The Wicked Yard

From the moment she saw the historic Greek Revival home, built in the mid-1800s and set on an acre of property in charming Westport, Connecticut, actress, entrepreneur and lifestyle blogger Eva Amurri could see the potential. “We loved it from the second we saw it,” explained the mom of two young children with a third on the way, “but felt like its space was not utilized well and it lacked the grandness it deserved, given its historic location in town.

South Hadley native Dan Richard has come full circle. He grew up in this small town, not far from Springfield, and after working at the Medway Swenson Granite Works store in eastern Massachusetts, found his way back home in 2018 to manage the newest retail store.

The Swenson Granite Works South Hadley store, located on Granby Road on the site of an abandoned restaurant that had become “an eyesore,” brings locally-sourced, natural stone products to Western Massachusetts as a heartier — and more beautiful — alternative to wood and concrete products.

Photo credit: U.S. Army

In a continued sign that those who lost their lives on 9/11 will never be forgotten, a memorial to those who were killed during the attack on the Pentagon was recently unveiled at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland.

The memorial is in front of the new headquarters and reads, “PENTAGON … SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 … 09:37 … 184 HEROES.” The monument features a limestone slab from the original Pentagon building that survived the attack. WOODBURY GRAY® granite was used for the two outside, upright markers and the central block that the beam is resting on.

Within the last five years, residents in two small towns in Massachusetts have spearheaded the funding and construction of memorials that honor veterans and both feature WOODBURY GRAY™ granite, quarried in nearby Vermont.

In the same way a unique painting or statement chair can transform an entire room, ornamental features of all sizes can elevate an outdoor space. From handcrafted benches to custom-engraved millstones, Swenson Granite Works offers a range of granite ornamental products for every backyard style.

Indiana Limestone is an American classic, bringing a look of timelessness wherever it’s used — whether on the soaring Empire State Building or cathedrals and monuments across the North American continent. With Swenson Granite Works’ newest addition of Indiana limestone thin veneers, the durability and versatility of the stone can now be easily added to residential projects.

As the end of the summer neared, Robbin Mangano, the lifestyle blogger behind The New England Life, and her husband, Jeff, were eager to spend the last few days of the season outside. A DIY granite fire pit from Swenson Granite Works was the perfect end-of-the-summer project and a great way to extend the livability of their backyard into the cooler months.

Quarried in the town of Woodbury, Vermont, Woodbury Gray granite, one of several granite types offered at Swenson Granite Works, has brought timeless style to buildings across the country for over a century.

Like all stone, granite contains trace amounts of radium, which decays over time into a naturally-occurring gas called radon, emitting low levels of radiation. Stone quarry workers are surrounded by massive amounts of granite on a daily basis. Should they be concerned about their health? Should homeowners be concerned about the granite inside their homes?

Amber leaves, golden blooms, scarlet shrubs — nothing says ‘fall’ like an abundance of nature’s most brilliant colors.

“Fall is a great time to plant and relax outside while working in the garden,” says Andy Grondalski, Nursery Manager at Sixteen Acres Garden Center in Springfield, MA. While it’s a common misconception that you can’t plant in the fall, the cooler climate is ideal for a wide array of flowers and foliage.

This fall planting guide will show you a variety of flowers, trees and plants that will add festive hues and textures to your landscape, while complementing natural stone hardscape features.