Transform your home with custom stone
By Laura Briedis
Classic blue, the 2020 Pantone Color of the Year, is cropping up in home design everywhere you look. Though blue is used more for interior design, this on-trend color is also showing up on the exterior of homes. After all, this enduring blue is a shade reminiscent of the sky at dusk and instills a sense of calm.
According to Ronnie Stout, owner of Custom Stone House, bluish-tinted stone colors are in demand right now. If you are not feeling blue, however, no worries. Custom Stone House can manufacture stone in 1,500-plus custom colors.
“When I meet with homeowners, I ask them why pick a stock color your neighbor has when you can customize your own unique color—and for a better price?” says Ronnie.
The company manufactures its own stone in a 7,200-square-foot plant in Lodi, so it can make almost endless shades of colors. In its Medina showroom, there are sample boards that offer a starting point, along with a palette of 40 different colors, and then the staff helps you narrow down your color choices and customize your stone to your preferences.
After you create your color, the company makes your own sample color board so you can use it to match other materials in your home remodeling or building project.
In the manufacturing process, the rubber molds are dusted with oxide pigments to make custom colors.
“By manufacturing our own stone, customers can customize their stonework instead of picking from stock colors,” says Ronnie. “You can get a lot more creative when custom designing your own stone.”
When Ronnie started the company in 2015, he wanted to offer an affordable option for homeowners by cutting out the middleman. “We have wholesale prices, so rather than going through a supply store you get a better price directly from us,” says Ronnie, noting the cost averages about $3.85 per square foot. “Plus, we offer everything in-house, from helping you design the stonework, manufacturing the stone and installing it.”
In addition to thousands of color options, there are myriad stone styles that can be manufactured—from Roman quarry to stacked stone to limestone. “If you can envision it, we can create it,” says Ronnie.
The company backs up its stone with a 50-year warranty against chipping or fading.
Beautifying Your House With Stone
You don’t have to cover your home in stone, as it makes a stunning accent piece for any home interior or exterior.
“One way to dress up your home is installing a foundation wrap,” says Ronnie.
“This is an inexpensive way to improve curb appeal, as the stone is applied over the exposed foundation cinder blocks or even over brick.”
The company also specializes in intricate stonework designs, mixing different styles and colors for one-of-a-kind home exteriors. For homeowners who want to remodel, the company can also remove old siding and add stonework.
Stone is also a popular option for your home’s interior. Whether a fireplace, bar counter facade or accent wall in the basement, stone adds an architectural design element.
“We do lots of fireplace makeovers,” notes Ronnie. “There are so many ways to update your fireplace, from floor-to-ceiling stonework to modern stacked stone. We even make our own reclaimed barn wood mantels to install over the stone.”
From the Ball Field to the Business World
A familiar face around town, Ronnie was a standout baseball pitcher at Medina High School before playing professionally in the San Francisco Giants organization. After an elbow injury shortened his baseball career, he returned back home and started his own stone company.
“While in high school I worked with my grandfather, Roger Estep, installing fireplaces and learned all about masonry from him,” says Ronnie. “Both my grandfather and dad worked in masonry, so it is something I am comfortable with.”
Now it has come full circle as his “retired” grandfather is working for him at Custom Stone House, where you will find Ronnie and Roger working side-by-side on jobs.
“At Custom Stone House, we pride ourselves on the relationships we build with our customers,” says Ronnie, noting that they keep each customer’s custom color on file for future jobs. “Each customer receives one-on-one attention, from project inception to project completion.”
Custom Stone House is located at 107 N. Court Street in Medina. Hours are by appointment, Monday through Saturday. For a free in-home estimate, call 330-635-2319 or visit CustomStoneHouse.com.