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But there’s another reason homeowners love backsplashes: They can boost your kitchen’s beauty level.

Notice the word, “can.”

Not every backsplash is beautiful, sometimes tiles can become dated or cracked. Some people have been known to use mirrors as a backsplash material. And then there are the backsplashes made out of wood, which have weathered and chipped over the years.

None of these makes for a good backsplash.

Instead, take a look at these kitchen backsplash trends and find a material that will work well with your granite countertops as well as your entire kitchen:

Going vertical

It’s been said that vertical is the new horizontal–and that’s especially true when it comes to kitchen backsplash trends. Try taking long, thin slices of tiles (typically one-inch-by-one-inch and four-inch-by-eight-inch) and arranging it in a colorful, vertical pattern.

Integration

There was a time when the backsplash was meant to stand out from all of the other design elements in your kitchen. Today, however, kitchen backsplash trends are moving toward backsplashes that are entirely integrated into the kitchen’s overall design. Try choosing a color (or mix of colors) that complement the floor, cabinets and granite countertops.

Add a touch of glass

Adding a touch of glass to your backsplash is a great way to add a touch of class to your kitchen–even if you are decorating on a budget. One inexpensive way to make a marvelous backsplash is to use inexpensive subway tile for the backsplash and then add sheets of glass (or stone mosaics) here and there.

Speaking of subway tile

One of the longest-lasting kitchen backsplash trends is the constant use of the classic white subway tile. It has been a staple in classic looking kitchens for decades, and it shows no signs of disappearing any time soon. But be careful if you have a rather ordinary looking kitchen; plain white subway tile doesn’t add all that much in terms of energy.

Decorate with decals

If you have a backsplash that lacks pizzazz, you might be able to attach a little energy to it by adding some decals.

Need help finding the right natural stone countertops to go with these kitchen backsplash trends? If so, be sure to contact the granite and marble experts at Arch City Granite & Marble.

The post What Backsplash Goes Best with Granite Countertops appeared first on Arch City Granite & Marble.

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But only if you keep them clear and roomy, which can be easier said than done.

In the hustle and bustle of day-to-day living, it’s easy for countertops to become cluttered–especially in your kitchen, which is the most-used room in the house. And, cluttered countertops can make your life more confusing and complicated than it needs to be.

With that in mind, here are five easy kitchen organization tips to help you keep your countertops clear and roomy:

Keep your mail organized. If you stop and think about it, it is easy to understand why mail is one of the biggest reasons kitchen countertops become cluttered. It comes six days a week. Most of it comes in an envelop that needs to be open. And much of it is important so you can’t just throw it away. Unfortunately, you can’t always open it right away, either, so you set it on your counters and it piles up. If you keep it organized by keeping it in a bin, it won’t create quite the mess.

Wash dishes regularly. There is nothing more frustrating than a big pile of dirty dishes in the sink, next to the sink and all over the counters. This is one of the most effective and least exciting kitchen organization tips ever created, because who likes washing dishes? But seriously: Wash your dishes regularly so they don’t pile up.

Use hooks. Hooks are incredibly effective at getting all of those items–the purse, shopping bags and towels–that are sitting on your countertops off of your countertops. Hooks are inexpensive, easy to install and effective.

Put dishes away. Even if you wash them as you go, air dry them or do them on a regular basis, dishes still count as clutter if they are not put away. So go ahead, take an extra few minutes each night and put them all away.

Expand your counter space. Okay, this isn’t technically one of the kitchen organization tips, but expanding your countertop space–by adding an island, for example–can help you stay organized.

If you’d like to learn more about adding counter space, contact the natural stone countertop experts at Arch City Granite & Marble today.

The post How to Keep Your Counters Clear and Roomy appeared first on Arch City Granite & Marble.

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How long do you think it took people to figure out that spending a little more time on the front end of a project can save a lot of time and money on the back end?

Probably a while.

There’s another axiom that has been heard in homes throughout the St. Louis area lately: “If you want something done right, call the countertop fabrication experts at Arch City Granite & Marble.”

Okay, maybe there aren’t throngs of people walking around St. Louis exalting the work done by Arch City Granite & Marble’s fabricators. But there are a lot of them. Here’s why: Arch City Granite & Marble uses the latest technology to make sure customers get exactly what they want.

No, good old-fashioned customer service hasn’t been replaced by innovation. Instead, the two have been combined to ensure that all of the stone countertops fabricated and installed by Arch City Granite & Marble is measured, cut and placed with absolute precision.

