Small Marysville stone company specializes in big impressions

Jason and Janelle Davis, owners of Rock of Ages Stoneworks of Marysville, don’t have a big fancy showroom or a website.

Their countertop fabrication and installation operation is a mom-and-pop shop, which means Jason Davis works with his customers from start to finish on their projects.

“I like to do everything myself,” Jason Davis said.

He plays the role of the designer at the start, helping homeowners choose the right color stone and coordinating backsplash tiles.

He brings samples into clients’ homes and then goes with them to the stone yards in Seattle to hand-pick slabs.

Then he goes to his Clearview shop and cuts the stone to order. That includes perfectly crafted holes for cooktops, sinks and faucet spouts, as well as smooth edging, available in 15 styles.

Jason Davis, 29, gets a thrill out of creating something beautiful and lasting from a raw piece of stone, be it granite, limestone, marble, onyx or engineered quartz slab.

“I just love it,” he said. “I lay out and figure out everything in the kitchen and bring it all together.”

He also works on fireplace surrounds, bathrooms and other rooms.

“He likes the wow factor,” said his wife, Janelle Davis, 36, who is office manager and bookkeeper. She also home-schools their two girls, Emma, 7, and Maleah, 5.

This weekend, Davis will share his passion for rock at the Everett Fall Home & Gift Show, which runs Friday through Sunday at Comcast Arena.

Huntley started working in the slab stone business more than 10 years ago. In 2006, he broke out on his own.

Despite the down economy, Davis is staying competitive — and helping customers stick to their remodeling budgets — by using more common stones or looking for special deals on rare rock.

With more than 300 types of granite and 200 types of marble and many other countertop options, the range of options can sometimes overwhelm homeowners.

“I become their advocate at the slab yard,” Jason Davis said. “Kitchen design has gotten to the point where it’s whatever you want. The possibilities are endless.”

Davis also enjoys helping customers use each piece of slab without leftover waste.

If there are small pieces of slab leftover from a job, he can turn them into tops for patio tables, coffee tables or accent surfaces for other areas in the home.

Davis also enjoys designing and installing one-of-a-kind tile backsplashes to give homeowners a little something extra.

“Somebody else may have your stone, but nobody will have your backsplash,” Janelle Davis said.

One of the top concerns the Davises hear from customers is that natural stone, such as polished granite, needs to be sealed.

That’s true, Jason Davis said, adding that he seals every project he installs.

After that, it’s up to the homeowner to spray on and wipe off a sealer every six months.

Fall is one of the busiest times of year for remodeling, Jason Davis said.

“Do you need face-lift for the holidays?” Janelle Davis said. “Do it now.”

Sarah Jackson: 425-339-3037, sjackson@heraldnet.com.



Rock of Ages Stoneworks

Rock of Ages slab granite prices start at $48 per square foot. That includes installation of a basic stone with a simple edge design, plus the fabrication of cutouts for sinks and other hardware. Because of common upgrades, most projects range from $55 to $60 a square foot.

Contact: 360-657-4541.