Open concept kitchen - mid-sized transitional l-shaped medium tone wood floor, brown floor and vaulted ceiling open concept kitchen idea in Bridgeport with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Luxury Calacatta Viola Marble Kitchen with Bookmatched Backsplash | Cary, NC This luxury kitchen project in Cary, North Carolina showcases the power of natural stone as a true architectural centerpiece. Designed with a refined balance of modern minimalism and bold material expression, the space is defined by a dramatic installation of Calacatta Viola marble, expertly fabricated and installed by Mogastone. The focal point of the kitchen is the full-height, bookmatched marble backsplash, where large-format slabs create a continuous, symmetrical composition. The bold veining and rich contrast of Calacatta Viola transform the cooking area into a statement feature, elevating the entire space with a gallery-like presence. A custom waterfall island extends the same marble throughout the kitchen, reinforcing continuity and visual impact. The island’s sculptural form highlights the natural movement of the stone while providing a functional centerpiece for gathering, preparation, and entertaining. Warm white oak cabinetry introduces a soft, organic contrast to the expressive marble, creating a balanced material palette that feels both modern and inviting. Integrated lighting beneath the cabinetry and island enhances the floating effect while adding depth and ambiance to the space. The kitchen is further elevated by architectural elements including a curved archway, skylight, and open-concept layout, allowing natural light to interact with the stone surfaces throughout the day. This interplay of light highlights the depth, texture, and variation within the marble, emphasizing its natural beauty. Every detail of this project reflects precision craftsmanship and advanced fabrication techniques. From digital templating to CNC and waterjet cutting, Mogastone ensured seamless installation, tight tolerances, and a flawless finish across all surfaces. This project is a perfect example of how premium natural stone, when paired with thoughtful design and expert execution, can transform a kitchen into a timeless luxury environment. Project Details: • Material: Calacatta Viola Marble • Application: Full-height backsplash, waterfall island, countertops • Cabinetry: Custom white oak • Location: Cary, North Carolina • Fabrication & Installation: Mogastone

This Conservatory called for not only custom ordered fixed screens to give the protection from the glass panes of the ceiling, but also solar shades for the windows as well. We worked with the conservatory builders to design pockets that were concealed within the architecture of the structure, allowing the shades to disappear when not in use. This photo is taken with the shades installed and concealed inside the pockets. The brown flaps are visible at the bottom of the pocket. Strips of veneer were later attached to the flaps so that the pockets completely blended in and became a part of the structure.

Located in the heart of Manhattan’s Lower East Side, the building was erected on a shallow commercial lot between two 120 year old masonry buildings and a new residential rental building. 330 Grand Street is a mix of 725 SF 1BRs and 1050 SF 2BR apartments. It also contains a 1100 SF two story duplex as well as private and public rooftop space, large private balconies for most units and two large private terraces for the ground floor units. 330 Grand Street was originally designed and approved at the NYC DOB as a prefabricated modular building. During the pandemic, as shipping costs skyrocketed putting the project at risk, we suggested redesigning the building as a reinforced cast-in-place concrete structure. Concrete was readily available and prices had not been affected by the demand increase that many other materials suffered in the pandemic. We took this opportunity to raise floor to ceiling heights, enlarge high performance windows and redistribute the buildings MEPFS and Structural Systems to create very open floor plans. The challenge was to create a luxurious sensorial living experience with very limited means. In a city with very high construction costs, low cost residential buildings in the area are usually devoid of good quality, design and character. Our approach was to aim high for the end user, prioritizing natural light, open space with long visual perspectives, high ceilings and as always, rejecting the use of predefined building templates. Our biggest challenge was to ensure that the small spaces feel as clean cut, large and bright as possible. Several unique design decisions were made to ensure low cost and high quality; Floor plans were laid out so that spaces were wide open and free of clutter from mechanical or structural interruptions. Therefore all infrastructure was placed in lateral demising walls, which in turn act as the unit’s storage and kitchen. The apartments feel wide open, are super quiet and have more storage space than any other comparable apartment in the city. To solve the problem of the site’s shallow commercial lot which is typically prone to dark interior spaces we focused our attention on the building’s envelope. Instead of the usual small punched window openings, oversized high performance windows were designed to ensure that light penetrated as far as possible into the units. In the smaller 1BR units, the full 50’ depth of the lot is perceived by partitioning spaces with sliding pocket doors that can be retracted to allow deep visual perspectives, making the sight lines in the space feel longer, larger, more ample than normal. In addition to the full height glazing, each unit above the 2nd floor receives a 7 foot covered balcony, adding 120 to 240 sf to each apartment, something unusual in New York City buildings. The space is large enough for a full size dining table, when the weather permits being outside. We also worked hard to ensure modularity. For example, all kitchen units are all identical throughout the building. The idea of modularity and the economy of the repetitive unit is exercised to the maximum through the building. Hardware, appliances, flooring, wall coverings and material finishes are all carefully selected to feel bespoke, high quality and unique. It was important to KURV that the result of this work manifest into something that would deeply connect with the end user and sustain relationships with the consumers of this space. All images by KURV Architecture ©

