Attention all marble haters!?! Ok, maybe that’s being a little too dramatic. But for years the beauty of marble came with baggage – etching, staining and everything else was just part of the package. Until now, Antolini Italy developed a revolutionary new treatment called Azerocare, in other words a lifesaver for all marble lovers!
When it comes to perfecting and showcasing natural stone, Italian stone manufacturer Antolini stays committed to the development of new technologies and innovations. Azerocare is unlike anything you have ever seen. It effectively makes a porous stone non-porous. It’s the first of its kind to give polished marbles, onyxes and specialty stones full protection from etching and staining caused by contact with acid-based food elements.
Antolini’s top secret development is unlike anything else. Keep in mind this is not a sealer, it’s the first of its kind factory process. It does not have to be reapplied every few months or years, this is the first permanent treatment done during the cutting and prepping of slabs.
Maintenance? What maintenance. No need for harsh chemical cleaners or special polishes, refer to the good old reliable soap and water technique. Azerocare slabs also have bacteriostatic properties, which mean that bacteria are stopped from reproducing on the slab surface.
Summer is right around the corner, which means it’s time to fire up the grill. And if you’re the Martha Stewart of grilling you will appreciate this blog:
All About Outdoor Kitchens!
The popularity of outdoor kitchens has been on the rise in recent years. You now have more choices in appliances than ever. More choices in appliances mean more choices in slabs. Are you ready for this, let your backyard turn heads! The key to a beautiful outdoor kitchen is durability. Remember your outdoor cabinets and surfaces must withstand all weather conditions, whether you have four seasons or a heat wave all year long. Make sure everything is recommended for exterior use. Check out the following three options, which one is your favorite?
Diresco Belgian Quartz now features BIO-UV Technology which not only makes the slabs environmentally friendly but suitable for outdoor use. Diresco BIO-UV surfaces are composed of 93% natural quartz granulate, a mineral found in abundance throughout the world. The remaining 7% of content consists of resin and pigment. Featuring only BIO based resins. The resins are environmentally sound and vegetal in origin. (And who isn’t all about green nowasays!)
In the past, the impact of the sun and its damaging ultraviolet light has prevented quartz from being applied outdoors. Luckily, this dated constraint is no longer an issue when using Diresco quartz surfaces. With the new BIO-UV Technology the surfaces are equipped to yield optimum weather resistance. The surfaces are exceedingly robust and will withstand the insidious creep of dampness, frost, and corrosion.
MULTIPLE FINISHES TO COMPLIMENT YOUR STYLE
Diresco BIO-UV surfaces come in either a Velvet, Polished or Anticato finish. The care and maintenance for these three finishes is incredibly simple and easy. The question is, what finish is most suitable for your design?
MULTIPLE THICKNESSES TO SUIT YOUR PROJECT
Diresco BIO-UV surfaces are available in large format, with a gaurenteed usable surface measurement of 125” x 61”. Our surfaces are available in 1.2cm, 2cm, and 3cm thicknesses. The combination of our large format slabs, multiple thicknesses, and multiple finishes provides significant design possibilities. Interior, exterior, countertop, vanity, floor, or cladding, Diresco has you covered. Dream big, hone your vision, and fall in love with your design.
Porcelain slabs are quickly gaining popularity and becoming the material of choice. And we can see why, aside from how simply stunning these slabs are – they are also durable, versatile and low maintenance.
The Antolini Tech Porcelain Collection Slabs are available in 10 new colors ranging in both polish and satin 1.2 slabs. The Antolini Tech Porcelain Collections Slabs are created by compacting material such as clays, feldspars, kaolin and quartz sands, baked in ovens at very high temperatures. With the size of 63×126, the Antolini Tech slabs are suitable for most varied applications.
Pyrolithic Stone: GEOLUXE
(*Please Check With Your T&M Rep for Local Availability)
Right about now, you’re probably asking yourself what is Pyrolithic Stone!? “Pyrolithic Stone” is 100% mineral-based material made from the patented GeoMimicry Forming Technology which enables realistic marble-like veins throughout slab body. GEOLUXE has no porosity which makes it resistant to stain, scratching, high acid, low water absorption and easy to clean.
DURABILITY
With zero percent resin component, GEOLUXE has no problem with UV and can be installed in both outdoor and indoor kitchens.
LOW MAINTENANCE
With very low porosity, just soap and water or a mild detergent is all required for daily maintenance.
HYGIENIC
With 100% of mineral based materials, GEOLUXE has low porosity and low water absorption which won’t draw any humidity from leftover food that can create harmful bacteria.
Have you filled out all your brackets? It’s that time of year! Today is the official start of March Madness! Who else gets a little excited about their favorite team playing? Anyone, Anyone?! Whether you’re rooting for the Big 10, ACC or a mid major we hope you have one eye set on those beautiful terrazzo floors!
