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Guide to the Home’s Hottest Natural Stone Colors for 2023

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Guide to the Home’s Hottest Natural Stone Colors for 2023

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The start of a new year is the ideal time to gather inspiration for those exciting outdoor living spaces and home exterior upgrades. In recent years, homeowners have claimed more outdoor space than ever before, transforming neglected square footage into thriving year-round outdoor spaces for entertaining and dining. Many homeowners also boosted their curb appeal and property value with easy exterior stone siding. But let us not forget those interior updates as well, where stone fireplaces and feature walls can make all the difference in your home’s wow factor. Make a resolution to update your home, inside and out, in 2023 with Instone’s hottest stone colors and styles on the market.

So what’s trending in stone colors and style? To find out, we spoke with Justin Alicandro, Instone’s VP of natural stone products, who shared the most popular stones from the Midwest to the East Coast.

Blues and Grays Dominate

Beautiful blue and gray tones and tints have been extremely popular along the East Coast for years. The demand has almost outpaced the availability, which is why Alicandro brought Aura’s Blue Mist Granite to Instone. It quickly became a best-selling product. The timeless elegance of the bluestone wash mixed with the grainy grays of granite makes this stone pleasing to the eye. The blue tones pair nicely with homes with a cooler color palette. Alicandro says the blue and gray colors will continue to dominate along the East Coast for years to come.

Looking to go with blues and grays for your home’s exterior siding or outdoor renovation project? Here are some complementary stone veneer colors, styles and brands available through Instone:

Make Way for the Buffs

Look out blues, there’s a new color in town! Alicandro says buff tones are gaining traction as a popular look for landscaping, with Aura’s Phoenician Buff leading the charge. 

This stone features pale speckles and veins of gray and pink mixed with beige-buff coloring to create beautiful texture and movement with a gentle warmth.

Another buff stone is Aura’s Oxford Buff Sandstone, which Alicandro says is relatively new, but quickly gaining popularity. “It’s really catching the eye of homeowners,” he says. The taupe beige sandstone is speckled with darker tones of black and brown for a classic neutral that will go with warm color palettes.

When planning your project in buff tones, here are some complementary colors, styles and brands available at Instone:

Lighter Colors Are In

Lighten up! At least in your backyard space. That’s what Alicandro says is trending at the moment. “I see the lighter colors coming on strong. We have some travertines that are ideal for these palettes.”

Silver Travertine has become in high-demand for pool stone, says Alicandro. “It’s popular because it’s light, and doesn’t get as hot in the summer, so people won’t burn their feet on it.”

As for granites in lighter colors, Alicandro recommends Silver Ridge Granite. “This is really a nice, light granite with a lot of character and movement throughout. It’s very unique,” he says, adding that the product is exclusive to Instone and recommends placing orders this winter for those spring and summer patio and pool projects.

Alicandro says Gray Granite is in the same color range as Silver Ridge but without the movement. “This is a more formal-looking, light-colored granite.” Here are some complementary pairings for a light- color project palette:

Home Improvement Projects

Just fell in love with a stone color and style but not sure how to begin planning your new project? Check out our blog on creating a backyard oasis with natural stone for a little help. Some projects to consider:

  • Curb appeal – siding, entryways, driveways, walkways, steps, pavers, curbing, walls
  • Interior – fireplace surrounds, feature walls, bars, kitchen islands
  • Backyard entertainment – patios, outdoor kitchens, fireplaces, fire pits, pizza ovens
  • Water elements – pools, hot tubs, fountains

This winter, spend some time indoors planning your next home project thanks to a little inspiration from Justin and our wide variety of the hottest stone colors and styles of 2023.

Fill out the form below for access to our 2023 Color Guide!

We want to know your favorite stone color combination! Vote for one of the combos above in the comments below.

Creating a Decorative Fireplace With Stone Veneer This Holiday Season

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Creating a Decorative Fireplace With Stone Veneer This Holiday Season

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‘Tis the season when your home becomes the focal point for holiday gatherings. There isn’t a better centerpiece than your fireplace for making memories with family and friends. But is your fireplace looking a little drab? Give it a makeover with stone veneers.

