What inspired you to undertake such an elaborate project?
So, what all do you have for products?
Tell me about your tile showroom next door?
Besides product, what services do you offer?
What exactly is “Rent a Mason” program?
What is the biggest project you have done in this area?
What, if any is the latest trend in stone masonry?
Wow! You really are the biggest showroom in B.C.?
Well, we knew we′re the largest in the Okanagan. However, a while ago, a stone sales representative mentioned that after having travelled from one end of the country to the other, he could only think of two others who might also fit the bill.
What inspired you to undertake such an elaborate project?
As a former stone mason, I noticed that quite often customers were disappointed with their stone purchase. They had based their decision on a brochure. No matter how expensive a brochure is it never truly shows the full range of colors or the texture. By comparison, our displays do. What′s more, customers can bring their siding, stucco, flooring samples, hold it against the stones and right away know if this is what they are looking for.
So, what all do you have for products?
We have both manufactured and natural stones for fi replace facings, house fronts, and feature walls. We have 1″ flagstones that can be used additionally for flooring, laid in a bed of mortar or 2″ for patios and walkways, drilled basalt columns for ponds and waterfall. We have both manufactured and natural stone for retaining walls. The list is almost endless. We have a yard outside where we keep a lot of our product. It is paved, hence a clean yard, no mud. The public is welcome to browse.
Tell me about your tile showroom next door?
Yes, it compliments our stones. We have found that many who are shopping for stones are also looking for tiles. We have a full range of marble, travertine, granite, slate, porcelain and ceramics. That particular department is managed by my assistant John Iannotta. John is formerly from Alitalia tile. He comes equipped with many years of experience in the tile industry.
Besides product, what services do you offer?
A complete installation package. “Rent a Mason” program. And for those unsure as to how much product they need, we will go to their homes, measure up for them so that they don′t order too little or too much.
What exactly is “Rent a Mason” program?
Sometimes customers want to do it themselves but because of a lack in experience they are apprehensive. We will send a professional mason to the customer′s home and spend time coaching him or her on how to do it themselves. We have offered this service for years now and have received nothing but positive feedback. When customers show interest, we direct them to our website www.stoneshowroom.ca which tells them what they should have on hand before the mason shows up. This way they are not gathering tools, water etc...while the mason is waiting. It becomes a full 2 hours of coaching.
What is the biggest project you have done in this area?
Stonebridge at Big White and Dilworth Homes at Selkirk Phase 1,2,3,4 and 5.The latter one is still in progress.
What, if any is the latest trend in stone masonry?
Thin veneer natural stone. Masons love it because installation is simple and fast. Homeowners like it too because it has the appearance of a labor expensive full size stone. We have them in granite, limestone and basalt.