Granite was chosen as countertop material for a new kitchen in a private residence in Basking Ridge, NJ. The house, dating back over 200 years, was once a part of a larger farm parcel; and now sits upon two acres.

While the homeowners have the desire to maintain the original heritage and rustic character of their home, they were also in need of additional space for a growing family. The resulting renovation included converting the home's original kitchen into living space, and constructing an 1,100-square-foot two-story add-on - complete with a new kitchen - in keeping with the “old farmhouse” feel.

The main focal point of the kitchen is the distressed colonial red island with an 11-foot-long two-piece countertop fabricated and installed by Lincoln Marbleworks of Rahway, NJ. The same material, with a continuous CNC machined ogee edge, was also employed for the additional countertops in the room.

“The fabricator, John Szabo, couldn't get an exact match at the island seam, so two non-consecutive slabs were slip matched for a perfect fit,” said Gordon Wallace of GroutMaster, Inc., whose cabinet division, Wooden Image, produced and installed the solid cherry custom kitchen. “John and I work closely together on a regular basis. Besides being a stone expert, he is also a licensed architect, who often brings a welcomed dynamic to the jobsite.”

Wallace explained that the homeowner was searching for a material that was blue for the countertops. When he spotted the Dynamic Blue granite, he thought that the homeowner would like the stone's color and movement. “When John [Szabo] suggested honing the countertop surfaces to give this stone more character, I felt confident it was the right choice, and the homeowners loved it.”

The granite countertops, which were installed in one day, magnificently complement the natural cherry cabinetry, old tavern brick walls and soft pine planking flooring. The large open space provides the ideal forum for entertaining, and the materials palette upholds the tradition of the home's original architecture.

Private Residence
Basking Ridge, NJ

Architect: Bill Halsey, Basking Ridge, NJ

Builder: Homewright Builders, Long Valley, NJ

Installer: GroutMaster, Inc.

Stone Supplier / Fabricator: Lincoln Marbleworks