For one-of-a-kind marble, quartzite and other elegant stone finishes, Calia Stone Boutique offers a dazzling spectrum of thoughtfully sourced, selected and imported specialty stones. Kristin Cali Schloemer, Owner and President of Calia Stone Boutique, offers an eye-popping variety of colors, patterns and dimensions to suit any décor style. Established in 2018, their boutique showroom in Chicago’s River North Design District is joined by a warehouse in Elk Grove Village housing row after row of dramatic stone slabs that are transformed into stylish countertops, backsplashes and flooring. Serving customers coast-to-coast, Calia Stone Boutique’s worldwide presence on social media artfully showcases their product lines to reach customers in an accessible, instantaneous way.
A Gothic arch and Calacatta turquoise antique marble are stunning design counterparts in this kitchen. Photo by Nate Sheets
Gwen Donovan: As a general rule, are certain stones best for high-traffic areas and others better as accents?
Kristin Cali Schloemer: Yes, absolutely. We explain to our clients which materials will work depending on what the project needs. We have a strong working knowledge of how certain materials will perform to ensure the right applications, resulting in fewer problems long term.
Kitchen walls and island are clad in Calacatta Macchia Vecchia honed marble. Photo courtesy of Calia Stone Boutique
GD: Tell us about a recent project you worked on that was a true stand-out.
KCS: Wow, it’s truly hard to home in on just one. What makes our part of the project so fun is seeing how certain materials truly come to life in different applications. For instance, in the projects featured here, you have kitchens where the whole focus is the stone bringing the statement. Then, you see a bathroom that took on a new life because of the detailed work from craftsmen creating next-level design abilities.
This primary bath showcases the drama of Calacatta Viola marble. Photo courtesy of Costa Christ Media
GD: What would you like your future or current customers to know about Calia Stone Boutique?
KCS: We specialize in bringing luxury back to this experience. Selecting stone for a project is an emotional moment that you will truly love if you let it overtake you. At Calia we take into consideration the whole project, what the client needs to make a space their own, and how to elevate that space so it works in their everyday life. We can be involved in a whole home or a single room like the kitchen. We can streamline the process to fit the client’s budget, source a unique find, specialize in practicality, or go above and beyond to be on the cover of a magazine. We are sure to make this a welcoming experience they can enjoy and feel confident in their selections.
GD: How would you describe your company’s philosophy in one sentence?
KCS: We take great pleasure in using the drama of an over-the-top stone paired with an exceptional design concept to create a new, favorite one-of-a-kind living space.
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