Photo by David Croxford Balinese carved stone pedestals and panels, from Tropical Garden Accents, embellish this entryway beautifully.

The wonderful thing about natural stone and concrete is the amount of possibilities that abound. You can apply either one to just about any surface in your home, from countertops to driveways, to furniture and decorative pieces. “Homeowners in Hawaii spend a lot of time entertaining,” says Pat Cozzo, of Futura Stone. “Because of the beautiful and consistent weather, they like to bring the indoors out, or the outdoors in.” You can do it, too. The key is to choose your favorite application based on functionality and your personal style. Here are some ideas to get you going.

Photo by Ryan Siphers Granite countertops from 808 Stone in Volga Blue make a statement in this kitchen.

1. Granite Grandeur

Always a classic, granite has become ever more popular in Hawaii, especially as its availability continues to increase. “Within the past 15 years, granite has become more available because there are distributors that specialize in stone—that’s all they do,” explains Alex Kanamu, of 808 Stone, whose company not only sells natural stone products, but also handles cutting, fitting and installing.

Photo by Ryan Siphers Brazilian Baltic brown granite is a popular choice for homeowners. It’s plentiful and therefore more cost-effective, according to Paul Klein of KDI Elements.

Custom home designer Linnea Brooks, of Brooks & Brooks Inc. loves granite in the kitchen. “Granite is great because you can set a hot pot on it and it won’t make a circle,” she says. “You can also cut right on it, and it won’t scratch.” Kevin Nip, owner of Marblehaus Hawaii, a company that distributes natural stone worldwide, even likes granite for decking and exterior applications.

Photo by Ryan Siphers Seamless corners, like those found in these countertops by KDI, are hallmarks of good craftsmanship.

Homeowners are widening their color preferences for granite as well. “When we started my business in 1998, we only had eight different colors,” says Jinny Nip, co-owner of Selective Stone, a company that specializes in natural stone countertops. “But now, people want to see more movement [in the stone], more drama, more selection. We now carry about 80 different colors.”

➤Tip: Searching for the beauty of natural stone on a budget? Consider prefabricated, engineered stone and quartz countertops. Available at Selective Stone, they’re a great alternative to solid stone.

➤Tip: Don’t be priced out of the natural stone market. “A lot of the cost of stone comes from how plentiful it is and how tough it is to quarry,” explains Paul Klein, of KDI Elements. Therefore, some types of natural stone are priced lower than others. The best advice: name your price. “We are quite conscious of budget and work within the parameters of what is affordable for our clientele,” says Kevin Nip, of Marblehaus Hawaii.

2. Carved in Stone

Photo by David Croxford This 6,600-square-foot, custom-cut driveway, was installed by Futura Stone. It’s composed of Hebi Gold flagstone from Bella Pietra with a Hebi Grey border from Marblehaus. Coral rock veneer on the wall surround was supplied by Big Rock Manufacturing and installed by Futura Stone.

“Our owner, Dave Staub, travels to Southeast Asia to find items like these stone panels, pedestals, lanterns and bowls. They give your space an exotic, tropical feel that is well-suited to Hawaiian outdoor areas,” says Scot Willson, of Tropical Garden Accents, a company that specializes in outdoor embellishment items for your garden, lanai, courtyard—just about any outdoor space. Items, like the pedestal and carved panel, shown on page 24, were originally used in Bali as garden accent pieces. Crafted to resemble banana, heliconia, bamboo and lotus trees, they provide a naturalistic look. Panels can be inset in moss rock walls or other varieties of textured outdoor walls and even backlit for emphasis at night. Pedestals can be left alone as art pieces or used as plant or statue stands. In addition to sandstone, Tropical Garden Accents carries carved panels from a sandstone/cement reinforced material as well as floral-themed panels made from synthetic stone. 

3. Quartzite and Flagstone

“We have been getting a lot of requests for quartzite for outdoor applications,” says Cozzo, whose masonry company specializes in building walls, cement finishing and stone installations. Flagstone, or broken quartzite, makes a great surface for driveways or patios. “There are a few types of flagstone installations homeowners can choose from,” she says. “There’s mesh-back, which gives a consistent look to the stone, or random, where individually cut pieces are fitted together like a jigsaw puzzle.” (See photo on page 28.) Whatever your preference, natural stone is always at home outdoors.

➤Tip: Before you set your mind to a specific type of stone for your outdoor pathway, walkway, lanai or pool surround, make sure it will stay cool underfoot. “I’ve taken samples of different stones and put them in the sun,” says Linnea Brooks, of Brooks & Brooks Inc., who recommends leaving samples outdoors for at least an hour in the middle of the day for an adequate assessment.

4. Travertine and Limestone: Big, Brushed and Beautiful

“The most popular floors by far are travertine and limestone floors,” says Layla Dedrick, of Bella Pietra. “And the travertine and limestone are almost always either honed or brushed.” What does that mean? “When you move your hand over it, it actually has a bit of texture to it. It feels almost like satin,” Dedrick says. The look is easier to maintain than a high-gloss finish and evokes a more relaxed, informal feel than traditional, high-polished stone surfaces.

Travertine is also getting bigger. Literally. “Travertines in large formats, 18-inch-by-18-inch, 24-inch-by-24-inch, and 24-inch-by-36-inch tiles are still popular in honed, tumbled and brushed finishes,” says Kevin.

5. Creativity in Concrete

Photo courtesy of Aloha State Sales SenSa granite countertops, from Aloha State Sales, provide beauty and easy maintenance.

Having trouble finding a coffee table in the exact height or shape you want? Looking for a two- or three-level kitchen island with a glass tile inlay? Want a plumeria design scored into the middle of your living room floor? Consider concrete. It’s the perfect application for imaginative homeowners looking to get a little adventurous. With concrete, the only thing that limits you really is your imagination,” says contractor John Foley, whose business, Concreations by John Foley, specializes in concrete applications of all types, including countertops, scored flooring and handmade furniture. Because concrete is porous, it can absorb stains in almost any color. It can even retain painted murals or other designs when special stains are used in application. It’s also a great choice for homeowners looking to get a little greener at home. “Most of the concrete product is from the Islands,” explains Foley. “All of the aggregate and sand is local, so the carbon footprint is a lot smaller.”