Saturday April, 2021
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
Wednesday March, 2021
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
Monday March, 2021
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
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
Sunday August, 2020
The stay-at-home regulations had most homeowners spending more time in the kitchen cooking or baking. If you’ve decided it’s time to upgrade your kitchen (or prepare it to sell your home), remember a few details to make the process faster and more enjoyable. Before You Start Designing… Check for structural walls, complicated plumbing, and any… Continue reading Things to Remember When Planning a Kitchen Renovation
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
Friday June, 2020
All this time at home may have you looking to update your outdoor space. An outdoor kitchen lets you stay outside while entertaining guests or watching your kids play before dinner. Guests will be more likely to help out and start chopping veggies for the grill when you have a beautiful outdoor space, and of… Continue reading Our Best Outdoor Kitchen Counters
Tuesday June, 2020
You’ll probably be entertaining at home more often this summer with fewer restaurant options available, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a great time with friends and family. Planning Your Outdoor Event Unless you have a pool, you probably shouldn’t have an outdoor event in the afternoon during the summer. Instead, try a fun… Continue reading Outdoor Entertaining: Tips & Tools
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
Tuesday April, 2020
If you’re considering a farmhouse style kitchen in your home, soapstone creates the perfect rustic texture you’re looking for. In fact, when you scroll through images of “farmhouse kitchens,” you’ll see several soapstone counters and sinks throughout. What elements of the farmhouse style makes it a perfect match for soapstone? Large, Apron-Front Sink When you… Continue reading Get Your Dream Farmhouse Kitchen with Soapstone
Wednesday April, 2020
When you install soapstone countertops in your home, you eliminate the need for harsh sealants and cleaners. Are you ready to move away from these cleaners in other aspects of your cleaning routine? Pull together a few simple ingredients to protect even your bathroom from bacteria and soap scum. Vinegar & Baking Soda: Powerful Cleaners… Continue reading Non-Toxic Cleaners for Your Home
Thursday March, 2020
While granite is a popular choice for kitchen remodels, soapstone has many of granite’s favorite qualities and more. Because granite has become common place in so many kitchens, homeowners look to soapstone for something unique and durable. Similarities to Granite To begin with, soapstone offers the best of granite’s attributes. You might be surprised to… Continue reading Why Choose Soapstone Over Granite
Monday February, 2020
You’ve probably noticed your kitchen is where the real party happens. Even if you have a tiny kitchen, all of your guests end up there at one time. Whether they’re trying to help, snack between serving, or just talk near the coffee maker, consider these kitchen design elements so you’re ready for entertaining. Take a… Continue reading Kitchen Design for Entertaining
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
Tuesday January, 2020
No matter your stance on environmental issues, we can all see the benefits of a greener, healthier home. What better time to start than 2020? Set your home up for success and efficiency in the new year (and new decade!) with these simple tips. 1. Remember Reusable Shopping Bags If you’re sick of shopping bags… Continue reading Going Green in 2020: Sustainable Kitchen Resolutions
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
Monday November, 2019
The holiday season is easily the busiest time of year for most families. Between Thanksgiving, school concerts, and corporate holiday parties you might feel like you’re not getting a lot of time at home. But you’re probably spending some time in the kitchen. Whether you pull out the baking supplies to make cookies for your… Continue reading Prepare Your Kitchen for the Holidays
Thursday October, 2019
We love soapstone not only for its sustainable and natural properties, but also its unique history of durability around the world. With a large quarry in Virginia, some styles of this metamorphic rock are easy to find close to home. This lower-emission option is another reason we love it. Historic Stone with a Modern Vein… Continue reading Soapstone Stands the Test of Time
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
Wednesday July, 2019
Choosing tile for your kitchen or bathroom renovation can be a daunting task with every color and pattern available. But have you considered soapstone tile for your new space? The dark color grounds the kitchen or bathroom, creating a sophisticated base for your cabinets and appliances. Benefits of Soapstone Tile If you’ve researched soapstone at… Continue reading Not Just Countertops: Soapstone Tile Flooring
Tuesday June, 2019
After a long New Jersey winter, there’s nothing better than enjoying the sunlight and eating outdoors. Keep your friends and family out of your kitchen by bringing the kitchen outside! Outdoor kitchens, complete with prep countertops and sinks for washing fresh produce, help you enjoy the entire process from your patio. Why Soapstone Is Best… Continue reading Outdoor Kitchens: Making the Most of Your Backyard
Monday May, 2019
When you picture the perfect summer evening, do you envision friends on your patio while you’re grilling? Instead of the typical hot dogs and hamburgers, consider adding pizza to the menu and throw it on the grill with our custom soapstone pizza stones. Or if you’re a true pizza lover, learn how our quarried natural… Continue reading Dreaming of Summer: Try a Soapstone Pizza Stone
Friday April, 2019
As a natural stone, traditional soapstone ages gracefully and shows signs of wear over time – an organic and distressed look, if you desire. The aging of the soapstone or patina adds to the authenticity of your home, especially in your kitchen where most of the life action happens. This aging of soapstone is very… Continue reading All about Aging: Soapstone Patina and Care
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
