This post is far too late — as are a number of other posts reporting on the final steps of the build of our home. Our months-late move in was preceded by our daughter's engagement — both of which left us with too much to do and too little time. To top it off I was waiting for the cabinet maker to finish the job before taking pictures of the counter areas. Given that we moved in eight months ago — and the cabinets are still not done (oh, yes, you'll hear about that), I finally decided Premier Marble and Granite deserved there day in the sun in spite of cabinet imperfections.
First, before I say anything else, let me say this: if you live remotely close to Lindon, Utah, and you need marble or granite, don't bother looking anywhere else for your custom counters. Just don't. I did the endless hours of research. I did the back and forth. I had spreadsheets and comparisons and bargaining discussions until everyone was beyond annoyed. Gary Facer was ideal to work with — responsive, helpful, punctual, professional — and Premier M&G did an absolutely stunning, stellar job. The counters not only look gorgeous, but we got a fabulous price and two amazing one-of-a-kind-in-Utah (for now) features.
There are many types of countertop surfaces to choose from. And if you followed our countertop bidding process you know that we changed our minds several times on what to use. But when we finally selected Premier Marble and Granite as the countertop fabricators, the fun began.
Granite Selection
We chose the two different granite slabs for the kitchen at Adamas Stone in Salt Lake City. This family owned company has an extensive selection and they are very friendly and helpful. (Even gave us some authentic local Italian restaurant recommendations!) They pulled more than one slab out of the warehouse, with a crane, into the sunlight so we could see the true colors.
Every other piece of granite in our home was from Premier's granite remnant lot. Because they do so many counters, they have a huge selection of smaller pieces. You can get some very expensive pieces for a steal!
Special Granite Features
Integrated Granite Drainboard
I really, really, really wanted an integrated drainboard. In spite of having a dishwasher and two dish drawers in our kitchen, we almost always have dish overflow. Either we still have too many dishes to load or a dish is too large or there's something that needs to be hand washed. But I really hate the look of a dish drainer sitting on the counter.
I wanted the integrated drain board so much — and detest seams enough — that I almost went with a solid surface countertop for the perimeter counters in order to get it.
Then I saw a photo of an integrated drainboard in granite in a home design magazine! I was smitten. The function and look I wanted together. Unfortunately, no on in Utah had the functionality needed to create it. Except Premier.
Doing intricate granite work requires a CNC router, something only larger stone shops have. And this kind of feature requires special tooling. Now, Premier had never fabricated a stone drainboard, but given their equipment (go on a tour of their facility, it's awesome!) and expertise, they knew they could do it.
The obtained the needed tooling, helped us with a very specific design, and then used a remnant to create a test drainboard for us to see and modify. The raised drainboard area is slightly lower than the rest of the countertop. The drainboard features grooves in the granite that are precisely sloped from top-center, around the curve and down to pull water into the undermounnt sink.
The result is beautiful and so handy. Almost everyone who comes in the kitchen wants to know how we had it done. Like I said, call Premier. They come through on special requests — even if no one else west of the Mississippi can!
Long Granite Island Detail
Our island is 11 feet long. That's a freakishly long island. And it presented a problem for granite fabricators because granite slabs aren't that long. Did I mention I hate seams? Having a big old gaping seam across the middle of the island just wasn't going to but it. Another fabricator we spoke to (hat top to TL Custom Countertops) gave us the idea of using two matching pieces of granite for the island, connecting them with an inlay of a contrasting piece of granite.
We discussed this idea with Gary and he concurred with the idea. We used the perimeter counter granite for the inlay. Instead of having an “accident” in the middle of the island, we had a feature.
Below I'll list the granite we selected for the various areas.
Granite Selections
Kitchen Countertops
Perimeter Counters
Angola Black
Island Counters
Mascarello Light with Angola Black inset
Kitchenette Countertops
Silver Persa
Bathroom Countertops
Master Bathroom Countertop
Silver Persa
Guest Bathroom Countertop
Silver Persa
Cabana Bathroom Countertop
Can't recall?
Office Countertops
Silver Persa
Custom Granite Countertops
If you're looking for custom granite countertops in Utah, please give Premier Marble and Granite a call. Of all the subcontractors we used on the custom home build, they are included on our  very short “we'll never use anyone else” list. Professional, fair, responsive, and we have exactly the counters we dreamed of. Tell Gary Facer I sent you.
Absolutely gorgeous kitchen. Love it.
That drain board is amazing. I’m sooooo jealous. Do you think my husband will agree to a kitchen do over? I’d do it for the drainboard. And LOVE the shiny black!
