2013

Steam showers are the new “must have” element of luxury bathrooms. But they involve a lot of technical details, especially when they’re made of natural stone. If you’re considering a steam shower in your home, be sure to do your homework and ensure you’re working with a skilled and reputable fabricator and a tile installer who know the requirements inside and out.

All marble and granite slabs are not created equally. And the only way for you, as a customer, to ensure that you secure the stone that’s just right for your project is to go to the stone yard and choose your slabs yourself. Sounds easy enough. But once you get there, what is it, exactly, that you should look for while viewing a slab.

The largest porcelain slab on the market, Neolith is shaking up the cladding industry, out-performing other façade materials in both strength and functionality. While the material is also great inside for countertops, vanities, flooring, veneers, and more, architects and builders have quickly recognized the virtues of this high-tech material for building exteriors. 

Odds are, when you’re ready to start your kitchen or bath remodel, a big box store is probably the first place you think to look. It’s true they carry a wide variety of products, and they do eye-catching marketing campaigns to get you in the door. But, don’t be fooled by these stores and their “low prices.” The big box store isn’t necessarily the cheapest or best place to purchase materials for your project…especially if your project involves a natural stone countertop. Big box retailers typically offer the most basic stones, unlike this boldly patterned countertop shown below.

Looking for the latest designer natural stone? Saint Pierre Brushed Marble 3cm is the new center of attraction in our showrooms.  Hailing from Canada, this beautiful material is high-density and high-fashion which makes it suitable for floors, kitchen and bathroom countertops, and almost any other residential or commercial application you can dream of.

No color evokes such a variety of feelings as black. It can be magical or mysterious; powerful or pretentious; practical yet glamorous, and has a presence which can not be ignored. Over the years we have come across various reservations regarding the use of Absolute Black granite but this color has always defied criticism.

Your iPad (or iPhone) + Marble & Granite, Inc.’s StonePedia app = the perfect formula for finding the ideal stone for your project. Whether you’re a fabricator, kitchen and bath dealer, a homeowner with an upcoming stone project, or just someone who’s into studying stone, StonePedia can help.

Caption: Photo by Houzz, Leslie Fine Interiors

The kitchen may still be the heart of the home, but the bathroom is by far one of the most important rooms in the house. There is a defined trend toward luxury and indulgence in the bathroom. As homeowners seek to create spa-like retreats they can access any time they like, designers and manufacturers are coming up with new, creative ways to splurge in the bath. Frequent travelers want to be reminded of the sumptuous experiences they’ve enjoyed at hotels and resorts they’ve visited, so the master bath has evolved into a personalized sanctuary. One of the most important elements in today’s high-end bathrooms is natural stone tile.

The latest colors from Caesarstone  offer a look of marble so rich, you’ll wonder “Is it live, or is it Memorex?” See if you can tell the difference. Which shades below do you think are Caesarstone  and which do you think are the real thing?

Photo by Houzz by Jewett Farms & Co. 

Although it does feel “soapy” to the touch, soapstone  is not made of soap. Rather, it’s a metamorphic rock— meaning it was once an igneous or sedimentary rock that was changed over time by heat and tons of pressure, into what it is today. It’s made mostly of the mineral talc, which is the softest mineral there is. So, as you might guess, soapstone  is a very soft material.