Friday May, 2017
Is It Time for a Renovation? Are you looking for the right moment to renovate? If so, how do you know what that moment is? Whether your kitchen and bathroom is making your house look dated, or maybe too many things need repairs, here are some tips on the renovation you’ve dreamed of. In terms… Continue reading Time to Renovate?
Friday May, 2017
What’s Unique About Soapstone What makes soapstone unique? It’s no surprise that we, Garden State Soapstone ™, are all about unique soapstone and other natural stones for countertops. But what’s so special about soapstone? Why is it better, or even different, than other natural stones? We hear questions like these all the time. Of course,… Continue reading What’s Unique About Soapstone
Friday May, 2017
Slate Countertops Appear in Homes Across New Jersey The latest slate news from Garden State Soapstone ™. North Brunswick, NJ – As the centerpiece to a kitchen, countertops reflect a unique part of a home. More frequently, homeowners are moving towards natural stone when renovating their homes. Jay Tauber, of Garden State Soapstone ™ in… Continue reading Press Release: Slate Countertops in Homes Across NJ, NYC
Friday April, 2017
Organic Wax and Oil Garden State Soapstone ™ developed and makes our very own organic wax and oil for your soapstone countertops. While very few customers prefer leaving their soapstone untreated, we highly recommend treating your soapstone to increase the aging process, and beautify and enhance your soapstone as well. Here’s why. Soapstone comes from… Continue reading Organic Wax and Oil
Friday April, 2017
Don’t Forget the Details: 5 Soapstone Products We Recommend During any renovation, it’s easy to get caught up with the big picture. You finalize the layout, choose the materials, and even go back and forth between different edge details. But just because the installation is complete doesn’t mean your kitchen is. The details come next… Continue reading Don’t Forget the Details: 5 Soapstone Products We Recommend
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?
Friday April, 2017
Local Homeowners Welcome Spring with Outdoor Soapstone Countertops North Brunswick, NJ – Outdoor kitchens represent a growing trend with today’s homeowners. Not only do they increase the value of a home, but they provide a modern, exterior space where family and friends can gather and enjoy the weather. Garden State Soapstone ™ of North Brunswick,… Continue reading Press Release: Local Homeowners Welcome Spring with Outdoor Countertops
Friday March, 2017
Countertop Edge Detail: What’s the Difference? Before choosing a countertop, there are a few questions you’ll need to ask. The first is a big one: material. What type of countertop works best for your home? The next question is finish. Our soapstone and slate come in a natural, honed finish. Our wood countertops are protected… Continue reading Edge Detail: What’s the Difference?
Friday March, 2017
History of Soapstone Around the World Soapstone’s natural, heat-resistant qualities and impermeability set it apart from other trends. In fact soapstone has been used as a tool for baking and architecture for thousands of years. Soapstone artifacts have been found across the world, from the United States to Brazil to Norway. Here’s a little bit… Continue reading History of Soapstone Around the World
Friday March, 2017
Choose a Local Fabricator When most people think about choosing local businesses and services, it sounds like a great idea if only to contribute to the local economy. But when it comes to home renovations, choosing local ensures that your project is tailored towards you, and installed with consideration for the unique aspects of your… Continue reading Why It’s Important to Choose a Local Fabricator
Sunday March, 2017
Considering Concrete or Granite Countertops? Garden State Soapstone ™, Slate & Wood Countertops, is an advocate for natural stones like slate and soapstone. However, we don’t carry all kinds of countertops, like granite and concrete. There are a few reasons why. The number one reason is sealing. Granite is a stone that requires periodic sealing.… Continue reading The Case Against Granite and Concrete
Sunday February, 2017
Great cooking requires the right kitchen. A lot of chefs and cooks come to us and ask what types of countertops they should consider. We always recommend soapstone countertops. Soapstone is easy to clean and maintain. Soapstone countertops are non-porous, stain resistant, heat resistant. They don’t require sealing. Some homeowners choose to wax or oil… Continue reading Why Chefs Use Soapstone
Sunday February, 2017
Soapstone Pizza Stones Rumor has it that a Chicago food writer named Pat Bruno actually “invented” the pizza stone. Bruno claims that he was with the famous cook book author Julia Child when she was making pizza. She made a comment that the crust would be so much more crisp if someone could just get… Continue reading Baking & Grilling with Soapstone
Sunday February, 2017
What’s New with Slate? 2017 Trends: Slate Has it All It’s been a while since we talked about slate. So what’s new? Well, turns out, there’s a lot. Natural stone is back on the “trends” list in 2017. As a sustainable, durable, easy-maintenance material, it’s not going anywhere. Sate is definitely trending in 2017 and… Continue reading What’s New with Slate
Sunday February, 2017
In The Spotlight: PA Soapstone PA Soapstone, short for Pinheiros Altos, is a harder variety of soapstone that sits at a 5.0 on the Mohs Scale. When treated, Pinheiros Altos is dark black, with off-white veins containing a slight green hue. Pinheiros Altos contains less talc than traditional varieties of soapstone, like Mariana or Churchill.… Continue reading In The Spotlight: PA Soapstone
Monday January, 2017
Home Design in 2017 Natural is Back As 2017 gets into full swing, home design trends move towards functionality, minimalism, and natural materials. On Improve Net, natural stone makes the list again, along with butcher block countertops. Soapstone: Your Go-To Soapstone has repeatedly been named as a go-to material lately. We’ve mentioned the history and… Continue reading Natural Home Design in 2017
Sunday January, 2017
Happy 2017 from Garden State Soapstone ™!
