Wall decoration with decorative stone goes well with wallpaper. This option is suitable both for the interior of the hallway and for decorating the walls in the kitchen space. For repairs, two types of stones are used: they are created from artificial concrete or gypsum.
Wallpaper and thin-layer decorative material for kitchen cladding.
What is flexible stone and how is it made?
This is a new finishing material patented in Germany. This is a kind of three-layer cake, it consists of fiberglass, an adhesive mixture and the smallest particles of mountain sedimentary rocks - sandstone or marble chips. It is made using two technologies: manually (note to entrepreneurs) and in production. To make it yourself, you will need:
- The table is large and stable.
- Pallets with sides.
- Thick glass on which the slabs will be formed.
- Rack for drying finished products.
- Well ventilated area.
Marble or sand chips are sifted to remove large particles and, if necessary, painted with a special composition. The base - fiberglass - is placed on a pallet, covered with an adhesive composition and stone-sand chips are poured. Then they press down on top and leave to dry for at least a day. When it dries, all that remains is to shake off the stuck crumbs. This is a good and almost unoccupied niche for small and medium-sized businesses.
As for industrial production, it makes sense to develop it where there are sandstone deposits. A thin layer with a unique pattern is cut, sanded and glued to the base. Dry under pressure and remove from the base. The process turns out to be more expensive and labor-intensive due to the high cost of equipment, but the product is more durable.
Properties of flexible stone
So, flexible stone is a new generation finishing material. Its advantages:
- Does not burn, does not allow water to pass through.
- It is environmentally friendly and contains no toxic substances. The decorative layer is of natural origin, and the bonding composition is absolutely harmless.
- Durable, can last for decades. Designers guarantee trouble-free operation for 35 years.
- Easy to install and use, leaving no waste.
- Not subject to temperature changes.
- It is universal - it is used for both interior and exterior decoration.
- It is very flexible, and this is its main advantage. Allows you to cover any surface without any problems.
- And, of course, it is not afraid of microorganisms and high humidity.
- Frost-resistant.
- It is lightweight and does not create a load on any building structures.
- In operation, it can withstand temperatures from -45 to +65 degrees.
- Can be mounted on any surface.
- Lastly, he is simply beautiful. Its unique appearance gives great scope for designers.
You can cut it using a regular construction knife or scissors. Well, are there any disadvantages? So far, only one serious drawback has been identified: the high price.
Open shelves
Open shelves are coming back into fashion. But not all housewives are happy about this. The main disadvantage of such structures is obvious - this is an excellent place for the accumulation of dust, which in the kitchen is washed with great effort compared to any other room. There are people who are ready to tolerate such nuances, but remain in trend. However, most people listen to themselves, using what is convenient and comfortable. After all, home is a place where we relax. Why create nerves for yourself just because “it’s so fashionable”?
However, fashion is a controversial thing. Despite all the shortcomings, you must be able to find advantages. For example, this is convenience. And if the dishes are collectible, gift items, inherited from a beloved grandmother, or simply very beautiful, why hide them in a cabinet?
Open shelves and furniture with metal legs are a trend for 2021
Types of flexible stone
- Stone wallpaper. Just like regular wallpaper, it is produced in rolls, just like regular wallpaper, it is used mainly for interior wall decoration. And they glue them in exactly the same way, with the only difference being that the sheets must be glued closely, avoiding overlaps. Layer thickness is 1-1.5 millimeters.
- Stone tiles. It is thicker than wallpaper - about 2-5 millimeters. Used to cover floors and house facades. The size of the tile and its color leave room for the imagination of customers and designers.
- Sheet flexible stone - has the same thickness as tiles, but is produced in plates. The dimensions of the sheets vary widely, but the maximum size is 250 centimeters.
- They are based on polystyrene foam. If you cover the facade with thermal panels, the energy efficiency of the house will increase.
Well, now let's see where and how this amazing material is used.
Doors
What can you do with doors? Use different materials and colors. But the trend of 2021 is not content, but form. More precisely, make the doors as high as possible, as close to the ceiling as possible. The exception will be private houses with very high ceilings. Here you need to build on the personal wishes of the owner.
If quite recently the accepted standard for door height was 2.10 m (Soviet GOST), now the recommended height is 2.30 and even 2.40 meters. The main advantage of such a door is that it increases the height of the kitchen. Visually the room will become more spacious, which is especially important for the kitchen.
