If 2008 means you’ll be doing some work on your abode, you may want to check out a countertop company named Squak Mountain Stone. Squak Mountain Stone is a fibrous-cement material made up of recycled paper, recycled glass, coal fly-ash and Portland cement. The material is then hand cast into slabs as a green alternative to natural or quarried stone. The look is more uniform than granite and their website says it looks like soapstone or limestone, so if you’re looking for a more unique top for your kitchen or bath then you might want to give this small company a second look.

Squak Mountain Stone is the brainchild of Amee’ Quiriconi. When she was still in graduate school she was required to develop a product or service that would benefit the local economy. The assignment meant she needed to look at what the local population bought from outside the local area and figure out a way local “ingredients” could fill that need. Thus, her countertop company was born by using products easily located in the area. That one small assignment grew from one paper turned into a business venture utilizing her engineering, construction and research experience. Slowly, it grew from a one-woman show into her need to enlist help from friends and now she employees a few employees. Amee’ hand makes the countertops and tabletops out of small shop Woodinville Washington.

The countertops and tabletops come in five different neutral colors and in a variety of size from tiles to kitchen counter sized. Not only can you get plain counters, but you can also opt to get engraving done to add decorative detail to your remodeling project like flowers, trees, leave, birds, shells and personalized monogramming. Many states have showrooms but you can also contact the company directly to inquire on purchasing.