Search results for "Absorbance" in Home Design Ideas

You and your bathroom – Honey Onyx wall and mosaic wall tiles
Your client wants you to re-design her bathroom walls. She’s tired of her current bathroom and wants something different. She doesn’t want a pattern or a shape or the same tiles. She wants it to look different, she demands the wow factor, but with a limited budget. You should definitely look at honey onyx wall or honey onyx mosaic wall tiles.
Formed in the gas openings of lava, onyx is found in various regions around the world, from Pakistan to Madagascar. This stone is extremely fragile and porous. So it absorbs moisture and is not stain or crack resistant. Very often a backing of some kind is placed behind the tile due to its fragile nature. Hence its usage as a wall tile although it can be used as a floor tile too. Hardly anyone honey onyx tile looks similar, which creates a fantastic non-patterned natural look. You need to unpack your crates first and blend and mix these tiles in order to get the proper look. Should you need to cut these tiles, ensure that you use a lot of water in the cutting process due to its fragility. Honey onyx wall tiles come in polished, sandblasted or rough finishes.
Honey onyx mosaic wall tiles usually come in honeycomb sheets. Choose sheets which look similar in pattern and color in order to get a natural, patterned look. Use these tiles with care as they crack easily. The last problem you want is blowing the budget because of improper use of tools and the sheets.
Water absorption is at 0.5%; porosity at 0.4% and grain per cubic centimeter density at 2.6. It also has a 1.1% degree in pores which indicates the fragile nature of this lava created tile. Edges come straight, beveled or serrated, depending on choice. Ensure your local tile merchandiser has the necessary knowledge and skills to ensure you get the right advice.
When using Honey Onyx, always be aware of its fragile nature. This natural tile will enhance your bathroom’s look by enhancing warmth and it will feel as if you are in a bathroom somewhere on a mountain. Your client will love the patterns that don’t match, the brown natural rock atmosphere it creates; yet the unique patterns will ensure the bathroom is unique and it will seem like a lot of thought has gone into creating the masterpiece.
http://allmarbletiles.com

Our clients small two bedroom home was in a very popular and desirably located area of south Edmonton just off of Whyte Ave. The main floor was very partitioned and not suited for the clients' lifestyle and entertaining. They needed more functionality with a better and larger front entry and more storage/utility options. The exising living room, kitchen, and nook needed to be reconfigured to be more open and accommodating for larger gatherings. They also wanted a large garage in the back. They were interest in creating a Chelsea Market New Your City feel in their new great room. The 2nd bedroom was absorbed into a larger front entry with loads of storage options and the master bedroom was enlarged along with its closet. The existing bathroom was updated. The walls dividing the kitchen, nook, and living room were removed and a great room created. The result was fantastic and more functional living space for this young couple along with a larger and more functional garage.

Continuing the conversation of the frosted glass wall, the wall itself is multi functional. Not only providing privacy to the restroom space, the partition walls frosted glass absorbs and radiates the abundant ambient lighting from the bathrooms large window.
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This contemporary kitchen was in need of a lighter and brighter counter top and backsplash. The black granite on both was absorbing all the light and distracting from the beauty of the newly refaced bamboo cabinets. A pallet of light grey and charcoal grey Silestone quartz counter tops were installed with a suede finish. The glass mosaic backsplash adds interest, texture and color. Now the kitchen and adjoining hutch and hall cabinets reflect the style of the rest of the home.

Interior Painting: We went from a dark stained/lacquered wood to painted wood using Sherwin Williams China Doll on the panels and Pavilion Beige on the trim and doors. The colors compliment each other perfectly and the wall decor looks stunning. Before painting, it was absorbed into the dark color of the wall.

This is the stone overflow outlet during construction for the rain garden in case the rain storm exceeds 2" of water in 30 minutes. The rain garden is set up to take in and absorb the rain that falls on 1/2 of the homes roof.

With Nance Industries Assorted Carpet Tiles with Peel and Stick Adhesive Strips flooring an area is a breeze to do and requires no professional help. Simply peel the adhesive off the back and place the tile down.

The entryway is the first space your guests will see when entering your home. It sets the look and feel for your entire house, and we all know how important first impressions are. Create a strong, welcoming space for the house to absorb its fengshui energy nourishment.

This contemporary kitchen was in need of a lighter and brighter counter top and backsplash. The black granite on both was absorbing all the light and distracting from the beauty of the newly refaced bamboo cabinets. A pallet of light grey and charcoal grey Silestone quartz counter tops were installed with a suede finish. The glass mosaic backsplash adds interest, texture and color. Now the kitchen and adjoining hutch and hall cabinets reflect the style of the rest of the home.

This 1924 beauty deserved a well planned and carefully detailed main level remodel. The goal for this project was to restore some of the original design elements and mix with modern day living and materials. Removing the wall between kitchen and dining space allowed the Gravelly Lake view to be absorbed from every angle. By carrying similar colors, styles and materials around the different rooms the home now has a cohesive style.

