As winter comes to an end, spring is around the corner! The perfect time to start planning your outdoor summer projects. From a fire pit to an outdoor kitchen, we are here to help. When it comes to planning your outdoor project, here are five easy steps to follow:
First, choose what you want. A fire pit, outdoor kitchen, tabletop, swim-up bar, etc.
Second, choose where you want it.
Third, set your budget.
Fourth, pick your stone. When choosing the stone for your outdoor project, the priority should be durability and then looks. Our sales associates will help you pick a durable stone. The stones we recommend are Diresco Quartz, Granite, Soapstone, Dekton, Geolux, Porcelain (read more at the bottom). Lastly, picking a stone color might be the last thing on your mind, but it is an important decision. For example, black stones get very hot during the summer. If you want a black stone, make sure it is out of direct sunlight.
Fifth, once all is complete, all that’s left is to maintain your outdoor stone. Wipe the counter(s) down after use to prevent any staining or etching. Reseal your counters as recommended. And make sure to cover the stone during the winter months.
Breakdown of stones we recommend:
Diresco Quartz: is resistant to stains and scratches.
Granite: is heat and scratch-resistant.
Soapstone: stands up to heat and stains. It does, however, scratch a bit more easily, though these blemishes can be sanded out.
Dekton: is UV and ice-resistant, making it a durable option.
Geoluxe: is resistant to UV, stains, and chemicals.
Porcelain: is UV, heat, scratch, and stain-resistant.
Keep in mind: stain resistant does not mean stain-proof. Any stone can stain if you leave liquid on it long enough.
Schedule an appointment to visit our showroom and start planning your outdoor space today!
Have you been craving some change around the house, but you don’t want to do an entire renovation? If so, keep reading to see what you can do to enhance your kitchen without a complete room renovation!
If you don’t already have one, you could add a backsplash! Backsplashes have recently become more popular and are increasing in demand. But why? Backsplashes enhance the appearance of your kitchen, which can add to the home value. They also protect the walls from water damage and grease splatter. In addition, backsplashes are also easy to clean, so they do not require much maintenance.
Islands have a role in the appearance of your kitchen as well. When done correctly, the island becomes the focal point of the room. There are a variety of islands you could have, including but not limited to: a waterfall island, an island with an overhang, or a double island. A waterfall island creates the appearance of a high-end and modern kitchen. They also protect the base cabinets from scratching and chipping. Overhang islands add additional seating in the kitchen. Double islands also add additional seating and extra storage space.
More options to enhance your kitchen are to paint the walls. You could also replace the cabinets or counters. If you do not want to replace your cabinets, you could paint them or replace the fixtures on them. A small thing can make a huge difference.
Note: Popular paint colors in 2022 are greens, blues, beiges, pinks.
Ready to start? We can help you with your counter or backsplashes; schedule an appointment to visit our showroom to see what stones we have!
Once a marble slab is worked to a smooth, flat surface, a finish can be applied, creating polished marble. If you don’t want a shiny countertop, you can skip the polishing process and keep the slab matte, resulting in honed marble.
Polished marble has a glossy surface that reflects light and emphasizes the color and veins in the stone. The polish will bring the natural color to the fullest due to the reflection of light. When marble has a polished finish, any scratch or etch can leave a dull matte mark.
Honed marble has a satin look with a smooth surface and has little reflection of light. Honed marble appears flatter and lighter in color. Since honed marble is already matte, dull marks from scratches and etching are more likely to be camouflaged and can go unnoticed.
Whether you have honed or polished marble, the care for them is the same.
1. Use a cutting board to protect surfaces from knife damage.
2. Wipe up all spills quickly to prevent staining.
3. Wipe the stone down regularly with water and a mild detergent or a professorial stone cleaner. Avoid natural cleaners that contain lemon or vinegar; these are too acidic.
4. Lastly, seal your marble regularly as recommended by us or your installer. Sealing your marble will not prevent staining; it just means you have more time to clean spills before staining occurs.
Need a good stone cleaner? Check out the ones we are selling ⬇ Stop by and pick up a bottle today!
As the new year approaches quickly, here are some trends to look out for in 2022.
