Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Choosing Stone


From sharp, stylish living room fireplaces, to ethereal, durable outdoor patio surfaces, natural stone is widely regarded as one of the most versatile and sustainable building materials available today.

Natural stone is impossible to really lock down; it arrives in a wealth of colors, patterns and textures depending on where it comes from. But, what each type does have in common is a great deal of durability. By installing stone, inside or out, you’re making a long-term, quality design investment.



Popular uses for stone inside of your home include fireplaces, kitchens accents and stone walls in any room. For the outdoors, many choose to use it for patios, pool areas, columns, chimneys, and even siding. No matter what the element throw at it, 100% natural stone resists fading, chipping and splitting more effectively than the synthetic building materials on the market today.


As we previously mentioned, this type of stone exists as is in nature. What’s more, unlike many other materials, stone lacks the off-gases which can negatively affect indoor air quality. By selecting natural stone, you’re being a true environmentalist - and you probably didn’t even realize it!

Granite Countertops 

Limestone Fireplace 

Marble Countertops 

Soapstone Vanity 

Finally, natural stone makes a statement: the elegance, creativity and timelessness inherent in stone is likely to age will with your home and design tastes.

Is there a particular part of your home where you’ve used stone? Are you considering it? Leave us a comment and give us a glimpse into your future design plans!

Monday, May 5, 2014

Spring Decorating

Spring is undoubtedly a time of new beginnings...and this shouldn’t exclude your home. Freshening up rooms with new countertops is just the ticket when it comes to shrugging off a long, cold winter.

Distinctive Stone specializes in four types of material: Granite, Marble, Limestone and Soapstone. Each has a unique look and feel. We invite you to browse our webpage which displays our three- step project process. We’ll help you zero in on what kind of surface best fits your home and personal tastes. 

In the meantime, let’s break down the differences in the four:

Granite
Granite is a beautiful, tough stone --- it resists heat, weathers scratches and dings, and comes in a wide variety of hues and textures. It is an excellent choice for virtually any application – kitchens, baths, or fireplace surrounds. 


Marble
Marble is another popular choice --- elegant, classic, and available in soft white tones not found in other materials. Because it is a softer more porous stone, marble may not be an ideal choice for kitchen projects. However it works beautifully for baths or fireplace surrounds. 


Limestone
Like marble, limestone is another springy, natural selection. While it has a strong resistance to heat, it is also less durable than granite due to its porosity. It is typically found in an ivory or beige hue, making it a lovely choice for a warm-season bath redecoration project. 


Soapstone
Finally, Soapstone. This countertop choice is durable yet elegant, requiring little maintenance to keep it looking sharp. For those opting toward a richer, earthier look for the kitchen, this could be the one for you. Like granite, soapstone often contains other, lighter hues marbled through it, presenting a sharp and stylish contrast for your room.

Now that you’ve seen the choices, we’d like to know-- which one do you like most? Leave us a message below - we’d love to hear from you!