Wonderful gift of nature

Nikolai Ovchinnikov We're here already talked a lot about using natural stone for exterior finishing a country house. The secret of this amazing material that, and indoors it looks as expensive, fresh and organically, as well as outside. To see this, you should pay attention to the finishing of old mansions, which are abundant in St. Petersburg. Stone - a symbol of reliability, emphasizing the exquisite taste and wealth of the owner at home. Therefore, without limiting your imagination using a stone facade at work, proceed to the interior decoration of country homes in the same generous gift of nature ... From the fireplace to foot bath But before you go to the interiors of each particular space - from toilets and bathroom to the fireplace room and living room - turn your attention to the fact that the use of natural stone can be practically without any restrictions. From it makes floor coverings throughout the house or in certain areas. Stairs, rails, sills, window sills made of stone and give the house or with the incomparable charm. Stone trim the walls, put out his columns, porticos, arches. And the countertops in the kitchen and in the office, vases, sconces and lamps? In specialized shops can be found beautiful examples of these elements of the interior of the stone, or ordered from the masters (in St. Petersburg, by the way, they joined the guild), exclusive version of the author's sketches of a designer or artist. And in the capable hands of local Danila-master piece of marble or granite transformed into an elegant, original thing, which will decorate a bedroom or living room. Should I mention the fire, which no stone finishes will turn into just a hotbed list can continue for a long time, since in practice, suburban housing meet the most unexpected uses of natural stone: from it is made and baseboards, and carved mirror frames and paintings, and even a special ... Foot! Natural stone is rich in color and texture, exceptional strength and durability. The only drawback - no small weight, which increases the load on the foundation. Therefore finishes stone both outside and inside the house should be calculated in advance, and the foundation and load-bearing walls - designed to meet the additional load. Stone fits in almost any decor, but you need to take into account certain stylistic features of each room. Best natural stone underlines the severity of classic interiors - It is appropriate to compare with suburban villas in St. Petersburg to know the time of the Romanov dynasty, tsenivshey conservatism, large spaces, strict lines, pathos and solemnity. Polished marble, granite or onyx suit here at an opportune moment. In the style of the country rock is also relevant - it will be more approximate to the pristine environment, wildlife. But in this case it is best to avoid the polished surfaces are more advantageous to be a stone with rough, rough terrain. In combination with wood and natural fabrics normally used for drapery room country style, he most emphatically emphasizes space. Even such understated style as high-tech and minimalist, it is quietly taking a stone lighter wood, for glass and metal combined with a natural stone is no worse than wood or leather. The trendy lately antique style, without a stone does not do! The peculiarity of this style is that the wood and metal, used in the interiors, artificially old, and it gives a completely unique comfort rooms, fills them with peace and quiet. And the stone can give the imprint of time: the impression that the floor recently stepped Lined ermine slippers grand dukes, and the fireplace warming up the royal maids of honor, but, as in everything else, must know when to stop. Stone rocks for interior decoration should be chosen with taste, figure and hue, as well as the shape of the surface of stone - meet the designer's idea and the overall style of the premises. House should not turn into a "concrete jungle" or casemates Peter and Paul - congestion of stone in the interior will put pressure on the psyche, creating discomfort. But if the deal takes a true master who has the talent and the subtle taste, nothing like this happens. That for living well, in the bathroom did not fit dismantled in general, we proceed to particulars, that is to furnish stone for the different functions of the premises. Hallway and entrance area. Usually, there lay the stone floor, and placed on the walls of stone or bronze sconces, as well as full-length mirror, which would rank bronze or stone edging. About sconces, lamps and mirrors, especially the spread makes no sense: their aesthetic appeal depends on the skill of someone who would do a sketch and master, embodies this sketch to life. Another thing - sex. Modern technologies require the use of thin stone slabs: 10 mm for marble and 15 mm for the granite. When using anhydrous adhesives such thickness is suitable for indoor use. Slabs of natural stone laid on concrete, reinforced concrete or cement-sand base with a minimum temperature of ten degrees, and any moisture. If the missing isolated electric power system is mounted underfloor. But here's how to choose a stone for laying the floor in the hallway? Marble - beautiful, no words, but it belongs to the category legkoistiraemyh, also reacts with acids and alkali solutions - after some time will have to grind again. But polished granite or slate with a natural cleavage surface devoid of such shortcomings, they quietly endure any mechanical impact to the same variegation and grain granite hides dirt and dust, which, as you try, will still fall into the hallway from the street . However, if you really really want to put a marble in the hall - a place! After all, your vacation home - not government offices, where thousands of visitors come every day. Enough in bonding to cover Dirt front of