We at Opustone Granite & Marble would like to thank everyone who participated in a Team Build to assist Habitat for Humanity during a home build on January 29, 2011 in Liberty City. This home build was a great success!


Twenty Opustone Granite & Marble employees, along with more than 100 other community volunteers, volunteered to assist in the construction of various homes in the Liberty City community. In addition to the Team Build, Opustone also donated more than $2,000 worth of building and home design materials to Habitat ReStores, a retail outlet where quality, used and surplus building materials are sold at a fraction of the regular price. Proceeds from the sale of these materials help local affiliates fund the construction of Habitat houses within the community.


Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry. Habitat seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. Habitat has built more than 300,000 houses around the world, providing more than 1.5 million people in more than 3,000 communities with safe, decent, affordable shelter.

Carving Your Creativity in Stone

Imagine being able to permanently imprint your individual creativity on a stunning stone surface thousands of years in the making. Adding your genius to nature’s work as you create the perfect look of your stone countertop, flooring or wall cladding.

This ability to literally shape stone slabs is now possible at Opustone through their incredible new Natura Collection. Using advanced technology and precision craftsmanship, the masters at Opustone can take your creativity and carve it in stone. From reptilian scales to ornate floral patterns, virtually any design is possible.

With this ability to shape your stone, you can also create an infinite slab. Through careful examination and cutting of your slabs, Opustone can create a continuous stone slab by matching the veining, grain and movement of two or more slabs.

That is the beauty of Opustone’s Natura Collection. You can bend these magnificent stone slabs to your will creating once impossible masterpieces.

Images copyright Antolini Luigi. All Rights Reserved.

Congrats to Team Coby on a Great Buddy Walk

Opustone would like to congratulate everyone on Team Coby for a great Buddy Walk Sunday.


Check out some of the photos from the walk.

Go Team Coby!

Opustone Granite & Marble is rooting on Team Coby in this year’s Buddy Walk. Inspired by his story and bravery, Opustone was happy to contribute to his team’s fundraising goals. We are wishing Coby the best of luck.

Organized locally by the Broward Gold Coast Down Syndrome Organization, the annual Buddy Walk starting at North Beach Park in Hollywood, FL, is part of the national buddy walk with events taking place around the country. Funds raised will benefit the organization in its mission to enhance the lives of individuals with down syndrome by helping them reach their full potential by providing family support, education and social activities. For more information and to provide your much needed support for this organization, please visit http://www.bgcdownsyndrome.org/

Your great design deserves the spotlight.

Enter the 2010 Florida Design Awards presented by Opustone Granite & Marble along with Santa Margherita. The competition will honor the best interior design projects in Florida. A panel of esteemed industry professionals will select the best projects in the categories below:

Kitchen and Bath
Commercial Spaces
Outdoor Space / Landscaping Architecture
Living Room / Great Room
Bedroom / Master Suite
Eco-Friendly Design

Winners will receive editorial in an upcoming issue of Florida Design magazine and other great prizes.

The entry deadline is September 17, 2010 and winners will be announced October 21, 2010. Click here to enter.

Going Green Has Never Looked So Good

Opustone, known for Florida’s best selection of natural stones, is now the exclusive Florida distributor of SantaMargherita® marble and quartz engineered surfaces - the perfect blend of beauty, ecology and economy.

The stunning surfaces are available in more than 90 colors and a wide variety of finishes and sizes to fit your project. While durable enough for flooring and stairs, these unique surfaces are also perfect for use as windowsills, counter tops, wall cladding and more. Best of all, these surfaces have low environmental impact, an ideal choice for those seeking to create a more ecologically conscious home or commercial project.

SantaMargherita® surfaces, available at Opustone’s Miami and Jacksonville locations, are part of Opustone’s continued commitment to offering a variety of quality stone choices that suit your project and lifestyle. Whether you are looking for environmentally conscious choices, natural stone slabs and tiles or small lots available as cash and carry, Opustone has an impressive selection of materials to choose from.

To learn more about SantaMargherita® or other Opustone products click here or call 888-900-6787 to speak to a knowledgeable representative.

A World of Color: Part Two of Three

The Meaning Behind the Basics

Now that you have your color choice narrowed down to a cool or warm palette, where do you go from here?

