Countertop materials are essentially the icing of any kitchen or bathroom project, providing both the functional value of pulling the room’s components together and something pleasing for the eye.

Choosing that perfect stone countertop takes careful consideration, and the guidance of someone who knows the product. At AAA Hellenic, customers can turn to professionals who have decades of experience designing and installing stone in kitchens, bathrooms, foyers, fireplaces and even in outdoor living spaces. Mike Werner, sales manager, is one such expert who has been with the family-focused company for more than 10 years.

House & Home spoke with Werner about the lifestyle factors that contribute to selecting stone, and why AAA Hellenic’s slab yard inventory is second to none.

When you meet with clients, what are some things you need to know about their lifestyle to guide their selection?
Most individuals typically have saved pictures they found online or in magazines to establish an idea of their design preferences. We also want to know about what’s going on in the space where the stone will be used. Every household is different. Materials they might like or find attractive might not be the best choice for their home. For instance, granite is great for families with kids and people who like to do a lot of cooking. Granite is very dense and durable. It is heat resistant and scratch resistant, with minimal maintenance. You simply need to re-seal your granite every two to four years, depending on which granite you select.

Marble is a classic choice with unrivaled beauty and gives you a timeless look. It may be a little softer than granite, but will still give you a very durable surface for your kitchen. It’s heat and scratch resistant, but may etch if you cut something acidic directly on your marble, so you simply need to remember to use a cutting board. As long as your marble is sealed properly, it is still stain resistant. We’ve been doing this for a long time, but once we get to know some of these factors, we can bring the whole project together.

Is granite still king when it comes to countertops?
Engineered quartz has gained popularity over the past couple of years, but natural stone is still the most requested for its beauty and durability. It unquestionably adds value to the home when you see a beautifully installed granite countertop. It comes in a wide selection of unique patterns so no two stones will ever be the same.

What are the color trends for stone in 2020?
For so long the lighter tones and whites have been popular, but we’re starting to see this shift in 2020. People still want lighter and brighter but now they are looking for more cool colors—soft grays and blues— to introduce warmth back into the color palettes of kitchens and bathrooms.

How integral is your inventory in your slab yard to the customer’s design journey?
Walking them through our slab yard is one of the first steps in the process. Once we have a few preliminary things identified, we’ll different colors on display, and our stones are directly imported from places like Italy, Brazil and Africa, which allows us to give customers very competitive pricing.

With spring’s arrival, would these products also make good choices for outdoor living?
Yes, these products can be applied to patios and outdoor kitchens. Natural stones are perfect for those applications because they are rocks and hold up well in all the elements.

AAA Hellenic
West Chester, Pa. | (610) 344-7700 | AAAMarble.com

Published (and copyrighted) in House & Home, Volume 20, Issue 9 (March 2020). 
For more info on House & Home magazine, click here. 
To subscribe to House & Home magazine, click here. 
To advertise in House & Home magazine, call 610-272-3120.