Saturday Link Up!

Carla Aston Designed posted an article recently asking Have Granite Countertops Gone Out of Style?  I obviously don't think so.  Go here to see what she thinks!

The kitchen below has granite countertops and it's definitely on trend.   Not out of style at all.  :)

Traditional Kitchen by Toronto Design-Build Firms Capoferro Design Build Group

White kitchens are still crazy popular.  The article 5 Myths About White Kitchens on Cultivate may help put you at ease if you are on the fence about an all white kitchen.

Photo: Cultivate

I didn't realize glass tile dates back to the Romans.  The History of Glass Tile was really interesting to me.  Definitely read it if you have a minute, it's a quick and interesting read.


Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

• Cultivate had a great article about where to splurge and where to save on your kitchen appliances.  Are High-End Appliances Really Worth It?  
• I love seeing pictures of stone quarries. They fascinate me.  Digging Into the History of Vermont Granite Quarries was an interesting article with a lot of fun pictures.
• If you follow us on Instagram you saw that we installed a beautiful Soapstone Kitchenette this week. Soapstone is one of my very favorite natural stones.  Read more about it on Houzz...  Counter Intelligence: Durable, Easy-Clean Soapstone.

Contemporary Kitchen by Somerville Architects & Designers Frank Valdes

• You know, being in the stone industry I just realized I need a really cool headstone when I die.  It can't just be any old stone right?  John Hoopes of Iowa is more on top of it than I.  He had his monument specially made out of granite in the shape of a watermelon.  It's really pretty cool, read more about it here.  

Photo: Muscatine Journal

•   Have you seen Brizo's faucet, The RSVP with its Swarovski crystal top?  It is art nouveau inspired and so gorgeous.

Photo: Brizo

• Did you know slate is a great natural material for sinks?  Houzz featured a bunch recently, check it out here.

Traditional Kitchen by Libertyville General Contractors Century Bay Builders

Saturday Link Up!

When it's cold outside I think all of us want our homes to feel as warm and cozy as possible.  Ten Tips to Create a Cozy Kitchen on The Kitchen Designer is the perfect read for this time of year. 

Photo: The Kitchen Designer

Mirrors are a great way to open up and brighten your kitchen.  Cultivate had a great article this week on how to use mirrors in your kitchen.  6 Ways to Brighten Your Kitchen with Mirrors.

Photo: Pottery Barn

9 Ways to Conjure a Parisian Bistro in Your Kitchen on Houzz has some really fun Paris Bistro/ Cafe inspired kitchens.

Traditional Kitchen design

Saturday Link Up!

I'm always finding fun articles from around the web that I want to share with you, our readers.  Every Saturday I link up my favorite articles from the week that I think you'll enjoy as well.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

10 Fabulously Fanciful Bathrooms was such a fun article on Houzz.  The featured baths were over-the-top and amazing in the best way.  It's a must read!
This bath below is backlit Alabaster.

Eclectic Bathroom design by Phoenix Interior Designer Ernesto Garcia Interior Design, LLC

I don't know about you guys, but I always go into purging mode after Christmas.   I am sick of all the excess of the holiday and I just have to get rid of things asap!  I know it's February, but I'm still cleaning out my house like crazy.   The article, Ultimate Storage-Packed Kitchens on Better Homes & Gardens has some great organizing ideas that I'll be using.

Spice drawer.  Photo: Better Homes & Gardens.

Last, head over to Cultivate and check out the kitchens in the running for 2012 Kitchen of the Year.  They are all unique and fantastic kitchens.  It's going to be hard to choose, but you must vote!

Photo: Cultivate

Saturday Link Up!

I'm always finding fun articles from around the web that I want to share with you, our readers.  Every Saturday I link up my favorite articles from the week that I think you'll enjoy as well.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

It was fun to read Trends from Living Kitchen- Pondering Appliance Innovation on D'Scoop to see the great new appliances that will hopefully be coming to the US soon!

Photo: D'Scoop

The Washington Post posted this article, Granite: Why every homeowner wants a piece of the rock,
last year that I just came upon the other day.  Why do you think everyone wants granite?  

Photo: Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath

Metallic Trends in Tile is a fun video to watch if you have a few minutes.  It's on Better Homes and Gardens website.

Eclectic Kitchen design by Dallas Media And Blogs Jamie Laubhan-Oliver

 

Saturday Link Up!

I'm always finding fun articles from around the web that I want to share with you, our readers.  Every Saturday I link up my favorite articles from the week that I think you'll enjoy as well.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We'll start the link up this week with a fantastic article written by one of our local friends, Nicole from Enzy Design in Salt Lake City.  The Kitchen is the Hub of the Home on Utah Style & Design.

I loved the idea of New Year's Resolutions from the Design Community on Design Sponge.  They sent in handwritten resolutions photographed in their own homes.  It was fun to read and see the creativity.

Photo: Design Sponge

Another local find on one of my favorite blogs, CityHome Collective.  The article [Head] Space | Form + Being was beautifully written by Cody Derrick.  The last paragraph is perfect.

