White kitchens have long been considered a timeless choice for those looking to bring an open and classic style to their homes. The neutral palette offers a blank canvas that allows for a range of personalization and can change with evolving styles and seasons. But when it comes to choosing the perfect countertop to complement an all-white kitchen, it can be a challenge to find one that adds depth and character without disrupting the overall aesthetic. That’s where Arabescato marble enters the scene — a luxurious material that easily elevates your kitchen. While an all-white kitchen can create a sense of unity, it can feel flat and sterile if not balanced with careful design elements. Arabescato marble can add elegance and texture to an otherwise boring design by introducing a bit of contrast that keeps the space visually interesting.
Originating from Italy’s Carrara region, Arabescato marble is known for its durability and sophistication. One of its key characteristics is the signature gray veining that appears more erratic than other marbles and creates a sense of movement on its soft white background. It is well suited for kitchens because minor scratches aren’t as obvious on its intricate patterns, especially compared to other types of marbles that have a softer appearance. Aesthetically it is perfect as a focal point and it enhances the overall harmony, giving you one of those white kitchen designs that never go out of style.
interior of all white kitchen with marble island countertop – MSI Tiles
As with most high-end natural stones, Arabescato marble falls into the luxury category, so you can expect its price to reflect that. For the material alone, you could pay anywhere between $60 to $150 per square foot, depending on slab quality such as how white the background color is, its dimensions, and any natural defects. Professional installation can also increase the cost of adding Arabescato marble to your kitchen. Since marble in general is a heavy material, it is advised to have at least a two-person crew complete the job. This can add approximately $350 to $450 to the price of materials depending on where you live and how much contractors charge in your area.
You’ll also want to avoid the mistakes everyone makes when installing marble countertops and work with a reputable stone fabricator who has experience with Arabescato marble. When it comes to this type of marble, precision is key in preserving the beauty of the veining patterns, especially at seams and edges. But once it is installed, you’ll realize you’ve done more than just bring new life to your kitchen countertops — you’ve invested in your home and added timeless elegance to your kitchen. Even though it comes with a higher price tag, the payoff is a space that feels elevated and sophisticated. So, if you’re aiming for a white kitchen that stands out, Arabescato marble might just be the perfect finishing touch.
New controls can operate lighting and other systems via porcelain wall slabs and countertop … [+] Hypertouch points.
Iris Ceramica Group
If you’re planning to remodel or expand your home next year, there will likely be an incredibly sleek new option available for operating your lighting and technology controls. Hypertouch has been showcased by its patent holder, surfacing manufacturer Iris Ceramica Group, at several design industry trade shows in the U.S. and Europe, and is currently working its way through the UL certification process with expected availability here by fourth quarter. It’s already being specified in Europe, the global company’s U.S. marketing director Giulia Bucci shared in an email. Why might you be interested?
Concept
Have you ever heard the term ‘wall acne’? It’s what designers disdainfully call the cluster of switches needed to operate the many lighting layers, fans and other controls cluttering up their designs. Voice control, touchpads and remotes have been three recent ways of addressing these eyesores. Hypertouch will be the latest.
“The idea was to find ways to enhance the versatility, performance, and design continuity of our ceramic surfaces, eliminating unaesthetic light switch plates and covers,” Bucci wrote. The technology can integrate controls for doors and windows, climate and audio-video, she noted, if a home is tied into an automation package, or just room lighting if a client prefers. It can be used indoors or out in a covered setting, on walls, as noted, or on Iris’ porcelain countertop surfaces. When approved in the U.S., it will be available across the company’s seven domestic brands.
Tatiana Machado-Rosas, senior interior designer for San Diego area design/build firm QualCraft Construction, sees Hypertouch’s potential for her firm’s high end clients with contemporary styling preferences, she emailed in response to a request for her reaction to the product’s introductory materials. She can see it on both wall and countertop surfaces, she said.
“Sometimes we need to add switches to a kitchen island and it would be nice not to have to interrupt the slab’s design,” she suggested. “I can also see it in a custom-designed home office built into a desk. The user could touch the surface to turn on a specific set of lights, pull up blinds, turn on music,” she contemplated, appreciating the aesthetic and operational benefits it offers.
Eric Goranson, host of the nationally syndicated Around the House radio show, podcast and regional Northwest TV program, also weighed in on the Hypertouch concept. “The ability to hide controls and keep a clean design within a space will be tempting for many homeowners,” he commented in an email after also reviewing the introduction; it has been needed for a while, he added. Goranson pointed out that this installation offers a discreet way to control home automation systems without the high tech visuals that clash with more traditional home designs, another versatility benefit to designers.
Installation
This is not a DIY-friendly product. “To install Hypertouch, a ceramic installer and certified electrician are needed,” Bucci explained. She described the process as installing a sensor and wiring connection below or behind the ceramic surface. “Depending on the type of kit, a system integrator might also be needed,” she added. “The wiring connection is very similar to those present in traditional stand-alone systems or integrated home systems.”