The land is situated in a spacious, green landscape. The pond at the front of the property provides an additional source for views and relaxation. Our design template customizes it by adding some of the client's own personal touches. The design team works together, adding their custom features: a large kitchen for their cooking passions of hers; an expansive garage area. Features: • Ground Area: 1900 sqft • Windows: 3 Large glass sliding doors • 3 Bathrooms: two of them includes a bathtub • Kitchen: Eat-in Kitchen with Pantry room • Accommodates 6 to 12 people • Laundry: Laundry closet in the hallway • Heating: Mini-split/ radiant floor heat/ Air sourced heat pump • Foundation: Slab on grade The upstairs attic space includes a small bathroom and a flexible open room that can be figured into a bedroom, studio, or office space. The coolest part! The plan includes a large screen porch, where you can host your favorite outdoor summer dinner without bugs and rain.

This project in Northeast Columbia brought together three different stones across the house, and that's not something we get to do every day. Marble in one space, quartzite in another, dolomite doing its own quiet work somewhere else. It's the kind of job that makes you slow down and think about where each material actually belongs instead of just picking one slab and running it everywhere. The kitchen called for something that could handle the daily grind while still looking like a piece of natural stone should look, full of movement and depth. Quartzite earns its keep here. It reads like marble with all that soft veining and cool background color, but it's far harder and more resistant to etching from citrus, wine, or vinegar splashing around a busy counter. We templated it carefully to keep the veining moving in a way that feels natural across the runs, not chopped up or mismatched at the seams. That takes patience on the slab yard picking the right book match before it ever hits a saw. The bathroom vanity is where the marble gets to shine. Marble on a vanity top makes sense in a way it doesn't always in a kitchen. Less traffic, less acid exposure, and it gets to just look good day after day with the veining catching the light over the sink. We kept the edge eased throughout the project, a simple softened line that doesn't compete with the stone itself. An eased edge is subtle, it just takes the sharp corner off the top so it feels comfortable under your hand and doesn't chip as easy as a square edge would over the years. Dolomite showed up in the other space, and it's one of our favorite stones to work with because it splits the difference. It looks a lot like marble, softer tones, that same classic veining, but it's a good bit tougher and more stain resistant, which makes it a smart call anywhere you want that marble look without babying it constantly. Sealing still matters with all three of these stones. A good penetrating sealer keeps them looking right for years and makes cleanup simple, no special stuff needed, just soap and water day to day. Jobs like this are why we like working across the Midlands. Northeast Columbia homes run the gamut from new builds to older houses getting a real refresh, and getting to move between marble, quartzite, and dolomite in one project keeps the work honest. Every stone got fabricated and set the way it should be, tight seams, clean eased edges, and a finish that'll hold up to real life in that kitchen and that bath for a long time to come.

Located in the heart of Manhattan’s Lower East Side, the building was erected on a shallow commercial lot between two 120 year old masonry buildings and a new residential rental building. 330 Grand Street is a mix of 725 SF 1BRs and 1050 SF 2BR apartments. It also contains a 1100 SF two story duplex as well as private and public rooftop space, large private balconies for most units and two large private terraces for the ground floor units. 330 Grand Street was originally designed and approved at the NYC DOB as a prefabricated modular building. During the pandemic, as shipping costs skyrocketed putting the project at risk, we suggested redesigning the building as a reinforced cast-in-place concrete structure. Concrete was readily available and prices had not been affected by the demand increase that many other materials suffered in the pandemic. We took this opportunity to raise floor to ceiling heights, enlarge high performance windows and redistribute the buildings MEPFS and Structural Systems to create very open floor plans. The challenge was to create a luxurious sensorial living experience with very limited means. In a city with very high construction costs, low cost residential buildings in the area are usually devoid of good quality, design and character. Our approach was to aim high for the end user, prioritizing natural light, open space with long visual perspectives, high ceilings and as always, rejecting the use of predefined building templates. Our biggest challenge was to ensure that the small spaces feel as clean cut, large and bright as possible. Several unique design decisions were made to ensure low cost and high quality; Floor plans were laid out so that spaces were wide open and free of clutter from mechanical or structural interruptions. Therefore all infrastructure was placed in lateral demising walls, which in turn act as the unit’s storage and kitchen. The apartments feel wide open, are super quiet and have more storage space than any other comparable apartment in the city. To solve the problem of the site’s shallow commercial lot which is typically prone to dark interior spaces we focused our attention on the building’s envelope. Instead of the usual small punched window openings, oversized high performance windows were designed to ensure that light penetrated as far as possible into the units. In the smaller 1BR units, the full 50’ depth of the lot is perceived by partitioning spaces with sliding pocket doors that can be retracted to allow deep visual perspectives, making the sight lines in the space feel longer, larger, more ample than normal. In addition to the full height glazing, each unit above the 2nd floor receives a 7 foot covered balcony, adding 120 to 240 sf to each apartment, something unusual in New York City buildings. The space is large enough for a full size dining table, when the weather permits being outside. We also worked hard to ensure modularity. For example, all kitchen units are all identical throughout the building. The idea of modularity and the economy of the repetitive unit is exercised to the maximum through the building. Hardware, appliances, flooring, wall coverings and material finishes are all carefully selected to feel bespoke, high quality and unique. It was important to KURV that the result of this work manifest into something that would deeply connect with the end user and sustain relationships with the consumers of this space. All images by KURV Architecture ©