The look of a natural stacked-stone fireplace adds charm to any space, and it’s easy to do. Thin stone veneers can be adhered around an existing fireplace made of brick or tile. The industry term is a “fireplace surround,” because that’s exactly what it does to give your fireplace a new look.

 

Installing a Thin Stone Veneer Fireplace Surround

Like the name sounds, a fireplace surround includes all the elements surrounding the firebox itself, which includes the area inserted into the wall where the fire lit. Thin stone veneers can be installed around the firebox and up to the mantel area or all the way up the ceiling to give the look of a natural stone chimney.

Cultured Stone Echo Ridge Country Ledgestone

Thin stone veneers are natural or manufactured stones usually about 1-2” thick that can be attached over an existing brick fireplace. Because thin veneers are lighter in weight, they are faster and easier to install than building a new stone fireplace, saving you time and labor costs. Not to mention not having to take on a messy demo project in your home before the holidays. Not only will you achieve the look of a full stone fireplace, you’ll have the same durability and low-maintenance care.

If you’re handy around the house, you could DIY your fireplace surround. Puzzle lovers will enjoy the process of putting the pieces together in place. If you’re unsure of your DIY skills or you’re in a time crunch to get it done before a holiday party, it will be easier and faster to contract a professional mason or contractor.

Stone Veneers for Your Fireplace Surround Makeover

Dress Up Your Stone Fireplace for the Holidays

Once you have your new stone veneer fireplace done, you’ll want to dress it up with some holiday cheer.

Cultured Stone® Chardonnay Dressed Fieldstone

Start With Greenery

A big staple for your fireplace decorating is the lush greenery. Place garland across the mantel and perhaps drape down the sides of the firebox area (be sure to keep all décor from getting too close to the fire and heat.). Within the garland, the possibilities are endless to nestle fairy lights, figurines, ornaments, fruit such as cranberries, flowers such as poinsettias, pinecones and more. Perhaps, hide an Elf or two. 

Pangaea® New England Quarry Ledgestone

Color Coordinate

Pick a color theme and coordinate your holiday décor. It could be traditional Christmas colors of red and green, more frosted wintery shades of blue, white and silver or even something offbeat such as pink. If you put up a Christmas tree, you can match your fireplace décor with your tree décor by using bauble, ornament, ribbons and candles in matching colors.

Interloc New England

Match Your Décor Style

Is your style ultra modern, vintage/retro or farmhouse? Make your holiday décor match your design style in your home, or give it a style all its own. Modern style may use sleek ornaments, metallics and high-contrasting colors, while farmhouse leans to soft neutrals or all-white with black trim. Mid-century modern has become very popular, with more of this type of décor hitting the market in playful colors of pink, teal and orange.

Once the stone veneer is set and garland is hung, all of us at Instone wish you a joyful season by the fire with loved ones. 

Ready to dress up your fireplace with stone veneer? Make your wish list and contact us for samples of Pangaea, Cultured Stone and Dutch Quality stone veneers. 

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Cottagecore Style: Bringing Nature Indoors with Stone Veneers

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Cottagecore Style: Bringing Nature Indoors with Stone Veneers

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As winter moves in, if you’re looking for ideas to cozy up your home, look no further than the cottagecore trend. This lifestyle aesthetic celebrates the slow-paced, romanticized aspects of countryside living and bringing elements of nature indoors. Cottagecore began with streams of photos on social media around 2018 and really gathered steam during the pandemic for those wanting to embrace staying home and sheltering from the fast-paced, modern world. The look is now hitting the mainstream as an interior design style that provides balance from the hustle of life as we begin post-pandemic normalcy.

What is Cottagecore Interior Design Style?

Rustic, farmhouse and antique furniture, vintage collectibles, handmade items and decorative textiles, fresh and dried flowers, warm tones of aged and well-loved pieces are just a few of the elements you’ll want to incorporate to create this vibe in your home.

