The best pizza and artisan breads are baked in traditional stone lined ovens. These handmade baking stones give you the same even baking and crisp crust in a home oven or backyard grill. 
 Our baking stones are made from a special shock-proof clay which can withstand pre-heating to 500 degrees. Slide the pizza onto that hot surface, and the result is a crisp crust with a tender, airy interior. Instructions and recipe included. Bake on the smooth side, then flip to the embossed side for a decorative wall hanging or trivet.


Camera Shock / Kenny Kaneshiro
Cottage exterior home idea in San Francisco

Located in the natural surroundings of Marmaris, this exclusive villa pool project blends the clean lines of modern architecture with Serapool’s high-performance porcelain solutions. The Firuze Mix series introduces a vibrant and refreshing ambiance with its turquoise tones, while the Cement Grey series, used in surrounding floor areas, adds visual depth through its contemporary texture and contrasting effect. Crafted from 100% porcelain, the tiles feature a water absorption rate below 0.5%, offering long-lasting durability. With high resistance to UV rays, chemicals, and thermal shock, they ensure reliable outdoor performance. The PTV ≥ 45° anti-slip rating provides a safe surface in wet zones. The Firuze Mix outer trim, corner, and angle pieces ensure smooth transitions, while the Cement Grey coping and monoblock hidden grate contribute to visual continuity and user comfort. This design delivers not only a swimming space but also a complete luxury experience where aesthetics meet functionality.

Example of a transitional kitchen design in Other

Photo: J Conley Images
Example of a mid-sized eclectic kitchen/dining room combo design in Miami with white walls

Camera Shock / Kenny Kaneshiro
Cottage exterior home photo in San Francisco

One of the most interesting features in this space is the expensive custom design of our refrigerator / freezer. We put together a full size 32" refrigerator with a full size 32" freezer and we did not use subzero bc it did not allow for enough space in each unit. My appliance company was able to provide a top/bottom sash so they looked as if they were one large unit without the sticker shock.

This homeowner and friend wanted to surprise her husband with a full kitchen remodel while he was away visiting family for a 10 day stretch. With a lot of planning and preparation this kitchen was completely transformed with custom white oak cabinetry, island addition, contemporary aged brass hardware, new windows, lighting, flooring, quartz countertops, apron front sink, and the beautiful Wolf stove that speaks to his amazing chef skills. Needless to say he was SHOCKED when he walked in the door!

Best twin wall bed-murphy style cabinet multi-functional, ergonomic, compact-home or commercial use.Does your home computer room, family room or office need to double as a guest room? Would you like to find an alternative to the uncomfortable sleep sofa or working in a cramped corner of a guest bedroom? Here’s a way to have the best of all worlds. This style wall bed has a bed neatly stored inside a cabinet that can create an extra wall in your home or can fit against an existing wall in just of floor space. The front of the cabinet has a display shelf wide enough for pictures and decor accessories and the top of the cabinet is wide enough for books, plants, accessories or collectibles. This collection comes in either a light, natural wood-grain or a high-gloss white laminate finish which will blend with almost any home color scheme and design. These wall beds are designed with longevity in mind, using certified, thick laminated chipboard, heavy-duty hardware and strong aluminum bed frame with solid wood slats. You can even open and close the bed with 1 hand with ergonomic new generation gas shocks mechanism. Easy-elegant-ergonomic. You really can have it all. When closed the cabinet creates an extra wall, complete with shelf. So, you can add home decor accessories to the top of the cabinet and the shelf. When open, you have a bedroom.