Are you hot and uncomfortable in your outdoor spaces? If so, Keystone Fabrics Cordless Outdoor Sun Shades are the perfect solution. Our shades are made from weather-resistant HDPE fabric that breathes allowing cool air to circulate. With up to 89% UV block, these shades keep your space cool, while lowering your energy costs, reducing blinding glare and fading of furniture. Simply roll your shades down, using the pole and hand crank system, before heat starts building up on your window, porch or patio and start enjoying your outdoor space again. An installation template and removable pole are included.

This 35 foot diameter labyrinth was installed outside of the University of Rhode Island Wellness Center using a concrete paver 'kit' with templates to guide the layout.

Laying out the three slabs after templating with the customer so that she can choose what part she wants for the island and the countertops.
Home design - contemporary home design idea in Boston

Blue Fantasy granite is one of those stones that stops people in the kitchen doorway. It's got that deep blue-gray base with soft movement running through it, flecks of white and darker gray scattered across the surface, and enough depth to it that it reads different depending on the light hitting it. In this Irmo kitchen it works as the anchor for the whole room, the kind of stone that doesn't need anything else dressing it up. Granite like this comes out of the ground with real mineral variation, and that's part of why we like working with it. Every slab has its own character, so when we template a kitchen like this one we're not just measuring cabinets, we're looking at how the pattern will fall across the counters and figuring out where the seams need to land so the movement in the stone keeps flowing instead of getting chopped up at a corner. That's the part of the job that takes patience more than anything else. Blue Fantasy is a hard, dense granite, and that's exactly what you want in a kitchen that gets used every day. It shrugs off heat, it resists scratching better than most surfaces you'll put a knife near, and it holds up to the kind of daily abuse a real kitchen dishes out. We sealed it before we left so it stays easy to wipe down and keeps its color from picking up any staining, and that's about the only maintenance it'll ever ask for. We kept the edge eased on this one, simple and clean, which lets the stone itself do the talking instead of competing with it. Jobs like this are why we like working around Irmo and the rest of the Midlands. Every kitchen brings its own layout, its own light, its own slab pulled off the yard, and getting it right means paying attention to the details that don't show up in a photo, tight seams, a level install, an edge that doesn't fight the stone. This one came together the way we like to see them, a granite with real presence doing exactly what a kitchen counter should do for years to come.

Each SLABlite is 12” x 12” x .375”. There are no limitations to the size of your project. SLABlites go right next to each other and can be grouped together, lying just beneath the actual counter top. Because SLABlite can be custom cut on site, an installer can cut and shape SLABlites to fit around the sinkhole as well. There is no need for templates and trips back to the shop to cut and shape the lighting. This allows the light to shine up through the surface evenly without shadows or hot spots. The SLABlite system raises the stone just 3/8” and the finished look is a completely evenly lit stone surface, including the sink area, modular joining areas, overhangs and edges. This Bar was installed by Hansen Electric 423 N Main St Ste 3 Sycamore, Illinois 60178 Phone:(815) 739-7600

