Blog: From the Bedrock

Why Thin Stone Countertops Are More Than A Look

Posted by Steven Schrenk

Materials have been evolving to meet the growing demands of a savvy modern market, inspired by European aesthetics, and thin countertops have been making their mark. With changing demographics and some US homes downsizing, a ½” thick natural stone countertop can make a smaller kitchen appear larger.

Topics: Home Design, Technical Advices, Thin Stone, Cambrian Black, Black, Marble and granite, American marble, Georgia marble, Waterfall islands, Thin countertops

From Modern Rustic to Mid-century, Marble and Granite, Designs That Mix It Up from The Kitchen to The Backyard

Posted by Steven Schrenk

Maybe it's the change of seasons but we've had new combinations on our minds lately.  Cool mornings and hot afternoons, rustic wood and high polish lacquer, deep black granite and subtle grey marble. (You know, things stone people think about.)

Topics: Home Design, Material Selection, Architecture & Design Trends, Thin Stone, Soapstone, Granite, Marble, Limestone, Kitchen

Georgia On My Mind: Designer Celebrates Southern Tradition with US Marble

Posted by Steven Schrenk

When Pam Sessions and Don Donnelly, the husband and wife team behind Hedgewood Homes, decided to downsize their nest, they brought with them a pedigree for building smart spaces, a love of southern architecture and a commitment to local talent and materials.

Topics: Home Design, Kitchen, American marble, Islands, Georgia marble, Pearl Grey Marble

You Want A Rustic Kitchen For TV and Home? Yes, Chef.

Posted by Annie Roy

When Chef Arnaud Marchand set out to build a home kitchen for his young family, I knew he had a clear vision for his design. His kitchen - from the ceiling beams to the floor tiles – needed to be warm, functional, dynamic and beautiful – and resonate with the scenic environment – and be great for

Topics: Home Design, Material Selection, Notable Installations, Architecture & Design Trends, Soapstone, cabinet hardware, Natural Stone Design Tools, Virginia stone, Kitchen, Black

This Scavolini Dealer’s Home Kitchen Will Have You Craving Matte Black

Posted by Annie Roy

 Niki Serras and her husband in their Detroit home kitchen.

Like a Delta One touching down at JFK from a weekend fling in Milan, black is back and it’s bringing matte with it. And I couldn’t love it more.

With European influence black is coming home to our kitchens and living rooms (even the

Topics: Home Design, Material Selection, Notable Installations, Architecture & Design Trends, stone sourcing, Granite, Renovation, Cambrian Black, Leathered finish, Antiqued finish, Kitchen, Black, Brushed finish

Cambrian Black: LBD of Granites

Posted by Annie Roy

There are two reasons the Little Black Dress has earned itself the universal acronym LBD: versatility and longevity.

Chic for the charity event, sexy for a date, appropriate for the boardroom – it’s all things to all people, a true wardrobe staple. The LBD dresses up with jewelry and down with a

Topics: Home Design, Architecture & Design Trends, Granite, Cambrian Black, Kitchen

This Might Just Be Your Favorite Design Tool

Posted by Steven Schrenk

You know the look. Wide eyed amazement over your array of stone slabs dissolves to consternation then confusion. There are a LOT of choices in the yard, in the studio, in the showroom and the customer is overwhelmed.

How do you help them choose a slab of granite? How do you pair their need for a

Topics: Home Design, Architecture & Design Trends, Natural Stone Design Tools

Annie Roy Wants You To Get Emotional About Stone

Posted by Steven Schrenk

The Stone Experts: Introducing a new blog series featuring Polycor’s experts in design, architecture, fabrication, sales, marketing and geology .

Annie Roy
Slabs Sales Manager, eastern Canada
Expert in: Natural stone design, photography

Topics: Home Design, Architecture & Design Trends, Soapstone, Ask a stone expert, Kitchen

Marble and Granite, Better For Traditional or Modern Design? Yes.

Posted by Steven Schrenk

Is there any more classical material than marble?

From large blocks used in historical buildings to slabs for kitchen islands, American marble is THE material for traditionalists. But can it do modern? And what about granite? Can it climb out of the builder-grade kitchen to edgy modern designs or

Topics: Home Design, Material Selection, Architecture & Design Trends, Thin Stone

Marble and Granite Designs Break Out Of The Countertop

Posted by Steven Schrenk

Our love affairs with design materials come and go, some for good. (We’re talking to you Linoleum.) But the stone countertop is a classic that has outlived the fads of Formica and stainless steel tops. Instead of being replaced by newer materials, natural stone is actually breaking out of its

Topics: Home Design, Material Selection, Architecture & Design Trends, Thin Stone

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