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Countertops

7 Festive Stone Kitchen Design Ideas to Get You Holiday Ready

‘Tis the season!
Fall and winter bring crisp weather and opportunities to celebrate—hosting parties and holiday meals. Garlands and twinkle lights are great, but nothing adds more cheer to a home than a kitchen upgrade with stone countertops and inspired design elements.

Deck Your Home with Beautiful Stone

If you love to host family and friends at your home, an inviting kitchen is a must. Today’s stone choices offer many colors, edges, finishes and, of course, long-lasting durability. There’s no better way to ring in the season than with a splashy stone statement.
Here are 7 festive stone design ideas to make your kitchen the life of the party!

01. Solid Stone Backsplashes

Quartz, marble, granite—oh my! This season, think beyond individual tiles for a backsplash and opt for solid slab of stone. A crisp white marble backsplash flowing with gray veining can be as picturesque as a winter snowstorm.
Wanna really raise the roof? Install a stunning granite piece that runs from your counters all the way up to the ceiling.

02. Custom Stone Vent Hoods

While you’re making the holiday feast, give your guests something gorgeous to gaze at. A custom stone vent hood over the stove provides a striking focal point. Depending on your aesthetic, you could go with a simple, contemporary cut, or a more elaborate Tuscan design.

03. Built-In Coffee Bar

Love catching up with visiting friends and family over a cup of joe? Use stone to surround your own coffee station in your kitchen. Granite or quartz can be crafted into a cozy tea nook, and don’t worry – they’re resistant to coffee stains.

04. Butler’s Pantry

If you’re a consummate entertainer, you need a quality space to store your serving dishes and prep cocktails. Natural stone is perfect for a splendid Butler’s pantry, sleek, modern countertops or a rustic backsplash.

05. Creative Island Design

Company always gathers around an island in the kitchen. An impressive piece of marble or granite atop your island is essential. Go beyond a standard stone countertop for your island creative built-in elements such as shelves, or a custom marble pet bowl station (with a faucet!) for your pooch. After all, pets love to gather in the kitchen with you and your guests!

06. Waterfall Countertops

One of the biggest trends in kitchen design is a waterfall counter crafted from natural stone. Cascading marble from an island gives the dramatic effect of continuous elegance…and never-ending good times!

07. Deck Out the Dining Room

Why should show-stopping design stay in the kitchen? A stately marble accent wall can add an air of opulence to any event.

Ready to Go “Stone for the Holidays”?

The holidays are a busy time for those to love to host. Let stone do some of the entertaining for you! When you add natural or engineered stone countertops and other stone features to your home, you’ve established a warm, welcoming environment for friends, family, and future holidays to come.
Let True Blue Surfaces help you with your design dreams this season. Contact us for a free quote or to set up a consultation.

Brown Is Back, Baby!

From 2022 fashion trends to home design, shades of brown are having a moment.
For the past decade or more, countertops went through a cooling off stage with taupe, gray and white leading the way in many new kitchen designs. However, in 2022, home design trends shifted to warmer tones like brown, beige and rust.
Paint industry leader, Dunn-Edwards, recently named its autumnal Art & Craft as the 2022 Color of the Year. And brown is resurging once again as a favorite amongst interior designers for kitchen surfaces.
What makes brown such a timeless choice for countertops? And, how can we update our home design aesthetic without looking like a 1970’s throwback?

Brown Is Anything but Boring

Brown. Dull? Never!
Brown is a neutral color that goes with everything, and comes in a vast variety of shades. When you pair brown stone counters with the right cabinets and furnishings, the result can be an elevated warmth you can’t get from a white or a gray.
For a modern kitchen remodel, choose from a range of stone materials that are softer white or cream with brown veins, flecks and ribbons to incorporate a touch of warmth.
Brown stone countertops can be:
  • Contemporary, without being cold. A copper-colored countertop against crisp, white cabinet creates a modern look.
  • Rustic & earthy. Brown, woodsy tones in your kitchen counters can bring the great outdoors in—connecting your home to nature. Incorporating warm metals and plants transforms any space to a natural escape.
  • Rich & luxurious. Dark oak- or chestnut-colored counters will boldly lend a hint of extravagance to any kitchen or bathroom.
  • Sophisticated & cozy. With chocolate counters and a cup of hot cocoa, your kitchen can feel like an intimate space to snuggle up with your favorite cookbook.
  • Toasty & inviting. A cinnamon-brown or caramel island will offer a festive centerpiece where family and friends can gather.

