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Today I wanted to take a look at our collection of marble vases, and give you some pertinent information about these attractive decorative, and functional pieces.

First of all, marble is a natural stone, that is prized because it can take a very high polish, which makes it look formal and elegant. You find marble being used in all sorts of artistic endeavors throughout human history, as well as in many architectural projects. It was a favorite of kings and royalty when building palaces for themselves.

The vases that we offer are actually made from two types of multicolored marble. A multicolored marble is characterized by having a variety of unique color features, which form interesting patterns in the surface of the stone. These patterns are unique in each piece of marble, meaning that no two vases that we sell will ever look entirely the same. That makes each piece a one of a kind.

When cleaning these vases it is very important that you never use an acidic commercial soap. Marble is a base in an acid base relationship, and when it comes in contact with an acid a chemical reaction can occur. this reaction will take the form of a discoloration which will stain the surface of the marble.

To clean these vases you should simply use a warm smooth wet clothe. never use anything harsh or abrasive as you may end up scratching the polish of the stone.

If you really need to get the vase super clean, there are commercial marble soaps that are available. You can most commonly find them at tile supply stores.

This picture is of a marble vase made from a material known as fossil stone. If you look closely, you will see tiny markings in the surface of the stone. These are the dendritic imprints of plants, tiny animals, shells, and bits of flowers.

I am quite proud of our line of marble vases. They are attractive, elegant, functional, and well priced. You can find them at http://pebblez.com/vases/marble-vases.html

We have added over 40 natural stone table designs to our catalog in the last few weeks. Each of these is a mosaic design pattern, crafted from a variety of natural slate, travertine, marble, and onyx chips, to create a dizzying array of beautiful choices.

The great thing about these designs, is that they can each be crafted into a wide variety of different shapes and sizes, allowing you to custom craft whatever kind of table you need for your kitchen or dining room. Our smallest sizes start at just 24″ X 24″ squares, or 24″ circles.

The question of whether to choose a round or a square table for a smaller kitchen is a matter of the way the space is arranged. A round table theoretically takes up less space, because it doesn’t have the corners sticking out on all four ends. However it is not as easy to fit a round table flush against a wall, or stuck into a corner. Therefore the decision should be based on where you have extra room.

I know this post is rambling a bit, but my head is in a weird place this morning. Anywaus, back to the tables. They are built with a new super light core, which is durable enough to carry the stone facing, but leaves the tables light enough to be portable.

Another cool feature of these tables is that they are appropriate for both indoor and outdoor use. That means that you can bring them outside and create an outdoor kitchen with them. We can even pre drill an umbrella hole for you.

As always these tables are available online in our store at PebbleZ.com

Being a cat person I have a bit of a soft spot for today’s new product. Cats Cats Cats is part of our printed sandstone collection, and as you can see these vibrant and attractive coasters are adorned with the delightful image of a gaggle of cats, all looking quixotically feline.

These drink coasters are made from natural sandstone which means that they are absorbent, and will soak up the moisture from a sweaty glass. In the past it was impossible to print on a sandstone coaster and have it maintain its absorbency, because the ink would clog the pores. However today thirstystone has developed a method for printing on the stone and maintaining the absorbency, allowing them to put out a whole line of exotic coasters with a variety of images printed on the surface.

To be honest, the absorbency of these coasters is not quite as good as that of an unprinted natural model. Also they are using American sandstone, which does tend to be a little less absorbent than its imported Indian counterparts. However they are still very functional pieces that will definitely protect your furnishings, and they are about on par with natural slate as far as absorbency.

The surface of these coasters is honed smooth and flat, and the edges have been ground to a soft round gradient, giving these pieces an attractive professional look.

These coasters can, as always be found on http://coasters.PebbleZ.com

This is an interesting new product that we are carrying in the store. Amethyst gemstone candle holders. They are made from real, amethyst, that’s a semi precious natural stone that is often used in jewelry and other decorative accessories. Well, now its used in a line of candle holders, and it looks pretty great.

The holders are about 5-6 inches in length, and maybe 3-4 inches in width, but it varies quite a bit based on the size and shape of the stone itself. Amethyst is a natural material, so the shape, the size, the color, and a lot of the characteristics of the piece can vary to some extent. They all look roughly the same, its just that there is a little variation to the theme, which gives each piece a unique personality of its own.

