I recently read about a creative ‘art’ form in Mother Nature Network, known as stone stacking, or stone balancing, and a exhibit which was held on the beach in nearby Ventura,  California last summer.
Using smooth beach cobblestones, visitors created interesting shapes, stacking one on the other.

Stone Stacking

Stacking stones, or rock balancing, is the patient art of stacking rocks in meticulous formations.  Balancing stones has been a part of human expression for ages. The activity might have had religious or territorial meaning at one time. Today,there is a growing group who approach this craft as a creative activity like music, painting or sculpture. Its done for various reasons from meditative to artistic and the movement can be found all over the world.

It looks challenging, and even unbelievable, that rocks can balance upon each other and stay that way.  Think I might need to give it a try next time I’m out on our stone yard!

We are passionate about natural stone, especially genuine cobblestone used for street and pedestrian areas whether historic (antique/reclaimed) or new.  As the major importer of  reclaimed cobblestone from Europe (Historic European Cobblestone) we are drawn to anything related to this topic.

A recent conversation about preservation of historic cobblestone streets here in the United States, resulted in our discovering interesting images and articles written by others who are similarly smitten by genuine cobblestone use and re-use.

We especially appreciated the photos and thoughts shared by J. Frutiger of Portland Oregon.  In her opinion, old cobblestone streets have credible value; outlasting modern options of either man-made or poor quality stone replacements, and even asphalt.  Her images below suggest that genuine cobblestone from Portland’s past, are worth the effort to preserve.

Note the 1st image above, old cobblestone vs.  new paving stone – which shows ugly cracks and wear on the newer material. In our business, we explain to clients that poorly made new stone options, and especially concrete or man-made options, will need replacing sooner than expected – a  shorter lifespan than more durable genuine cobblestone options.

Luckily for Portland’s citizens, when streets are torn up for repair or utility work, any cobblestones found that will not be reset in place are hauled away for safekeeping by the Portland Park Bureau to be cleaned and used in the future….not just a nod to history, but to value seen in the reclamation and recycling efforts that have taken root everywhere.

Have never been to Portland, but looking forward to someday visiting the city that seems to have their priorities straight on cobblestone use and preservation.

John Wayne Airport’s (JWA’s) new Terminal C opened in November to passengers in Orange County, California.

Constructed by McCarthy Building Companies and designed by Gensler, the terminal increases JWA’s capacity from 8.4 million annual passengers to 10.8 million. It also provides the airport with the ability to operate international flights.

McCarthy Building Co., described the design of Terminal C as drawing heavily from the distinctive features of the existing Riley Terminal, creating a seamless experience throughout the entire airport complex. The building’s exterior skin incorporates masonry, plaster, and stone along with glass and metal panels similar to the existing structures. The interior features barrel-vaulted ceilings resembling a fuselage, an abundance of windows and skylights, a soft, neutral color palette and natural marble limestone.

Called Jura Stone, the natural limestone is featured throughout the walls and floors in all terminals. Its most distinguishing characteristic is the natural quartz veins and variable fossils which are visible on the beige background. The marble was mined in quarries in Germany and cut, polished and fabricated in Italy, ensuring the correct color and precise and clean lines that make up this beautiful design treatment throughout the terminals. Jura Stone is dense, resistant limestone from 97% CaCO3 (calcium carbonate).  It is available for a wide variety of applications both dimensional and flatwork, as well as a large selection of surface finishes.

Parsons of Pasadena, CA was the Program Manager; Arcadis/Pinnacle One of Irvine, CA the Construction Management firm; Jacobs of Santa Ana, CA the Civil & MEP Engineer; and IDS Group, Inc. of Irvine, CA the Structural Engineer.

Call our office for more information on beautiful  natural stone options for your project requirements.

The International Stone Architecture Awards were presented in Verona last month. Architects from Germany, Spain, China, Portugal and India were recently selected by an international jury to receive Marmomacc’s International Stone Architecture Award. The selection was based on the architectural quality of the projects and the expressive use of stone materials. As with previous editions, an “ad memoriam” award was presented, as well as one for vernacular architecture.

Vernacular architecture is a term used to categorize methods of construction which use locally available resources and traditions to address local needs and circumstances. The  “Vernacular” category award is one that caught our attention.

Svaneti Tower Houses — Georgia, 12th Century.

Difficult to access, the region was protected from invasions, making it possible to preserve extraordinary medieval villages (including Mestia, Ushguli and Latali), with their typical tower houses.  The main characteristic of these houses is their tower, with a square footprint (15 x 15 feet) and a truncated pyramid shape (about 25 yards tall) !

An extremely challenging way to live by today’s standards, but very effective back then. The structures in the photo are reminiscent of the fairy tale “Rapunzel”,  where a young maiden grows up in a similar looking “tower” and her long hair and a prince, eventually save her….

Whatever part of the world you are from, chances are very good that there is – or was, a local stone which was quarried and used to create stone buildings.  Historic stone buildings in particular, capture our attention which led us to this website by Bruce Railback, Professor, Department of Geology, University of Georgia.

