Monday March, 2021
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
Monday February, 2021
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
Thursday February, 2021
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
Friday January, 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
Friday January, 2021
Historians have found soapstone in homes going back to the 13 colonies, and with some refinishing, the sink, countertop, or fireplace will be as good as new. If you have a historic home (or you’re adding character to a builder-grade home), consider this natural stone to add a timeless style you’ll love every day. Historic… Continue reading Using Soapstone in a Historic Home
Monday December, 2020
As 2020 comes to a close, we wanted to share a few of the beautiful projects we designed and installed for our clients. While this year brought new challenges, we still had the opportunity to help our clients create homes they love as they spent more time there. Keep up with us on Facebook or Instagram to see our… Continue reading The Best of 2020
Monday December, 2020
The kitchen is the center of your home, especially in the winter. Baking and cooking keep the kitchen warm, which you’re usually avoiding in the summer months. Be prepared for snow day bake offs and hot chocolate sampling by cleaning a few areas of your kitchen ahead of time. Get your pantry ready for baking!… Continue reading Preparing Your Kitchen for Winter
Wednesday December, 2020
Whether or not you’re traveling for the holidays, send handmade, locally sourced, sustainable gifts to your friends and family this year! These also make great hostess gifts if you are attending a holiday party in person. Pizza Stones Serve the crispiest and tastiest pizzas from your own oven or your grill during the summer with our… Continue reading Soapstone Gifts for the Holidays!
Wednesday December, 2020
Don’t force yourself to choose between your favorite natural stone options: combine both marble and soapstone for a beautiful contrast in your kitchen. While this may seem like a modern pairing, both marble and soapstone are classic materials that stand the test of time. In black and white, they coordinate with any decorating style to… Continue reading Soapstone & Marble: Great Contrast for a Modern Kitchen
Monday October, 2020
The kitchen backsplash offers a great opportunity to show off your style, dress up your countertops, or make them more rustic. When you’re planning, you’ll want something that complements your space but isn’t so “safe” that it doesn’t make a statement at all. Fortunately, this is typically the last element to install in your kitchen,… Continue reading Best Materials for Your Backsplash
Wednesday September, 2020
At Garden State Soapstone, we see beautiful applications of slate in homes every day. Slate tiles especially add a rustic, but high-end element to your home with durability and easy maintenance. Benefits of Slate Tile Slate not only provides a great contrast to the ever-popular white kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities, but these tiles look… Continue reading Slate Tiles for Inside & Outside Your Home
Friday August, 2020
If you think soapstone looks great in a kitchen, you’ll love how it looks in your bathroom. Designers choose it for a simple, luxurious detail in the powder room, as well as statement features in a large master bath. Keep reading to find some inspiration for your next project! Soapstone Vanity Countertop The classic option… Continue reading Great Ways to Use Soapstone in Bathrooms
Monday July, 2020
Countertop options increase every year, adding new colors and levels of durability to your decision-making. But homeowners return to natural stone as their favorite look, whether for a modern or classic kitchen. While new materials may be trending, natural stone such as soapstone, slate, or marble, stand the test of time (and use!) in your… Continue reading Why Choose Natural Stone for Your Kitchen
Wednesday July, 2020
Sinks are one of the most used pieces in your kitchen. You pile them high with dishes, scrub vegetables clean, and rinse off the day’s projects down the drain. Whether you’re looking for a classic style or a new take on this useful piece, soapstone sinks fit in anywhere. Completely Customizable Soapstone Sinks Because soapstone… Continue reading Soapstone Sinks & How to Care for Them
Saturday May, 2020
While quartz grows in popularity for high-end countertops, it has a few drawbacks that you may not realize. The engineered stone seems to rise to the top with durability and color variation. However, soapstone shares many of those favorite qualities and, in fact, out-performs in some elements. Similarities between Soapstone & Quartz If you’ve been… Continue reading Soapstone vs. Quartz
Tuesday May, 2020
It’s finally starting to feel like spring! With the extra time spent at home, you’re probably looking for some new projects to keep the kids (and yourself) busy. With these garden and kitchen activities, you’ll see improvement for your home and watch growth happen before your eyes. Keep Herbs & Greens at Your Door Now… Continue reading Sustainable Kitchen & Garden Tips
Tuesday April, 2020
At Garden State Soapstone Slate & Wood Countertops, we love choosing our natural stone for your home kitchen, bathroom, or outdoor space. But it’s equally beautiful in a commercial setting. Many restaurants around the country have chosen to incorporate soapstone or slate into their designs – including indoor/outdoor bars, tabletops, pizza ovens, and professional kitchens… Continue reading 5 Reasons to Choose Soapstone for your Restaurant or Bar