On a quiet street just steps from San Francisco’s beloved Dolores Park, a formerly modest urban structure has been transformed into a luminous vertical residence that quietly redefines contemporary city living. Through a comprehensive remodel and both vertical and horizontal expansion, the project turns a constrained urban footprint into a sequence of serene, art-forward living spaces that unfold upward toward expansive city views.
The architecture balances restraint and warmth: crisp contemporary geometry softened by natural materials, artful lighting, and carefully curated interiors. The result is a home that feels simultaneously grounded and elevated—deeply connected to its neighborhood yet remarkably private.
Reimagining the Urban Envelope
The original building has been almost entirely reconceived. The facade now reads as a disciplined composition of plaster volumes and precisely detailed window openings framed by subtle projecting bands. The geometry references San Francisco’s classic rhythm of bayed facades while stripping the language down to a refined modern expression.
Behind this quiet exterior lies a dramatically expanded interior volume. The redesign adds both additional floor area and new vertical circulation, transforming what was once a conventional city house into a multi-level architectural sequence organized around light, art, and views.
At the roofline, planted terraces soften the building’s silhouette and create a green crown visible from surrounding hillsides.
Interiors as a Sequence of Galleries
Inside, the home unfolds as a series of spatial moments connected by a sculptural stair and gallery-like corridors.
Wide plank oak floors run throughout, providing continuity and warmth against a palette of plaster walls, dark steel detailing, and natural stone. The hallways function almost as curated galleries, with layered artworks suspended in front of mesh panels that create depth and subtle shadow.
Light filters through carefully placed windows and stair openings, transforming circulation spaces into contemplative transitions rather than mere passageways.
A Living Room Anchored by Stone and Light
The primary living room occupies one of the home’s central floors, where a quiet interplay of texture and geometry defines the space.
A monumental fireplace wrapped in dark stone forms the room’s anchor, its mass contrasting with a recessed ceiling plane that seems to float above the seating area. Integrated perimeter lighting creates a soft architectural glow that washes the ceiling and walls.
Furniture is sculptural yet understated—rounded lounge chairs in warm ochre velvet, tailored sofas, and a striking marble cocktail table whose expressive veining becomes a focal artwork in itself. Deep blue carpeting grounds the seating arrangement and subtly absorbs light, enhancing the calm atmosphere.
Above the fireplace, a delicate projection artwork introduces a moment of visual poetry—an unexpected cinematic gesture that transforms the wall into a quietly animated canvas.
Kitchen as Architectural Furniture
The kitchen expresses a different register: crisp, tactile, and materially rich.
Custom walnut cabinetry spans the wall in a continuous plane, punctuated only by the sculpted hood and integrated appliances. The wood’s depth and warmth are balanced by expanses of pale marble that flow seamlessly from countertop to backsplash.
Three dome pendants hover above the island like industrial sculptures, casting pools of warm light onto the stone surface.
A row of vivid red stools introduces a controlled burst of color, a small but confident departure from the otherwise restrained palette.
Dining With a Living Backdrop
Adjacent to the kitchen, the dining room opens toward a glass wall overlooking a vertical garden of climbing ivy. The greenery becomes a constantly changing backdrop—lush and shadowy during the day, atmospheric and cinematic after sunset.
A dark wood table anchors the room, surrounded by pale oak chairs whose understated forms echo Scandinavian design traditions. The simplicity of the furniture allows the view and natural light to become the dominant experience.
Intimate Spaces and Material Contrast
Throughout the home, smaller rooms offer moments of intimacy and material experimentation.
The powder room pairs textured wall coverings with a dramatic black marble vanity whose bold veining feels almost geological. A suspended mirror and slender pendant create a sculptural composition against the tactile backdrop.
The primary bedroom, by contrast, feels serene and expansive. Floor-to-ceiling glazing frames sweeping views of the city, while soft textiles and warm wood paneling create a cocooning effect. Slender black columns subtly define a sitting area without interrupting the openness of the space.
Bathing Above the City
In the primary bathroom, a sculptural freestanding tub sits beside a panoramic window overlooking San Francisco’s hills and rooftops.
The room’s palette—light oak, grey stone, and matte metals—reinforces the spa-like atmosphere. Floating cabinetry and integrated lighting maintain a sense of visual lightness despite the richness of the materials.
Entertaining Above the Park
Higher in the house, a lounge and bar area becomes the social heart of the home. Here, dark stone slabs with dramatic veining wrap the bar wall like a piece of monumental art.
Open shelving displays glassware and spirits, while integrated wine storage hints at the home’s entertaining ambitions. A soft leather sectional and low glass table create a relaxed setting for conversation, framed by expansive views of the city skyline.
Cinema and Retreat
The lower level introduces yet another atmosphere: a dedicated media room designed for immersive viewing.
Dark walls, plush seating, and soft lighting create a cinematic environment that contrasts intentionally with the airy upper floors. It’s a retreat within the home—intimate, quiet, and removed from the brightness above.
Architecture That Balances Discipline and Warmth
What makes the project particularly compelling is its balance between architectural discipline and lived warmth.
Every element—from the carefully framed views to the restrained material palette—contributes to a cohesive spatial narrative. Yet the home never feels austere. Natural materials, curated art, and layered lighting create a sense of comfort and depth.
The result is a house that feels both architecturally rigorous and deeply human.
A Contemporary Interpretation of San Francisco Living
In a neighborhood defined by historic homes and iconic park views, this transformation offers a contemporary interpretation of San Francisco living.
It respects the city’s urban density while embracing openness, light, and vertical living. The home rises quietly above its surroundings, culminating in panoramic vistas that stretch across rooftops, hills, and sky.
What began as a conventional structure has become something far more nuanced: a modern urban sanctuary—part gallery, part retreat, and wholly connected to the vibrant city just beyond its walls.

