Last Updated on August 10, 2020

Houseplants can add a touch of nature and beauty to any room in your home. But did you know certain indoor house plants also have essential health benefits that can help you sleep better, clean the air in your home, and so much more? It’s true. And, you don’t need a green thumb to take advantage of the beauty and benefits they bring. Sound good so far?

This month, Granite and TREND Transformations has selected some of the best indoor plants to have in your home. Read on to learn more about their health benefits and how they could help you and your family – not to mention the added benefit of bringing a pop of color to your home.

Clearing the air

Indoor air can get stuffy. It wreaks havoc on the air quality in your home and can be a source for allergies. Did you know growing the right indoor houseplants can purify the air in your home, add more oxygen into the room, and even bring moisture back into the house? Read on to learn which indoor plants can help clear the air and aid you and your family in breathing a little easier.

Snake Plant (Viper’s Bowstring-hemp)

When it comes to air-filtering plants, the snake plant (disregard the name) is one of the best choices you can make for naturally cleaning the air in your bedroom and around your home. Here’s why: Some plants take in oxygen at night. The snake plant actually emits oxygen during the nighttime hours, making the air in your room fresh and clean. Added oxygen helps us to not only breathe better during the day but it can also help us get a more restful sleep at night. Plus, the green and yellow leaves of the snake plant will complement the décor of any room in your house.

Best rooms to grow a snake plant: Living room, bedroom, den, kitchen and bathroom.

Aloe Vera

You may be familiar with aloe vera for its healing properties. But did you know – as with the snake plant – that aloe vera emits oxygen at night, purifying the air as you sleep? Who knew? It’s also a breeze to care for and requires very little watering. Plus, it’s medicinal benefits can come in handy to treat scrapes, cuts and burns.

Best rooms to grow aloe vera: All rooms.

Spider Plant

Don’t let the name freak you out. The spider plant has amazing air-purifying qualities that can remove up to 90 percent of harmful formaldehyde in the air surrounding it. Wow! To keep the air fresh in your home, consider placing some spider plants in each room.

Best rooms to grow spider plants: All rooms.

Gerbera Daisy

The term – “fresh as a daisy” – takes on a whole new meaning when speaking of Gerbera daisies. Just like aloe vera and the snake plant, these cheery flowers work the night shift to release extra oxygen into the air while you sleep. Set out a few in your bedroom or any room in the house for an instant pop of color and cheer – and some extra oxygen, too!

Best rooms for Gerbera daisies: All rooms.

English Ivy

Allergy sufferers may have found a new best friend. Like the spider plant, English ivy is a powerhouse when it comes to purifying the air, which makes it an ideal choice for bedrooms.

Note: English ivy is toxic if ingested. It’s best to choose a different plant if you have small children or pets in the home.

Best rooms to grow English ivy: bedroom and living room.

Peace Lily

If you live in a dry climate, the peace lily may be the next best thing to an air humidifier. This amazing house plant not only removes formaldehyde and benzene from the air, but it can add moisture into the atmosphere by increasing humidity levels up to five percent in the rooms they are placed in. Plus, they are easy to maintain and require very little watering.

Best room to grow a peace lily: All rooms.

Calming effect

Home is where the heart is, but it can also be a place where busy schedules intersect. Stress, insomnia and even anxiety can play a role in our daily lives. Turning to nature by cultivating indoor plants may help relieve some of these burdens. Here are some of the best indoor houseplants geared toward relaxation, reducing stress and anxiety, and improving sleep.

Jasmine

Dating back to ancient times, the smell of jasmine’s pretty little white flowers has cast an intoxicating effect on those who indulge in this sweet yet intensely fragrant flower. It was discovered that the scent of jasmine has relaxation benefits which include reducing anxiety levels and improving sleep quality. Additionally, it’s been noted that jasmine oil is one of the best essential oils to help ease anxiety and depression.

Best rooms to display jasmine: Bedroom, bathroom and kitchen.

Valerian

If you have trouble falling asleep, you may want to try smelling the hypnotic aroma of valerian’s pink flowers. Studies have shown that inhaling the scent of these flowers can relax your body and help you get better-quality sleep. And, they are pretty to look at.

Valerian root is among the best herbs to ease insomnia and it has also been known to be used as a sedative and for anti-anxiety treatment.

Best room to display valerian: Bedroom.

Lavender

It should be no surprise for lavender to have made the list for relaxing scents. It’s not only calming but it has pleasant scent that appeals to all ages. Did you know the smell of lavender can even help soothe fussy babies into a deeper stage of sleep? It’s true. Lavender is widely used in many applications that include lavender-scented lotions, candles and essential oils.

Best rooms to display lavender: Bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and living room.

We hope you enjoyed learning about the health benefits of these fascinating house plants. They can truly reinvigorate and renovate the air of your home.

While on that topic, are you thinking about a kitchen or bath renovation? Granite and TREND Transformations takes kitchen and bathroom renovations to a new level. Our beautiful etherium® by E-Stone surfaces can turn your space from ordinary to extraordinary – and in less time than you ever imagined. Contact us today for a free in-home design consultation.

 

Last Updated on June 8, 2020

If you’re wondering where the name of this popular tile design originated, we’ll give you one guess. Hint: The answer is obvious. You guessed it! Subway tiles were first used in New York City subways – or mass transit tunnels – in the early nineteenth century. Since then, subway tile has stood the test of time as one of the industry’s most timeless tile choices. You may wonder why such a plain rectangular shape would still be in demand today? The answer is as simple as its shape: Versatility.

This month, Granite and TREND Transformations would like to reintroduce you to subway tile and show you the many ways it can be installed to create fun and interesting patterns which can bring interest and nostalgia to any room in your home. Here are some beautiful examples of our subway tiles as well as a taste of today’s most popular subway tile designs.

Vertical lines

Change is a good thing. Try turning things around, literally. Installing subway tile vertically instead of horizontally draws the eye up and gives a more spacious and chic appearance to a small room.

Mixing it up

Today’s homeowners are all about individuality and out-of-the-box design. Here, a traditional subway tile backsplash is partnered with a more elaborate subway tile accent wall to create a striking balance to this beautiful kitchen.

Blending colors

Your backsplash can be your kitchen’s ultimate accessory. It’s the one place in your kitchen where you can go all out and express your personality with flair and originality. The multi-colored backsplash featured here is a real showstopper as it adds just the right amount of pizazz to this otherwise neutral kitchen.

 

Making a statement

Whatever it may or may not be, subway tile is far from boring. Just check out this amazing bathroom with subway tile walls. Creating the space of your dreams begins with imagination and the right materials. Let Granite and TREND Transformations be your creative design partner to help you choose the perfect subway tile for your space.

Popular subway design patterns

Subway tiles are versatile for a reason. You’ve just seen a few examples of how easy it is to make your design your own by switching things up. But did you know there are several other subway design patterns? Here’s a list of some of them:

  • Crosshatch
  • Diagonal Offset
  • Vertical Offset
  • Stack Bond

  • Straight Herringbone
  • Diagonal Herringbone

Feel free to take a look at some more beautiful subway tiles from our sister company TREND Group.

Who could have ever dreamed subway tile could go from its humble beginnings to making a bold statement in today’s most lavish homes? Granite and TREND Transformations had an idea when they designed their beautiful line of mosaics and backsplashes. Contact us for your free in-home or virtual design consultation and see how easy it is to add the beauty and nostalgia of subway tile to your home. You also won’t want to miss exploring our beautiful line of etherium® by E-Stone surfaces, either! They make the perfect design partner to creating the kitchen or bath of your dreams. Schedule your appointment today.