Pantone recently chose two colors for its 2021 Color of the Year: a gray and yellow, which the company says come together to create an aspirational color pairing, conjoining deeper feelings of thoughtfulness with the optimistic promise of a sunshine filled day.

Experts say the thoughtful use of color and strategic placement of natural stone throughout our homes can help create that sense of connection and comfort many of us are seeking more than ever right now.

Whether you’re looking to update several rooms in your home or just one space, your goal is to maximize your look without sacrificing the budget. How does natural stone fit into this?

Using natural stone can be a great way to add interest and functionality to a project. Here are some budget-friendly ways to help make your outdoor space your new happy place and an oasis during any time of the year.

Natural stone flooring is a favorite for many homeowners because of its aesthetic appeal, versatility, sustainability, and ease of care. It can be used both indoors and outdoors.

Natural stone plays a prominent role in many kitchen remodels. Here are three questions to consider when choosing a stone for your kitchen project.

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.

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.

“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.

Interior designers and architects are beginning to incorporate the concept of ‘aging in place’ into their plans and many are finding natural stone is a great way to soften the look of the space while creating accessible environments for everyone.

The beauty and versatility of natural stone are among the many reasons homeowners and builders gravitate to the material for their projects. Artists often are drawn to stone for similar reasons.

People are looking for refuge and spaces to retreat from the chaos of daily life. Interior designers are responding by creating visually open spaces in the bath area to replicate the spaces one finds in a more traditional spa. Natural stone can help create that calm feeling.

Homeowners get inspired by stunning outdoor kitchens they see on social media sites like Pinterest or in print magazines.

From shower curbs and shelving to adding natural stone in laundry rooms and closets, designers and homeowners are finding more ways to bring Mother Nature indoors in unique and interesting ways.

Today’s homeowners are making a greater commitment to bold bathrooms that are making a statement and leaving behind the sparse and monolithic look of recent years.

Color of the Year reveals are always a fun way to welcome the new year and new possibilities to imbue color and inspiration to our homes. We believe 2019 will be a renaissance of the 1970s—with a twist.

Kitchens are one of the most popular rooms of the home to renovate and an opportunity to really let a family’s personality shine through their choices of cabinetry, floors, and paint, among other things.

Using natural stone for a kitchen backsplash is not only functional, it adds an element of elegance and architectural detail. Read about backsplash trends for your kitchen design.

Barney’s New York experiments with different ways to use marble—from curved staircases to cantilevered displays for handbags and jewelry. Savvy retailers and forward-thinking designers are embracing natural stone for more than its utilitarian purposes.