An example from one article:

The kitchen is bright with white, high-gloss cabinets imported from Quebec and a glass and tumbled marble backsplash. The countertops are granite and the appliances are stainless steel.

And another:

The brew kettles are still empty; beer hasn’t even begun to ferment yet. A worker is polishing a granite countertop, while two others are sponge-painting a ceiling.

Why is this done instead of noting the nice floors? (Hint: because everyone loves granite countertops.)

In conclusion, when searching for News on granite countertops, your options are limited. :)

Originally posted at Granite Leaders | Granite Countertops in Chicago

The obverse displays the stone center with the inscription “LATVIJA” above on a silver outer ring. “2011” is on the right, and “1 LATS” appears in a semi-circle below. The granite core and the rays symbolizing the rising sun that surround it are symbols of vitality and profoundness, according to the bank.

While I’d love it even more if it had genuine granite countertops embedded into every piece, this is one more step toward the stone being treated as the ultimate in value that it deserves to be.

I’ll have to see about getting my hands on some of these. Failing that, maybe the guys in the shop can make me a suitable replica.

Originally posted at Granite Leaders | Granite Countertops in Chicago

I knew they were different stores of course, but had no idea if one was definitively better than the other. (Don’t get scared – I handle the online initiatives at Granite Leaders – I’m not installing your granite countertops.)

Figuring neither would answer direct questions about their competitors on Twitter, I went ahead and checked Google.

As you can see, Home Depot gets the nod. While not an exact science, I think this is pretty close to good science, or at the very least an irreverent exercise in search engine technology.

Where do you go for your hardware and construction needs?

Originally posted at Granite Leaders | Granite Countertops in Chicago

Here’s the response I got.

There are several quarries and the name was changed in the early nineteen hundreds and my understanding it was changed due to the number of quarries.

I’m desperately trying to find a way to place more words inside this blog post, but in the tradition of Steve Jobs (I just finished his biography), I suppose keeping it simple and digestible – while still being useful – is the way to go.

Granite Quarry, North Carolina was named for its granite quarries.

The End.

Originally posted at Granite Leaders | Granite Countertops in Chicago

For example, did you know that searching for “granite quarry” will bring back almost nothing in the News section except for links to things about Granite Quarry, North Carolina?

I knew nothing about this place before this, so went to their home page to learn more, and especially to see if the name of the town is telling the truth, i.e. there’s a granite quarry there.

Despite a page touting “town history”, there’s no such information there. It actually used to be called Woodville, so maybe their local economy is based on lumber. In any case, there’s your granite-related history for the week.

Originally posted at Granite Leaders | Granite Countertops in Chicago

If you’ve visited this blog before, you know that sent me on a rampant search for whether there was such a thing as the “granite state”, ala the “buckeye state” for ohio, etc.

Hello, New Hampshire.

The state’s nickname, “The Granite State”, refers to its geology and its tradition of self-sufficiency.

I’m not sure how granite relates to self-sufficiency – I suppose that it doesn’t degenerate and is easy to clean?

Whatever the case, this is my favorite discovery of 2012 so far, and will fuel at least 15 more blog posts, to be sure.

Originally posted at Granite Leaders | Granite Countertops in Chicago

Just check out this page for granite Christmas ornaments over on zazzle.com.

This is good work, and I expect they can do custom jobs, as well. Putting this on the “things to suggest we produce ourselves” list for the higher-ups at granite leaders.

I love granite countertops and all, but I favor granite holidays that much more.

Originally posted at Granite Leaders | Granite Countertops in Chicago

What I really wish our company did was stone-based holiday accessories.

Specifically, something like a granite-cut Christmas tree stand would be wonderful. It could somehow look like the mat pictured, except it would look better, be made of granite, and have the part that holds the tree attached in a more substantial way.

I’m emailing this post to everyone that works here, so hopefully next holiday season these exist. For now, all you Chicago friends with have to be satisfied with granite countertops.

granite christmas tree stands

Originally posted at Granite Leaders | Granite Countertops in Chicago

You may or may not remember when we begged for Google Plus for Businesses, and here it is.

Our profile is right here – it’s tied into our Maps page, so hopefully at some point that becomes useful.

As for now, it fulfills an old wish once had by a blog author, and that will have to do.

(For real, it has some powerful photo powers, so we’ll likely have some exclusive uploads over there.)

Originally posted at Granite Leaders | Granite Countertops in Chicago

I think what my friend wants is countertops that actually hang from the ceiling – it’s for a bar she’s thinking about opening. Cool concept, but I don’t know how feasible it would be based on the below.

Has anybody out there dealt with this problem? I have an island countertop that extends out over a 6″ pony wall. It makes a table with chairs on 3 sides. I want to support the 16″ overhang of granite. The countertop guy said to use 1/2″ steel that is screwed to the 6″ pony wall and extends back to screw to the top of the island. It will sit under the lip of the granite so there is no apron showing.

They’re concerned with steel support on an overhang. I can’t imagine it’s possible to hang something so heavy – and take into account all the weight-bearing it’ll need – from a ceiling.

Considering where I work, I should probably just ask, eh? I will, and post my results/answer.

Originally posted at Granite Leaders | Granite Countertops in Chicago