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European Stone Masonry LLC

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(919) 832-1880
Fine stonework since 1985.

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European Stone Masonry LLC

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Asian-Inspired Hardscapes

July 15, 2014 Joe Valles
stone-wall.jpg

This property originally had a narrow walkway that hugged the home and an embankment adjacent to the walkway. The homeowners wanted to expand their front lawn to include a wider walkway and Asian elements...

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The Fire Pit, Elevated

June 27, 2014 Joe Valles
 The fire pit and sitting area under construction

The fire pit and sitting area under construction

While love comes in many forms, a nearly 4,000 pound rock isn't what usually comes to mind. But like a new pair of shoes or perfect fall sweater, she had to have it...

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Artisan & Handcrafted: What's In A Word?

June 26, 2014 Joe Valles

Happily Handcrafted Salads

A scene from 'The Sopranos' comes to mind. Tony ushers Meadow into a church that his grandfather and great uncle helped build - first generation Americans and stonemasons from Italy. There's a moment of familial pride when...

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Stone Patios: What To Ask Before You Buy

June 24, 2014 Joe Valles
 A lively mix of random flagstone - dry laid with tightly fitted joints

A lively mix of random flagstone - dry laid with tightly fitted joints

Looking forward to family time this summer on your new stone patio? If you hire a contractor, make sure he gets the fundamentals right up front, so you won't have problems later on...

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Stylish Stonework: 5 Keys To Quality Craftsmanship

June 24, 2014 Joe Valles
 Stylish steps and landing finished with bullnose edging

Stylish steps and landing finished with bullnose edging

At European Stone Masonry LLC, we talk about how quality craftsmanship is in the details, and that details make all the difference. But what exactly are those details? Can you recognize them when you're in need of a stonemason?

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Carrying A Torch For Bluestone

June 20, 2014 Joe Valles
 Circular bluestone steps, 13' wide and asymmetrical

Circular bluestone steps, 13' wide and asymmetrical

Besides the variety of vivid colors and styles available, there's another reason to love bluestone - thermalling. Thermalling or flaming...

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Back To The Future: Belvidere Park Installs A Time Capsule

June 20, 2014 Joe Valles
 Belvidere Park Garden Club Christmas party

Belvidere Park Garden Club Christmas party

A small neighborhood project was a big reminder of how different Raleigh was in the 1950's...

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Two Coins In The Stonework

June 19, 2014 Joe Valles
 Tools of the trade

Tools of the trade

The tradition of placing coins in stonework that's under construction goes way back, but I came upon it in the late 1990's...

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Porches And Steps May Cause Separation Anxiety

June 19, 2014 Joe Valles
 A bluestone and granite front proch

A bluestone and granite front proch

This bluestone porch has had surgery but you can't see it - a kind of nip/tuck for masonry. It's a common problem with older homes and even some new ones around Raleigh...

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A Stone Wall From The Inside Out

June 19, 2014 Joe Valles
 A new granite sitting wall for Christ Church

A new granite sitting wall for Christ Church

Our Twitter followers may remember a series of tweets about this job last year. Here's a more detailed look at the anatomy of a stone wall we built in downtown Raleigh. For this project, a large oak tree was key to how the stone wall was designed and constructed...

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Stonework Along The Iron Heritage Trail

June 19, 2014 Joe Valles
 Beckley Furnace

Beckley Furnace

This month, we're more than a stone's throw away from Raleigh. On a recent trip to Connecticut, we discovered the historic stonework along the Iron Heritage Trail. The Iron Heritage Trail is a series of 58 blast furnaces, lime kilns, forges, iron mining and mill sites...

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New Stone Bench Marks Belvidere Park Entrance

June 18, 2014 Joe Valles
 Belvidere Park residents moving granite bench into place

Belvidere Park residents moving granite bench into place

Belvidere Park residents had fun yesterday placing a new stone bench near the Vale Street entrance. The project is funded by a neighborhood improvement program through the City of Raleigh. The stone bench is the next step in lengthy process...

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A Buying Guide For Stonework: Choosing Your Contractor

June 18, 2014 Joe Valles
 Pets are often part of the project too.

Pets are often part of the project too.

So how do you choose a residential masonry contractor? As with most home projects, it's well worth the effort to do a some research. Oh sure, we've learned the hard way too. Don't ask about our bathtub debacle...

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A Buying Guide For Stonework: Choosing Your Stone

June 11, 2014 Joe Valles
 Daffodils along a stone wall announce spring. 

Daffodils along a stone wall announce spring. 

Ah, spring! It's the season of renewal and for moving ahead on those honey-do projects you've been dreaming about all winter. Is stonework on your list? Maybe a winding garden wall to define your planting beds. Or a stone patio for summer celebrations...

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This Stone Fireplace Has A Porcine Past

June 11, 2014 Joe Valles
 Old stone fireplace along Hwy. 64 in Knightdale

Old stone fireplace along Hwy. 64 in Knightdale

If you've ever traveled along Highway 64 west towards Raleigh, you may have wondered about this old stone fireplace from another era. It sits on an embankment on the right just past the Neuse River...

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Belvidere Breaks Ground On New Stone Entryway

June 11, 2014 Joe Valles
 Belvidere Park residents

Belvidere Park residents

Welcome to A Stone's Throw, a new blog from European Stone Masonry LLC. Every month or so, we'll focus on stonework, history and happenings from around Raleigh and maybe farther afield. This month we highlight a local project that's taken over 2 years and lots of twists...

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It's a blog about stonework, history and happenings around Raleigh, NC or further than a stone's throw away.

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