Above a newly constructed triple garage, we created a multifunctional space for a family that likes to entertain, but also spend time together watching movies, sports and playing pool.
Having worked with our clients before on a previous project, they gave us free rein to create something they couldn’t have thought of themselves. We planned the space to feel as open as possible, whilst still having individual areas with their own identity and purpose.
As this space was going to be predominantly used for entertaining in the evening or for movie watching, we made the room dark and enveloping using Farrow and Ball Studio Green in dead flat finish, wonderful for absorbing light. We then set about creating a lighting plan that offers multiple options for both ambience and practicality, so no matter what the occasion there was a lighting setting to suit.
The bar, banquette seat and sofa were all bespoke, specifically designed for this space, which allowed us to have the exact size and cover we wanted. We also designed a restroom and shower room, so that in the future should this space become a guest suite, it already has everything you need.
Given that this space was completed just before Christmas, we feel sure it would have been thoroughly enjoyed for entertaining.

Walk out to the back of the home onto a large deck that offers beautiful scenic views of lush and private grounds. Complete privacy for you to enjoy. Also features solar panels on the back of the home that will absorb solar energy and keep your home running even during a power outage.

The b.b.begonia Cotton Ball Outdoor Rug can vibrantly shower sunshine to any area of your home. The vibrant orange color is muted by the overlapping black fibers making this a standout piece for your living space. You’ll definitely adore this accent design to match your furniture and decors. This reversible mat is a great solution for the patio, deck, pool area or yard.
Made from recycled Polypropylene, this b.b.begonia Cotton Ball Outdoor rug is mold and mildew resistant as it doesn’t absorb dirt or stains. Easy to clean, leaves, mud or food spills are rinsed away with water and soap with no trouble. Plus the tightly woven tubular yarn material of b.b.begonia rugs supports your need for a durable and strong rug to outlast the elements. Moreover, the rugs are treated with U.V. inhibitors and state of the art conditioners to ensure color fastness.

The complete installation was built by the local certified SnapSports Builders® of Wisconsin. The sports surfacing is thier patented Maple XL with ShockTower® Technology, the world's only modular sports surfacing with independent ShOcK AbSoRbErS for performance and player safety. TOP RATED!

Undulating planting beds in a variety of textures and shades of green draws visitors in to absorb landscape's beauty.
Inspiration for a shade backyard landscaping in Chicago for summer.
Inspiration for a shade backyard landscaping in Chicago for summer.

Transform your workout space with high-performance rubber gym flooring mats, designed to provide unmatched durability, shock absorption, and comfort. Ideal for home gyms, fitness studios, commercial gyms, and recreational facilities.
Key Features:
✅ Impact-Resistant & Shock Absorbing – Protect your floors and joints with thick, resilient rubber designed to handle intense workouts and heavy equipment.
✅ Non-Slip Surface – Stay safe with superior grip and traction, even during high-intensity training.
✅ Noise & Vibration Reduction – Reduce workout noise and vibrations for a quieter, more focused gym experience.
✅ Easy Installation & Maintenance – Interlocking tiles or straight-edge mats make setup quick and effortless. Cleaning is as easy as sweep, mop, or vacuum.
✅ Eco-Friendly & Odor-Free – Made from high-quality recycled rubber, safe for indoor use without unpleasant smells.
Available in various thicknesses and surface textures to suit your specific training needs—whether it's weightlifting, cardio, CrossFit, or yoga.
? Contact us today to explore options and pricing.
? Available for delivery and pickup in Nairobi & beyond.
? Upgrade your gym flooring with a professional, long-lasting solution that supports your fitness journey from the ground up.

Our clients small two bedroom home was in a very popular and desirably located area of south Edmonton just off of Whyte Ave. The main floor was very partitioned and not suited for the clients' lifestyle and entertaining. They needed more functionality with a better and larger front entry and more storage/utility options. The exising living room, kitchen, and nook needed to be reconfigured to be more open and accommodating for larger gatherings. They also wanted a large garage in the back. They were interest in creating a Chelsea Market New Your City feel in their new great room. The 2nd bedroom was absorbed into a larger front entry with loads of storage options and the master bedroom was enlarged along with its closet. The existing bathroom was updated. The walls dividing the kitchen, nook, and living room were removed and a great room created. The result was fantastic and more functional living space for this young couple along with a larger and more functional garage.

This is the largest Steam Room I have ever designed at 5'x9'. A combination of porcelain tile from Florida Tile and stone accent tile. Best to use man made tiles in a steam room because stone absorbs the heat making the steam room less efficient.
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