Simple. Colors carry meaning – so choose the color that best reflects your personality or the personality of the room you are designing. Lucky for you, natural stone comes in an array of colors, so finding your perfect stone selection is easy with these insider tips:

Start with a pen and pad. Write down five adjectives that describe the ‘design feel’ you are trying to achieve. Then read through these color descriptions and see which fits best with the words you wrote down.

Aqua: A spinoff of blue and green; it is fun-loving, fresh and vibrant.

Black: A classic color that is often described as dramatic, intense, mysterious, classy, committed and serious - Opustone brings this color to life with Black Slate.

Blue: Exudes tranquility, love, acceptance, patience, understanding, cooperation, comfort, loyalty and security - Be sure to check out Gascogne Blue Limestone.

Brown: A dynamic color that takes on an earthy character yet is still rich and rustic - If rich brown draws your eyes, you’d probably like Amarone Limestone.

Gold: Evokes elegance, luxury, warmth, tradition, richness and intensity - One of many shining gold options, check out Golden Sienna Travertine.

Green: Translates to wealth, health, food, nature, hope, growth, freshness, soothing, sharing and responsiveness - Green slate will surely exude positive vibes and bring a look of class to your project.

Gray: A more modern color that can be described as understated, retro-inspired and sleek.

Orange: Personifies steadfastness, courage, confidence, friendliness, cheerfulness, warmth, excitement and energy.

Purple: Often relates to royalty, sophistication and sometimes religion. challenging and mysterious, glamorous, and ever-so-slightly chic.

Red: Known as the love/hate color, red is passionate, dramatic, vivacious, intense, romantic and packed with personality - the vivid colored Persian Red travertine is a stunning example of vivacious reds.

Silver: Translates as upscale, elegant and antique.

Yellow: Often described as brightness, intelligence, joy, organization and new life at spring time.

White: Radiates a purity, simplicity, freshness, facilitation or easy-goingness, cleanliness and goodness - Ivory Pearl and Vanilla Cream travertine are two amazing variations of white/cream colors.

The color of your natural stone says so much about the room it’s in. Be sure to choose a color that speaks to you – and as always the Opustone sales team is readily available to assist you in your natural stone color collection.

And don’t be afraid to blend colors that work for you – Opustone offers many unique natural stones that combine exquisite blends of inspiring colors. You might want to preview the Multicolor and Peacock Multicolor Slates if color adventure is up your alley.

A World of Color: Part One of Three

Cool vs. Warm Colors

What does color say about you? A lot.

When redesigning your home and incorporating natural stone, whether it is counter tops, patios or floor tiling, the color options are endless.

In the world of color there are three primary colors – red, blue and yellow, three secondary colors – purple, green and orange, and two neutral colors – black and white. Combined, this simple palette lends itself to an endless possibility of color in various hues, shades, intensities and tones.

Falling in love with color is easy, but it’s picking one that is perfect for you and your home that is a bit more difficult. Luckily there are a few insider tricks that may help you choose the color that suits your design best.

We’ll start with cool verses warm.

Many people want certain rooms in their homes to evoke a particular feeling or remind them of a special place – such as a beach-side retreat remnant of the refreshing blue waves crashing on the shore and the cool sea breeze rustling the sand or the calming solitude of a desert sunset vibrant with color and exuding a still, comforting warmth.

There are no doubt thousands of colors that can accomplish both of these destination illusions, but the key to narrowing the choices down by 50 percent is deciding if your room is cool or warm. Opustone can help you choose what color sensation is best for you and help you match the perfect product to your project.

Cool colors are based on blues, greens, pinks, purples, blue-greens, magentas, and blue-based reds. These colors are softer and often emulate the sky, ocean and shades of winter snow. Cool colors are soothing in nature. If you’re hoping that your design will blend into the background or act as a supporting theme in design, rather than a main focus, cool colors are the perfect choice as they tend to recede. They give an impression of calm and rarely overpower the main content of a design.

Opustone has several products that represent the cool color palate such as Malange which is a marble with a blend of unique pinks and purples, Titanium which is a travertine featuring cool blues and grays, and Silver Travertine which combines hints of bluish grays to create a subtle cooling look.

Warm colors are based on yellows, oranges, browns, yellowish greens, orangish reds, and similar colors. These colors radiate a genuine warmth that allude to fire, sunsets and rich earth tones. Warm colors are vivid in nature. They are bold, energetic and tend to advance in space. If you’re looking to make an element of your room pop, warm colors are the perfect tool to make that happen; though caution should be taken as to not overwhelm a room with these eye-catching hues.

