Blog

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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