The Kitchen is the
New Family Focus
The kitchen has
always been a focus for families and, in the past, its function has been food preparation.
But the world has changed. Many families live in stressful trajectories, moving
quickly between schools and jobs and outside engagements. Often now the only
place families meet up is in the kitchen. As a result, its importance in the
helping nuclear family function well has grown. Kitchens now are no longer just
a location for food storage and preparation. They are the places where homework
is done, television is watched, meals are eaten, family activities planned, and
guests are entertained. With the growth in their function, kitchens have become
larger, more versatile and homeowners are increasingly willing to pay money to
make them convivial, attractive places.
The New Stone Age
An old material – stone – is making a comeback. Modern kitchens now
often feature tiles, counters and backsplashes made of stone. Marble and granite are two
popular choices. Despite their higher price index, they have clear advantages.
Stone combines superior aesthetics with a durability that can't be beaten.
Granite, for example, is extremely resilient to heat, stains, chipping and
scratching. Marble backsplashes are easily cleaned.
And both marble and granite boast a look that cannot be replicated. Each
piece is unique and the variations in stone guarantee a range of colour and
styles that will suit any décor. Marble
suggests elegance and has a sheen and hardness that makes it perfect for a food
preparation area. Bacteria can't find a home to breed in the glossy finish of
marble. Marble is cool to the touch and a perfect surface for many
kitchen activities like rolling dough.
Granite is durable and complements any kind of colour scheme; it also comes in
tiles that are less expensive than granite slabs and are very low maintenance.
Granite also has a unique relationship to light; it gains depth and its
textures are enhanced, and are fascinating to the eye. And it's incredibly heat
resistant.
Both granite and marble have the added advantage of enhancing a home's
resale value. Yes, the purchase and installation cost is higher than with other
flooring or countertop materials, but the return on that investment is
correspondingly much greater. And while the kitchen is growing more valuable
monetarily, priceless family interactions are also taking place in its inviting
environs.
Taking care of
Business
Granite and marble both require cleaning of course. With granite, it is
advised to use a clean, microfiber cloth and mild dish or hand soap, rather
than anything more abrasive. There are stone cleaners available and it is
important to use one that has a neutral PH. Granite needs to be resealed
periodically, as well. Sealing your granite floor or counter makes it less
porous, more stain resistant and it protects its enduring beauty.
Stone
is generally well-suited to the high traffic of the kitchen – from small fry to
dinner party guests. Its durability and attractiveness enhances what has
indisputably become the most important room in the family home.