If it looks familiar to you, it may be because it borrows elements of other popular design trends such as shabby chic, cottage, granny, and English country. The idea is to strive for simple pleasures and comfort with a focus on nature and sustainability. A large aspect of cottagecore is using and repurposing items you already have—or have gathered from your own rural property—such as produce and flowers and handmade items. It also involves bringing in vintage or antique items, rather than those that are mass-produced, to produce a sense of calm and tranquility.

For Tara Kelly, whose blogs on The Art of Cottagemaking and Instagrams are filled with English-cottage style decorating tips, handmade how-tos, recipes and gardening inspiration, she says cottagecore is about creating a lifestyle that speaks to you, “I grew up on a small farm, so it’s about getting back to my roots and country life,”. she says. “Cottagecore embodies a slower way of living, less reliance on modern technology and appreciating the little things, as little or ordinary as they may seem. It’s about how I choose to go about living life: engrossed in nature, putting myself and my family first, and creating things that feed my soul.”

How to Use Stone Veneers for the Cottagecore Look

Adding elements of stone to your interior and exterior environment is a seamless fit for this design style to reflect nature and old-world charm. There are several ways you can use stone veneers to easily and instantly create the cottagecore look of a quaint home in the European countryside.

Add a stone feature wall: Create interest on a bare wall by using stone from top to bottom for a feature/accent wall. This wall could be anywhere in the home, from enhancing a headboard behind the bed in the bedroom, to a living room or a dining room. The look of natural stone will warm up the space with texture and color (not to mention it will look great for Instagram photos and videos or as a backdrop for Zoom meetings.) If you don’t want to commit to a full wall, stone wainscoting can also add some natural-looking texture to a space.

Do your kitchen backsplash in stone: A big part of the cottagecore lifestyle is spent in the kitchen. If you look at any cottagecore content creator’s social pages, you’ll find photo after photo of people baking pies and pouring tea. So the kitchen is the perfect place to incorporate stone into your backsplash, making you feel you’re cooking in an authentic English country kitchen.

Redo your fireplace surround with stone: If your fireplace is outdated and just not giving snuggly vibes, you can use stone veneers to basically wrap your existing fireplace and make it look like it was built with authentic stacked stone to add character and a vintage look.

Home exterior: Spice up the entryway of your home by using stone veneer for a textured, timeless look. Use it around doorways, posts and lampposts or as a wainscot siding.

Design Inspiration: Cottagecore

Need some more inspiration? Check out our mood boards:

What Stone Veneers Work Best for Cottagecore Décor?

We suggest these stone veneer options for your cottagecore home upgrade:

Pangaea – a high-quality natural stone veneer with easy installation made by a sustainably-forward-thinking company.

Cultured Stone – a manufactured stone veneer that is made with eco-friendliness in mind by using an average of 58% pre-consumer recycled content.

Dutch Quality – a manufactured stone veneer inspired by nature. It is made using art and technology for an authentic natural stone look.

Install a stone accent in your home, gather some wildflowers from the field and you, too, can be like an Instagram cottagecore influencer pouring a long, slow cup of tea before you tuck into a freshly baked pie and crack open a vintage book in front of your stone fireplace.

Ready to go cottagecore? Make your wish list and contact us for samples of Pangaea, Cultured Stone and Dutch Quality stone veneers.

Boost Your Home’s Value with Pangaea® Natural Stone for Added Curb Appeal

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Boost Your Home’s Value with Pangaea® Natural Stone for Added Curb Appeal

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Curb appeal. We’ve all heard about it, but how do you get it and what’s the best way to increase curb appeal while getting a great return on investment when you decide to sell? The front of your house greets guests and passers-by alike. Its appearance can turn heads or make heads shake. Your house’s exterior beauty, or “curb appeal”, is one of the biggest factors that determine your home’s value and street cred.

A home’s entrance featuring Pangaea® Cambrian Fieldstone.

