Beauty & Durability - Natural Stone Institute - Stone Industry … · · 2015-02-27Beauty & Durability ... Contributing Writers Heather Adams Garen Distelhorst ... even walk in

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Vol. 2 • No. 2 • Summer/Fall 2008 $3.95

GraniteBeauty & Durability

Granite Q&A

Architectural StoneCapturing Timeless Design Details in Stone

An Edge That Can Make a DifferenceOptions for Extraordinary Edge Profiles

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StoneDimensions Features

Architectural StoneCapturing Timeless Design Details in Stone .................................6

Gallery of Ideas............................................................................16

GraniteBeauty & Durability ..................................................................20

Granite Q&A ...............................................................................23

Here’s An Edge That Can Make A DifferenceOptions for Extraordinary Edge Profiles .....................................24

Dining InDesign Tips for the Eat-in Kitchen .............................................27

Index of Photographs ..................................................................30

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From the PublisherStoneDimensionsVolume 2 • Number 2

Published by

Marble Institute of America28901 Clemens Road • Suite 100

Cleveland, OH 44145ph: 440.250.9222 • fax: 440.250.9223

www.marble-institute.com

PublisherGaren P. Distelhorst

Editor-in-ChiefWilliam V. Levy

Creative DirectorSusan D. Myers

Contributing WritersHeather Adams

Garen DistelhorstWilliam V. Levy

Mary Jo Peterson, CKD, CBD, CAPS

Web Site www.stonedimensionsmagazine.com

www.marble-institute.com

Copyright © 2008 StoneDimensions. All Rights Reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced without written

permission. StoneDimensions and logo are registered trade marks. The opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publishers. Contributors and advertisers assume responsibility and liability for the accuracy of their statements

and claims. StoneDimensions is published quarterly.

Cover Photo

Private ResidenceVienna, VA

Countertop: 3CM Golden Beach graniteStone Supplier, Fabricator and Installer:

MARBLEXwww.marblexinc.com

Response to The New York Times Article“What’s Lurking in Your Countertop?”

On July 24, The New York Times Home Section published an article headlined,“What’s Lurking in Your Countertop?”

Typical of stories that seek to excite, rather than inform, the article repeatedly talksabout “radiation levels” without explaining what they mean. The article plays to theemotions, rather than basing its focus on scientific fact. In short, it follows the playbookused by two of the largest synthetic stone manufacturers (Silestone and Cambria) whoseek to increase their own sales by raising fears about natural stone.

For example, the piece fails to point out that studies have found that granite mostcommonly used in home countertops is safe. Instead, it vaguely mentions one or twostones that someone deemed to be problematic, then goes on to suggest that the onlysolution is to remove granite from the home.

We all know that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s solution for radon infiltration is venting, but that fact is also absent from the article.

We are disappointed that The New York Times has compromised the ultimate goal ofsharing truth with its readers. But it is precisely because individuals and companiesseek to prey on consumer fears and confusion that the Marble Institute of America isworking with the independent scientific community to set standards to test granitefor radon.

We are spearheading this effort because no other group – not in the scientific community,the university community or in government – has chosen to proceed with such standards.Why? Because they don’t see the risk as being significant. If these groups believed theissue merited attention, I can assure you they would find the resources to do the testing that only the MIA has been willing to fund.

We will provide updates as they become available on www.marble-institute.com.

Garen P. DistelhorstPublisherMarble Institute of America

Genuine Stone® and the Genuine Stone® sealare trademarks of the Natural Stone Council.

®

www.stonedimensionsmagazine.com 5

There is a little bit of world traveler inus all, yearning to visit far away placesand experience the mystery of distantlands. Actually touching and feeling thelandmarks we’ve only read about in historybooks, connecting with the spirits ofcenturies long past. Some of us will makethose distant journeys, others may onlyget as far as the next town, but whereverwe go and whatever we do, one of the firstplaces we’ll hasten to visit is somewherethat the architecture distinguishes itselffrom the ordinary. From quaint cottagestucked away in historic villages to thegrand castles of Europe, these places allhold one thing in common... architecturalaccents in stone.

Fortunately for those of us that long tolive with these authentic architecturalfeatures each and every day, we haveendless options at out disposal in whichto create a distinctive home built towithstand the test of time. Ornate detailsin natural stone once relegated to publicbuildings, Ivy League Universities and thehomes of the rich and famous are nowours to enjoy. From stately columns andcourtyard fountains to massive fireplacesand grand staircases, the average home-owner can now surround themselveswith elegance, luxury and the everlastingbeauty that natural stone offers.

Curb appealWhoever said first impressions areimportant, probably wasn’t talking aboutcurb appeal, but perhaps they should havebeen. Not only must a home’s outwardappearance be attractive for potentialfuture resale, but more importantly, itshould be attractive to you.

Indistinguishable cookie cutter homesare rapidly becoming a thing of the pastwith custom designed homes becomingthe norm rather than the exception. Inplace of being presented with a handfulof options, today’s homeowner is given awide variety of choices from which tocreate their ideal home. Here are just afew ideas to get you started before youeven walk in the front door.

