Tag Archives: granite

January 15 at #KBtribechat – Revisiting the Classics

A design discussion

Sponsored and Hosted by the Natural Stone Institute

Photo courtesy of Dansk Marble.

When Pantone chose “Classic Blue” as their 2020 Color of the Year, they made a big statement: It is time to get back to calmer times. In a recent interview with Architectural Digest, Leatrice Eiseman, executive director for the Pantone Color Institute called Classic Blue “a color you can rely on,” one that gives you a “feeling of confidence and stability.” Simply put, the allure of Classic Blue is right there in its name: it’s a classic.

Perhaps 2020 will be a year for revisiting other classics we have loved, too—not because we’re uninspired or lazy or lacking for new ideas, but because we know that these things work and that can we can find ways to make them work for us, in new and inspiring ways. Some classics never go out of style: a well-tailored black blazer, the perfect shade of red lipstick, and a gorgeous piece of genuine natural stone.

Natural stone has been inspiring us for centuries. Why? Because it works. It is versatile, durable, sustainable, and easy to maintain. Advances in quarrying technology in the past few decades have made it more affordable than ever, bringing new colors and varieties to market. Natural stone grounds us—it provides a needed connection to the world around us, allowing us to bring a piece of the earth’s geological history into our home.

What classics will you revisit in 2020?

Italian marble quarry

Our KBTribeChat questions:

1. Do you have any design goals or intentions for the year? What do you hope to explore this year through your work?

2. Natural stone never goes out of style. What other “go-to” design elements do you want to work with in 2020?

3. What design elements do you hope to see make a comeback in 2020? Are there any you hope stay a thing of the past?

4. Do you incorporate vintage pieces (or vintage style) into your designs? If so, what is your favorite place to source these pieces?

5. Pantone says Classic Blue gives you “confidence and stability.” Are there other materials or designs that you think help portray these emotions?

6. #KBIS2020 is less than a week away! What are you most looking forward to seeing at the show?

image001

Join this Twitter discussion

on Wednesday, January 15

from 2 to 3pm eastern

by adding #KBtribechat to your tweets!

Here’s a link to read the transcript for this KBtribechat.

Leave a comment

Filed under kbtribechat questions, Topic Descriptions

October 9 at #KBtribechat – Designing Kitchens and Baths that Last with Sustainable Natural Materials

A design discussion

Sponsored and Hosted by the Natural Stone Institute

Photo courtesy of Rugo Stone.

Ferris Bueller once said: “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” Doesn’t it seem like the same could be said about design trends? We constantly refresh Instagram and Pinterest or scan through our favorite design magazines, searching for the next new thing—something fresh, cool, and totally unexpected. Things that we loved six months ago now seem passé. In 2019, we move at super speed.

Let’s slow down for a moment. Instead of seeking out the next big trend, let’s think about what would happen if we focused on using materials that were built to last, like natural stone. Natural stones like granite, marble, quartzite, and soapstone have been used for hundreds of years, beloved for their durability, versatility, and easy maintenance. In recent years, stone companies have made significant efforts to ensure that best practices are in place for sustainability, both in quarrying and fabrication facilities. Whether you are designing in a style that is modern or classic, when you use natural stone, you will be designing a room that is made to last.

Italian marble quarry. Photo courtesy of the Natural Stone Institute.

Our KBtribechat Questions:

1.) How often does sustainability factor into material choices with your clients?

2.) In our fast-moving, “throwaway culture” world, how do we pivot back to timeless materials and designs?

3.) Sustainable materials like natural stone and wood are made to last. Share some of your favorite designs!

4.) How do you stay trendy/current while still designing something meant to last?

5.) Are there questions or misconceptions your clients have about choosing sustainable products?

6.) Using salvaged or reclaimed materials can add a unique piece of history to a project. Have you used materials like this in your designs?

7.) Natural stone is seen in currently trending kitchens, but it is also timeless. What other trends do you think will stand the test of time?

Join this Twitter discussion

on Wednesday, October 9

from 2 to 3pm

by adding #KBtribechat to your tweets!

Here’s where you can read the transcript for this KBtribechat discussion.

Leave a comment

Filed under kbtribechat questions, Topic Descriptions

November 9 at #KBtribechat – Sourcing American Made Materials

A design discussion

Sponsored and Hosted by Polycor

polycor_white_cherokee_marble_honed_bar_2

Discussion questions:

Q1) How often do you source American made materials? Name the brands you love & why.

Q2) Carrara Marble has an appeal in the luxury market. But American marble is making a comeback. What’s your stone of choice?

Information Link: http://blog.polycor.com/georgia-on-my-mind-designer-celebrates-southern-tradition-with-us-marble

Q3) Sourcing local can cut a project’s carbon footprint. Have you chosen one material over another due to a product’s origin? 

Q4) We love storytellers. Polycor quarries have a rich history in every stone. Share a company whose story inspired you to buy. 

lincoln

Information Link: http://blog.polycor.com/the-history-of-north-american-soapstone-from-the-heart-of-the-virginia-hills

Q5) With less expensive, foreign engineered products on the market, what appeal do local natural materials offer?

white_cherokee_marble_quarry_polycor

Information Link: http://blog.polycor.com/quartz-vs-marble-are-look-and-performance-mutually-exclusive

Join this Twitter Chat discussion

on Wednesday, November 9th

from 2 to 3pm eastern time

by adding #KBtribechat to your tweets!

Here’s the transcript for this KBtribechat.

Leave a comment

Filed under kbtribechat questions, Topic Descriptions

Countertop Trends

On Wednesday, September 5, 2012,  from 2-3 pm eastern time Jon Olson is hosting kbtribechat  on Countertop Trends. Join us on Twitter to be part of this discussion on the latest design trends having to do with countertops!

Here are our discussion questions:

Q1.)  What do you know about cork countertops?
Q2.) What can you tell us about glass countertops?
Q3.) Can compact grade panels be used as a counter surface?
Q4.)   What types of metal can be used as countertops?
Q5.) What countertop choices do you see trending now?
Jon Olson is the online sales and marketing director for both Sterling Surfaces and Kitchen Associates located in Sterling, Massachussets.  He has been involved in the solid surface industry since 1986.  Jon is also a regular columnist for the Countertop & Architectural Surfaces magazine.  He was the 2007 winner of the ISFA Solid Surface Fabricator of the year and the ISFA Innovator of the Year for 2011 for his efforts involving social media.

Sterling Surfaces

Award Winning Solid Surface Fabricators

76 Leominster Rd. Sterling, MA 01564
(978) 422-3321 x 237     (978) 422-6794 (Fax)

Flickr Photos

Facebook 

Twitter 

YouTube

Jon also hosted on Solid Surfacing Trends February 15, 2012. Here is the transcript.

Jon hosted on Countertop Trends September 5, 2012. Here is the transcript.


Leave a comment

Filed under Guest Host Bios