Fake diamond- a relatively new building material. It appeared a couple of decades ago, but gained great popularity due to its ease of use and cheapness compared to natural stone.
The very name artificial has only to do with the word stone, since this material is natural. It is made from cement and sand, and in some cases, gypsum. Dyes are added to the composition, imitating one or another color of the stone, and only they are of artificial origin, but their share in the composition does not exceed 2-3 percent. That is, in essence, artificial stone is lightweight concrete.
Now artificial stone is successfully used not only in the exterior decoration of houses, but also in the interior of premises and interior decoration.
Kitchen.
First of all, it is worth noting the extreme practicality of this material.
- Fake diamond dirty is very problematic, therefore, in such a room as a kitchen, its use is quite relevant. If the stone is not bright white, and in the usual dark and light natural shades, traces of grease and dirt are not visible on it. Experts advise to cover the surface of an artificial stone with a semi-matt varnish, then you will not be afraid of any grease or dirt.
- Often finished with artificial stone dining area... Firstly, from the point of view of design, this immediately distinguishes it and makes it very beautiful, and secondly, no traces of food remain. A stone can be used to highlight the area of the bar counter or to decorate the window opening. These zones look very interesting if they are illuminated with one or more lamps.
- Recently, it has been popular to make from artificial stone. Its appearance will give the kitchen an unusual texture and unique look.
Hallway.
The hallway is one of the dirtiest places in the house. But at the same time, it is the face of the house, the room by which everything else is judged. Therefore, from the point of view of practicality, on hallway walls there will never be any dirt (as is the case with paint or light-colored wallpaper) and you will never face such a problem as grease around the switches. And from the point of view of design, even a small hallway can be decorated in parts artificial stone. For example, if you want to hang mirror on the wall, you can make a frame for it from stone, and not necessarily strictly rectangular, you can arrange an unusual pattern or imitate crumbling brickwork.
Living room.
One of the remarkable properties of stone is that it is combined with almost all surfaces and structures - from a smooth and glossy wall to textured plaster or wooden logs, the poet stone in the living room is a great solution. Therefore, this material looks natural in any style from Japanese minimalism to country style. And, regardless of the style of your living room, by naturally choosing the right tone and structure of the stone, you can fit it into your interior. Can highlight the TV area, which, as a rule, is the central item in the living room or zone the living room, separating the sleeping area or kitchen from it.
A special place in stone decoration is fireplace in the living room even if you have an imitation of it. Tastefully selected stone can look very interesting in the fireplace area. When heated, the stone does not emit smoke, but keep in mind that if you still light a real fire in the fireplace, then it should be laid on a special glue that is heat-resistant.
Stone laying.
Laying the stone is no different from tile... The only thing that you will need to do is to select the pattern in advance, since the tiles are not the same in color and size, that is, they are made as in natural conditions. If you use artificial stone indoors, then it should be laid on ordinary tile adhesive. Stone grouting in various colors is usually available in a wide range at the point of sale. The stone is perfectly cut and sawed off, and if uneven edges remain, this only gives it greater naturalness.
Range.
Each company producing artificial stone produces at least fifty, or even one hundred types of tiles of various shapes and colors, from Mediterranean limestone to classic aged English tiles... You can portray a piece stone wall on the Mediterranean coast or the interior of a German Gothic castle. It all depends on your imagination and imagination.
Compared to natural stone, the price of artificial stone is very low - on average from 900 to 2000 rubles per square meter... And if you consider that only some parts of the walls in the interior are decorated with stone, then this is not very expensive. For example, an average kitchen apron takes about three square meters stone. Of course, compared to the price of inexpensive wallpaper, this is a significant amount, but if you consider that an artificial stone is almost impossible to spoil, break or stain and it will serve you for decades, then this is a very profitable investment in the interior of your apartment. After all, the wallpaper in the corridor, for example, can be changed every few years, and the stone will serve you much longer.
