Slab Sunday: Blue Louise Quartzite

Blue Louise quartzite is quarried in Brazil.

It's hard to find a more dramatic stone than Blue Louise.  Even if you wouldn't ever use this in your own home I think most people will agree it's absolutely stunning.  It's stones like these that just take my breath away...especially when you really stop and consider it comes from the earth.

Asian Kitchen design by Other Metros Design-build Grayling Construction

Photo: Stone Fabricators

Blue Louise is often sold commercially as a granite but technically it is a quartzite.
Quartzite holds up much better in kitchens than marbles do because they aren't calcium based stones, quartzite is composed of silica.  Silica does not react to acids like calcium does, so you won't get the etching that occurs with marble.
All this being said, quartzite is more porous than granite though.  This is why I would prefer that slab yards label the stones as what they actually are.  Customers need to know exactly how the stone will behave.
Quartzites are still a great choice for a kitchen.  They will stain easier than granite, but I personally haven't come across a stain that we couldn't get out.

Photo: krailler

Photo: Smithdesigns

 Blue Louise can change dramatically in color and pattern from bundle to bundle, and even quite a bit from slab to slab within a bundle.  So be sure to select your exact slabs!  This material is so expensive that you want to make sure it's exactly what you want.

Photo: The Stone Cobblers

Photo: Precision Marble & Granite

Blue Louise is a lot to look at.  My advice is to make sure that your cabinets, flooring and everything else in the room are kept very simple.  The kitchen below is a perfect example of how this stone should be used.

Photo source.

Other names for Blue Louise include: Van Gogh, Azul Portofino, Luisa Blue, Blue Louisa, Blue Louise, Blue Luise, Louis Blue, Louisa Blue, Louise Blue and Luis Blue.

Photo: Smithdesigns

Blue Louise is available in 2 cm and 3 cm slabs. 

Our 6 Most Popular Countertop Colors in 2012

It's always fun to look back and see what our most popular countertop colors were from the previous year.
Here were our most popular countertop choices last year (in no particular order)...

Carrara marble

We have seen a steady increase in Carrara marble over the past 3 years.  It was even more popular in 2012.  It seemed like we were always doing something out of Carrara last year.  Whether it was a kitchen, bath vanity or a fireplace.
We also did a lot of other white marbles such as Calacatta and Statuary, but I wouldn't put them in our top 10 sellers like the Carrara is.
If you use Carrara (or any marble) you do need to be aware that it will etch.  You can read more about etching here.

This is one of our favorite Carrara marble kitchens that we did last year.  You can read more about it here.  Photo: MGS by Design.

 Giallo Ornamental granite

Giallo Ornamental has been one of our most popular colors for about three years now.  Here in Utah the price is really good on it.  I've heard in other parts of the country that it can be pretty expensive.

The overall reason for it's popularity is that it's neutral and light.

We did this beautiful vanity for Stacy at Not JUST a Housewife last fall.  Photo: MGS by Design.

 White quartz

Several brands have been popular for us, so I've generalized it to say that White quartz was one of our top 10 most popular countertops last year.

Our most popular white quartz colors are...

• Blizzard-- CaesarStone
• Pure White-- CaesarStone
• Buttermilk-- CaesarStone
• Misty Carrera-- CaesarStone
• Everest White-- Samsung Radianz 

We actually did this amazing bathroom in 2011.  The countertops are Pure White CaesarStone.  See more pictures here.  Photo: MGS by Design.

 Kashmire White granite

Kashmire White may just have been our very most popular granite in 2012.  The price on it has been fantastic, the slabs are large and the color is the beautiful white and grey that are so popular.  It can have a creamy off white color in it as well, which a lot of people really like.

I've really liked using this color more and hope that we continue to sell a lot of it in 2013.

This is a Parade Home we did last summer.  The island is Kashmire White granite and the perimeter counters are Misty Carrera CaesarStone.  See more pics of this beautiful home here.  Photo: MGS by Design.

