Warm neutrals are replacing cool grey
For most of the last decade the default specification was a cool grey quartz. That has shifted. Designers are asking for warmer, softer backgrounds — creamy quartzites, honed marbles with beige movement, and granites with brown or gold undertones. If you are stocking for spec work, weight your inventory toward warm neutrals.
Bookmatching is no longer just for feature walls
Bookmatched pairs used to be reserved for a fireplace surround or a lobby wall. We are now quoting bookmatched material for kitchen islands, waterfall legs and even shower enclosures. This changes how you buy: you need to secure consecutive slabs from the same block at the point of purchase, not hope they are still on the floor a month later.
Leathered and honed finishes keep gaining
Polished surfaces show every fingerprint and water spot. Leathered granite and honed marble hide daily wear far better, and clients increasingly ask for them by name. Leathered finishes also perform well outdoors, where UV stability and low porosity matter more than shine.
What this means for your buying
Trends move faster than containers do. The practical response is to hold depth in a smaller number of proven materials rather than a single slab of everything. If a client falls in love with a stone you only have one of, the job stalls. Talk to your supplier about reserving lots before you quote.
Sourcing material for a project?
Our Dallas gallery holds 2,000+ slabs across granite, quartzite, marble, quartz, porcelain and more. Tell us what you're quoting and we'll come back with availability.
