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Fall is quickly approaching, which means designers are already looking at what the trends will be for the upcoming year. Sherwin-Williams has released its 2012 Color Forecast with color palette predicting what will be the hottest interior design color trends next year. With the 4 families of neutrals, reds, blues and greens of the Colormix™ 2012 forecast, it looks like interior design will be paying great homage to Mother Nature.

Marble and Granite is thrilled with this forecast because there is nothing that will complement these earthy hues better than natural stone. Contractors, designers and homeowners will find that our selection of granite, marble, soapstone and CaesarStone® will make it easy to meet these earth-inspired interior design trends. Take a look at some of the stones that beautifully suit these four earth-toned color pallets.

Which stone do you think will be the most popular in 2012 kitchen design? How about bathroom design? Tell us your thoughts by posting a comment below!

With their versatility, drama and elegance, the exclusive stones from the Antolini 2011 Signature Collection can seamlessly transform a room to be uniquely beautiful. The small palette of stones chosen for the 2011 Signature Collection were hand-selected by Alberto Antolini himself. As an inspirational and innovative trendsetter from Luigi, Italy, Antolini has become well known for producing the finest and most exceptional natural stones in the industry, and his newest collection is no exception.

The exquisite palette of the 2011 Signature Collection embodies luxury in its most natural form with various colors and textures to fit any targeted style. Take a look part of the collection and see for yourself why Marble and Granite is thrilled to offer these magnificent natural stones. To learn more about the Antolini Collection and other lines from our selection contact Marble and Granite at 877-39-STONE or visit one of our showrooms.

As the focal point of the room, a beautifully designed fireplace will find use year-round whether it's for ambiance with a a candle arrangement in the warmer months or a warmth with a cozy fire in the colder months. Every piece of marble, granite and slate is different bringing exclusive elegance but they are all durable and heat-resistant making them even more ideal for a fireplace. With the freedom to the choose color, cut and shape, the versatility of stone offers endless possibilities for innovative and customized designs that reflect personal style.

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.

The reflective qualities of Crystal Glass make it a stunning addition to your home. Maximize the light in any given space through the added radiance of engineered crystal products.

Crystal Glass is made by sintering crystals and glass together at high temperatures. The results can be similar to Pure White Thassos marble in consistency; other forms maintain their chunky crystal structures for a variety of color. Crystal glass is as durable as granite, resisting scratches and stains. Unlike some natural stones, it won't need to be sealed.

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Marble and Granite offers 9 Crystal Glass products. Radiant Crystalized White is a consistent, white surface with no movement like natural stone. It has high sheen and seems to emanate light from within. Yellow Topaz is a mixture of alabaster and glass with significant variations in color including yellow, gold, tan and black. The lighter crystals shimmer in the light, popping against the darker components in the slab. For more even light distribution, try  Briarwood's earthy blend of rust, brown, and creme which adds warmth to any design.

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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

May is National Remodeling Month! This is an exciting time to remodel your kitchen or bathroom into the space you’ve always dreamed about. Concerned about where to start with the natural stone component of your project? Try the Stonepedia app for your mobile device!

Yes, there is an app for that. Stonepedia provides users with a storehouse of more than 1,400 pictures of over 500 different types of marble and granite! Download the images directly to your mobile device including iPhones and iPads. Need a second opinion on your natural stone selections? Email or Picture Mail samples to your partner or friends. It is a great way to find the direction for your next project.

Stonepedia also offers customer support. If you have questions about the qualities of a particular stone, its installation or maintenance, Stonepedia can provide you with answers! Get expert advice from the minds of the Marble and Granite Inc crew, the creators of Stonepedia and the one of the largest natural stone distributors in the region.

Marble and Granite has the resources and materials that you need to make your project a success.

[caption id="attachment_433" align="alignleft" width="254" caption="Curava Countertops from the Standard Collection in Inthira Black"][/caption]

If you have visited Marble and Granite's new showroom in Westwood, you may have notice the beautiful new countertops. Bring showroom beauty into your kitchen with recycled glass countertops by Curava.

Marble and Granite, Inc. introduces Curava recycled glass countertops. Curava is the leading manufacturer of recycled glass slabs. Their newest line uses a concrete, recycled clay and recycled glass mixture to form beautiful countertops with just the right amount of sparkle: The Standard Color line with its finely ground particles of glass provide buyers with neutral options that are sleek and sophisticated. The Splendid Color line boasts larger glass fragments for high-caliber shine and a unique finish.

Both lines are available through the Marble and Granite headquarters in Westwood, Massachusetts and in their warehouse in Milford, Connecticut. We are the largest natural stone distributor in New England with slabs for any design. Select the perfect countertop for your home and have it shipped within a day.

Image Source: Curava.us

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If it looks like granite and feels like granite, just sit a hot pot on it and see what happens.

Granite is the standard for many of America’s modern, elegant kitchens. The market has seen an increase in granite imitators that consistently fail to offer the durability and beauty of natural stone. Granite paint is an idea that caught our eye and while there are a few undeniable benefits, potential buyers should also be aware of the disadvantages.

Giani offers a product called Italian Granite Paint. The kit includes mineral paints, applicators and an instructional DVD on how to transform your laminate, mineral, or wood countertops into what (sort of) looks like granite countertops. The kit is about $50.

One major drawback is that the granite-painted countertops do not perform like the real thing. It is easily scratched, burned, and stained. Sitting a hot pot on your counters will ruin them. You would need to sand and repaint them to get rid of the scorched spot. The paint also loses its luster significantly faster than granite.

If you want the appearance, appeal, and durability of natural stone we recommend buying natural stone. Marble and Granite will gladly outfit your spaces with the natural stone products that you desire and the quality that you deserve. Call 866.950.8443 or visit our website at marbleandgranite.com.

Source: Denver Post

Image Source: Erik M. Lunsford, St. Louis Post-Dispatch via Denver Post