Ideas for your home’s façadePlace smooth limestone or split-facedstone blocks at the outer edge of yourhome’s façade in the form of quoins tocovey the European castle look.

Tracing the front door with an ivory colored limestone portico is stunningoff-set by an irregular red brick façade.With ivy randomly weaving its way over and around the brick, the look isunmistakably English cottage.

Framing windows with stone adds a richtouch to the home’s curb appeal. Doingso draws the eye away from the entranceto encompass the entire face of the house.

Treat your entry porch to an eye-catching“mosaic rug” or a stone medallion.Consider an exterior that incorporatesboth random/stacked stone with antiquatedstucco for a distinctive look.

The foyerAfter peaking their interest, your guestsare led from the entryway into the foyer.From this transitional space, they shouldbecome intrigued at what lies ahead. Aduo of columns supporting a simplisticarch will not only frame the view ahead,but like a valuable piece of artwork, willentice visitors to step closer and take abetter look. If columns and arches sounda bit over the top for you, simply framinga portal to the next room with stone tileand cast stone trim work will convey asimilar rich look at a fraction of the cost.

ColumnsColumns in and around today’s homeno longer exist merely as supportivestructures, nor do they always fall intothe historically popular orders of Doric,

continued on page 11


Capturing timeless design details in natural stone

Heather E AdamsFounder and co-owner, Natural Stone Design


Ionic and Corinthian. Columns are foundscattered throughout the home for a varietyof reasons, the most obvious being ...style. Whether used as a decorative element or to camouflage an existingsupport, these structures make a boldstatement and add a definitive element ofgrandeur to any space. Cladding a roundcolumn with mini mosaics is quite pretty,especially when accompanied by a colorfulband of handcrafted tiles. Dull anduninteresting rectangular supports canbe reinvented through the use of largestone tiles accented by heavy, prominentborders of carved stone.

The use of columns within the home isrelatively unlimited. From private spacesto public areas, they can be found in justabout every room of the house, includingthe master bath and kitchen. For those ona budget, keep in mind that the visualperception of a hollow cast stone columncan be just as impressive as one carvedfrom solid stone. Don’t be too quick todelete something this impressive fromyour wish list.

Ideas for columnsIn areas that need dressing up, but donot allow for the introduction of a truecolumn, use a pilaster or half round column instead. Still managing to addcharacter to any space, they are lessintrusive and are not as expensive.

Dining rooms that boast dome ceilingscan be made to appear as if the domerests upon a collection of columns. Byfaux painting the ceiling and adding acrystal chandelier, you can create anenchanting dining decor fit for a king.Don’t overlook the hallway as a place tobe creative. This frequently skirted areashould hold some interest as it leads youon the pathway to your next destination.The addition of a groin vault ceiling canadd a distinctly gothic look. The inter-secting vaults of the ceiling may appearto be held in place by simple rows ofcolumns, adding a bit of drama to thistypically non-descript space.

When adding a loggia or large porch tothe rear of your home, create an arcadelook by placing a successive row ofcolumns and arches along the linearexpanse. Bow out the center portion ofthe porch and treat railings with a thickstone handrail and baluster configurationfor that unmistakable Italian garden style.

Stone wallsFor years, interior walls served only todivide and define the spaces within thehome. Their lackluster appeal was maskedthrough the addition of artwork and theoccasional niche carved into their surface.Now, walls are moving to the forefront,gaining attention on their own throughthe use of visually engaging compositions.Similar in appearance to the stone wallsfound in old Italian farmhouses, the newwall of stone features a variety of looks.Contrary to popular belief, walls of stoneare not cold and unyielding, but willprovide your home with a genuine warmthand touch of romanticism. Dependingon the style of your home, you may wishto clad your walls with irregular jaggedstones or smooth limestone pavers.

The stone fireplaceVery few decorative features exist thatcan rival the visual impact of a massivestone fireplace. When put to the test, thischarismatic detail generally supersedeseven the most exquisite piece of artworkor innovative blend of furniture.

Capable of setting the mood and style foralmost any room, the newest trends inhome design feature fireplaces throughoutthe house. Leaping its conventionalboundaries within the living room to

sweep throughout the house like a wildfire, it has spread to the master bedroomand bath, burning a path to the gatheringrooms and back to the kitchen, where itoriginated so many years ago.

Historically speaking, it was not that longago that virtually every room in the housewas graced by their presence. Once anecessity for both comfort and survival,today’s fireplace has shed its functionalrole as a way to heat the home and hastranscended into “mood maker”, incor-porated more for its ability to create anundisputed “sense of comfort” than toprovide the room’s occupants with heat.