The process starts when a highly-trained technician visits your home. After the usual pleasantries are exchanged, she or he listens to your concerns and answers your questions. Then a high-tech measuring device–either the Proliner or the Faro Arm Digital Templating machine–is pulled out and your countertop space is measured.

Using this technology ensures that your stone countertops will be an absolute perfect fit the first time your granite, marble, quartz or soapstone slabs are cut. It also allows you to see a computer-assisted drawing of your countertops so you can be absolutely, positively sure that you are comfortable with your selection.

Essentially, human errors are entirely eliminated from the process and you get one last chance to change your mind before your stone is cut.

After the measurements are complete, your stone is cut, fabricated, adjusted to account for seams or joints, polished and then hand-fabricated for absolute quality control. And when your new granite, marble, quartz or soapstone countertops arrive for installation, you and the installers will know with precision that every piece will fit perfectly–because state-of-the-art technology was used to measure it and you have already seen the computer-assisted drawings.

See? If you want your stone countertops installed correctly, you can’t go wrong when you contact the experts at Arch City Granite & Marble. With two locations in the St. Louis area, it’s always easy and convenient.

The post Arch City will Measure Out Your Stone Countertop with Digital Precision appeared first on Arch City Granite & Marble.

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Yes, there are a lot of obvious reasons to love marble.

There is also another, much less obvious reason to fall in love with the metamorphic rock that adorns some of the most prestigious and beautiful buildings in the world: Cleaning marble countertops is extremely easy!

As you probably already know, marble is a soft stone, which means it is susceptible to staining and even etching. But as long as you are careful and take good care of your marble countertops (by keeping them clean), they can stand the test of time.

Here’s a quick lesson on cleaning marble countertops.

First, you will need to gather a few supplies, including:

• Warm water
• A dish soap that is gentle and non-abrasive
• A plastic spray bottle
• A wash cloth or soft cleaning rag
• A soft and ultra-absorbent towel.

Second, you will need to make a mixture of warm water and dish soap:

• Fill your plastic spray bottle with warm water.
• Add approximately a tablespoon of the non-abrasive dish soap.
• Gently shake your plastic spray bottle to ensure that your cleaning solution is mixed very well.

Finally, you will need to wipe down your countertops:

• Lightly spray your countertops with your cleaning solution.
• Wipe the soapy water off of your countertops with your wash cloth or soft cleaning rag.
• Use your towel to rub the countertops dry and buff them.

See? Cleaning marble countertops is incredibly easy. It’s also incredibly quick–depending on how much countertop space you have.

There are, however, a few words of warning you need to be aware of:

• The best way to keep your marble countertops clean is to immediately blot up any spills.
• Never use generic, store-purchased cleaning products on your marble countertops–regardless of the too-good-to-be-true claims they make. They can damage marble.
• Don’t make homemade cleaning solutions with vinegar, ammonia or fruit juice. They are all acidic and can easily damage your marble countertops.

If you follow the directions above and follow the words of advice, you should have no problem keeping your marble countertops clean. For more information about bringing magnificent marble into your home, contact us at Arch City Granite & Marble today.

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For years, granite has been the most popular choice for people looking to top their counters with a material that is both durable and visually appealing. But lately, some people have been looking for an alternative that offers the same durability and aesthetic appeal but looks a little different.

If you want to differentiate your kitchen from those of all your friends, family and neighbors who have chosen granite, consider installing quartz countertops.

Here are five things you need to know about using quartz as a countertop material:

• Its cost is similar to granite. Quartz and granite cost about the same, so you won’t be breaking the bank to get a different look.
• It is stain resistant. Quartz isn’t technically an all-natural stone. It’s actually made up of 93 percent natural quartz and 7 percent resin. The result is a material that is 100 percent stain resistant.
• You’ll never need to seal it. Quartz countertops are non-porous, meaning they do not absorb liquids and sealing them is unnecessary. All you need to keep them looking great is some soap, some water and a soft washcloth.
• It is incredibly durable. If your kitchen sees a lot of action, quartz might be the right material for you. It does not scratch, it doesn’t stain and it holds up well to the everyday use that comes with a busy family.
• It can be an environmentally friendly option. If you care about the environment, quartz countertops can be a very responsible choice. Many manufacturers make a quartz material that includes some recycled material. And like granite, marble and soapstone, quartz will last a lifetime and beyond. You won’t have to worry about replacing it with another material–unless you want to do so.

If you would like to learn more about quartz and how you can integrate it into your kitchen, contact the kitchen countertop experts at Arch City Granite & Marble. They have helped countless people just like you design kitchens that stand out from all the others in the neighborhood.

The post Is quartz for you? The factors you should consider appeared first on Arch City Granite & Marble.

