Today we’re talking about wood species for kitchen countertops. There are so many options out there, but we’ll share the five popular types offered at Garden State Soapstone, Slate, & Wood Countertops: Granadillo, Mango, Teak, Monkeypod, and Black Walnut. Each type has its own unique characteristics that can help you create a beautiful and practical kitchen space. … Continue reading Types of Wood for Kitchen Countertops

If you’re like most people, your kitchen countertops are a constant source of clutter and disorganization. But it doesn’t have to be that way – with just a few simple tips, you can organize and decorate your kitchen countertop while still keeping things neat and clean. Here are some ideas to get started:  Clear Everything… Continue reading Decorating and Organizing Your Kitchen Counter

Kitchen trends can be controversial: you probably don’t want your kitchen to be trendy, because it’s one of the largest investments in your home. Even if a trend is beautiful, you wouldn’t want to risk looking dated within two years.  But if you happen to be renovating in 2023, here are a few trends that… Continue reading Kitchen Trends to Look for in 2023

As the trends around natural, sustainable stone continue to grow, slate is an easy choice for both homes and businesses. It is a durable and stylish choice that can add a touch of elegance to any room. The dark colors coordinate with a variety of design choices, making it more classic than trendy. There are… Continue reading All About Slate

2023 will be the year of pink, with several top brands choosing surprising variations of the color from all ends of the spectrum. Of course, the color of the year doesn’t mean you change all the décor in your home to match. These color trends just show what will be popular in fashion and home… Continue reading 2023: Colors of the Year

Whether you’re tired of being home or you’ve fully embraced the homebody lifestyle, 2023 will be the year you’re getting out more.  Make the transition easier with routines and home care that matter to you: from a kitchen cleaning routine to a durable bathroom counter for your curling iron, make your home base relaxing and… Continue reading Resolve to Care for Your Home in 2023

With the holidays upon us, you may have realized that you need a different dining plan next year. Maybe you have a vision for a holiday dinner party that represents your style. Maybe you want to build a collection of furniture to pass on to your children – and you want to make sure you’re… Continue reading Designing a Custom Table

Another year is coming to a close, and we wanted to share a few of our favorite projects, demonstrating the variety of materials and design options we offer. From shipping slabs to South Carolina to installing beautiful outdoor kitchens in Cape May, Garden State Soapstone continues to expand our services and craftsmanship. Let us know… Continue reading The Best of 2022

With winter quickly approaching and the days getting darker, you might be using your fireplace more often than usual. Whether wood burning or electric, fireplaces add a cozy element to a living space and encourages late night chats with hot chocolate. Many homeowners think of brick or facades for the surround on their fireplace, or… Continue reading All About Soapstone Fireplace Hearths & Surrounds

Are you planning a bathroom renovation? Don’t overlook these nine elements to create a space that you’ll love year after year, even as trends change. #1: Good Lighting Lighting is arguably the most important factor in any space, especially the bathroom. If you are getting ready for the day in your bathroom, you want light… Continue reading Don’t Miss These 9 Elements in Your Bathroom Renovation

At Garden State Soapstone, we love natural materials everywhere in your home. Soapstone and slate have characteristics that translate into benefits for every room in your house, from the kitchen to bathrooms to your patio. For Your Kitchen:  Natural stone is always a popular choice for a kitchen, but homeowners often overlook soapstone and slate… Continue reading Why Choose Soapstone or Slate

Even though marble is a stunning and sturdy stone surface for worktops, it requires special cleaning and maintenance techniques. Because marble is softer and more porous than other kinds of stones used throughout your home, it may stain, scratch, crack, and lose some of its shine. These facts mean that, no matter how well you… Continue reading How To Clean and Care for Marble in Your Home

While the look of marble may be timeless, marble countertops in the kitchen can be challenging to keep clean and free of stains and scratches, especially if you want entire marble worktops. In fact, despite how stunning they looked at first, many people with only marble worktops in their houses sometimes complain about the difficult… Continue reading Using Marble as a Kitchen Counter Accent

