by Stewkley Stone | Nov 6, 2014 | Articles
For homeowners who are looking to increase the value of their homes and are considering upgrading their countertops to granite, it is worth noting that whilst the rigidity of the stone is suitable for food preparation, extremely durable, and easy to maintain, granite worktops are not impervious to damage. Steve Reeves, Director of Stewkley Stone, has worked with granite for over 20 years and advocates that granite worktops that are properly installed should last a lifetime. The necessary care of your granite worktop guarantees the longevity and grandeur expected from this superior product. With the regular care required, including the use of special sealers to prevent staining, a polished finish is easy to maintain. Never use the granite as a cutting surface and avoid allowing acidic food items such as soft drinks, lemon juice, and vinegar to be left on the surface for an extended amount of time. These food items can etch the stone and leave unsightly marks on the surface. A small amount of warm water with a PH-balanced dishwashing liquid will clean the surface without leaving any streaks. In order to further protect your work surface and avoid leaving marks and scratches, refrain from hauling cooking appliances (such as pots, pans, or other appliances) across the worktop. Even the smallest of scratches will allow stains to blemish an otherwise magnificent surface. A penetrating sealant should be applied once a year and regular polishing will keep the finish gleaming. Granite is a beautiful stone and adds colour and warmth to any kitchen – and with a little care granite worktops will last a lifetime. If you have...
by Stewkley Stone | Oct 30, 2014 | Articles
A comprehensive plan is essential for any interior design project to be successful. An established and credible stonemason must be able to partner with you to create the ideal design that will both suit the client’s desires and needs – and also something that matches your project’s budget. After working with both designers and private clients extensively over the past few years, we have compiled a list of questions that we have found essential to our work process and hope that they will also assist you during your next interior design project. 1. How much are you willing to spend? Consult with the client and establish just how much they would be willing to spend on their interior design project and to achieve their desired result. This way you can be sure that the client, interior designer, and stonemason will have a clear direction on how to advance the project without any reservation, and you will have a good idea of the restrictions when drawing up plans and selecting the right materials. After you have established a strategy for the project, try to present your client with an estimate of both the cost and the amount of time it will take. 2. How much time are they willing to devote? You need to consider what their personal needs are and if they will be able to work around the necessary construction related to your interior design project. By consulting with an experienced stonemason you will have an accurate description of how long the project will take – by providing a timeline that you and your client can plan around....
