Terrace Planting Beds
Terracing has historically been the best way to deal with slopes, which can be difficult and even dangerous to maintain. Terraces have been in garden design since ancient Persia and Rome and were popular in the Italian Renaissance and with English landscape gardens. Terraces are created by building a series of retaining walls, allowing space for level beds or lawns.
Stone Veneer Options
One of the most important services we offer is stone consultation for stone veneer options. The stone industry loaded with a variety of stone, found both near and far. Local stone sources are important for LEED accreditation, but can present a challenge if not available in your area. No matter, the USA has a enormous supply of natural stone for building and landscape needs in beautiful durable stones such as limestone and granite.
Design and Installation Collaboration Tips
“A design is only as good as its installation,” words which carry much significance are proven when comparing projects which use beautiful stone materials, and a great design, but do not follow industry standards or take the time and effort to do an excellent installation job.
Monarch Stone International in the Houzz !
Monarch Stone International has recently joined HOUZZ.com. If you are unfamiliar with HOUZZ, you will quickly learn what an incredible wealth of information it has to offer, a “leading destination site for home design enthusiasts– professionals and homeowners alike.”
Native Stone from Iowa
The types of stone and active quarries located in Iowa.It’s important to know local resources for anyone pursuing LEED points. One of the rules for achieving the coveted certification is using natural stone materials located within 500 miles of your building site.Iowa is abundantly blessed with limestone and in fact had many quarries operating back in the 1800′s.
International Stone Architecture Awards
The International Stone Architecture Awards were presented in Verona last month. 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.
Stone Buildings
We are 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.
Preserving the past and future with natural stone
We are passionate about natural stone. We are traditionalists, and believe in products made to last.An example of this is our Historic European Cobblestone collection, genuine antique reclaimed cobble and curb we import from Europe. Landscaping with stone, using genuine cobblestone for a driveway or courtyard,
Quarried Stone – Color Consistency
We find that color selection is the primary consideration prior to a stones final specification. Color is fundamental to the look and overall design in a homes exterior or interior. So it is absolutely necessary to determine if the color of a stone is going to be consistent.
Elegance With French Limestone
French limestone is beautiful, durable, timeless. No matter what the architectural design, French limestone will…’Project Elegance…One of Monarch Stone International’s current residential projects is nearing completion. This stunning residence was mentioned in our very first blog one year ago. It features an exterior fully cladded in the French limestone, “Lanvignes” , a gorgeous carved exterior/ interior door entry, staircase and more.