design

Color has profound psychological effects on our mind and body. After the uncertainty of the past two years, it is not surprising that color experts are predicting a turn to calming neutral earth tones in 2022. Natural stone trends are also moving to timeless, sustainable materials like white marble.

Kat Coleman, owner and principal of Long Beach, California-based Topkat Design Group, reminds clients that stone is a natural material so there needs be some tolerance. What some clients may view as imperfections in natural stone, Coleman calls “character.” “Nature is perfectly imperfect,” she reminds clients.

There are many reasons homeowners choose natural stone in their kitchens. With new technology and resources that allow for more stress-free living, they have more options than ever to create a space they love.

Jan Neiges is a certified master kitchen and bath designer with the National Kitchen & Bath Association and principal of Colorado-based Jan Neiges CKD LLC. For Neiges, the act of discovery and finding out what is drawing the client to a particular piece of natural stone is part of the fun when working on a kitchen.

Rose Kallas and Christine Morgan, partners and principals of Chicago-based Two Girls and a Hammer LLC, have seen residential design trends come and go. While many classics, like marble, remain popular, the duo is noticing clients asking for more color. Natural stone is delivering.

Soapstone has been a staple material in chemistry labs across the country for decades because of its heat and acid resistance. Glass beakers, Bunsen burners, and hydrochloric acid are no match for soapstone in the chemistry lab, so naturally there is nothing in the kitchen it can’t handle.

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.

The Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills is an urban oasis that combines modern luxury with timeless design. This building welcomes visitors to Beverly Hills by honoring the Golden Age of Hollywood and the architectural history of Los Angeles.

While polished and honed are the most common surface finishes for natural stone, leathered and brushed textures are growing increasingly popular to add a unique flair your design.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A beautiful fireplace can become the hub of your home, where you gather with family and friends. Make sure to take time to choose the perfect design so you can enjoy your investment for decades to come.

Natural stone has the look and feel of luxury. The durability as well as its ability to be sculpted into functional art give it a time honored respect that is hard to come by in building materials.

Now that decision-makers can look for the Certified Genuine Stone™ label to identify sustainably produced natural stone, the possibilities for incorporating this product into environmentally-friendly projects are endless.

Designers are always waiting for the rumor that something astonishing has been found, so passion can engineer gigantic ideas that will surpass our previous project. We seek to create a design that will pay great respect to the geological wonders.

Read on to experience a few projects that feature this classic combination and to learn how you can achieve this style in your own project.

We’ve pulled together some of the best slab repurposing ideas we’ve seen in the field—some inspiring suggestions to maximize your investment, and to help you gain the maximum enjoyment possible from the slab that called your name