Can My Kitchen Island Have a Different Countertop Material?
Photo provided by: Vivir Design on Instagram Are you upgrading your kitchen and asking yourself, “Can my kitchen island have a different countertop material?” We get that question a lot. Here at Kowalski Granite and Quartz, we’re countertop experts, so we’ll tell you...
What’s the Effect of Oven Cleaner on Kitchen Countertops?
When you invest in high-quality countertops, we know you want to do everything you can to keep them in tip-top condition. Did you know that some cleaning products are far too harsh to use on them? If you’re wondering, “What’s the effect of oven cleaner on kitchen...
Trending Countertop Applications: Home Bars
The 5 Best Trends Right Now: Home Bar Countertop Edition Do you thrive when you're entertaining guests in your home? A home bar addition might be the perfect upgrade for your space! Let's explore some of the best home bar countertop trends happening right now. 5...
How To Get the Best Kitchen Remodel ROI (Return on Investment)
Is your kitchen in desperate need of a makeover? It’s time to take the leap and go for it! Updating your kitchen is one of the best things you can do to boost the value of your home. To learn how you can upgrade your kitchen and what will affect the kitchen remodel...
5 Eco-Friendly Countertop Options
When it comes to countertops, your options are endless. But what if you want to make an environmentally conscious decision regarding the material of your countertop? As stone countertop experts, the Kowalski team is here to help guide you in such a decision. When it...
What Are the Differences Between Bathroom and Kitchen Counters?
Though it’s often overlooked in favor of the kitchen countertop, your choice of bathroom countertop is possibly just as important. It can add to the overall aesthetic of the room, and it should be durable and long lasting as well. What Are the Differences Between...
What to Know Before Buying Marble Countertops
Adding marble countertops is a surefire way of improving the aesthetic and value of a home. If you've already weighed the pros and cons of marble countertops and are ready to take the plunge, congratulations! Now you get to do the fun part of deciding what types,...
How to Install Granite Countertops: DIY Edition
So, you’re considering new granite countertops as part of a home renovation. Whether the renovation is for a client or for your own home, it’s a big decision and one that comes with a good amount of work and expenses. But, as an experienced builder or contractor, you...
Best Countertops for Busy Families
Let’s face it — busy families have busy kitchens. From homemade pizza nights, to after school snacks, to meals on the go, all that action in the kitchen can take its toll! You need a countertop that keeps up with the chaos and inevitable spills. You need a countertop...
10 Creative Natural Stone Remnant Applications
Natural stone remnants are leftover pieces of large stone slabs that were used in a major project. These remnants still hold all the qualities and beauty of the original slab, but aren’t big enough to take on, say, a full-out kitchen remodel. However, just as it is...
The Pros and Cons of Granite Countertops
Granite has long been a popular choice for countertops, but is it right for the kitchen of your dreams? Maybe, maybe not. While there are many advantages of granite, there are also some disadvantages to consider before automatically opting for this particular stone....
Cleaning Stone Countertops
So, you’ve decided to make the big investment of installing natural stone countertops in your home. And now that you’ve had the chance to soak in all their beauty, you want to make sure that beauty lasts forever. The best way to do that? Clean them properly. ...
How Is Granite Made?
When it comes to installing new countertops, granite countertops are one of the most popular choices among homeowners. Its sleek, modern look and strong resistance to heat and scratching make it a widely desired material to have in your kitchen. But all of this may...
Most Durable Stone Countertops, Ranked
If you’re planning a kitchen remodel, or if you’re designing an entirely new home, you’re probably in the market for new countertops. While choosing the perfect countertop for your home, there’s a lot to consider. Color scheme, pricing, and maintenance are all...
Which Stone Countertop Fits Your Personality?
Choosing the right stone countertop can be difficult. From your desired aesthetic to your maintenance commitment to your budget, there’s a lot to consider. But if you’ve ever wondered which stone countertop best fits your personality, we’ve got a little quiz for...
What’s the Deal with the Cost of Granite Countertops?
It seems like every homebuyer lists granite countertops as a must-have, and every homeowner who doesn’t have granite countertops, wants them! The appeal of granite is widespread and considering its polished, high-end appearance, that’s understandable, but what’s with...
How Much Granite Do I Need?
Measuring Your Natural Stone Countertops There’s a well-known saying that should be kept top of mind during every home renovation project: “Measure twice, cut once.” In other words, it’s pretty darn important to get measurements right the first time in order to avoid...
Best Granite Countertop Alternatives
Best Granite Countertop Alternatives A kitchen remodel is an exciting venture, and a big investment. When you put in that much time, money, and effort, you want to feel confident with the decisions you make along the way, and there are a lot of them! From color...
The Stone Countertop Installation Process Explained
If you’re considering new stone countertops for your home renovation project, it’s a big deal. You’ll likely want to learn everything you can about your options, pricing, and what to expect when it comes time to witness the end result: natural stone and granite...
How to Shop for Granite Remnants
Granite remnants are pieces of a granite slab that are left over from a previous project. Instead of throwing them away, granite remnants are perfect for use in other projects. One remnant store can have many remnants to choose from, of varying sizes, colors, and...
What is Soapstone?
As far as natural stones for countertop materials go, soapstone is one of the most underappreciated. Not nearly as popular as granite, soapstone countertops are still some of the most resistant and unique countertops available. What is soapstone really? What are the...
Pros and Cons of Granite Countertops
Granite countertops are one of the most highly sought after design elements in a home. If you’re considering granite in your home, you may be weighing the advantages and drawbacks of the decision. To make it easy, let’s break down the pros and cons of granite...
How to Renovate a Bathroom on a Budget with Natural Stone
If you’re searching for ways to renovate a bathroom on a budget, you might have already considered options like choosing less expensive fixtures, opting for a smaller shower, or including fewer luxuries — but there’s another way you can save money on your bath reno...
Maintaining Marble Countertops
Marble is a beautiful, natural stone which has been gaining popularity for its luxurious feel with flowing patterns and striking veins. Great for kitchens and bathrooms, marble countertops will upgrade any space with a touch of elegance, but require a bit of care to...
Quartz Countertop Brand Comparison
If you’re shopping for quartz countertops, you have a lot to consider. While most quartz countertop brands will offer strength and impact-tested materials as well as stain, scratch, and heat resistant surfaces, they often differ in the styles and special features that...
5 of the Most Popular Stone Countertop Edge Styles
Once you’ve selected the perfect slab of natural stone to use for a new bathroom or kitchen countertop, it’s important to complete the picture, framing your beautiful new surface with a pleasing edge style. From beveled to bullnose, there are countertop edge styles to...
How to Choose the Right Solid Stone Countertops For Your New Kitchen
Choosing the right solid stone countertops depends on your budget, the way you’ll use your countertops, and, of course, your style. When selecting countertops for a new kitchen, you’ll have to consider not only the aesthetic you’re looking for in your kitchen but also...
How is Marble Made?
Marble is a unique material, its colors and patterns completely singular and unrepeatable, inimitably precious. It doesn’t start out this way, however. A lot of time goes into making marble look and feel the way it does. Many elements have to align perfectly under the...
Everything You Need to Know About Quartz
Quartz is one of the most popular countertop materials, and for good reason: it’s an attractive and functional countertop material with a look that can work with classic or contemporary styles. If you’re considering using quartz in your home but don’t know where to...
Think Outside the Kitchen: Countertops in Other Rooms
When we think of countertops, we think of two primary locations for them: the kitchen and the bathroom. But really, there are many other places where countertops could be a beautiful and functional addition to your home. When it comes to countertops, think outside the...