Wednesday December, 2016
Restaurants: Choose Soapstone Soapstone is a material that’s growing in popularity. But it’s no new trend. For tens of thousands of years, soapstone has been used for cooking, baking and eating. Even right here in New Jersey, soapstone as a tool dates to 12,000 years ago, when it was once used for baking in Native… Continue reading Attention Breweries, Wineries, and Restaurants
Thursday December, 2016
Soapstone is the Perfect Material for Homes Soapstone is becoming more and more common for households. It’s a natural stone that seems to fit perfectly with every style and every design. Neutral tones with subtle veining characteristics add an element of timeless elegance that doesn’t draw attention to itself, but never goes unnoticed. Because no… Continue reading Why Homeowners Need to Know About Soapstone
Friday November, 2016
Soapstone Seams There’s no better way than to celebrate the holidays in style, with beautiful, sustainable soapstone countertops. And there’s never been a better time to consider remodeling with soapstone (many sources are claiming it’s the end of granite, and soapstone is taking over). With soapstone’s growing popularity, we’ve received a lot of questions about… Continue reading Thoughts on Soapstone Seams
Sunday October, 2016
We frequently talk about Patina Patina is how your soapstone naturally ages. It’s why quarried traditional soapstone, in its natural state, is light blue gray or darker grey. Typically the darker soapstone is harder, with less talc. Soapstone countertops will age (patina) or darken naturally. However this could take some time and typically is inconsistent,… Continue reading What is Patina?
Saturday October, 2016
Soapstone is a Hot Newcomer for Countertops. This year, soapstone is in. You’ll see a lot of places referring to soapstone as “the material used in your high school chemistry lab”. While it is true, because soapstone is both heat resistant and impermeable, soapstone has gotten a little more fashionable, to say the least. Soapstone… Continue reading Soapstone: Not Your High School Chemistry Lab
Saturday October, 2016
Trending Renovations For Your Bathroom This fall, Forbes posted an article describing the design and nuance of a custom triple vanity sink. We all know that a new vanity can change the entire feel of your bathroom, but typically we talk about materials, style, or even the surrounding decor when it comes to your vanity.… Continue reading Trending Triple Vanities
Saturday September, 2016
We can’t stop talking about these 5 soapstone countertops. 1. Old Dominion Soapstone Island + Perimeter located in SoHo | Manhattan. Placed in a beautiful NYC home, this soapstone island provides the perfect centerpiece for an already-amazing kitchen, standing out against the yellow decor and marble backsplash. It’s sleek and smooth, and ready for company… Continue reading 5 Soapstone Countertops We Love
Saturday September, 2016
When it comes to soapstone and slate, we love natural stone. At Garden State Soapstone ™, we pride ourselves in our selection of beautiful soapstone and slate, custom-fabricated for your home. We recommend natural stone for a variety of reasons, from the subtle characteristics and textures that it adds to a home, to its versatility… Continue reading Advantages of Natural Stone
Saturday September, 2016
Garden State Soapstone ™ on Houzz: Thank You For 100 Saves! Since re-designing our website last summer, we’ve also taken initiatives to stay active on Houzz. Thanks to our customers and followers, we’re pleased that our hard work has paid off! Along with 17 amazing reviews from our customers, we’ve officially hit 100 saves on… Continue reading 100 on Houzz
Thursday September, 2016
Churchill Countertops: Traditional, Sustainable Soapstone Churchill Soapstone, from the Alberene quarry in Virginia, is one of our customers’ favorite soapstones. Although it’s slightly harder than other soapstones, Churchill soapstone is a traditional variety of soapstone. Instead of a 2.5, it sits at a 3.0-a 3.5 on the Mohs scale. When untreated, it has a light… Continue reading Garden State Soapstone ™’s Churchill Soapstone
Thursday August, 2016
Why should you order samples? It’s more important than you think. Choosing the right material for your home can be time consuming, research heavy, and overwhelming. Sometimes a material may seem like the perfect fit, but it just doesn’t work with your home. Maybe it doesn’t fit with the cabinets. Or, it just requires too… Continue reading Ordering Samples Before Your Renovation
Thursday August, 2016
