Everybody Must Get Stone
The Rolling Stones are still hot. The group has stood the test of time, much like stone has in Lowcountry homes.
Local designers agree that stone is the perfect material for kitchens, baths, floors, outdoor living spaces and throughout the home. Stone is the single factor that can raise a kitchen from handsome to spectacular. Offered in an almost infinite variety of patterns, colors, and price points, stone is now sourced literally from around the world.
Gabana Quartzite is used to stunning effect in this Hilton Head Island home.
Islander John Antunes was one of the first to recognize the universal appeal of stone more than 45 years ago when he founded Distinctive Granite and Marble for fabrication and installation, and later added AGM Imports to supply the stone. Today, his son John Jr. leads the companies as one of the largest stone resources in the southeast.
Amazonnite Granite makes a colorful statement in this outdoor kitchen.
“We import from Africa, Brazil and around the world,” said Antunes.“I travel to Italy 5-6 times a year to select raw blocks of marble from quarries to be sure we offer the best stone available, many offered exclusively through AGM.”
Antunes also oversees Distinctive Granite and Marble which boasts the most high-tech, state-of-the-art imported stone fabrication equipment in the area.
Today, designers treat stone as artwork for the home, using it to create drama, softness, intensity, originality, luxury and personality. It’s a new take on an old classic.
This elegant kitchen, designed by Sara Boyles with Kelly Caron Designs, ASID, features a polished quartzite called Sea Pearl and has an eased edge profile.
Long live rock
Much consideration goes into selecting the perfect countertops for your home.
Interior designer Kelly Caron breaks down a few options and local trends.
The shape of an edge profile is just as important to the design as the material. Some popular local styles are Eased, Ogee, Double Ogee and Mitered.
A polished finish used to be the default that all countertops came in. The home owner can now decide if they want polished, honed or leathered. We still see a polished finish in homes, but we are also seeing a rise in honed finishes and leathered finishes for a more casual look.
Selections can vary based on the lifestyle of the homeowner and the desired look. Selections range from Quartz (man-made), Quartzite, Granite, Marble, Travertine, and even Porcelain options.
Waterfall design with a strong pattern flowing down the side of a cabinet is a popular look. Another big impact look with stone is using it as full height backsplash. Adding LED lighting to the underside of a surface can completely change the look when using onyx or semiprecious stones.