Monday January, 2020
Each year, the décor and design world eagerly looks forward to the Pantone Color of the Year. Not only does it predict the trends for 2020, but it speaks to the needs for the current time – some years the colors symbolize connection and wellness, rejuvenation, or warmth and nourishment. For 2020, Pantone chose a… Continue reading Pantone Color of the Year: Classic Blue
Friday December, 2019
Looking Back over 2019 Looking back over the year at Garden State Soapstone, we have a hard time choosing our “top projects” to share. Each simple kitchen counter looks elegant in its new space, but we do so much more than countertops. And even more than soapstone. So we tried to pick a few of… Continue reading Looking Back over 2019
Wednesday September, 2019
Maybe your kitchen had a little break this summer with all of your cooking taking place on the grill or out on the deck (you need to enjoy those long day of sunshine outside while you have them!). But the school year is getting into full swing, and with a new year, like in January,… Continue reading The Back-to-School Kitchen
Tuesday August, 2019
You’ve probably heard about new sustainable options for your home and how we should do more to protect the environment. The kitchen is an easy place to get started with all kinds of sustainable tools – from recycling to storage solutions. At Garden State Soapstone ™, our primary focus is the kitchen, and our natural… Continue reading Sustainable Kitchen Ideas
Friday March, 2019
There’s no denying that a slate sink makes a striking first impression in your kitchen. The color options and custom design will be a focal point of the space. However, appearance alone isn’t the only reason to go with slate. Design Variety Slate has a variety of colors and patterns, from the neutral black and… Continue reading Why Choose a Slate Sink
Tuesday March, 2019
It’s the beginning of a brand-new year, and with that comes exciting kitchen trends and products. Because the kitchen is one of the most-used rooms in the home, the space should have elements that excite you, but also simplify the necessary work. How do the 2019 trends meet these goals? Let’s find out! Color of… Continue reading 2019 Top Kitchen Trends
Saturday October, 2018
The new millennium has brought with it a penchant for mixed materials, as much in fashion as in interior design. Uniform and cold minimalism have given way to an era of greater expressivity, in which styles and materials are freely blended for greater vivacity. The warmth of wood has made a big comeback, but once… Continue reading The Rise of Mixed Materials in Modern Kitchens
Saturday August, 2017
Slate Countertops 101 At Garden State Soapstone ™, we love using natural stone for home renovations. One of our favorite materials is slate. Though slate has been used throughout the home for quite a while, using slate is a relatively new way to think about countertops. It’s beautiful, sustainable, and maintenance free. Most of our… Continue reading Slate Countertops 101
Friday April, 2017
Updating Your Bathroom? Don’t know where to begin? There’s a lot involved in a bathroom renovation, but once you pick a starting point, the rest falls into place. What’s Your Material? The material, or materials, you choose suggest an overall style. If you’re looking for contemporary, you might pick soapstone. If you’re looking for elegant,… Continue reading Updating Your Bathroom?
Tuesday November, 2015
Design a Fireplace Perfect for Your Home The weather is chilly. The days are short. It’s starting to feel like winter (But wait…Winter doesn’t officially begin until December 21!). Whether you’re a stickler for dates or not, we can all agree that it’s not just sweater weather anymore. If you’re spending more time inside, your… Continue reading Soapstone and Slate Fireplace Designs
Wednesday May, 2011
Protect Your Bathroom Counters with Silicone Potholder Check out this clever use from lifehacker… Who says potholders are just for the kitchen? Silicone potholders can be used anywhere you need to protect a surface. Here, they’re being used to prevent heat marks on a bathroom counter from curling irons and other personal appliances. Why They… Continue reading New Use for Potholders
Monday April, 2011
Dining By Design Dining by Design: My favorite time of year! From Architectural Digest As one of the nation’s largest supporters of HIV/AIDS service and preventive awareness, DIFFA: Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS raises millions of dollars each year through its fundraising efforts within the design community. Dining by Design—the organization’s signature event, now in… Continue reading Dining by Design
Monday April, 2011
Garden State Soapstone ™: Soapstone Videos Check out our Garden State Soapstone ™ video, now on YouTube and our website. Additionally, our soapstone videos include on-site fabrication, template, and installations. Our materials span beyond soapstone; we also use slate, wood, and marble. Schedule an appointment, request a quote order samples online, or contact us on… Continue reading Garden State Soapstone ™ is now LIVE: Soapstone Videos!
Wednesday April, 2011
Soapstone Isn’t Just for Countertops: Soapstone Uses I was approached by a company, Amit Exports, Agra India and want to share their creations with you, and additional soapstone uses. They are a wholesale quantity manufacturer for hand-crafted Tablewares, Dinnerwares, and more. Amit Exports was established in 1990 and today is India’s leading producer and exporter of… Continue reading Soapstone Isn’t Just For Countertops: Soapstone Uses