Artificial stone in the interior video:
Modern apartment design is developed using not only traditional, but also the latest materials, one of which is an artificial stone. It is a strong, durable and practical material from which you can create products of various shapes and sizes. It has an incredibly rich texture and is available in a wide range of colors. In addition, the use of artificial stone in the interiors of an apartment is fully justified by the fact that in the production of products from this material, the technology of an inconspicuous seam is used, due to which the joints are practically invisible.
The main advantages of the products
- Widest range of colors and patterns... This characteristic is one of the main advantages. The use of various pigments and fillers allows you to create unique solutions - each product becomes a real decoration of the apartment.
- High strength... The homogeneous structure and density throughout the entire mass of the material ensures high resistance to static and dynamic loads. Decorative items in the interior are less prone to scratches and chips than items made from natural stone.
- Resistance to temperature extremes... Artificial material is equally well suited for the manufacture of fireplace portals, and for outdoor use.
- Convenience of processing and installation... If necessary, the artificial stone can be sharpened or cut. The material does not exfoliate or crumble, unlike natural counterparts.
- Moisture resistance... Artificial stone products are simply created for the interiors of kitchens and bathrooms. They do not absorb moisture, do not deteriorate from constant wetting and do not deform.
- Durability... The surface of the material is resistant to wear, ultraviolet light, and negative external influences.
- Low thermal conductivity... The presence of synthetic resins in the composition of the material explains the ability to retain heat. A countertop or window sill made of artificial stone in the interior of an apartment will always be warmer and more pleasant to the touch than a surface made of natural rocks.
- Hygiene... The absence of pores in the material prevents dirt and odors from being absorbed into it. Products can be easily washed with plain water.
Artificial stone in the interior of the kitchen
Or it will decorate any kitchen, as well as provide the convenience and functionality of the hostess's workplace. You can order a whole kitchen set or choose only a table made of artificial stone that best suits the interior - the decision will be a winning one in any case. Surface properties such as moisture resistance, hygiene and maintainability, allow for a long time to maintain an excellent appearance products, making it a highlight in an apartment setting.
Particular attention should be paid to the choice or, since the sink is not such a pretentious element of the furnishings. It is the table and the working surface of the headset that are the connecting link in the design. If furniture from the kitchen prevails in the kitchen setting natural wood or materials that imitate the structure of wood, then you can choose stone products with a granite texture. They go well with warm natural shades. For modern interiors, in which single-color solutions prevail, for the manufacture of countertops, a stone is usually chosen that is lighter or darker in tone than the set. The first option will make the furniture visually lighter, more airy, which is optimal for cramped kitchens. A dark countertop will give the atmosphere solidity, solidity and will contribute to creating a cozy atmosphere in a spacious apartment. Combinations of stone surfaces with chrome-plated metal look incredibly impressive, especially when using a bar counter in the interior.
Artificial stone in the interior of the bathroom
The main requirements for materials for the design of bathrooms are hygiene and moisture resistance. Sinks and furniture made of artificial stone fully correspond to the ideas of what should be the situation in the bathroom.
For tight spaces, it is recommended to give preference to products of light colors. They do not "weigh down" the interior, retain a note of lightness and visually expand the space. If the area of the bathroom is large, you can install luxurious cabinets and sinks made of dark stone - they will add elegance to the atmosphere and help to correctly place accents. To balance such is enough bold decisions in the design, designers resort to little tricks. Illumination is arranged near heavy dark objects, which makes the environment even more luxurious. In the bathroom, it can be Spotlights or wall sconces located near the dressing table.
Artificial stone in the interior of the living room
Coffee tables, shelves, bedside tables, window sills, fireplace portals, frames and other items are widely used by designers to decorate apartments. Stone products help to create a rich, but at the same time, austere setting, devoid of pretentiousness. Such solutions are suitable for living rooms of any size, including small ones.
Artificial stone goes well with surfaces made of wood, glass, plastic, as well as upholstered furniture... Green plants look incredibly impressive as a decor. They soften the seeming coldness of stone surfaces, bring that very note of comfort and family warmth that is so important for living rooms.