Leave it to Opustone to set fire to stone with these radiating color blends – we suggest you check out Rojo Alicante a marble with vivid orange and red blends, Breccia Damascata Peach marble with warm peach hues throughout, and the shining Golden Rustic D/E Pattern travertine that yellow-ish gold glimmers.

Whether you’re looking to refinish the trim around your pool-side oasis or are trying to liven up a small, cold bathroom – the cool and warm rule of the thumb will certainly prove useful when selecting the color of your natural stone.

Opustone’s knowledgeable sales people are always available to help you choose the color that best suits your project. Stop in, or call today.

Value Vault is Featured in This Old House

Value Vault was recently featured in This Old House's magazine in a piece titled "24 products and professionals to make your house standout on your street." Below is an excerpt from the article:

Want granite counter tops on a laminate budget? Visit the online home of Opustone's clearance showroom in Miami and browse through a rotating stock of discounted stone slabs and remnants in varied colors and textures. With up to 50 percent off and special shipping rates with freight carriers for national delivery, you'll be hard pressed to find a better deal. Just keep in mind that Opustone sells materials only, so you'll have to work with a local fabricator for any custom cuts, edge profiles and installation. A 68-by-92-inch slab of beige travertine was recently listed for $4 per square foot, down from $7; opustone.com

A Chip Off the Old Slab

Opustone Introduces Value Vault

Opustone, known for being Florida’s premier provider of the finest stone slabs and tiles, has just opened their latest offering – Value Vault.

Located across the street from Opustone’s main showroom in Miami, Value Vault offers small lots and discontinued items at discounted prices, all available as “cash and carry.” This all comes with the same quality and service synonymous with Opustone.

The concept is a testament to Opustone’s evolving sensitivities to the customer & market conditions. It revolves around presenting value and options to customers that they might not otherwise be able to find.

At Value Vault, customers are invited to peruse a wide selection and discover the bargains found throughout. A knowledgeable sales representative is always available to answer questions, too.

As an added bonus, Value Vault offers special pricing on nationwide freight shipping and special financing options. Come see the great selection and prices today.

More Than 100,000 Square Feet of Inspiration

Where do you find your inspiration to create a masterpiece? Nature… the shower… a warehouse?

Opustone’s slab warehouse, at more than 100,000 square feet, features a nearly endless selection of the best slabs and tiles available in travertine, marble, granite, limestone, quartzite and onyx. The selection is large enough to spend several hours looking over the different options for your perfect stone match. Luckily, the knowledgeable and experienced Opustone staff will guide through the entire process with ease and assurance.

Once you find a possible match, you’ll experience one of the most impressive facets of the facility: Opustone’s crane system. It is specially designed to seek out your exact slab, carefully lift it and escort it to a designated viewing area so you can get up close and personal when making your selection.

The entire experience is designed to bring Opustone’s vast selection right to your fingertips making it very easy to find your inspiration.

Stop into our showroom and a friendly sales representative will help get you started in finding the perfect stone for your masterpiece.

Protecting Your Investment

Caring for Your Stone Slabs & Tiles

When most of us think of stone, we rightly think of a solid, strong material that can naturally withstand the test of time. A lesser-known fact is that stone actually requires some upkeep and maintenance in order to retain its appeal and quality. Just as wood and leather must be conditioned to remain at their best, so too do your stone slabs and tiles.

Day to day use can take a toll on stone surfaces. Take your kitchen counter tops for instance. These seemingly indestructible surfaces can be stained, etched and scratched by everyday items. Coffee, citrus, cooking oils and knives can all damage your luxurious stone surfaces.

Stones used in outdoor and living areas are exposed to even more abuse. They face off against the harsh conditions of nature and daily foot traffic, in addition to food spills.

The good news is that you can defend your precious stone slabs and tiles from their natural enemies. Opustone carries an extensive line of premier stone care and maintenance products that will keep all of your stone surfaces at their best.

In fact, Opustone’s selection of products addresses your needs based on stone type, finish type and what exactly you are looking to do. Whether you are looking for a cleaner, protection, maintenance or to refinish, you can find the best solution at Opustone.

Opustone’s knowledgeable sales people are ready to help you pick the perfect defense to keep your slabs and tiles looking their best. Stop in, or call today.