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  Source: Arch City Granite

  Furniture-style kitchen cabinets. This year, the island in your kitchen could look more like a stylish, granite-topped dresser than a functional storage space. One of the hottest 2015 kitchen design trends is to add furniture-style design features to the cabinetry.

• A mix of the modern and the traditional. Sleek and cosmopolitan kitchen designs are so 2014. This year, people seem to be leaning toward combining the modern with the traditional. For example, dark-colored wood cabinets are being combined with magnificent white marble countertops.
• Stunning, stylish ceilings. It used to be easy to overlook ceilings. After all, they just played a supporting role, serving as nothing more than a place to put the lights. But in 2015, ceilings just might become the star of the kitchen stage. This year, you’ll start seeing more design elements, creative lighting and coffer ceilings.
• Dark colors–or more specifically: black. That’s right, one of the hottest 2015 kitchen design trends involves incorporating the color black (and dark, dark browns) into everything from the cabinets to the countertops. Painting cabinets black or choosing a slab of titanium granite for the countertops will soon be commonplace.
• Wide open spaces. Where kitchen design used to be all about making the most of the space you had, today’s kitchens are being designed to make more space. Open floor plans, kitchens designed without an abundance of cupboards and shelves hanging in the open will be popular this year. The goal is to make the kitchen more comfortable for entertaining, socializing and, yes, cooking, too.
• Smart investments. Some things never change, and that includes the importance of making smart investments. One of the 2015 kitchen design trends that seems to have staying power is making smart investments. That includes choosing building materials that will hold their value–like high-quality appliances, the best cabinets and natural stone countertops. Each of these building materials not only makes your kitchen a more enjoyable place, but each also increases the overall value of your home.

If you want to explore your natural stone options, contact the experts at Arch City Granite & Marble. They have a full array of granite, marble, quartz and soapstone countertops.

The post Renovating? Check out these 2015 kitchen design trends appeared first on Arch City Granite & Marble.

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When it comes to kitchen countertop materials, you’ve got a lot of options.

Which one you choose could depend on your style, décor, personal preference and plenty of other factors. But one thing is for sure: Making the right choice depends on your understanding of the pros and cons of all your options.

Here’s a look at some popular kitchen countertop materials—and why each one might be right for you:

The eco-friendly options. If you’re all about protecting the environment and minimizing your carbon footprint, you might want to consider going with bamboo, bio-glass or recycled paper (yes, recycled paper). Each is considered eco-friendly—bamboo because it’s a rapidly renewable resource, bio-glass and paper because they’re made from 100 percent recycled materials.

If there is a downside to the eco-friendly kitchen countertop materials, it’s that they’re not as durable as some of your other options. Recycled paper, for example, can’t take the heat if it’s more than 350 degrees.

The laminates. This once ubiquitous, postwar countertop material has lost some of its popularity in recent years, but it’s still a good option for those looking for an affordable option that requires minimal maintenance.

Like the eco-friendly options, it’s not the most durable material available and it doesn’t handle heat well at all.

The tiles. Not only are countertops made from stone or ceramic tile durable, they’re also affordable. In addition, they are not that common, so if you’re going for a unique look in your kitchen, tile can help provide it.

Of course, a unique look doesn’t come completely cost-free. Tile countertops have grout joists that can get dirty, crack and keep you busy with cleaning and maintenance. But if you don’t mind using a little elbow grease on your counters, they’re a nice option.

The natural stones. Of all the kitchen countertop materials, none holds its value, offers the durability and comes in so many color options as natural stone. Granite, soapstone and quartz have been known to instantly increase the value of a home. Each is also incredibly durable, sometimes serving as their own cutting boards.

Sure, natural stone is an investment, but it’s an investment that holds its value.

If want to explore your natural stone countertop options, contact Arch City Granite & Marble—and find the option that’s best for you.

The post How to choose the right surface material appeared first on Arch City Granite & Marble.

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Quartz is an investment, but, fortunately, it’s also easy to keep clean and maintain.

Here’s a quick lesson on how to protect your investment by properly cleaning quartz countertops:

• Start with water. One of the wonderful things about cleaning quartz counttertops is that, in most cases, all you need is water and a paper towel. All you have to during routine, day-to-day cleaning is get your paper towel wet with a little water then wipe down your quarts countertops.
• Move on to scrub pads and cleaning solutions. Even though quarts is incredibly durable, it can still be damaged by prolonged exposure to acidic liquids such as wine, vinegar, lemon juice and soda. If you are not able to catch and clean up these spills immediately, you can use a soft scrub pad combined with a store-bought surface cleaning solution to wipe your quarts countertops clean.
• Avoid corrosive products. When you are cleaning quartz countertops, you might be tempted to try products that claim to have the power to give your quartz a radiant, lustrous appearance. Don’t be fooled by these claims–your quartz countertops already have a radiant, lustrous appearance. No cleaning products–not bleach, wax, polish, high-pH cleaners, or other corrosive products–can make it look nearly as good as it does with a touch of water.

