Houzz Review from Coronado Stone

We're so happy to have gotten such a glowing review from Coronado Stone Products on our Houzz account. Below is the review:






Check out our account on Houzz that includes idea books and completed projects done by Arizona Stone!

Unique and Decorative Uses for Wooden Beams

As we’ve mentioned in our blog and on our social media in the past, we love the look that Bella Wood Beams can give a home. The best part about them is that you can actually use wooden beams in many ways, not just for structural purposes on the ceiling. Some of these ideas may not always come to mind, however, so we’re going to fill you in.

Ceilings

Ok, so this one is a bit obvious, or at least it seems like it. While you’re probably used to seeing wooden beams on ceilings, try using them in a space that’s less expected, like a hallway. Even if your hallways don’t need beams for extra structural help, it’s a unique way to add charm to a space that’s often over looked when it comes to decorating. Installing them crosswise can make a hallway look more like a room instead of just a space to be ignored, or to hang standard pictures. You can also run wooden beams along the longest wall of a short room to create more length. 

Entryways

Using wooden beams in the entrance to your home is a special way to introduce people to your house, or any room inside your home. A weathered wood placed in an exterior archway can look like it’s been there forever, even if it provides no extra structure for the home. And if you don’t have an archway leading to any rooms in your home, you can use wooden beams as pillars. Wooden pillars lining the entrance to a living or dining room add a sophisticated touch and really separate the room from the surrounding areas, especially if your home has an open floor plan. 

Shelving Units 

Here’s where it really gets fun. You can use different styles and sizes of wood beams to create makeshift shelving units or built-in units in your home. With the right type of securing for the beams to stay safely on the walls, the possibilities of what you can create with wooden beams are practically endless. From bookcases and entertainment systems to shelves and open-style pantries, all you really need is an open space and some imagination. Choose smaller wooden beams for certain projects, like shelving units, and bigger, sturdier beams for heavier things, like food or décor. 

The mix of different types and colors of wood in your house can make your home feel even cozier and comforting than with just one style. Don’t be afraid to mix and match, there’s no wrong choice!

Decor

Using smaller wood pieces around your home as accents can be one of, if not the most unique ways to incorporate beams into the décor and overall look of your home. Use irregular pieces to frame windows, create unique legs for a coffee table, or even make a bed frame. One popular idea is to create a cool looking fireplace mantle that you can displas trinkets on.  You can even use wood beams for outdoor décor, like a welcome sign or your mailbox post. 

No matter where you choose to use wood beams in your home, whether they have a structural purpose or not, combining pieces on the inside and outside of your home is no doubt the best way pull a rustic, yet sophisticated look together.  

To see all the products you can choose from at Arizona Stone, check out the Bella Beams website!

Pavers from Arizona Stone

At Arizona Stone, we work with a number of companies to provide our customers with the best around. When you're looking for new pavers, we're proud to say that our product comes from these companies:

Belgard Pavers


All Belgard materials backed by lifetime warranty when installed under ICPI guidelines. They provide unique online tools for design and estimates, including Belgarddesignpro.com. The Belgard Environmental Collection provides an attractive, environmentally friendly alternative to typical pavers, so you know you'll be getting something unique and sophisticated. 

Not only is Belgard proud of their product, but their service as well. Belgard University provides continuing education for contractors, designers & dealers alike.

Pavestone

Pavestone Company provides the quality that sets the standard for its competitors and industry. The depth of selection in shape, color and texture, continue to place Pavestone as the leader of the industry.  

A timeless paving stone with an impressionistic embossed surface profile the Plaza Stone series provides an array of stone shape options.  Available in many colors, choose Plaza Stone in standard or Heritage Series finish to deliver unlimited design possibilities. 

Monarch Stone 


All Monarch Stone products are reproductions of European street stones and pavers, the most authentic in the world. Using natural pigments, each product has a unique patina of age with color that permeates throughout the stone. Their product is versatile & suitable for any interior or exterior use including patios and driveway.

How to Clean Natural Stone Shower Walls

Natural stone can be a beautiful choice for your shower, and you can maintain that brand-new sparkling look for years if you keep it clean on a regular basis. People often think that showers stay relatively clean, because, well, that’s the place we get clean ourselves. 

 

However, this isn’t the case. Showers that don’t get cleaned regularly can build up soap scum, mildew, and develop hard water and mineral stains. If you haven’t cleaned your shower in a while (or at all), we’ve got some tips that will get rid of the gross stuff, and that will keep your shower clean will no effort every day at all.

Before you start any type of cleaning with chemicals, make sure you are wearing rubber gloves and clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty. While it’s unlikely that you’ll ruin your clothing, it’s best that you don’t wear anything fancy or that can’t be replaced. Now you’re ready to start.

If you have an excessive build up of soap scum in your shower, don’t fool yourself into thinking you can just wipe it off with a sponge. Use a natural cleaning solution that won’t ruin the stone and spray it all over the soap scum. Use a plastic squeegee to wipe the dirty areas clean. 

If the soap scum is stubborn and won’t come off, it can help to use some ammonia on the stone to lift the dirt. Mix ½ cup of ammonia with one gallon of warm water. Carefully spray the solution onto the stubborn soap scum and wipe it off with a rag or microfiber cloth. 

Soap scum isn’t the only cleaning issue when it comes to the shower area. Because hot water is constantly spraying around the area, condensation and moisture often build up, creating mold and mildew spores.

Spray a good quality mildew remover around your shower and leave the product to sit for about an hour. This will allow the solution to sink into the mildew and really work it away from the stone. Then simply rinse the wall using the shower head.

You can also remove mildew and mold from your shower using a degreaser. Make a mixture of 1 part degreaser and 10 parts hot water. Scrub the solution onto the affected areas and rinse. 

Once you’ve gotten rid of all the strenuous cleaning, it’s time to finish the rest of your shower. You can buy an everyday natural stone cleaner at any home improvement or multi-purpose store. It’s important not to skimp on these cleaning solutions, as a cheap one can ruin the finish on natural stone. 

Even if you buy a high end cleaner, it’s a good idea to test the product in a small corner of your shower if it’s one you’ve never used before. Apply with anything you feel like, whether it’s a cloth, a spray bottle, or a scrub brush. After letting it sit and removing it, if your stone doesn’t have any reaction, you should be good to use it on a regular basis around the whole shower area.