SLATE and LIMESTONE

 SLATE

 ”Flowing colors and eons of weathering give slate its personality. This is another natural stone with streaming textures and colors ranging from a single color or shade to blends of blues, grays, greens, golds, and rusts. Slate is available with a smooth sufrace or a ‘cleft,’ that is, a split look with an irregular surface, or tumbled versions with rounded edges.

 

 Use slate for walls, floors, counter-tops, entryways, and around fireplaces.” 

Slate should be sealed. Even though it is not recommended as the best choice for shower surrounds, I have clients that absolutely love it!

 

LIMESTONE

 

 ”A natural stone, limestone presents a softer design appearance due to the unique, varied and casual-looking striations of this sedimentary, organic stone.

 

Because of limestone’s usual colors in soft grays, browns and sometimes yellows, limestone brings the outdoors in with neutral (or close to neutral) colors for floors or walls in every room of the home.” 

All quotes are from Tile -Design in Style

Again, to my readers, I suggest to trip to daltile.com, where more product  pictures are featured along with product information. And, better yet stop by the store where you can actually see and touch our samples!

 

Dianne Ross

Interior Designer/Phelan’s Interiors

363-9634

 

 

Travertine: one type of stone tile

TRAVERTINE

casual, relaxing, and inviting

 

     THREE  BEAUTIES

 

 ”Commonly found in Southern Europe, travertine is a stone that is earthy, rich and warm – a classic beauty in colors ranging from subtle creams to dark browns, reds and golds.

 

 

Travertine is a perfect choice for any setting – warm, cool, or neutral. Find it in tumbled, chiseled, honed, or straight-edge styles. Use it on floors, walls, or backsplash.”  

Quoted from: Tile –  Design in Style ‘08 Ultimate Resource Guide

 

Find more photos on line  by visiting daltile.com.

Find the real deal in Phelan’s show room.

 

Next week we will continue with LIMESTONE and SLATE.

 

Dianne Ross

Interior Designer/Phelan’s Interiors

363-9634

BLING it on HOME with glass tile!

 

 

 Look at these cabinets with the back-splash done in glass tiles from Daltile. Bling as elegant as a flawless diamond. It begs a second look. These are white iridescent tiles. See the mercury glass pieces on the counter top? Notice the icy crystals on the chandelier?    Bling it on home!

KraftMaid Stock photo

Actually this kitchen does look somewhat like a wedding cake! Not prissy. Not fussy. Not trashy. But rather, it is well thought out, perfectly executed, shimmering BLING.

Tiles have come a long way in the past 5 years, just as the word bling (or phrase Bling Bling) is now formally recognized in the dictionary! It wasn’t there 10 years ago. Originally referring to jewelry only, the word has morphed in definition and direction,  which now includes home accessories.

 ”Hollywood Glam” is part of our everyday vocabulary and everybody wants a little piece of it! Glimmer and shimmer are living among us and they are not going away. They are getting bolder as they mainstream into our decorating schemes. Surprisingly affordable, glass tile and metallic colored ceramics have joined glass block to shimmer in bathrooms and kitchens.

People are drawn to things that sparkle. It’s a part of our nature. It’s pleasing and energizing. Take a trip to Daltile.com and look at the the glorious glass and metallic colors available in ceramic tile.

When it stops snowing – or BECAUSE it is still snowing – stop into our showroom to see  and touch these sparklies for yourself! Then BLING it on home! No one really NEEDS a fabulous diamond, but kitchens and bathrooms are pretty much a part of our daily lives. Why not make them as glamorous as possible?!

More next week on natural stone tile. . . .or would you rather see more about home accessories in the category of BLING? 

Drop me a Blog to make your wishes known.

 

Okay,  I just couldn’t stop myself with this tile! Here is yet another photo of drop-dead-gorgeous iridescent tile. ENJOY!

 

 

Dianne Ross

Interior Designer/Phelan’s Interiors

363-9634

After Christmas Sad-House Blues

This syndrome is defined as depression following holiday parties.

It has many names (Treatment is available) and is sometimes known as

POST PARTY-UM BLUES.

Onset begins 4-10 days after Christmas tree removal.  You are at low risk if you have some but not all of these symptoms:

You have a family history of living in snow bound areas.

Sudden onset of snarky attitude and general melancholy.

Not remembering how dark the house is without Christmas lights.

Most, if not all of these symptoms of Winter-Dark-House Blues will be eliminated by implementing a non-specific commonsense home improvement project of any type. Do not deny the power of these Blues. Shop with an understanding friend who shares a similar experience and is good with color.  There is help. There is hope.

 However, CALL YOUR INTERIOR DESIGNER  immediately if you experience any of the following high risk symptoms:

Thoughts of hurting your sofa.

Halucinations – Seeing colorful accessories that aren’t really there.

Having an uncontrollable desire to paint everything sun flower yellow.

Thoughts of completely destroying or eliminating a wall.

These are traumatic manifestations of Post Party-um Blues. If your symptoms are severe, last longer than an Iowa winter, or if you find yourself  fixating on buying an ocean front condo in Costa Rica, then you must be treated by a professional interior designer. Therapy won’t work. Medication is useless. Googling Rosicrucian psychosensory incantations is definately out of the question, but -

TO CURE THE MOST HIDEOUS CASES:

 Talk with your designer.

Schedule a house-call.

Make a plan and follow through with confidence.

See the light.

At the very least, buy one lamp!

There is absolutely no need for Post Party-um, Dark -Days -of -Winter Blues to envelop you. For more information on this debilitating syndrome contact your personal interior designer or . . . or call me!

 

Dianne Ross

Interior Designer/Phelan’s Interiors

363-9634