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Jan 25 2023

How to Polish and Maintain Your Kitchen Countertops

At Bellezza Artisan Stone Surfaces, we offer a variety of luxury stone materials. It’s our goal to turn your kitchen into a place where you enjoy spending time, and a beautiful countertop can certainly make that happen.

Let’s go through some of our most popular countertop materials and what kind of care and maintenance they need.

Marble

Marble is one of our more high-maintenance stones. Avoid acids around marble at all costs and stick to the simple cleaners—and we mean simple!

For a regular, everyday clean, a damp cloth (preferably microfiber) will do just fine. And always make sure to dry it with a dry cloth, because if you let marble air dry, you might notice streaks. If you’re looking for a deeper clean, use a pH-neutral dishwashing liquid mixed with warm water, and don’t forget to rinse it to get all of that soap residue off the surface.

If you notice a stain, all you have to do is apply a poultice and let it sit on the surface for about twenty-four hours. If that doesn’t work, the pros can help you get your marble back in top shape.

Quartz

Quartz is one of our favorite engineered stones. It’s made with a natural quartz base and includes polymers and resins that bind the particles together and seal the countertop’s pores. Being that it’s a nonporous material, quartz is very easy to keep clean.

Wipe the surface with warm, soapy water, and rinse it thoroughly. Avoid abrasive cleaners or scrub pads, because these things can cause damage if they’re used too aggressively or too regularly.

If you notice a stain on your quartz, make a paste of baking soda and water and gently scrub the spot with a soft brush, then rinse. It might take a few tries to get the stain up, but it should work.

Porcelain

Porcelain is yet another beloved engineered stone, known for its versatile applications, unique looks, and high-level durability. When you clean porcelain, it must be rinsed thoroughly because soap can leave a film on its surface. If you add white vinegar to the water when you wash it, you can easily mediate this problem. Just remember to avoid abrasive cleaners or rough pads, as with quartz.

Porcelain doesn’t stain, but if you have tiles, the grout might—and the grout can also harbor bacteria, which nobody wants in the kitchen. Scrub the grout with a mild bleach solution and a toothbrush, then seal it with a commercial grout sealer.

Granite

Granite is a natural stone that commands attention. Its patterns are bold and beautiful, and it has amazing durability that allows it to last for many years. It’s also super easy to clean!

All you have to do is wipe the surface with warm, soapy water, then rinse it thoroughly. As with many other stones, don’t use an abrasive cleaner or a rough pad—while granite is tough, it’s best to steer clear of such things to avoid damage.

Baking soda and water can remove stains on granite just as it can on quartz. Gently scrub the spot with a soft brush and rinse it thoroughly, and the stain should come out after a few tries.

Maintaining Your Countertops

All in all, our luxury stone surfaces are easy to maintain, which only makes them more alluring. To learn more about what we offer, get in touch with one of our stone experts today.

Jan 21 2023

Five Quartz Countertop Colors for This Year

When it comes to quartz countertop colors, there are so many to choose from. That’s why we’re sharing the five quartz countertop colors to consider this year—because they won’t just be trendy in 2023; they’ll stay relevant for a long time to come.

White Quartz

Quartz comes in all different shades, but for the sake of brevity we’ll focus on three neutral categories. The first one we’ll talk about is white quartz.

White quartz is the way to go if you’re trying to make a small space seem larger, or if you’re trying to brighten up a room. White never goes out of style, and it’s quite easy to match other design palettes to its shade. After all, white goes with anything and everything.

Here are some benefits of having a white quartz countertop:

The color white represents happiness and purity, and with a countertop in this shade, you evoke such feelings in the room where it’s installed.
White makes any space seem larger because of its ability to reflect light.
White is versatile and goes with any color and style of decor. So even if you decide to change up your kitchen down the road, your white quartz countertops will still hold strong.
Not many homes have white quartz countertops because people are scared the surfaces will get dirty or become easily damaged. (They won’t!) You would be a rare bird.
White quartz can increase the resale value of your home, and you won’t have to replace them if you decide to sell.
There are many options to consider when it comes to this shade, not just pure white.

Here are the first two colors, in the white family, that are on-trend for this year:

Gray Quartz

Now let’s move onto the gray family. Gray quartz brings about a natural feel in a room, though this shade is just as versatile as white. It can make a space feel somewhat industrial, which some homeowners enjoy—after all, this is one of the most popular colors of quartz.