Another secret is that it is necessary to minimize additional door frames, which visually makes the entire structure heavier. An airy, sophisticated, elegant kitchen door in the wall - simple and stylish. The only drawback of such a door will be its price. Since new trends are a financially expensive pleasure, in the case of a door everything will be similar.
A high door to the kitchen is a trend for 2021
Scope of application of flexible stone
Flexible stone is used for:
- Cladding of facades, ground floors.
- Wall decoration in offices and residential premises.
- Decoration of the fireplace area.
- Finishing the work area in the kitchen (kitchen apron).
- Wall decoration in swimming pools, bathrooms, toilets.
- Decoration of stairs and fences in gardens.
- For small decor (lampshades for lamps, for example).
As you can see, the scope of application of this material is very wide, and its demand is also high.
Display cabinet
Completely closed kitchen facades are no longer in fashion. Showcases are re-entering our lives. At the same time, as we wrote earlier, the transition of one material to another should be almost imperceptible.
The showcase can occupy one or two or several wall cabinets or be a floor-to-ceiling structure, the entire height of the unit, or stand alone. Don’t forget about the lighting - it will be very appropriate inside the display case, and the visual effect will be “tasty” and refined.
Kitchen 2021 – with display cabinets
Features of using flexible stone
Let's talk about the application features using the example of stone wallpaper. As already mentioned, they can be used for interior wall decoration, and it will be a very beautiful and durable coating. However, to really make you happy for a long time, strictly follow the instructions.
- Before finishing the walls, you need to prepare them - treat them with antifungal impregnation.
- The glue must be selected in accordance with the polymer that was used to create the wallpaper.
- The glue is applied only to the wall, the back side of the wallpaper remains dry, and it is better to wipe it with a dry cloth before installation.
- Stone wallpaper is heated with a hair dryer so that it adheres better to the surface.
- They must be glued “at the joint”; when pasted “overlapping”, thick wallpaper will immediately reveal errors in the finishing. However, in this case, the seams can be softened by heating them with a hairdryer and then rolling them with a roller.
- Press the wallpaper against the wall with a roller so that it sticks better.
- Remove the protective film from the material with which it is sold. Yes, this needs to be done after installation is complete.
The joints between the wallpaper, if they are noticeable, can be covered with paint to match, or rubbed with wallpaper scraps. You will be able to see what you have achieved only upon completion.
Colors
Simplicity in the interior is the absence of complex patterns on the walls, furniture, and floor. Monochromaticity in calm colors is the trend of 2021. Designers, who to some extent act as our psychologists, recommend considering the following fashionable colors:
for walls:
- green and its shades (from mint, olive to apple);
- blue and its tones (from turquoise to deep complex);
- classic white;
- soft calm tones (cream, shades of gray, dusty rose);
for the facade (observe the contrast with the walls):
- warm but rich color (for example, pumpkin color);
- bright brick;
- classic white;
- classic black (charcoal shade is also relevant);
- deep sea;
for floor:
- gray and its shades from light to dark;
- beige and its tones from light to dark brown.
One of the fashionable colors for kitchens in 2021 is all shades of green.
Flexible stone for flooring
Stone tiles are an excellent material for flooring. Its advantage is that it is not necessary to pre-level the surface. Lay it down starting from the far corner. After laying the tiles, you need to remove the remaining adhesive and be sure to rub the seams using a special compound and a regular brush. Don't forget to also remove the protective film from the product. “Stone” floors look great in “palace”, art deco and classic styles. Flexible stone can withstand heavy physical load, so it is used where increased strength is required - in the bathroom, in the kitchen.
Barn boards in the interior
Barn boards are elements of wooden buildings: houses, sheds, outbuildings. Such details are of particular value because it is easy to create unique design compositions from them.
To use boards, you must first treat them with special compounds against insects and fungus. There is no need to remove nail marks and scuff marks - they will add a special charm to the decor.
Using the material you can lay out the flooring or decorate the walls. For these purposes, it is better to take pine, eucalyptus and oak boards. They have stunning patterns, good durability and interesting textures.
Can be used in decoration to imitate old boards. The products look no different from barn elements and have similar qualities. They are ideal for making wooden partitions.
Barn boards in home design
Idea! Barn boards make excellent designer furniture. You can buy ready-made models or create simple tables, chairs, and bedside tables yourself.