The fireplace, due to its potentially massivesize, is capable of carrying the entirescope of a room independent of othercomponents. Due to the wide range ofdesigns and colors available, it is impos-sible not to find one perfectly suited foryour architectural decor. Lifted from theoriginal designs of Old World mastercraftsmen, these distinctive hand-carvedpieces and their precast cousins, representsome of the most impressive surroundson the market. Flanked on either side bythick scrolling legs beautifully cappedwith large heavy mantels, these fireplaceshave the potential to rob adjacent elementsof their visual impact. Smaller versionsof these Gothic giants are produced insmooth polished marble and creamycarved limestone. With their refineddetail and curvaceous lines, they beckonyou into a warm, romantic setting.Perfect for small, cozy bedrooms andfeminine master baths, these designsevoke a feeling reminiscent of theVictorian era.

Geared toward the simple geometric linesof contemporary design, basic surroundsassembled from stone slabs, set as toclosely hug the opening of the firebox,allow for elegance without competitionin a minimalist setting. Slightly moreimpressive, but fully capable of conveyingthe minimalist fundamental principles arewalls covered entirely in a sleek polishedmarble or large square tiles of honedslate. Using a natural faced stone in thesame setting will alter the look entirely.Custom-built fireplaces comprised ofboulders or rugged stacked stone arereminiscent of the American West andare frequently found in a more casualenvironment. Consuming a wall in itsentirety, these dominating structuresmake a powerful statement.

Architectural Stone continued from page 7


Ideas for the fireplaceDo not overlook the addition of an“over-the-mantle” design. In lieu of apainting, many designers are now incor-porating these features to complement thefireplace surround. Often created fromthe same stone, they add yet anotherlayer of interest.

To dress up an existing wooden mantel,introduce a border of mosaic in a vibrantpattern or color around the firebox. Thesehandcrafted pieces may be a little pricey,but you will need very few to make abig statement.

Do not ignore special places within thehome for the addition of a fireplace. Sincethe advent of vent-free gas logs, it hasbecome possible to add a fireplace innearly any room in the house. The homeoffice, the library, the kitchen and diningroom, all can be greatly enhanced by theamber glow of a warm fire.In the master suite, connect the bedroomwith the bath by way of a large see-throughfirebox. Not only will it add a spark of

romance to both rooms, but will also giveyou two fireplaces for the price of one!

The vent hoodSearching for just the right style can bechallenging, finding the perfect designelement to express that “look” can be amajor undertaking. When it comes tokitchens, there is one architectural iconthat is capable of single-handedly deliveringthe punch necessary to carry the entireroom. That stunning focal point is …thestone vent hood. Nothing will set yourkitchen apart from the mundane ormake a more distinctive statement thana vent hood constructed from stone.Adding remarkable height and scale tothe room, their multifaceted characterand flair are unparalleled when it comesto defining that specific style. Thesemassive hoods of stone are the perfectcomplement when it comes to the por-trayal of motifs from English Manor andFrench Country to Mediterranean Villa.

With today’s trend of incorporating professional style ranges in private

residences, the venting systems arebecoming larger and more powerful.

Considering the amount of space dedicatedto this functional mammoth, it is importantthat it be attractive. The task of trans-forming this practical workhorse into apiece of art may not be as difficult youmay think. Space allocation will play apart in the styles that may be considered.Small rooms with low ceilings are notsuitable for the larger manufacturedmodels, but with a little ingenuity andclever design, custom vent hoods can beconstructed to fit almost any setting. If youare in the process of building, and a venthood is not featured on your blueprints,speak with your architect or builderright away. If you are in the midst ofredesigning an existing home, sharpenyour pencil and go to work. These luxu-rious architectural wonders are definite-ly not an afterthought. Your architect orbuilder will determine ahead of time theplacement and size requirement neces-sary to meet building code. With these

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specifications in hand and your ideasregarding color and design, you canbegin the shopping process. Choicesinclude structures carved from solidstone, pre-fabricated cast stone, Scagliolaand custom-built sub-structures cladwith stone tile.

Vent hoods of solid stone are extremelyheavy and somewhat expensive, but theirhand-carved detail and velvety shadowsreflect an authentic natural beauty. Ornatecorbels frequently grace either side, creating the illusion that the massivestructure rests upon them. Choosing asubstantial hood such as this dictatesthat its location be one of primary focus.It may become necessary to reinforcethe wall, ensuring that it is capable ofhandling the excessive weight associatedwith a structure of this magnitude.

Custom built hoods consist of a sub-structure overlaid with stone tiles. Costs areoften less than a carved or pre-fabricatedhood and cladding a custom made formallows for greater latitude in size, shape,color and texture. When creating theseone-of-a-kind vent hoods, considerpulling the same tile up from the coun-tertop or splash to give the area a morecohesive appearance. To spark interest,

try altering the pattern of the tiles. Forexample, if you are using a 4x4 tumbledmarble on your splash in a diagonal pat-tern, place the same 4x4 tile on the hoodin a square or staggered fashion for aeye-catching contrast. Decorative trimsused on the splash may be pulled upand utilized as a border along the baseportion of the hood itself.

If the idea of a large stone feature in yourkitchen appeals to you, but a toweringvent hood seems overpowering, considerthe traditional hearth and mantel motif.To create this look, recess the range intoits own nook, and frame the openingwith a carved or cast stone “surround”.Flank the two sides with large scrollingcorbels and cap the structure with a thickcrown-molding shelf. This layout offersthe space to display a special piece ofartwork, a collection of novel sculptures,or even a pair of small topiaries.