Curb appeal is especially important for those considering selling or being compliant with homeowners’ association maintenance regulations. It also plays an important role in just being a responsible neighbor, keeping the neighborhood looking nice, and raising property values.

For a quick and easy way to boost your home’s curb appeal, let us introduce you to natural stone veneer. Our Pangaea ® veneer can instantly add an attractive finish to a home’s entryway, siding, walls and columns. It is made from real stone, cut thin and designed to be affixed to vertical surfaces, giving the appearance of full-bed stones.

What a difference one choice makes. WestCoast® Fieldstone makes the entry stand out!

We spoke with Andrew Everleigh of Environmental Pools, who has completed dozens of home improvement and masonry projects using Pangaea® stone to enhance a home’s appearance. He said one of the biggest reasons to go with Pangaea® was the look of the stone. “The way the stones are cut and the tightness of how they look together. I get a lot of feedback on how people like the simple, modern look that Pangaea® gives them.”

He says the quality is also a benefit, “There’s a lot of thin veneer out there. If someone is looking for a high-end stone veneer, Pangaea® is it.”

The Difference Between Natural Stone and Manufactured Stone

While it may be hard to detect by the untrained eye, there is a difference between natural stone veneer and manufactured (aka cultured) stone. Natural stone comes from Mother Nature herself, quarried from the earth and thinly sliced to make a veneer instead of using a full-bed stone. Because it’s created by nature, it’s naturally sustainable, can withstand weather conditions and gives a unique appearance with textures and tonal variations that look aesthetically beautiful.

Manufactured or cultured stone is man-made and designed to mimic natural stone in appearance. It is usually made of concrete and aggregate materials and is stained or painted to look like natural stone colors. Therefore, it may not be as durable as natural stone and can fade or erode over time or in harsh weather conditions.

The difference may be in cost. While cultured stone may appear to be lower cost upfront because it’s not as durable, it may need to be replaced down the road. Because natural stone is made to last by the earth, the value is in its durability. However, Pangaea® natural stone veneers are comparably priced to cultured stone right at purchase, so it’s a win-win!

How to Use Pangaea® Natural Stone Veneers on Your Home

Everleigh and his team often use Pangaea® for applications where they are not able to do a full-set or full-bed stone; it provides a lighter weight, sleeker finish than bigger stones. It’s also more cost-effective to use veneers versus full-bed stones. While Pangaea® comes in a number of finishes, he said his team uses a lot of Ledgestone and Ashlar and sometimes will mix it with Castlestone for a unique look.

For a homeowner who’s been looking at their same house for a number of years, sometimes it’s hard to know where to make improvements for aesthetic value. That’s where Everleigh’s team or a landscape architect comes in to provide guidance.

“Either our team or a landscape architect would work with the homeowner to create a design and color palette and then we would come in and build it.”

A light post at the entrance to a driveaway featuring Pangaea’s® Diamond River 3 Course Ashlar.

He says the first step is taking a look at the architecture of the home and the overall layout to the outside environment and determining the type of Pangaea® stone that will work best. For example, for more of a country-style, old-fashion feel, they would use the Fieldstone. For a more modern look they would go with a Ledgestone. The homeowner would determine the color palette they like best—greys or tans, or a mixture based on the overall theme of the property.

Everleigh said each area has a prominent type of architecture. New England is generally a lot of grey and brown tones, while more of a Tuscan style may be popular in other areas. He says it’s best to turn to the guidance of an expert rather than DIY to make sure the design matches the architecture of the house. “They can help you narrow down the color and source samples so the homeowner can see and feel the choices available,” he says.

Pangaea® comes in a large variety of color and style options to fit the design you want to create. View our selection here.

Where to Use Natural Stone Veneers to Improve Curb Appeal

One of the benefits of using Pangaea® thin stone veneer is the way stone veneer can transform and upgrade the look of the home. Here are a few ways to use it for better curb appeal:

Entryway: Thin stone veneer can provide a completely new look to your home’s front door area and create interest and contrast.