The amethyst is particularly lovely with a candle in it, because the flickering light of the flame refracts off of the thousand crystalline points found in the stone, creating a stunning multicolored illuminated effect.

This piece is designed to be used with a single tea light candle, and is built with a padded bottom to protect your furnishings.

We have a whole new line of really beautiful natural stone coffee tables. Thanks to a partnership with a group of true stone artists, we can now offer over 40 different coffee table designs. What’s even better is that we also have the ability to offer all of these designs, in over a dozen different shapes and sizes ranging from tiny little side tables, to huge expanse room dominators.

The tables are made using a variety of natural stone materials including slate, marble, travertine, limestone, granite, and even onyx. These pieces are also mixed and matched with mosaics made from glass, and porcelain.

They are built to withstand outdoor pressure, but are beautiful when used in a home, making them versatile pieces. They also aren’t all that heavy, because of a special technologically advanced super light core.

Along with the table tops, which are sold without bases, are a line of matched natural stone bases. We have six base designs, which can be built to match any of the coffee table tops that we have. Or you can choose to mix and match.

The best part is that every single table design, in every single size, can be turned into a real illuminated onyx masterpiece. For just a little bit more you can add a ring of glowing onyx around the outside of the table. Enjoy the night with the warm glow of natural onyx stone keeping you cozy.

We would love any feedback you guys may have on these coffee tables. We also welcome any questions that you may have on the products or how to order.

—– Please note, the picture above, the last one, is actually a really beautiful animated gif of one of the tables with an onyx ring built into it illuminating. It is really quite impressive. I can;t get it working on the blog, but if you go to pebbleZ and click on any of the individual table pages, you should be able to see it. It has worked in every browser that I ahve tested so far. —–

The basic human understanding of time is the ability to determine that certain events occurred before or after one another. A human viewing the world can see that this happened, and then this happened and then this happened. By maintaining relative position between themselves and other objects, as well as having a linear perspective about the relationship of objects to one another, people are able to view the world as a system of causes and effects. This allows for us to use logic in order to reason an understanding of events. However the idea of time is different personally then it is from an outside perspective.

Humans exist in a moment, however we never know any moment because by the time we’ve noticed it, it has passed. The past is where our minds exist, constantly playing catch up with our bodies that exist in the moment headed into the future. This was first dissected by the Greek Aristotle.

It is human nature to dissect time into smaller increments, in order to analyze it. That is why clocks have been so important to inventors throughout history. This is probably derived from our psychological need to name and categorize everything. It is the dissection of time that leads humans to look for the why questions, such as questions about meaning and existence. Since we base our world on a cause and effect time model, we are always looking for a cause.

Some philosophies have indicated that one of our greatest problems is our inability to view time as part of the world as a whole, rather then as small segments. The Buddhist ideal is to achieve a state of mind that is timeless, existing in a linear world but not being a part of the flow of this world. This is interesting. When we throw out the clock we get a sense of one ness with the world. Think about being in an isolation tank. The world suddenly stops being linear and what people are left with are the random collections of thoughts floating through the void without reference. Perhaps this is an indication of a greater truth about the nature of our world.

And of course, relativity theory has changed the way we view the clock too.

A sign hanging above the door, a poster on the wall, a moose head complete with antlers jutting from the overhang, the bar is a place of small touches. Whether it’s a private bar in your home or the neighborhood watering hole, the bar is in the details, and evoking the image that you want will require a tweaking of those details.

If you want to demonstrate the quality of your bar, drink coasters may be a much needed touch. Although a small detail, they will demonstrate the care you have for the quality of your establishment. A coaster in a bar says that some cares about how that establishment appears. This small detail could increase the quality of patronage, as well as the perception of quality, in your establishment.

You should be careful not to push the coaster too much. You want an effect not a rule. Forcing, even requesting that someone use a coaster can be perceived as very offensive. The coaster should be there, but it should not be the show.

