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76
April15
FOR STONE
Using natural stone such as marble or granite not only gives your bathroom a
sleek, luxe look, but its hardiness means it can also stand up to the inevitably
hot and humid conditions in this room.
W
hen choosing stone, you
could opt for full-on luxury
and deck the whole room in
marble, or you could go down
a less costly road by using it only for a vanity
top, a shower seat, or even to cover just one
wall. Here are some more tips for using this
hardwearing and natural material.
Why use stone?
With no two pieces exactly the same,
stones such as granite or marble add
distinctiveness as well as an organic,
natural element.
Which stone?
Flame-finished granite works well as
shower flooring due to its non-slip texture.
High-polished marble works on walls and
vanity tops, and its attractive veining can
add glamour to your décor. Porous stone
such as limestone and sandstone should
not be used in a bathroom, unless they are
properly sealed.
Which finish?
A leather finish has a more textured
appearance, and is often used on dark-
coloured granite. It hides smudges well, and
is useful in high-traffic areas. A honed or
matte finish is satin-smooth and is achieved
by a sanding process. A polished finish
gives a sleek and slippery surface that is not
the best for a bathroom floor; also, it needs
greater attention when cleaning.
Looking after stone.
Stone such as marble stains quickly, so
immediately clean up any spillages that
might mark it. Wipe with a soft cloth; don’t
scrub, as this could scratch the surface. Use
a natural soap or specific marble cleaner;
never an acidic solution such as vinegar, as
thismay cause corrosion. For scratches, you
could try rubbing the area lightly with very
fine-grain sandpaper. And if all else fails, call
in a professional marble cleaner.
Find a range of stone products for your home at Hot Spring Stone, 34
Sungei Kadut Street 1. 6362 0085 | hotspringstone.com
Keep costs down without scrimping on style by
choosing stone for just one part of the bathroom, such
as this vanity unit in Serpeggiante Sivabella marble.
The floor and walls are in Desert Beige marble.
By Amy Brook-Partridge