We put MSI Calacatta Vernello into a kitchen in Cayce, and it's the kind of quartz that makes a room feel brighter the second you walk in. The background's a clean, soft white, with gray veining moving through it in long, broken threads that catch the eye without taking over. Calacatta Vernello is engineered to give that bright, upscale look while still being a consistent, dependable surface to work with and live with. That consistency is the real draw with a quartz like this. You get a bright white background and that dramatic veining, but without the maintenance headache natural stone can bring. There's no sealing to keep up with, no worrying about etching from a lemon left on the counter or a glass of wine sitting out overnight. For a kitchen that actually gets used, that matters more than people think going in. Fabricating a quartz like this still takes real care. We template the counters to the room, not the other way around, so the seams land where they'll be least noticed and the veining keeps moving in a way that looks natural across the span. At the sink and the cooktop, that's where people's eyes land first, so we pay close attention to how the pattern falls there and at any seams nearby, keeping the movement consistent instead of letting it jump or mismatch. We finished the edges eased, which keeps the lines of the counter clean and lets the stone itself do the talking. Day to day, this countertop is going to take a beating and keep looking good. Quartz is non-porous and tough against scratches and stains, and it handles the daily traffic of a working kitchen, cutting boards, hot pans set down too quick, kids doing homework at the island, without showing wear. It's a surface built for a kitchen that's lived in, not just looked at. Cayce's seen a good bit of kitchen work like this lately, folks wanting that bright, clean look that still feels upscale without the upkeep some stone surfaces ask for. This one came out clean and bright, the kind of kitchen that photographs well and holds up even better once the cabinets are full and the coffee's going every morning.

We put MSI Calacatta Vernello into a kitchen in Cayce, and it's the kind of quartz that makes a room feel brighter the second you walk in. The background's a clean, soft white, with gray veining moving through it in long, broken threads that catch the eye without taking over. Calacatta Vernello is engineered to give that bright, upscale look while still being a consistent, dependable surface to work with and live with. That consistency is the real draw with a quartz like this. You get a bright white background and that dramatic veining, but without the maintenance headache natural stone can bring. There's no sealing to keep up with, no worrying about etching from a lemon left on the counter or a glass of wine sitting out overnight. For a kitchen that actually gets used, that matters more than people think going in. Fabricating a quartz like this still takes real care. We template the counters to the room, not the other way around, so the seams land where they'll be least noticed and the veining keeps moving in a way that looks natural across the span. At the sink and the cooktop, that's where people's eyes land first, so we pay close attention to how the pattern falls there and at any seams nearby, keeping the movement consistent instead of letting it jump or mismatch. We finished the edges eased, which keeps the lines of the counter clean and lets the stone itself do the talking. Day to day, this countertop is going to take a beating and keep looking good. Quartz is non-porous and tough against scratches and stains, and it handles the daily traffic of a working kitchen, cutting boards, hot pans set down too quick, kids doing homework at the island, without showing wear. It's a surface built for a kitchen that's lived in, not just looked at. Cayce's seen a good bit of kitchen work like this lately, folks wanting that bright, clean look that still feels upscale without the upkeep some stone surfaces ask for. This one came out clean and bright, the kind of kitchen that photographs well and holds up even better once the cabinets are full and the coffee's going every morning.

Spectrums Indulgence quartz, manufactured right here in Latta South Carolina, went into this kitchen in Columbia, and it's the kind of stone that works quietly hard in a room people actually cook and live in. It's engineered quartz, so what you're looking at is a mix of ground quartz and resin, blended and pressed to give a background that stays consistent slab to slab. That matters more than people think when you're trying to keep a kitchen looking pulled together across a run of cabinets, an island, and a backsplash. The color reads as a soft, workable background with movement in it, enough character to give the room some depth without turning into something that fights with the cabinets or the floor. That's the appeal of a pattern like this one. It's not a plain solid, but it's not so busy that it limits what else goes in the space. Kitchens live a long time with the same countertop, and a stone that holds up visually over the years is worth choosing over something flashier that gets tiring. Quartz like this is also just practical for a working kitchen. It doesn't need sealing the way natural stone does, it resists staining from wine, oil, and citrus, and it shrugs off the daily scratches from knives and pans that would show on a softer stone. Heat is the one thing we tell people to respect, a hot pan straight off the stove can shock the resin, so a trivet is the smart habit to build. Otherwise it's about as low-maintenance a surface as you can put in a kitchen. We set the edge as eased, which is the clean, simple choice that lets the stone itself do the talking instead of the profile. Templating and fabrication on a job like this comes down to getting the seams tight and matching the pattern across the island and the runs so it reads as one continuous piece even where the slabs meet. Jobs like this are what we like doing around Columbia and the rest of the Midlands, where a kitchen remodel means getting the material, the layout, and the fit all right in a space a family's going to use every single day.

