As you are designing your new kitchen, one detail that can be overlooked is the countertop edge. Though it seems like a minor detail, the right edge profile enhances the beauty and functionality of your countertops and can turn a beautiful slab into a gorgeous...
The holiday season is when most of us spend the greatest amount of time in the kitchen; so it is not surprising that the flaws in our kitchen become most obvious at this time of year. Whether it’s lack of storage space, a too-small footprint when everyone, inevitably,...
If you’ve been spending time in your vacation home, you may be thinking it’s time for a makeover to update the space and make it fit your current uses. A kitchen remodel in a second home presents different considerations compared to a primary residence. In a recent...
It’s your place down the Cape, your camp by the lake, your ski house in the mountains. Wherever it is and whatever you call it, your vacation home that serves as your escape from the day-to-day routine eventually will need improvements. Perhaps it’s been in the family...
When selecting stone surfaces for your kitchen countertops or other surfaces in your home, the finish can have a significant impact on both the look and functionality of your space. The three most popular finishes for stone are polished, honed and leathered. These...
The kitchen island is evolving. It is becoming the multi-purpose hub of the home for food prep, dining, remote work, homework and even entertaining. This trend started during the pandemic but it continues to change and grow. Homeowners and designers are creating even...
No doubt, with the warmer weather you’ve been getting outdoors more and perhaps, since it is celebration season, you’ve enjoyed parties and gatherings in backyards of friends and family. Maybe you’ve admired a friend’s outdoor kitchen? Perhaps your own outdoor...
For the past few years we’ve been sharing with you the increase in acceptance and incorporation of porcelain into home designs, including kitchen and bath design. We’ve seen demand for porcelain increasing year over year as designers spotlight its use in their work on...
Once again this year, Boston Granite Exchange was represented in Las Vegas at the annual Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS). John Byrne, VP of Sales, and Bill Thomas, General Manager, headed west to connect with suppliers and designers from across the US and around...
Trust is built with consistency Lincoln Chafee As importers and distributors of stone, we have built relationships with the suppliers of the stones we import. From visiting quarries across the globe to curating our own quartz collection, we pride ourselves on...
Three Trends in Outdoor Kitchens It’s only January, but the crazy New England winter weather has many of us dreaming of summer nights. The backyard, the hammock, the fire pit and a gorgeous outdoor kitchen are in those dreams. Are they in your dreams, too? An outdoor...
Not all porcelain surfaces are the same. At Boston Granite Exchange, before we brought porcelain into our showroom, we did rigorous research to find the finest porcelain surface available. That’s Laminam. Laminam is produced through a proprietary process on patented...
In our last blog, we highlighted kitchen trends for 2024 including big islands, many shades of green, some new appliance technology and the resurgence of natural wood tones. Read Part I. If you are planning a new kitchen in 2024, here are some more trends for your...
As the year starts its rapid wind to a close, we’re looking ahead to 2024 and the design trends that are heading your way. If you’re planning a kitchen renovation in 2024, there are some beautiful design trends and some excellent innovations for you to consider. Here...
Your kitchen is a multi-purpose space for trying out new recipes, studying, relaxing, working, entertaining and gathering the family together. It is the heart of the home. As you plan your kitchen renovation, it is likely that this is top of mind. You want the...
Porcelain has been around for thousands of years. You’ve been walking on it for decades. Yet many people harbor misconceptions about porcelain as a countertop surface. Misconceptions like porcelain is too delicate or difficult to care for are among the top...
Move over, bathtubs, the once utilitarian shower is now embracing luxury and taking center stage! Homeowners continue to bring calming influences into the home, looking for ways to make it a pleasant refuge where time spent is comfortable and relaxing. This trend is...
As we take a mid-year look at kitchen design trends, we’re finding that bold choices continue to be a theme in 2023. By incorporating lots of natural stone, contrasting materials and bold colors, 2023 kitchen design is full of beautiful surprises. Here are four trends...
Prior blogs have focused on how greens and blues are popular trends in kitchen design. With plenty of new colors and designs in natural and manufactured stones, there are many choices to make green and blue part of your new kitchen. Another popular design trend for...
Three Beautiful Outdoor Countertop Options During the pandemic, homeowners reevaluated their outdoor spaces as they looked for ways to spread out, visit with close friends and family and make the best of a challenging situation. They expanded their living space into...
Choosing the Right Finish for Your Kitchen Countertop Choosing your kitchen countertop involves several decisions. The first is to choose the type of stone that will best suit your taste, lifestyle and budget. This can be natural stone, such as granite, quartzite,...
It’s a New Year. You’ve got a new calendar. Maybe you’re thinking of a new kitchen. If you’ve been putting it off, 2023 might be the year for your kitchen renovation. If you are starting to plan a new kitchen, here are seven design trends that we like. Colorful...
We spend so much time in our kitchens. Preparing, cooking and eating meals is a big part of the kitchen’s function, but we also spend our time gathering there to play games, do work or homework or just for a chat over a cup of tea. It’s a room where memories are made...
And We Aren’t Just Talking About the Leaves There’s color everywhere! It’s a beautiful autumn in New England with vibrant colors everywhere we look – including throughout our showrooms. We’ve added lots of beautiful new colors to our showrooms this fall, and we can...
After the long reign of whites and greys, color has reemerged in interior design. And we’re seeing blues making a comeback. Gorgeous blues. From deep sapphire to ocean blue to soft grey blues. So many blues! We’re seeing beautiful blue designs in natural stones like...
What Laminam Brings to Your Table In recent years, the kitchen has become the most lived-in and best-loved space in the home. It has become a multi-purpose space where we cook, study, relax, entertain and work. In every way, it is the heart of the home. As you plan...
Living in New England means that when the weather is good, we spend as much time as we can outside enjoying it. In the past couple of years our backyards have become a refuge. Safe, socially distant and by invitation only, we were able to find ways to be together...
Before a stone is installed in your home, the slab has been on quite a journey. For a natural stone such as granite and marble, the slab originated in a quarry and took quite a trip to end up in one of our showrooms. This blog focuses on the final part of the journey...
As porcelain grows in popularity, we are often asked by homeowners which applications are best suited for porcelain. The biggest misconception about porcelain is that it is delicate and subject to chipping. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Take a look at this...
Porcelain is growing in popularity in the US, but many people are unfamiliar with the use of porcelain in the home, particularly as a countertop surface. There are also misconceptions about porcelain that we’d like to dispel. Common misconceptions about porcelain:...
The Winter Olympics are underway in Beijing, and many of us have our favorites to watch for during the competition. We’ve recently learned that one of our favorites, Laminam porcelain, was used for the façade of the Olympic Village, where athletes from around the...
The kitchen is the busiest room in the house around holiday time. From baking special family recipes to preparing traditional holiday feasts, the room seems to hum around the clock as the days count down to the holidays. Laminam porcelain is made for a busy...
Three Design Elements that Make It Special Sometimes, living in New England, we forget that our unique New England style is sought after by people in other regions of the country. We have a special place in our hearts for the cozy, casual warmth of a New England...
The kitchen is the center of our homes. So much of our lives takes place in this one space: from day-to-day family life, to supervising the kids’ homework, to work from home meetings and entertaining family and friends, we’re always in the kitchen. And we like to cook...