When it came time for Shirley and Bob Schmeltz to build their new home in Eugene, OR, the homeowners chose colors and materials that are unique and vibrant. Featuring an open and airy layout, the contemporary house includes a variety of stone types - making for a beautiful and diverse design.

“The house is very modern,” said homeowner Shirley Schmeltz. “I love color. We have 17 different colors within the interior of our home. They are Tuscan in feel - rich and subtle colors.”

Schmeltz explained that she worked closely with a representative from Bennett Stone & Tile in Eugene - the stone and tile supplier for the project - during the selection process. “Susan Bates was phenomenal,” said the homeowner. “She is extremely knowledgeable and customer service oriented.”

When considering what materials to use in the residential design, Schmeltz said that she thought about the entire scheme of the approximate 2,500-square-foot home. “The goal was to make the rooms segue from one to another,” she said.

In the kitchen, the homeowners chose Golden Oak granite - quarried in India - for the countertops, which were fabricated and installed by Bennett Stone & Tile. Schmeltz explained that it was her love of color that drew her to the yellow hues of the stone.

“I went to Spain a few years back,” she said, adding that the shades of the granite reminded her of the colors she saw while she was visiting the country. “I was gone a month with a couple of lady friends. The colors there are so incredibly beautiful. I came back and started [remodeling] with the breakfast nook in my previous home. I love those colors.”

She went on to say that she selected the granite for the kitchen countertops first, and used those shades as a starting point to build the rest of the interior color palette. “The tones are fabulous,” said Schmeltz. “Susan [Bates] and I hand picked the slabs [from a stone slab supplier in Portland]. She and I marked on the slabs where we wanted to cut based on areas in the kitchen. Where the stainless steel is - like the oven, microwave and refrigerator - I wanted lighter color because the stainless is dark.”

The granite is flanked by copper countertops. These pieces were fabricated by Randy Deering of Cottage Grove, OR. Moreover, both the granite and copper countertops are accented by a metallic copper tile backsplash.

The soft warm shades of the kitchen carry in to the living room, where the fireplace surround is comprised of 12- x 12-inch tiles of Kokomo Gold limestone. “The limestone has a very soft sort of velvet-like appearance,” said Bates of Bennett Stone & Tile. The rich blend of golden tones creates a focal point in the space. Above the fireplace sits a large colorful painting, which actually lifts up and reveals a television behind it.

The downstairs master bath features an onyx vanity with dual handmade glass sinks, which were designed by local artist Susie Zeitner of Z Glass Act. The onyx, which is called Verde Chiaro, was quarried in Pakistan.

“It is absolutely wonderful,” said Schmeltz. She explained that she first viewed the onyx while touring the Portland Home Show with her husband in January 2005. During the show, the couple visited a booth that had a display of stone material. “We looked at some of their stone samples and went to their warehouse the following day to view slabs. I fell in love with that onyx. I was able to find the same onyx at Bennett Stone & Tile. I made up my mind that I was doing it. I pulled colors from the onyx into the adjoining master bedroom to accent the minimalist look of the room.”

The shower in the master bath includes two shower heads. The floor consists of tumbled onyx pebbles with a silken matte appearance, while the front of the shower is made of glass blocks. To add further comfort, the tile floor in the drying and vanity areas is heated.

According to Schmeltz, the entire project - from the time ground was broken until when the couple moved in - took about eight months to complete. “It was so rewarding,” she said. “I recently got back from a trip and walked into our home and was still in awe.”

According to Bates, Schmeltz was an ideal client. “Shirley has exquisite taste and is not afraid to experiment with color,” she said. “Walking into this house is a real treat to the eye. It's like visual candy. Each room you enter offers some special intrigue for the viewer, while everything has a warm inviting feel and flow. I felt very fortunate to act as a consultant on this project.”

Private Residence
Eugene, OR

Contractor: Sexton Construction Inc.

Stone Supplier/Fabricator/Installer: Bennett Stone & Tile Co., Eugene, OR (granite countertops, onyx vanity)

Copper Supplier: Randy Deering, Cottage Grove, OR

Stone/Tile Installer: Mark Bellamy (tile, fireplace)