| The next time our highly plasticized world starts | | | | enhances the feeling of light and space when used |
| getting you down and you feel an urge to commune | | | | indoors, particularly in large open plan rooms. |
| with nature, slip off your shoes and walk barefoot on | | | | Designers often use a darker natural stone tile like |
| a floor made from natural stone. | | | | bluestone or quartzite to break up large sections of |
| Chances are, no matter what type or quality of | | | | sandstone or to define a particular area. This effect |
| stone tiles you have used for flooring, it will feel | | | | can look stunning with a little creativity and |
| wonderfully cool during the hot summer months and | | | | imagination. |
| retain warmth during the colder winter months. | | | | Bluestone |
| Apart from its natural beauty, natural stone also | | | | Nothing beats bluestone for its incredible strength and |
| contains no toxins or chemicals which can cause | | | | versatility. Not only that, bluestone is an aesthetically |
| allergies. | | | | beautiful natural stone that is grey in colour but with |
| But like all natural products, the qualities and features | | | | subtle variation in tone. Surface treatment options |
| of various stones differ dramatically, so if you want | | | | make it versatile for both indoor and outdoor |
| to choose natural stone tiles for your flooring you | | | | applications. |
| need to consult an expert to find out which stones | | | | Bluestone with a polished surface has a refined luster |
| work most effectively where. | | | | under any lighting. Honed bluestone is a softer, low |
| Let's have a look at how you can incorporate natural | | | | sheen option popular for both indoor floors and walls. |
| stone indoors as a feature. | | | | Bluestone with a flamed finish is a natural outdoor |
| Slate Tiles | | | | paving stone. |
| The beauty of slate is in the rich diversity of colours | | | | The best quality bluestone is being used extensively |
| and its durability. | | | | indoors in kitchens, living areas and hallways because |
| Each piece of slate tiling is like an individual work of | | | | it is virtually impervious to water and has a stain |
| art with its variations in tone and texture, ranging | | | | resistance. The dark grey tones of bluestone |
| from pale greys and pinks to intense greens and | | | | effectively hide dirt, making it a busy homeowner's |
| blacks. When laid properly in a large space, these | | | | dream natural stone surface. |
| variations give a feeling of continuity and tonal flow - | | | | Cutting edge designers are now incorporating |
| much like a painting. | | | | bluestone into high traffic areas because of its |
| Alternatively, individual slate tiles or small groups can | | | | durability and toughness and also because it is so |
| be used to offset or complement a plain stone tile | | | | easy to maintain. Nowadays you will see bluestone in |
| like sandstone on the walls or floors. For example, a | | | | honed and polished form used extensively in wine |
| cream coloured sandstone with overtones of pink | | | | bars, restaurants, hotel lobbies and up-market retail |
| can be highlighted with a small grouping of slate tiles | | | | outlets. |
| with deeper splashes of pinks and blues, placed on | | | | Outdoors the natural stone tile of choice is flamed |
| the diagonal. | | | | bluestone because of its non-slip characteristics, to |
| Like most natural stone products, a sealant improves | | | | say nothing of its luxurious appeal. Garden designers |
| the quality and durability of slate so it is easy to | | | | are increasingly using the grey/black tones of |
| maintain, easy to keep clean, resistant to chemical | | | | bluestone to offset water features and pool |
| spills, won't fade and is impermeable to water. | | | | surrounds. |
| Sandstone Tiles | | | | The Appeal of Natural Stone |
| Sandstone is a generic name given to a type of | | | | From the sleek lines of steel and glass used in |
| natural stone that contains quartzite - the inclusion of | | | | contemporary architecture to the soft decorative |
| quartzite is the only characteristic the various types | | | | features of a federation style home, the inclusion of |
| of sandstone share. Sandstone is obtained from | | | | natural stone complements any environment. |
| quarries all over the world, so the qualities of | | | | Imagine a stacked stone water feature made with |
| sandstone are unique to the region where they are | | | | blue-grey slate inside a glass covered portico at the |
| sourced. | | | | entrance to an architectural masterpiece, or the soft |
| Although most designers and homeowners use | | | | colours of sandstone laid in the entry of an old inner |
| sandstone for outdoor paving and around traditional | | | | city terrace, or an expansive family room floor tiled in |
| chlorinated pool areas, it blends beautifully indoors, | | | | the earthy, ambient tones of limestone. |
| particularly in bathrooms and kitchens. Sandstone is | | | | Natural stone is...well...natural and it glows with life, no |
| slip resistant and impervious to water (although poor | | | | matter how or where it's used. In a world burdened |
| quality sandstone doesn't possess these important | | | | by the effects of toxic chemicals and products, |
| qualities). | | | | doesn't it feel good to experience the look and feel |
| Sandstone is an incredibly versatile product and is | | | | of something that you know has been created by |
| used extensively by architects and designers because | | | | nature? Natural stone was here long before we were |
| of its durability, fire resistance and thermal qualities. | | | | and will still be around long after we're gone. |
| Sandstone is generally pale in colour, so it effectively | | | | |