January 2015

Not only does marble make a stunning surfacing choice, but it’s also one of today’s hottest home accessories! From exquisitely designed lighting to a simple candlestick, marble can now be found in some pretty unexpected places around the home. As a decorative material, it adds an elegance and warmth that’s undeniable.

Last week, at the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) in Las Vegas, Neolith introduced several new colors to the Classtone line of ultra compact surfacing material.

Q: We’re ready to get started on our very first home renovation! Many Internet sites and blogs such as yours have helped us generate and narrow down our ideas. We’ve learned about the differences between marble, granite, quartz, quartzite and more than we could have ever dreamed existed. But now…we’re not sure where to start. Can we work directly with you or do we need to find a fabricator, contractor, or someone else?

If you’re a homeowner considering Bianco Carrara Marble, or a designer, architect, or builder who frequently builds with this material, this video published by Campolonghi SpA is a must-see.

Some say that granite has seen its heyday in the kitchen. It’s true there are more surfacing choices in the market than ever before, however all things considered, the fact remains that granite is still the top seller. Why?

Quartz surfacing has been steadily gaining market share over the past few years as architects, designers, and homeowners learn how much this material has to offer. Unlike 100-percent natural surfacing such as marble or granite, quartz is chemical, stain, chip, and crack resistant. It’s non-porous and never needs sealing, plus manufacturing processes have come a long way.

Although Italy or Spain might come to mind for most people when asked where the best marble is quarried, some of the finest marble comes from right here in the U.S.A. One quarry in particular, the Yule Creek Quarry located in the West Elk Mountains of Colorado, yields a clean white marble with a homogeneous texture, popularly known as Calacatta Lincoln, that’s made this particular quarry an interesting part of American history. 

Like an aerial photograph of the icy arctic, Wicked White quartzite features swirling shades of grey and white. The light and dark shades play off of each other, creating a dramatic landscape. A great alternative to marble, Wicked White adds elegance and beauty to any project. Whether used as the “main attraction” or as a backdrop (such as it is in the kitchen below from Downsview Kitchens of Boston) it’s an eye-catching option that’s practical too.