StaircasesDue to their impressive proportions, thesweeping grandeur of a majestic staircasespiraling skyward is difficult to competewith...so why try? If you are lucky enoughto own a home which features an archi-tectural wonder of this magnitude, takeadvantage of your good fortune and make

it memorable by encasing it in stone.Although extremely labor intensive, itwill be worth every penny when youstep back to admire this work of art.

Treads and risers are readily available inpre-fabricated stone slabs or you mayelect to have them custom fabricated.You need not be limited to thick slabs forthe stair way, cladding them with stonetile, smaller tumbled pieces, or evenmosaics are all enticing possibilities.

As with any large-scale feature, the abilityexists to pull forth a certain style throughthe incorporation of specific materials.Touches of formality can be generatedthough the use of a timeless marble, suchas the gray and white Carrara. If youseek to capture that unmistakable zestyflair of the Mediterranean, your risersshould include tangy sun-washed tilesof bright yellow, cobalt blue and dustyterra cotta. If your tastes are consistentlymore European, thick slabs of earth-tonedlimestone or travertine climbing thestaircase will surely speak of Old World.

Visually, the size and weight of the stair-case will be greatly influenced by yourchoice of hand railings. Large heavyhandrails and balusters will create atotally different look than an open airyrailing of iron. Adding a waist-highwainscoting of stone tile to the adjoiningwalls of your staircase will add a uniqueflair, especially when capped along theupper edge with a single strip of polishedmosaic and an ornate bull-nose trim.

Lastly, don’t overlook your landings.Stopping to catch your breath, will takeon a totally different meaning as you stopto experience the beautiful intricacies ofan etched design centered in its midst.

OutdoorsSwept by gentle breezes and facing anever-changing landscape, outdoor livingspaces add a remarkable touch of natureto our lifestyles. From the sophisticatedrooftop terraces of towering high-rises tothe graceful verandas of the South, moreand more people are slipping outdoorsto step onto wide expanses of naturalstone. These breathtaking “rooms”designed for outdoor living range fromsmall intimate retreats to ostentatiousexpanses capable of entertaining the masses.

With the emergence of grand scale loggia’sand verandas, today’s lavish exteriorspaces rival many of their interior coun-terparts. The style and content of theseoutside “rooms” depends greatly on theavailability of area and the amount of

money being allocated to the project. Ifyou plan to invest significantly in thisspace, you will want to protect thisinvestment by purchasing materials thatare going to hold their own against theelements. Stone is one of the few materialscapable of surviving the deterioratingeffects of nature while circumventingmany of the problems associated withexterior maintenance. Unlike man-madeproducts that must be replaced over timedue to damage, sun-fading and normalwear, stone is a permanent fixture thatpossesses the unique ability to increasein beauty with age.

Pools, spas and water featuresEscaping urban chaos to spend sunnydays and breezy nights amid lush land-scaping, gurgling fountains and sparklingpools is the perfect way to unwind. Whendesigning your exterior water features,draw inspiration from your dreams andthen create something magical.

Consider exactly what you wish to artic-ulate within the space before jumping inheadfirst. It is important to decide upfront whether your pool is going to beused for recreational use only or ismeant to be an extension of the archi-tectural motif reflected within the home.The marriage of form and function canbe accomplished when an object servesits purpose well, but is also pleasing tothe eye. Pools designed as ornamentationdo remain functional, but are first andforemost designed to complement adjacentstructures and blend naturally with thesurrounding landscape. Before settlingfor the ordinary, research your options.The shape and size of a pool can greatlyalter its final perception.

When searching for inspiration, don’tforget to look to history and the pools andgardens that have survived centuries.Bathed in earthy color palettes and ame-liorated by the hands of time, they appearuntouched and nearly forgotten. Elongatedlap pools circumfused by a narrow walk-way of antiquated stone can resonatethe quiet mystery of an undisturbedlake. Framed at the far end by a pergolabolstered by stone columns, your poolwill certainly convey a feeling that ismore mythical than recreational. A smallround pool, encircled by a tangle ofintricately woven mosaics, will appearalmost jewel-like lying amidst a bed ofsoft textured hedges.

Tile selections for pool use should providestable footing when wet and be comfortableto walk upon barefoot. Excellent choicesinclude coral stone, fossil stone, sandstone,and saw-cut travertine. Coping, which isused to edge the pool, is available inpre-cast sections and bricks that havebeen bullnosed to provide a smooth edgeto the pool perimeter. For a very cleanuninterrupted look, the pool deckingcan be run to the very rim and copingomitted entirely. This option will visuallyrender a seamless cup in which the wateris held.

Due to the enormous cost involved, youprobably will not be able to cover theinterior of your pool with decorativestone mosaics, like those ancient poolsfound scattered across Europe. However,you may want to consider adding smalltouches of stone in the form of a scrollingwater-line border, bowed steps or a sin-uous bench to lounge upon. Anotherconcept for introducing natural stone

around the pool area is to create a smallwall at the end of the pool where a waterfeature or small fountain originates. Lastly,if your pool design features a spa thatoverflows into the larger swimmingarea, consider cladding the face, wherethe water spills over, with an intriguingdesign. Remember, when dealing withhighly decorative mosaics, a little can goa long way.

