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At Mette Cabinets & Countertops, we’ve had the privilege of working with natural stone for years, and we never get tired of its timeless beauty and unmatched durability. There’s something truly special about a material that Mother Nature spent millions of years creating – the depth, the luminosity, and the unique interplay of minerals that come together to form something no artificial material can replicate.

However, we’ve noticed that in today’s fast-paced world, many customers focus primarily on cost and timeline, sometimes overlooking the unique qualities that make natural stone such an incredible investment. To help you get the most out of your natural stone project, here are three important things we wish every customer understood:

1. Quality Work Takes Time – And It’s Worth the Wait

We understand you’re excited to see your dream kitchen come to life, and we share that excitement! A well-organized, efficient shop can absolutely deliver beautiful results quickly. However, natural stone work involves unique challenges that don’t exist with manufactured materials.

Sometimes machines need unexpected repairs, pieces can break during fabrication, or team members fall ill. When working with natural stone – especially some of the newer, more exotic varieties we’re seeing – the stone itself sometimes dictates the timeline. We may discover during fabrication that a particular slab needs special handling or different techniques than we initially anticipated.

Our recommendation? Set clear expectations with us about your timeline, but allow for some flexibility. In our experience, almost all projects are completed on schedule, but occasionally we might need an extra day or two to ensure we’re delivering the quality you deserve. Trust us – you’ll be living with this countertop for decades, so it’s worth taking the time to do it right.

2. Fall in Love with More Than Just the Color

We completely understand that color is often the first thing that draws you to a particular stone – it’s a crucial part of your overall design vision. However, when you choose natural stone, you’re choosing all of its characteristics, not just the color and pattern.

Natural stone comes with inherent features like veining, mineral deposits, small pits, natural fissures, and sometimes resin-filled areas where the stone was reinforced during processing. These aren’t flaws – they’re part of what makes each slab unique and authentically natural.

Here’s what we always recommend during your selection process:

• Examine slabs from multiple angles, not just straight-on
• Look across the surface at low angles to see all surface characteristics
• Ask us to move slabs to better lighting if needed
• Consider how the stone will look in your actual space, with your lighting

Remember, stone sealer is designed to penetrate into the pores of the stone to protect it from stains – it won’t fill natural voids or make the surface “smooth as glass.” Understanding this upfront will help set proper expectations for your finished project.

3. Embrace Natural Beauty Over Magazine Perfection

We love when customers bring inspiration photos – they help us understand your vision! However, it’s important to remember that those gorgeous magazine photos are often professionally lit, shot from flattering distances, and sometimes digitally enhanced.

Natural stone, like all of nature’s creations, has character. Even the most stunning slab will have some natural variation if you examine it closely enough. The key is appreciating your stone installation as a whole – the way it transforms your space, complements your design, and creates the atmosphere you’ve envisioned.

When you step back and view your kitchen as a complete design, appreciating the craftsmanship and thought that went into creating your perfect space, those tiny natural characteristics become part of the stone’s charm rather than perceived imperfections.

The Bottom Line

Natural stone offers unparalleled beauty, durability, and value that will enhance your home for decades to come. By understanding that surface character is just as important as color, maintaining open communication with your fabricator, and allowing adequate time for quality craftsmanship, you’ll ensure a successful installation that you’ll love for years to come.

At Mette Cabinets & Countertops, we’re here to guide you through every step of the process, from selection to installation. Our goal is to help you make an informed decision that you’ll be thrilled with long after the project is complete.

Ready to explore the world of natural stone? Contact us today to schedule your consultation and see our extensive selection of beautiful natural stone slabs.