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Every now and then, we receive a thank-you letter that reminds us why we love the business we’re in. It’s our goal to remain a step above other natural stone wholesalers. And nothing makes us more proud than when we accomplish this goal. It is with great pride that we share the following letter we recently received from two customers who are very pleased with the caliber of customer service they received at Marble and Granite, Inc.

Q: We had a dinner party the other night. Despite the fact that we thought we cleaned up well before turning in for the night, we found a forgotten red wine glass sitting on our white marble bar top. Not only that, but it was apparently one of our sloppy friends. There had obviously been a puddle of wine under the glass because we now have a lovely (insert sarcasm font) purple circle where the glass once stood. What now? Are we doomed to a lifetime of covering up that stain with seemingly misplaced décor items? Help!

Reading about all of the fun new gadgets introduced at a recent Consumer Electronics Show brings to mind how much technology has changed our lives. It’s changed our business too. Today, you have the convenience of checking our live inventory right on your laptop at www.marbleandgranite.com or smart phone with our StonePedia app. But what’s particularly interesting to note is how technology has affected every aspect of design.

If you’ve never built a home or executed a kitchen or bath remodel, there’s a good chance you’re not exactly sure where to start. There’s a ton of information out there on the Internet, but if you’re new to the process, you may not even know which questions to ask or which terms to “Google.”

Beautiful bathroom by Boardman Design; Photo via Houzz

Naturally you want the best deal you can get for your natural stone project. But keep in mind that price is just one factor in the formula that will help you choose your fabricator. Depending on how far along you are in the decision-making process, you may have already noticed a pretty significant difference in quotes offered from one fabricator to another. How can the price vary so drastically? Here’s a bit of insight…

If you’re thinking about remodeling your kitchen, whether it’s because you’re bored with its design or you’re looking to tailor it more to your style, you should pay special attention to your countertops. Not only must the countertops fit the overall style of the kitchen while having a unique look on their own, they need to be durable and long lasting as well. This is why granite countertops are such a popular choice among homeowners. Granite is a natural stone that is available in hundreds of different styles and colors, and it will last practically forever. To get just the right granite countertop, it’s important that you work closely with a stone fabricator. Use these tips to do just that:

The industry standards typically hover around 1 and 1/4 inch (or 3 centimeters) for granite and marble kitchen island countertops and 3/4 inch (or 2 centimeters) for bathroom granite and marble vanity tops. But as Dorothy Draper - interior decorating icon from the 30's and author of Decorating is Fun! - used to say, "I believe in doing the thing you feel is right. If it looks right, it is right." And for some designers and homeowners today, thicker granite and marble kitchen islands and bathroom vanities just feel right! 

Using natural stone in your kitchen means a few obvious advantages, from a strong and durable surface to an elegant look. But not all materials are quite equal, and picking the right one for your kitchen counter can involve making some decisions about what you need your kitchen to do.