As for the color scheme, the shade of the products should be darker or lighter than the rest of the furniture. In this case, the stone surface will become a bright, attractive touch in the setting and will not get lost against the general background. For the high-tech style, black or white products are usually chosen, the classics gravitate towards tones that are close in color to natural wood. Solutions such as Provence allow the use of more delicate creamy, purple, pinkish, caramel textures.
Artificial stone in the interior of the bedroom
The bedroom is a place of solitude and relaxation. The interior of this room is dominated by gentle, soft colors and warm surfaces. For decoration in this case, stone window sills and decorative shelves are widely used, as well as dressing tables calm design. You can pick up cabinets for installing lamps, and here they often prefer dark, almost black tones.
Artificial stone in the interior of the hallway
Acrylic-based wall panels are very popular. They give the interior of the hallway a special chic and respectability. The very fact of the presence of stone surfaces gives the guests an idea of the high status of the apartment owners. To decorate the hallway, you can use stone benches, shoe racks, wardrobes, framing portals at the entrance to the room. It is recommended to give preference to natural warm shades, which should be one or two shades lighter than the general colors registration. Usage dark colors for a room such as a hallway, it can visually narrow the space. You also need to pay attention to lighting. To present stone products from the most advantageous side, spotlights are often placed above them.
It should be noted that the stone does not have to be the dominant material in the interior. With the help of stone products, you can place accents, for example, put a dark bench near a light wall, creating a kind of spot. So the situation will be less boring, and such solutions are quite applicable even in small rooms.
Features of caring for products made of artificial stone
In order for stone surfaces in the interior of an apartment to retain their attractiveness for a long time, it is necessary to properly care for them. There are several rules that are important to follow regardless of the room in which the product is used.
- For hygienic care, use a soft sponge or cloth slightly dampened with water. Stone surfaces can be used with mild detergents that do not contain abrasive particles. It is not recommended to rub the products with brushes and steel wool, so as not to scratch them.
- If a stone worktop decorates your kitchen, do not cut vegetables on it without a board - this way you will keep it neat and clean longer. It is also not recommended to put hot pots and pans on it that have just been removed from the stove.
Artificial stone in the interior is very popular.
Due to its qualities and affordable cost, it is used not only for interior decoration restaurants, cafes, clubs, but also to decorate an apartment or private house.
Why is artificial stone so popular?
Artificial stone contains only natural ingredients. Its difference from natural origin.
Artificial tiles were made by man, and natural ones were created by nature. Among the components of the artificial material: Portland cement, sand, various fillers, dyes.
It is as safe and environmentally friendly as natural stone.
Artificial material in the design of a house or apartment has advantages over natural:
- has less weight;
- its price is lower than that of natural stone;
- the tile already has a decorative finished shape;
- it is reliable;
- has a lot of varieties.
Thanks to its low weight, the artificial stone is easy to work with. The tiles fit easily, there is no need to adjust them to size. You can use special corner pieces to shape the corners.
The quality of artificial stone is not inferior to natural. It can withstand high temperatures, is very durable, frost-resistant, and lasts a long time.
Such material is not subject to decay, it is not destroyed by rodents, mold does not form on it, so it can be used to decorate any surface of the kitchen, loggia, living room or other room.
Tile maintenance is simple. It is enough to wipe it with a soft cloth or sponge. The material does not absorb dirt and moisture, so cleaning will take place quickly and efficiently.
That is why it is often used for interior decoration of a bathroom, hallway, loggia or kitchen.
Other rooms of the apartment can also be decorated with such a stone, because there are a variety of types of material:
- marble slabs have a smooth surface, as they have passed the polishing stage. Depending on the composition, they can be beige, white, green, black or another color;
- limestone has an attractive appearance, excellent wear resistance;
- granite has a grainy pattern, its shade can be black, gray or colored;
- brick is characterized by a reddish or brownish tint.
Some natural stones have an increased level of radiation. Artificial tiles have no such disadvantage, therefore they are considered the safest.
