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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

[caption id="attachment_527" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Bedroom in Capolavoro granite"][/caption]

The legacy of the Luigi family began in 1950s when Antolini Luigi dedicated himself to the international expansion of his company, founded upon the selection and distribution of only the finest stone products. Today, his three children carry out his mission and their zest shows in every detail of the 2011 Signature Collection.

Antolini's Signature Collection makes quality and value available to clients. The 2011 line consists of 12 variations of granite and soapstone. The range of color, movement and veining in the stone provides options for distinct style preferences. For clients who prefer modern designs with subtle beauty and splashes of color, Labradorite Multicolor granite from Madagascar rises to the occasion. Its gray base is accented with veins of silver and deposits of iridescent color: rich teals, radiant golds, and muted violet add unparalleled beauty. The warm hues of Copper Dune granite are ideal for a natural enclave, possessing copper, amber, and chocolate waves with ribbons of taupe. Browse the full 2011 collection here.

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Antolini offers multiple finishes included Polished and matte Lether. Browse and order from the Signature Collection at Marble and Granite, 877-39-STONE.

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Congratulations! You’ve invested in quality, natural stone products that are unique and durable. To keep your natural stone looking beautiful longer, follow these simple maintenance guidelines from Marble and Granite.

Typical household cleaners are not suitable for stone. Products high in acid or alkaline cause etching and other damages, including the removal of necessary properties in the stone's sealers. Without the sealer, some stone is more likely to stain. The use of certain powers and abrasive scrubbers may scratch the surface of softer stones.

For safe cleaning, seek a PH-balanced, mild cleaner that will remove dust and soil without damaging the sealer or the stone. Using a cleaner that is specially formulated for your stone type minimizes the risk of damaging. Some designated cleaners will help to protect and reinforce your stone.

If you’re unsure about specific care issues, contact your fabricator or the knowledgeable staff at Marble and Granite, 877-39-STONE.

Source: MarbleandGranite

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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.

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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.

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While black countertops are dramatic, white countertops provide a foundation for numerous design styles and create the illusion of space. Marble and Granite carries nearly 100 types of white countertops. Chose from natural stone such as marble and granite or engineered stone like CaesarStone.

For the whitest white, Crystal Glass offers Crystallized White and Milky White slabs in polished 2cm and 3cm grades. CaesarStone's Blizzard, and Pure White quartz surfaces provide a bit of variation within the material for subtle hints of gray and tan. Nougat and Eggshell are beautiful neutral colors that works well with cool and warm earth tones.

The unique patterns of marble create white countertops with a twist, including veins of gray, silver, and even greens and yellows. Supai and Guatemalan Danby provide fairly consistent color with little veining. In contrast, the dramatic patterns found in the Egeo Ondulato and Calacatta Original add visual interest to your surfaces.

Granite provides similar variations among white varieties. Bethel White and London White hold consistent color and are like blank slates for your kitchen or bath design. The exotic Golden Romano from Brazil streams tan, gold, and black through its white base.

With hundreds of selections to chose from, you are sure to find a natural or man-made product to complete your kitchen or bath. Visit our showrooms conveniently located in Westwood, MA and Milford, CT.

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.

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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