Alhambra, coastal shale This design is inspired by the geometry and rhythmic patterns of Moorish architecture. The pale blue/green Chinese silk design elements are set above the taupe Tibetan wool background using a raised pile technique, creating an added dimension of luxury.

Heaven on earth! All Margie could think of while on this site was, "All I need is a tent out here with this view and I'd be happy." The small weekend home on the flank of the rolling grassy coastal plain in Hollister Ranch (near Gaviota, CA) faces breath-taking panoramic views of ocean, islands, coastal plain, foothills and mountains. This place is all about a great outdoor space with just enough house for in case it rains! The pocket sized garden makes a titanic impact bringing a little intimate, livable space to the expansive scenery. Restrained plantings take their cue from the glorious setting. Sweeps of native grasses and succulents dot the garden with olive trees for shade. Dramatic succulents in pots as juxtapose the simple background. The goal was to blend a few practical uses such as wind protected dining and lounging, a hot tub and a fire pit into the nearly undisturbed surroundings. The cedar hot tub is tucked into hillside and surrounded by fieldstone walls and fish-scale flagstone. A small flash-heater provides a warm water shower under an olive next to the tub for de-sanding before plunging into the tub for post-surf warm-up. Meandering gravel paths and lyrical fieldstone "tole work" on the floor plane brings movement to the garden and ties the long narrow space together. The campfire circle (fueled by propane) and lanterns in the trees invite outdoor evening entertainment. Driftwood details - surf rack, stools around the fire pit, posts for hanging lanterns - complete this idyllic surf camp. Cowabunga, dude!

Inspiration for a transitional home office remodel in San Diego

ASOS32M4: adorne® SensaSwitch - Auto-ON/Auto-OFF - Magnesium ARTR152M4: adorne® Tamper-Resistant Outlet - 15A - 125V - Magnesium SensaSwitches include passive infrared (PIR) sensor technology, automatically turning lights on or off when you enter or leave a room. The design features an innovative micro-movement that allows you to also manually turn on lights with a soft touch of the finger. Switch supports single-pole/3-Way/4-Way. All adorne outlets include a tamper-resistant design featuring a patented shutter system, keeping children safe by preventing them from pushing small objects into the outlet. The shutters are molded a dark color that they fade into the background while keeping users safe. Patented shutter system helps prevent improper insertion of foreign objects. Easy "1-for-1" installation lets you simply replace your existing switch in just minutes. Fits in your existing electrical box and does not require new wires for typical installation. Innovative assembly and snap-in system make it fast and simple to install. Meant to combined with "AW" series of adorne wall plates. Maximum Wattage Compatibility: 600 UL Listed Voltage: 120VAC Country: Canada Limited Lifetime Warranty

Waves of stone walls create a unique environment for guests to linger at parties
Design ideas for a farmhouse landscaping in Boston.

Fantasy Brown dolomite went into this kitchen in Gaston, and it's the kind of stone that changes how a room feels the minute the sun hits it. Dolomite has real depth to it, that soft natural movement running through the slab, along with a toughness that matters in a room where people actually cook. The background on this stone runs warm, brown and gold tones woven through with darker veining that breaks up the surface without turning busy. No two pieces off the same block look identical, so we spent real time on the layout, working out where the veining would land across the counters before anything got cut. Templating a stone like this takes patience. We measure the kitchen precise, then we go back to the slab and figure out how to lay the template so the movement in the stone flows the right direction across the counter and doesn't fight itself at the seams. On a job like this one, getting the veining to carry across the seam near the sink or across an inside corner is the difference between a counter that reads as one piece and one that looks like two slabs pushed together. We took our time with it here. The edge is eased, clean and simple, and it lets the stone do the talking instead of pulling attention to the edge itself. That's the right call on a material with this much natural character in the face of the slab. Day to day, dolomite holds up well. It's a hard, dense stone, and it resists scratching better than a lot of people expect, though we still recommend a sealer to keep the surface protected from oil and acidic spills, same as we'd tell anyone with a natural stone counter. Wipe up wine or citrus before it sits too long, use a cutting board, and it'll look right for years. Heat isn't a worry either, you can set a hot pan down without thinking twice. Gaston sits right in that stretch of the Midlands where we do a lot of our work, and it's always good seeing a kitchen come together with a stone this striking. Fantasy Brown dolomite gives the room warmth and texture that's hard to match, and installed with a tight, clean fit, it's going to be the centerpiece of that kitchen for a long time.