Photo: CityHome Collective

Possibly my favorite blog post from 2012 goes to Paul from Kitchen & Residential Design. 
Let me vent a little about Houzz is EXACTLY how I feel.  If I could give any advice to you, dear readers, it would be to read this article and take it to heart. 
I get hundreds of emails per week asking me about granite colors, cabinets, paint colors, etc.  I think I'll just respond to each email with the link to this article.  :)

Have a fantastic weekend!

Saturday Link Up!

 I'm always finding fun articles from around the web that I want to share with you, our readers.  Every Saturday I link up my favorite articles from the week that I think you'll enjoy as well.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Laundry Rooms are often overlooked.  If you are considering renovating yours definitely check out
Laundry Room Renovation Tips on the Rambling Renovators blog.

Photo: Rambling Renovators

 10 Great Ways to Use Kitchen Corners on Houzz has great tips on how to make the best use of your kitchen space.

Traditional Kitchen design by Santa Barbara General Contractor Allen Associates

 I love subway tile wainscoting in bathrooms. It's functional and looks great! Subway Tile Wainscoting Puts Bathrooms on the Right Track on Houzz has lots of pictures that will inspire you to tile up the wall.

Traditional Bathroom design by Minneapolis Artist And Artisan Clay Squared to Infinity

Saturday Link Up!

 I'm always finding fun articles from around the web that I want to share with you, our readers.  Every Saturday I link up my favorite articles from the week that I think you'll enjoy as well.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I'm a little late to the party linking up this first post, but if you follow us on Facebook and/or Twitter you may have seen it already.  Stephanie from The Daily Blarg visited our shop a couple of weeks ago.  She had nice things to say about us and fun pictures.
The One About Visiting a Graveyard...A Granite Graveyard.

Photo: The Daily Blarg

 How to Settle on a Shower Bench is a helpful article on Houzz.

Contemporary Bathroom design by Toronto Interior Designer BiglarKinyan Design Partnership Inc.

And, of course we agree with this article on Houzz. :)
Kitchen Counters: Granite, the Go-to Surface Choice.

Traditional Kitchen design by New York Architect Fivecat Studio | Architecture

Saturday Link Up!

 I'm always finding fun articles from around the web that I want to share with you, our readers.  Every Saturday I link up my favorite articles from the week that I think you'll enjoy as well.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cottage Modern is a blog by an Interior Designer in Minnesota.  She remodeled her kitchen a couple of years ago and has some great tips in her article Kitchen Products and Sources: Where I Saved & Splurged.

Photo: Cottage Modern

Looking to sell your home?  It isn't as quick and easy as it once was.  Staging Works | Prepare Your Space on City Home Collective will help you prepare to sell your home.

Photo: City Home Collective

Kitchen Counters: Elegant, Timeless Marble on Houzz.

Modern Kitchen design by Atlanta General Contractor Cablik Enterprises

Budget is the most important first step to any remodel. How Much Should Your Kitchen Remodel Cost on The Street will help you get started.

Photo: Cultivate

 

Saturday Link Up!

 I'm always finding fun articles from around the web that I want to share with you, our readers.  Every Saturday I link up my favorite articles from the week that I think you'll enjoy as well.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It's fun when our favorite people talk about us on their blogs :) 
Emily from is this REALLY my life? and Stephanie from The Daily Blarg came down for a visit last week, and you can read what Emily thought on her blog.  The title of the post made us laugh...MGS by Design--the best place to get stone(d).

Photo: is this REALLY my life?

I keep seeing little notes on Facebook from blogs that I like trying to get me to do something so that their pages will keep coming up on my feed.  I thought it was all a bunch of malarkey until I read the article Grrr, Facebook on the blog two twenty one.
I keep up with most of the blogs I read through Facebook, so I was annoyed to read that Facebook isn't showing all of their posts anymore if the administrator doesn't pay.  Anyway, read the article and then if you too like to keep up on your favorite blogs via Facebook take the time to make an "Interest List".  (The article gives you step-by-step directions on how to do so).  It took me maybe 10 minutes to add all of my favorite blogs to my Interest List but now I feel like my Facebook is all organized and I'm not missing out anymore!
Oh and while you are on Facebook you should 'Like' us and add us to your Interest List.  ;)
https://www.facebook.com/MGSbyDesign

I could write a novel about how much it annoys me that because of diy tv shows a lot of people now expect something totally different from Interior Designers than what their actual job description is.  But I won't go on and on about it.  You can just read this great article on Apartment Therapy... Interior Designers: Reality Shows vs. Reality.

Photo: Apartment Therapy

If your style is vintage you'll love this article on Houzz...  12 Inspring Real-Life Vintage Kitchens.

Eclectic Kitchen design

Saturday Link Up!

I'm always finding fun articles from around the web that I want to share with you, our readers.  Every Saturday I link up my favorite articles from the week that I think you'll enjoy as well.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Selecting shower tile can be a little tricky.  For some great info and tips read the article on Houzz, Top 10 Tips for Choosing Shower Tile.