“The organic and ever changing colors and shapes of Venice”… I am not sure if I am the first to describe Venice as “organic”; however, there has never been a more perfect description to define Venice’s ever changing persona. Venice is perhaps the most uniquely iconic seaside city in the world, and its impression changes by the minute with the ever changing light and active tide coming in and out. Flying into Venice via the USA, I was met with torrential rains in the early morning, which finally gave way to afternoon sunshine. The creaky, wet, gloomy, old, decaying Venice sinking and soaking in the morning rain… opened like flower petals in the springtime at first glimpse of sunlight. The organic lagoon began to blossom as if the decay became antique, the gloom became passion, the creaky became sweet sounds, and the desperate island illuminated with life, color, and hope. This image was taken along a small canal in front of The Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari (St. Mary of the Friars), known locally as Frari, one of the great churches of Venice. Ironically, before my Italian journey, I read Rick Steves travel book on Italy and watched all of his shows made in Italy. It seemed every American tourist had his book in their hands following closely every piece of advice he offered. As I pondered my impending images, I looked up and there was Rick about 20 feet in front of me. Sometimes one has moments of brilliance, and mine was to yell…”hey Rick” and snap a photo when he looked. He actually smiled as I walked up and shook his hand, and dumbfoundedly I shared how much he contributed to my trip. He was very gracious as we spoke for about five minutes and then he continued producing his next PBS show on the Venice Lagoon including his favorite church, Frari. As I walked away shocked by my accidental meeting, the clouds parted and the light struck a perfect note along this tiny majestic canal.

Located in Fethiye, Muğla, the villa’s modern architectural lines are enhanced by the porcelain elegance of Serapool. The Antique Grey pool tiles used on the pool floor create a sophisticated depth in the water by combining natural stone textures with refined grey tones. With a low water absorption rate below 0.5%, the tiles offer long-lasting performance. They are also highly resistant to UV rays, chemicals and thermal shocks. The surface, with a slip resistance value of PTV ≥ 45°, increases safety in wet areas. Pool Garden Grey anti slip terrace tiles, tunnel system pool channel, inner trim transitions and stair non-slip pieces contribute to a seamless design. This application transforms aesthetics, comfort and safety into a luxurious outdoor experience.

Do you need a bedroom set for your young child or teenager? Would you like the convenience of a guest room without using a lot of your valuable living space?The this is what you've been looking for. On the sliding-door cupboards are two display shelves and a mirror. When opened, the cabinet reveals a twin-size bed, a compact wardrobe and a bookshelf! There’s a complete living/sleeping area in a very small amount of floor space! This unit is a perfect choice for a studio apartment where every square foot counts. It is also perfect for a child’s bedroom. It can be kept closed and used for play and study, then drop the bed at night for sleeping! Everything from books to clothing all fits neatly in this organized little space! It’s easy enough for a child to operate, with new generation gas shocks that make opening and closing simple. The wall bed unit comes in either all-white high-gloss laminate or white with teak wood-grain laminate, perfect for boys or girls, and fits with most décor colors. Wall beds are sturdy, made to last, using certified, thick laminated chipboard, heavy-duty hardware, and strong aluminum bed frame with solid wood slats. You can have exactly what you need with this Parete Leto wall bed!

