“Given the site and the view, [the style] was an appropriate choice,” said David Businelli, AIA, Architect of Record from Salvadeo Associates Architect, P.C. “The owners wanted traditionalism blended with a more modern, casual floor plan than a fully traditional house would have.” To meet the desired aesthetic, a variety of granites was selected. “Masonry was a given from day one, both for the exterior and interior,” said Businelli. “Extensive glazing on the rear facade with generous terracing was provided.”

According to the architect, the products from Ankur International were chosen over other sources due to the company's selection of stones, availability, service and price.

According to Binod Toshniwal from Ankur International of Cranbury, NJ, the company supplied about 3,500 square feet of material for the project. The kitchen floor features 18- x 18-inch tiles of Summer Yellow granite, and the same material in a 1 1⁄4-inch-thick slab was used for the countertop. One bathroom features 12- x 12-inch tiles of Imperial White granite, while another is complemented by 12- x 12-inch tiles of Raw Silk granite. The foyer is comprised of 800 square feet of Shiva Kasi Pink granite in 18- x 18-inch tiles, which are set on a diagonal.

In addition to supplying a range of Indian materials, Ankur International also supplied 12- x 12-inch tiles of Breccia and Crema Marfil marble for the master bathroom. Toshniwal worked closely with the homeowner and assisted the couple with the design elements. The flooring throughout the house was implemented in varying patterns. “For the kitchen, a diagonal pattern with darker diamonds inserted at the intersection of the tiles was utilized,” said Businelli. “The direction is perpendicular to one of the walls of the dinette bay. A simple diagonal was also used in the master bath. On the terrace, a straight square pattern was designed.”

Essentially, the unique patterns enabled the architects to unify the shades of the stone to match that of the woodwork. “The basic challenge in regard to the stonework was how to tie in the color or the stone to the dark stain chosen for the woodwork, while maintaining a distinction between the spaces that the same stone flowed into,” said the architect. “The diamond pattern solved the problem in the kitchen, while the dark veins running through the tiles tied the color scheme together.”

End Box

Owner: George and Nadia Drogaris
Architect: Salvadeo Associates Architects, P.C.,
Staten Island, NY

Stone Supplier: Ankur International, Cranbury, NJ
Stone Builder/ Installer: Bass Construction, Staten Island, NY.