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Marble and Granite recently celebrated the launch of our new line of Sinterlite by TheSize. We are happy to introduce this new ceramic based material that offers durability and several applications. TheSize is a Spanish surface fabricator that just expanded into the United States, and Marble and Granite is proud to now be one of their distributors. The Size is already well known for their high quality porcelain stoneware building products, and now their Sinterlite kitchen and bath slabs are offering innovation, style and functionality that is sure to make TheSize an international leader in the stone industry.

Marble and Granite carries a wide variety of Soapstones to fit an array of styles and functions. To learn more about our selection of Soapstones call us at (877) 39-STONE or schedule an appointment at one of our showrooms online.

Vermont Soapstone: Originating in Brasil, Vermont is a dark grey/charcoal with minimal veining that becomes dark green when oiled.  Now available in 100"x55".

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New Iceflower: Also originating in Brasil, Iceflower has minimal veining and appears grey with subtle white spotting almost like snow.  Sizes are 100x55, but availability is limited.

[caption id="attachment_625" align="aligncenter" width="270" caption="Floresta Soapstone which is similar in appearance to Iceflower Soapstone"][/caption]

Green Soapstone: Originating in Finland, Green Soapstone has minimal veining and appears almost like Serpentine. Green soapstone is very Dense in comparison to Soapstone in Brasil and also comes in the largest size of 120x60 making availability very limited.

[caption id="attachment_622" align="aligncenter" width="270" caption="Green Soapstone"][/caption]

Barocca Soapstone: Originating in Brasil, Barocca is light grey with minimal veining. Coming in a size of 100x56, availability of Barocca Soapstone is very good.

[caption id="attachment_618" align="aligncenter" width="270" caption="Barroca Soapstone"][/caption]

Silver Soapstone: Originating in Brasil, Silver Soapstone is light grey in color with lots of white veining. Silver Soapstone comes in various options in a size of 100x55.

[caption id="attachment_620" align="aligncenter" width="294" caption="Silver Soapstone"][/caption]

Emerald Soapstone: Originating in Brasil, Emerald Soapstone is grew with green hues and lots of movement and veins. When oiled, it appears like an emerald green marble. Emerald Soapstone is rare in availability and comes in a size of 100x55.

[caption id="attachment_619" align="aligncenter" width="270" caption="Emerald Soapstone"][/caption]

Grey Soapstone: Originating in Brasil, Grey Soapstone appears dark grey with a lot of movement and veins. Slightly bigger than other Brasil types, Grey Soapstone comes in a size of 110x60 and is regularly available now.

[caption id="attachment_621" align="aligncenter" width="270" caption="Grey Soapstone"][/caption]

Integrating stone into kitchen design is part of a well-established trend of using natural materials to elegantly bring the outdoors inside the home. Already an ideal material for countertops, backsplashes and floors, stone's durability and natural beauty make it perfect for kitchen sinks as well. A stone sink will add uniqueness that cannot be paralleled since every piece of stone is different. As the largest natural stone wholesaler in New England, Marble and Granite's selection of soapstone, granite and CaesarStone gives designers the freedom to use their creativity in designing a uniquely beautiful and functional sink.



A Soapstone farmhouse-style sink ties in beautifully to countertops while it provides functionality with resistance to heat, stains and etches (photo courtesy of Better Homes & Gardens).



This hand-carved granite apron-front sink adds a one-of-a-kind look to a kitchen design (photo courtesy of Better Homes & Gardens).



This Jerusalem Sand CaesarStone sink creates a  flawless modern look and as a non-porous surface makes for simple cleaning.



Combining two stones such as this solid CaesarStone sink that complements the Wild Rocks CaesarStone countertop makes a sleek yet still natural look.

Visit one of our showrooms in Westwood or Milford to see more of our natural stone selection or contact Marble and Granite at (877) 39-STONE.

Information courtesy of Jenny Nash of HGTV.
Photos courtesy of Better Homes & Gardens.

As a metamorphosed, easily worked igneous stone, soapstone has heat retention qualities that make it an ideal surface for sinks, kitchen countertops, laboratory tops, fireplace facings, inner hearths or cladding for freestanding coal or wood-fired room heaters.

[caption id="attachment_544" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Blue marble"][/caption]

Blue and purple are a colors of tranquility, awareness, and success. Their versatility offers homeowners an array of design options. The showrooms of Marble and Granite hold 29 varieties of blue and purple natural stones from which to choose.

