David Artsmith  -  Natural stone is one of the most beautiful and powerful materials in the world. Born over eons in the belly of towering mountains, when it is extracted, it carries with it some of that magnificence which is the birthright of the stone. However it is not relegated to rustic demeanor forever, because the material can be gauged, sliced, chopped, honed, and even polished, to create a wide variety of elegant and modern effects.

When used in a table top application, natural stone can provide a powerful centerpiece for any room. Whatever style of table it is used on, the power and integrity of the material can lend a definite sophistication to the entire atmosphere it is present in.

There are two major types of natural stone tables. One is made from a single, solid piece of stone, which is usually cut down from slab material. Usually these tables dont have seams, although they may have borders or decorative frames.

On the other hand you can have tables which are made from assorted mosaic tiles, cut into shapes to form a pattern across the surface of the piece. These tables can be quite exotic, with intricate pictures, patterns, and images created from the bits and pieces of stone.

Its a lot easier to care for most solid stone tables. Since it is made up of a single piece, there are no cracks, grooves, or splits for moisture and other degrading materials to penetrate the piece.

By contrast in mosaic tables there are usually several grout lines crisscrossing the surface of the piece. These lines are made up of the adhesive that holds the constituent pieces together, and are usually less solid and durable than the stone themselves. This is the spot where particles can invade the integrity of the piece.

Even in solid stone tables, the material itself does have tiny pores, which can allow small pieces of dirt, or liquids, to seep in. These liquids can then either slowly eat away at the stone, or freeze, expanding, and cracking the piece.

A sealant can be used to stop water and scratches from effecting the stone, or the grout lines which exist between the stones. Certain sealants can be used to create a very thin and invisible layer of protection, which will lay over the surface of the stone, protecting it from spills and damages that may occur.

If something is inadvertently spilled on the table top, you can usually wipe it away with just a cloth and warm water. You should avoid acidic soaps, as these may have an interaction with some materials, such as marble, causing a permanent stain in the piece.

Tables made from real stone are a beautiful way to bring the natural world into your life. As long as you are sure to take a few simple precautions against deterioration, your table can continue looking sophisticated and stylish for years to come.

Tags: decorating, design, home, interiors, natural, stone, stone tables, tables

David Artsmith  -  Paint is one of the least expensive ways that you can completely change the look and feel of a room. It is an extremely versatile substance, which allows you to create a wide variety of effects. Using paint you can treat your walls like canvases, with you as the artist expressing your inner soul on the space itself. This can then be mixed and matched with accessories such as wall clocks, art, or fine tapestries.

Aside from just painting your walls a single solid color, there are also a variety of special techniques that you can use to create interesting effects. The most simple of these tricks is the use of contrasting borders. This is done by painting the majority of the wall a single color, and then painting the molding, and trim that borders these walls in a matched but contrasted color. This has the effect of making the walls pop out at you, intensifying the visual expression of their tonal quality.

Classic faux finishes refers to a variety of techniques for applying paint to a solid colored wall in interesting and visually textural ways. Some faux finishes include ragging, combing, spattering, sponging, masking, marbleizing, rolling, and bamboo finishes. Creating each of these effects is a decorative project requiring its own set of techniques and tools. You can find more information about each specific method, as well as materials to undertake them, at your local hardware store.

More advanced techniques involve using paint to make your walls look like linen, denim, suede, or antiqued leather. There are also ways to use paint to create an aged historic look. You can also use painting techniques to simulate various textures, such as the look of concrete, natural stone, or brick face.

Finally you have stenciling, a form of art that allows you to draw and paint patterns and pictures directly onto the wall. You can make use of a guide to trace the image onto the wall, allowing even the least artistic to act in an extremely imaginitive manner.

Tags: coasters, limestone, natural, sandstone, slate, stone