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Inside the Shop
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Acropolis Custom Marble and Granite, Inc. of St. Louis, MO, relies on artisan roots

by Jennifer Adams, Managing Editor

"The year 1977 will always be a special year," said Spiro Xenos, owner of Acropolis Custom Marble and Granite, Inc. in St. Louis, MO, with his wife Anna. "It's the year that I came from my homeland, Greece, to the U.S. It's also when I started to establish my name in the Midwest as a Master Marble Craftsman/Artist. click here to read more

First In Counters of Zachary, LA, enjoys eight-fold growth

by Alexis Fisher, Assistant Editor

When it comes to knowing the basics of stone fabrication, owners of First in Counters in Zachary, LA, are well versed. The company was started by couple Brad and Deborah Parnell, and their more than 30 years of experience dates back to a period when Brad cut and installed everything by hand in a shop in their own backyard. At the time, they were averaging nine to 10 kitchens a month, but with up-to-date investments in machinery and a move to a bigger facility, they are currently able to produce 70 to 80 kitchens/units a month with a capacity for more than 100. The path taken to be where they are today, however, was not an easy one. click here to read more 

Watermark Design Technologies of Tampa, FL, uses waterjet for countertops and medallions

by Michelle Stinnard, Associate Editor

Watermark Design Technologies of Tampa, FL, is co-owned and operated by John-Paul Plazza, who grew up in the industry as his family ran a company called Tile World of Italy. Today, Plazza's shop, which was established earlier this year with co-owner Joseph Kinsel is equipped with a variety of state-of-the-art equipment, enabling the company to produce an average of 10 kitchens a week. With the addition of new machinery in the near future, the company hopes to substantially increase its current production rate. click here to read more

Inside the shop -- Stonecrafters of St. Cloud, MN, creates a niche in stone tabletops

by Jennifer Adams, Managing Editor

Since 1969, StoneCrafters of St. Cloud, MN, has worked to develop a strong reputation for itself in the stone industry. The company was started as a floor covering business by Vern Salzl, and it has evolved into a state-of-the-art stone fabrication facility, primarily serving the Twin Cities metropolitan area. And in addition to countertop production, StoneCrafters has created a prosperous niche for itself as a tabletop manufacturer -- distributing its products to retailers nationwide. click here to read more

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Fabricator Issue of the Month
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Project Spotlight
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The Maryland Walk high-rise in Clayton, MO

by Alexis Fisher, Assistant Editor

Located right at the Brentwood-Maryland intersection in Clayton, MO, the Maryland Walk high-rise intersects more than just two streets. "Customized to meet the taste, income levels and lifestyle," of a diverse group of individuals, it is a vertical neighborhood of 101 separate residences, "carefully crafted to accentuate the urban character," of its surrounding area, according to lead architect Lou Saur, FAIA of Saur & Associates Architects in St. Louis, MO. And to add elegance to the residential building, an assortment of natural stone was used to furnish the interior of each unit. full article

Four Seasons Hotel, Wellness Center and Spa, Westlake Village, CA

by Michelle Stinnard, Associate Editor

In creating a world-class facility that would address every aspect of health and wellbeing under one roof, the Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village Wellness Center and Spa in Westlake Village, CA, was designed using stone, brick and glass. The six-story structure includes a health and wellness center, full-service spa and television studio, as well as gardens and water features. Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo (WATG) of Irvine, CA, served as the architect and interior designer for the project. full article

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Shop How-To
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Stone World Fabrication Workshops to take place in the Northeast with new format

by Michael Reis, Editor

Stone World Magazine's popular Stone Fabrication Workshops are set to take place in the Northeastern U.S. A new course curriculum was developed for the 2007 Stone Fabrication Workshops, and it was based on specific issues raised by North American stone fabricators. Each presenter made extensive use of visuals, showing "real life" examples of stone fabrication shops and techniques to offer participants an illustration of the points being raised during the various sessions. full article

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Industry Happenings
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New materials are unveiled at Marmomacc 2007

by Michael Reis, Editor

Fabricators walking the halls of Marmomacc 2007 in Verona, Italy, saw a broad range of new material introductions. These products included a range of exotic materials as well as stones with more traditional colors and patterning. Click here for a look at some of the stone materials on display in Verona:

New joint-venture fabrication plant is established in Tennessee

Stone Interiors North America has announced that it is joining forces with Vic Green, president and CEO of VIC International, in a relationship that will add a fourth fabrication facility located in Knoxville, TN. Stone Interiors-Knoxville will benefit from a highly experienced management team with extensive industry knowledge in natural stone, including fabrication, installation, tooling and equipment.read more

Vic Green Receives Migliore Award for lifetime achievement from MIA

J. Vic Green, a veteran of more than five decades in the natural stone industry, has been awarded the 2007 Migliore Award for Lifetime Achievement by the Marble Institute of America (MIA). read more

Marble Institute of America files complaint against Home Safety Systems for radon misstatements

The Marble Institute of America, a worldwide trade organization representing the natural stone industry, has filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission's Bureau of Consumer Protection against Home Safety Systems of Stillwater, MN, citing gross misstatements in a print and advertising campaign for its radon detectors. In its complaint, MIA alleges that statements in the advertising campaign are false and misleading and will cause confusion amongst the consuming public. read more