Power-Up Powder Room
These South Shore of Boston Homeowners approached the Team at Renovisions to power-up their powder room.
Their half bath, located on the first floor, is used by several guests particularly over the holidays.  When considering the
heavy traffic and the daily use from two toddlers in the household, it was smart to go with a stylish, yet practical design.
Wainscot made a nice change to this room, adding an architectural interest and an overall classic feel to this cape-style traditional
home. Installing custom wainscoting may be a challenge for most DIY’s, however in this case the homeowners knew they needed
a professional and felt they were in great hands with Renovisions.  Details certainly made a difference in this project;
adding crown molding, careful attention to baseboards and trims had a big hand in creating a finished look.
The painted wood vanity in color, sage reflects the trend toward using furniture-like pieces for cabinets.
The smart configuration of drawers and door, allows for plenty of storage, a true luxury for a powder room.  The quartz
countertop was a stunning choice with veining of sage, black and white creating a Wow response when you enter the room.
The dark stained wood trims and wainscoting were painted a bright white finish and allowed the selected green/beige
hue to pop. Decorative black framed family pictures produced a dramatic statement and were appealing to all guests.
The attractive glass mirror is outfitted with sconce light fixtures on either side, ensuring minimal shadows.
The homeowners are thrilled with their new look and proud to boast what was
once a simple bathroom into a showcase of their personal style and taste.
“We are very happy with our new bathroom. We received many compliments on it from
guests that have come to visit recently. Thanks for all of your hard work on this project!” 
– Doug & Lisa M. (Hanover) 
May 05, 2017
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Stone Countertops – Do You Know the Difference?

Evaluating Durability

It’s a common misconception that applying sealer to a stone countertop is all that’s needed to protect it from damage. Unfortunately, even after sealer is applied, stone is susceptible to scratches, staining, chipping and heat damage. Knowing the compositional qualities of each stone is the best way to choose a countertop that can handle the wear and tear of a busy kitchen or bathroom.

QUARTZ

Profile: Quartz boats a very high resistance to stains and scratches, as well as a low absorption rate of liquids. 
Surface Notes:
Quartz is a low maintenance stone that can be cleaned with any mild household cleaner.
Finishes: 
Polished. Honed available in some colors.

Quartz

 

GRANITE

Profile: Granite is one of the hardest stones and is virtually scratch resistant. A low porosity and a very high heat resistance make it popular countertop material for active kitchens.
Surface Notes: Granite is less porous than other stone but still needs to be sealed to reduce it’s porosity. If you’re sealing granite with an impregnating sealer, be sure to do it every six months. If the slab was sealed professionally by the manufacturer, it might not require resealing for up to five years.
Finishes: Honed, polished, sandblasted or brushed.

Granite

 

SOAPSTONE

Profile: Soapstone is dense and soft, and it is the least-porous stone countertop material available. It is often used in science laboratories that demand clean, sterile environments, which isn’t much different than the demands of a kitchen.
Surface Notes: Because soapstone is impenetrable, it is resistant to stains, bacteria growth, and damage from acidic substances. Soapstone comes in three colors: gray, green and black. Similar to slate, soapstone’s color might not be fully realized until a weekly application of mineral oil had taken place for nearly a year.
Finished: Honed

Soapstone

 

MARBLE

Profile: Marble is a very soft stone, so it cannot withstand high heat, and it is easily etched by acidic substances such as orange juice.
Surface Notes: Marble is known for it’s natural ability to stay cool and is often preferred by professional chefs for rolling dough and making pastries. The patina of polished or aged marble is prized for its traditional, old-world appeal. When selecting marble counters, remember that a polished finish makes surface imperfections more noticeable, whereas a honed or brushed finish helps to mask any scratches.
Finishes: Polished, honed or brushed.

Marble

 

SLATE

Profile: High-quality, dense slate is less absorbent and more durable than many countertop materials, so it doesn’t require sealing like other types or stone countertops.
Surface Notes: Due to it’s low porosity, slate is less likely to harbor bacteria. However, its uneven surface makes slate counters difficult to clean. Slate should be periodically treated with mineral oil to reduce it’s chalky appearance and to enhance its color tone.
Finishes: Honed, polished or cleft.

Slate

Aug 27, 2015
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