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Kitchen and dining room
Alyona
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Not all women have a craving for the culinary arts, but almost all housewives are united by the desire to have a luxurious kitchen. This part of the apartment or house has its own characteristics. On the one hand, it is a place for cooking, where the family can gather in a cozy atmosphere. On the other hand, there is a room that is almost always shown to guests and acquaintances.
A non-standard approach to the design of a home catering unit will emphasize individuality, arouse the envy of neighbors and the admiration of friends. Decorative stone in the kitchen is the highlight that will add variety to the interior.
Premises decorated with stone have always been considered the prerogative of the privileged class and self-sufficient people. The emergence of an artificial, cheaper analogue has significantly expanded the range of its consumers.
Style, comfort, practicality, durability
Advantages of finishing
A stone wall in the kitchen has a number of advantages, including durability and strength; there is no need to make frequent cosmetic repairs. In addition, it is an environmentally friendly and easy-to-install material on the wall that requires minimal maintenance and is available in a wide selection of designs and types.
Decorative stone for the wall can be purchased in the desired size and at an affordable price, which will not burden the wall surface.
Kitchen cladding with porcelain stoneware
Porcelain tiles are considered strong artificial stones that are resistant to mechanical damage. Therefore, it is used for tiling work areas of kitchens. Window sills, countertops, and floors are made from porcelain stoneware.
Advantages of decorative stones for kitchen cladding over natural stones
Artificial decorative materials imitating natural ones are practical, easy to install and maintain. Their structure does not contribute to the appearance of mold and is not susceptible to damage by fungus or other pathogenic flora. Therefore, it is suitable for finishing work in bathrooms and kitchens, places with high humidity.
In addition, they have a wide range of variations in the front surface. This is an imitation:
- sawn blocks with no grinding in any part of it;
- untreated marble, granite or quartz natural rocks;
- boulders or small, rounded smooth stone;
- brickwork.
The artificial finishing material in the form of tiles is similar in appearance to natural stones processed by grinding (granite, marble). Mosaics are made from artificial stone in a wide range of colors and structures.
Decorative coatings are strong, durable, resistant to fire, ultraviolet rays, changes in air temperature, and can be combined with materials made of wood, metal, and glass. The industry produces a wide palette of colors of finishing materials with glossy, matte, textured surfaces. The decorative material is easy to install. Its attachment to the walls is reminiscent of laying ceramic tiles.
Decorative stones are much lighter in weight than natural stones, so they do not create excessive load on the walls or deform their surface. The main thing when decorating with stone is not to overdo it. You should not cover the entire surface of the walls that is free from other materials, so as not to end up looking like a stone cave.
Cladding with artificial stone imitating natural stone is combined with wall covering with many finishing materials, such as wallpaper, plastered surfaces, tiles, wood, and plaster. Combination options can be selected endlessly.
When decorating with artificial stone, it is necessary to take into account the parameters of the room, the height of the ceilings, the stylistic direction in the design and furnishings, and the illumination of the walls with natural light. For small kitchens, decorative stone cladding is used to fragmentarily highlight door and window openings, paintings, and one or more corners.
Artificial and wild stone
Artificial (decorative) stone
It differs little in appearance from the natural one, repeating its shape, texture and size. It weighs less than natural material and is made from sand and cement.
From a practical point of view, artificial is not inferior to natural, it can be made in any color, and you can decorate the kitchen in different ways. It easily adheres to the surface, is impact-resistant and wear-resistant.
Wild (natural) stone
It is distinguished by its unique origin and unique exclusivity. Natural masonry carries the energy of naturalness, which fills the kitchen with comfort. Durable, does not require special care, shock-resistant, tolerates changes in moisture and temperature.
The photo shows an eco-style kitchen with natural stone on the wall, which is illuminated by spots to create a cozy atmosphere.
Advantages of a stone kitchen
The stone is highly popular today. This is due to the advantages of this solution:
- Wonderful interior decoration - ensured by a magnificent appearance.
- Beautiful finish – surfaces decorated with this material will look neat and interesting.
- Assortment - buyers will be able to decide which stone is best suited for their kitchen by reading the catalogs.
- Ease of care – this point becomes especially important in the case of the kitchen. It is quite easy to remove various contaminants from the surface.
- Antistatic properties - allow the material not to attract dust, which further simplifies maintenance and allows it to become less dirty.
- Long-lasting use – materials are durable. They will last a very long time, which will make the purchase successful. The proposed design options will remain relevant.
Assessing these features, the decision is increasingly being made to use the proposed material in the interior.
Types of natural stone
Marble
It is distinguished by colored veins and is not resistant to kitchen cleaning chemicals. It is better to cover a marble apron or a wall near the sink with a protective layer.