Wall FountainsRising from the earth in the timelesssplendor of a mythical garden, weatheredstones of ancient wall fountains springforth from secluded corners of the land-scape. Accompanied by the soft ripplingsounds of water sliding down their agedtile faces...they whisper secrets of an ancientpast. Stone fountains, incorporatingplinths, bowls and coping in carvedstone, emulate the rich earthy palettesof these wonderfully aged landmarks.These towering fountains are comprisedof two major parts, an upright wall andcatch basin. Their vertical constructionpermits the use of a variety of stone,offering innumerable combinations. Thewall may be clad with aged tiles or a sleekslab of stone. Left unadorned, a solidsheet of stone captures the exotic mysteryof Asia. Fountain walls embellished byelaborate and intricate designs, featuringpicture frame formats, serve as perimetersfor intricate webs of mosaic or small-format stone. These layouts provide thebackdrop for icons from which the wateroriginates. Such features may includesomething as simple as a half-bowlembedded into the face of the tower or adrooling lion’s head. Depending on thesize, pattern and texture of the stoneappearing beneath the icon, the compo-sition may depict any number of styles.

The uses for natural stone in architectureare virtually endless. Prices range fromthe affordable to outlandish. Do not bequick to dismiss the addition of magnifi-cent focal points in and about yourhome. These are the details that create ahome meant to be passed down fromgeneration to generation. So go ahead,start dreaming. l

To learn more, look for the author’sbooks “STONE” and “TILE STYLE”(Harry N. Abrams Inc. publishers - New York). These books are available through theMarble Institute of America bookstore.Visit www.marble-institute.com forinformation. l

n New York City and other centers of commerce in the 1980’s, granite

was king of the office building construction world. Put a granite façade on

a building and you had striking colors and a shimmering surface that looked

like a million dollars…and it pretty much lasted forever. The look did not

go unnoticed for long among the people who design residential interiors,

particularly kitchens and baths. Some got the idea that the sensational look,

coupled with the durability and affordability of granite, would be something

to behold on kitchen counters – and the granite boom was soon underway.


Jack Seiders of Architectural Granite andMarble of Austin, Texas has spent morethan 30 years in the stone business andhas seen the evolution of granite frombasically a commercial building materialto a component that has won the heartsand minds of consumers around theworld. “It’s the big change of my lifetimein this industry,” says Seiders. Originally,the price of granite was considered tooexpensive for wide-ranging applicationsin the consumer marketplace, but todaynew sources of supply, coupled withadvances in technology, have made graniteand other natural stones highly competitivewith virtually all other surfaces.

New technology enables stone quarriersto extract granite from the ground fasterand at a lower cost. With new computer-driven equipment, fabricators are cuttingand polishing quicker and more preciselythan ever. In the early days of the granitecountertop boom, most of the graniteblocks were shipped to Italy for fabricationregardless of where they were quarried.“The Italian companies basically producedall of the stone working equipment. Theyare the standard for the stone workingindustry. We used to source all of the stonematerials we bought from Italy becausethey were the only people in the worldwho had the sophisticated machinery.“Now that machinery has, for the mostpart, been exported to the countriesfrom which the material originates; weare able to source from a wide array ofcountries directly – from Brazil, China,India, Italy, as well as, the United States,”Seiders said. From a technical point ofview, that served to level the playing fieldfrom a raw material standpoint, especiallyfrom the aspect of uniform thickness andproper application of polish. “So, reallywhat you find is just the difference inthe colors of granite,” Seiders said. “That’sthe only difference.”

Does that mean that all granite is createdequal? “No, there are literally hundredsof varieties of granite in the NorthAmerican market. It is important,” Seidersexplained, “to know the actual type ofgranite and work with a vendor thatknows the product he is selling.”

There are really two prime categories ofgranite. One is basic and the other isexotic. Basic granites are usually lowerpriced and uniform in color. Exoticstypically have a flow to material, similarto marble, with striking and different

I

Garnet Gem Granite | Garnet Gem Granite Quarry | Ruby Mountain in North River, New YorkQuarry owned by Barton Quarries | Photo courtesy of Michael Reis


Q: We recently had a granite countertopinstalled by a big box store. We opted todo our own plumbing and sink installation,though, and they told us to use a plumber’sputty that has now discolored the granitearound the sink (as though it were verywet). They suggested we contact you tosee what might take this saturated lookout of the granite. Any ideas?

A: Plumbers’ Putty is oil-based andshould never be used with natural stones,however, Plumbers’ Putty stains are fairlystraight forward to correct. First, removethe fixture and all of the putty. Thenapply a poultice (you can get poulticingpowder from a local stone shop, or orderit from some of the stone tool catalogs)hydrated with either acetone or mineralspirits. Apply the poultice to the surfaceof the stone where the stain entered thestone, as to draw the stain backwardsalong the same path it entered. This may take three to five iterations, but youshould notice improvement each time.When the stain is fully eradicated, reinstall the fixture using a non-stainingelastomeric sealant.