Are you looking to add a new countertop to your kitchen and wondering what would work best for you, your family, and your home? Consider wood countertops! These fabulous pieces can be works of art if created by the right hands and have many benefits that may help them stand out!  Warmth Warmth has two… Continue reading 5 Reasons to Choose Wood for Your New Countertops

We can probably all agree that the best part of gardening is reaping the benefits of your efforts. Plump, juicy berries, sun-kissed tomatoes, and crunchy bell peppers are just a few of the delectable summer treats you may cultivate in your backyard. But you don’t have to lament the loss of such riches once autumn… Continue reading Best Methods to Preserve Your Summer Produce for the Rest of the Year

Because all your plants or vegetables are growing, summer may be quieter for gardeners than spring or fall, despite the need for cleanup. While now is not the time for large-scale planting projects, it is the time for routine upkeep, particularly jobs that pay off in the long run. You can create a garden that… Continue reading Tips For Getting the Most Out of Your Summer Garden

Laundry is one of those chores you need to do, whether you like it or not. But laundry is often the first step toward a cleaner, more organized home — and one you can feel good about with many green, environmentally friendly options. Hang It Up Did you know that machine drying accounts for about… Continue reading Best Sustainable & Green Energy Laundry Solutions

For most people, the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about soapstone applications is kitchen counters or even being used as a bathroom vanity top. However, soapstone is so adaptable that it can revitalize almost every room in your house, including your laundry room! You may not realize it, but soapstone is excellent… Continue reading Soapstone Sinks for Your Laundry Room

Bathroom renovations are one of the great ways to increase your home value if you’re getting ready to sell, or to make your home life more enjoyable. This is because bathrooms are widely utilized places, and with the appropriate design, it can be transformed into a spa-like refuge. You’ll want to combine beauty, functionality, and… Continue reading 6 Things to Consider With Your Next Bathroom Design

Slate makes a versatile material for countertops, sinks, and tiles that is both beautiful and sturdy. This beautiful natural stone has a great appearance no matter where you put it in the house and stands the test of time with minimal maintenance. Because of its unique appearance and color, slate has become a more popular… Continue reading Caring For Slate Countertops, Sinks, and Tiles

Design experts and decorators have looked at the upcoming trends and stated that sustainability and usefulness will be a huge part of the decor themes. Colors will play a huge part this year, especially pops of bright color to really bring attention to the space. Meanwhile the pandemic and the growing, changing needs of homeowners… Continue reading Kitchen Trends For 2022

Looking for a new kitchen surface that will be durable, easy to maintain, and look beautiful even years after installation? Look no further than soapstone, an all-natural material that should be on the top of your list for countertop considerations. With its rustic appearance and soapy feel, it’s quickly becoming the go-to for renovators and… Continue reading The Versatility of Soapstone

It’s the end of another year, and we have designed, cut, and installed pieces all over the tri-state area (and beyond). Check out a few of these projects highlighting our best work of the year! Mixed Materials Combining natural materials can make your space memorable and interesting. We offer a variety of natural stone and… Continue reading 2021 Highlights: Soapstone, Marble, Wood, and More!

The kitchen is the heart of your home with an oven that creates warmth during winter months. Make your kitchen cozy beyond the holiday season with a few decorating tricks. Add Seating You can’t have a cozy kitchen without space for your family and friends to get cozy! Adding seating to your island or turning… Continue reading Staying Cozy Starts with the Kitchen

If you want to be invited to more parties in the future, start by bringing a cheeseboard. You can’t go wrong with cheese at almost every event: picnics, holiday parties, kids’ birthday parties (need to feed the adults, too!), game day, and more. Choose a beautiful cheese board from our shop and include it as your gift… Continue reading Give the Gift of Cheese Boards this Holiday Season

While the holidays can be a fun season, the cleanup craziness usually gets the better of everyone. After a busy day, you want to curl up on the sofa with a good book or movie, not spend your evenings tidying the mess from a flurry of festivities. So here are a few tips to ensure… Continue reading Keeping Your Kitchen Organized for the Holidays

Thinking of a wood countertop for your kitchen? Learn about the variety of species and construction types before you visit a showroom. With so many options, you’ll be able to find a style that suits your home, even if you’ve never considered wood before. Different Styles of Wood Countertops One reason people love wood countertops… Continue reading Everything You Need to Know About Wood Countertops

