A Whole New World: Cobblestone Pavers in America

The story of cobblestone pavers in America began with a most unremarkable, ordinary purpose, but resulted in an extraordinary legacy of style and substance that lasts to this day. ACROSS THE OCEAN During the 17th and 18th centuries, European wooden ships travelling to America rode high in the water and required material-known as ballast-to weigh them down and stabilize them.  …

The Evolution of European Cobblestone

When you think of European cobblestone, you might imagine cityscapes with roads and buildings unchanged through the centuries.  While this is often the case, it’s also true that European cobblestones have evolved in both design and usage ever since the Roman Empire. From Rome to Revolution The earliest cobbles sourced by the Romans reflected the natural diversity of the local …

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THE THIN BRICK VENEER REVOLUTION

Everything old is new again.  So the saying goes, and it’s more true now than ever when it comes to thin brick veneer.   For homeowners and professionals alike, its ability to evoke a sense of heritage while embracing modern aesthetics makes it a timeless addition to all settings. THE BIRTH OF THIN BRICK VENEER As the once labor-intensive and time-consuming …

The Origins of Building Bricks

Building bricks are as old as man’s desire to stop moving!  Of course, this makes perfect sense-after food, what mattered more than shelter?  And from this basic instinct to survive, an eleven-thousand-year-old tradition was born. Basic Beginnings and Early Improvements Archaeologists can date back the earliest known bricks to about 9000 BC.  These were hand-molded from basic mud and dried …

All (Cobbled) Roads Lead to Rome: Origins of Antique Cobblestones 

When you are walking the streets of Boston or NYC and admiring the antique cobblestone pavers, take a moment and thank the Roman Empire for helping make it happen. Although we often think of European cobblestone alleyways, the origins of antique cobblestone roads go back much further. Building an Empire  While cobblestones can be dated back as far as 5000 …

A Reclaimed Brick Floor That's Gone to the Dogs

Known as “The Gallery”, this 50′ x 10′ long hallway is the grand passageway leading into the parlor. In a turn of the century sailing community on Cape Cod, sits a beautiful 1906 shingled style summer cottage with an interesting history. Once owned by the renowned Saltonstall family of Boston, this home served as the summer retreat for this prominent …

Howl at the Moon DC with thin brick veneer

Thin Brick Veneer for Commercial Spaces

Brick makes a beautiful, photogenic backdrop and that’s never truer than when used in commercial spaces. We’ve had restaurants, stores, breweries and bars all come to us looking for an authentic brick wall veneer to add character to their spaces while providing the perfect background for their products or dining spaces. Howl at the Moon Piano Bars This month, we’re …

A Once in a Lifetime Harvest: The North Washington Street Bridge (Boston)

At Stone Farm, we are constantly seeking out potential reclamations that will yield antique stone building products. We were beyond excited, when we were approached with the North Washington Street Bridge (also known as the Charlestown Bridge) in Boston. A hard product to find, this bridge has thousands of stone wall blocks that where originally quarried beginning in the late …

Thin Brick Veneer Focus: The History of Brick and Beer

There is a strong history between brick and beer. According to the book “The Material Culture of Breweries,” the first brick brewery was built in 1893 in Grangeville, Idaho. The brewery was projected to produce 150 barrels per day. It is no surprise that some of the most famous breweries throughout time feature brick, as it provides an industrial and …