Q: I have spilled super glue on my granitecounters. Any way of cleaning it withouttaking off the polish?

A: Make sure it is granite. If it is, youshould be able to shave it off with a razorblade. We use super glue to make repairsall of the time and shave off the excess.If it is not real granite, the razor couldscratch it. If it is real granite, it shouldbe harder than the steel and not scratchthe stone.

Q: What is the Mohs’ hardness of granite?

A: Actually, there wouldn't be a Mohs’hardness for granite. Mohs’ Scale, devel-oped in 1812 by the German/Austrianmineralogist Friedrich Mohs, is scale ofrelative hardness of minerals, not stones.Mohs used ten common minerals, andranked them numerically by their scratchresistance. His original scale, from softestto hardest, was 1 Talc, 2 Gypsum, 3 Calcite,4 Fluorite, 5 Apatite, 6 Feldspar, 7 Quartz,8 Topaz, 9 Corundum, and 10 Diamond.It is a relative scale, as opposed to a linearor absolute scale. Therefore, we cannotsay that feldspar is twice as hard as calcite

due to their numbers on the scale. We canonly say that it is harder than apatite, whichis harder than fluorite, which is harderthan calcite. Granite, like all dimensionstone types, is a heterogeneous material andincludes minerals of varying hardnesses.The majority of the stone’s compositionwould likely be feldspar and quartz, whichare 6 and 7 respectively on Mohs’ scale.The other minerals within the stone couldbe anywhere from 3 to 9 on Mohs’ scale.

Q: What is the process for manufacturingtumbled stone? I am currently consideringputting tumbled marble tiles in my kitchenas a backsplash and am curious as to theprocess of stones becoming “tumbled”.

A: A true tumbled surface would beachieved by placing the tiles (also donewith cobbles) into a rotating drum, withsand, or slightly coarser medium, andallowing them to “tumble”. This processbreaks off many of the corners and dis-tresses the edges, giving the tiles a “worn”look. There may be products marketed astumbled finish which are produced bymore regular means, somewhat like a bushhammer, but they would look a bit different.

Granite Q & Acolorations and veining running throughoutthe material. Exotic stones are usuallyfound in small quarries or in smallersections of larger quarries. They are moreexpensive because they often are moredifficult to get out of the ground, maybe in limited supply, and because theyare simply so beautiful they demand ahigher price.

Whether your choice is one of the basiccolors of granite or an exotic, you can beassured of one thing: No one else in theworld will have the same exact colorationand pattern, which is one of major alluresof granite.

Along with the beauty, granite (for floors,kitchen and bath countertops or otherapplications) is also durable, easy tomaintain, and safe for handling all typesof food products. No wonder it is thechoice of the most discriminating buyersin America and around the world.

As in the use of all natural stones, selectingthe right stone for the right application isimportant, but it is equally vital to choosethe right fabricator for the job. All fabri-cators are not qualified to handle alltypes of stones, especially expensive exoticstones. A good place to start is at theMarble Institute of America website,www.marble-institute.com, which featuresa directory of MIA-fabricator members. l


When you really get down to it, it’sattention to the little things that spells thedifference between the ordinary and theextraordinary when it comes to kitchenand bath design and execution. That’swhy the selection of the edge profile isso important on granite and other naturalstone countertops in the home.

With today’s high-tech edge profilingmachines, there are virtually unlimitedtypes of standard and custom edge designsavailable for the consumer. But, sur-prisingly, only a handful of edge profilesare selected.

Simplicity seems to be the norm. Onemajor stone fabricator said that 90 percentof the edges produced it its shop is justa simple case edge.

Pencil Edge

Full Bullnose Edge

In my grandma’s kitchen, we always satat the kitchen table to have our cocoa andtoast when we were lucky enough to stayover with her. We also “helped” withbaking and played games or pretendedto cook while she prepared supper.

Her kitchen table was freestanding, buttucked to one side of the kitchen, withbuilt-in banquette seating on two parallelbenches, under which sat the ever-attentivedog, eager for anything we dropped (withthe exception of the cursed peas thateven the dog wouldn’t eat).

Some things have changed, some areremarkably similar, but the desire for acozy spot to sit for casual meals or snackscontinues to be a prime concern whenplanning kitchens.

Back then, we certainly loved the socialaspects of cooking and the kitchen, butfor the most part, that still meant Grandmacooked while the rest of us socialized.Today, major changes include the shiftto multiple cooks, to a greater variety ofactivities that the kitchen eating space maybe used for, and often to a space that islarger and more open to adjacent spaces.

Time shortages have lead to greater demandfor efficiency, which has increased interestin casual eating as close as possible tothe prep area. Sometimes this space maybe the primary place to eat, socializeand accomplish other daily tasks suchas reading the mail or doing homework.