A large fireplace serves as the centerpiece, its presence both grand and functional, separating the dining area from the adjacent living room. The fireplace adds a touch of rustic charm, offering a place where family and guests can gather, enjoy meals, and share stories, all while basking in the gentle glow of the flames. The real showstopper in this dining room is the striking black porcelain slab wall. Made from Sahara Noir porcelain, the wall commands attention with its deep black background, which is beautifully punctuated by white and subtle rustic veins. These veins cascade across the surface like fine brushstrokes, adding depth and movement to the space. The contrast between the dark porcelain and the light wood floors creates a dynamic interplay of light and dark, adding drama and elegance to the room. This dining room is a harmonious blend of warmth and sophistication, where the engineered wood floors and grand fireplace create a comforting atmosphere, while the Sahara Noir porcelain wall adds a bold, luxurious statement. The result is a space that feels both intimate and grand, perfect for memorable dining experiences.

Fantasy Brown dolomite went into this kitchen in Gaston, and it's the kind of stone that changes how a room feels the minute the sun hits it. Dolomite has real depth to it, that soft natural movement running through the slab, along with a toughness that matters in a room where people actually cook. The background on this stone runs warm, brown and gold tones woven through with darker veining that breaks up the surface without turning busy. No two pieces off the same block look identical, so we spent real time on the layout, working out where the veining would land across the counters before anything got cut. Templating a stone like this takes patience. We measure the kitchen precise, then we go back to the slab and figure out how to lay the template so the movement in the stone flows the right direction across the counter and doesn't fight itself at the seams. On a job like this one, getting the veining to carry across the seam near the sink or across an inside corner is the difference between a counter that reads as one piece and one that looks like two slabs pushed together. We took our time with it here. The edge is eased, clean and simple, and it lets the stone do the talking instead of pulling attention to the edge itself. That's the right call on a material with this much natural character in the face of the slab. Day to day, dolomite holds up well. It's a hard, dense stone, and it resists scratching better than a lot of people expect, though we still recommend a sealer to keep the surface protected from oil and acidic spills, same as we'd tell anyone with a natural stone counter. Wipe up wine or citrus before it sits too long, use a cutting board, and it'll look right for years. Heat isn't a worry either, you can set a hot pan down without thinking twice. Gaston sits right in that stretch of the Midlands where we do a lot of our work, and it's always good seeing a kitchen come together with a stone this striking. Fantasy Brown dolomite gives the room warmth and texture that's hard to match, and installed with a tight, clean fit, it's going to be the centerpiece of that kitchen for a long time.

Fantasy Brown dolomite went into this kitchen in Gaston, and it's the kind of stone that changes how a room feels the minute the sun hits it. Dolomite has real depth to it, that soft natural movement running through the slab, along with a toughness that matters in a room where people actually cook. The background on this stone runs warm, brown and gold tones woven through with darker veining that breaks up the surface without turning busy. No two pieces off the same block look identical, so we spent real time on the layout, working out where the veining would land across the counters before anything got cut. Templating a stone like this takes patience. We measure the kitchen precise, then we go back to the slab and figure out how to lay the template so the movement in the stone flows the right direction across the counter and doesn't fight itself at the seams. On a job like this one, getting the veining to carry across the seam near the sink or across an inside corner is the difference between a counter that reads as one piece and one that looks like two slabs pushed together. We took our time with it here. The edge is eased, clean and simple, and it lets the stone do the talking instead of pulling attention to the edge itself. That's the right call on a material with this much natural character in the face of the slab. Day to day, dolomite holds up well. It's a hard, dense stone, and it resists scratching better than a lot of people expect, though we still recommend a sealer to keep the surface protected from oil and acidic spills, same as we'd tell anyone with a natural stone counter. Wipe up wine or citrus before it sits too long, use a cutting board, and it'll look right for years. Heat isn't a worry either, you can set a hot pan down without thinking twice. Gaston sits right in that stretch of the Midlands where we do a lot of our work, and it's always good seeing a kitchen come together with a stone this striking. Fantasy Brown dolomite gives the room warmth and texture that's hard to match, and installed with a tight, clean fit, it's going to be the centerpiece of that kitchen for a long time.