Popular Types of Brown Stone

There is a glorious array of browns to be found in high-end natural stone—ranging from solid tans to dark chocolate to stones streaked with ribbons of gold.
Some of the favorite natural stones for brown countertops include:
  • Granite. Granite has been the longtime gold standard of countertops, due to its elegant style, resistance to damage, and range of colors, including browns such as Coffee Brown, Macadamia, and Chocolate Bordeaux,
  • Fantasy Brown. Fantasy Brown is a light-colored stone with brown veining rippling throughout the surface. It’s technically a combo of marble and quartzite, making it an extremely durable choice.
  • Calacatta Laza Quartz is a white engineered stone with gorgeous brown veining to create a lavish marble look.
  • Chakra Beige Quartz weaves contrasting tones of creams and grays with rusty highlights—an ideal complement for natural wood cabinets.
  • Other popular quartz selections:
    • Royal Teak (tan and chocolate)
    • Statuario Gold (golden-brown veining)
    • Calacatta Bali (taupe and brown veining)
    • Clarino (golden-tone veining)
    • Allegro (Long, rippling veins of gold)

Design Tips to Make Brown Its Best

When it comes to making the most of the brown in your countertop colors, consider the following:
  • Utilize light. If you have a lot of natural light in your kitchen, you can get away with having solid, dark brown countertops. If not, consider a lighter color with warm accents in the countertop surface and your wall paint or backsplash to brighten the space.
  • Tone down the brown. Don’t go with brown for everything. Create dynamic contrasts by layering a variety of tones and textures, be it with your cabinets, wallpaper, metals, or upholstery choices.
  • Decorative tie-ins. Choose décor accessories that bring out the browns in your counters—canisters, dish towels, or a wooden salad bowl, purposefully placed.
  • Compliment your furniture. The stain of your wooden dining room table will be a big factor when selecting the tone of brown in your countertops.

True Blue Surfaces: Creative Designs & High-End Countertops

Whether you’re after the latest trends in brown or other spectacular looks, True Blue Surfaces is here to help you design and install quality stone countertops that speak to your aesthetic.

Contact us today for a free quote, or view our stone gallery to select the best stone offerings in Texas.

Showcasing Success With Stone Surfaces

Final installment in our binge-worthy kitchen series reviews the strong style sense from The Morning Show and Maid.

Part #3: Showcasing Success with Stone Surfaces

It’s always a pleasure to witness successful female characters in today’s most-watched TV series. Whether the host of a famed talk show or a prosperous lawyer, The Morning Show and Maid showcase strong, stylish women at the top of their game. As we witness their journeys, we shake our heads at some of these characters’ behavioral choices, but we always cheer for the fabulous interior stone designs featured in their homes.

The Morning Show

Jennifer Aniston is reported to have had a direct hand in designing her character Alex Levy’s to-die-for apartment. This swanky Manhattan penthouse on Apple TV’s The Morning Show embodies the pinnacle of success, representing a woman who calls the shots in her career and in her home. The wraparound, almost-lavender veined slab for the kitchen countertops are decadent icing on her dark, brown cabinets. The thick, stone island is certainly sturdy enough to withstand Alex’s heavy vodka pours.
But the real stone stand-out?
This tiered-marble serving station provides an impressive display, even without the finger foods. Whether it’s to serve up Alex’s daily news report, or all the Thanksgiving pies, this look is fantastically functional.

Maid

In Netflix’s Maid, a down-on-her-luck cleaning woman goes toe-to-toe with Regina, an intimidating attorney. But the real knockout comes from Regina’s kitchen—a dreamy isle of gray and ivory-veined dolomite, cascading top-to-floor in her cavernous, waterfront home.
And can we talk about the matching accent wall?
Wow! This floor-to-ceiling piece ties the great room to the marble in the kitchen. Bouncing the light from water-facing windows, it reflects the many shades of Regina’s personality. This is a house of a classy, educated woman. It’s no wonder the main character, Alex, wants to pretend it’s her own.
At True Blue Surfaces, we value the importance of creating a space where you can bask in your success. Reach out to True Blue Surfaces today to request a quote or book a showroom appointment for work done with pride, precision, and care.

5 Natural Stone Upgrades Beyond The Kitchen

Natural stone is a favorite choice for interior designers and homeowners looking to add style and value to the kitchen. Granite, quartz, marble, and soapstone are long-lasting and easy to clean—perfect for busy families who love to cook and entertain. But stone can be used for so much more than islands and kitchen countertops. From outdoor ovens to accent walls, here are five design ideas where natural stone can make a sensational statement beyond the kitchen.

Natural Stone Fireplace Surround

Nothing brings warmth to a home like a fireplace—literally and design-wise. A stone fireplace surround can add a spectacular focal point to any room. Natural stone is heat-resistant, so you can really stoke the flames on chilly nights. For a traditional feel, you can’t go wrong with a classic, white marble design, while black or blue marble can offer a sleek, contemporary look.
If a contemporary feel is more your style, layers of light-colored granite or quartz lend a down-to-earth vibe while elevating the room. With a variety of textures and colors to choose from, natural stone can create a welcoming environment, while adding to the value of your home.

Stone Accent Walls for Any Room

An accent wall of natural stone makes a dazzling design statement, while adding weight and depth to the space. Selecting a dark color stone slab can create a dramatic contrast to a brightly painted living room wall. Custom insert shelves within the stone provide a space for personalization—books, mementos, and photos. You can even use small blocks of quartz or marble for stylish bookends.
Incorporating a marble accent wall into a bathroom design yields an exotic result. The dramatic veining and cool textures give off a high-end feel. If your goal is luxury, a wall of marble behind the tub will make a real splash.

