Natural Stone Institute.
Recent Articles
How to Be Your Own Stone Sleuth
Learn how to test stone samples for hardness, acid resistance, and porosity. Kitchen designers, architects, fabricators, and restoration professionals can use diagnostic techniques to learn as much as they can about particular varieties of natural stone.
Living In Color: 2020 Colors Of the Year Channel Calm and Nature
Two decades ago, Pantone introduced their first color of the year. Since then, other companies have joined the fray. We asked several experts how the 2020 colors of the year will impact how homeowners design their homes and what types of natural stone choices they might make.
5 Ways to Use Natural Stone for a Show-Stopping Fireplace
Natural stone fireplace facades remain one of the most trendy styles of design no matter where you roam. Whether these clad fireplaces stem from the utilization of leftover stone material or the grand idea of a massive quadmatched feature wall, we can promise a cozy fireplace will never fail to pull together your home.
Natural Stone: Mother Nature’s Original Green Building Material
As climate change impacts communities throughout the world, architects, designers, and environmentally conscious homeowners are more often choosing building materials like natural stone that have low embodied carbon and energy.
Natural Quartzite and Engineered Quartz: What’s the Difference?
Engineered quartz and natural quartzite are both popular choices for countertops, backsplashes, bathrooms, and more. Here’s a quick and handy reference for understanding where they come from, what they’re made of, and how they differ.
The Journey of V House: Creating a Contemporary Palladian Villa
Although 500 years have passed since the construction of the Palladian villas of Italy’s Veneto region, this architectural style is still a source of inspiration in the design world. The ‘V House’ features a contemporary Palladian style and is a stunning tribute to the use of natural stone.
A Textile Designer Turns to Natural Stone
“We knew Lori would appreciate the challenge of creating her signature textural effect in natural stone, and that she would help us deliver a fresh design carved in classic favorites like Bianco Carrara and Bardiglio marble,” says Nancy Epstein, founder and CEO of Artistic Tile. The resulting collections are organic, nature-inspired, super tactile, and very dimensional, either in actuality or visually.
Got Data? Testing the Performance of Granite, Engineered Quartz, Concrete, and Sintered Countertop Surfaces
It can be difficult to find reliable information about the practical properties of different types of countertop surfaces. In a quest to bring more data-driven information to the countertop industry, this article offers side-by-side performance testing of four categories of materials.
How Do Your Countertop & Flooring Choices Impact the Environment?
Aesthetic qualities and price are often the first criteria used to make countertop and flooring selections. But have you considered if each material is eco-friendly? A material’s life cycle should be considered during your home design and renovation projects.
Popular Articles
5 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Cleaning Natural Stone Surfaces
While it’s true that natural stone is extremely durable and made to last, it is not indestructible. There is a chemistry to natural stone, and making mistakes can harm it. Protect your investment by avoiding these five common practices.
Kitchen Countertop Comparison Charts
Compare and contrast features of the countertop surfaces available in today’s market. With so many possibilities to choose from, it’s hard to know which options you should consider. Think about your budget, your design taste and how your family will use your kitchen before making your decision.
A Definitive Guide to Quartzite
Quartzite may be the most confusing natural stone out there. A quick internet search will reveal an unsettling disparity of information. Some people say it etches. Some say it doesn’t. Sometimes you hear it’s a hybrid between marble and granite.
How to Care For Your Granite Countertops
Granite has long been a favorite choice for countertops due to its beauty and ease of maintenance. Granite is a durable material, but like all surfaces, it does require regular maintenance. We sat down with several stone care experts to learn how best to care for granite countertops.
Singing the Praises of Natural Stone in the Shower
Stone can be a good choice for the shower, but it does require special care and maintenance. As long as you are aware of how to care for and maintain it, it will look beautiful for years to come.
Getting to Know Your White Stones
White kitchens and bathrooms are perpetually popular. While there are many white minerals, such as quartz, feldspar, and calcite, they don’t always assemble themselves into a perfectly white rock. Read more about your options in natural stone.
Videos
Use Natural Stone: As Seen on Make This Place Your Home
Join us as we travel to Danby, Vermont to discover the beauty and versatility of genuine natural stone. We’re traveling inside the historic Danby Quarry to get a rare glimpse of how natural stone is quarried. #UseNaturalStone
Natural Stone Featured on Lifetime Network’s Designing Spaces
Home renovations reach a new summit with genuine, durable, sustainable natural stone. Learn how to make your granite dreams a reality with eco-friendly, low-impact, choices from Mother Nature, and get insider knowledge from an industry leader to create inspirational spaces that can last a lifetime.
As Seen On: Today’s Homeowner with Danny Lipford
Home owners work together to renovate their patio featuring an outdoor kitchen.