Bookmatched Luxury Kitchen Countertop with Full Height Backsplash – Dekton Laurent 2 cm Vein Match Installation | Absolute GM LLC This luxury kitchen countertop installation features Dekton Laurent 2 cm ultra-compact surface with full height backsplash, executed with vein-matched alignment for continuous visual flow and architectural consistency. The natural movement of Dekton Laurent’s dark background and gold veining is carefully oriented and sequenced during fabrication to maintain directional continuity across the countertop surface and vertical backsplash transition. This creates a unified bookmatched appearance where the veining flows seamlessly from horizontal to vertical planes. Precision digital templating and CNC fabrication were used to control slab layout, seam placement, and edge detailing, ensuring tight tolerances and accurate alignment throughout the installation. Special attention was given to the backsplash junction to maintain uninterrupted pattern flow and eliminate visual breaks. Dekton Laurent 2 cm was selected for its durability, stain resistance, and high-end aesthetic performance, making it suitable for modern luxury kitchen environments requiring both strength and refined design execution. Absolute GM LLC provides professional countertop fabrication and installation services across Washington State, specializing in Dekton, porcelain, quartzite, and natural stone systems.

Bookmatched Luxury Kitchen Countertop with Full Height Backsplash – Dekton Laurent 2 cm Vein Match Installation | Absolute GM LLC This luxury kitchen countertop installation features Dekton Laurent 2 cm ultra-compact surface with full height backsplash, executed with vein-matched alignment for continuous visual flow and architectural consistency. The natural movement of Dekton Laurent’s dark background and gold veining is carefully oriented and sequenced during fabrication to maintain directional continuity across the countertop surface and vertical backsplash transition. This creates a unified bookmatched appearance where the veining flows seamlessly from horizontal to vertical planes. Precision digital templating and CNC fabrication were used to control slab layout, seam placement, and edge detailing, ensuring tight tolerances and accurate alignment throughout the installation. Special attention was given to the backsplash junction to maintain uninterrupted pattern flow and eliminate visual breaks. Dekton Laurent 2 cm was selected for its durability, stain resistance, and high-end aesthetic performance, making it suitable for modern luxury kitchen environments requiring both strength and refined design execution. Absolute GM LLC provides professional countertop fabrication and installation services across Washington State, specializing in Dekton, porcelain, quartzite, and natural stone systems.

Fantasy Brown dolomite went into this kitchen in Gaston, and it's the kind of stone that changes how a room feels the minute the sun hits it. Dolomite has real depth to it, that soft natural movement running through the slab, along with a toughness that matters in a room where people actually cook. The background on this stone runs warm, brown and gold tones woven through with darker veining that breaks up the surface without turning busy. No two pieces off the same block look identical, so we spent real time on the layout, working out where the veining would land across the counters before anything got cut. Templating a stone like this takes patience. We measure the kitchen precise, then we go back to the slab and figure out how to lay the template so the movement in the stone flows the right direction across the counter and doesn't fight itself at the seams. On a job like this one, getting the veining to carry across the seam near the sink or across an inside corner is the difference between a counter that reads as one piece and one that looks like two slabs pushed together. We took our time with it here. The edge is eased, clean and simple, and it lets the stone do the talking instead of pulling attention to the edge itself. That's the right call on a material with this much natural character in the face of the slab. Day to day, dolomite holds up well. It's a hard, dense stone, and it resists scratching better than a lot of people expect, though we still recommend a sealer to keep the surface protected from oil and acidic spills, same as we'd tell anyone with a natural stone counter. Wipe up wine or citrus before it sits too long, use a cutting board, and it'll look right for years. Heat isn't a worry either, you can set a hot pan down without thinking twice. Gaston sits right in that stretch of the Midlands where we do a lot of our work, and it's always good seeing a kitchen come together with a stone this striking. Fantasy Brown dolomite gives the room warmth and texture that's hard to match, and installed with a tight, clean fit, it's going to be the centerpiece of that kitchen for a long time.

