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[caption id="attachment_531" align="alignleft" width="198" caption="Clean, sophisticated and unmistakeably modern marble"][/caption]

The featured kitchen does a top-notch job of integrating classic Calacatta Original marble into a modern design. The base of the marble is radiant white with few but distinct gray veins. The overall appearance is fresh and clean, providing a blank slate for the rest of the space.

While the traditional element of the marble is reflected in the ornate crown moldings above, the kitchen maintains it modern appeal by mixing materials: marble countertops on one side, butcher block on the opposite counter and hardwood floors. The modern décor includes frameless cabinetry with minimalist hardware, stainless steel appliances.

Both Marble and Granite showrooms are stocked with magnificent marble products that accentuate modern designs. Explore our white countertop collection including French Vanilla and Guatemalan Danby.

Image Source: Design Sponge

[caption id="attachment_527" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Bedroom in Capolavoro granite"][/caption]

The legacy of the Luigi family began in 1950s when Antolini Luigi dedicated himself to the international expansion of his company, founded upon the selection and distribution of only the finest stone products. Today, his three children carry out his mission and their zest shows in every detail of the 2011 Signature Collection.

Antolini's Signature Collection makes quality and value available to clients. The 2011 line consists of 12 variations of granite and soapstone. The range of color, movement and veining in the stone provides options for distinct style preferences. For clients who prefer modern designs with subtle beauty and splashes of color, Labradorite Multicolor granite from Madagascar rises to the occasion. Its gray base is accented with veins of silver and deposits of iridescent color: rich teals, radiant golds, and muted violet add unparalleled beauty. The warm hues of Copper Dune granite are ideal for a natural enclave, possessing copper, amber, and chocolate waves with ribbons of taupe. Browse the full 2011 collection here.

[caption id="attachment_528" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Labradorite Multicolor"][/caption]

Antolini offers multiple finishes included Polished and matte Lether. Browse and order from the Signature Collection at Marble and Granite, 877-39-STONE.

Image Source: California Home and Design

Congratulations! You’ve invested in quality, natural stone products that are unique and durable. To keep your natural stone looking beautiful longer, follow these simple maintenance guidelines from Marble and Granite.

Typical household cleaners are not suitable for stone. Products high in acid or alkaline cause etching and other damages, including the removal of necessary properties in the stone's sealers. Without the sealer, some stone is more likely to stain. The use of certain powers and abrasive scrubbers may scratch the surface of softer stones.

For safe cleaning, seek a PH-balanced, mild cleaner that will remove dust and soil without damaging the sealer or the stone. Using a cleaner that is specially formulated for your stone type minimizes the risk of damaging. Some designated cleaners will help to protect and reinforce your stone.

If you’re unsure about specific care issues, contact your fabricator or the knowledgeable staff at Marble and Granite, 877-39-STONE.

Source: MarbleandGranite

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[caption id="attachment_519" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Black slate in rectangular tiles"][/caption]

For homeowners who do not want shabby chic or french country baths with milky white marble there is a durable, fashionable alternative: slate.

Slate is a metamorphic rock with fine grains and consistent color. It comes in shades that are generally rich yet understated. In exchange for the smooth polished look of other finished natural stone, no gloss, no shine slate has a unique property all of its own. Its fine mineral composition allows it to appear sleek and wet when it isn’t, creating just enough sheen for visual interest without being shiny.  The stone is easily divided into thin plates that are perfect for bathroom tiles.

[caption id="attachment_521" align="alignright" width="233" caption="A mixture of slate colors and sizes with black cabinetry "][/caption]

Marble and Granite offers six types of slate in beautiful colors. Our honed black slate tiles form a solid foundation for bath designs. For a bit more variation, try our black slate with natural cleft. Our green slate with a natural cleft is ideal for baths that desire a serene, natural touch.

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Green is an earth tone that can evoke an array of moods by a simple change in hue. Pale greens promote relaxation and tranquility while saturated greens can appear regal and exhilarating. Let your room speak volumes with green natural stone from Marble and Granite.

Choose from 45 types of green granite for your kitchen, bath, or office. Earth Glitter has a base of different greens with waves of cream and brown. Our Jurassic and Turtle Green slabs display the unique beauty of natural stone at its best, with large granules and chunks of eye-catching, multicolor minerals. It is a product that is sure to turn heads. For more subtle tastes, Verde Ubatuba offers a consistent, rich green.

Irish Green Sledge stands out among the 11 green marble products offered by our company. With dramatic movement, the green base is pocked with gray and streaked with yellow and beige. In contrast, Verde Panama provides owners with a soothing greenish-gray base.

Find unique marble and granite slabs in a variety of colors at our Marble and Granite showroom, 877-39-STONE.

Image: Roma

Neutral stone colors provide an excellent foundation for designs. They can also bring out the beauty in multiple species of wood cabinetry and furniture. The showrooms at Marble and Granite hold over 60 types of sand and beige natural stone products for your kitchen, bath and beyond.

