Granite Countertops: The Christmas Gift That Keeps On Giving

While the ultimate low-ball Christmas gift for naughty little boys and girls has traditionally been a lump of coal, another type of compressed stone may actually make the perfect holiday present. But this one is only for adults who have been really good all year long. From a simple slab of rock comes granite countertops, the gift that keeps on giving.


A New Kitchen For Less: Number one on most homeowner wish lists is a new kitchen. As the epicenter for food, fun and family, a new kitchen can often be seen as the command center for your homebody harmony. But while a new kitchen may feel like a great investment in the short run, a new study shows that smaller investments like granite countertops or backsplashes may be a safer bet. Remodeling Magazine released their annual Cost versus Value survey this month, finding that homeowners in 2011 only picked up 58 cents in home equity on their remodeling dollar. The survey also found that smaller projects like replacing the front door or putting in new finishes did slightly better, earning 64 percent of their costs back in resale value, Reuters reported earlier this month.


The Hostess With The Mostest: While many are content to show up at a relative's house grab a drink and watch football this holiday, others can't wait to host their own holiday feast. With granite or marble countertop additions, homes create the additional counter and food prep space necessary to make all the best parts of a holiday feast. Mash potatoes, bake pies and stuff turkeys with abandon with extra counter space, more durable counter materials and easy-to-clean prep areas that make granite a popular choice for chefs and hostesses alike.


A Perfect Match: For homeowners with modern, open kitchens looking to increase home décor, redecorate adjacent rooms and connect common areas with popular color schemes, adding the more versatile, colorful patterns of granite can help tie your decorating schemes together. The sweeping bands of color in an onyx counter or the deep greens and natural browns in a granite or marble counter can blend your kitchen into the dining room or family room off the kitchen, allowing you to incorporate new paint colors, pillows and other beautiful home décor items are on your Christmas list this year. This more natural look is sure to match any décor, especially the deep greens and browns of a Christmas tree. This is one compressed stone you will not be upset to get in your stocking.

Designing a Focal Point for Your Kitchen with a Glass Tile Backsplash

The recent U.S. Remodeling Sentiment Report has shown an increase of 13% in homeowners who will be remodeling their home. Over the past few years the most popular home remodeling projects have been kitchen and bathrooms. It's also the perfect time for homeowners to remodel, with costs dropping nearly 20% since 2006. 48% of the participants from the survey stated they were remodeling their kitchens this coming year.

There are a number of popular trends that homeowners have preferred for remodeling. Granite countertops and stainless steel appliances are two of the more popular remodeling features homeowners are remodeling with. There has also been a significant amount of attention given to unique backsplash designs, which help to set off cooking and countertop spaces.

Taking the time to focus on your backsplash design without rushing through the remodeling project is important. Following a mosaic pattern, using tile or glass tile for creating your backsplash are ways to help and create a focal point in your kitchen. Glass tile backsplashes offer various colors and patterns that are easy to work with in almost any kitchen.

Glass tile is as functional as it is beautiful for designing your kitchen backsplash. For chefs and cooking novices who make a mess, a simple cleaning spray and paper towel are all you need to wipe down your backsplash and keep it looking clean. Glass tile comes in a multitude of colors, so if you are looking for an accent to compliment your paint choice or you're going for a reserved yet stylish look, glass tile backsplashes are the perfect choice.

Don't neglect to take time considering how to design your kitchen with an attractive looking backsplash. Your backsplash can become the eye catching focal point for you kitchen space.