If you started a garden this past summer, you might think the season’s over in September, and there’s nothing left to do. But there’s plenty to keep you busy in preparation for next spring, and you’ll even have some vegetables to harvest before the first frost. What’s Growing: You might think your garden is winding… Continue reading September Gardening in the Tri-State Area

At Garden State Soapstone, Slate & Wood, we talk about the popular uses for slate around your home. We did some digging (or mining!) this month and found a few things you probably don’t know about slate. Which of these were new to you? # 1: Where is slate quarried? Slate can be mined or… Continue reading 6 Things You Didn’t Know About Slate

In open-concept floorplans, the kitchen island is critical. It delineates the areas of the room and adds some much-needed workspace. But just because it sounds like a necessity, it doesn’t work in every kitchen. Whether or not you have an open kitchen space, keep reading for things to consider before installing a kitchen island. They… Continue reading 4 Considerations When Adding a Kitchen Island

Soapstone sinks look beautiful in every setting, whether outdoors or indoors. They stand the test of time and will still function even if the house has been renovated many times. In fact, some old homes still have an original soapstone garden or laundry sink that has been with the house for generations. Garden Sink Since… Continue reading Soapstone Sink Inspiration for Any Space

When you imagine a custom dining table, you might picture a large traditional table large enough for every family member with coordinating chairs. At Garden State Soapstone, Slate & Wood Countertops, we make beautiful, custom tables and bases with a mix of natural materials to meet the vision you have for our entertaining space. Custom… Continue reading Custom Dining Tables for Entertaining

With warmer weather comes outdoor parties, gardening, and barbecues. Have the best season yet by making a few changes to plan your ideal space. Create Zones The first step to creating a backyard or outdoor space you love is to designate zones. Yes, this requires some tidying and organizing of the backyard, but consider it… Continue reading Make These 7 Changes to Your Outdoor Space Today

As we anticipate spring and spending more time outdoors, it’s time to start thinking about all your outdoor projects, like updating your patio and walkways. Slate natural cleft pavers make a great choice outside, and a honed slate countertop can be perfect for around the grill. Here are a few of the many reasons we… Continue reading 5 Great Reasons to Love Slate Outdoors

Homeowners and designers love the versatility of natural stone throughout their home, and soapstone is one of the most versatile. Unlike granite, which has a distinctly contemporary feel, soapstone has a place in nearly every home décor style. What’s your style? Where have you seen soapstone work well? Keep reading for inspiration! Farmhouse Because of… Continue reading Soapstone for Every Home Style

Bathroom renovations may seem easy, but they can go over budget quickly and still might miss the mark. Keep these few tips in mind as you plan to ensure you’re getting your money’s worth and building out a space you’ll love for years to come. Choose Durable Materials If you’re ready to renovate your bathroom,… Continue reading 5 Things to Remember for Your Bathroom Renovation

Do you have a wood countertop in your home? Maybe you’re planning to install one this year? While some wood requires a little more maintenance than a stone countertop, homeowners love the warmth it adds to a kitchen. With these few tips, you’ll be able to maintain beautiful wood countertops without hassle and enjoy them for years… Continue reading Caring for Wood Countertops

While most of us adjust to the winter by wearing coats and adding blankets to our beds, we can’t forget about our indoor plants during this season. Many don’t survive the winter due to temperature changes, overwatering, and low light. Follow these few tips to get your houseplants through another Jersey winter indoors. Less Water,… Continue reading Keeping Indoor Plants Alive This Winter

If you’re tired of looking at the same colors in your home, or you want to change the color of the wall behind your face on Zoom calls, maybe you need a little inspiration. Each year the top voices in design and color announce their choice for the Color of the Year, and why they… Continue reading Home Color Trends for 2021

This new year feels different than any other before. After 2020 many of us are giving up resolutions entirely, opting for survival instead. But we can all agree that home has become more important than ever, so if we’re going to have any goals, home is a great place to start. Some families took their… Continue reading 2021 Resolutions for Your Home