Traditional Bathroom design by Denver Architect David Johnston Architects

Nine times out of ten by the time clients get to us they are at the end of their project and at the end of the budget.  5 Ways to Design on a Budget on The Interior Collective has some great advice on how to plan ahead and not be over budget by the time you are ready for countertops.

Eclectic Kitchen design by San Francisco Interior Designer Kelly Berg, Arte Styling
Raven CaesarStone countertops.

 I LOVE seeing stone quarries in action.  Check out this video taken at the Danby Quarry in Vermont!

Enjoy this beautiful autumn weekend!

Saturday Link Up!

I'm always finding fun articles from around the web that I want to share with you, our readers.  Every Saturday I link up my favorite articles from the week that I think you'll enjoy as well.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I'm known in my family for being a "neat-freak".  My mom thinks I like to clean.  I don't like the act of it at all, I just love the end result so I end up cleaning all the time.
I can totally see myself designing a kitchen around being easy-to-clean.  Houzz posted a great article this week that could help me (and you) do just that... Design an Easy-Clean Kitchen.

Modern Kitchen design by San Francisco Media And Blogs Lucy McLintic

4 Crazy Predictions for Kitchens of the Future was a fun article to read on Cultivate.

Photo: Culitvate

Dwell gathered some of their favorite kitchens from over the years into one slideshow, it's a must see.  Dwell's Coolest Kitchens.

Photo: Dwell

Saturday Link Up!

Just a couple of links today and then I'm going to take a couple of days off for the holiday weekend.  Enjoy the last weekend of summer!  :)

Last week Aimee and I attended a couple of great classes at Contempo Tile taught by Vetrazzo.  We learned a lot about their product.... that we already happened to love.
Houzz posted a great article this week about countertops made from recycled glass in cement, which includes Vetrazzo.  Kitchen Counters: Sturdy, Striking Recycled Glass with Cement.
The photo below is Vetrazzo in Floating Blue, which happens to be my very favorite Vetrazzo color.

Kitchen Countertops design by Austin Tile Stone And Countertop Dorado Stone Distributors

If you are just getting started on the countertop hunt I'd recommend reading An Easy Guide to Kitchen Countertops on Cultivate. It gives you a brief run-down of the 7 most popular countertop materials.

Photo: Cultivate

Saturday Link Up!

I was in New Mexico last week and went to my dream store located in Santa Fe called Touchstone Gallery.  They had a huge selection of fossils, minerals, petrified wood and gemstone jewelry.  I was pretty much in heaven.  I really wanted to purchase the 3' Amethyst Cathedral, but I couldn't justify spending $5,000 on it....yet.  I will own one someday!  :)
When I got home I read Utah Style & Design's article Rocks, Minerals and Crystals Serve as Earthy-Yet-Elegant Art on their website featuring some beautiful pieces available at O.C. Tanner.
Oh, and the second picture in the article is a small piece of amethyst.  This is similar to what I did end up buying in NM.  It was only $17.00.....right in my budget!

Photo: Utah Style & Design

 My favorite color (pink) is making a comeback in baths.  Pink Bathroom? Kohler's Got You Covered on The Bath & Kitchen Showplace's blog has 4 really great pink baths.  What do you think of using pink in a bath?

Photo: Kohler

Shower drains are kind of boring and not the first thing you think about when building a new shower.  They are pretty important though.  How to Choose the Best Drain for Your Shower on Houzz has some fun styles to check out.

Modern Bathroom design.  Photo: Houzz.

Saturday Link Up!

I hope you all are enjoying your weekend so far!  Today I just have a couple of articles I wanted to share...

Would you shower outdoors?  House Logic has 11 Refreshing Outdoor Showers.

Photo: House Logic

Is a Corner Kitchen Sink Right For You?  This article on Houzz has some great tips on why this kitchen layout works and points out the disadvantages as well.  As granite fabricators we typically don't love this layout.  It can be harder to lay out slabs with this kitchen design.  If it works best for your kitchen though definitely do it!

Traditional Kitchen design by Minneapolis Design-build Lake Country Builders

Saturday Link Up!

House Logic recently posted this article, 8 Ugly Houses We Love.  Are they truly ugly or just unique?  You decide.

Photo: House Logic

Amanda from the cute blog Burlap & Denim posted pictures this week of an Anthropologie Styled Gourmet Kitchen she designed a few years ago.  It's a great kitchen, be sure to go to her blog for more pics!

Photo: Burlap & Denim

9 Ideas From an Ecofriendly Kitchen Makeover on Houzz has some great tips on how to make your home more ecofriendly!

Eclectic Kitchen design by Media And Blogs Lindsey M. Roberts

Do you want to win a free Blanco sink?   I do, so I entered to win one from Blanco America. You can too!  Just go here to enter and when you win hire us for the new countertops to go with it!  ;)