Garage: Cover garage structures for a unique look. You can also match it to your entryway to unify your look throughout your home’s exterior.

Columns: Columns provide a stately look to any home. Ones made from stone veneer provide interest and color to the front of your home.

Stone Walls: Set borders around your home for protection or simply aesthetic value by adhering to walls. Pangaea® thin veneer is easy to install with beautiful results.

Chimney: If your chimney is visible from the front of your house, wrapping it in Pangaea® natural stone veneer will give it visual interest and a rustic look.

Contact us today for more information, to locate a dealer in your region, or to become a Pangaea® dealer.

Most Frequently Asked Questions at the 2022 Northeast Hardscape Expo

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Most Frequently Asked Questions at the 2022 Northeast Hardscape Expo

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The Instone Team enjoyed meeting all of you at the recent Northeast Hardscape Expo. We shared our products and signed up recruits to our Instone Army. We look forward to interacting with our new Stone Soldiers in the coming weeks!

In the meantime, for those who were there, and those who couldn’t make it, here are some of the most frequently asked questions from the expo, answered by our experts.

Q: We saw you have a product called Pangaea®. What makes it so special?

Like our saying, “We Make It Easy!,” Pangaea® makes it super easy to do your job. This product is ready for application right out of the box. Each stone is pre-cut, tooled, trimmed and fitted together. All you have to do is apply it just like it’s laid out in the package, saving you time, money and product waste.

Q: How much Pangaea® square footage is in a pallet? 

A: It depends on the type ordered, but in general, flats will cover 200-240 sq ft with a ½” joint, and corners will have about 50 linear feet in every pallet. To find the exact number for the profile you’re interested in, go to our website. In the top navigation click “Check Stock.” Click on the product you’re interested in. Click on the specific style. The description will list how much is available in each warehouse. 

Q: How does the cost of Pangaea® compare with other similar products? 

A: You’ll find Pangaea’s price point comparable to other quality products. It may appear slightly higher, but you get extra value in the time you save and the elimination of waste thanks to the unique features of Pangaea, which include:

  • Gripset® the pre-scored grooves on the back of each piece for quick and easy application and no slippage.
  • Pre-tooled, trimmed and fitted pieces so you can cover more square footage than the competitors (less waste). 

Q: Can I pick up my orders? How do I get product? 

A: Instone works directly through a dealer network to ensure the lowest freight costs possible and the quickest delivery. Our route trucks deliver material 2-3 times a week, so you can be sure your material will get to you in a dependable and timely manner.

Q: I didn’t know you had landscape products too. What can you offer, and is it in stock? 

A: We have patterned flagging, steps, treads, caps and coping readily available in a variety of materials. Our Aura Natural Landscape products include granite, limestone, pebbles, quartizite, sandstone and travertine selections in a variety of finishes. In addition to what we have in stock, we can also do custom fabrication for those one-of-a-kind projects. 

Q: How do I find a dealer near me? 

A: Contact our customer service team at (708) 371-0660 or customerservice@instoneco.com. Let us know the product you’re interested in and your  location. We’ll set you up with someone nearby who’s knowledgeable and ready to help.

Q: How can I find out what’s in stock?

A: That’s easy! Navigate to Check Stock on the top navigation bar on the website. From there, you can see the availability of our products in your area, whether you’re a homeowner or dealer. 

Q: Which stones will be the most readily available this year?

A: That’s a great question. We can’t always predict the demand of a particular stone. However, we strive to keep a full complement of stone types and colors in stock. If one stone isn’t available, we’re consistently sourcing new materials that can fill your needs if stock runs low in one area. We utilize our entire network to ensure complete coverage and availability. If you don’t see what you want, please ask. We may be able to offer alternatives and get them to you quickly.

Q: What is the Instone Army and how do I join?

The Instone Army is an elite group of stone soldiers who receive exclusive educational information, new product notifications, chances to earn and win tools and gear. Each new member gets a FREE Instone Army t-shirt! Sign up for our Army here.