 Grey quartz

Just like the white quartz, I'm generalizing again saying Grey quartz.  

Our most popular grey quartz colors have been...

• Lagos Blue-- CaesarStone
• Concrete-- CaesarStone
• Ural Grey-- Samsung Radianz 

I absolutely loved this contemporary kitchen that we did out of Concrete CaesarStone, you can see more of it here.  Photo: MGS by Design.

Super White quartzite

Are you seeing a trend yet?  LOTS of white and grey!  

Super White quartzite is more expensive than marble but it's also much more durable.  We used a lot of Super White last year and I expect that we'll being seeing even more of it in 2013. 

This gorgeous kitchen combined Super White with Carrara marble.  See more pics here.  Photo: MGS by Design.

 

 Notice how there weren't any dark browns, blacks and golds on the list?  That's not to say we didn't do these colors last year, but they definitely weren't our top sellers.  Crazy how trends change isn't it?

What colors did you use last year?  Did you expect to see something on our list that wasn't there?

Oak Bamboo Quartzite Slab Floor from MGS by Design

This is the last installment of the Parade Home that we did this summer in the Northern Wasatch Parade of Homes.
I saved my favorite part of the home for last!
The Oak Bamboo quartzite slab floor was definitely my favorite part of the home....but it was also the hardest to get a picture of.   So I apologize in advance that the pictures aren't better.

The homeowners and Interior Designer found this gorgeous and unique slab of Oak Bamboo quartzite at one of our local slab yards, Italia Granite.  The problem was they didn't know what to do with it!
The designer came up with using a large piece of it on the floor in the front entrance of the home.
What a great idea.  It's a stunning feature to walk in and see this beautiful floor.

Installation of slab floors has to be well coordinated.  We laid the slab first and the the wood floor installers came in and installed the wood around the slab.  It ensured a perfect fit.

 You may remember that we used the rest of the slab in the Master Closet.  You can see it here.

Slab floors are not easy or inexpensive to install.  A lot of clients are so surprised to learn this.  It seems like you just set the slab down and you are done, easy peasy.
It's not so easy.  Be sure to hire an experienced & knowledgeable fabricator to set a slab floor.  You don't want that expensive slab cracking and breaking!
You'll usually spend more on the installation costs plus slabs are more expensive than tile, so you've got a lot more to pay in materials as well.
Overall slab floors are a very expensive option, but if you find a gorgeous slab that you just can't live without---putting it on the floor is a great way to show it off!

If you have missed some of the posts about this home, be sure to catch up!

• Silver Travertine in the Master Bath.  Oak Bamboo quartzite in the Master Closet.
• Carrara Marble Powder Bath & Galaxy Black Great Room Fireplace.
• Chocolate Truffle CaesarStone in the Guest Bath & Laundry Room. 
• Absolute Black & Australian Reef Granite in the Kitchen. 
• Darling Grandkids Bath with Carrara Marble.
• Absolute Black Granite in the Guest Bath.

A big thanks to the homeowners and the Interior Designer, Clayton Thompson, for letting us be a part of this amazing home...and then letting us take pictures of it!  We love fun jobs like this!

Countertops: MGS by Design
Interior Design: Clayton Thompson (He doesn't have a website, email me if you'd like his contact info). 
Home Builder: Peterson Builders

Slab Sunday: Azul Macauba quartzite

Azul Macauba is a stunning and unique quartzite quarried in Brazil.

Overall it is a beautiful sky blue color.  It can have veining of white, cream, turquoise, green and even rust.
The slabs change dramatically in pattern and color from bundle to bundle, so be sure to select your exact slabs.

Juan Montoya Design via Interiors.  Shower is two bookmatched slabs of Azul Macauba quartzite. 

I've talked about How Granite is Priced here on the blog before.  Blues tend to be more rare than other colors, so generally a blue granite or quartzite is going to be quite expensive. 
This is the case with the Azul Macauba.  It's usually in the highest price category.  It's worth every penny if you have the money to spend though.  There just isn't anything like it!