Although we all know kitchens are gettingbigger, we are often faced with spacechallenges. While clients may not start out

thinking this way, at least some built-incomponents can help save space, whichis making them a great opportunity fordesigners. Following are some thoughtson today’s built-in eating spaces.

Questions to askMost households will dine in a varietyof ways and places, depending on thetime of day and the schedules, ages andabilities of the family members. All ofthis will influence the design of thekitchen eating area.

Its location must be considered, as well.Will people eating at this space have aview of the sunset or will they look rightat the kitchen mess? Will this spaceallow for easy traffic and work flow inand around the kitchen? Will this be thedefining line between kitchen prep andthe adjacent Great Room? Would thefamily like to view a TV, listen to music oraccess a computer from the eating space?Would they like to face each other orline up next to each other to snack or


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Design aside, there are some caveats toconsider when selecting edge profiles forboth kitchens and baths: Avoid sharpedges or profiles that are difficult to cleanand also are vulnerable to chipping.

It’s critical to take the time to consult withyour fabricator or kitchen and bath designerabout this important element of the job.If you do your homework you won’t bedisappointed with the finished product.

To help you understand the edge profilepossibilities, here are the most popularones in use, according to a survey by theMarble Institute of America of fabricatorsacross the country. l

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Dining In:Design Tips for the Eat-in Kitchen


eat? Will Dad be making breakfast whilekids are having breakfast at this same

space? What other activities will takeplace at the table? And what lightingmust be planned to accommodate these?

Does the family already have a table thatmust be designed in? What are theirfeelings about the size, shape and heightof the table or chairs? And, of course,will they consider built-in aspects of theeating area?

All of these should be answered in theplanning process.

From the new NKBA Kitchen Planningbook, by Beamish, Parrot, Emmel andPeterson, we are reminded of some ofthe basic needs and clearances. Storagenear the eating area must be planned forsuch things as dishes, glasses, flatware,

linens and accessories. In addition, storagemay be desired for “stuff” relating tohomework, children, bill-paying, cook-books or whatever activities will be takingplace at this table. Counter and/or tablesurface is needed for serving meals.

Depending on the size of the space andthe budget, sometimes a hot/cold beveragestation can be planned or, if not, proximityto appropriate appliances such as therefrigerator, the microwave, the toasteror the coffee and hot beverage maker. Inlarger kitchens, it has become morecommon to see a separate clean-up areathat includes sink and dishwasher nearthe dish storage and the eating area tofacilitate a clean-up person in additionto the cooks of the household, and oftenthese neighboring spaces will overlap.

ClearancesAs for space allowances needed for eatingand traffic flow around the table, thekitchen planning book has great infor-mation. Given that a seated diner takesup about 24" beyond the edge of the eatingcounter or table, the NKBA guidelinesspecify that a minimum of 36" may allowfor a person to edge past the seated dinerand that amount increases to 44" to allowa person to walk past, with 60" allowingclearance for a person using a wheelchair.

As for space at the table or counter, 30"wide by 18" deep is the preferred allowance.For a high chair, a minimum of foursquare feet is recommended. Knee spacebelow the table will be impacted by theheight of the table, with 18" recommendedat table height, 15" at standard counter

height (36") and 12" at standard barheight (42").

Do the math, include room for servingdishes, and you can get an estimate of thesize of the table needed to accommodatewhatever number of people. Or, consultthe book Human Dimension and InteriorSpace by Julius Panero and Martin Zelnik,which offers excellent standards for interiors.According to the authors, a round table36" in diameter can seat four people fora light snack, and a minimum of 48" willaccommodate full place settings for four.

SolutionsAdding up all the recommended spaceallowances, the sum can seem to be biggerthan the space available. And yet we frequently hear clients say that they wantto be sure there is comfortable walkingclearance around the eating area. Obviouslythese clearances must sometimes becompromised, and this is where designoptions come in. Working with the desires,preferences and parameters of the actualspace available, these standards oftenhave to be prioritized and then met orcompromised to fit the family.

Building in any aspect of the eating areacan help by eliminating at least some ofthe needed space for walkways, whichmay be why these ideas have increasedso much in recent years. Our office hasmade good use of pull-out tables in thesmallest of galley kitchens so that casualmeals can take place by bringing in a chair,and when done, the table is retracted andtraffic flow restored. This works well asit also doubles as a lowered work surfacein the kitchen.

A pull-out table can also work well locatedoff the back side of an island where trafficwould be interrupted by a permanenttable, or where storage has been createdacross the back of the island, leaving noknee space. A table or built-in snack barcan be located on the back of the islandor peninsula. The snack bar may be atcounter height so it can function as prepsurface or eating bar as needed.

When the kitchen mess is an issue, raisingthe table or snack bar can help block thatview from the adjoining space. This is agreat opportunity for unusual shapes orcontrasting materials, such as glass, as ithelps to transition from prep to socialspace. Standard table height takes themost space, but offers comfort for thegreatest variety of users, and can doubleas a baking center or chopping surface, asit falls at the proper height for many cooks.

