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natural stone

Love the look of natural stone? Here’s why porcelain may be the better choice.

Outdoor flooring has to be hearty. Many homeowners like the look of a natural stone like Travertine (a limestone deposit) but beside the sky-high price tag, they discover it can tend to crack and split from repeated exposure to very high and very low temperatures. Originating from mild-climate Italy, Travertine is a porous rock. Water

Old Irish Inspiration: A look at the ancient stonework of Ireland

In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, we ask an Irish stone artist what he loves about Ireland’s legendary stonework St. Patrick’s Day falls on a weekend this year, giving the holiday some special attention. Revelers and traditionalists alike will be breaking out their most unique and notable activities. Big cities like Boston and Philadelphia have

Welcome to the Stone Age

A very, very long time ago, during the pre-historic age, humans figured out that stone had many uses in their world. This abundant natural resource was used for many things, such as: furniture, cutting tools, and weapons. Not only did they use it to build walls for shelter and fortification, they used smaller stones (like

Punctuate your patio with texture: Add visual and tactile interest to your Hardscape

There are many elements to interior design. Color, light, lines, shapes (forms) and texture are all applied principles of design that are immediately noticeable in a room. These principles also apply when building and decorating exterior rooms. One design element that is often overlooked on the patio is texture. “Texture” is a visual as well

Old World look: 3 Cobble Styles to consider

Traditional style homes can be challenging to landscape. Fortunately there are pavers designed specifically to complement centuries-old structures. The trick to updating the landscape and hardscape of an older home is using the right paving stones. Many original streets in the New England territories are often said to have been paved with leftover ballast from

A walk in the New England woods will undoubtedly reveal remnants of a fieldstone wall, standing strong amongst trees and forest brush.

Those woods were probably cleared for farmland hundreds of years ago. Piles of unearthed stones were typically stacked in a low wall along property lines. Fieldstone walls are a tradition going back centuries, most notably found in England and Ireland. They aren’t as common today, but not all is lost. There are different ways to

Veneer Stone – The Design Game Changer Part II: Natural and Stacked Stone

Do you long for natural lines and colors as part of your home décor? Do you have a love affair with the outdoors that you’d like to keep with you, all year-round? If you are looking for a natural stone effect in your space, then this segment of our cast veneer stone series is for

Outdoor Living; Ooh-la-la! French Country Style

When it comes to French décor, you may think of the opulent style of Marie Antoinette.  Her over-the-top neoclassical style, as seen in the Palace of Versailles, has been copied the world over. Maybe you think of a Parisian café, or the bright colors and distinct patterns of Provencal décor.However, when it comes to decorating