Artificial stone in living quarters
Decorative stone looks attractive not only in office premises and country houses... It is often used for interior decoration of a house or apartment. In the kitchen, the material looks appropriate.
People spend a lot of time in this room, so the kitchen should be functional and have an attractive design.
Decorative elements can be laid in the apron area, on the floor or on the walls. Such a stone will look harmoniously with wood, glass or metal products.
Often a countertop is made from this material. It will differ in strength and durability. You can install a sink in it and not worry that moisture will damage the surface.
Window sills are often made of artificial stone. They will not only decorate the kitchen room, but can also serve as an additional surface for placing interior details.
Such window sills will last a long time without needing to be replaced.
In the living room, this material also looks harmonious.
The material is placed only on one of the walls of the apartment or on any element: a column, a rack or on any part of the wall.
The choice should be made based on the design project or the wishes of the owners of the house. The stone in the design of the fireplace looks original.
Artificial stone in the interior - perfect option zone the room. So, in the decoration of the kitchen, you can use this material to delimit the work area from the recreation area.
There are a lot of photos showing various options for dividing a room into zones. There you can also choose a living room or a bedroom.
Artificial stone is often used in the interior of the hallway. He is not exposed negative impact dirt, moisture, so it will look attractive for a long time.
There is no need for careful maintenance - just brush off the dust with a damp cloth.
Artificial material is also used to decorate a loggia or balcony. Such rooms are often converted into a sports corner, recreation area, part of the kitchen or an extension of the living room.
The surface of the walls is finished with this stone - it will give an aesthetic appearance to the room, make it cozy and comfortable. Many magazines have photos of how to choose the design of a loggia or living room.
How to use the material?
Artificial stone is in harmony with any other finishing material. Wood, glass, metal, textiles will look great with it.
In addition, artificial material will help create any design - for this you need to choose the right shade and surface texture.
If there is a desire to create classic style, then you should choose calm tones. The material will create coziness in the living room or any other room.
But also in modern style the stone looks very harmonious. To create this style, you should prefer bricks of a bright saturated color.
The design options for the kitchen or living room in these styles can be seen in numerous photos in magazines.
The stone looks original in the style of minimalism or high-tech. For the “Country” style, it is recommended to choose brown, beige tones, but for the “Mediterranean” style, cream or dairy are suitable.
When decorating a kitchen or living room, stone can be used to decorate a fireplace. Do not be afraid that the material will deteriorate. It can withstand high temperatures and will always look stylish.
The bar counter is another element that is often decorated with artificial stone. It will not only create a unique design in the room, but also give the structure strength.
The bar counter, decorated with artificial tiles, will decorate the kitchen or living room, emphasize individuality and give the room coziness and comfort.
Artificial stone can be used to decorate not only the walls of the apartment. The edging of doorways is popular in the interior.
You can lay bricks in accordance with the desires of the residents or in harmony with the general style of the loggia, kitchen, hallway or living room.
The stone will look interesting if you lay it around the corner of the doorway. An interesting solution is laying bricks in the adjacent corners of the room.
What is important to consider when decorating a room?
When decorating a room with an artificial stone, it is important to remember that the tiles must be in harmony with others. finishing materials and with the general style of the kitchen, loggia, living room or hallway.
The design of a loggia, living room, kitchen or other room can be selected in the photo of various magazines.
It is not necessary to decorate a large area with stone. Such a wall will not decorate the room, but will make it look like a cave.
It will be better if you lay the tiles in fragments on separate parts of the surface:
- on the wall;
- on the ceiling;
- in niches;
- on shelves;
- on shelves;
- on the podium.
Relief tiles in light shades will give the room a medieval design. They can be used to decorate stair spans, columns installed in the living room or hallway.
The interior will receive solemn appearance, a kind of wealth and security.
Artificial stone is of great importance in the design of a personal plot.
Tiles can be used to decorate fountains in the yard, artificial reservoirs. They will look stylish and unusual, give individuality to the site.