Granite The beautiful Giallo Venezia of Brazil offers consistent color with fine granules resembling sand. It works beautifully in conjunction with light hardwoods. Also from Brazil, Narcarado (Quartzite) gives owners a smooth beige base with streams of rose, burgundy and touches of gold. Bring out the red tones in this stone with mahogany or cedar wood cabinetry.  To leave a bigger impression, try the bold veining and hues of Ghibli Gold from India. It is ingrained with ribbons of rust red and amber.

Marble Creama Luna of Italy provides owners with a base of consistent, milky marble with hints of gray. Its fresh color brightens any kitchen. Breccia Oniciata hails from the same country, with smooth waves of brown, tan and beige; it’s like a swirling cappuccino for your surfaces. Beige, green, and gray intertwine to bring us La Dolce Vita (Quartzite) from Australia. Its cool, earth tones are a lovely addition to tranquil baths.

Order your natural stone products from Marble and Granite. To schedule a consultation call 877-39-STONE.

Source: Marble and Granite

Image Source: UnitedMarble.com

Marble and Granite offers an array of tiles from around the world, providing beautiful, durable products for your home. Before installing your tile, here are a few points to consider.  Keep in mind that the guidelines for particular projects may vary. Verify proper installation techniques for each project.

Tiles are often transported in boxes of 10 tiles each, weighing approximately 60 lbs. Handle with care.

After ensuring that you have received the proper order, remove the tiles from the box and arrange them in the designated space in a random order; it is not necessary or recommended to arrange the tiles in the order in which they were shipped. Consider the direction of the stone's veining to create a unified arrangement.




Once you have laid out the stone, ensure that there are extras for odd spaces, errors, etc. If you do not have adequate tiles for the space do not proceed. Ordering additional tiles may result in inconsistent tone.

When installing tile, you have the option of using adhesive or mechanical anchoring. The recommended technique depends on the size of the tiles and where you will put them. Indoor and outdoor installations have different methods so be sure to verify with a fabricator or installer.

Also, if you are not installing the tile yourself, speak with the installer and  approve the grout that he or she plans to use on your project. Color and material will effect the overall look of your project.

Source: Marble and Granite

Image by Shane Adams

[caption id="attachment_474" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Bianco Statuario Marble"][/caption]

While black countertops are dramatic, white countertops provide a foundation for numerous design styles and create the illusion of space. Marble and Granite carries nearly 100 types of white countertops. Chose from natural stone such as marble and granite or engineered stone like CaesarStone.

For the whitest white, Crystal Glass offers Crystallized White and Milky White slabs in polished 2cm and 3cm grades. CaesarStone's Blizzard, and Pure White quartz surfaces provide a bit of variation within the material for subtle hints of gray and tan. Nougat and Eggshell are beautiful neutral colors that works well with cool and warm earth tones.

The unique patterns of marble create white countertops with a twist, including veins of gray, silver, and even greens and yellows. Supai and Guatemalan Danby provide fairly consistent color with little veining. In contrast, the dramatic patterns found in the Egeo Ondulato and Calacatta Original add visual interest to your surfaces.

Granite provides similar variations among white varieties. Bethel White and London White hold consistent color and are like blank slates for your kitchen or bath design. The exotic Golden Romano from Brazil streams tan, gold, and black through its white base.

With hundreds of selections to chose from, you are sure to find a natural or man-made product to complete your kitchen or bath. Visit our showrooms conveniently located in Westwood, MA and Milford, CT.

[caption id="attachment_470" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Absolute Black Premium Granite from India"][/caption]

You’ve learned What Gives Granite Its Color and Pattern,  now explore the vast variety of granites that Marble and Granite has to offer. In the upcoming Color Series, take a look at product options within each color family. This week, we will explore black granite.

We carry 27 different types of black granite, including Cambrian Black, Atlantic Black, Smokey Black, Anthracite Black, Impala Black and three types of Absolute Black, among others. The truth is, black isn’t just black. Buyers can choose from a variety of options with different degrees of sheen, shimmer, different size granules, and hints of other minerals for varying influences of color.

Our international buyers seek granite from the far reaches of the globe including Brazil, India, South Africa, Ukraine, Canada, and China. The diversity of stone—even in such a seemingly simple color like black—provides consumers with the variety needed to find the perfect fit for their design.

Image and Source: MarbleandGranite.com

Marble and Granite carries quality slabs of natural stone that can be customized to meet your personal style and taste. The Marble Institute of America provides consumers with a few guidelines for customizing the edges of their natural stone products.

Edge profiles (or edge details) describe the decorative edges carved into natural stone. In addition to adding visual interest to the stone, edge profiles also create tactile differences that may effect the functionality of your space. Smoother edges are usually desired on countertops, especially near areas like the sink where someone washing dishes might rest his or her weight. In contrast, crisp edges are often more desirable for tiles.

For contemporary designs, consider more simplistic edge profiles for your countertops such as Pencil Round or Double Pencil Round, Radius or Double Radius. These edge types provide cleans lines with a bit more visual interest and comfort than Straight with Chamfer Eased edges, for example. For traditional designs, consider Ogee Roundover or Cove Dupont edged countertops. Such detailing complements the ornate accents of traditional and old world designs.

Source: Marble Institute of America

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