Cleaning quartz countertops is easy, especially if you take steps to keep them clean in the first place. There are, however, certain things that can cause problems. Permanent markers, cooking grease that has been on the countertops for long periods of time and fingernail polish, for example, can all leave your quartz countertops stained or dulled in appearance.

If you have any of these problems with your quartz countertops, don’t fret. There are steps that can be taken to restore their natural beauty. Contact the quartz countertop fabricators and installers at Arch City Granite & Marble today to talk about your options.

Don’t have quartz countertops, yet? Don’t worry, you can Arch City to explore your quartz options, as well as their full line of granite, marble and soapstone countertops.

The post Spring Cleaning 101: Cleaning Quartz Countertops appeared first on Arch City Granite & Marble.

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Accurately measuring granite countertops allows you to maximize your kitchen’s square footage to ensure that you have enough space to prep and prepare meals, do homework and gather with friends and family for great conversations.

And while it might seem like measuring granite countertops is a straightforward process involving the basic mathematical principle of length times width, it can get a little tricky when your space requires specialized cuts and curves.

Here’s a look at how proper countertop measurements are done by the granite fabrication professionals at Arch City Granite & Marble:

Step One: 
Take measurements of the entire length of each countertop you want covered in granite.

Step Two:
Make sure you measure in inches, and multiply the length by 25.5 inches since typical cabinets are 24 inches and you’ll want a 1.5-inch granite overhang.

Step Three:
Divide the figure you get by performing the steps above by 144. This will reveal the square footage you’ll need to cover in granite.

Step Four: 
Factor in the backsplash, which is done by multiplying the length along the wall where the backsplash will by by 4 inches and then dividing that number by 144.

Step Five:
Repeat this process for all sections of your counters–from the area that surrounds the sink to the smaller parts by the appliances to the island–and then adding all of the figures together.

Once you’ve finished all five of the steps listed above, you will know with precision how much granite it will take to cover your cabinets with granite. Of course, if you have areas of your kitchen with abnormal angles or curves, or if you want to create a custom-made countertop that requires more overhang or other innovations, you might want to seek some help measuring your counters.

Lucky for you, experts at Arch City Granite & Marble excel at measuring granite countertops. Contact us today to start designing the kitchen countertops of your dreams. You’ll schedule a time for a trained technician to visit your home, make precise measurements and create drawings and specifications so the fabrication process can begin.

The post How to Measure Granite Kitchen Countertops appeared first on Arch City Granite & Marble.

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Most have an open mind when they initially ask the question. But, when faced with the facts, they quickly fall in love with natural stone countertops once they discover all of the amazing benefits:

The aesthetics

Granite, marble and soapstone countertops immediately transform a kitchen or bathroom from good to great. While aesthetics may be subjective, the tangible response people have to natural stone countertops is always positive because they look so great.

The durability.

Natural stone countertops last a lifetime. They are incredibly durable, require minimal maintenance and can withstand the spills, accidents and mishaps that often accompany day-to-day living. Hot cups of coffee, spilled wine and even slicing knives rarely damage granite, marble and soapstone.

The uniqueness.

No two slabs of granite, marble or soapstone are exactly alike, meaning you can truly create a one-of-a-kind kitchen or bathroom by choosing them for your countertops. You can also work with a countertop fabricator to find a color and design pattern that fits the personality and character of any room.

The value.

Of all the countertop materials available to you, none will enhance the overall value of your home like natural stone. Granite, marble and soapstone are always desirable and always in style. They are, in a sense, timeless but at the same time contemporary. Many homebuyers have made the decision to buy based on the natural stone countertops alone.

The flexibility.

Because each slab of natural stone is cut specifically for your counters, you can incorporate them into any design you desire. Whether you want a kitchen island that is shaped like a T or a round vanity in your closet, your natural stone fabricator can cut your slab of granite, marble and soapstone to order. With natural stone, you truly have the flexibility to design the counters of your dreams.

If you are asking yourself whether to install natural stone or some other kind of countertop, connect with Arch City Granite & Marble. Ask about natural stone’s aesthetics, durability, value and flexibility—and then find a unique slab that’s right for you and your home.

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