When it comes to countertops, slate is growing in popularity. It’s no surprise: slate is a consumer-friendly, natural stone that’s quarried locally. With a variety of colors from grey and green to red and mottled purple, it presents a wide range of selections for home renovations. Here are 10 facts about slate countertops you should… Continue reading Why Slate Countertops? 10 Facts
Saturday August, 2016
10 Facts About Soapstone Consider this Soapstone 101. There’s a lot of information around about soapstone. We want to make sure you have the most accurate details. We made a list of our “Top 10” soapstone facts! 1) Soapstone is impermeable and stain resistant. It’s easy to clean with mild soap and water, and no… Continue reading Back to Basics: Soapstone 101
Thursday August, 2016
Renovating Your Home with Soapstone: New York City Last week, we took a tour of homes throughout New Jersey. However, Garden State Soapstone ™ beautifies homes beyond the Garden State. We’ve served customers throughout the Mid-Atlantic, from Connecticut to Maryland. This week, we’ll take a tour of homes in New York City, updated with soapstone… Continue reading Home Tour: New York City Soapstone
Saturday July, 2016
Improve your Kitchen with Soapstone: New Jersey Tour Garden State Soapstone ™ has improved homes throughout New Jersey, New York City, and Pennsylvania. Those who have been following us for a while know that we’ve recreated kitchens with slate, marble, and wood, but it’s our soapstone that makes us special. This week, we’re inviting you… Continue reading Tour: New Jersey is all about Soapstone
Saturday July, 2016
Renovating your kitchen in New York City or New Jersey? A major kitchen renovation can not only beautify your home, but result in a major return on investment. So it’s important to think through the process of renovating by choosing a design that’s right for you, with materials that will last forever. You should begin… Continue reading Where to Start when Renovating Your Kitchen
Saturday July, 2016
Choose Bamboo for your Wood Countertops Whether you’re interested in a functional butcher-block countertop or unique edge profiles and finishes, wood is a wonderful material for countertops. Want a countertop that decreases your carbon footprint? Bamboo countertops are the way to go. Bamboo is one of the strongest, most versatile plants. Its tensile strength has… Continue reading Bamboo Countertops: Renewable and Beautiful
Friday July, 2016
Natural Stone Tile: Soapstone and Slate Natural stone tile can be used in a bathroom floor, kitchen floor, or as a backsplash. Tile can be used in a tub or sink, or used as a mosaic to add subtle designs anywhere in your home. Despite the many uses and versatility, our customers are often faced… Continue reading Let’s Talk Tile: Natural Stone
Saturday July, 2016
All About Whiskey Rocks Now that summer is officially here, we’re ready for the outdoors. Not just hiking and outdoorsy stuff, (Though there are some great places to explore around the Garden State), but for a cold drink on the porch. Any summer whiskey cocktails may look good, but there’s no better way to enjoy… Continue reading What Are Whiskey Rocks, Anyway?
Saturday June, 2016
Marble In Your Kitchen Marble is beautiful and timeless. It brings a soft elegance that brightens up any room. Plus, the growing interest in texture has lead to an increased demand for honed, long-lasting, natural stones. Many of our clients are wary that this material might be difficult to maintain. Though it’s one of the… Continue reading Maintaining Marble in your Kitchen
Saturday June, 2016
Garden State Soapstone ™: Soapstone Sinks If you have a love of all things soapstone like we do, you might be thinking about a soapstone sink. All of our soapstone sinks are made to your specifications. However, there are a few industry-standard sinks: Chicago Wright, Boston Williams, and New England Double Bowls. We’ve fabricated custom… Continue reading Thinking about a Soapstone Sink?
Friday June, 2016
We love soapstone for a variety of reasons. But mostly, because it’s a sustainable material. Soapstone has been used for centuries, primarily for cooking, due to its heat resistant properties. Primarily composed of talc, magnate, and chlorite, it occurs naturally. In terms of hardness, it ranges from a 2.5 to a 5.0 on the Mohs… Continue reading Is Soapstone Sustainable?
Friday June, 2016
What is the Mohs Scale? At Garden State Soapstone ™, customers frequently ask about the difference between harder soapstone and softer (traditional) soapstone. To answer this question, it’s important to first talk about the Mohs scale. The Mohs scale characterizes the range of hardness that different minerals contain. Specifically, it identifies scratch resistance of various… Continue reading Soapstone and the Mohs Scale