The exception is the novelty coaster. These are décor pieces that actually add to the bar they are placed in. Some examples include joke coasters, trivia coasters, or lighted drink coasters. There are hundreds of stores online and off that offer a variety of drink coasters. This selection insures that you can find something that will fit your décor right. Whether a private or a public institution, drink coasters are a great addition to any bar.

Making your living room comfortable is vital to the very purpose of the space. If it isn’t inviting, it won’t be used.

You can start off by thinking about the way things feel. The tactile quality of an object, even one you have never touched, can affect the way you perceive it in a subtle but powerful way. Just imagine walking into a room made entirely of concrete.

In the living room you want things to be soft. This puts people at ease. They know they won’t get cut or scraped. It is safe to relax and let down their guard.

You also want your living room to be warm. A cold space is going to put people on edge, make them grumpy. It will isolate them as they huddle mentally and physically into their own warmth.

Blankets are a great accessory in the living room. They encourage you to cuddle up and get cozy, allowing each person to be as warm as they like. They just make the space seem friendlier, and they do promote sharing, which can help to bring people closer together.

Pillows are another way to make your living room more inviting. A soft piece of pure comfort décor, they can be easily rearranged however you want, allowing visitors to customize the space to their own preferences.

The flooring you choose is going to affect you every time you take a step in the space. While it isn’t easy to completely overhaul your floors every time you want to change the ambience of the living room, finding the right carpets and throw rugs can have a pretty dramatic affect. Even on the roughest stone and concrete floors, the contrast of a fluffy rug can make the room seem even cozier.

The perfect compliment to a fuzzy floor rug is a roaring fireplace. Thanks to modern technology you don’t even need a chimney anymore you can just look into one of the various electric models available. The best part is that it is a quiet and subdued alternative to casting a television / media station as the centerpiece of the rooms focus.

Candles and candle holders are another way to add peace to your living room. They promote a relaxed atmosphere on a variety of levels, adding both a serene visual quality and a soothing fragrance to the space.

The most important consideration when developing a warm and relaxing living room are your own personal feelings in the space. You should always customize to suite your own preferences first, adding elements which are meaningful, beautiful, and comfortable for you. In this way, your own sense of ease will be a part of the ambiance of the room, acting as a subtle cue to visitors that this is a place where it is safe to relax.

Marble is an elegant natural material with a long history of use in great works of art, architecture, and design. A set of marble beverage coasters allows you to bring the elegance and sophistication of this classic material into your home or office, without having to go through the trouble and expense of having elaborate construction done.

Care and Maintenance of Marble Coasters

In order to keep marble coasters looking their best it is important to know a little bit about the material itself. Marble is a base in an acid base relationship. When an acidic substance touches the surface of a piece of marble, a chemical reaction will occur, which will cause a discoloration in the stone. Common acids include juices, sodas, and many vegetable based sauces.

Most marble coasters are treated with an invisible substance which serves to clog the pores in the stone, while creating a thin protective layer over its face. This layer is effective at keeping the coasters from staining, over a short period of time. However if you leave an acid on the surface of a marble coaster long enough, it will eat through this layer and come in contact with the actual stone, causing the coasters to stain.

To avoid this you should simply be certain to wipe the coasters down with warm water whenever they come in contact with an acidic substance. If you’re not sure whether the liquid is acidic, just wipe the piece down to be safe.

Important Cleaning instructions

Almost all commercial soaps are acidic. Do not use hand soap, dish soap, or anything abrasive to clean marble coasters. Do not put them in the dishwasher. You should simply wash them by wiping them down with a warm wash cloth. If you have trouble getting them really clean you can also leave the stone to soak in very warm water for a couple of minutes.

The Color of Marble Coasters

Marble in its pure form is a white semi translucent color. However during the formation of this stone, various chemicals and elements may be present which can cause the stone to take on a variety of different colors and multi-colors. The colors most commonly appear in bands and swirls which sweep across the surface of the stone.

White marble coasters are often called “Cloud” coasters, due to the fact that the pure white tends to resemble fluffy clouds. This color is generally quarried in Pakistan.

Red Lightning Coasters are characterized by having a deep crimson color, which is broken by white lightning shaped streaks. This color is usually quarried in Pakistan.