Ken Erdmann, director of technical education programs for smart home technology association CEDIA, agreed in an email. “Once the location of the switch/control is established, it would be much like any other installation: Place the box/enclosure, run the wire, install the device, and program the system to respond to the device input.”
This work could be performed by an electrician, he noted, but when Hypertouch is tied to a larger smart home system, a technology integrator would make sense. “By connecting to an input that does lighting, sound, security or a status update and program the processor accordingly, the integrator could do a number of things with this type of product.” He thought it could be a sleek substitute for clients who don’t like voice controls.
Concerns
Goranson, Machado-Rosas and Erdmann all had questions about Hypertouch from their professional perspectives. “Baby boomers like comfort, but also simplicity in maintenance, so some will be concerned about what to do if it breaks,” Machado-Rosas predicted.
“Younger clients want everything to be controlled from their phones, including heated floors, motorized exterior shades, appliances, etc.,” the designer observed. This is probably an ideal Hypertouch prospect, but not the vacationing set. “This technology would be challenging in short term rentals like luxury AirBnB properties because the tenants would have to be taught where the switches are!” she added.
Goranson pointed out, “It has to work flawlessly to be successful. I don’t think any of us wants an experience like standing in a public restroom trying to find the sensor to turn the water on at the sink. I also think there could be a strong learning curve for the people that are not as tech savvy, and guests will have no idea how to find or use these features without being told.” (So maybe not for guest suites!) A subtle Hypertouch label can be incorporated into the design, but that reduces its aesthetic appeal as a hidden control.
Pointing out the difficulty in repairing a comparable system released by another manufacturer, and hidden speakers from a different firm, Erdmann recalled, “Since the only way to service it was to cut into the wall, it fell from favor.”
Iris’ Bucci says the company has considered this, and recommends wall installations being placed where the components can be easily accessed – such as near an open doorway – so the premium surfacing material wouldn’t need to be torn out for the wiring or kit to be accessed. For a countertop or desk installation, it can be accessed from a hole cut into the cabinetry below.
The CEDIA executive also noted the downside of hiding controls: Forgetful or future owners might block an invisible sensor with a piece of art and then it won’t work. That will need to be addressed in a home’s sales process.
Client can opt for a subtle surface marking letting users know where the control is located.
Iris Ceramica Group
Last Words
Goranson, who loves trying out the latest home systems and technologies for his audiences, summed up his thoughts on Hypertouch this way: “It’s an interesting concept. I would love to play around with it at an install and see how well it works.” Watching trade show attendees marvel at it last week, I suspect he’s not alone.
Features Updated Look and User-Friendly Experience to Serve the Residential and Commercial Stone Fabrication Industry
Press Release –
Jun 16, 2022
INDIANAPOLIS, June 16, 2022 (Newswire.com)
– Majestic Stone Imports is creating a new look for customers when they visit their redesigned website, which features a more user-friendly experience.
The new website features similar aspects of the old version but with a new, updated appearance. When visitors first open the new site, pictures and videos of residential and commercial projects the company has done are featured, as well as contact information for those wanting to get a project in their home done. Customers can also see a “Meet the Team” page, where all employees of Majestic Stone Imports will be featured, which is a new addition to the website.
“Our website was outdated. We’re hoping that having more information, a new look to the website and having more pictures will be a better user experience,” says Audrey Collier, account manager at Majestic Stone Imports. “Overall we want it to be easy for customers to navigate the website, find exactly what they’re looking for and to be able to contact us.”
Majestic Stone Imports is a stone fabrication and installation company and works on projects ranging from kitchen countertops, bathroom showers and vanities, basement bar tops and fireplace surrounds, and outdoor spaces.
Majestic Stone Imports lends a helping hand for those wanting to redo any countertop project in their home. The company currently offers stones such as granite, quartz, marble, soapstone, as well as quartzite, porcelain for customers to choose from.
To begin the process, customers visit Majestic Stone’s warehouse and begin looking at the selection of materials they have. Once they choose the color and type of stone they want for their project, they have a professional team member go out to take measurements for the project. Majestic Stone Imports will then draw up a draft of the countertop design for the client to approve. After sending the customer a quote and having them approve the drawing, the slab of material is cut with a jet saw that Majestic Stone Imports has in the back of their warehouse. Finally, the material is polished and sent for installment by a trusted team of workers.
The whole process can vary depending on the time it takes, but usually customers can see their new countertops installed in about a month.
“It just depends on the schedule,” Collier adds.
Visit Majestic Stone Imports online at majesticstoneimports.com, or visit them on social media at @majesticstone_ on Instagram, Majestic Stone Imports on Facebook, or their local listing on TownePost.com. You can give them a call today at 317-237-4400. The main facility is located at 1100 East Maryland Street in Indianapolis, IN. They also have a second location at 3126 Roanoke, Kansas City, MO.
