Stone Is Having A Moment: Calia Stone Boutique Shares Why

Stone is having a moment, and few are more hip to its varied uses than Kristin Schloemer, owner and founder of Calia Stone Boutique. Their Chicago showroom recently underwent a refresh, and now visitors can virtually view the entire collection slab by slab through innovative technology. “I personally like to use stone to express my personality,” Schloemer says. “In our stone warehouse, you can go from bold and extra to sophisticated and elevated all within one tour of the yard.” Here, Schloemer shares more about what she’s seeing when it comes to stone in design.

Why do you think clients are increasingly gravitating to stone?

Using a natural product such as stone gives you the ability to create a story in your own home. Materials that patina and build character are something you simply cannot replicate. Not to mention no one in the world could have the same exact piece. That alone starts the story.

Tell us about the most interesting or unusual application of stone you have seen.

I am loving stone door jamb enclosures and baseboards! Talk about making an entryway even more grand. Those stone-wrapped door casings are impeccable. I may have to consider this in my own home!

Do you have a favorite stone?

Onyx (shown here), simply because the pure vibrant colors that it provides are superior. It creates excitement and really sets the tone for each room.

What do you tell people who are concerned about staining their marble countertops?

What does every hotel, restaurant and all of Europe use for their main countertop surface applications? If it’s been good enough for all these spaces for decades, it’s going to be OK in your home. We also help to educate on all the precautionary products on the market, which I do know firsthand actually work.