His website has a specific page on stone buildings with a lengthy geologic listing of every type of stone available in the world.  The purpose of Professor Railbacks web page is straightforward:

1. to remind general observers of the use of geological materials in building;
2. to encourage general observers to look at the stone in buildings they visit;
3. to encourage architects and builders to remember stone as they plan their work; and
4. to acquaint geologists with some of the unexpected uses of geological materials as building stones.

We are obviously enthusiastic, yes even passionate, about natural stone in both building and hard-scape/landscape use.  A resource like this can be helpful for any level of interest and ultimately increase ones understanding of stone in architecture.

Among the 8 winners from this years American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) Residential Design Category, this project was a particular stand out. The Landscape Architect firm Reed-Hilderbrand from Watertown MA was hired to assist the owners in their efforts of stewardship.

” Threading a narrow path through the edge of a 50-acre wetland adjacent to their home in Stockbridge MA, a team of carpenters assembled the boardwalk completely by hand, in the water, without machines. The result has been deemed a successful habitat enhancement and an exemplary permitting precedent for the town. For the owners it is a lasting and unforgettable experience in all seasons.”

One can only imagine how special it is to have both preserved as well as gained access to,  such a bountiful parcel of nature.

For the complete list of projects and firms recognized this year, visit the ASLA website.

“There is no bad stone, only inappropriate selections for a given application and unrealistic expectations  for a given stone type in a specific application…”  Marble Institute of America.

MIA is a valuable information resource for homeowners and professionals alike when considering natural stone for flooring or dimensional use. This particular resource  goes on to describe the attributes of the nine most commercially recognized natural stones; granite, quartzite, serpentine,  sandstone, marble, onyx, limestone, slate and soapstone.  Great insight and detail is shared.

After more than 30 years in the stone industry, we have seen some interesting residential choices of stone and stone finishes for flooring.  In most cases a particular stone is selected first because of its color, but the density or  finish (honed, flamed, brushed or bush-hammer) may or may not be the right choice for the application. Ultimately,  a collaboration between the stone supplier, architect, designer and other professionals, can advise a client to make the best decision for their design.

Natural stone use in any building application, yet especially for flooring, is a process  that should be given careful consideration and organizations with resources such as MIA is a great place to start.  Then give us a call – we’d be happy to assist you in your stone selection and purchasing process.

The California Landscape Contractors Association (CLCA),  Orange County Chapter, “Beautification Awards” were awarded to many outstanding landscape projects in Orange County CA recently.  Proudly, our company supplied the stone to this award winning project located  in Laguna Beach California.

Landscape Contractor Visionscape Inc.

Landscape contractor, Visionscape Inc., of Laguna Beach won the Brilliance category for their outstanding landscape craftsmanship on the  gorgeous Tuscan inspired, multi-terraced home with stunning ocean views.

Santa Barbara Sandstone, Antique Brick

Monarch Stone International supplied the stone products for the Tuscan inspired design, including Santa Barbara Sandstone and  antique brick imported from Europe.  Both products were selected in order to promote  authenticity throughout the property.

Antique sandstone cobblestone

In addition, the architectural theme is charmingly captured by using authentic antique sandstone cobblestone from our Historic European Cobblestone collection for the driveway.

The 2011 Beautification Awards, as reported by our local newspaper, the OC Register, are given to encourage interest in the art of landscaping and to recognize companies for quality workmanship, water management in landscaping and for making California more beautiful.

We couldn’t be more pleased to have contributed to the recognition on this fine residence.

Architect: Bob White, Forest Studio, Laguna Beach CA
General Contractor: Ken McMurray, Laguna Beach CA
Landscape Contractor: Visionscape Inc. Laguna Beach CA

Came across this image of an old, antique hammer used for cobblestone trimming, from the Davis Town Museum – a regional history, tool, and art museum in the hill country of central coastal Maine.

Antique Cobble Hammer

The mission of this unique museum is to: locate, recover, restore, preserve, catalog, display, and interpret the hand tools of New England’s early American industries. … from 1607 to 1930. Relevant trades featured in the museum  include the iron forgemaster, blacksmith, shipwright, cooper, wheelwright, sail maker, pattern maker, and, after 1870, machinist, tool and die maker, and mechanic.

The cobblestone hammer was most likely brought over from England, where it was used to trim the edges of stones cut for paving streets in towns during early settlement years.

We thought it was interesting to ponder the tremendous amount of skill, strength and patience needed to use this hammer.  With it, skilled laborers were able to create the  wonderful variety of shapes and sizes of cobblestone which were common many hundreds of years ago.

Take a look at our Historic European Cobblestone collection to see the hand-made antique granite cobblestone and curb we reclaim and import from cities in Europe.  An opportunity for you to provide a new ‘home’ for pieces of history on your walkway or driveway project!

This interesting list of top ten environmentally friendly homes, showcases the efforts by architects committed to designing with sustainability as a priority.

We appreciate the natural stone elements on these homes in particular, designed by Michelle Kaufman and  Elemental Design.



What could be more natural and green than stone?  And Monarch Stone International can provide reclaimed and salvaged stone as well.

If you are considering building a green home, and would like to include natural stone, give us a call and we can help locate resources that will meet LEED guidelines for the 500 mile requirement.

For the entire list of top ten Green homes and article see Sustainable AEC Newsletter.