Founded in 2010, International Marble and Granite Enterprises (IMAGE) is a family-owned company that specializes in custom fabrication of stone and manufactured products for counters, floors and even walls.
The Hartford-based firm prides itself on the diversity and quality of its products, as well as its attention to detail and cutting-edge fabrication processes that includes a laser-guided measuring system for cutting and installing its products.
Located on Airport Road in Hartford, IMAGE has an “infinite selection” of solid surface products including but not limited to granite, marble, soapstone, limestone, quartz and quartzite.
IMAGE was established in ? by (DAD’s NAME HERE) and in 2015 his son, Adrian Costa took over operations. Adrian had worked in the family business since the age of 12, honing his knowledge and skills about the industry and how to run a company.
Along the way, he also learned the most important part of the business: How to help people pick the best product for their homes or businesses.
The process of choosing a stone is highly personal, Adrian says, and he works closely with his customers to find style and stone that best suits them.
“As professionals we believe in treating every project as if it was our own.”
He often tells clients that “the stone picks you.” Learning clients’ likes and styles, he says, helps him discern their personality and visions for their project. Sometimes, clients bring in cabinets, tiles, or paint swatches to match with the slabs of stone in the store. Doing so helps them see how the colors fit together and some customers change their minds completely and decide on a different, potentially opposite color scheme, he says.
Some of the most popular solid-surface styles right now, he says, are quartz and quartzite. Quartz has “a marble look within the kitchen” with a “classic European touch to it.” It is not exclusively used for kitchens, and has become “the new go to for bathroom renovations.”
Quartz, a solid surface manufactured from stone, is still very popular. Quartz products are “natural stones that are also very durable for the kitchen…and they have a marble and granite look.”
Quartz’s popularity is partly due to being a solid surface that comes in light colors. Unlike some other stones where there would be speckles or marbling, quartz allows customers to achieve a true white. Quartzite also comes in cream, tan, or green tones, colors that pair particularly well with light kitchen cabinets.
Location and layout oftentimes both play roles in style decisions, Adrian adds. For instance poeple who live near the coast tend to gravitate toward more earthy tones with natural feels. When there is a larger kitchen island, customers tend to look for more loud or dramatic stones that will fill the space with their personal touches.
IMAGE prides itself on its efficiency, Adrian says. He uses a state-of-the-art digital lasering method for installations that scans the space, ensure an exact stone fit.
What also sets IMAGE apart from other stone sellers, he adds, is the collaborative environment among his employees.
“I think the difference between me and a lot of other shops is that I involve all of my employees, I like second opinions…it’s been a wonderful experience.”
International Marble and Granite Enterprises
110 Airport Road, Hartford
Phone: 860-296-0741
Online: Imagestonecenter.com
Email: Sales@imagestonecenter.com