Brian McCloud
Inspiration for a mid-century modern great room remodel in San Francisco

Heaven on earth! All Margie could think of while on this site was, "All I need is a tent out here with this view and I'd be happy." The small weekend home on the flank of the rolling grassy coastal plain in Hollister Ranch (near Gaviota, CA) faces breath-taking panoramic views of ocean, islands, coastal plain, foothills and mountains. This place is all about a great outdoor space with just enough house for in case it rains! The pocket sized garden makes a titanic impact bringing a little intimate, livable space to the expansive scenery. Restrained plantings take their cue from the glorious setting. Sweeps of native grasses and succulents dot the garden with olive trees for shade. Dramatic succulents in pots as juxtapose the simple background. The goal was to blend a few practical uses such as wind protected dining and lounging, a hot tub and a fire pit into the nearly undisturbed surroundings. The cedar hot tub is tucked into hillside and surrounded by fieldstone walls and fish-scale flagstone. A small flash-heater provides a warm water shower under an olive next to the tub for de-sanding before plunging into the tub for post-surf warm-up. Meandering gravel paths and lyrical fieldstone "tole work" on the floor plane brings movement to the garden and ties the long narrow space together. The campfire circle (fueled by propane) and lanterns in the trees invite outdoor evening entertainment. Driftwood details - surf rack, stools around the fire pit, posts for hanging lanterns - complete this idyllic surf camp. Cowabunga, dude!

Cozy and modern living room scene, with a grey sectional sofa and a coffee table. The dominant colors are neutral tones like beige and gray, accented by pops of yellow, blue, and muted purple. In the background, a large sectional sofa in a light beige fabric occupies the center of the frame. It appears soft and inviting, with deep cushions. On the sofa, several throw pillows are arranged. To the left, a bright yellow pillow stands out. Next to it is a blue pillow with a geometric pattern. A plain cream-colored pillow is also visible. Towards the right side of the sofa, a bolster pillow with a striped pattern in shades of purple, white, and beige adds a touch of color. Above the sofa, a framed abstract painting hangs on a white wall. The painting features swirling patterns in light blue, gray, and soft yellow, creating a sense of movement and texture. In the foreground, a light-colored wooden coffee table is positioned in front of the sofa. It has a minimalist design with clean lines and a visible wood grain. The table has an open shelf area on the left side, revealing a hint of the carpet underneath. On the right side of the coffee table, a decorative object resembling a round, orange-yellow bowl with a white interior sits on a small, light-colored wooden stand with three short legs. Beside the bowl, a stack of books is neatly placed, topped with a white rectangular object, possibly a decorative block or another book. To the left of the books, a small potted plant with green leaves in a gray textured pot adds a touch of nature to the scene. The overall composition is balanced, with the coffee table acting as a central element connecting the foreground and the sofa in the background. The lighting is soft and diffused, suggesting an indoor setting, possibly with natural light coming from a window that is partially visible to the right of the painting. The rug underneath the coffee table has a subtle gray texture. The image is taken from a slightly elevated angle, allowing a clear view of the coffee table and the arrangement of objects on it, as well as the sofa and the artwor

Florida Tile From the exquisite beauty of Calacatta marble emerges PreciousHDP, a collection from Florida Tile that captures the essence of the most sought after natural stone in the world. Inspired by the unique marked graphics in the Italian stone, PreciousHDP is a distinct expression of refined taste. Intense grey and brown veins stand out from a crystalline white background endowing it with a depth and movement that enlivens spaces. The random pattern, the structured surfaces of the decors, and the natural and polished finishes are elements that elevate any atmosphere – classical or modern. Rectified, porcelain floor tiles in a natural finish are available in 12x24, 24x24, and 18x36. Rectified, ceramic wall tiles in a polished finish are available in 5x14, 14x27, and 14x39. Two mosaics: a 12x12 ceramic wall tile showcasing a modern mix of the polished and matte finishes combined in an elongated hexagon pattern, and a 12x12 herringbone pattern in natural finish suitable for wall or floor, provide endless design options. PreciousHDP also features a 14x27 Curl ceramic wall deco with a chic, three-dimensional wave pattern in a polished finish, adding a bold twist to the classic Calacatta stone look. A full package of trims including bullnose for floor and wall, corners, and a chair rail and stop in a polished finish complete the collection. With the exception of select trim, decorative and ceramic pieces, PreciousHDP is made in the USA of 40% pre-consumer recycled content, is GREENGUARD® and Porcelain Tile certified