Greening of a Couch Potatoe
A recent article in LandscapeOnLine refers to research by Great Britain’s National Trust which says its citizens spend the equivalent of 13 weeks a year on the sofa. In an attempt to get their citizens outside more, they have placed turf covered “green” couches set in outdoor landscapes, inviting folks to get away from the [...]
The Deepest “Quarry” on Earth
Monarch Stone International found a recent news article that discusses the quest for drilling deep into the earth’s mantle. Scientists hope to retrieve the deepest types of rock ever extracted from beneath the seabed. The plan is to set a drill rig in the Pacific Ocean, somewhere near Costa Rica. Monarch Stone International is known [...]
Coverings 2011
Over 1,000 stone and tile industry vendors from around the world, gathered in Las Vegas last week for Coverings Tile and Stone Show 2011. Monarch Stone International met with companies representing beautiful stones, unique stone finishes and related products and attended seminars on subjects that expand our knowledge and service. We’re looking forward to offering [...]
Cobblestone Trivia
Cobblestones have been used for paving for more than 500 years. The word cob in Old English was a “rounded lump” . “Cobble” appeared in the 15th century adding the suffix “le” to “cob”, and meant a small stone rounded by the flow of water.
The Art of Stone Carving
The National Cathedral in Washington D.C. is a majestic Neogothic structure made mostly of Indiana Limestone. The cornerstone was laid back in 1907 and it is still a work in progress. Sean Callahan is the official stone carver responsible for the ongoing creation of statues and dimensional work. It’s not often one gets to see a stone carver in action.
Budget For Hardscape With Stone
We have clients who experience cost overruns when building or remodeling a home. This may leave the landscape plan receiving a smaller allocation of resources. There are affordable natural stone options. Consider quality landscape design incorporating hardscape with genuine stone, in key areas. It can be a modest investment, or an extravagant one, but it [...]
This planet … is hiring
Probably one of the most thought provoking messages we’ve come across on social / environmental responsibility. “You Are Brilliant and The Earth Is Hiring” by Paul Hawken - environmentalist, author and entrepreneur. Hawken’s speech is…”as good for the building industry — as for anybody living, for that matter.” In his opinion, working for the earth [...]