Oooo, did I mention I’m jealous?
I am not much of a kitchen guy, but this looks really high end. That faucet is mighty fine. Maybe I can get one for my garage.
Your kitchen looks amazing!!!! I love it and would like to have the similar one. But my husband is too concerned about the material and he is against granite as – as he claims – granite is not good to be used in living houses.
But the kitchen is great!!
LOL Anna. What does that mean?
In our last home, we had mostly solid surface material, with granite on only the kitchen island with the leftovers used for the camera den and the guest bath. Over the time we lived there, it was as easy to care for as the solid surface stuff and wore much better. The solid surface material became dull fairly quickly, but the granite looked gorgeous with nothing more than a wipe down with a damp cloth.
I’m sold on granite as a counter surface — as you can see from my house! The only other counter surfaces we used were quartz in the laundry room (also from Premier — love, love love it) and cultured marble in the kids’ and office bathrooms. W even have granite in my office for the computer desk area!
What a great kitchen and all other surfaces! I envy you 🙂 but in a good sense. If I have enough money, I will definitely buy something like this.
Thanks, DiNaRa. I love the the kitchen — even if I don’t love cooking. 🙂
Your kitchen looks miraculous. affection the shiny black.
Wow such a nice and beautiful Granite Countertops Installed…I have plan to renovate my kitchen and thank you’ve shared me this wonderful Granite Countertops Installed. I will make my kitchen like this…
bbc recently posted…Butcher Block Countertops
What a beautiful kitchen… It looks very elegant kitchen…. my wife love to coke, if this kind of kitchen my wife cooking something, i think she will cook the entire day. hhahahhalol
Randolph recently posted…Butcher Block Countertops
I really like the style of the kitchen. it is very furnish, this is a very unique kitchen that i ever seen before…If i have enough money i will make a Kitchen like this….:D But for now i just want to say, Thank you for sharing this beautiful kitchen…
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These look great. I really like your kitchen sink and the faucet. Was that new too? The countertops look great and I’ll keep that name in mind for anyone that is looking in your area. Thanks for sharing and hope they’re treating you well! 🙂
I think is a great choice use granite countertops in your kitchen design. That’s increase the value of your home and made of your kitchen a first class place.
To whomever does the hiring,
My name is Paris Alberti, I’m 51 and I have 35 years experience in marble, granite, stone, and tile, in shop and on site. I have attached my resume. Please take a look at it. I currently live in Las Vegas, NV and there isn’t anymore work here unless you are willing to work for free. As soon as I find employment I will be moving with my family.
Thanks for your time,
Paris Alberti
Paris Alberti – Marble Mason
Personal Details
6263 American Beauty Ave
Las Vegas, NV 89142
(702) 292-7345
parislasv@hotmail.com
Birth Date: August 26, 1960
Nationality: Italian, born in Massa-Carrara, Tuscany, Italy
Languages: Italian, Spanish, Broken English
Marital Status: Married
Introduction
“A man who works with his hands is a laborer; a man who works with his hands and his brains is a craftsman; a man who works with his hands and his brain and his heart is an artist.â€Â
Objective
To become an important addition to your company and to use my abilities, knowledge, skills, 35 years experience in marble, granite, stone and tile, so as to create, fabbricate, install and/or to repair those projects that I will be assigned to.
Summar
Excellent knowledge of cutting, honing, fabbrication and installation, tools, materials and methods, in shop and on-site
35 Years experience in marble, granite, quartz, glass, limestone, travertine, porcelain, ceramic, slate, and many other stone
Strong ability to read blueprints, estimate courses and angles
Expert in restoring and refurbishing marble, granite and stone
Exceptional ability to measure distances
Ability to work long hours, lift heavy weights,in any type of weather
Good physical condition
Team work abilities
Positive personality, dependable, reliable, honest, ethical.
Qualities and Abilities
Operates boom cranes with vacuums to maneuver material around the shop and operates industrial shop machinery such as Terzago bridge saws and Marmomeccanica edge polishers, forklifts.
Knowledge of design techniques, tools, precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models. ÂÂ
Estimates sizes, distances, and quantities; determines time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
Ability to make decisions and solve problems, to analyze information and evaluate results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Various constuction skills such as carpentry, paining, mechanical, minor electrical and plumbing, drywall, landscaping
OSHA 10, Has own tools and truck
Gives attention to detail.
Work History — Experience
Currantly doing a variety of work as an artisan, handyman, and maintenance tech for myself do to lack of work with union hall.
Remodelling and/or repair of bathrooms/waterproofing, kitchen countertops, mosaics, cladding, tile floors, walls, cielings indoor/outdoor, refurbushing and/or remodeling, replacing storm doors and windows, carpentry repair or replace, replacing broken and/or leaky pipes, minor electrical, painting, stucco, pools/patios, fireplaces, flagstone, stone paving, landscaping
Pictures:
Available on request
BAC Union Local 13 Las Vegas NV -3900 W Quail Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89118
702 873 0332
05/10/2006 — 01/2010
Duties and responsibilities
Journeyman Master Marble Mason — Tile Setter
Take IT For Granite Too — 3965 West Post Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89118
702 270 8434
03/20/2005 – 05/07/2006
Duties and responsibilities
Bridgesaw operator
. . .
Ital Stone Inc — 3750 West Quail Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89118
702 736 4542
09/09/2004 — 03/18/2005
Duties and responsibilities
Shop Supervisor — overseeing production
Bridgesaw operator
. . .
Winner Marmi di Alberti Paris e C. Snc — Via Vallecchia di Pietrasanta 119, Pietrasanta, Lucca, Tuscany, Italy
03/01/2000 — 06/10/2004
Duties and responsibilities
Owner- in charge of production, safety.
Private residence — restoration, refurbishing and remodel of marble, granite and tile. Wholesale commercial – fabrication, installation of kitchen, bath, stairs, special design marble, granite, stone. Mosaics, fireplaces, veneers’ indoor/outdoor, furniture, flooring by design. and quality service in the countertop industry!ÂÂ
. . .
RI.AL.TO. Marmi Snc — Via Laghi, Ortonovo, La Spezia, Liguria, Italy
06/01/1999- 03/01/2000
Duties and responsibilities
Partner/Owner- administration, sales, project manager, specializing in tile grout and stone restoration
. . .
Eurostone Trading Srl — Via Tavolara 116, La Spezia, Liguria, Italy
11/30/1996 — 05/24/1999
Duties and responsibilities
Supervisor — Cutting-Bridgesaw and Polishing Line Machine marble stairs production
In charge of packing and shipping.
. . .
CO.GE.MAR. Srl – Via Aurelia Ovest 355/A, MassaCarrara, Tuscany, Italy
05/01/1991 — 11/30/1996
Duties and responsibilities
Project Supervisor – made to order design special projects
Supervisor — bridgesaw special projects
. . .
IMT Cella Srl — Via Tinelli 38, Massa-Carrara, Tuscany, Italy
02/01/1984 — 05/01/1991
Duties and responsibilities
Supervisor – workers on calibrating and polishing line machine
Supervisor – block cutter
In charge of packing and shipping
. . .
Vetrugno Salvatore e C. SAS – Via Marina Vecchia 77, Massa-Carrara, Tuscany, Italy
12/31/1981 — 02/01/1984
Duties and responsibilities
Supervisor — Jumbo Gang Saw for the transformation of blocks to slabs
Processing and polishing slab line machine
In charge of packing and shipping
. . .
Cella Ottavio SRL – Via Tinelli 37, Massa – Carrara, Tuscany, Italy
09/01/1975- 12/31/1981
Duties and responsibilities
Supervisor – workers on calibrating and polishing line machine 1977 — 1981
Supervisor – block cutter 1977 — 1981
In charge of packing and shipping 1977 — 1981
Apprentice marble mason – 1975- 1977
Achievements
Was assigned important projects which were finalized on time
Proved great skills in working as a marble mason
Worked at/for important construction companies in Las Vegas NV and in Italy
Obtained great results for the companies worked for
Reference:
Available on request
Hey, Paris, you’ll notice that this post was published months ago and that the work has been done for over a year. But good luck in your job search. I’ll leave your resume up in hopes that it might give you a boost. I know the job market — and construction in particular — is really tough right now.
Hey your kitchen looks great and especially the granite counter tops. Also Granites can be used in granite paving of the floor.
When choosing a granite color for your kitchen countertops it’s important that you view a full slab, not just a small sample.
The mable is beautiful.While getting more info about this company,I found some info I decided to investigate. The lower prices are because they do not pay their employees. They are currently having to pay a tax lean as well.In 1 year 4 former employees have had to go to court to get paid. They are dishonest to employees,and the government. I am using another place.I cant expect them to be honest with me as a consumer.
Wow it is very imporessive article about Granite Countertops, thank you so much for all your time to write those useful information about granite countertops.
GCV recently posted…Choosing the Right Countertop
A move mixed with a wedding would indeed be a lot to handle. The counters look really good though! I am glad that the accident with your islands granite was so easily fixed.