Here are some benefits of gray quartz countertops:

Gray brings about a relaxing feeling in a room.
It allows you to combine the countertop with other neutral colors in the space.
Gray countertops create the illusion of a bigger space, and if you pair them with darker features, you can create visual depth in your home.

Here’s the third color that’s on-trend for this year:

3. Grigio Horizon Honed

Black Quartz

Dark-colored quartz slabs have been rising in popularity for the last few years. They provide plenty of camouflage for stains and blemishes, and they blend in with almost any style of kitchen. If you have young children, it might be a wise decision to invest in black quartz over white or gray. Just remember not to add too much black or the space might become overwhelmingly dark.

Here are some other benefits of installing black quartz:

It creates a dramatic effect by contrasting with other colors and features.
It works well with bright colors, adding elegance when the two are paired.
There are a wide variety of black quartz countertops available.

The last two colors on trend for this year are the following:

4. Empira Black
5. Domoos

Choosing Your Shade

Now, the choice is up to you—which of these five colors will be your choice of quartz countertop this year? Let us know what you’re thinking by getting in touch with Bellezza Artisan Stone Surfaces today.

Dec 17 2022

Which Styles of Sink Look Good with Stone Countertops in the Bathroom?

The bathroom is one of the most important rooms in your home, which means you should put extra care into it while doing a remodel.

When you renovate your bathroom, you’re most likely looking to update your fixtures—and that includes the bathroom sink. There are plenty of details to consider while choosing a sink, such as the material, shape, and finish—which should complement your existing decor or the decor you plan on adding to the room when you redo it.

Many people love using stone countertops in their bathrooms because of the benefits they come with. They’re durable, they last for many years, and they’re hygienic too. Another great thing about stone countertops is the fact that they’re so versatile! They work well with almost any sink design.

We understand that choosing a sink that goes with your stone bathroom countertop can be overwhelming, which is why we put together this guide.

Choosing the Best Sink for Your Bathroom

Here are some details you should consider when you’re choosing the best sink to go with your stone bathroom countertop:

Sink bowl depth / faucet combination
For your stone countertop, you can choose a sink with either a shallow bowl or a deep one. It all depends on what you personally prefer—and the physical health of the people who will be using the sink. For example, if you live with someone who can’t do much leaning, you might want to err toward a shallower sink and one with a single handle.

Size
Even the trendiest sink isn’t going to look right in your bathroom if it’s not the right size for your stone countertop. Whether your sink has a vanity or not, it must be placed in reach of the water supply connection, so it’s vital to map out where the sink will fit and how much room you have before you make a purchase.

Sink bowls
The number of bowls you choose depends on your preferences and the needs of your household. Some people prefer to have one large sink bowl, while others enjoy having their own personal sink. It also comes down to the size of your bathroom and how many sink bowls the space can accommodate.

Mount Installation for Your Bathroom Sink

After you’ve figured out those details, it’s time to figure out the mount type that you’re going for. There are a handful of mount types for bathroom sinks:

Under-mount sink
An under-mount sink is not always common, but it’s very stylish and looks great with a stone countertop. It’s secured beneath the countertop, which allows the stone to flow smoothly and without interruption. This type of sink also provides extra countertop space, and it’s extremely easy to clean! All you have to do is wipe the debris into the sink—and there will be nothing in your way to catch the crumbs.

Drop-in sinks
Drop-in sinks are known for their ease of installation. They have a sink lip resting on top of the countertop, with metal clips that offer added stability placed underneath.

Top-mount sink
A top-mount sink is easy to replace and has a finished edge that sits on top of the countertop. The only problem with this sink is that sometimes dirt and grime find ways to build up along its edges.

Apron-front sink
An apron-front sink protrudes from the countertop edges and looks great in a rustic, traditional home. If you’ve got a farmhouse design going, we recommend an apron-front sink.

Bathroom Sink Styles

Style is another important factor as you consider your bathroom sink. No matter your taste, you’ll surely find something that suits it. Choose between the following:

Traditional sinks—utilitarian and old-style architecture
Antique sinks—ornate or curved sinks that incorporate hand-etched decorative details
Modern sinks—smooth, rounded, straight edges cut into ovals or squares

Choosing Your Sink

With all of this information in mind, you can now choose the best type of sink to pair with your stone bathroom countertop. For more bathroom remodel advice, reach out to us at Bellezza Artisan Stone Surfaces today.

