Incorporating Granite into a Rustic Home

There is something very comfortable and inviting about living spaces that feature a rustic look, which is usually associated with mountain cabins and summer cottages. The rustic style of home décor has been gaining popularity over the last few years, and a major reason behind this trend is the availability of materials that make it easier and affordable to achieve this look. Let's say your home is built in the Mediterranean revival style and you want to transform the guest bedroom into an office with a country cabin look complete with exposed wooden beams. You will not have to worry about taking trips to the lumber yard to find material for redoing the entire ceiling. Modern laminate panels and mouldings can be installed to make the ceilings and walls look as if they are entirely made of wood. The rustic look can also be complimented with the right choice of granite for the floor and countertops. Here are a few recommendations. Choose the Right Finish For the most part, granite countertops with a glossy finish are not recommended for the rustic look unless the walls and cabinets have been finished with a varnish that features a high sheen. A brushed finish will work out better when the wood surfaces sport a reclaimed or distressed look. This does not necessarily apply to granite floors, which look good with a glossy finish when complimented with the right lighting. To maintain the quality of stone countertops and floors, it’s important to clean them regularly with a granite countertop cleaner such as Granite Gold Daily Cleaner®. Choose the Right Tones Matching colors and textures is a major aspect of interior decoration. When it comes to selecting the granite to match in rustic-looking living spaces, choose colors and patterns that accent the wood patterns of walls, cabinets, ceilings, and furniture. Darker textures such as stained oak call for lighter granite countertops if you want contrast. On the other hand, darker granite works better with lighter textures such as white pine. Contrast and accent effects are opposite. Choose what looks best in your house. Think Beyond Counters and Floors If you have wooden bedroom furniture such as night tables and dressers, you can upgrade them by adding granite to the top surface. This is particularly effective if the slabs match the stone already on the floor, and you can also apply this idea to desk surfaces. Use Granite in the Bathroom Granite is the perfect stone to use in bathrooms that feature the rustic or French countryside look. Choose tiles and slabs of sandy colors and appearance. The four walls of the bathroom do not necessarily need to be completely covered in stone tiles. Some homeowners prefer to install tiles on the bottom half. If you have already used wood or laminate throughout the house, you can limit the bathroom to a single accent wall covered in wood paneling. When you have granite, marble, slate, travertine, or another type of natural stone in your home, it’s important to clean, seal, and polish as needed. When polishing, make sure to use a safe-on-stone granite polish, and avoid polishing stone floors, as they can become slippery. For additional tips on stone care, contact the Stone Care Experts at Granite Gold®. Call 1-800-475-STONE to speak with one of our knowledgeable representatives.