Stone and Trowel

Natural stone design inspiration and technical information for architectural and landscape professionals.

When Manufactured Stone Isn’t Actually Stone - What's The Difference?

Posted by Steve Schrenk

Natural materials have been gaining popularity in the building materials market. People are growing more interested in how their homes are constructed, and making impactful decisions about how their design choices affect the environment. 

Topics: Thin Stone, Limestone, Outdoor spaces, Outdoor living, outdoor kitchens, Thin Veneer

No Barriers: Indoor-Outdoor Living Trends for 2021

Posted by Steven Schrenk

2020 became the year of upgrading your backyard: as many homeowners worked to create or customize their outdoor spaces, demand for everything from pools to space heaters skyrocketed. And that trend isn’t going anywhere any time soon.

Topics: Georgia marble, Outdoor spaces, Outdoor living, veneer, Indiana Limestone

An All Hands on Deck Approach to Designing an Outdoor Living Space with Natural Stone

Posted by Steven Schrenk

In 2014, TV celebrity, lifestyle influencer and culinary artist Evette Rios and her husband bought a stone house in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania that was built in the late 1700s. Since then, the couple had planned to expand it— not by building an addition to the house, but by making an

Topics: Pearl Grey Marble, Fireplaces, Outdoor spaces, Outdoor living, outdoor kitchens, Indiana Limestone

Long Live The Queen: A Queen Anne Victorian Is Restored

Posted by Steven Schrenk

Narragansett, Rhode Island was first surging in popularity as a summer resort town in 1887 when a Queen Anne Victorian home was built at the corner of Narragansett Avenue and Robinson Street. With stained-glass windows, ornate bargeboards, and a charming assortment of shingle styles, it was a

Topics: Outdoor spaces, Interior Design, Outdoor living, buy local

Rooms Without Roofs: 5 Outdoor Living Trends for 2021

Posted by Steven Schrenk

In 2020, backyards around the world suddenly became so much more: gyms, offices, bars and restaurants. As the new hot spots for social gatherings, outdoor living spaces took on new importance—and popularity. 

Topics: Granite, Outdoor spaces, Outdoor living, Indiana Limestone, DIY Fire Pit

Natural Stone Veneers Take Outdoor Dining to the Next Level

Posted by Steven Schrenk

Whether you want a freestanding pizza oven, a built-in BBQ island, or a full outdoor kitchen with counters, cabinetry and bar seating, Polycor’s natural stone veneers can help create a first-rate outdoor space.

Topics: Home Design, Outdoor spaces, Outdoor living, veneer

Textures, Colors and Patterns Bring Life to an Expansive Outdoor Living Space Designed with Natural Stone

Posted by Steven Schrenk

Virginia-based interiors stylist Sarah Raak of SKG Designs had been planning a project to redo her backyard patio for a while. But if ever there was an impetus to finally get it going it was this thing called 2020. Although this year brought challenges, it taught us to learn to appreciate the

Topics: Material Selection, Outdoor spaces, Outdoor living, buy local

Light Up Your Landscape With Granite Lamp Posts [VIDEO]

Posted by Steven Schrenk

While installing a granite lamp post on your property might seem like the cherry on top of your landscape design, outdoor lighting is critical for helping to establish borders and edges and illuminating key landscape features. Really, it’s more of the cake than the icing (although we do love us

Topics: Outdoor spaces, granite posts, lamp posts, ornamental

Historic Connecticut Home Renovation Blends Old and New with Granite

Posted by Steven Schrenk

From the moment she saw the historic Greek Revival home, built in the mid-1800s and set on an acre of property in charming Westport, Connecticut, actress, entrepreneur and lifestyle blogger Eva Amurri could see the potential. “We loved it from the second we saw it,” explained the mom of two young

Topics: Historic restoration, Outdoor spaces, Patios, granite steps

Set the stage with stone.

Foundational ideas for
hardscape design.

Subscribe to Email Updates

Recent Posts

Posts by Topic