Anything is possible. Whether the project is a classical fireplace surround, or a whimsical, sculptural creation of a person's imagination, the process of designing and fabricating a custom stone architectural element begins and ends with the client.
| As a design resource, Bartlett Stone Company will work with the client to discover and design exactly what they want. This process might involve meeting with the client, architects, and designers to sift through a variety of photographs and magazines, travelling to distant cities to gather ideas from the master carvers of the past, or simply referring to a quick sketch on a napkin. |
(download
a sample drawing from a past project)After the design process is completed the raw materials are ordered from the quarry. Acquiring materials usually takes 4-6 weeks. Stone blocks are often not extracted from the quarry until an order is submitted. This allows the quarry workers to select the stone with an eye toward its final use.
Large
quarry blocks (sometimes in excess of 10'x6'x6' blocks) are then
shipped to the mills where they are cut to specific dimensions.
There are some mills in central Texas that have been operating
since the late 1800s, but the oldest mills in the US are in Indiana
and Vermont where stone quarries have been operating since before
the American Revolution. |
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After the stone is cut to dimension, it is sent to Bartlett Stone Company. Here the detailed cutting and carving takes place. Mouldings may be arced or twisted, profiles are added or returned, and ornamental details are carved. It is at this stage that the unique and individual character of each stone is discovered and shaped.
Unlike artificial materials, natural stone has a variety of characteristics which when worked with confidence and skill gives the overall architectural element a spirited and inviting nature that is simply not possible with faux finishes and materials.
When the project is completed, usually 4 to 6 weeks after receiving the raw materials, the client is notified and invited to review the work. The project is packed, shipping is arranged with the builder and if requested, master masons that travel around the country can be referred to the project in order to provide the final installation.
Working closely throughout the project with the architects, designers, builders, and masons, Bartlett Stone Company will work to insure that every step of the process is worry-free with no surprises and that the client's expectations are met in the fullest.