Marble and Granite's Blog

Pantone's fall 2012 color palette provides incredible inspiration for home remodeling projects this fall. As Rachel Roy describes it, "The color palette contrasts between dark tones of granite, slate and soil with pops of bright pinks and purples; prominent colors of warm and cool shades of Green and Berry with brushed Coppers are combined in beautiful silhouettes." 

And since Pantone's palette is inspired by nature's landscape and the fall season, there is no better way to bring these colors into interiors than through natural materials including natural stone and engineered stone. Here are a few of the Marble and Granite products that could be used to incorporate these hues into your home or commercial space. 

For French Roast try...

Labrador Antique Granite with polished finish (available in 3cm) 

For Honey Gold try...

Pineapple Onyx Marble with polished finish (available in 2cm)

Acapulco Green Engineered Recycled Glass (available in 3cm)  Apple Martini Quartz Stone Surface with polished finish (available in 2cm and 3cm) 

For Rose Smoke try...

Rosa Porrino Granite with polished finish (available in 3cm) 

To visualize how these autumn-inspired hues can be combined to achieve different color palettes, here are some inspiring interiors featuring some of these stone selections. 

This English country inspired traditional kitchen features a kitchen island with Labrador Antique Granite that complements wallpaper and accessories containing Olympian Blue tones. 

A pineapple onyx fireplace surround creates a gorgeous focal point while helping to tie in Tangerine Tango and Pink Flambé accents in this earthy, contemporary style living room. 

Apple Martini Caesarstone Quartz countertops are combined with Honey Gold walls and accents as well as a stone tile backsplash featuring a French Roast hue for a vibrant modern kitchen that is unique and inviting. 

Start designing your own interiors inspired by Pantone's 2012 fall color palette with granite, marble, Caesaratone, recycled glass and other natural stone and engineered stone surfaces from Marble and Granite in New England. Shop our stone selections online or visit one of our two showrooms. 

"Cozy" is sometimes used to up-sell a small space, but large and luxurious kitchens and baths need a few elements that add a touch of coziness to keep them from feeling cold and sterile. To inspire fall home remodeling projects, here are five ways to make large and luxurious kitchens and baths a little cozier. 

1. Opt for earthy materials: Natural stone and wood always complement each other and when used in combination, they will add a beautiful and welcoming look and feel to any space. 

2. Choose a warm color palette: Colors have an incredible impact on the mood and our emotions, so a warm palette will naturally make us feel more at home. From sandy beige to chocolate brown to rich reds, granite surfaces can be found in a wide range of autumn-inspired hues that will instantly add warmth to a kitchen or bath. 

3. Design a custom kitchen island or bathroom vanity: Custom islands and vanities designed from furniture and granite or marble are a popular trend as they add elegant warmth to kitchens and baths. 

4. Upgrade lighting: Add warm illumination with a chandelier or other ambiance light fixture. Lighting will also highlight focal points such as gorgeous granite islands and stunning marble floors or stone tile mosaics. 

5. Install a fireplace: A custom stone fireplace is the ultimate luxury for large kitchens and spa-like master baths. It is always appreciated in the colder months but can be enjoyed with a simple candle display during the warmer months as well. 

Marble and Granite has a wide selection of marble and granite surfaces to achieve beautiful luxury kitchens and baths that are also comfortable and inviting. Begin browsing our selection of luxury marble and granite online or visit one of our showrooms in Westwood, Massachusetts or Milford, Connecticut. 

For outdated kitchens and baths, anytime is a good time to remodel and install new countertops, flooring and walls. But for savvy homeowners who want to be sure it is the right time to undergo a home renovation project, here are some considerations that may help with this type of decision. 

- Home values are on the up and up. According to Zillow Real Estate Research, home values nationwide increased during the second quarter, which was the first annual increase in five years. Remodeling projects, therefore, that increases home value - for example installing natural stone surfaces in kitchens and baths - will increase home equity in the long run. When the market has improved and it comes to sell, you'll be ready.  

- It's time to get homes ready for the holidays. The holiday season is always full of multiple family and friend gatherings and extended stays. And newly remodeled kitchens and baths will make entertaining easier and more enjoyable. Plus, you'll get to show off your gorgeous new granite or marble countertops. 

- You can enjoy a new kitchen or bath throughout winter and beyond. With contractors and remodelers wanting to ensure full calendars before the slower winter season, homeowners can potentially find services at discounted prices. Winter also means more time spent in the home, so a new kitchen or bath will be appreciated by the whole household. And even beyond the winter season, until the real estate market picks back up, you might as well remodel so you can enjoy the results. As This Old House put it, "Let's face it, after all the expenses and stress of a kitchen remodel, wouldn't you like to settle down at the honed-granite breakfast nook for a while?" 

It's important for homeowners to note, however, that fall is a popular time to remodel, so it's best to start early! Start booking your contractors and fabricators now before they are flooded with fall projects. To help you get the ball rolling, Marble and Granite lists all of its granite, marble, slate, Caesarstone, Neolith and other stone surfaces and products right here on our website. And to make it even easier to plan and budget remodeling projects, we include all pricing information and deliver directly to distributors and fabricators. Start designing your new kitchen or bath by browsing the Marble and Granite online product catalog.