For bold kitchens and baths, Azul Bahia's gray base with dramatic violet and black veining leaves a lasting impression. This Brazilian granite will not be overlooked. The depth of Blue Polare's color appears black, with iridescent clusters of royal blue. Its  consistent color is great for homeowners seeking a solid stone with a bit of visual interest. India's Paradisio features olive, rouge, and taupe accents throughout a base of scarlet and purple. It is a truly unique and stunning stone. Also from India, Bahamia Blue offers rich, consistent color with deposits of navy blue and black.  Naminian Sky marble has a gentle, pale blue base with extreme movement, reflected in waves of gray and slate blue.

[caption id="attachment_545" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Blue Polare"][/caption]

Visit our showrooms in Milford, CT or Westwood, MA to see these beautiful products in person. Call for 877-39-STONE for questions and details.

Image Source: Yacht Forums, Marble and Granite

[caption id="attachment_531" align="alignleft" width="198" caption="Clean, sophisticated and unmistakeably modern marble"][/caption]

The featured kitchen does a top-notch job of integrating classic Calacatta Original marble into a modern design. The base of the marble is radiant white with few but distinct gray veins. The overall appearance is fresh and clean, providing a blank slate for the rest of the space.

While the traditional element of the marble is reflected in the ornate crown moldings above, the kitchen maintains it modern appeal by mixing materials: marble countertops on one side, butcher block on the opposite counter and hardwood floors. The modern décor includes frameless cabinetry with minimalist hardware, stainless steel appliances.

Both Marble and Granite showrooms are stocked with magnificent marble products that accentuate modern designs. Explore our white countertop collection including French Vanilla and Guatemalan Danby.

Image Source: Design Sponge

[caption id="attachment_519" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Black slate in rectangular tiles"][/caption]

For homeowners who do not want shabby chic or french country baths with milky white marble there is a durable, fashionable alternative: slate.

Slate is a metamorphic rock with fine grains and consistent color. It comes in shades that are generally rich yet understated. In exchange for the smooth polished look of other finished natural stone, no gloss, no shine slate has a unique property all of its own. Its fine mineral composition allows it to appear sleek and wet when it isn’t, creating just enough sheen for visual interest without being shiny.  The stone is easily divided into thin plates that are perfect for bathroom tiles.

[caption id="attachment_521" align="alignright" width="233" caption="A mixture of slate colors and sizes with black cabinetry "][/caption]

Marble and Granite offers six types of slate in beautiful colors. Our honed black slate tiles form a solid foundation for bath designs. For a bit more variation, try our black slate with natural cleft. Our green slate with a natural cleft is ideal for baths that desire a serene, natural touch.

Image Source: HomeCarsNew.com, OldHouseWeb.com

[caption id="attachment_470" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Absolute Black Premium Granite from India"][/caption]

You’ve learned What Gives Granite Its Color and Pattern,  now explore the vast variety of granites that Marble and Granite has to offer. In the upcoming Color Series, take a look at product options within each color family. This week, we will explore black granite.

We carry 27 different types of black granite, including Cambrian Black, Atlantic Black, Smokey Black, Anthracite Black, Impala Black and three types of Absolute Black, among others. The truth is, black isn’t just black. Buyers can choose from a variety of options with different degrees of sheen, shimmer, different size granules, and hints of other minerals for varying influences of color.

Our international buyers seek granite from the far reaches of the globe including Brazil, India, South Africa, Ukraine, Canada, and China. The diversity of stone—even in such a seemingly simple color like black—provides consumers with the variety needed to find the perfect fit for their design.

Image and Source: MarbleandGranite.com

[caption id="attachment_466" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Piracema Light"][/caption]

Appreciate your granite countertops for all of their natural and intricate beauty. Marble and Granite has buyers throughout the world locating and selecting high quality granites with blends of minerals to provide unique colors and patterns for your home.

Granite is one of the most common igneous rocks used in residential design. Mined from all continents around the world, it is composed of numerous minerals that have fused together or formed under high pressure. Common minerals found in granite are quarts K-feldspars, plagioclase feldspars, potassium, and micas.

Quartz is one of the last minerals to form in granite. It acts as a bond between other minerals. Although it is colorless, it often appears gray because it reflects the colors of dark and light minerals around it. Mica is found in two major varieties in granite: muscovite, biotite and lepidolite. Muscovite and Biotite are forms of mica that quartz may reflect for its silver and black properties, respectively. In lepidolite form, mica may give granite a or violet of pink color.



Additional color sources in granite include K feldspars. K feldspars provide a variety of colors for granite including blues, blacks, pinks and yellows. Plagioclase feldspars are often white with a pearly finish.

For quality granite products in colors to match any design, call Marble and Granite at 877-39-STONE.

Source: Galleries.com

Image Source: Caesar Stone