Ask a kitchen designer in Chicago which countertop question comes up most and you will hear the same answer: white or off-white quartz, and which shade. Homeowners walk into showrooms with a photo saved on their phone, usually a bright, veined slab from a magazine spread, and leave an hour later realizing there are a dozen versions of that same look. The confusion is not about taste. It is about the fact that "white quartz" covers a huge range of patterns, undertones, and price points, and nobody explains the differences before the sale. Older bungalows and newer builds alike are getting stripped of their dated laminate and butcher block in favor of quartz, and the reasons are practical rather than trendy. Quartz does not need sealing, resists the kind of staining that granite can suffer over decades, and holds up to the freeze-thaw humidity swings that Chicago basements and kitchens go through every year. Once a homeowner commits to quartz, though, the real decision starts: which white, and does the pattern justify the difference in cost. This piece walks through three specific slabs that keep showing up in Chicago renovation projects, why designers reach for them in different rooms, and what actually separates a flat white surface from one with real depth. None of this requires a design background to follow. It is mostly about paying attention to how a slab behaves under kitchen lighting, how busy the vending gets, and how it photographs versus how it looks in person. Why White Quartz Took Over Chicago Kitchens Ten years ago, granite dominated Chicago kitchen remodels almost by default. It was durable, it looked expensive, and every fabricator in the metro area carried a wide range of colors. Quartz has since taken over that position, and the shift happened faster than most contractors expected. Engineered stone gave homeowners a more predictable surface, since natural granite varies slab to slab while quartz is manufactured to a consistent pattern batch after batch. The other driver is light. Chicago winters are long and gray, and a lot of kitchens, especially in older two-flats and courtyard buildings, do not get much direct sun. A dark granite countertop in a dim kitchen can make the whole room feel smaller. White and light-toned quartz reflects what little natural light comes through the windows, and it makes a galley kitchen or a north-facing space feel noticeably brighter without touching the cabinetry or the layout. There is also a resale argument that local real estate agents bring up constantly. White quartz photographs well for listings, reads as updated and low-maintenance to buyers touring in person, and does not compete visually with whatever cabinet color the next owner might prefer. It is a safer bet than a bold veined marble look or a colored quartz that might feel dated in five years. Arctic White and the Cost Question Among the flatter, more uniform whites, arctic white quartz price comes up constantly in budget conversations because the slab sits at a more approachable point than the heavily veined Italian-marble-inspired patterns. It reads as clean and bright without the busy movement that some homeowners find overwhelming in a small kitchen. Fabricators in the Chicago area tend to keep it in stock precisely because demand stays steady across both new construction and remodel projects. Part of what keeps this slab affordable relative to its heavily patterned cousins comes down to manufacturing complexity. A quartz surface with minimal veining and a consistent white base is simpler to produce at scale than one that mimics the irregular, high-contrast movement of natural Calacatta marble. That production difference shows up directly in what a homeowner pays per square foot, and it is worth asking a fabricator to walk through that pricing before assuming every white quartz costs the same. Homeowners planning a full kitchen, including an island, backsplash, and perimeter counters, often use a flatter white like this specifically because it lets other elements carry the visual interest. A patterned tile backsplash or a bold cabinet color reads more clearly against a calm countertop than against one already fighting for attention with heavy veining. Designers frequently pair simpler whites with statement lighting fixtures for exactly this reason. What Makes Calacatta Patterns Different Calacatta refers to a family of marble originally quarried in Italy, known for a bright white background broken up by bold, often gold-toned veining that moves in thick, dramatic streaks rather than thin gray lines. Natural Calacatta marble is soft, porous, and expensive to maintain, which is exactly why quartz manufacturers spent years developing engineered versions that replicate the look without the upkeep headaches. The challenge with any Calacatta-style quartz is getting the veining to look organic instead of printed. Early generations of engineered stone struggled with repetitive patterns that gave away the fact the slab was manufactured rather than cut from actual marble. Modern digital printing and layering techniques have closed that gap considerably, and the better Calacatta-inspired quartz lines now vary the veining across each slab batch so two counters in the same kitchen do not look identical. Chicago designers gravitate toward Calacatta patterns for kitchens that function as the visual centerpiece of an open floor plan, which describes a large share of the gut renovations happening in neighborhoods like Lincoln Park, Roscoe Village, and the North Shore suburbs. When the kitchen island is visible from the living room and dining area, a dramatic veined surface becomes part of the home's overall design language rather than a purely functional work surface. Calacatta Arno Under Kitchen Lighting One of the more popular options in this category, calacatta arno quartz, balances a warm white base with soft gray and gold veining that avoids looking too stark under the cooler LED lighting common in newer Chicago builds. Homeowners touring showrooms sometimes make the mistake of judging a slab entirely under warm incandescent lighting, then get surprised when the same surface looks slightly different once installed under their kitchen's actual fixtures. What separates this particular pattern from flatter competitors is how the veining clusters rather than spreading evenly across the slab. That clustering mimics the way real quarried marble forms, with denser mineral deposits in some sections and cleaner stretches in others. Fabricators cutting a large island slab from a single piece will often orient the pattern intentionally so the busiest veining lands somewhere visually interesting rather than getting cut off at an edge. Because the background reads warmer than a stark white, this pattern tends to pair well with brass or matte gold hardware, a combination that has been showing up repeatedly in Chicago kitchen remodels over the past few renovation seasons. Cabinet painters report a similar trend, with more clients requesting warm white or greige cabinet colors specifically because they complement this kind of veined quartz better than a cooler, blue-toned white would. Silestone's Version of the Calacatta Look Manufacturers compete directly in this Calacatta-inspired category, and silestone eternal calacatta gold represents one brand's specific take on the pattern, distinguished by richer gold veining set against a brighter white base than some competing slabs in the same family. Silestone has built a reputation around anti-bacterial surface treatments in addition to the standard quartz durability, a detail some homeowners specifically ask about for kitchens used heavily by families with young children. The veining in this particular slab tends to run in longer, more continuous lines compared to the clustered pattern found in some other Calacatta-style options, which gives large island surfaces a sense of visual flow from one end to the other. Fabricators working with bigger islands, the kind increasingly common in open-concept Chicago remodels, often favor patterns like this because there is less need to worry about seams interrupting a busy, disconnected pattern. Price positioning for this slab tends to sit toward the upper end of the engineered quartz category, reflecting both the brand's manufacturing process and the complexity of replicating that continuous gold veining consistently across production batches. Homeowners weighing this option against other Calacatta-style quartz should ask their fabricator directly about batch availability, since premium patterns sometimes have longer lead times than standard stock colors. Living With Quartz Day to Day Beyond how a slab looks in a showroom or a listing photo, the daily experience of owning quartz countertops matters more once the renovation dust settles. Quartz resists scratching far better than laminate and holds up to the acidic spills, hot pans, and general abuse of an active kitchen without the sealing maintenance that natural stone requires every year or two. That low-maintenance reputation is a large part of why quartz overtook granite in the first place. Heat resistance is a detail that gets less attention than it should. While quartz handles moderate heat well, manufacturers generally recommend using a trivet or pad for very hot pots straight off the stove, since sudden temperature shock can occasionally cause stress marks in the resin binder that holds the engineered stone together. This is a minor precaution rather than a major limitation, but it is worth mentioning to anyone assuming quartz is entirely indestructible. Cleaning routines stay simple across almost every pattern in this category. A damp cloth and mild soap handle daily messes, and the nonporous surface means wine, coffee, and tomato-based sauces do not soak in the way they can with unsealed granite or marble. Homeowners moving from an older stone counter often mention how much less they worry about everyday spills once quartz is installed, which is a quality-of-life change that rarely makes it into the initial design conversation. Choosing Between the Three There is no single correct answer among these three slabs, and that is exactly why they keep coming up together in the same design conversations across Chicago renovation projects. A flatter white with minimal veining suits kitchens where other elements need to carry the visual interest, while a bolder Calacatta-inspired pattern makes sense when the countertop itself is meant to be the centerpiece of an open floor plan. Budget matters too, and it is worth having a direct conversation with a fabricator about where each option lands before falling in love with a specific slab in a showroom. Lighting, cabinet color, and how the kitchen connects to the rest of the home all play into which pattern will actually look right once installation is finished rather than just in a photo. Whatever direction a homeowner leans, seeing a full slab in person under actual kitchen lighting remains the single most useful step before signing off. Photos only go so far once the countertop is sitting in the room it will live in for years.

