When the owners of a private residence in Bergen County, NJ, sought to expand their kitchen area, they were faced with the challenge of creating a new space that would seamlessly blend with the rest of the 70-year-old home. In the end, the remodeling project called for an addition to the house, while also utilizing some space from an adjacent guest room. Once the new kitchen area was laid out, a sense of quality and permanence was created through the use of natural stone in a variety of applications.

The material selection began with Labrador Antique granite for the countertops, supplied by IGM of North Bergen, NJ. The homeowners chose the stone for its rich color as well as the presence of blue spectralites, and it was this granite that led to the selection of other materials, including the stone as well as custom wood cabinetry. The granite was used for all of the countertops as well as a center island and a bench in the new bay window, and both sinks were undermounted. Further enhancing a look of sophistication, the counters feature an ogee edge.

The floor is comprised of Durango Stone[tm], quarried and fabricated in Mexico by World Wide Stone Corp., and sold through Dente Trading of Cedar Grove, NJ. It was specified as 16- x 16-tiles with a honed finish. The owners had experience with Durango Stone, as it was also used for another room in the home years earlier, and they were fond of its elegance and natural feel. The color of the stone also served as a neutral complement to the countertops.

On the walls, the backsplash design relies on Jerusalem Stone in a bone-colored hue. The material was set as 4- x 6-inch tiles in a brick pattern, and selected tiles feature inlaid gemstone pieces depicting floral and aquatic figures. All of the Jerusalem Stone and inlaid pieces were supplied by Cosa Corp. of Hackensack, NJ, and the tiles have a beveled edge, which was fabricated on site by the contractor.

In addition to creating a new kitchen area, the renovation also established an expanded pantry area where the old kitchen had been located. This area features an additional countertop, cabinet and closet space, and it has counters of Labrador Antique granite.

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Private Residence
Bergen County, NJ
Architect: Scott Lurie Architects, Oradell, NJ
General Contractor: Heuer Construction, Ridgewood, NJ
Installation Materials: Laticrete International, Bethany, CT