the door and the door is already in the room, put a small pile carpet - and the delicate marble will take all the hardships of the Petersburg climate. The most durable marble - dolomite, it can be used for the walls, window sills and flooring. From the less rigid calcite marble is usually made of decorative art works: sculptures of stone that look impressive in the strict interior, coupled with a massive fireplace and furniture. Because marble - "cold" stone, it is appropriate to finish big rooms or bathrooms. Ladder. If the outside staircase is made using natural stone, inside the house, as they say, God himself gave orders to use the same material. More so that the ladder is the role of the dominant: for it - focus! Like hundreds of years ago, the main stairs at the suburban residences are finished with granite, marble, onyx, obsidian, or coil. Bearing structures such ladders can be made of steel or reinforced concrete. Most often made of stone stairs in the style of classic, Empire, Baroque or modern. As a rule, it is FLOATING. However, clear systems and no restrictions - the designer can come up with the most bizarre forms, translate them were not working. And spiral staircases can be made with stone steps! Stair railing and made from stone or wrought iron (other options - stainless steel, bronze, brass), the top stair is decorated with sculptures and lights, the staircase (if size allows) placed flowers, pictures. But for all that you can not forget about security. If you are using polished stone, which slides need at each step to cause a special antisliding streak. Kitchen. It also makes the stone floor (no restrictions on materials - no), but the highlight will be the table top and the sill, made of stone. Table top can be any of the most complex configuration. And if the kitchen with a living room (such projects are increasingly common in the practice of suburban housing construction), stone countertop will play a role and a bar counter, and stand under the flowers, it will have multi-element, again, pleasing the eye homeowners. Stone sill sometimes specially manufactured a little more than usual, and gets another table, near which is so pleasant to sit in the summer, enjoying the view from the open window. Most often used polished granite countertops, crafted a special preservative. Since marble is too much trouble, because how beautiful this stuff, so he and capricious. The kitchen will have to behave as cautiously and carefully as accidentally spilled coffee, wine, tea or juice easily spoil the perfect generosity of marble. Any liquid with a marble surface should be immediately removed, and the "victim" a place with clean water. But often take a spot on the marble can be a special cleaner. Bathroom. This is a special zone, and the choice of stone for floor finishes (most often, the use of stone here and limited to) must provide that it is in any case does not slide. Polished granite - very slippery coating on the bathroom floor is more appropriate porous and permeable unpolished marble. Water, of course, will be easily absorbed into it, but just as easily and evaporate (even more so when the system "warm floor"). Fit and slate, rough surface which also does not slide. With regard to limestone and sandstone, and their use in the bathroom is not necessary - damp these stones do not like, and high humidity tolerate bad. Another important nuance: when laying a stone in the bathroom you should use only water-resistant polymer (anhydrous), glue, otherwise the water, entering through the pores and seams, simply dissolve the glue base, and will shift again. When choosing natural stone for cladding surfaces in wet rooms (bathrooms, washrooms, swimming pools) should be borne in mind that most types of stone for prolonged contact with water may be discolored. First of all, it refers to a porous and inhomogeneous structure of the varieties of marble. Some types of granite and marble contain minerals including iron, which reacts with water, can also cause discoloration. Lounge. Perhaps the most important room in the house. And well, that virtually no restrictions on the use of stone is not here: for cladding floors, walls, furniture and decorative elements fit and marble, and granite and slate, and sandstone, and onyx ... In contrast to the hallway, the living room floor can be safely laying of marble, not thinking about the prospects pereshlifovki. If the floor is heated, marble fits even more: the material warms up quickly and gives off heat better. Effectively will look stone countertop card table, stone window sills, baseboards and even if made from the same noble material, an encapsulated, complete songs. Dominating the living room - fireplace. And save on his finish - a sin. Ever since the Middle Ages, fireplaces marble trim, creating the drawings of famous artists and architects entire sculptural compositions with complex patterns. Today you can find models of luxury portal with a magnificent carved pillars in the form of lions' paws, and the central composite - a sink, a flower or a crown is usually used for interior fireplaces brushed or polished marble of different shades, often in combination. For example, if the outer part of the portal is made of polished or aged stone, the frame near the firing spread of shiny polished stone of the same color. Then the fire looks a whole, but when the furnace ignite the wood, the reflections of the flame, reflected in the polished surfaces of the frame, which expands the furnace. Sometimes marble combined with brick or stone, napilennym to form a brick. In any case, lined with stone fireplace adorns the interior is not only living but also the entire country house. As you can see, natural stone is appropriate in any corner of country estates. It is only important to know the measure and did not change the taste.