Flexible stone in the kitchen
There are other uses for this material in the kitchen. What do we expect from a kitchen apron?
- Strength.
- Moisture resistance.
- Insusceptibility to temperature changes.
- So that it does not absorb dirt and odors.
- To be easy to clean.
- To look presentable.
Flexible stone has all these qualities. In addition, it is easy to install and does not deform. A stone apron and stone countertop will give your kitchen an aristocratic look.
Curtains
Minimalism has not bypassed even the curtains in the kitchen - everything should look simple, but tasteful. The most trendy solution is plain ones without additional prints, lace, or ruffles. Still in the top popularity are Roman and Japanese curtains, as well as Scandinavian ones, which are known for their laconic, functional design. They are great for the kitchen. The material of modern curtains 2021 is preferably natural - linen, burlap.
Curtains in the kitchen in Scandinavian style - the trend of 2021
Individuality is something that is always valued. Fashion dictates its own rules, but we do not have to follow it entirely. Fashion only guides us in the right direction. When creating a kitchen according to the latest trends, listen to yourself, your needs and desires. After all, we spend a lot of time in the kitchen. So let this place be comfortable, stylish, unique, your own.
Ceiling decoration with flexible stone
We laid the tiles on the floor, but they can be laid on the ceiling in the same way. This is a truly flexible material, so you can make a ceiling of any configuration. A variety of colors gives room to the imagination and allows you to choose the right tone for any interior style.
Flexible stone in damp areas
The material is not afraid of high humidity, so it is actively used in rooms where this very humidity is in excess: in bathrooms, bathhouses, saunas, swimming pools. The flexibility of the material allows you to paste it over even plumbing fixtures. The color palette does not limit the choice of style.
Decorating arches and columns with flexible stone
It is good to use flexible stone to decorate interior arches. It is beautiful and durable, does not weigh down the interior. In this case, the arch can be of any shape - straight, semicircular, figured - the material, as already mentioned, is very plastic. If you have an arch with columns, then cover them with flexible stone as well.
Window
The use of natural materials in the interior has become firmly established in our lives. If after the Soviet wooden cold windows the whole country switched to plastic double-glazed windows, now everything is returning to normal. An eco-window is always an indicator of concern for health, nature, and taste. But, unfortunately, not everyone can afford wooden windows - they cost much more than plastic ones.
More affordable window options are with aluminum inserts or colored plastic. The classic white color gradually turns into more elegant or deeper shades, even black. At the same time, you can pay special attention to the fittings: plastic, banal and simple, can be replaced with a more complex design that suits the interior of the kitchen. It all depends on the wallet and imagination.
Window with black plastic – trend of 2021
External cladding with flexible stone
Everything that has been said above concerns the interior decoration of the room. Now let's see how it can be used outside. Let's start with the stairs. The material is often used to decorate stairs and railings. Most often it is a flexible stone made from marble chips. The staircase looks very rich, the steps are resistant to abrasion.
Finally, the time has come to talk about cladding the facade of the house with flexible stone. There are some nuances here.
- Before starting work, the surface must be carefully prepared: cleaned of dirt, leveled, sanded, and primed if necessary.
- Prepare the adhesive composition according to the instructions.
- Apply a thin layer of it to the surface of the house.
- Press the sheet or tile against the wall and smooth it out well.
- Dry with a hair dryer.
- Apply a topcoat to protect against adverse weather and mechanical damage.
Your home will look very stylish. Want to add even more originality to your look? Combine it with other materials, such as wood.
This material is also used in landscape design - in the decoration of flower beds and gazebo fountains. They can be used to lay out paths in the garden.
Flexible stone decor
Flexible stone is widely used as decoration. This material is translucent, so it is especially good as lampshades or shades for lamps.
The result is very soft diffused light. The absolute non-flammability of the material makes it possible to decorate a fireplace with it. If you place a painting or figurine in a niche covered with stone wallpaper, they will sparkle with completely different colors. Cover the windowsill with flexible stone and your green plants will simply bloom against this background.
The material is used as the basis for a design applied using ultraviolet printing.
Apply it to a wall covered with stone wallpaper and get an image that will not fade for many years. It does not matter where it is located - in the living room or in the bathroom.
Wooden decorations in the interior
Any decorative elements can be made from wood - from candlesticks to wall panels. There are many designer items on sale that can set a new tone for the design. We offer a selection of original jewelry for any budget.