Fossil coasters are usually a tan or brownish color. These coasters are made unique however by the fact that they contain real fossilized formations right in the surface of the stone. These are not technically real fossils; they are actually dendrites, however they do represent the images of real million year old creatures. In the surface of many of these coasters you can actually make out the imprint of leaves, and small shells, or sea creatures. This color of marble can be quarried in China, Pakistan, or India.

Onyx coasters are also misleading, in that they are usually not made from real onyx, but are rather made from a multicolored marble. The term onyx is part of the home décor industry vocabulary, and refers to the color of this particular marble. However despite this technical inaccuracy, these coasters are actually some of the most beautiful in the world, with each one containing a unique series of patterns arranged in a distinct variety of colors. The marble itself usually comes from Pakistan.

Teak coasters are a subdued beige color, and are often broken by perpendicular lines of black and dark brown. They are considered quite modern and refined, retaining an elegance and sophistication that is belied by their natural stone inheritance. This marble can come from Pakistan or India.

Oak wood green coasters are made from a multicolored marble which contains mostly green tones, with some browns, reds, and oranges merging throughout the surface of the stone. This stone is primarily quarried from India’s Himalayan Mountains.

Oak wood brown is like the sister of Oak wood green. It comes from almost the exact same part of the mountain, except that the brown strain is taken from a section that has a chemical, which turns the majority of the material blue. It also contains strains of red and orange, as well as a slight undertone of green.

Coaster Surfaces

One of the unique properties of marble is that it can be polished to an extremely high, glossy, shiny finish. This is its most popular application.

In drink coasters however the high polish can be a problem, as it can get slippery when wet, sending a sweaty glass flying off of the top. That is why most marble coasters have a carved lip set into their crown, to hold both the glass and the moisture on the piece.

Another option is tumbled marble coasters. These are made from squares of marble which are put into what is essentially a giant rock tumbler. Inside of this device, the coasters are rounded off to have softer edges, and a less polished surface.

Marble is a beautiful natural material which has graced the hallways of palaces and been the inspiration for some of the greatest works of human art. Whether polished or tumbled, solid white or multicolored, the grace and elegance of this material is undeniable. When used in a set of drink coasters, this combination of style and strength can be brought into the home in an easy and functional manner, allowing you to capture the spirit of a mountain, in a sophisticated and refined manner.

Sometimes you walk into a room and you are just impressed. There is an energy to the atmosphere; it almost crackles, like it’s full of invisible lightning. These are power spaces and they don’t happen by accident. They are the result of planning, strategy, and the application of a variety of decorating technique.

One of the key aspects of power decorating is conflict. If you want to add energy to a space then you can’t be all perfectly soft and sweet. There has to be a certain amount of tension between the various elements in the room. This tension will keep people off guard, it will keep them looking, keep them searching the space for some sort of foothold that will allow them to relax and be at ease within the environment. In this way their own emotional turmoil will be fuel for the force of the room.

The most basic example of creating tension in a room is through the use of contrast. Contrasting colors are two tones which exist on opposite ends of the color spectrum. When used together in a room, the contrast of the two opposite colors will make each of them more visible, because of the differences between them. Using contrasting effects you can make colors pop out, and look much more vibrant than they would if used on their own.

While tension within a space can add energy, it is important to note that you can go too far with this. Conflict is uncomfortable, so using it to your advantage is a matter of balance. You don’t want the environment to feel so creepy and anxious that people are in a hurry to leave. Instead you want them to be overawed and impressed with the various energies that are present within the space.

Size is another important element of power decorating. The larger an object is, the more impressive it will be. If your home decor it is so large that it towers over peoples heads, all the better; people tend to respect those things which they have to look up to see. If you don’t have that much room to work with, try painting the ceiling a light color, to create an illusion of height.

Certain colors are also going to be more powerful than others. For instance red is extremely energetic, invoking a sense of imperial strength, and even the violence of war. Black is also a strong color, as its stark nature makes it the far end of the spectrum. In general deeper, darker colors will invoke a sense of strength, while lighter colors are more evocative of peace and serenity.

One of the major keys to power decorating is attitude. You have to be bold, confidant, and ready to take chances. You should fill the space with decorative pieces which are inspirational and passionate. In this way, you will be demonstrating your own, very real power, through the artistic arrangement of your environment.