Granite
Granite is equally durable and comes in different shades depending on the place of origin. Tolerates high temperature, moisture, shock.
Travertine
It withstands mechanical stress well, but does not tolerate contact with chemical acidic kitchen cleaning products. Usually gray or white.
Dolomite
It comes in white to brown color, it is used to line stoves, it is heat resistant, and its parameters are similar to granite.
Slate
It comes in yellow, brown, burgundy, green and multi-colored varieties. Thin thickness and smooth surface is suitable for layering.
The photo shows a slate wall in a modern kitchen, which is easy to clean and has a high service life guarantee.
Sandstone
It is a porous rock, its hardness depends on the bonding limestone or quartzite. Used for wall cladding.
Onyx
Shimmers in light and dark layers. Durable, decoratively attractive for wall decoration in the kitchen.
Pebbles
River or rock pebbles of different colors require cleaning to prevent mold from appearing in the spaces between the stones, if this is a kitchen surface with high humidity, or an apron.
The photo shows a black pebble work surface, which is evenly sunk into cement and sanded to a smooth surface for easy cleaning.
Laying stone over the work surface
These instructions will help you carry out installation work on your own.
To do this you will need:
- Decorative rock.
- Glue for stone.
- Putty knife.
- Mallet.
- Seam putty.
- Primer.
- Roller.
Careful preparation of walls for masonry is not required; the most important thing is to remove old finishing materials so that the strength of the stone does not depend on them.
- First of all, the surface is treated with a primer using a roller.
A clear apron border is formed immediately after applying the primer
For your information! You can apply the primer with a brush or sponge, it doesn’t matter. The only thing required from this process is to degrease the entire working area.
- Then you need to wait until the wall dries. At this time, you can prepare glue for decorative stone, if you did not purchase it ready-made.
- Using a wide spatula, apply several strokes to the wall and rub a thin layer over the surface. Wait a few minutes (see glue package).
- Apply a stone and press, you can tap with a mallet.
- Start the work process from the bottom edge so that subsequent blocks do not move out.
To ensure that the gaps between the tiles are even, use plastic stands, they are sold in hardware stores.
Important! We do not advise you to cover the entire wall at one time. It is better to divide the finishing into 2-3 days, although it all depends on the scale of the work. Measured masonry allows you to eliminate unevenness at a subsequent stage.
Stone and brickwork
Under the stone
It has many varieties, including cladding, installing stones on a flat surface with an adhesive mixture.
A flat view of the kitchen wall is laid with a die, and it is necessary to select and lay it so that there are no obvious voids. Volumetric masonry made of thin stone can be laid smoothly or in relief.
Under the brick
Stone in the kitchen can be laid using American, English, or Flemish bonding.
In the photo, the wall in the work area is lined with granite and highlighted with a niche made of brickwork to resemble a rustic stove.
The “Castle” cladding imitates the masonry of a medieval fortification. A rectangular identical stone is laid according to the “Shahriar” type.
The photo shows brickwork in a modern-style kitchen, where brick performs not only a decorative, but also a practical function.
Care
Despite its sophistication and extraordinary aesthetics, decorative stone is very easy to maintain. Actually, all caring procedures come down to wiping surfaces from dust. Some finishes are sold already varnished. Thanks to this, the decor can be washed just like regular tiles.
There are the following types of care:
- Dry (using a static broom);
- Vacuum cleaning;
- Wet cleaning.
Particularly conscientious and diligent housewives prefer wet cleaning using detergents. But this is truly necessary only when the working area of the kitchen is lined with stone. Coated with a special primer or varnish, the decorative stone perfectly withstands all experiments associated with wet cleaning.
Types of stone for finishing
Piece
Piece or rectangular stone is laid separately, which allows you to create a unique pattern for wall cladding in the kitchen.
Panels
They make work easier, they are quite light when mounted on a wall, and imitate any type of stone. They come in slatted, tile, and sheet sizes up to two meters.
Gypsum stone
Lighter than concrete, treated with acrylic varnish for a long service life. Suitable for kitchen walls made of plasterboard, sold unpainted. Unstable to mechanical stress and high humidity.
Flexible stone
This is the thin top cut of the stone on the fabric. Additionally impregnated for resistance to chemical influences. Suitable for decorating arches, columns, and accent walls in the kitchen.
Plaster
Simulates masonry by creating a relief texture and natural colors, extruding joints. Plaster can create a flat wall that looks like marble or honed stone. Also, the plaster can be flat-relief, convex, imitating textured masonry on the kitchen wall.
The photo shows the wall being finished with plaster with an imitation of a solid stone layer in section. The pink interior is combined with the beige background of the apron.