Bookmatched Luxury Kitchen Countertop with Full Height Backsplash – Dekton Laurent 2 cm Vein Match Installation | Absolute GM LLC This luxury kitchen project features a Dekton Laurent 2 cm countertop with full height backsplash, executed with precision vein-matched alignment to achieve continuous visual flow and architectural consistency. The dark base and gold veining of Dekton Laurent are carefully oriented during fabrication to maintain directional continuity across the countertop surface and extend seamlessly into the vertical backsplash transition. This controlled layout creates a unified bookmatched effect, where the natural pattern reads as a single continuous surface without visual interruption. Precision digital templating and CNC fabrication were used to control slab sequencing, seam placement, and edge detailing, ensuring tight tolerances and accurate alignment throughout installation. Special attention was given to the countertop-to-backsplash junction to preserve uninterrupted veining and clean architectural lines. The project also includes a matching Dekton Laurent 2 cm kitchen island, designed to complement the main countertop while maintaining consistent material flow and finish continuity across the kitchen space. Dekton Laurent 2 cm was selected for its durability, stain resistance, and refined aesthetic performance, making it ideal for high-end residential kitchen environments. Absolute GM LLC provides professional countertop fabrication and installation services across Washington State, specializing in Dekton, porcelain, quartzite, and natural stone systems.

Fantasy Brown Leathered dolomite went into this West Columbia kitchen, and it's the kind of stone that changes how a room feels the second the light hits it. Leathered finish instead of polished, so you get texture under your hand instead of a mirror flat surface. It softens the brown and cream movement in the stone, gives it a low sheen, and hides fingerprints and water spots a lot better than a honed or polished slab would in a kitchen that actually gets used. Dolomite has that soft, warm background movement, browns and creams drifting through each other, and it holds up well against everyday acids and scratching in a working kitchen. It's still a natural stone, so we sealed it properly, and the leathered texture actually helps there, it hides the wear that would show up fast on a glass-smooth surface. Getting the veining to read right across the seams is the real work on a stone like this. We template the room, lay the slabs out, and take our time matching the movement across the corners and the seams before anything gets cut, so the pattern keeps flowing instead of jumping when you walk from one stretch of counter to the next. It's slower than pushing straight into fabrication, but it's the difference between a kitchen that looks like one slab and one that looks like pieces. Edge came out eased, clean and simple, which is the right call on a stone with this much going on in the surface. You don't need a fancy profile competing with the leathering and the movement in the dolomite, the material carries the room on its own. Day to day it lives well. Set a hot pan down and it takes it fine, though a trivet never hurts. It'll take the knocks of a working kitchen better than people expect, and the leathered texture keeps it looking good years in instead of showing every little scuff. That's the kind of project we like doing around West Columbia and the rest of the Midlands, matching the right stone to a kitchen that's going to get lived in, not just looked at.

For a family that loves hosting large gatherings, this expansive home is a dream; boasting two unique entertaining spaces, each expanding onto outdoor-living areas, that capture its magnificent views. The sheer size of the home allows for various ‘experiences’; from a rec room perfect for hosting game day and an eat-in wine room escape on the lower-level, to a calming 2-story family greatroom on the main. Floors are connected by freestanding stairs, framing a custom cascading-pendant light, backed by a stone accent wall, and facing a 3-story waterfall. A custom metal art installation, templated from a cherished tree on the property, both brings nature inside and showcases the immense vertical volume of the house. Photography: Paul Grdina

For a family that loves hosting large gatherings, this expansive home is a dream; boasting two unique entertaining spaces, each expanding onto outdoor-living areas, that capture its magnificent views. The sheer size of the home allows for various ‘experiences’; from a rec room perfect for hosting game day and an eat-in wine room escape on the lower-level, to a calming 2-story family greatroom on the main. Floors are connected by freestanding stairs, framing a custom cascading-pendant light, backed by a stone accent wall, and facing a 3-story waterfall. A custom metal art installation, templated from a cherished tree on the property, both brings nature inside and showcases the immense vertical volume of the house. Photography: Paul Grdina

For a family that loves hosting large gatherings, this expansive home is a dream; boasting two unique entertaining spaces, each expanding onto outdoor-living areas, that capture its magnificent views. The sheer size of the home allows for various ‘experiences’; from a rec room perfect for hosting game day and an eat-in wine room escape on the lower-level, to a calming 2-story family greatroom on the main. Floors are connected by freestanding stairs, framing a custom cascading-pendant light, backed by a stone accent wall, and facing a 3-story waterfall. A custom metal art installation, templated from a cherished tree on the property, both brings nature inside and showcases the immense vertical volume of the house. Photography: Paul Grdina

For a family that loves hosting large gatherings, this expansive home is a dream; boasting two unique entertaining spaces, each expanding onto outdoor-living areas, that capture its magnificent views. The sheer size of the home allows for various ‘experiences’; from a rec room perfect for hosting game day and an eat-in wine room escape on the lower-level, to a calming 2-story family greatroom on the main. Floors are connected by freestanding stairs, framing a custom cascading-pendant light, backed by a stone accent wall, and facing a 3-story waterfall. A custom metal art installation, templated from a cherished tree on the property, both brings nature inside and showcases the immense vertical volume of the house. Photography: Paul Grdina