Photo: Della Maggiore Stone

Contemporary Bathroom design by Dc Metro Interior Designer Sara Baldwin Design

You may see Azul Macauba labeled as a granite instead of quartzite. Read more about what quartzite is here.

Traditional Bathroom design by New York Architect Ben Herzog

Other names for Azul Macauba include: Azul Boquira, Blue Macauba, Azul Imperial, Azul Macaubas, Azul do Macaubas and Azul Cielo.

Photo: Sosa Granite & Marble

Traditional Kitchen design by New York Architect Ben Herzog

Azul Macauba is available in 2 cm and 3 cm slabs.

Full Slab Showers = Most Amazing Thing Ever

If you have....

• A good amount of money to spend on your bath.
• The desire for a unique and beautiful focal point in your bathroom.
• No reason to clean grout lines.

Then.... you should totally consider using a full slab in your shower!

Juan Montoya Design via Interiors.  Shower is two bookmatched slabs of Azul Macauba quartzite.  Stuh-nning!

 Yes, this is an expensive option.
Why?  Well, slabs (especially the stunning, focal point kind) are pretty expensive alone.  Add a good amount of labor costs to the equation and it's definitely not the cheapest option for a shower.
A lot of people ask me why the installation costs are so high and why they need to hire a knowledgeable and experienced installer.  I tell them if they don't want a 700 lb slab of stone falling on them while they are shaving their legs then they should pay to hire the best!  :)

Cost aside, I think most of you will agree....it's sure a ridiculously beautiful option!

Calacatta marble slabs in this shower designed by Kravitz Design via decor pad.

 If the shower is large enough that it requires more than one slab per wall make sure to select slabs that are bookmatched.  Both showers in the two photos above have bookmatched slabs.  As you can see, it makes for an even more interesting and beautiful work of art.

Most showers will require just one slab per wall.  You can use slabs on all of the shower walls, or you can "frame" the slab with tile like in the photo below.
The shower would be too busy looking if the Onyx slab was everywhere.  By keeping it on one wall it allows the beauty of the Onyx to shine. 
Also notice how well they designed the lighting in this shower.

Modern Bathroom design by Denver Lighting Designer 186 Lighting Design Group - Gregg Mackell

Silver Travertine Vanity in a Master Bath from MGS by Design

We did a beautiful home this year that was in the Northern Wasatch Parade of Homes this summer.  There was a lot of stone in this house so I'll feature the rooms separately over several days.
Today is the amazing Master Bathroom.
I LOVE the sliding barn door that separates the bath from the Master Bedroom.  (Notice the brick on the right...I'll show you that in a minute.)

Clayton Thompson* was the Interior Designer of this home.  He is a fantastic designer and one of my very favorite people to work with.  He's ridiculously good at finding antique pieces and having them refinished & repurposed into beautiful vanities, end tables, etc.  I could never walk into a second hand store and be able to find the pieces he does.  He has such a great eye.  Every piece I've seen him do has been great, but the furniture piece that he had refinished and used as the vanity & linen closets in this Master Bathroom just blew it all out of the water.
This isn't even particularly my style and I'm in love with it.  The beautiful stained glass doors are what put it over the top for me.

We fabricated the countertop to match the design and bump outs of the furniture piece.  When you see the close up in the photo below it looks kind of weird, but when you look at the piece as a whole you can see why that detail is so important.
The countertop is a cream colored slab of vein cut Silver Travertine that we purchased from our local supplier Adamas Stone. 
The edge detail is a 3/4" Ogee.

I don't generally post pictures of areas that we weren't a part of, but I just had to share this Master Bedroom with you!  The brick wall about kills me. 
The chairs are facing a window with spectacular views of Eden, UT.