The finished product! These floors are absolutely beautiful, and the gray wood-look is very trendy & pairs well with so many color options. Plus, vinyl is much softer & more shock-absorbent than traditional tile, making for a more comfortable experience when you're on your feet in the kitchen!

This bathroom remodel by Designed with Grace & Joy is a thoughtful blend of accessibility, comfort, and elevated design. Created with the homeowner’s long-term lifestyle in mind, this transformation proves that functional spaces can still feel luxurious and refined. The layout was completely reimagined to feature a single-level floor with no shower threshold, ensuring seamless wheelchair accessibility and safe movement throughout the space. Strategically placed grab bars provide added stability without compromising the overall aesthetic. A drop-down shower seat and handheld shower fixture introduce flexibility and comfort, while the relocated shower controller prevents the shock of stepping into cold water. To enhance both function and ambiance, a sleek lighted niche was integrated into the shower for practical storage and a soft glow. The removal of the dual-level ceiling visually expanded the room, creating an open, airy atmosphere that feels modern and inviting. The result is a bathroom that balances smart universal design principles with timeless elegance — a space that supports everyday living while maintaining a clean, sophisticated look.

Located in Istanbul, this distinguished villa project merges contemporary architectural design with Serapool’s natural-look porcelain solutions. The Sukabumi series, with its sophisticated green tones and natural stone texture, lends an exotic depth to the water, creating a serene and nature-harmonized atmosphere. Manufactured with 100% porcelain, the tiles offer a water absorption rate below 0.5%, ensuring long-lasting performance. They also provide high resistance to UV rays, chemical exposure, and thermal shocks. With a PTV ≥ 45° anti-slip rating, the surfaces deliver maximum safety in wet areas. The Sukabumi outer trim, Scoth outer corner, and outer angle corner offer both aesthetic cohesion and functional comfort at transitional zones.

  Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   I am still sometimes shocked myself at how much of a difference a kitchen remodel can make in a space, you think I would know by now! This was one of those jobs. The small U-shaped room was a bit cramped, a bit dark and a bit dated. A neighboring sunroom/breakfast room addition was awkwardly used, and most of the time the couple hung out together at the small peninsula. The client wish list included a larger, lighter kitchen with an island that would seat 7 people. They have a large family and wanted to be able to gather and entertain in the space. Right outside is a lovely backyard and patio with a fireplace, so having easy access and flow to that area was also important. Our first move was to eliminate the wall between kitchen and breakfast room, which we anticipated would need a large beam and some structural maneuvering since it was the old exterior wall. However, what we didn’t anticipate was that the stucco exterior of the original home was layered over hollow clay tiles which was impossible to shore up in the typical manner. After much back and forth with our structural team, we were able to develop a plan to shore the wall and install a large steal & wood structural beam with minimal disruption to the original floor plan. That was important because we had already ordered everything customized to fit the plan. We all breathed a collective sigh of relief once that part was completed. Now we could move on to building the kitchen we had all been waiting for. Oh, and let’s not forget that this was all being done amidst COVID 2020. We covered the rough beam with cedar and stained it to coordinate with the floors. It’s actually one of my favorite elements in the space. The homeowners now have a big beautiful island that seats up to 7 people and has a wonderful flow to the outdoor space just like they wanted. The large island provides not only seating but also substantial prep area perfectly situated between the sink and cooktop. In addition to a built-in oven below the large gas cooktop, there is also a steam oven to the left of the sink. The steam oven is great for baking as well for heating daily meals without having to heat up the large oven. The other side of the room houses a substantial pantry, the refrigerator, a small bar area as well as a TV. The homeowner fell in love the with the Aqua quartzite that is on the island, so we married that with a custom mosaic in a similar tone behind the cooktop. Soft white cabinetry, Cambria quartz and Thassos marble subway tile complete the soft traditional look. Gold accents, wood wrapped beams and oak barstools add warmth the room. The little powder room was also included in the project. Some fun wallpaper, a vanity with a pop of color and pretty fixtures and accessories finish off this cute little space. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Michael Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Pops of color catch the eye in this stunning Svetlana Ryseva space. With a white foundation, #MyCambria Rose Bay is infused with robust black marble veining, creating a striking abstract effect where opposites definitely attract. This shocking Russian home is well-appointed with everything a young family needs, the interior also has ample space between pieces, evoking the feeling of a sculpture garden or modern art gallery.

CORBY CELL FIREBURNER (L24” X W24” X H66”) Planter Fireburners Product Dimensions (IN): L24″ X W24″ X H66″ Product Weight (LB): 79 Product Dimensions (CM): L61 X W61 X H122 Product Weight (KG): 36 Corby Cell Fireburner (L24″ x W24″ x H66″) is a bold pairing of two contemporary structures–Corby Planter (L24″ x W24″ x H48″) and Cell Tabletop Fireburner. Available in 43 colours, and useful, as well as modern, this combination is a progressive move in modern indoor and outdoor lounge, patio, porch, garden, entrance and accent décor. Functional and stylish, the Corby Cell Fireburner is designed to elevate the look of a space with the brightness of the natural light spilling from its Cell, while also grounding the room with the presence of the planter as a base. To add a unique and statuesque statement, situate two Corby Cell Fireburners adjacent to a settee for height, as well as a modern lighting solution, or next to a fireplace as accent light fixtures. By Decorpro Home + Garden. Each sold separately. Corby Planter (L24″ x W24″ x H48″) included. Cell included. Snuffer included. Mounting Plate included Hardware included. Fuel sold separately. Materials: Corby Planter (L24″ x W24″ x H48″) (fiberglass resin; gel coat, custom colours ) Cell (8mm tempered glass, solid steel, black epoxy powder paint) Snuffer (galvanized steel) Mounting Plate (solid steel, black epoxy powder paint) All Planter Fireburners are custom made to order. Allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. Made in Canada ABOUT PLANTER WARRANTY ANTI-SHOCK WEATHERPROOF DRAINAGE HOLES AND PLUGS INNER LIP LIGHTWEIGHT