Natural Stone Behind the Bar

Serve up some class with unique stone designs for your wet bar. A raw, rough-cut stone countertop and accent wall behind the bar can achieve the feel of a rustic farmhouse.
For a sophisticated, modern look, a white onyx bar, with an under-glow of soft light, creates an ethereal atmosphere. Or shake up a martini behind a striking, curved countertop with a pop of red porcelain tiles. With the right mix of natural stone and a dash of creative backlight, you can really bring the wow-factor to your happy hour.

Stone Fire Pits

You don’t have to head to the woods to build a cozy campfire. With a natural stone fire pit, friends and family can stargaze in the comfort of their own backyard. A round marble or granite fire pit can lift your s’more-roasting to a new level of elegance. While a rectangular-shaped fire pit offers a chic, communal centerpiece. Add custom stone benches around the fire to tie the whole look together and create an air of intimacy—perfect for nighttime ghost stories. Whether wood-burning or gas, resilient stone fire pits can really take the heat, and bring the hearth outside the home.

Soapstone Outdoor Kitchens and Pizza Ovens

Soapstone is virtually indestructible, making it an ideal choice for outdoor kitchens. Usually gray, green, or bluish in color, its earthy aesthetic blends perfectly with natural surrounds. Soapstone paired with stainless steel creates a modern, polished look. Place soapstone countertops atop stacked natural stones for a rustic, al fresco experience.
Add bar stools and extend the counters beyond the food prep area for expansive seating arrangements. Soapstone offers endless design options and durability—go ahead and place that lobster pot right on the surface!
Showcase your own outdoor pizzeria with a wood-fired oven crafted from natural stone. Guests can assemble their pizzas right on the counter. Soapstone gives you plenty of style without the stress of marinara stains.

Stone Adds Value and Warmth to Your Home

Incorporating natural stone throughout interior and exterior designs promotes fabulous cohesion, while adding uniqueness with every piece. Impenetrable and easy to clean, its functionality and longevity adds great value to your property. Whether your goal is a spa-like getaway in your bathroom, a wet bar for convivial gatherings, or a memory-making outdoor retreat, natural stone will create a warm and inviting home, inside and out.
True Blue Surfaces is here to help you achieve your home design dreams. Schedule your appointment today!

Homeowners Guide To Choosing A Stone Fabricator And Installer

How to Choose the Right Stone for Your Countertops

Choosing to go with natural or engineered stone when designing or remodeling your home will add tremendous value to your home—both financially and aesthetically.
Whether you’re designing a dream kitchen, elevating your master bathroom, or creating an outdoor patio to entertain your friends and family, the investment can be a big one for homeowners. Beyond the cost, logistics, and all the design decisions, the pressure to find a reliable stone fabricator and installer can be overwhelming.
That’s why we’ve developed a 5-step guide to choosing a stone fabricator and installer. It includes information you’ll find helpful in organizing the process every step of the way. The Homeowner’s Guide to Choosing a Stone Fabricator & Installer includes a buyer checklist to help conduct your search, evaluate different vendors and streamline the overall process.

Find a Professional Stone Fabricator and Installer

Most homeowners choose to hire an expert fabricator and installer to take on the job of replacing or installing new countertops, creating a new access wall or building new bathroom vanities and bath surrounds. The guide helps you understand what to look for when hiring a fabricator and installer.
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Decide on a Vision and Budget for Stone Countertops and More

Sometimes these two concepts (budget + vision) don’t always align! That’s why our guide helps walk through the questions that will enable you to define what you’re looking for and how much you’re comfortable investing. And, if you’re unsure of any of it, the guide will help you find the right partner to guide your choices. The guide provides a list of key considerations when getting an estimate from the shortlist of vendors you are evaluating.

How to Choose the Right Stone Fabricator and Installer?

The guide helps you understand the difference between a stone fabricator and a stone installer. It walks you through the entire process with helpful information including:
  • Ways to find qualified, professional fabricators and installers
  • What to ask your shortlist of companies to help get a feel for who you like best
  • A plan for determining your vision and budget
  • How to review the estimates
  • What to expect after you select a vendor and approve the estimate
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The Result Is Worth the Work in Making Your Selection

Finding a talented and trustworthy stone surface provider can offer you peace of mind and create the new look of your dreams. You’ll be adding value to your property with beautiful, long-lasting materials, guaranteed to grant you security and happiness for years to come.

Cut to the Chase: Add True Blue to Your Short List

After you download the guide, or if you want to just skip to the good part, we invite you to call True Blue Surfaces and speak to one of our stone surfaces experts! We are here and ready to help you design the kitchen or bath of your dreams.
Get The Guide Now

...or call us at 512-599-4294

Why True Blue Surfaces

The True Blue Advantage

Trustworthy
Serving Central Texas since 2007
Precision & Speed
Rapid turnaround on fabrication and install
Service-Oriented
Client satisfaction is our priority

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