Cozy isn’t just for the winter months. A warm cozy feel can be part of your kitchen all year round. Achieving that cozy feel places emphasis on lived-in charm, tactile comfort and warm colors. Kitchen design trends are moving away from sterile, all-white designs, and...
When planning a kitchen renovation or new build, the countertop is often a focal point. It’s not only a functional surface but typically a defining design element. For homeowners looking for both beauty and practicality, jumbo slabs have become an increasingly popular...
Soapstone is a natural stone that’s earned a place in both historic homes and modern kitchens thanks to its understated beauty and practical benefits. However, despite its growing popularity, there are still several misconceptions that can cause hesitation among...
We are excited to announce the newest addition to The BGE Quartz Collection: Eterno Design Series, an expansion of our private line of quartz, Eterno. The Eterno Design Series offers inspired looks for homeowners who love the qualities of quartz and the character of...
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...
Granite countertops have become a staple in kitchens and bathrooms – admired for their durability, elegance and timeless appeal. However, despite their popularity, there are several myths surrounding granite that should be debunked in order for homeowners to make...
As you walk around your home and look out the window, you notice it's a beautiful sunny day. The beautiful sky is calling you outdoors. So, you open the door. You are greeted by the paradox of New England: a glorious sunny day combined with snow on the ground and...
Are you considering or planning a home improvement project? Maybe 2025 is the year for a new kitchen or outdoor kitchen. We are importers and wholesalers of stones from all over the world so, you want to make sure you visit one of our showrooms to help you move your...
The beauty of natural stone is unmistakable. The unique look of natural stone starts deep in the earth buried underground or within mountains. As we have traveled the world visiting the many quarries from which we source our natural stones, we’ve had the opportunity...
As the year winds down, we are looking ahead to 2025. This is the time each year when we begin to share emerging design trends. It’s always interesting to see which trends stay with us, which return over time and what is new and different in the world of design. Here...
If you’ve been following our recent blogs, we’ve been spending time chatting with Boston Granite Exchange’s General Manager, Bill Thomas, and VP of Sales, John Byrne, asking them about their 25 years at the helm. We asked them about changes over the years as they...
We love quartzite. It’s beautiful. Sometimes the granite vs. quartz debate overwhelms the conversation about stones, but we think that quartzite is amazing and our customers think so, too. We have many beautiful quartzite slabs arriving each week at our showrooms, and...
When homeowners plan their kitchen renovation they often find themselves weighing the cost of various items and the value those items have to them. These decisions are based on personal preference and style. Here are four upgrades that designers say you won’t regret...
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...
During the pandemic, we were finding refuge in our bathrooms. We brightened them up, bringing in spa elements and embracing the bathroom as one of the havens in our homes for peace, quiet and relaxation. If a bathroom refresh is in your plans for 2024, there are some...
In a recent blog, we shared kitchen design trends for 2024. It seems that one of those trends is becoming a runaway hit with designers and homeowners. According to The Kitchn, statement range hoods are popping up everywhere. Designers are embracing statement...
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...
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...
While you are planning your new kitchen, consider a slab backsplash. Using a continuous slab of natural stone, quartz or porcelain can give your kitchen a beautiful and interesting and even dramatic look. As a bonus, with no grouting to worry about, cleaning a slab...
As you plan a kitchen renovation, you’re likely gathering ideas from websites, home renovation shows or home magazines. Seeing what’s trending can help inspire you and sometimes guide you to design ideas you love. Islands have become a focal point of the kitchen, and...
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...
So many of our New England homes have fireplaces. They offer a cozy respite from the winter wind and cold. As fall begins, take a long look at your fireplace. Is it all it can be? Is it inviting you to curl up next to it with a book or invite friends over for an...
A kitchen renovation is an investment. According to Remodeling Magazine, the national average cost for a kitchen remodel in 2022 was $28,279, with the range from $13,000- $38,000. Appliances, cabinets, countertops, fixtures and, of course, labor are factored into...
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...
When homeowners visit Boston Granite Exchange they usually are well into the renovation process. However, we know that for some homeowners beginning the process is filled with anxiety and questions. Sometimes getting started is the hardest part. To help you jumpstart...
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...
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,...
A Hidden Surprise in Kitchen Design The pantry has been around for centuries. In the Medieval Great Halls, there were several rooms outside of the kitchen which were dedicated to food storage and preparation. Dishes were washed in the scullery and stored in the...
Recently, our VP of Sales, John Byrne, and General Manager, Bill Thomas, travelled to the annual Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) held this year in Las Vegas. This annual conference brings the industry together to see what is new, what is trending and what is...
The Danby Quarry in Dorset, Vermont, is a quarry we’ve visited often. Not only is it the closest to home quarry for us, but it is also the largest underground quarry in the United States, and it produces some of the most beautiful marble in the world. Many monuments...
Quartz is a beautiful option for kitchen countertops, vanity tops, fireplace surrounds and more. But, homeowners are sometime unclear as to what quartz is and where it comes from. Natural stone is mined from quarries in huge blocks and then cut into slabs. We all...
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...
Taking it from the ‘90s to Now Katie and Carl bought a great house; it is well-built and suits their family, which includes a teenaged son and daughter and a mischievous dog. The house is in the perfect neighborhood, with perfect schools in a great part of town. It...
Your sink is probably the most used (and useful) part of your kitchen. So much happens in your kitchen sink. The obvious culinary efforts, of course, happen there, but there are other, non-culinary uses many of us take part in – from bathing the baby to cleaning the...
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...
At BGE, we hear many reasons why customers want to renovate their kitchens. The cluttered kitchen is a common complaint. It’s also an interesting dilemma. Many of the things on the counter get used all the time and sit out for convenience. Kitchen designers and...
A Phased Approach to a Dream Kitchen There are challenges to renovation and sometimes getting it done all at once just isn’t possible. For Maria and her family, a two-stage renovation was what ended up happening. Maria, her husband Dave and their two young children...
Soapstone is a beautiful natural stone with a warm look and a cool, soft feel. Soapstone often flies under the radar. Homeowners are far more familiar with granite, marble and quartz than they are with soapstone, but once they begin looking around our showroom they...
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...
There are many considerations as you plan your kitchen renovation. One important place to start is how you use your kitchen. Everyone uses their kitchen differently. A person who loves to cook is going to have very specific wishes and will want certain things tailored...
There are so many exciting details to think about as you plan for your kitchen renovation: countertops, backsplash, flooring, appliances. You may be looking to reconfigure your kitchen, changing the footprint to make it work better for you. And it’s likely you’re...
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:...
Airy coastal vibes are sticking around in 2022. Greys, blues and greens are all popular and they all work beautifully in the timeless two-tone kitchen, letting you create interest without overwhelming your space. Here are three really lovely looks we’re seeing in...
We learn from homeowners and we value their thoughts. Recently, we sat down with Elisa, a homeowner who lives in the Merrimack Valley with her family. About two years ago, Elisa completed a kitchen renovation on her 25-year-old Colonial style home. The renovation...
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...
With the Holidays right around the corner, 2021 is winding down. Right now, we’re seeing homeowners begin planning their kitchen renovations for the New Year. There’s a lot to look forward to in 2022, including some fantastic new kitchen design trends. Here are four...
As a kitchen countertop surface, quartz became popular in Europe in the 1960s and 1970s. It took some time for the trend to make its way to the US, where it has become increasingly popular from the 1990s to today. To address the demand for quartz surfaces, Boston...
Your kitchen remodel project is full of options and decisions. One of them is choosing the material for your countertop. Quartz is a popular choice because of its durability, affordability, beauty and styles and colors to meet every desired design. As you plan your...
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...