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Timeless New-Build Home Marries Modern Construction with Classic Stone

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A New‑Build Home That Looks Like It’s Been Around for Centuries – The Story Behind a Caesarstone‑Powered Design

When a design team sets out to create a new‑build house that feels “timeless,” the challenge is to marry the fresh possibilities of modern construction with the subtle elegance of classic materials. In the House & Home feature “How This Design Team Made a New‑Build Home Feel Timeless,” readers are taken through a journey that begins with a clear vision and ends with a kitchen island that’s as enduring as the stones on its countertop.


The Vision: “Timeless” in a Contemporary Context

The project, located on a quiet cul‑de‑sac in the upscale suburbs of Irvine, California, began with one simple goal: build a home that would age gracefully, without the need for frequent updates. Interior designer Liza Chen, lead consultant for the project, explains that “timelessness isn’t about choosing bland colors or old‑fashioned styles. It’s about selecting high‑quality materials that endure and arranging them in ways that feel natural and welcoming.”

Chen drew inspiration from classic Californian architecture, mid‑century modernism, and the enduring appeal of natural stone. The result was a layout that emphasizes open flow, generous natural light, and a neutral palette that can flex with evolving tastes.


Building the Foundation: A Thought‑Out‑of‑The‑Box Layout

The architectural team, led by the award‑winning firm Sola Architects, conceived a 3,600‑square‑foot home that balances privacy and social space. The layout features a large central living area that opens onto a landscaped backyard through floor‑to‑ceiling glass doors, providing an intimate connection to the outdoors while keeping the indoor and outdoor spaces distinct.

The house’s single‑story design eliminates the need for stairs, making it especially appealing to families with young children or elderly members. A wrap‑around pergola, built from cedar, adds a subtle organic touch that compliments the stone accents in the interior.


The Stone that Anchors the Design: Caesarstone

At the core of the house’s aesthetic is Caesarstone, the industry leader in quartz surfaces. The project’s builder, Legacy Construction, chose the brand’s Eterna series for its durability, color consistency, and low maintenance. The team employed two main product lines:

  1. Eterna S – A smooth, satin finish used in the kitchen and the main bathroom, lending an understated elegance that can withstand high traffic.
  2. Eterna A – A textured finish chosen for a backsplash that creates subtle depth without drawing attention away from the open floor plan.

Chen highlights that Caesarstone’s “infinite color options” allowed the team to find the perfect gray‑blue hue that echoed the natural stones found in Southern California’s coastline. Because quartz can be fabricated in virtually any thickness and shape, the kitchen island, for instance, features a custom‑cut, 6‑inch‑thick slab that supports a seamless integration of an under‑counter sink and a built‑in refrigerator.


Key Rooms and Features

RoomDesign HighlightsCaesarstone Use
KitchenAn island that doubles as a breakfast bar, a walk‑in pantry, and a dining area. The island features a large, curved edge for an extra seating cushion.Eterna S countertops and a matching backsplash.
Main BathroomA freestanding tub with a waterfall edge, a double vanity with glass shelving, and a walk‑in shower that uses the same Eterna A finish on both walls and the shower tray.Eterna A for walls, Eterna S for countertop.
Living AreaA built‑in fireplace that serves as a focal point. The hearth is lined with a Caesarstone “Tombstone” slab in a muted beige tone.Caesarstone hearth tile.
Master BedroomAn ensuite with a walk‑in closet that uses a Caesarstone “Frosted” slab to create a subtle backdrop for the built‑in wardrobe.Caesarstone for closet walls.

The Design Process: From Sketch to Reality

Step 1 – Conceptualization
Chen and her team spent three weeks in a series of mood‑board sessions, gathering reference photos from classic architecture magazines, modern design blogs, and the Caelum Stone Gallery. The goal was to identify recurring visual themes – such as clean lines, large glass panels, and neutral color palettes – that could be translated into a functional home.

Step 2 – Material Selection
Legacy Construction’s lead engineer introduced the team to Caesarstone’s product catalog. The team visited a Caesarstone showroom in Santa Ana, where the quartz samples were displayed under varying lighting conditions. Chen noted that “seeing how the light interacts with the quartz in real life helped us choose the exact shade and finish that would be warm in the morning sun and cool in the evening.” A link to Caesarstone’s product pages, accessible through the House & Home feature, gives readers deeper insight into the specific Eterna series used.

Step 3 – Fabrication
The kitchen island slab was fabricated in a nearby quartz lab. The team requested a custom edge profile, resulting in a gentle curve that adds visual interest without compromising stability. The fabrication process was monitored by Chen, who used the Caelum Stone mobile app to track progress and confirm dimensions before installation.

Step 4 – Installation
Legacy’s stone installers followed a meticulously drafted plan. For the kitchen island, they used a patented “floating” mounting system that ensures the slab remains stable while allowing for slight movement due to temperature fluctuations. The team also incorporated a subtle drip line under the island to keep moisture away from the countertop, showcasing Caesarstone’s water‑resistance.

Step 5 – Finishing Touches
After the stone was in place, Chen chose a set of custom fixtures – a brass faucet for the kitchen and a brushed‑gold shower head for the bathroom – that complement the neutral stone palette. The finishes were selected in consultation with a lighting designer who provided dimmable LED fixtures that adjust the intensity to match the house’s changing moods.


Sustainability and Longevity

One of Caesarstone’s key selling points is its environmental footprint. The quartz used in the Eterna series is 100% recyclable, and its manufacturing process generates significantly less waste compared to traditional granite. The project’s builder highlighted that the use of Caesarstone aligns with their “green building” certifications, such as LEED Silver, which is a selling point for eco‑conscious buyers.

Furthermore, quartz’s resistance to stains and scratches means that the kitchen and bathroom surfaces will maintain their appearance for decades, reducing the need for frequent refinishing and replacement—a significant factor in the home’s long‑term cost of ownership.


Final Thoughts: A Home That Stands the Test of Time

When the House & Home article concludes, readers are left with a compelling image of a home that balances the modern with the classic. Liza Chen reflects, “We set out to build a home that doesn’t feel like it’s from a single era. The result is a timeless piece of architecture that feels fresh yet familiar, comfortable yet elegant.”

The article underscores that the secret to timeless design lies not in resisting change but in choosing materials and forms that adapt gracefully to it. Caesarstone, with its durable and versatile range, provides the perfect foundation for a home that will continue to impress for generations.


Links for Further Exploration

  • Caesarstone product catalog (Eterna series) – caesarstone.com
  • House & Home feature on the project – houseandhome.com/gallery/sponsored-caesarstone-how-this-design-team-made-a-new-build-home-feel-timeless
  • Legacy Construction’s sustainability certifications – legacyconstruction.com/greenbuilding
  • Sola Architects’ portfolio – solaarchitects.com/projects

These resources offer deeper dives into the materials, processes, and philosophies that brought this timeless home to life.


Read the Full House & Home Article at:
[ https://houseandhome.com/gallery/sponsored-caesarstone-how-this-design-team-made-a-new-build-home-feel-timeless/ ]