Stadiums, arenas, and ball parks play host to millions of visitors every year. These venues are used in a variety of formats to host sporting events, concerts, conventions, as well as many other entertainment functions. These facilities are relied upon to be flexible in order accommodate many different events.
To accommodate high volumes of visitors, stadiums are being designed with large areas of usable space. During events held at these arenas you can count on heavy foot traffic from all the activity of the spectators getting in and out of the facility, getting to their seats, and visiting the concession areas. There isn’t a better flooring option suited to handle this task than Terrazzo.
Go Duke! Duke Cameron Arena – Durham, NC Terrazzo Contractors:David Allen CompanyGo Michigan! University of Michigan Crisler Center Terrazzo Contractor: Michielutti BrosGo Auburn! Auburn Arena – Auburn, AL Terrazzo Contractor: Corradini Corp.,Go Kansas! Allen Fieldhouse – Lawrence, KS Terrazzo Contractor: Missouri Terrazzo Co.
Hit it out of the park with Durability
Many sports venues around the world have withstood the test of time serving as the home of its respective team for many years. Terrazzo proves to be the obvious choice with its functionality and performance surpassing those of other flooring systems. Terrazzo’s impeccable durability and strength are ideal for all the various high traffic areas found within sporting venues such as the concourses, hallways, rest rooms, suites, and vendor shops.
Renovations and additions are very common in these types of facilities as well. Other flooring systems such as vinyl tile have to be replaced frequently in these large, high traffic areas, while terrazzo stands the test of time usually outlasting the building itself. The initial cost of other flooring systems might appear to be more affordable, but don’t be fooled by an initial savings that will end up costing you more over the long haul.
Go Michigan State! Breslin Center – Lansing, MI Terrazzo Contractor: Michielutti Bros.
Design Flexibility – A Winner for Creativity
One of the greatest characteristics of terrazzo is the expansive design flexibility. With limitless epoxy color possibilities and various aggregate selections this gives the owner/designer the ability to create “branding” in the venue by including team logos, mascots, or corporate sponsorships. The limitless design options also provide an opportunity to use the terrazzo flooring as way-finding for the patrons to locate exits, rest rooms, seating, or concessions.
Limited only by your imagination, the possibilities are endless in what you can portray through a floor.
UCLA Pauley Pavillion Terrazzo Contractor: Top End Constructors
Sustainability – Score LEED Points With Terrazzo
Terrazzo flooring was one of the original recycled products created centuries ago by workers utilizing waste chips from marble slab processing. Today, terrazzo LEED’s the way by offering terrazzo aggregates, binders and finished systems that can help your projects contribute to US Green Building Council’s (USGBC) credits, under the LEED Rating system, version 2.0.
Recycled Content — Terrazzo flooring may contain post industrial and post consumer recycled glass and or stone aggregate.
Local Regional Materials — Terrazzo is manufactured on-site which reduces waste and transportation costs. Also, an assortment of marble and glass aggregates are available from regional quarries across the country. Terroxy Resin Systems offers two regional manufacturing locations, providing a local source for projects within 500 miles of Chicagoland and Los Angeles areas.
Indoor Emitting Materials — Epoxy terrazzo is an inorganic based binder containing no Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC). Therefore, epoxy terrazzo will not threaten indoor air quality with potentially harmful off-gassing during or after the installation process.
Terrazzo’s Low Maintenance
As hotdog stands, souvenir stations & beer vendors are strategically placed throughout the concourses of stadiums and arenas, these are popular areas for fans to be hanging out during halftime or even in the middle of a double-play. Terrazzo flooring is seamless which is a “slam dunk” for multiple reasons. No seams allows for beverage carts and wheelchairs to move easily and smoothly from one end to the other. Seamless terrazzo flooring also allows for easy cleaning and sanitizing. Typical day to day maintenance only requires using a mop and a bucket of warm water. Terroxy Resin Systems Epoxy Matrix will not promote the growth of bacteria or fungus, helping to maintain sanitation and reduce the transfer of germs among spectators. The seamless feature of terrazzo floors eliminates the potential for dirt to build up in grout joints, making cleaning easy.
Bring your fans to their feet by adding terrazzo flooring to your next design.
KFC-Yum Arena – Louisville, KY Terrazzo Contractor: Rosa Mosaic & Tile Company
Visit a Terroxy installation at a local stadium near you…
T&M has supplied millions of square feet of terrazzo in sports arenas throughout the country that include various combinations of designs, colors, and patterns. We invite you to see for yourselves the suitability terrazzo provides a stadium setting.
