ASPIRE DESIGN AND HOME recently reached out to several leading kitchen and design firms to discover their point of view on top trends and new developments in their industry. Their thoughtful responses delve into what motivates, inspires and excites these design pros, and how that passion ultimately breeds success.
From ABC Stone, we spoke with VP of Marketing + Creative Director Lyndsey Belle Tyler.
ASPIRE DESIGN AND HOME: Are any of your stone products sourced from exotic locations?
Lyndsey Belle Tyler: Yes! We source our products from 6 continents and (in normal times) we send our procurement to these locations on buying trips several times a year in order to ensure that we are only buying the very best blocks and sourcing the top materials available at any time.
ADH: What are some of your top-selling products for countertops?
LBT: Like everything, the client need dictates the type of material they choose. Clients with young children or those who cook a lot often prefer granite or quartzite that will be more resistant to chipping, staining, and etching. But then there are those who don’t mind the natural wear and tear and aren’t afraid to select marble even for a heavy-use area. We call that the “Italian attitude”… they want the stone to feel lived in. It’s a point of pride when the countertop starts to show a natural patina that takes on bit of the life that has been lived on and around it.
ADH: What are popular choices for floors?
LBT: Bathroom and foyers do really well with marble. It’s so classic, grand, and welcoming. For other areas, limestones are terrific. They hold up well and look fantastic.
ADH: Do your customers tend to choose neutral colors or are they looking at more vibrant color schemes?
LBT: Right now, our clients are all about the big, bold, and bright. Color and movement everywhere. The stone doubles as the art and visual centerpiece in the space. Everything must be social media-worthy and stone just has that wow factor.
ADH: Do you have any design consultants on staff to assist your customers? Or do your customers generally know exactly what they want?
LBT: We have a team of design consultants who have years of experience in all areas of the design and stone business from sourcing to fabrication to architecture, we are really proud of the talent, passion, and diversity that our team brings to the table.
ADH: If I want to buy new kitchen counters or a new floor, how does your company guide me through the process?
LBT: We are so excited about our propriety Digital Stone Catalogue. It is how we start every single meeting with clients and it’s really revolutionized the stone selection process. Historically, sourcing stone required clients who wanted to see specific materials to visit vast stone yards or warehouses, waiting as each slab was hoisted into view. The potential for damage to a piece of stone was significant, and it was difficult to understand how unique characteristics would look once several slabs were fabricated and installed together. Nearly four years ago, however, we began the process of transforming the way ABC did business, and at the top of 2020, we officially launched the Digital Stone Catalogue featuring Advanced Stone Imaging Software Technology (ASIST). Now, more than 25,000 slabs of stone in ABC’s inventory have been digitally photographed and uploaded to the catalog, which is available to view on 65-inch HD screens in our showrooms or via Zoom meetings virtually. The imaging software color-corrects and scales each slab to the closest 1/16th inch, allowing individual characteristics and flaws to be visible. Once the client narrows their selection, we send high-res photo files that can be directly applied to project renderings. When the client is ready, they can come to the warehouse and see their actual slab before making a final decision.
ADH: Does your company also offer stone products for outdoors?
LBT: Yes, we have a robust exterior line for both landscape and facades. We are so proud to work with some of the top landscape architects in the world and to have been the source for award-winning building facades such as The Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia and Perry World House at U. Penn.
ADH: If you could choose any countertop in your showroom for your kitchen and baths, what would you choose?
LBT: This is so hard and it changes weekly! Right now, I am obsessed with Opera D’Arte and Les Quartes Seisons marbles. They are so colorful and rich… true showstoppers! And I find it so amazing that these are completely natural materials made by Mother Nature. There’s just a massive wonder in it all.
ADH: How about flooring, what would be your top choice for your own home?
LBT: I have two young boys running around so I’m a huge fan of Lapitec. ABC is the exclusive distributor of Lapitec, which is a sintered stone from Italy. It holds up perfectly to heat, cold, and won’t scratch or etch. It’s made of 100 % mineral derivatives and is also anti-microbial and hydrophilic so it’s good for the environment which is extremely important to me.
ADH: What are some of the most exciting innovations you’ve seen in today’s stone styles?
LBT: We’re loving the finishes that are available today, many of which weren’t available even a few years ago… leathered and fluted finishes are gaining popularity. Anything that gives the stone a heavy or distinct pattern.
ADH: What are some popular stone design trends your clients are requesting this year?
LBT: Again, color, pattern, and movement. Classic doesn’t have to mean grey and white.
ADH: What 2020 stone trends do you think will be long-lasting?
LBT: Bookmatching is here to stay. So is adding stone in unexpected places. We’ve been sourcing stone for everything from bathtubs to headboards lately. The only limit is the client’s imagination.
ADH: Which stone styles aren’t as popular as they used to be?
LBT: Granite materials are less popular than they once were. Speckles and huge veins were extremely popular a decade or so ago, but with quartzites allowing for the same durability with a more marble-like appearance, we see that material really taking over.
ADH: What are some features your company offers that set you apart?
LBT: See Digital Stone Catalogue answer above
ADH: How would you describe your work style?
LBT: Passion and people-driven. I’d rather talk than email. I’d rather collaborate and ideate than put on headphones and input data. I need to feel the vibe and collect energy from those around me. I often walk while on conference calls. Movement in my body begets movement in my brain.
ADH: What is the best piece of professional advice you ever received?
LBT: I once heard an interview with restauranteur, Danny Meyer, and he told the story of being out to dinner with his uncle the night before he was to take the LSATs. He was feeling a sense of doom around the prospect of actually becoming a lawyer and his uncle said, “Do you know how long you’re going to be dead?” The young Meyer was surprised by the question and he shook his head, and his uncle replied, “Me neither, but it’s a hell of a lot longer than you’re going to be alive, so you might as well do something you love in this life.” Hard agree on that one.
ADH: If you weren’t in this business, what career would you choose?
LBT: I’d be a yogi. I am forever seeking my Zen. As of this publishing, I have not yet found it.
ADH: Tell us a little about your company history.
LBT: Over the course of our nearly 30-year history, we’ve had the honor of forging relationships with the world’s premier architects, designers, and visionaries. We pride ourselves on being an essential resource and trusted partner to our clients. We understand that no two projects are ever the same, which is why our service is tailored to your exact needs. We continue to evolve our methods of presenting stone to the client and we continue to expand our offerings in hopes that we can create convenience and service that is truly unparalleled. We make it our mission to anticipate the needs of our clients and exceed their expectations at every turn.
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