Oct 27 2022

The Easiest Countertops to Clean for Someone Who Loves to Cook

Those who love to cook want to concentrate on one thing while they get down to business in the kitchen—the food they’re making. You don’t want to have the quality of your countertop lingering at the back of your mind, and you don’t want to be constantly worrying about how the ingredients you’re using might harm it.

Most likely, you’ll gravitate toward a countertop material that is low maintenance and easy to take care of. Luckily, at Bellezza Artisan Stone Surfaces, we have just what you’re looking for.

Man-Made vs. Natural

While man-made countertops like laminate or stainless steel are the easiest countertops to maintain in the short term, they don’t have the same lasting power as their natural stone competitors. If you factor in the cost of countertop replacement vs. the amount you pay up front, cheaper options like laminate may not be in your best interest.

But don’t worry—at Bellezza Artisan Stone Surfaces, we have partially man-made and natural stone options, and both of these come with an ease of maintenance.

The Easiest Countertops to Clean

While all of the materials in our showroom make beautiful options for countertops, some are easier to care for than others. But no matter the aesthetic you have in mind, we’re sure to have something that fits your vision and your desired maintenance level too.

To follow are two countertops we stock that are the easiest to clean out of our entire collection:

Engineered Quartz

Engineered quartz countertops, while technically a man-made material, have natural quartz in their composition. Their particles are held together by resin binders, which makes quartz flexible and unlikely to crack.

Quartz is capable of mimicking the look of natural stone, but it comes with a fraction of the maintenance. If you’re in the kitchen often and you want the upscale look without the lengthy cleaning process, quartz can make that happen.

This type of countertop comes in an array of patterns and variations, making it one of the most versatile choices that we’ve got. When it comes to cleaning, all you have to do is wipe it down with a soft cloth, soap, and water.

Quartz countertops are scratch resistant, and because they’re nonporous, they never need to be sealed. Just beware that, while they can handle a certain degree of heat, they are not heat-proof. Extremely hot objects, when set right on quartz’s surface, can melt or warp it.

To clean quartz, remember to

wipe up spills as soon as you can;
use warm water, mild dish detergent, and a soft cloth or sponge in the event of spills or stains;
use a mild degreasing product for grease residue;
rinse the surface thoroughly with water to remove any residue left by cleaners;
use coasters, cutting boards, trivets, and cooling racks.

Granite

Even though it’s a natural stone that requires sealant, granite is easier to clean than you might think. It’s a very durable option, and it requires very little maintenance in order to keep up its toughness.

Much like quartz, granite comes in a wide variety of colors and designs, all crafted underneath the earth’s surface. It is highly scratch resistant and stain resistant as well, and the cleaning routine is simple and quick. All you need is a soft cloth or a sponge, warm water, and mild dish detergent or natural stone cleaner.

Granite is a top choice for those who love to cook because it gives off a classy and sophisticated vibe while requiring only a small amount of maintenance.

The cleaning routine for granite is straightforward. It involves

buying a granite cleaner that is approved for stone surfaces;
cleaning up spills in a timely manner;
using hot pads, trivets, and cutting boards.

Cooking in Your Kitchen

At Bellezza Artisan Stone Surfaces, we know how important kitchens are for people who love to cook. For more advice on what countertop type is best for you, get in touch with us today.

Oct 25 2022

Get to Know Our Countertop Stone Types

For most families, the kitchen is the most important room in their house. Almost everything happens there—cooking, eating, bonding, entertaining, to name a few. The kitchen is the focus of the home for many people, and if their kitchen looks nice, they feel good about their entire home.

Since the kitchen is the main focus of the home and the countertop is the main focus of the kitchen, that makes the countertop ultra-important. Luckily, at Bellezza, that’s something we understand very well.

Installing your perfect countertop is about finding a countertop stone type that speaks to you on a deep level. Any of the materials that we offer could bring your kitchen to life in the best way, so let us go into detail so you can get to know them.

Porcelain

Porcelain is an engineered stone that can be used for many diffe