Articles by Jason Kamery

dawn 1

Designing a forever home

Dawn D. Totty designed an open-spaced kitchen using granite as the focal point
Jason-200x200
Jason Kamery
February 19, 2019
No Comments

At an elevation of 2,000 feet at the Jasper Highlands in Jasper, TN, Dawn D. Totty designed a kitchen with a classic and timeless look for her family’s new home, one that reflects the beautiful mountaintop surroundings.


Read More
John Kilfoyle of United Marble Fabricators in Watertown, MA

Working with compact sintered stone and porcelain slabs

While still fairly new to the market, alternative stone products such as compact sintered stone and porcelain slabs are becoming design options, causing fabricators to learn the best ways to fabricate them and educate their customers
Jennifer-200x200
Jennifer Richinelli
Jason-200x200
Jason Kamery
February 6, 2019
No Comments
As with almost anything, over time things and people evolve and change. What was popular at one time, might soon be a thought in the past. Often technology contributes to these transitions. This definitely holds true in the fabrication world.
Read More
large-format porcelain tile

Making a dust free work area in a busy mall

When working in a busy mall at night, the tile installer’s goal was to eliminate dust – making for a more environmentally friendly environment for its tenants
Jason-200x200
Jason Kamery
January 25, 2019
No Comments

With nearly a million square feet of enclosed retail space, The Shops at South Town in Sandy, UT, is one of the state’s largest malls. Ownership at the shopping center has made a significant investment to renovate the property, including over 100,000 square feet of striking, large-format porcelain tile in the main concourses on both levels.


Read More
CSTDWinter2019_QA04.jpg

One-on-one with architect Stephen B. Jacobs

Stephen B. Jacobs, president and founder of Stephen B. Jacobs Group Architects, discusses trends, changes in architecture and gives advice to young architects
Jason-200x200
Jason Kamery
January 23, 2019
No Comments
"As I look back at my career, almost every decade pulled us in a different direction. In the 1970’s we focused on Adaptive Reuse, designing projects in New York City but also Patterson NJ, Norwich CT, and Upstate NY."
Read More
glass tile from Ceramic Technics and Laticrete products

Addressing Challenges to the Watergate Hotel

Architects BBGM and Ron Arad had to focus on two main challenges for the multi-million dollar renovation to the Watergate Hotel
Jason-200x200
Jason Kamery
January 16, 2019
No Comments
After being closed for nearly a decade, the Watergate Hotel reopened its doors after completing a 200 million dollar renovation. The hotel is best known for its famous political scandal that eventually led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon.
Read More
chinese quartz tariffs

What's in store for Chinese quartz?

Now that the tariffs have been set, and different duties are expected to hit the market, stone industry members react to the changes that 2019 will bring in the quartz market
Jason-200x200
Jason Kamery
January 16, 2019
No Comments
Late in 2018, the U.S. Trade Representative released a list of approximately $200 billion worth of Chinese imports that will be subject to additional tariffs. Starting in September of last year, the tariffs were set for 10%, on top of other antidumping and countervailing duties, and in the New Year will be increased to 25%.
Read More
Owner and acting general contractor Chris Barone

Stone architecture captures mid-century charm

With a desire to keep the character of their 1950s ranch, the homeowners of a residence in the suburbs of Chicago, IL, carefully planned their renovation, including matching the house’s existing stone architecture
Jason-200x200
Jason Kamery
January 7, 2019
No Comments
The homeowners of a 3,500-square-foot private residence in St. Charles, IL, sought to make some significant changes to the structure of their ranch, while still maintaining its mid-century character. The renovation included the addition of a master suite, as well as a new kitchen with a two-story indoor/outdoor stone wall cutting through the middle of the house.
Read More
Blasius Inc.

Expanding with stone fabrication technology

By investing in different fabrication technologies, Blasius Inc. was able to grow to produce more than 35,000 square feet of material a month
Jason-200x200
Jason Kamery
November 5, 2018
No Comments
In the 1990s, Val Blasius created a reputation as a ceramic tile and Corian countertop installer in the Vassar, MI area. The business continued to prosper until he was bringing in more work than he could handle. His son, Jon, was in the remodeling industry at the time, doing tile and Corian countertops out of the same shop.
Read More
Virginia Mist granite quarry

Virginia Mist granite block supplier maintains a global presence

The Virginia Mist quarry, part of the R.E.D. Graniti Group, has produced granite blocks for some of the nations top buildings, as well as landmark projects overseas
Jason-200x200
Jason Kamery
October 8, 2018
No Comments
Located 65 miles southwest of Washington, D.C., the Virginia Mist granite quarry site was opened in August 1999. The quarry was operated back then by a Canadian company before partnering with the R.E.D. Graniti Group, a large Italian stone producer with quarries throughout the world.
Read More