Granite (Global Granite)

Granite countertops are not just for indoor kitchens; they can be a stunning and functional addition to your outdoor kitchen as well. With their durability and natural beauty, granite countertops can withstand the elements while providing a stylish and practical workspace.

Here are eight ways to incorporate granite countertops into your outdoor kitchen, enhancing both aesthetics and functionality.

1. Main Prep Area

The primary workspace in any kitchen, including outdoor kitchens, is the prep area. Granite countertops provide a spacious, sturdy surface for food preparation, chopping, and assembling meals.

2. Grill Surround

Enhance your grilling station with granite countertops around your grill. This setup offers a convenient space for placing utensils, sauces, and ingredients while cooking. The heat-resistant properties of granite ensure it can handle the high temperatures from the grill without damage.

3. Bar Area

Create a stunning outdoor bar area with granite countertops. Granite’s elegance and durability make it perfect for bar tops, where guests can gather for drinks and snacks. Its easy-to-clean surface ensures that spills and messes are not a problem, keeping your bar area looking great for years to come.

4. Serving Station

An outdoor serving station with granite countertops is a practical addition for entertaining. Use this space to lay out dishes, serve food, and organize your outdoor dining experience. Granite’s resistance to stains and scratches keeps the serving station looking great even after heavy use.

5. Sink Surround

Incorporating a sink into your outdoor kitchen is a fantastic idea for easy cleanup and meal preparation. Surrounding the sink with granite countertops provides a cohesive look and a durable surface that can handle water exposure and cleaning supplies without deteriorating.

6. Pizza Oven Counter

If your outdoor kitchen features a pizza oven, granite countertops can be the perfect companion. The smooth, heat-resistant surface is ideal for preparing and staging pizzas before they go into the oven. Granite’s robustness ensures it can handle the heat and wear associated with pizza making.

7. Outdoor Dining Table

Why not take granite beyond the countertops and use it for your outdoor dining table? A granite-topped table adds a touch of elegance and provides a durable, easy-to-clean surface for outdoor meals. It can withstand the elements and remain beautiful for years, making it a worthwhile investment.

8. Side Counter and Storage Area

Expand your outdoor kitchen’s functionality by adding side counters and storage areas with granite tops. These areas can serve as additional prep space, storage for cooking tools, or a spot for decorative items. Granite’s versatility and strength make it an excellent choice for any surface in your outdoor kitchen.

Why Use Granite Countertops Outdoors?

Granite is one of the most durable natural stones available, making it an excellent choice for outdoor environments. It is resistant to heat, scratches, and stains, ensuring your countertops remain in top condition even with heavy use. Granite’s natural beauty adds a luxurious feel to your outdoor kitchen, enhancing its overall appearance.

Granite countertops require minimal maintenance. A simple sealant applied regularly can protect the surface from stains and water damage, making it easy to keep your outdoor kitchen looking fantastic. Granite is available in a wide variety of colors and patterns, allowing you to choose a style that complements your outdoor décor perfectly.

Enhance Your Backyard With Granite Countertops

Incorporating granite countertops into your outdoor kitchen not only enhances its functionality but also adds a touch of sophistication and durability that other materials cannot match.

Whether you’re designing a new outdoor kitchen or upgrading an existing one, granite countertops from Olympia Stone can elevate your outdoor cooking and entertaining experience. Contact us today for a free quote!

Are you an oenophile? If so, which wines are your favorite? An oenophile is another word for a wine enthusiast. There’s a lot to be enthusiastic about regarding wine, and one of the many pleasures of the hobby is enjoying a glass at home with family and friends.

To do this, many wine lovers build home bars, complete with an area for tasting and serving. The aesthetics of these home bars vary wildly; some people love a sleek, modern look, while others prefer something more rustic.

Whatever your preferred aesthetic is, there’s a granite countertop that can match it– and even pair well with your preferred wine varietal!

Granite is ideal for a home bar. Its durable nature and resistance to scratches mean that it’s perfect for serving a crowd. And when sealed properly, it’s highly resistant to spills.

Unlike marble, which is sensitive to heavily pigmented liquids such as red wine, granite resists staining– and its striking veining looks very impressive. A granite countertop is the perfect surface for your at-home wine bar. The only question is what type of granite to use?

For your consideration, here are some of our favorite wine and granite pairings. Cheers!