A luxurious decorative Barlok Sand lion head made of MDF will complement the interior of a living room or hallway. The sophisticated and cute Holmes table clock will fit perfectly into the Provence style. The unusual Golden Sunset wall panel will take its rightful place in the office, hallway or bedroom.
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Decorative lion head Barlok Sand
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Holmes table clock
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Wooden wall panel Golden Sunset
Features of using flexible stone
It remains to focus your attention on a few more important points.
- Don’t get too carried away with it: don’t decorate the walls, ceiling, and floor with flexible stone, it will look too intrusive.
- In small rooms, use it carefully, otherwise you can overload the interior.
- The shade of the flexible stone should be in harmony with the color of the furniture in the interior.
- If you lack experience, entrust the interior design to a professional, otherwise the result may disappoint you.
- Do not use flexible stone of the same color. A harmonious interior is achieved if different shades of this material are used.
- If you coat the flexible stone with varnish, its service life will increase.
Of course, the option of finishing with flexible stone cannot be called budget. This position compensates for the long service life. Decorate your interior this way, and you will forget about repairs for decades. We hope that the article has given a comprehensive description of this amazing material.
Kitchen decoration: TOP 10 options for an apron in different materials
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In the photo: Kitchen renovation with Moroccan emerald tiles on the backsplash and marbled porcelain tiles on the floor
Designing a kitchen backsplash, walls, floor and ceiling in a kitchen is a challenging task for an interior designer. First of all, you need to consider the practicality of the relief and surface of each material. Secondly, make sure it is durable and can be properly maintained. Then you need to match the materials to each other and to the kitchen unit, taking into account the color scheme, style and different types of lighting.
Kitchen apron decorated with white tiles with geometric patterns
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In the photo: Design project of a kitchen-living room decorated with light tiles for the apron and floor
Ordinary tiles can also be interesting. For example, it can be with an unusual ethnic ornament, with an original gold coating, made up of tiles of different shapes, or just imitate this effect. For example, in the design project in the visualization above you see just such an example of a geometric pattern.
Stylish wall design in porcelain stoneware imitating beige and chocolate marble
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In the photo: Porcelain tiles imitating chocolate and beige marble in the kitchen decoration
Natural granite for finishing countertops and aprons in the kitchen
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In the photo: Natural granite in the design of the apron and countertops
Natural stone is an excellent solution for luxury interior design. More practical, durable and wear-resistant, it also visually looks more elegant and luxurious.
Mirrored splashback with geometric tiles in art deco style
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In the photo: Mirror design of a kitchen apron in the art deco style
An unusual mirrored splashback can make your Art Deco interior truly glamorous and unique. Just look at these mirrored geometric tiles - they look absolutely stunning!
Semi-precious blue agate porcelain tiles
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In the photo: Fashionable designer kitchen decoration 2021
Porcelain tiles with imitation stones of special types (agate, labradorite, onyx, quartzite and others) can become the focal point of the interior composition, especially when it comes to the design of the apron.
Mirror tiles to frame the backsplash under the cabinets
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In the photo: Luxurious kitchen decoration with gilded mirrors
Fashionable mirror tiles can be used both for the apron and for the dining area, adjacent living room and hallway. As a result, the interior will turn out to be very sophisticated and sophisticated.
Moroccan hand fired tiles
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In the photo: Fashionable tiles for a green apron
Moroccan tiles with a handmade effect are original tiles with the effect of uneven firing, where each individual tile has a unique shade, as well as ombre transitions in halftones.
Glass splashback for the kitchen in gray
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In the photo: Glass kitchen apron in gray color
To maintain perfect order in the kitchen, a glass apron is perhaps one of the most practical and simple finishing options. And it looks very modern!
Glass mosaic panel with floral pattern
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In the photo: Glass mosaic panel for finishing the apron
On the other hand, a mosaic panel is a very complex element, often requiring handmade work or a ready-made panel, for example, from a famous Italian brand. Fine details create a super detailed and artful finish. This apron looks more exclusive.
Gray marble-like porcelain tiles in tandem with mirror tiles
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In the photo: Modern kitchen decoration in a combined style
The last option in our selection of aprons is the most common marble-effect porcelain stoneware nowadays. But in this project, our designers complemented it with mirror tiles in the upper part. And for the floor, onyx porcelain tiles are used here.