First: The demand for two-tone kitchens is on the rise. You can never go wrong with gray or white as one of the base colors; it is easy to find colors that complement them. But keep it simple and use counters, floors, and cabinets that will never go out of style.
Note: Popular paint colors to expect: greens, blues, beiges, pinks.
Second: Natural is in again (surprise surprise). You can never go wrong with granite and marble looks; they are timeless stones. Also, wood is back. A lot of homes are adding light wood accents around the house.
Third: Glossy finishes for counters are out, and matte finishes are in. Why? Matte finishes are said to give off a more calming aesthetic.
Fourth: You can expect to see concrete and copper-style counters; and terrazzo styling on walls and floors.
Note: Terrazzo consists of chips of marble, granite, quartz, glass, shell or other suitable materials. It uses either a cement or epoxy matrix as the binder.
If you’re interested in reading more, here are some articles:
We are here to make your home renovation easier; that is why we compiled a list of pros and cons for stones. We hope that this helps you choose the perfect stone for your home.
Here are a few things to keep in mind as you read:
Stain-resistant does not mean stain-proof. Stain-resistant means that it is harder to stain the stone. If you properly care for it, you will not deal with staining.
Heat resistance does not mean you should constantly place high heat objects on the stones. High heat can remove sealer or polish layers, eventually damaging the stone. Try to use a trivet or hot pad as often as possible.
GRANITE
Granite is a natural stone. It is formed under the Earth’s surface by magma that slowly cools and crystallizes over time. As a result, each slab is unique and full of different colors and patterns.
Pros of Granite:
One of the hardest substances on Earth, making it very durable
Heat resistant
Scratch-resistant
Can be repaired if broken, unless shattered
Cons of Granite:
Needs to be sealed; otherwise, there can be staining
Is porous
QUARTZITE
Quartzite is a natural stone formed by crystallizing from molten magma. Many slabs have marble-like colors and veining.
Pros of Quartzite:
Resistant to etching
Low maintenance
UV resistant
Durable
Can be repaired if broken, unless shattered
Scratch resistant
Cons of Quartzite:
Some varieties need to be sealed
Can stain
MARBLE
Marble is a natural stone. It’s created by the metamorphosis of a combination of rocks under intense pressure and temperatures.
Pros of Marble:
Are beautiful and timeless stones
Can be repaired if broken, unless shattered
With proper care, they can last a long time
Cons of Marble:
Porous
Can stain or etch. To prevent etching we recommend a honed marble. Honed marble is marble that has not gone through the polish process, which leaves it matte.
Delicate and can be damaged easier than other stones
PORCELAIN
Porcelain is a ceramic material made by heating clay-type materials to high temperatures.
Pros of porcelain:
UV Resistant
Heat Resistant
Essentially scratch resistant (ceramic knives may scratch)
Stain-resistant
Cons of porcelain:
Can crack if hit by a hard object (ex: hammer).
DEKTON
Dekton goes through a high-tech process that mimics the metamorphic change that natural stone undergoes over thousands of years.
Pros of Dekton:
Scratch Resistant
Heat Resistant
Stain Resistant
UV and ice resistant, making it the perfect stone for outdoor use
Cons of Dekton:
Difficult to repair if broken
QUARTZ:
Quartz is an engineered stone made up of natural components.
Pros of Quartz:
Is not porous
Does not need to be sealed
Stain-resistant
Same durability as granite
Cons of Quartz:
Not heat resistant
Can be damaged and stained by chemicals, ex: nail polish remover or high pH cleaner
kitchen, which can add to the home value. They also protect the walls from water damage and grease splatter. In addition, backsplashes are also easy to clean, so they do not require much maintenance.
Note: To read more about etching, check out our blog on 
Granite is a natural stone. It is formed under the Earth’s surface by magma that slowly cools and crystallizes over time. As a result, each slab is unique and full of different colors and patterns.
Quartzite is a natural stone formed by crystallizing from molten magma. Many slabs have marble-like colors and veining.
Marble is a natural stone. It’s created by the metamorphosis of a combination of rocks under intense pressure and temperatures.
Pros of Dekton: