From the feature

Surface Matters

How do you explain your job?

It’s hard! Sometimes I downplay it to the extreme. Maybe I don’t want to brag, but the real answer is, I get to search for the most rare, bad-ass stones that no one has ever seen and bring them back to be the next wow moment.

Before founding Calia, you sold mostly engineered countertops for other companies for 10 years. Why did you shift to natural stone?

When I opened, I had an engineered quartz line because I thought that’s what people wanted. But I learned very quickly that the projects I was seeing by amazing designers in magazines weren’t that. It was a huge pivot point. I had to relearn everything.

How did you do that?

I literally went door to door asking the design community what they were looking for—what projects they were working on, what materials they needed, and their lead times. And then I went to people in Italy or Brazil to find it. It took a full year, but listening to what the industry wanted helped cultivate our collection.

What stones do you typically have in stock?

The vast majority are marble and quartzite. But we have a lot of specialty stones, like onyx and semi-precious materials. We still have a few granites because you need them. We’re to the point now where if we see something cool, we’ll just grab it because I feel confident someone will want it.

What’s your best-selling surface material?

Taj Mahal is our top quartzite. It’s like a great pair of jeans: It can look super classy, but you can also put it in a log cabin. We stock it in all types, finishes, thicknesses, and colors.

You’ve said part of your role is marble myth-busting.

The No. 1 thing I’m selling is education. If someone understands what they’re purchasing, they’re going to appreciate it more. The main myth is that all marble is going to stain, and that’s just not accurate. Over the last 10 years, the sealers have become advanced. And if by chance you do stain it, there’s a 99 percent chance we can fix it. There are so many misconceptions about natural stone, and I’m happy to invest the time to make sure the client understands the material they’re choosing and how it’s going to perform.

But some imperfections do come with wear, right?

If people want to live in a magazine, then I don’t necessarily know that marble is the answer for them. If they’re open to embracing life and movement in the home, then they definitely should use a natural product because it’s going to age with them.

What about your home?

I have a fabulous pink onyx shower. At first, I wasn’t sure about the capabilities of onyx, but living with it through daily shower use and a very active makeup vanity, I can proudly say that it holds up quite well to someone who is far from a delicate flower.

Where do these gorgeous stones come from?

Italy, Brazil, Turkey, Spain, India, Greece. Twice a year, I typically go to Italy or Brazil, and with the Italy trip, we try to bring 30 to 35 designers with us. We visit six or seven factories. People are so in awe at the process of getting this material here. It helps them to educate their clients.

What do you love most about what you do?

I like when a designer will pair two stones that I would never have thought would go together. I don’t have that gift, but I love watching it happen. Or a stone will come to life in a new way with the textiles, tiles, and wood flooring. We’ve been able to witness some of the most unforgettable moments with stone.