Stones for your bathroom
When selecting stone for bathrooms in New Jersey, think of how it will be used. Formal entry and entertaining areas should be smooth surfaces, safely accommodating high heels. Patios that serve as sitting and dining areas also need a level surface for chairs and tables; select a stone with a fairly smooth surface such as Idaho quartzite, chocolate Arizona flagstone, or New Jersey mariposa slate. Although the lighter pink and tan Arizona flagstones have smooth surfaces, their porous texture (which absorbs oils and stains) should be considered before using them under eating areas or near messy fruit trees.To create bathroom, select stones with a varied surface texture and rounded edges, such as Boquet Canyon or silvery gray water-washed flagstone (pictured at right and on page 92. For steps and entries, choose stones with a gritty texture for traction when surfaces are wet. Quartzite and California mar iposa slate can be very slippery in frosty weather, and require scoring for safety.
A stone's color affects the design as well as the comfort of the space. Choose a color that will best suit your surroundings (expect natural color variations within each type of stone). A sitting area under a thick canopy of trees casting heavy shade could use brightening; in this situation, using a light-color stone such as Lompoc flagstone, Boquet Canyon, or Idaho quartzite will increase light reflectivity and may make the difference between a dark, uninviting place and a cool, refreshing retreat. Conversely, sitting areas in the sun need to have their brightness toned down. Designers Ted Kugelman and Steve Pendergast of Oakland created a pleasant pattern for the bathroom shown below left and reduced glare by combining three types of New Jersey flagstones. The chocolate flagstone in the mix lends a vintage look, in keeping with the Tudor-style house.
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Granite Slabs
The sequence of events which brings natural stone from the quarry to the home has not changed much since stone entered the homes of the ancient Greeks. Large blocks of granite or marble are cut from the quarry. From those blocks, thin pieces of stone are cut called slabs.
Granite Terrace
The maple base cabinets in the wet bar are topped with black granite, which follows the angle of the stairs and ends in a seven-sided, cherry-based counter table.
Granite Slabs
The sequence of events which brings natural stone from the quarry to the home has not changed much since stone entered the homes of the ancient Greeks. Large blocks of granite or marble are cut from the quarry. From those blocks, thin pieces of stone are cut called slabs.
Granite Terrace
The maple base cabinets in the wet bar are topped with black granite, which follows the angle of the stairs and ends in a seven-sided, cherry-based counter table.