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Fall is quickly approaching, which means designers are already looking at what the trends will be for the upcoming year. Sherwin-Williams has released its 2012 Color Forecast with color palette predicting what will be the hottest interior design color trends next year. With the 4 families of neutrals, reds, blues and greens of the Colormix™ 2012 forecast, it looks like interior design will be paying great homage to Mother Nature.

Marble and Granite is thrilled with this forecast because there is nothing that will complement these earthy hues better than natural stone. Contractors, designers and homeowners will find that our selection of granite, marble, soapstone and CaesarStone® will make it easy to meet these earth-inspired interior design trends. Take a look at some of the stones that beautifully suit these four earth-toned color pallets.

Which stone do you think will be the most popular in 2012 kitchen design? How about bathroom design? Tell us your thoughts by posting a comment below!

With their versatility, drama and elegance, the exclusive stones from the Antolini 2011 Signature Collection can seamlessly transform a room to be uniquely beautiful. The small palette of stones chosen for the 2011 Signature Collection were hand-selected by Alberto Antolini himself. As an inspirational and innovative trendsetter from Luigi, Italy, Antolini has become well known for producing the finest and most exceptional natural stones in the industry, and his newest collection is no exception.

The exquisite palette of the 2011 Signature Collection embodies luxury in its most natural form with various colors and textures to fit any targeted style. Take a look part of the collection and see for yourself why Marble and Granite is thrilled to offer these magnificent natural stones. To learn more about the Antolini Collection and other lines from our selection contact Marble and Granite at 877-39-STONE or visit one of our showrooms.

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

Image: Buzzle.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

Image Source: Granite - Charlotte

May is National Remodeling Month! This is an exciting time to remodel your kitchen or bathroom into the space you’ve always dreamed about. Concerned about where to start with the natural stone component of your project? Try the Stonepedia app for your mobile device!

Yes, there is an app for that. Stonepedia provides users with a storehouse of more than 1,400 pictures of over 500 different types of marble and granite! Download the images directly to your mobile device including iPhones and iPads. Need a second opinion on your natural stone selections? Email or Picture Mail samples to your partner or friends. It is a great way to find the direction for your next project.

Stonepedia also offers customer support. If you have questions about the qualities of a particular stone, its installation or maintenance, Stonepedia can provide you with answers! Get expert advice from the minds of the Marble and Granite Inc crew, the creators of Stonepedia and the one of the largest natural stone distributors in the region.

Marble and Granite has the resources and materials that you need to make your project a success.

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Appreciate your granite countertops for all of their natural and intricate beauty. Marble and Granite has buyers throughout the world locating and selecting high quality granites with blends of minerals to provide unique colors and patterns for your home.

Granite is one of the most common igneous rocks used in residential design. Mined from all continents around the world, it is composed of numerous minerals that have fused together or formed under high pressure. Common minerals found in granite are quarts K-feldspars, plagioclase feldspars, potassium, and micas.

Quartz is one of the last minerals to form in granite. It acts as a bond between other minerals. Although it is colorless, it often appears gray because it reflects the colors of dark and light minerals around it. Mica is found in two major varieties in granite: muscovite, biotite and lepidolite. Muscovite and Biotite are forms of mica that quartz may reflect for its silver and black properties, respectively. In lepidolite form, mica may give granite a or violet of pink color.



Additional color sources in granite include K feldspars. K feldspars provide a variety of colors for granite including blues, blacks, pinks and yellows. Plagioclase feldspars are often white with a pearly finish.

For quality granite products in colors to match any design, call Marble and Granite at 877-39-STONE.

Source: Galleries.com

Image Source: Caesar Stone

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If you have visited Marble and Granite's new showroom in Westwood, you may have notice the beautiful new countertops. Bring showroom beauty into your kitchen with recycled glass countertops by Curava.

Marble and Granite, Inc. introduces Curava recycled glass countertops. Curava is the leading manufacturer of recycled glass slabs. Their newest line uses a concrete, recycled clay and recycled glass mixture to form beautiful countertops with just the right amount of sparkle: The Standard Color line with its finely ground particles of glass provide buyers with neutral options that are sleek and sophisticated. The Splendid Color line boasts larger glass fragments for high-caliber shine and a unique finish.

Both lines are available through the Marble and Granite headquarters in Westwood, Massachusetts and in their warehouse in Milford, Connecticut. We are the largest natural stone distributor in New England with slabs for any design. Select the perfect countertop for your home and have it shipped within a day.

Image Source: Curava.us

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Traditional marble furniture may feel too heavy for people with modern design tastes but the durability, shine, and natural beauty of marble makes it an irreplaceable design element. Jardan solves that conundrum by creating a table that appears lightweight and modern but is still unmistakably marble.

Australian designer Nick Garnham of Jardan was inspired by the breezy, fresh motifs of the tropics when designing the Iko table. The marble table tops are finished with a bullnose edge (rounded and smooth). Since no two slabs of marble are identical, each surface is unique. Choose between Carrara and Calacarra marbles. The bases are constructed of solid American oak that can be completed with 7 standard finishes. The wood is painted in a variety of bright and cool speed stain colors.

The tables are sold in numerous sizes and heights that are ideal for any size kitchen, kitchenette, dining room or outdoor eating area. Think outside of the box by using these tables in gardens and living areas.

Marble and Granite provides an array of natural stone products and services. Contact us at 866.950.8443 or visit our website at marbleandgranite.com for details.

Source: designmilk