When it comes to kitchen and bathroom renovations, few decisions carry as much visual weight as the countertop. Material choice, color, veining, durability — it all adds up. To help homeowners navigate the options, we sat down with Nino DeCarolis, Vice President of Sales at Stone Surfaces Inc. in Woburn, MA — one of our trusted partners at Custom Contracting. Nino shared his insights on what’s trending, what lasts, and how to choose the right stone for your lifestyle.
What stone countertop materials are most popular right now with homeowners doing kitchen remodels?
There’s no single material dominating the market right now — and that’s actually a good thing. Homeowners have more great options than ever. We’re seeing a healthy mix of quartzite, quartz, marble, soapstone, and granite, with choices really coming down to personal style and how the kitchen gets used.
Are you seeing any shifts away from granite or quartz toward other materials?
There’s definitely been a move toward what we’d call “luxury” stones — marble and quartzite in particular — as homeowners gravitate toward more distinctive, high-end looks. That said, quartz and granite are still going strong. They offer proven durability and a wide range of styles, so they’re not going anywhere.
What’s trending in terms of colors and veining patterns?
It’s a wonderfully varied landscape right now. Warmer-toned quartz is popular, and earth-tone quartzites like Taj Mahal and Cristallo are perennial favorites. But what’s really exciting is the comeback of bold colors — greens, blues, and burgundies are all finding their way into kitchens and bathrooms. Color is back, and homeowners are embracing it.
How do granite, quartz, quartzite, and marble compare when it comes to durability and maintenance?
Quartz and granite are still the best options for durability, and quartzite is a close second. Marble will require some maintenance and will wear over time — but that wear creates a beautifully lived-in, well-loved look that no man-made stone can replicate. For homeowners drawn to that kind of character, marble is hard to beat.
How should someone think about matching their countertop choice to their lifestyle?
It really comes down to expectations. If you cook heavily and want your countertops to look nearly pristine for the next 10 to 20 years, quartz or granite is probably your best bet. But if you’re someone who likes the idea of a surface that develops character over time, marble can be a beautiful choice. We help our clients figure out which camp they’re in before making a recommendation.
How do you work with the Custom Contracting team and their clients?
The process is designed to be seamless for the homeowner. Clients visit our showroom to explore options, and after that first visit, we typically have the selection narrowed down significantly. We send Custom Contracting the details on the clients’ final decision, and we reserve that material until the cabinets are installed — so it’s there and ready when the timing is right.
From there, Custom Contracting’s project lead coordinates everything. Once the cabinets are in, they reach out to us, we send our templator to take precise measurements, and then we work with the project lead to schedule installation. It’s a well-coordinated handoff that keeps the project moving smoothly.
Great Kitchens Start With Great Partners
At Custom Contracting, we’ve built our reputation on partnering with vendors and suppliers who share our commitment to quality and craftsmanship — and Stone Surfaces Inc. is a perfect example of that philosophy in action.
The team at Stone Surfaces brings genuine expertise to every project, helping our clients make informed decisions that they’ll be happy with for years to come. Whether a homeowner comes in knowing exactly what they want or feeling overwhelmed by the options, Nino and his team have a gift for guiding them toward the right choice.
We’re proud to work alongside partners like Stone Surfaces Inc. — because when every piece of a remodel comes together at this level, the result is something truly special.