Red Wine

The robust, dark claret hue of red wine looks best with dark granite. Black granite with bold white veins has a striking appearance, perfect for a strong aesthetic statement, while black granite with dark veins is more subtle. Either way, your home bar will look sleek and sophisticated with dark granite.

Granite type: Black Forest Dual

Granite type: Eclipse

Alternatively, you may wish to go with a snowy white granite with pale veins. While spills will be more evident, a soft white granite will have sharp, dramatic contrast with ruby red wine. It will also give your home bar a very classical motif.

If you’re a fan of Italian reds and want to pay homage to the Roman roots of this type of wine, white granite can be reminiscent of Romanesque marble without being as delicate or susceptible to acid and pigment.

Granite type: Aspen White

Granite type: Pedra Do White

Rosé

Rosés have a soft, delicate color. If your wine collection tends toward this wine’s rosy blush, a warm-toned granite with lots of mid-toned veining is the perfect choice. It’s warm and inviting, and makes your home bar feel friendly and approachable– much like a glass of rosé! Look for browns, ochres, golds, and other rustic earth tones.

Granite type: Butterfly Beige

Granite type: Betularie Exotica

White Wine

White wines have the palest color, so if you’re a white wine aficionado, you want to choose a granite countertop that doesn’t overpower the visual subtleties of your wine of choice. Pale granite with warm tones that reflect the soft amber of white wine will look great, especially if you set your home bar up in an area that gets lots of natural light. Like with rosé, earth tones are a good choice. White veining or pale mottling will emphasize the lighter color of this type of wine!

Granite type: Antique Fantasy

Granite type: Camelot Dream

These samples are just a tiny handful of the hundreds of granite patterns out there. To see more, and to determine what would look best in your home with your decor and aesthetic sensibilities, contact us at Olympia Stone and get started with a free estimate. Our team would love to help you build the wine bar of your dreams!

 

So you’ve decided on a granite countertop for your kitchen or bathroom. Excellent choice! Granite is a stunning natural stone that looks fantastic with every home design aesthetic, and its durability means that you will be able to enjoy your countertops for decades to come.

Now comes the hardest part: choosing the perfect countertop. With so many different granite options, how are you to choose? That’s what we’re here to help you with!

The Olympia Stone team has the expert advice you need to pick the perfect granite countertop. Here are 8 tips to keep in mind as you make your selection.

1. Color and Pattern Selection

Consider the overall color scheme and design theme of your space. Granite countertops come in a variety of colors and patterns, ranging from subtle to bold. Choose a color and pattern that complements your cabinetry, flooring, and overall decor.

2. Quality and Grade

Granite countertops are available in different quality grades. Poor-grade granite is prone to cracking and chipping, so make sure that the fabricator you choose offers only the best-grade granite.

It is worth it to visit your fabricator’s showroom to see the stone for yourself before installing it in your home.

3. Thickness

The thickness of granite countertops typically ranges from about ¾ of an inch for bathrooms and 1-1¼ inches for kitchens. Thicker slabs provide more durability and can withstand heavy use over time.

However, thicker slabs are also heavier, and may prove challenging to use in second floor installations. Consider your usage needs and aesthetic preferences when selecting the thickness.

4. Edge Profiles

Granite countertops offer various edge profiles, such as bullnose, beveled, ogee, and eased edge. Choose an edge profile that complements the style of your space and enhances the overall look of the countertop.

Your fabricator can show you different options and help you envision which edge profile would look best in your space.

5. Finish Options

Granite countertops come in different finishes, including polished, honed, leathered, and brushed. Each finish offers a unique appearance and texture, and you should look at sample stones to pick your favorite.

Consider factors such as maintenance requirements and aesthetic preferences when selecting the finish.

6. Sealing Requirements

Granite is a porous natural stone that requires sealing to prevent staining and etching. Ask about the sealing requirements of the specific granite slab you choose and follow the fabricator’s recommendations for maintenance.

7. Budget Considerations

Set a budget for your granite countertop project and explore options within your price range. Keep in mind that factors such as slab size, thickness, quality, and customization will affect the overall cost.

8. Professional Installation

Granite is expensive and heavy, so you shouldn’t try to DIY a granite countertop installation. Instead, hire a reputable and experienced fabricator.

This will ensure proper measurement, fabrication, and installation of your granite countertop. Professional installation will help maximize the lifespan and performance of your countertop.

At Olympia Stone, we’re here to help you every step of the way, from choosing the right granite to milling the edge ourselves, to creating a perfect installation. Contact us today for a free estimate for your new granite countertop!