Choosing Materials That Age Beautifully

Some materials get worse with age. Others get better. Knowing the difference is one of the most valuable things a contractor can help with.

Honed and leathered stone, solid wood, and hand-glazed tile all pick up a patina rather than just looking scratched. Highly polished surfaces, laminate, and painted MDF tend to show every mark from day one.

It's not about spending more everywhere — it's about being deliberate where things get touched the most: countertops, stair treads, cabinet hardware, door handles.

When we spec materials for a project, we're thinking as much about year ten as we are about the day of the final walkthrough.