A Fishers Island Home Adds Coastal Charm with Granite and Natural Stone That Withstand the Elements

Located just a couple miles off the southeastern coast of Connecticut lies Fishers Island, New York— a remote island with one operating ferry. With such rich history and natural beauty, it’s no wonder summer resident Ralph Carbone decided to renovate his oceanfront property with granite and bluestone from Swenson Granite Works. Not only do these materials add coastal charm to the home, they enhance it with their durability and weather resistance.

“What I love about granite is its stability and appearance— it’s such a beautiful product,” says Ralph Carbone. “I also like that it lasts forever and stands up to nature. In the harsh oceanfront environment, this home needs a tough material like granite.”

Talin Inside Carpentry of Weston, Connecticut and Boston-based architectCatalano Architects worked diligently on this three year renovation project using Woodbury Gray granite and bluestone supplied by Swenson Granite Works of Newtown, Connecticut around the home exterior.

Although the products were purchased in Connecticut, Swenson was able to transport all the materials to Fishers Island by ferry. Just as we worked with the Carbones to get this coastal project done, Swenson can help you bring your visions to life. Find the Swenson Granite Works location nearest to you and we’ll make it happen.

Granite and natural stone are ideal materials for any oceanfront property. This stunning estate shows a variety of ways you can enhance the appearance of your own coastal summer retreat. Whether in the backyard by the pool overlooking the Block Island Sound or out front watching the waves crash on the shore, you are completely surrounded by the beauty of natural stone.

WOODBURY GRAY COPING MEETS IPE DECKING

Granite coping provides a durable and welcoming touch around the pool. Not only does it create edging between the landscape and the pool, it also enhances the safety of the pool area. Catalano Architects helped the Carbones select Woodbury Gray granite for its durability and timeless elegance.

The suspended ipe wood pool decking pairs perfectly with the Woodbury Gray. “We chose to go with a suspended deck because it allows for complete drainage and it’s easier on your feet,” says Carbone.

A NATURAL INSIDE-OUTSIDE TRANSITION WITH GRANITE TREADS

What better way to create a natural transition from pool house to pool than with a run of Woodbury Gray rock face granite treads? Skipping the risers and leaving the grass makes the granite appear like it’s carved from the rocky coastal outcrop.

The Woodbury Gray granite treads make another appearance by the ipe wood deck. The rock face finish is the perfect touch to making it seem as though the steps are naturally part of the ground.

STONE WALLS WITH BLUESTONE CAPS SEPARATE YARD AND GARDEN

A bluestone cap sits atop the Connecticut River rock wall creating a boundary that separates the yard and garden. Bluestone is ideal due to its durability and hard wearing qualities. Just like granite, it handles temperature changes very well, resisting any damage from freeze-thaw cycle. Bluestone adds warmth to this landscape design and pairs nicely with the colors of the rock wall.

GRANITE LAMP POST WITH A SALVAGED SHIP LIGHT

A Woodbury Gray granite lamp post with an old ship light —this will surely hold the test of time! What an interesting way to add authenticity and history to the home’s nautical theme. Interestingly, all the lights around the outside of the house were salvaged from old ships.

Granite lamp posts are virtually impervious to the elements of nature, unlike wooden and iron lamp posts that rot and rust, making them the ultimate choice for lighting on a coastal property. We stock granite lamp posts in different sizes and can custom produce others for all sorts of projects at all Swenson Granite Works locations.

DISCOVER MORE WAYS TO LIGHT YOUR LANDSCAPE WITH GRANITE LAMP POSTS HERE.

GRANITE COBBLESTONE DRIVEWAY IMPERVIOUS TO HARSH WEATHER CONDITIONS

The driveway is over 10 inches thick and made up of 7,000 granite cobblestones. “This driveway is impervious to everything and we just love the look of it,” says Carbone. “We sent the print from our architect to Swenson and everything worked out perfectly.”

Granite cobblestones are an ideal paving material for driveways because of their long-lasting quality and textured finish, which provides traction on steep surfaces.

READ MORE ABOUT THE USES FOR COBBLESTONES HERE.

The decorative piece in the center of the driveway is so unique that it’s definitely worth mentioning. It’s a 54 inch mooring ball from World War II with carvings of osprey, lobsters, Fishers Island and the ferry that takes you there. Inside there is a large flame that glows beautifully at night.

STONE CHIMNEY WITH BLUESTONE CAP ADDS COASTAL CHARM

This chimney was originally white painted brick, but now with the bluestone caps and supports, and multi-colored rounds veneer, it adds coastal charm to the home exterior.

A stone veneer chimney with granite or bluestone chimney caps adds visual interest to a roofline and makes even a modest home appear more stately. Cut granite and natural stone caps will protect the chimney’s mortar joints, and keep out water, snow, dirt, sand, leaves, branches, etc. They are naturally durable in the coastal climate and will last a lifetime.

We’re happy we could help the Carbone’s pleasantly spend the summer at their Fishers Island home with the beauty of granite and natural stone. It’s fascinating to see all the creative ways our products could be used for a coastal project like this.