Each year, it seems design trends for both residential and commercial projects continue to evolve. While the beauty of natural stone is always an allure, over time, competitive materials continue to surface – providing more options for architects, designers and homeowners.

Natural stone took center stage of a 10,000-square-foot residential design in Fox Chapel, PA, a suburb of Pittsburgh. A regional material was the product of choice, and a visit to the quarry sparked ideas that transpired to its extensive use for exterior applications – resulting in a stunning and sustainable design that has caught the attention of many passersby.

Set in the Texas hillside on the outskirts of Austin, TX, a newly constructed residence reflects its surrounding habitat with regional limestone featured extensively on the exterior design. And while the native material is also the showcase of several interior applications, the retired homeowners opted to diversify the palette by incorporating additional materials into their living space – making it unique and colorful.

Working within an extremely small footprint in an original 1951 home, Sheryl Steinberg, Allied ASID, LEED Green Associate, of Sheryl Steinberg Interior Design, LLC in Bethesda, MD, was tasked with creating an open, modern, bright, efficient, usable, roomier bathroom that reflected the owner’s modern style.

The United Polaris Lounge is offered by United Airlines for its first class and business class travelers, currently only available at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago, IL; George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, TX; San Francisco International Airport in San Francisco, CA; and Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, NJ.