THE OPULENCE OF OPUSTONE
“From the moment a client steps foot in one of our four showrooms, we listen to what their needs and desires are, guiding them through their selections. Often at times, we have clients that know what they want and others that heavily rely on us as experts to help educate them so they, in turn, can make an informed decision. We look at it this way – our client makes a long-lasting investment when they choose to renovate or build their space, so we too are investing in them.” -ERIC SCHIGIEL / PRESIDENT OPUSTONE
The Mutina Azulej collection – a tile collection designed by Patricia Urquiola, exclusively for Mutina. A robust review of patchwork composition reminiscent of ancient handcrafted majolica. An innovative mix and patch thatcombines the abstract and subtle, and the deliberately random. The colors are fixed in the material irregularly and organically.
The application of marble enhances our everyday lives through its design versatility of lighting elements, furnishings, and accessories. In conjunction with other organic materials; such as woods and hand-wrought steel, stone harmonizes our surroundings and uplifts our spirit. President of Opustone, and Florida’s exclusive importer and distributor, Eric Schigiel shares his knowledge of rising stone trends and a mélange of rousing offerings that reflect the prestige of their brand and the precision of craftsmanship.
ELEVATE: The art of buying stone is comparable to purchasing a rare diamond. Do you see a fluctuation in what a particular buyer compulsions and wishes are?
ERIC SCHIGIEL: We have seen a migration from granite to quartz due to its popularity amongst first home-buyers due to its durability, while marble, precious, and gemstones are in demand for the upper-echelon market for their luxuriant qualities. These stones are primarily used for accent walls, back lit countertops, and custom-built accent pieces.
ELEVATE: What is considered contemporary in the marketplace today? Eccentric colors and hues are gaining popularity. Do you see this as a new movement in the industry?
ERIC SCHIGIEL: At the moment, the admiration of colored slabs are increasing, especially with our exclusive Mutina line. Our Shadow Pearl and Statuary natural stone to our engineered Calacatta Majestic and Metropolis is a mainstay of timeless luxury. It’s too soon to gauge what the expectations of this new trend are.
ELEVATE: What are the most eloquent of stones that you proffer and their differentiation in cuts and grain that interior designers are enthusiastic about working with?
ERIC SCHIGIEL: Taste and eloquence are subjective. However; a stone that is at the forefront of many designers is the Antolini Precioustone line. It comprises rare and exotic stones from all over the world that instantly capture your attention, as well as your imagination. Since most of these stones occur naturally in small formats, Antolini processes them into large slabs using special resins to marinate the individual components seamlessly. The finishes are usually polished, but the complexity of our quality standards in refinishing these materials to the clients liking is what sets us apart in the industry.
ELEVATE: Define the bookmatching process?
ERIC SCHIGIEL: It’s great that you made mention of this methodology, considering that we see this a design relevance for the discerning buyer. Bookmatching is a term used to describe two mirror-image slabs set side-by-side, whether on the floor, wall, or countertop. The latest symmetrical mania is the use of bookmatched quartz or even 5’x10′ porcelain slabs which provide a similar look and feel at a fraction of the cost. It adds a significant statement to any room.
ELEVATE: Why does Opustone enjoy collaborating on projects with Italkraft?
ERIC SCHIGIEL: It’s always a refreshing experience to collaborate with a partner who’s on the cutting-edge of design and consistently pushes the envelope. Italkraft has been a partner of Opustone for the past six years. In this time frame, we have done projects from One Hotel to the new Italkraft showroom. We are in the midst of other joint ventures that emphasize mixed materials that interplay with our offerings in sumptuous equivalence.
Visit one of their four showrooms – Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, and their newest location, West Palm Beach.
OPUSTONE – Leaving indelible marble impressions one client at a time.
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