Again, thank you all for coming out to the Northeast Hardscape Expo. We hope to see you at the next event!

Natural Stone and Outdoor Living Made Easy: Instone Has You Covered

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Natural Stone and Outdoor Living Made Easy: Instone Has You Covered

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Join Instone at the Northeast Hardscape Expo and see why natural stone is trending. Whether you ‘re looking for fresh new natural stone colors or have questions, Instone can help. Meet the A-Team and pick up a free t-shirt at the show!

You won’t want to miss the new products we’ll be bringing. Stop by our booth #500 and meet our A-Team, who can show you samples, provide education on applications and let you know how to order. Now read on to learn more about our featured products!

Pangaea®

Unlike any other stone veneer product on the market, Pangaea® sets itself apart from the rest with its unique packaging and application technology. Just lift the top off a pallet, and you’ll see for yourself, this product is ready for application right out of the box. Each stone is pre-cut, tooled, trimmed and fitted together like layers of completed puzzles, saving you time, money and product waste. Plus, each pallet layer is pre-blended for optimal color variance and size ratio. You can see exactly how much product you’re getting in each palette and the coloring is quality controlled.

Every Pangaea® pallet is cut, tooled, trimmed and fitted before it comes to you.

“Pangaea® really separates themselves by doing things differently,” says Justin Alicandro, VP of Natural Stone Products, who’s been sourcing stone products for over 20 years. “They take the time to make the best quality thin veneer in the world, hands down. The biggest reason is they hand trim the stones and square them up before they package them. The packaging looks like a mockup for a job. With other products, the mason has to trim the stone, creating a lot of waste. Pangaea® has 100% product yield, and the others have maybe 80%, so it’s a more profitable stone. The mason just takes it out of the pallet and puts it on the wall, for a fast and simple installation.”

If that’s not enough, each Pangaea® veneer piece features Gripset® technology, pre-scored grooves on the back of each stone, enabling better adhesion to any surface. No more worrying about your veneer work moving or sliding.

Alicandro says they’ll also be showcasing a new Pangaea color® at the Expo, Pangaea® Providence, “It has some nice earth tone colors with grays and browns. It’s a blend of five different stones.”

New 2022 Pangaea® Color: Providence Shown 

Learn more about Pangaea® on our product page

Aura Natural Landscapes

Supply chain issues? What supply chain issues? You won’t find a shortage of selection when it comes to our natural stone landscape product line, Aura. Available in a variety of products – paving, steps, treads, slabs and more, plus an ever-increasing line of colors sourced from countries all over the world. “Bluestone is the most popular color in the United States,” says Alicandro. “But because of supply chain issues, a lot of people can’t get it. We try to stay ahead of the competition by continually bringing in new selections and finding alternatives to stones that aren’t readily available. We plan ahead. We order early and often.”

Speaking of Bluestone, Alicandro says they’ll be bringing Aura’s new Italian Bluestone to the Expo, “It’s a very strong sandstone and there’s no iron in it so the color will stay blue. It won’t rust or brown over time.”

Aura Italian Bluestone: New for 2022

Learn more about Aura Natural Landscapes on our product page

Alicandro says they’re bringing a full-color palette to the Hardscape Expo for attendees to see it in person. “We’ll be showcasing some new sandstones. They are the densest sandstones in the world. Some say it’s hard as granite. And it’s a very competitive price point.”

Some colors to look for:

  • Blue Mist
  • Blue Sky Grey (a Blue Mist alternative that doesn’t get as hot)
  • Blue Ice
  • Autumn Brown
  • Oxford Buff

Why Natural Stone?

Natural stone comes from the earth; therefore, it has durability on its side. Using stone products on and around your home will immediately increase its value, not only because of its longevity but it is also resistant to wind, fire, water and bug infestation. “It’s the Ferrari of materials. It’s not manufactured. You can’t get a better-quality product for your home,” says Alicandro.

So come see us at the Hardscape Expo. Check out our products, meet the A-Team and get your free T-shirt! We can’t wait to meet you!