Okay, back to the bath.  :)

And because no detail was spared in this home, the Master Closet was also beautiful!  We put in a small top out of Oak Bamboo quartzite from our local supplier Italia Granite.  This stone will show up in another post in a very unique application.  Stay tuned!
The edge detail on this piece is a 3/4" Ogee.

*Interior Designer, Clayton Thompson, doesn't have a website.  If you are in Utah and looking to hire an amazing designer, email me & I'll get you his info.

Carrara Marble & Super White Quartzite Kitchen from MGS by Design

I'm so excited to show you all this beautiful kitchen!  I always say that we have the best clients, but we really do! This job was no exception. The homeowner was great to work with...we all really liked her. Plus, she designed a gorgeous kitchen that we were happy & proud to be a part of.

Photo: MGS by Design

Photo: MGS by Design

Photo: MGS by Design

The perimeter countertops are Super White quartzite with a Mitered edge detail.
The island countertop is polished Carrara marble with a Mitered edge detail.

Notice that the edges are Mitered around the Farmhouse sink opening.  It's all in the details!

Photo: MGS by Design

Photo: MGS by Design

A HUGE thanks to the 'P' family for letting us be a part of your beautiful renovation.  Their entire home is just stunning.

Whiteout Wednesday: 5 White Kitchens with Super White Quartzite

White kitchens and baths are definitely the hottest trend I am seeing right now. It's also the subject I get asked about the most. From white Carrara marble to white quartz there is a lot to consider when using white countertops.
Whiteout Wednesday is a weekly feature where I show five kitchens and/ or baths that have used white in a beautiful way.
If you have a white kitchen or bath that you would like to see featured here please email me.
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Super White is a fantastic alternative to white marble in a kitchen.
Today all five kitchens have Super White quartzite countertops.   

Contemporary Kitchen design by Philadelphia Kitchen And Bath Kitchens By Design

Photo: White and Gold Design

Traditional Kitchen design by Grand Rapids Architect Visbeen Associates, Inc.

We did this kitchen last year!  Photo: MGS by Design.  You can see more pics of this kitchen here.

Traditional Kitchen design by Dc Metro Kitchen And Bath Granite Grannies

Designer Spotlight :: Smithdesigns. Kitchen with Blue Louise Quartzite.

Smithdesigns is an Interior & Architectural design firm located in Victoria, BC.  I recently "met" Rich through our blog when he commented on one of our posts and mentioned that they had used Blue Louise quartzite in one of their recent kitchen remodels.
When I checked out their blog I was completely awestruck.  This kitchen is stunning, unique and so well designed.  I fell in love and asked Rich if I could feature the kitchen here on our blog.

Photo: Smithdesigns

From Smithdesigns blog..."We started this project with a high-end existing kitchen. It was well-used and well-loved but dark. A pantry storage area separated the kitchen from a stairwell flooded with natural light and views to the garden, while the copper-clad cabinets obscured most of the light from the transom windows."

Here's the kitchen 'Before'...

Photo: Smithdesigns

 And here it is 'After'...

Photo: Smithdesigns

The stone on the island & around the appliances behind it is Blue Louise quartzite.  These slabs are absolutely stunning.  I love how they used the quartzite in a dramatic way to spotlight it's beauty, but they didn't go overboard by using it everywhere.
Plus, I'm a sucker for the Waterfall edge.  I think it was so innovative to use it not only on the upper island counter but to also 'frame' the refrigerators.
The rest of the countertops are Cambrian Black granite.

Photo: Smithdesigns

The backsplash is illuminated by LED tape light, recessed in a groove at the back of the Cambrian Black granite countertop. The material is Varia Ecoresin by 3-Form, which is actually made here in Utah!

Photo: Smithdesigns

Photo: Smithdesigns

I want to give a big THANK YOU to Smithdesigns for letting me feature this kitchen today.  Be sure to check out their blog here.  They have more pictures of this stunning kitchen, but you'll also want to catch up on their older posts, they have pictures of some really amazing projects!

Photo: Smithdesigns