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Monday, May 7, 2012 at 10:05AM The Benefits of Natural Stone
Friday, May 4, 2012 at 3:54PM Classic Beauty
Durability
Easy Maintenance
Superior Quality
Affordability
Increased Home Value
Natural stone has been the premium building material of choice since the beginning of time. Quarried from rock beds formed over millions of years, natural stone used in residential and commercial settings comes from all parts of the world, including Italy, Spain, the U.S., Brazil, Canada, China, France, Israel, Greece, India, Mexico, Germany, Taiwan, and Turkey.
Marble and granite, two of the most popular stones among homeowners, are quarried in the form of huge blocks; some weighing up to 35 tons. These blocks are cut into slabs generally 3/4" or 1 1/2" thick and the faces polished to the specified finish. The slabs are then carefully crated and shipped to fabricators worldwide who process them into the final product.
Whether you're building a new home or remodeling; natural stone offers you unparalleled beauty, performance, and uniqueness as well as it adds true value to your home.
Because stone is a natural, not manufactured, product; no two pieces are exactly alike. This means each finished countertop, wall, floor, mantle, or sill is distinctive and matchless.
Unlike synthetic imitations natural stone can be three-dimensional and used as columns, statuary, balustrades, doorjambs, and even furniture pieces. When used in exterior applications natural stone has also proven superior to manufactured or engineered stones in withstanding the effects of nature.
Facts About Natural Stone
Thursday, May 3, 2012 at 3:34PM - Granite ranked #1 in clean ability when compared to six other countertop surfaces including stainless steel. (Based on a 1999 study by the Hospitality Institute of Technology and Management.)
- Natural stone is competitively priced with quartz surface products and often priced lower.
- Marble and Granite have the same level of clean ability as engineered stone. (Based on a 2006 study by the Hospitality Institute of Technology and Management.)
- Natural stone is low maintenance often only requiring warm water, mild dish washing liquid and a soft cloth to maintain its beauty.
- Granite countertops have never been known to emit dangerous levels of radon gas. Environmental Health and Engineering (EHE) recently conducted one of the largest studies of granite countertops, in which no stone was identified as a health risk when used as a countertop surface. EHE also conducted a global review of published studies, and these data show that radon emissions from granite countertops pose no health threat. For more information on these studies, go to www.marble-institute.com for the "Radon Information" article and links to the scientific study data.
- Many varieties of natural stone do not need to be sealed, although many are for customer peace of mind.
- Stone is a product of nature and has its own unique qualities that distinguish it from quartz surface materials. The wonderful character that is offered by vein patterns, color variations, and other design characteristics of stone should be taken into consideration when selecting the perfect stone for your project. Discuss these characteristic with your natural stone supplier.
May 2012 Designer's Corner
Wednesday, May 2, 2012 at 12:27PM 
Janae Manion"Summer Inspired Renovation"
It's been so incredibly beautiful outside recently that looking around can't help but make you feel inspired. Everything, at least for the moment, is green and plush and everyone seems to be enjoying the new warmth.
I love bringing this freshness and brightness into a home. If you are planning on renovating your home this summer, take cues from the beauty around you. Trends this year in design are really reverting to the organic simplicity. White walls, re-claimed woods with pops of color using plants and personal decor. Bringing this design sense into your home creates a relaxing environment that doesn't feel contrived.
Have a great summer and please come visit myself or another designer with any questions for your own summer renovation!