Decorative brick in the living room interior
Let's answer two important questions first. Does brick always look good in a living room? Of course not! Can faux brick be used in living room decoration? Of course yes!
However, you yourself understand this perfectly well. It was said earlier that the bedroom should be cozy. Sure, but the living room should be more than just cozy. It should be the center of comfort in your home.
After all, the living room is where you spend most of your time in the house. A place where you relax, where you meet friends.
Speaking of a living room that has a brick wall, we can say that this wall becomes the center of your home. The wall that you get should not deny the entire decor of the house and contrast itself with all other design elements.
Maximalism in design is not for everyone. Before using brick in the interior of the living room as in the photo, think three times about the need for such a decision
When planning to use such material, always remember that in an apartment or house there is a room that is the center of your home. Therefore, it should be organized in the same style as the rest of the house. All rooms in your home should create a single whole with this center.
Well-designed brick living room interior. The almost pastel colors of the masonry are in perfect harmony with the overall color scheme of the entire furnishings and its details.
Brick tiles in the living room can make an accent wall, and spotlights will add an atmosphere of mystery and mystery
Real brick from the old masters can also be an excellent solution for adding style to the living room
Is it worth decorating such a wall in the living room?
In itself, such a design element is already an attractive element, but minor additions can positively enhance the effect. But under no circumstances should you overdo it with the amount of additional decor. Extra redundant photos, pictures - all this will lead to the opposite effect.
Attach two or three family photos from a long trip or an interesting painting to this wall. Also, if possible, install a fireplace near the wall. It's a really good idea to have a simple electric fireplace and a few directional spotlights. Family comfort and an atmosphere of calm and tranquility are guaranteed to you.
This is no longer just a few rows of laid tiles. This brick living room with a fireplace really takes us back to the old days and creates a feeling of comfort and warmth.
Natural, familiar colors are a frequent choice of designers
Design methods
Several walls
You can cover it with stone if the kitchen is medium to large in size. You can make adjacent or parallel walls from boulders in combination with wood or plaster.
One wall
It will attract attention; it is better to decorate a wall free of furniture with stone, for example, near the dining room group.
Part of the wall
Part of the wall can be lined with stone if it is a small kitchen. The part can be upper, lower, or combined with wallpaper.
Stone panel
Framed or edged, stone panels provide decor that can be replaced and moved.
Niches or shelves
Niches or shelves trimmed with stone do not take up much space and create a unique design.
Apron
It can be made from natural or artificial stone, the main thing is to protect it from the formation of mold and mildew due to high humidity near the sink. The stone can be flat, imitating a marble slab, brick, laying with a die is suitable.
Corners, doorways, arches
Corners, doorways or arches in the kitchen can be completely or partially covered with bricks of different sizes, thereby strengthening them.
The photo shows square columns that serve as the entrance to the kitchen, where the apron is lined with pebbles and the countertop is made of granite. The unity of different breeds is harmoniously combined in one interior.
Key Features
Every housewife dreams of a beautiful, functional and cozy kitchen. You can create a unique and original design using natural wild or artificial finishing stone, one of the most durable and reliable materials. The decor is durable, stable, chemically neutral, insensitive to moisture and temperature changes. Its undoubted advantage is environmental safety. Of course, such luxury doesn't come cheap. But there are many finishing options, and each is unique. You can cover the walls completely or in separate islands, skillfully combining them with other materials.
Combinations with other materials
You can combine brick or stone on the wall with other finishes to create a varied kitchen interior.
Stone and wallpaper can be combined in an area where the humidity is lower and less susceptible to pollution. Wallpaper can be matched to the color of the stone or highlighted with a bright color. Photo wallpaper in a stone frame will look interesting.
Masonry with wood looks organic in any proportion of wood. This could be laminate, wood panels, cork, wood-look tiles.
The paint can be matched to the color of the stones or you can highlight them with a contrasting wall color.
A stone wall with plaster or paint is suitable for any size kitchen. Venetian plaster looks interesting in combination with flat stone.
Kitchen interiors with artificial stone in Country style
Country style appeared in the 20-30s of the last century. It is distinguished from others by its naturalness and comfort, inspired by rustic motifs. In each of the countries, it absorbed only their inherent flavor, received many different directions, consonant with the national culture of a particular country. The country style of different countries is united by the unity of color solutions, consisting of a natural palette of color compositions. In country style, there are only colors that are in tune with nature without bright colorful clutter. No glossy surfaces, chrome parts in door fittings or kitchen cabinet parts.
When decorating kitchens in a rustic style, only real wood furniture is used, wall elements are decorated with natural or imitation stone, and plain rustic ornaments.
Color solution
White
White (quartzite, granite, marble, brick) is suitable for Scandinavian, modern classic kitchen style, expands the space and combines with black, dark brown flooring and wood paneling.
