I have been a counter top surface snob.

Solid surfaces never seemed to flip my switch like stone or concrete.

Until now.

I have fallen in love with Caesarstone.  I had to be convinced, I had to be cajoled into giving this product a try.  Once I knew all about it, I couldn’t turn my back any longer.

Jeff Lewis, my favorite Bravo TV designer and control freak loves the stuff.  He used it for the House Beautiful 2010 Kitchen of the Year:

I recently selected Caesarstone for a client’s custom piece that will be used as a wet bar/small kitchen in her Sitting Room.

It is non-porous, scratch resistant and highly stain resistant, mold and mildew resistant and resistant to household chemicals and acids.

And it is considered a sustainable material since it is made from quartz, the world’s most abundant material.

Caesarstone, the company, is a member of USGBG (US Green Building Council) and focuses on sustainability even incorporating reclaimed quartz and post consumer recycled glass and mirrors.

Need more?

Okay.  It’s great looking.

One of Caesarstone’s collection, Concetto, uses semi-precious stones.

I would very much like to use it for a table top or lighted from below for a bar.

Rose Quartz

Brown Agate

Hematite

Dumorterite

Gray Agate

Tiger Eye

White Quartz

I’ve actually been to Caesarea,  on Israel’s Mediterranean coast and didn’t even know that the flagship manufacturing plant was a stone’s throw from me.  I drove right past the plant!

Caesarea is named in honor of Caesar Augustus, the greatest Roman Emperor.

Famous for his conquering abilities and great works, Caesar Augustus is quoted as saying, “I found Rome a city of bricks and left it a city of marble.”

Here are a couple of pictures from our trip there.

The above is Herod’s “swimming pool” and that’s my niece about to calmly walk in.

Old Aunt Amy was at a higher point and decided to jump in.

Old  Aunt Amy twisted her ankle and limped around Jerusalem’s Old City the next day, cursing my stupidity.

The history of Caesarea is as fascinating as the place is beautiful.

If you are ever in Israel, make sure to visit.

Perhaps it would make a good field trip!  Go visit the Caesarstone plant to make it a tax write off.  (If you are reading this, IRS agent, of course you know that we would only deduct that portion of the trip!)

Enjoy

@

House Beautiful Image Courtesy of House Beautiful

All other images besides my personal photos:  Courtesy of Caesarstone