How to Keep Your Kitchen Granite Clean

Patrick B.
Patrick B.
Friday 5th October, 2012
Category: Home Science & Advice

There’s no better finish to a beautiful kitchen than granite worktops – and there is no easier way to neglect this beauty than to allow said worktops to become dirty. Fortunately, with just a little attention, granite can be quite easy to clean, allowing the style of your kitchen to shine through.

If you’ve got granite in your kitchen, you’ll know just how splendid it looks when it’s taken care of. With this in mind, here are a few tips on the best ways to keep your kitchen granite clean.

cleaning-kitchen-granite

The simple approach

On a day to day basis, if your granite has not accrued a particularly great amount of dirt, you can clean it fairly easily. Simply mix some warm water with a small amount of washing-up liquid and wipe across granite surfaces. Be sure to use a soft dishcloth, however, as granite can be easy to scratch and very expensive to repair. When the surface is clean, rinse it with warm, clean water.

Due to the shine of granite, it is not uncommon for streaks to appear after being cleaned in this way. As these marks are due to leftover soap residue, the best way to avoid streaks is simply to ensure you do a thorough job of rinsing. To clean up any remaining marks, it can be wise to wipe the surface with a dry, micro-fibre cloth.

Thorough cleans

When you want to give your worktops a real going over, you can look into using specialist products. There are plenty of products specifically designed to treat materials such as granite, with numerous hardware stores and larger retailers stocking these items.

Stain removal

Sometimes the dirt we want to remove in our kitchens cannot simply be removed with a cloth and some washing-up liquid. Stained granite needs to be treated as quickly as possible, but thankfully most marks can be removed with ease.

To attack the stain, you will need to mix a paste by combining hydrogen peroxide with powdered whiting. Plenty of manufacturers stock these items, so they are safe and easy to obtain.

When your mixture has become thick (the required ratios should be found within the manufacturer’s packaging), you are ready to apply it to the stain. Do so relatively thickly but be careful not to go beyond the stain itself.

When the application process is complete, the stain and the paste should be covered and left until completely dry. Once it has been wiped away, the results should be visible. If the stain has not been satisfactorily removed, the process can be repeated.

A final word

Granite is an expensive part of your kitchen; as you probably know already. It is also a beautiful natural occurrence and while it is possible to carry out a deep clean, it is advisable to take care of the material regularly to avoid such action being necessary. Cleaning little and often is the easiest approach and the best way to keep your granite surfaces looking as good as new.

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Guide to British Architecture Styles Part 2 – Georgian and Regency Architecture

Rosie W.
Rosie W.
Tuesday 2nd October, 2012
Category: Lifestyle & Design

We believe that the creation of architecture is something which comes with great responsibility. An awareness of environment, aesthetics and history is absolutely key to the success of any building work, be it a dominating skyscraper or the addition of a conservatory to an existing property.

That’s why, at Everest, we pay close attention to the context of our work, doing all we can to understand the spaces with which we work. Here, we take a look at some characteristically British styles of architecture, noting their defining features and historical significance.

Georgian architecture

Georgian buildings are some of the most subtly beautiful and quintessentially British in the world. By and large, Georgian architecture is relatively simple – understated and yet powerful. Whilst the shapes of most Georgian buildings were simple, decoration would come down to smaller features. Embellished cornices would offer a property a sense of grandeur, displaying unique and dedicated workmanship.

Symmetry was key to design, with the majority of Georgian homes being designed as ‘double-fronted’: implying that an equal number of windows would straddle the doorway in equal proportion. The centred doors would typically be substantial and panelled.

georgian-style-house

Those who recognise similarities between Georgian architecture and that of ancient Rome and Greece are astute. In fact, these similarities tie in well with the British embrace of Classicism during that time.

The Georgian homes of British Aristocrats at the time were a dedication to classical way of life and great examples of this architectural style can still be seen in cities such as Bath.

Georgian-style-bath

Regency architecture

Regency buildings are not far removed from Georgian architecture in terms of design but there are a few notable differences. Typically, Regency buildings would be more elegant and would opt for a pale finish, rather than the traditional brick which would be seen on most Georgian properties.

regency-style-house

The most prominent example of Regency architecture which remains in Britain today can be seen in Brighton and Hove. The seafront parade is still home to a number of large and elegant properties which epitomise Regency design.

Key features to be recognised are wrought iron balconies, large sash windows and the use of columns in porches. Although Regency properties would commonly be built as terraces or crescents, each separate property would be colossal in size.

Today, Regency properties are nearly always divided into smaller flats or hotel accommodation to make better use of such grand spaces.

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Guide to British Architecture Styles Part 1 – Victorian, Edwardian Baroque Architecture

Rosie W.
Rosie W.
Thursday 27th September, 2012
Category: Lifestyle & Design

At Everest, we have a great respect for tradition and history when it comes to design. We believe that every modern modification which is made to a home ought to be in keeping with the current environment. This is why we pay great attention to the history of architecture in Britain.

In this country, we have some truly distinct and wonderful architectural history. Here, we take a look at the Victorian and Edwardian periods of architecture, paying particular attention to their defining features and the surrounding context which led to each style’s development.

Victorian architecture

Victorian architecture is somewhat unique in that it is at once distinctly British and internationally identifiable. Designs from this period took a great amount of influence from structures in the Middle East and Asia, combining the strong decorative elements of this region’s architecture with the strict symmetry which is prevalent in Palladian architecture.

victorian-st-pancras

What have come to be known as the typical example of residential Victorian architecture are the villas which housed the wealthy during this period. Improvements in the country’s transport system allowed those who could afford it to roof their houses with slate. Other defining features included bay and sash windows which combined for a majestic frontage. Decorative brickwork was also a common feature of such villas.

victorian-architecture-brighton

Due to the growth of the rail network during the 19th century, some of the most impressive Victorian architecture which remains standing today can be seen in railway stations whilst other well known examples include Brighton Pier.

Edwardian Baroque architecture

While Edwardian architecture was generally less decorative and ornate than that of the Victorian era, Edwardian Baroque architecture took influence from this decoration. Another key influence was the design work of Sir Christopher Wren. The influence of Wren is particularly noticeable in the design of the Port of Liverpool building which includes the use of domes, as popularised by another of Wren’s creations: St. Paul’s Cathedral in London.

edwardian-baroque-liverpool

Key features of Edwardian Baroque design include symmetry, attention and exaggeration of decorative elements such as archways or domes, and the inclusion of a central projection – making the silhouette of such buildings very distinguishable.

edwardian-baroque-architecture

Architecture from this period took plenty of cues from movements going on across Europe in the preceding years. In particular, the style of architecture takes influence from France, Italy and Holland. Well known buildings include Belfast City Hall, Nottingham Railway Station and Le Meridien Hotel in Piccadilly.

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