Custom tailored to fit a client’s needs,banquettes are more popular than ever,and showing up in every style fromgrandma’s cozy kitchen to the most con-temporary of spaces. Because they greatlyreduce clear floor space for passage,they can be a great solution, but they dorequire dedicated space. Sometimes in anook or bay, sometimes off the back of anisland, they can be shaped and sized tofit the available space, and they typicallyinclude storage drawers or bins belowthe seating.

In some cases, the space below the seatmay be recessed so that one’s feet can beplaced under the seat for better balancewhen rising. The actual bench dimensionsmust coincide with the required spacefor a seated diner, typically finishing at18" high by 24" wide by 15" deep per

diner. The height dimension shouldinclude the seat cushion.

Books could be written about the “dine-in”space in a kitchen, but suffice to say weall wish for it. While my own recentlyrenovated kitchen is far from my grand-ma’s, it does include a single bench witha small table and two opposing chairsfor two of us to eat when we’re alone. Inreality, no matter how many are with us,if we are not outside, we are at that tinykitchen table, because it’s where peopleare most comfortable. As designers, thekitchen eating area deserves our carefulattention, as it will remain a centralfocus of the kitchen. l

This article was originally published in theNovember 2007 issue of Kitchen & BathDesign News. (www.KitchenBathDesign.com) Reprinted with permission.

30 www.stonedimensionsmagazine.com StoneDimensions • Vol. 2 No. 2

As genuine as you.

GenuineStone.org

Cover

Project Name: Private residenceCity: To comeStone Importer, Fabricator, and Installer: Marblex Design International, Inc.Stone Supplier: Marblex Design International, Inc.Photo Credit: Michael Levy

To come

Page 6

Designer: London Bay HomesCity: Naples, FL

From the book “STONE”Courtesy Harry N. Abrams, Inc.

Page 8 & 9


Photo Credit: Kim Sargent

Page 10


Photo Credit: Kim Sargent

Page 11


Photo Credit: Tim Street-Porter

Page 12

From the book “Designing a Home with Wood”Courtesy Harry N. Abrams, Inc.

Photo Credit: Eric Roth

Page 13

Designer: London Bay HomesCity: Naples, FL


Page 14

Material: Paris Ceramics (www.parisceramics.com)


Page 16

Showroom: Trevarrow Inc.City: Cleveland, OHStone Supplier: Bradley StoneGlass Tile Supplier: Virginia TileBuilding Construction: DAS Construction Co.Photo Credit: Michael Levy

Countertop: Donna Sandra GraniteBacksplash: Roku Glass Tile

Page 17

Showroom: Trevarrow Inc.City: Cleveland, OHCountertop Stone Supplier: Bradley StoneBuilding Construction: DAS Construction Co.Photo Credit: Michael Levy

Island countertop: Durnago StoneHood wall: Titanium granite and marbleBacksplash: Natural field stone

Page 18-19

Project Name: Private ResidenceCity: Austin, TXArchitect: Walter S. Toole StudioDesigner: Terry Barker InteriorsGeneral Contractor: Audino Construction, Inc.Stone Supplier, Fabricator, and Installer: Southwest Marble & Granite Works

Kitchen countertops: 3cm Golden Taupe Granite

Master bath countertops and backsplashes:3cm Emperador Dark Marble

Note: This project was selected for the Texas Builders Association Star Award for: Best Remodeled Kitchenin the state for over $75,000 and Best RemodeledBath in the state for over $25,000.

Page 20

Project Name: Private residenceCity: To comeStone Importer, Fabricator, and Installer: Marblex Design International, Inc.Stone Supplier: Marblex Design International, Inc.Photo Credit: Michael Levy

To come

Page 22 (left)

Designer: Johnson Granite, Inc.(www.johnsongranite.com)Stone Supplier, Fabricator, and Installer: Johnson Granite, Inc.

Countertop: Baltic Brown Granite

Page 22 (right)

Showroom: Trevarrow Inc.City: Cleveland, OHCountertop Stone Supplier: StoneworksBuilding Construction: DAS Construction Co.Photo Credit: Michael Levy

Countertop: Tobacco granite

Page 23

Showroom: Trevarrow Inc.City: Cleveland, OHBuilding Construction: DAS Construction Co.Photo Credit: Michael Levy

Countertops: Esmeralda granite

Page 24

Showroom: Trevarrow Inc.City: Cleveland, OHInterior Designer: Pamela Caldes Interior DesignCountertop Stone Fabricator and Installer: Creative Stone CraftersBuilding Construction: DAS Construction Co.Photo Credit: Michael Levy

Countertops: Suman granite with triple waterfall edge

Page 25 (top)


Countertop: Giallo Veneziano granite

Page 25 (bottom)


Countertop: Emperador Dark marble

Page 26 (left)


Countertops: Brown Pearl granite

Page 25 (right)


Countertop: Emperador Dark Marble

Page 28

Showroom: Trevarrow Inc.City: Cleveland, OHBuilding Construction: DAS Construction Co.Photo Credit: Michael Levy

Island Countertop: Marrom Cohiba granite

Page 30

Materials: Walker Zanger (www.walkerzanger.com)


Index of Photographs

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