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exterior

Natural Stone Plunge Pools + Outdoor Features Are Making a Splash

by | May 31, 2024

As homeowners continue investing in relaxing outdoor spaces, many are adding plunge pools and other features to their backyards. “The request we get most frequently is to install natural stone on the outside of their plunge pools,” says Karen Larson, co-founder of New Hampshire-based Soake Pools. Her company works almost exclusively with salvaged stones for the exterior and coping of its plunge pools. “Many clients opt for natural stone along the outside and coping of their plunge pools to enhance their landscapes with the stone’s durability, texture, and natural beauty,” Larson adds.

Timeless Beauty: Chicago Landmark Restored to Its Natural Stone Glory

by | Feb 16, 2024

After the 1871 Great Chicago Fire, many homes made of wood were destroyed. When it came time to build new homes, laws were passed to prevent a similar disaster. Fireproof materials such as brick, marble, limestone, and terracotta tile became the preferred building materials since constructing buildings with wood was banned in the downtown area. Eight years after the fire, construction of the Nickerson House on Chicago’s near northside neighborhood began. The three-story, 24,000 square foot Italianate mansion was reported to be the largest and most extravagant private residence in Chicago at the time it was completed.

How to Use Natural Stone to Create At Home Water Features

by | Nov 21, 2023

Being near water has a calming effect and research studies have shown that water features can positively contribute to our overall mental health and well-being. Incorporating natural stone water features at home can bring both beauty and tranquility into your space. Anne Roberts, president of Chicago based Anne Roberts Gardens Company, finds that people love the sound of water because it’s relaxing. Since not every home has a water feature, adding one is a way to make your home stand out.

The Perfect Match: Digging Deep to Restore the Wyoming State Capitol

by | Nov 14, 2023

Four years of overhaul—the complex’s first major renovation since 1917—resulted in a state capitol worthy of the accolades it has received. The stonework received the 2021 Grande Pinnacle Award from the Natural Stone Institute, while awards for the total project streamed in from many trade organizations: the American Public Works Association, Building Design and Construction magazine, the American Council of Engineering Companies of Colorado, the Construction Management Association of America, and Engineering-News Record Mountain States.

A Concrete Argument for Stone: Building for Longevity at Freedom Place

by | Oct 6, 2023

A former hospital complex originally built in 1894, the Old Parkland campus in Dallas, Texas, has seen its share of reclamation and renovation in the past decades. The most recent addition, Freedom Place at Old Parkland, echoes the campus’ existing Jeffersonian buildings in style and design. Designing and building a 140-foot, six-story structure that includes 8,310 pieces of limestone required massive planning and coordination — particularly because the original design plan was created for cast stone.

Connecting with Natural Stone

by | Aug 29, 2023

Andreas and Naomi Kunert, co-founders of Ancient Art of Stone, know they don’t easily fit into one category. Together they create one-of-a-kind art installations using natural stone, crystals, and bronze. Andreas and Naomi are artists, first and foremost. It’s not unusual for their art pieces to be 25’ tall. An upcoming project will include a 900-foot mosaic wall, with 20 feet surrounding it and large doorways with 350 ton standing stones that one can walk through.

Using Locally Sourced Limestone to Add Structure and Strength to Historic Preservation Projects

by | Jun 1, 2023

Julia Manglitz, AIA, LEED AP, APT RP, has worked on several building types throughout her career: county courthouses, state capitols and office buildings, university campus halls and community centers. What makes each of these public buildings unique is they’re all landmarks in their communities. Another thing each of them has in common? Almost all feature locally or regionally-sourced natural stone.  

Understanding Environmental and Health Product Labels for Natural Stone

by | May 15, 2023

Natural stone has a great reputation for environmentally friendly qualities such as its durability, low embodied energy, no volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and being a nearly complete material in its natural state. Mother Nature does most of the work, making natural stone a single ingredient material suitable for many interior and exterior applications that perform impeccably over time. Most other building materials require additional ingredients and a more complex manufacturing process. Because these added materials and processes can have a negative impact on our health and the environment, they should be considered when selecting a material for a project.

Beyond Beauty: Creating Timeless Spaces with Sustainable Natural Stone

by | Jan 20, 2023

Natural stone is often chosen for residential and commercial work because of its beauty and versatility. It’s also really nuanced, according to Roger P. Jackson. He is drawn to the beauty of natural stone and believes that its beauty goes beyond aesthetics. “Natural stone feels more durable,” Jackson says. “It has a character of strength, stability, durability, and mobility.”

5 Things to Know When Choosing Natural Stone

by | Aug 31, 2022

Here are five things to know when you decide on using natural stone for your home improvement project, to help ensure product satisfaction and an overall smooth experience. More education helps ease the process of finding the best fit for their style, taste, and budgets, and to suit their individual project needs.

From Waste to Wonderful: Using Salvaged Limestone at the Houston Botanic Garden

by | Aug 12, 2022

“Natural stone is such a noble material, and there’s a gravity to it that is immediately recognizable and universally appreciated by everyone,” says project director, Donna Bridgeman Rossi. “It’s not a subjective mix material, it is good in its own state that we value. You don’t have to modify it in any way to make it do what it needs to do.”

Natural Stone vs. Manmade Materials for Exteriors

by | Jun 21, 2022

While design trends come and go, natural stone remains a timeless and flexible option for many exterior applications including cladding, paving, and hardscapes. It is important to know how the material chosen for an exterior project will perform under a variety of circumstances, conditions, and uses.

Natural Thin Stone Veneer Patterns Explained

by | May 20, 2022

If you have researched natural thin stone veneer or spent any time on the internet seeking inspiration, you already know one thing: there are more options to personalize your space than you imagined! With the right planning and approach, the range of choices is beneficial because each pattern has different characteristics

4 Ways to Use Natural Thin Stone Veneer

by | Jun 4, 2021

Natural thin stone veneer is only at the beginning of its potential. It continues to have a positive impact on many different design concepts and features.

More Than a Final Resting Place: Natural Stone Use at the Boch Garden Pavilion

by | Apr 5, 2021

The palatial estate of Eric Boch Jr. has been over a decade in the making. Boch’s home in Norwood, MA exudes elegance and refinement. The property’s most recent addition is an elaborate but tasteful natural stone chapel and mausoleum designed by Eric Inman Daum, AIA.

The Archangel Estate: A Home Set in Stone

by | Jan 21, 2021

Inspired by the historic stone architecture surrounding the Boston area, the Archangel Estate is an elegant display of the use of natural stone at its finest. Regional stone grounds the home to its natural habitat and relates it to its surrounding environment.

A California Home Full of Natural Stone

by | Oct 7, 2020

This award winning California home features design and construction with keen attention for detail and a love for natural stone. “This project let us show what we are capable of doing, and we are so grateful to have had the opportunity to prove it.”

The DNA of Stone Design

by | Jun 21, 2019

Designers are always waiting for the rumor that something astonishing has been found, so passion can engineer gigantic ideas that will surpass our previous project. We seek to create a design that will pay great respect to the geological wonders.

What You Need to Know About Stacked Stone

by | Jul 31, 2018

A strong trend in home design is adding texture to vertical surfaces, such as fireplaces and backsplash. Stacked Stone is a three-dimensional veneer is made of cut pieces of natural stone that are attached to a backing and installed like tile.

Pros and Cons of Installing a Slate Roof

by | Apr 30, 2018

Slate roofs are elegant and unique. They can also be costly and difficult to install. Not always, though. Here are some of the pros and cons for homeowners to consider before choosing a roofing material.