertops and dramatic flooring choices like herringbone wood or creatively patterned rugs. Find fun and unique hardware for your cabinets and interesting window coverings that make a statement.

If you wear tasteful solids in warm tones and pastels, stones like travertine for tile and flooring have little "movement" and offer a "calm" look that you will enjoy.

TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS. Don't let other people sway your design decisions or you will surely regret it later. Bedrock sales representatives know how to guide you through the selection process in a casual, friendly and productive way. Pick what you are attracted to intuitively - just like you do your clothes and jewerly - and you will fill your home with designs you love!

BATHROOM UPDATES MAKE A BIG IMPACT

Who would have thought years ago that potential home buyers would be so focused on the bathrooms! They care about everything. The countertops, paint, fixtures... and mostly the flooring! It is not uncommon for folks looking to buy a new home to consider the flooring as a top priority. And, for good reason! If the flooring is less than desirable it will be a major expense. Bathroom flooring is no different!

Even though the bathrooms can be the smallest rooms in your home, they have incredible visual impact. Carpet went out years ago, replaced by vinyl and now ceramic or natural stone. Why? Because people spend a lot of time in their bathroom and they want a RETREAT! After a lond day at work (or a long night of no sleep!) they look to their bathrooms as a place to relax! Big, whirlpool tubs, sauna showers and elegant stone designs such as granite and marble - can turn a ho hum bathroom into a classy spa in your own home. And, don't ignore the fact that a small investment in updating your baths can reap you big rewards when you decide to sell your home.

For flooring consider big 12"x12" tile which can expand a space and give it a luxurious look. Go with calm, neutral colors, then accessorize with towels and paint colors that YOU love but can later be changed out when you are tired of it or are ready to sell. Purple towels, hot pink walls...go for it! Just use calm, cool colors for your back drop---countertop, floor and shower -- and eeryone will be happy!

Let your Bedrock designer help you find a style that WORKS for years to come, and your investment will be a sound one.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT COLOR FOR YOUR GRANITE

There are a lot of reasons that people choose granite - the true natural beauty of real stone, the fact that it's a "green" material, and also because there are not tow slabs alike! When you select granite for your bathroom or kitchen countertops, fireplace or vanity top, you will have a truly unique design that will also enhance the value of your home. But...what color to choose? Don't let your visit to a slab yard or design showroom be overwhelming. Consider this:

- The most available slabs come in colors of tan, white, browns, greens, black and blues - with blue and black in high demand and also more expensive.

- There are subtle differences in color but dramatic differences in veining.

- Tan and brown slabs work well in virtually any style of home and go well with most color schemes.

- Take your time! There are so many types of granite, it will be worth the effort if you go slow and enjoy the process.

- Bring fabric, wood chips and tile samples with you and play them against the various slabs. Sometimes a slab that you might never consider comes alive against the other material that will be featured in the room.

- Ask for samples to see how they "read" in the lighting of your home.

- If you choose a dark wood for your cabinets, the contrast of a lighter stone provides a classic look with lots of interest.

- Consider your flooring when selecting the color and type of granite for your bath or kitchen. Don't mix a busy floor with a busy countertop.

- Trust your designer! Your Bedrock and Rite-Loom contacts can guide you through the selection with the right information and great ideas.



Have fun!

STONE FINISHES OFFER VARIERY AND UNIQUE LOOKS

Not long ago most people purchasing stone selected this natural material because of the polished, sleek look that marble and granite provide. But today, many homeowners are looking for a relaxed, aged look and suppliers are meeting that demand with some interesting finishes. Whether you are looking for a contemporary look, or the warmth and romance of a French chateaux, these stone finishes will highlight the natural beatuy of your real stone:

Tumbled - a special technique used to create a worn weathered affect, a tumbled finish is achieved by placing the stone in a "tumbling drum" with aggregates, chemical and pebbles. This combination batters the face of the tile as well as rounding and softening the edges.

Chiseled - Normally found on aged marble, travertine or limestone, a drill bit is used on the edge of the tile to give a highly distressed look.

Brushed - A coarse wire rotary brush is passed over the face of the stone to give it a worn but satin-smooth finish.

Undulated - This finish recreates the look of exposure to extreme elements and/or thousands of years of foot traffic.

Reclaimed - Original stone flooring that has been carefully removed from old homes, streets or shops.

Flamed - Flaming stone is done to dull stone and is accomplished through exposure to extremely high heat.

Honed - Honed stone offers a smooth flat or matt finish.

Polished - Very hard stones such as granite can be polished for a shiny, high glass finish that can draw out the true color and full character of the stone.

Thanks to the introduction of these popular stone treatments, your stone design possibilities are endless!

HOW TO DESIGN A STONE FIREPLACE

With Fall just around the corner, Bedrock customers are starting to ask about updating their fireplaces. There is nothing more elegant and beautiful than a natural stone fireplace which is why we cover this blog topic a lot. If you are thinking that your fireplace could use some sprucing up, or you have the perfect spot for one and are ready to get started in time for the holidays, consider these important points:

What's Your Style? Contemporary, Rustic, Traditional? Start identifying the look that would work best in your home. Do you want a floor to ceiling fireplace? Will you be displaying lots of photographs? Cut out photos and you will see a theme emerge.

What is going to be your heat source? You have three choices which include masonry, gas or electric.

What size fireplace are you looking for? Will it heat a large room or just a small dining area? The average heating unit ranges from 32" to over 42" wide and up to 36" tall.

What is the size of the room the fireplace will be in? Consider the ceilign height and wall width. Also, keep in mind window placement, cabinets and furniture in the room.

What material would best suit the design of the room? Travertine looks beautiful for an old world or rustic look. Granite for classic or modern. Marble works for traditional, elegant rooms.

Anyway you fabricate it; a natural stone fireplace will add value and beauty to any home.

COLOR VARIATION IN STONE

Once you have made the smart decision to use stone in your home or business, there is a lot to learn to ensure that you make the right selection. Unlike manufactured products like carpet or ceramic tile, stone is a product of nature so the look of it varies with each slab. And to make things even more interesting, most suppliers have different names for the stone styles!

Trust your Bedrock representative to help you through the process! Wandering through a slab yard can be an overwhelming experience. There are so many types of stone that the variety can be all consuming. And, what people love most about stone can also creat the biggest challenges. Color variation is what makes stone desirable, but also extremely hard to select. Stone is a natural product quarried from the earth so its appearance is the result of millions of years of ecological change and mineral composition. Each slab is different in color and veining characteristics which is what makes it even harder when shopping for that perfect material because most buyers base thier selection on a small sample barely the size of their hand. When you stop to consider the actual size of the slab you will be purchasing, this sample just doesn't reflect what you may have chosen early on in the process.

To be sure that you are getting exactly what you want, visit a slab yard with your Bedrock representative to inspect the actual product first hand. It may take extra time - especially when you are distracted by hundreds of other beautiful slabs - but it is worth the effort!