Allen Fieldhouse – Lawrence, KS*
Chesapeake Energy Arena – Oklahoma City, OK
Neyland Stadium – Knoxville, TN
Amsoil Arena – Duluth, MN*
Indiana University Basketball – Bloomington, IN
Reynolds Coliseum – Raleigh, NC
Amway Center – Orlando, FL
Indiana University Football – Bloomington, IN*
Saint Joseph University Field House – Philadelphia, PA
Auburn Arena – Auburn, AL*
Intrust Bank Arena – Wichita, KS*
Soldier Field – Chicago, IL
Bank of Oklahoma Arena – Tulsa, OK*
Iowa Event Center – Des Moines, IA
Target Field – Minneapolis, MN
Bobcats Arena – Charlotte, NC*
Kansas University Football Stadium – Lawrence, KS
United Center – Chicago, IL
Cameron Stadium – Durham, NC
Kenan Memorial Stadium – Chapel Hill, NC
University of Florida Stadium – Gainesville, FL
Citi Field – Flushing, NY*
KFC Yum! Center – Louisville, KY*
University of Michigan Stadium – Ann Arbor, MI
Citizens Bank Park – Philadelphia, PA
Lambeau Field – Green Bay, WI*
UNC Carmichael Auditorium – Chapel Hill, NC
Consol Energy Center – Pittsburgh, PA
M&T Bank Stadium – Baltimore, MD
Verizon Center – Washington D.C.
Cowboys Stadium – Arlington, TX
Purdue University – Mackey Arena – West Lafayette, IN
WV University Practice Facility – Morgantown, WV
Evansville Arena – Evansville, IN
New Meadowlands – East Rutherford, NJ
Yankee Stadium – Bronx, NY
Quartz: “I would like to thank Homeowners, Designers & Architects for all their love and support!”
Ok, maybe we got a bit too carried away, but each year we like to look back at the best sellers of the year and see what your favs were!
Did your favorite Quartz or Natural Stone make the list this year?
All eyes were on Pearl by DIFINITI Quartz this year! This versatile Quartz can make a strong statement all on its own or be used to balance a busy décor.Viareggio by DIFINITI Quartz makes the top of the list again! There must be something about those delicate grey veins.Crestola by DIFINTI Quartz is Calacatta Borghini Extra’s low maintenance sista from another mista! This stunner mimics the beauty of a white marble to a tee.Have you ever seen Iceberg Quartzite Extra backlit? If so, you know why it made the list. Absolutely Stunning!Torano made the list at number 5! Surprise surprise another white marble lookalike! Who else is loving this trend?Does Bianca Perla ever not make the list!? The natural character and soft veining found in this Quartzite can easily suit any design style from traditional to modern.Imperial Danby Extra made the list not only for its beauty but durability as well. The absorption rate found in this marble is low, decreasing the risk of stains.Ending the list with this daring dark granite! Hmmm looks like granite is making a comeback! Raven screams bold and edgy!
Who saw this coming? Pantone just announced Ultra Violet as the 2018 Color of the Year. 2017 was all about Greenary, the color of new beginnings & growth. As we step into 2018, it’s the year of mystery, the unknown, the what’s to come. Ultra Violet is a dramatic, provocative and thoughtful shade of purple; “it communicates originality, ingenuity and visionary thinking that points us toward the future.’ -Pantone
“We are living in a time that requires inventiveness and imagination. It is this kind of creative inspiration that is indigenous to Ultra Violet, a blue-based purple that takes our awareness and potential to a higher level,” said Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute. Ultra Violet is the perfect example of what the world needs. Stop worrying, stop debating. Channel your inner 5 year old self, and get lost in the power of your imagination, get creative and explore the all the possibilities that 2018 has to offer.
Different shades of purple have always made a strong impact in design and décor but now more than ever you will notice Ultra Violet popping up anywhere and everywhere. “As individuals around the world become more fascinated with this color and realize its ability to convey deep messages and meanings, designers and brands should feel empowered to use this color to inspire and influence.”
Decorating with Ultra Violet
It’s easy to make a bold statement in any space by incorporating Ultra Violet. Something’s very edgy and electrifying about this color. Think dark and romantic, leather, velvet – wow are your creative juices spinning yet? Go big or go home, right?
On the other hand, Ultra Violet can be subtle too. It’s an easy color to work with; it’s both a warm and cool tone, very versatile when it comes to décor. It’s a great accent color, think wall color, striking purple couch, statement pillows and so on.
Ultra Violet in any Space
Ultra Violet is a great statement color that can easily be incorporated into any space, both residential & business. Think Amethyst Precious Stone as a backsplash or a striking White Marble with intense violet veining like Greylac.
Pinterest top 100 trends to try in 2018 recently came out and Terrazzo was among the list. Up 316% on the saves, Terrazzo is bigger then ever. With endless design and color options that are available for terrazzo, why not incorporate this savvy purple shade.
Wearing Ultra Violet
The enchanting purple is quickly making its way to the runways and the streets. Ultra Violet becomes luxurious when paired with golds and metals. While paired with greens and neutrals it evokes elegance.
Ultra Violet is quickly becoming the it color in beauty. Purple shades in hair continue to elevate street styles as a symbol of creative expression. A touch of purple on the lip or lid is a sign of confidence, not an everyday look that’s for sure.