Stone finishes will brighten up any room. Bricks are sold in various sizes and thicknesses. It is important to carefully select the tiles - they must be the same size and shade.
If on the loggia, in the kitchen, in the hallway, a finish is created that imitates wild stone, then the tiles can be different.
The design of the kitchen, living room, hallway or bedroom will delight the owners of the house for many years.
The material will not need to be changed, and the styling elements will not have to be restored either. All you need to do is choose the right glue so that the adhesion of the surface to the stone is strong.
Designers love artificial stone for its beauty, durability, reliability and textured variety.
Even in small quantities, tiles can give a room an unusual design and personality.
Natural materials are distinguished by their unique natural colors and shapes. Its disadvantage is its high cost and high specific gravity. Artificial stone in the interior is available for budget option finishes. You can do it yourself, spending time on simple work. The process of making the mold and the stone itself is creative and interesting. The cladding elements have various shapes and are precisely assembled into a mosaic. Artificial stone is stronger, lighter. Its flat back adheres well. Low weight allows you to decorate the interior of the house with any foundation.
Decorative stone for interior decoration
Artificial slabs are a worthy replacement for natural material
Artificial stone in the interior of the room
Vadik and I transported our aunts to the dacha. One box was heavy, as if filled with pieces of iron. The old ladies did not allow us to look into it. We were also alerted by a truck with sand and sacks of plaster, which turned to their dacha. After a while, it turned out that our restless relatives decided to start making an artificial stone with their own hands.
In winter, they were interested in decorating the basement and the interior in the country with artificial stone. I wanted to change the situation in city apartments as well. I told them what types of artificial stone are:
- plaster;
- ceramic;
- acrylic;
- polyester;
- concrete.
In winter, having received information from me about what the artificial stone is made of, they started making molds. Silicone takes a long time to crystallize. But by the summer, restless women had everything they needed to produce stone, and spent only time and a minimum of money on this. They asked my finishers for samples of stones for pouring, begging me not to tell anything. Then a week later they honestly returned. What surprised my workers very much.
Types of stone for interior and facade
Gypsum is hygroscopic. On the street, it must be constantly covered with protective compounds. Therefore, this artificial stone is used in the interior. When filled, it takes any shape. Freezes quickly. He was chosen by the aunts as the future facing from artificial stone.
In the courtyard, behind the house, there was an old stove. They have not cooked anything in it for a long time, they annealed cockerels and other toys made by children. Our relatives have repaired it, planning to make an artificial stone for a brick out of clay. The annealing temperature was low, moisture resistant clinker will not work. The ceramics were intended for the interior of the hallway and kitchen.
For the basement, they conceived the manufacture of an artificial stone based on cement mortar. Forms for him were also prepared in winter. All tools and devices were put in a secret box. The clay was not far from the dacha village. The women ordered sand, plaster and cement with delivery on the day of moving.
One of the relatives was a chemist. Make acrylic artificial facing stone they could do it. But the materials were expensive. Therefore, we decided to postpone this work. Polyester materials were sintered at high temperature under vacuum. It is impossible to do this at home.
The use of artificial material as decorative cladding
Artificial stone for wall decoration with your own hands
Gypsum is an environmentally friendly material. It creates a comfortable microclimate in the room by regulating humidity. Plaster stone finishing can be done in bedrooms and children's rooms. In the hallway and in the kitchen, it should be coated with primer and paint. This will protect the hygroscopic material from moisture. A layer of alkyd varnish is applied to prevent erasure. Gypsum has advantages over natural stone:
- light weight;
- decorative look;
- takes any shape without complicated processing;
- budgetary cost;
- simple manufacture;
- practically no waste;
- no dust;
- heat and sound insulator;
- good adhesion.
You can paint an artificial gypsum stone in any color. Water-borne paint penetrates into the material. When we arrived at the dacha, the aunts tried to give a natural color to their products. I taught them to pour one dye into plaster with stirring. Then, before pouring, apply a few chaotic strokes to the bottom of the mold. different color... The result is an artificial facing material with a unique pattern, like a real natural one.