Black
It will add charm to the kitchen, without being too easily soiled. Suitable for a spacious room or in combination with white, brown.
Grey
Gray color (slate, granite, quartzite, marble) will become the background for a bright set, combined with neutral colors.
Red
Red (brick, onyx, granite) attracts attention, is suitable for creating luxury, combined with a red countertop, dark wood.
In the photo, red brick looks organically in a modern interior along with lighting, a glossy facade and a marble floor.
Brown
Brown color accompanies almost all natural wood, combines with wood finishes, adds coziness to the kitchen, and is suitable for any style.
Beige
It is better to combine beige for wall design with dark colors of other finishes, or make it the background for a visually accent set.
Color
Colored with tints, veins, a combination of different colors (pebbles) gives a unique perception of the kitchen, a unique wall will look original and attract attention.
Kitchen interiors with artificial stone in Provence style
The Provence style came to us from France, bringing with it the good taste of many generations. With it, even a small city kitchen acquires coziness, comfort, an atmosphere of hospitality, and a unique style. Provence style saturates the space with an abundance of color, light, pastel tones. It is distinguished from others by antique furniture with signs of wear, wooden carved objects with forged elements, copper and bronze accessories, and an abundance of living plants on the floor and walls.
Style selection
The variety of shapes, types of stone and color choice makes it possible to use it as a finish in any style.
Modern style
For a modern kitchen you can choose glossy stone, stone finishes (Venetian plaster), rough natural, painted gypsum stone. It is important to choose the right color that will be the background for the headset, or will become the main highlight.
The photo shows a bright kitchen with stonework in the apron area, which matches the color of the countertop and furniture.
Classic
The classic style allows for cladding only from natural expensive species in yellow, brown, and white. Flat masonry or panels made of onyx and marble will decorate the apron and wall of the dining table.
Loft
A loft is created in the kitchen using gray or red stone on the apron or on one of the walls, which borders on white, gray, black painted surfaces. The furniture and kitchen appliances must match the interior.
Eco style
Eco style involves masonry made of natural rock in combination with wood on the floor or walls. If the kitchen is small, then you can make masonry on the windowsill, part of the surface in combination with a white floor and green walls.
Chalet
The chalet involves a combination of rough wild boulders, pebbles with a bulky wooden ceiling in dark brown and gray. This style can only be created in a spacious kitchen with large windows.
Country
Country style can be created by lining the apron and part of the kitchen in the area of the hob. The countertop or floor can also be made of stone, which differs in several tones.
The photo shows a country-style kitchen, where flat laying of natural stone is combined with rough wood, wooden utensils and decor.
Wall in the kitchen
Choosing stone to decorate kitchen walls is a bold, original decision. Unusual texture, warm colors, combination with other materials and an endless number of design options will create a cozy atmosphere conducive to eating and leisurely conversation.
With it you can:
- completely cover all walls;
- finish one wall;
- make inclusions.
This type of finishing can visually solve problems with room space. With a horizontal arrangement of masonry, lighter colors and the addition of contrasting details, a small kitchen will visually increase in size. A spacious dining room will be reduced in size and become more comfortable if dark colors are chosen to decorate its walls and spotlights or sconces are used.
Advice A stone, whether natural or artificial, does not tolerate bright light. Only soft, subdued lighting can fully convey the beauty of the finish. Direct sunlight negatively affects the quality of some finishing materials.
The cladding is easy and quick to install. This makes it attractive for covering large surfaces and adding additional elements to the decor. The heterogeneous texture of the material makes it easy to hide imperfections in the walls. In addition, it does not react to steam and high humidity, repels fat and does not absorb odors. With the walls decorated with decorative stone, keeping the kitchen clean is not at all burdensome.
When it comes to decorating kitchen walls with stone, a rough, rustic style immediately appears. The combination of stone and wood is well reflected in “country”. Wall cladding and wooden furniture form a harmonious ensemble, the effect of which is enhanced by the addition of greenery to the interior.
Advice When decorating a room, pay attention to the matching of tones: a light covering on the walls is combined with a kitchen set made of light wood and vice versa.
This cladding is easy and quick to install.
However, country music is not the only solution that allows you to create a quiet, calm and at the same time exclusive atmosphere.
Decorative tiles
A durable coating for kitchen finishing, resistant to moisture, alkalis, and temperature. Outwardly, these are not single blocks, but several connected into a finished composition on a single surface. Due to this, installation is faster, there is no need to select a harmonious combination, the tiles are designed taking into account the nuances. It is used to create aprons, vertical surfaces, trim fireplaces, columns, bar counters and islands. Marble decor and porcelain stoneware slabs are laid on the floor, creating an elegant interior.
