A Tile and Stone Design Center in Oakhurst is built on a tradition of expertise…and unbreakable family connections

by JENNIFER SAMMARTINO Photos by Doug Polle

Catherine La Marca exudes style. Having grown up in Italy in a home lovingly designed by her mother, she grew to appreciate rich fabrics, marble, and texture, and has brought that passion into her career as an interior designer.

Today, La Marca is the design director at Tile and Stone Design Center at Ideal Tile in Ocean, where homeowners can create lovely, usable spaces from start to finish under her watchful eye.

“We do anything that you can think of—designing, decorating with tile, both interior and exterior. What we do here is concept-to-completion,” noted La Marca, from her design studio inside the center.

The center is open to designers, architects, and homeowners seeking the finest in stone, glass, artisan tiles, porcelain and ceramic tiles, kitchen and bath furnishings, and accessories. The gallery showcases ideas for every room to get creative juices flowing.

“This is where many styles of design come together, employing a wide variety of materials that allow the client to consider a multitude of possibilities for their project,” she notes on the company’s web site. “Here you will find fine luxury stone, exotic tiles, glass, granite and porcelain, as well as metals and mosaics.”

But shopping for tile is just one small part of what happens in the showroom.

“Aside from retail, we do space planning. Our design consultants help you maximize the functionality and convenience of your kitchen or bathroom, along with incorporating style to accommodate your taste,” explained La Marca.

In addition to cultivating tile and materials ideas from all over the world, La Marca aids clients with the entire room—not just its tiled areas. “We develop these spaces from a simple concept, we develop the complete project and do all phases of construction.” Projects include tile, glass, or mosaic pieces, but also lighting, cabinetry, and plumbing, which can also mean spa components like steam showers.

At the helm of the construction arm of the business is La Marca’s business partner and husband, Giuseppe, who has been in the tile business for over 30 years and oversees the construction and architecture component of the center.

“We are an unbeatable team,” La Marca said with a smile. “As an interior designer, I have an edge when it comes to designing kitchens and bathrooms. He’s a Pratt grad, and oversees the installation department.”

The team completes installation with other professionals who work directly for them, and La Marca stresses that they don’t subcontract out work.

Right now, the trends in tile, kitchens, and bathrooms are simple lines, the owner noted. In addition, neutral tones are dominant. “We are still seeing whites, greys, taupes,” she said, noting that it’s her goal to supply according to personal style, not prescribe a current trend or look, adding that “We are still going towards cleaner lines…minimalist—often switching from transitional to contemporary design.”

The most important element, she stressed, is to work with each person to achieve the look and functionality they need. “We work with individual clients to design the space for them based on their needs, their taste, their lifestyle.”

In order to stay on top of trends and new products from around the world, La Marca attends trade shows to assess the latest materials. “We are constantly traveling,” she said, noting that she does so with the showroom manager, her daughter Oriana.

“She grew up in the business, and has a good sense of style as well,” the owner offered with a smile.

In addition to the couple’s daughter, their son, Carmelo, also joined the business recently, concentrating on logistics and deliveries.

“We’re keeping it all in the family,” La Marca quipped.

Tile & Stone Design Center at Ideal Tile
1912 Highway 35, South Oakhurst / 732.517.0111 / idealtileofocean.com/