For good adhesion to the glue, after pouring on the reverse side of the asbestos puzzles, embossed glass was laid. It was easily removed, leaving a pattern on the back of the slabs. Now, before laying the stone, it is not necessary to process it with a wire brush, creating a rough surface.
Adding sand to the gypsum and coating it with a matte varnish gives the surface a roughness. Such cladding with artificial stone, from natural, is difficult to distinguish. Against the background of smooth materials, textured fragments look brutal. They accentuate the gloss of paint, glass and metal. Create a contrast to warm wood. Serve as a great backdrop for indoor plants... A natural resting corner appears in the interior.
At the head of the bed, a mosaic of relief elements of a geometric shape looks harmonious. The whiteness of the varnished plaster makes the bedroom cozier and brighter. For the study, I made an artificial stone imitating a tree. Filled at the bottom of the walls, imitating panels.
Acrylic and polyester material for kitchen countertops and apron
Artificial stone for finishing kitchen countertops
Synthetic boards contain resins. When solidified, they make the surface hard. Used as a filler:
- quartz sand;
- granite and marble chips;
- coloring pigments.
Synthetic artificial stone looks fantastic in the interior. The translucent material can be illuminated to create amazing decorative panels on the walls. Countertops adorn the kitchen and dining room with their own look. Artificial stone surpasses natural stone in strength and resistance to aggressive liquids. Plastic material does not crack when bent and can be thin, lightweight. Laying of artificial stone of synthetic origin is possible on curly surfaces.
Cement based exterior
It is easy to work with plaster. It is enough to make a trial batch and, according to its results, adjust the dosage of the components. Then you have no solution left after pouring the molds. The composition is diluted in small portions, mixed with a spatula or an ordinary plate. The aunts were quite capable of such work. Staining like a natural stone with outflows made the work interesting. An artificial stone hardens in 10 minutes and you can pour the next one, spreading it out to dry.
An absorbent material is not suitable for lining the base / plinth. Its surface quickly deteriorates from abrasion and impact. To create a durable and moisture resistant clinker, you need a press and heat annealing. The old stove was only suitable for the production of terracotta tiles from clay. Therefore, they decided to veneer their base with a cement-based stone.
The following was added to the concrete solution:
- stone chips;
- sand;
- broken glass;
- synthetic micro fibers;
- polymer additives;
- lime milk;
- pigment.
As a result, the finishing material had an original structure interspersed with different colors and transparencies. The surface was rough and irregular, like a natural stone. The lime made the material resistant to frost. The microfibers were strengthened and prevented from cracking during shrinkage and uneven loading.
For natural coloring, strokes of paint were applied to the forms, as I taught them when working with alabaster. Accustomed to living on a schedule, they did three games a day. This allowed them to evenly distribute physical activity, not to get tired. The solution solidified quietly for 6 - 7 hours. Then, the stone taken out of the mold quietly crystallized in the barn for three days at a temperature of 16 - 20 degrees.
We make cladding for the plinth ourselves
Artificial stone for finishing the basement
After staying with the aunts in the country, Vadik and I dug up and brought them clay and sand. We made several mixes of cement mortar. The concrete hardens quickly in the mold. A couple of hours is enough. Then it can be carefully removed. When asked how to put their product on the wall in the interior and on the facade, we promised to come in a month and show it. For them, great exercise stress prepare an artificial stone.
I bought a starter profile that supports the bottom row of cladding. The leveling corner provides an even finish line. I got a glue for gypsum and separately a composition for cement. Vadik chose plastic molds to fill the paths and blind area. We will deal with them much faster. Taking with us a tool, a laser level and an electric drill with a nozzle, we went to "rest" to the aunts at the dacha.
We finished the interior cladding in a couple of weekends. For the plinth, I had to choose dry days, without rain.
As a result, our elderly relatives won a dispute with their girlfriends who would be more beautiful and cheaper to decorate the dacha and decorate the courtyard.