Blog

4 Essential Elements of a Baker's Kitchen Countertops

February 19, 2013

There's nothing as welcoming as the smell of cookies in the oven or a perfectly-baked apple pie cooling on a rack in your kitchen. If you're an avid baker, you need a kitchen design incorporating elements that make your baking days even more enjoyable. These four baker's kitchen essentials will get you started: 

  1. Layout and organization. Baking is much easier and a lot more fun when everything you need is at your fingertips.  Include plenty of counter space for mixing and rolling out dough, cooling your goodies and keeping things organized as you work. An island is ideal for working in pairs, as well as a comfortable place for a guest to enjoy watching the baking action. 
  2. Oven capacity. A double oven means double the goods you can bake at one time. An extra-wide oven will accommodate two cookie sheets instead of one, as well as make big meals such as Thanksgiving dinner much easier.
  3. Storage. Ample storage space to organize your baking pans and supplies is a must. Include plenty of cupboard space to keep your baking staples easily accessible. Shallow pull-out storage drawers make spices and tools easy to find, while a large pantry is perfect for storing items in bulk, along with essential tools you don't use very often, such as a pasta machine or food processor.
  4. Work surfaces. Every baker knows that marble countertops are ideal for rolling out pie crusts. Beautiful and durable, marble is beloved by bakers because it keeps the dough cool, is nonporous, resistant to bacteria, and it’s easy to clean and maintain.

If you're looking for a New England stone wholesaler, check out our large selection of marble countertops and get inspired! 

Tracey Stephens Interior Design Inc.

Photo by Houzzby Tracey Stephens Interior Design Inc

Read More

What Goes in to Natural Stone Countertops?

February 12, 2013

When it comes to kitchen renovations, one of the most popular upgrades among homeowners is the installation of stone countertops in marble or granite. Stone is an incredibly versatile material that helps to not only improve the aesthetic quality of the kitchen, but can also increase the value of your home.

Read More

Natural Stone countertops cost comparison

May 25, 2012

All home renovation projects, regardless of size, have one thing in common – a budget.
Probably the biggest factor in decision making, the budget will determine more about the final product than personal preference. Fortunately, if you have your heart set on a new stone, marble or granite countertop – your budget needn’t have the final say.
Marble and Granite, Inc. is the place to find an incredible assortment of top quality stone products in a wide range of prices – so your design preferences and your budget can work together to give you the kitchen you want at a price you can afford.

Read More

Rare Blue Granite Countertops for One of a Kind Countertops

March 20, 2012

Not all granite is equal. While granite has generally become more affordable, allowing a wider range of homeowners to achieve beautiful granite countertops, there is still a large gap between granite varieties that are more available and those that are rare and hard to find. As it was quoted in a recent Channel 5 News article, "Granite is like diamonds." In most cases, it is high variation and dramatic movement and flow that makes particular granite slabs more rare and expensive rather than the color. The individual patterns of granite are what make them so uniquely exquisite. However, there is one hue that happens to be very hard to find in granite, and therefore, always comes with a bigger price tag. As the article quotes a Texas-based installer, "If someone is looking for granite that is really rare . . . choosing a a blue hue is the way to go." For those homeowners looking to make a stunning statement with their countertops, here are some of the rare blue granite slabs currently available here at Marble and Granite in Westwood, Massachusetts and Milford, Connecticut.

Read More

5 Secrets to Caring for Granite Countertops

February 28, 2012

While stone countertops are trusted and preferred for their long-lasting durability, there are certain practices that are necessary to maintaining the exquisite beauty of your granite countertops, marble countertops or other natural stone surface. In a recent article, House Beautiful magazine shares the five secrets to keeping stone countertops in prime condition straight from kitchen designer Florence Perchuck, who has over 38-years of experience in the kitchen industry. Here are the five things that Perchuck believe consumers should know about stone countertops.

  1. Spills need to be wiped up immediately so as to prevent stains caused by liquids penetrating the surface.

  2. A proper seal can be tested by ensuring that water beads and forms droplets on the stone surface.

  3. Different stones require different sealing, cleaning and maintaining regimens; for example, marble is more porous than granite and, therefore, requires more frequent resealing.

  4. Always get a second opinion on sealing and cleaning products to make sure they are safe and effective on your particular stone surface.

  5. Do not assume that black stone surfaces (as opposed to white or other light colored stone surfaces) will be easier to keep a perfectly clean appearance; it is black stone surfaces, in fact, that show the most fingerprints.

A good stone cleaner is the key to daily maintenance of stone countertops. According to  House Beautiful article, Perchuck explains that it is always best to get a second opinion on stone countertop products, however, Perchuck does directly recommend StoneTech as an accredited sealing and cleaning system for natural stone countertops. To learn more about StoneTech products and other maintenance do’s and don’ts, please

{{cta('f69d100f-fe1b-48ed-ab71-1609682a8935')}}

 

caring for stone countertops resized 600

Photo via House Beautiful

Read More