Drop zones rank high on homeowners’ wish lists.
Story by Tracy Dickinson
Photography Courtesy Kimberley Development
Featured in Summer 2026
In some respects, there is no “typical” home style these days. Modern farmhouse, rustic ranch, contemporary two-story, or modern craftsman—all of these and more are typical new-home designs. But one element is becoming common to all: stone.
Outside, inside, and everywhere in between, stone and brick have become a focal point in home design.
Outside
Centurion Stone’s Maddie Shultice says, “So many homeowners associations are requiring a certain percentage of the front elevation to be some form of stone or brick. That really adds pop to the curb appeal.”
Mikaela Chambers, also of Centurion Stone, says, “Any home will look better with stone or brick. It gives the exterior dimension and adds interest with the mix of siding, stone, or brick.”
Although they’re most frequently used on the front of the home, stone and brick are also being implemented elsewhere on the exterior. “We’re seeing a lot of accent walls, even for exteriors,” Shultice says. “And wrapping the entire chimney in stone or brick is a popular look.”
Today’s manufactured-stone options have expanded the application possibilities, including stone size, grout or mortar design, and color. “Bigger stone is really popular,” Chambers says, “which is quite a change because we’ve gone from small stone to these bigger format products that add more texture.”
With the popularity of black windows, Shultice and Chambers say homeowners can be confused about the best color of stone or brick to use. “Black actually balances really well with both cool and warm tones,” Chambers says. “Black windows are so common that they’ve become something of a neutral. If you want the windows to pop, you can go with a more neutral stone in the same color as the siding.”
She says warmer neutrals have been pretty consistent the last few years, and Centurion is seeing quite a bit of cream with both stone and grout. “For a while, everything was gray or light gray. But now we’re seeing warmer neutrals in lighter shades. And there’s a huge trend right now to brighten the look of the stone with a white grout,” says Chambers.
“We’re seeing a lot of accent walls, even for exteriors. And wrapping the entire chimney in stone or brick is a popular look.”
Maddie Shultice, Centurion Stone
Inside
Stone and brick aren’t just for the front facade. Homeowners are incorporating these products throughout the home.
“Kitchen backsplashes are probably one of our biggest interior applications right now,” Shultice says. “Homeowners really want to add the warmth of stone. And our products can be used almost anywhere in the house.”
Chambers says, “People are staying in their homes longer, and they’re wanting to do fun projects to really add accents to the home. We’ve done projects with archways or doorways framed in stone as well as bathroom accent walls.”
As trends have fluctuated, homeowners seem to be drawn to natural products and man-made products that have the look of natural stone but the low maintenance of manufactured materials. They’re finding nontraditional ways to bring those products into the design process.
“People are open to using bigger, chunkier stones for interior projects, too,” Chambers says. “That’s popular for backsplashes, which you wouldn’t expect since it’s thicker and sticks out more like a subway tile. But the manufactured stones are thinner, so you can get that look without a heavy product.”
“Our products can be used nearly anywhere inside the home,” Shultice says. “Because it’s thin, we don’t recommend it for flooring or for inside a shower, but we’ve done projects just about everywhere else.” Bathroom applications have become popular, whether it’s framing a window in stone or brick or creating an accent wall.
“Everything we sell can be used inside or out,” says Shultice. “Homeowners can continue that same look in a variety of places, from the front entrance to the inside of the home and all the way to the outdoor living area.”
“We’re seeing a lot of accent walls, even for exteriors. And wrapping the entire chimney in stone or brick is a popular look.”
Mikaela Chambers, Centurion Stone
And everywhere in between
“We’re doing a lot of outdoor patio grills and patio or deck fireplaces,” Chambers says. “Many of those are projects where the homeowners have carried the same stone through the house as well.”
Shultice says, “Wrapping porch columns or mailbox posts is also a great way to add brick or stone to an existing home. If the home already has siding, sometimes adding stone or brick to the facade can be tricky because you have to have the right backing material, and you have to work with the siding. But using stone as an accent in other places can bring that same pop.”
With manufactured stone, the color and design possibilities are numerous. “If a homeowner likes a particular color but wants a specific type of stone product, we can literally mix and match,” says Shultice. “We’re even doing a lot of projects with brick and stone combined.”
“It can be overwhelming trying to choose the right color, the right grout, or mortar to use,” Chambers says. “People worry that it won’t look right if they ever want to change their siding or repaint the house.”
And not only do brick and stone add warmth and texture, they give the home a sense of history. “That’s one of the reasons we work really hard to help clients find the right kind of ‘neutral’ for their home,” says Shultice. “We want to help them create a timeless look that will still be the perfect accent a decade or more later that they still love.” •
Resources
- Mikaela Chambers Centurion Stone
- Maddie Shultice Centurion Stone
