45. How to Choose the Right Stone Without Costly Mistakes | Nathan Karpenko, CAV'ART

<p>Choosing natural stone is about far more than aesthetics.</p><p><br></p><p>In this episode of Behind the Design, I sit down with Nathan Karpenko, co-owner of CAV&#39;ART Designer Stone, to explore what really happens behind the scenes when selecting one of the most important materials in a home.</p><p><br></p><p>Nathan shares his journey from working in luxury hotels to leading one of Australia&#39;s most respected natural stone suppliers. Along the way, we talk about the power of relationships, starting a business during COVID, the life-changing impact of a bowel cancer diagnosis, and why trust has become the foundation of everything he does.</p><p><br></p><p>We also unpack some of the biggest misconceptions about natural stone, how designers and suppliers work together to create better outcomes, and why the best projects always start with honest conversations.</p><p><br></p><p>Whether you&#39;re an interior designer, architect, builder or homeowner planning your next renovation, this episode offers practical insights into choosing the right materials while building stronger relationships throughout the design process.</p><p><br></p><p>In this episode, we cover:</p><p>• Nathan&#39;s unexpected path from hospitality into the natural stone industry</p><p>• How a bowel cancer diagnosis changed his outlook on business and life</p><p>• Starting CAV&#39;ART during the uncertainty of COVID</p><p>• Why trust matters more than selling products</p><p>• The biggest misconceptions about marble, granite and quartzite</p><p>• How designers and suppliers collaborate to achieve better project outcomes</p><p>• Choosing the right stone for your lifestyle, not just the look</p><p>• Why customer experience is just as important as the materials themselves</p><p>• Building a business around quality, honesty and long-term relationships</p><p><br></p><p>If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe to Behind the Design for more conversations with the people shaping Australia&#39;s design industry. </p><p><br></p><p>We&#39;d also love it if you left a review and shared this episode with someone planning their next project.</p><p><br></p><p>Follow Nathan Karpenko and CAV&#39;ART Designer Stone</p><p>https://au.linkedin.com/in/nathan-karpenko-53350617</p><p>https://www.instagram.com/nathankarpenko/</p><p>https://au.linkedin.com/company/cav-art-designer-stone?trk=public_profile_topcard-current-company</p><p>https://cavart.com.au/</p><p><br></p><p>Follow Unfolded:</p><p>https://www.unfolded.com.au/</p><p>https://www.instagram.com/unfolded_</p><p><br></p><p> —------</p><p><br></p><p>Chapters</p><p>01:29 — Nathan Capon&#39;s Journey Into the Stone Industry</p><p>05:46 — How a Cancer Diagnosis Changed Everything</p><p>10:17 — Starting a Business During COVID</p><p>15:16 — Building Trust Instead of Chasing Sales</p><p>21:34 — Why Quality Matters More Than Quantity</p><p>25:02 — How Designers and Stone Suppliers Work Together</p><p>30:02 — Marble vs Quartzite: Choosing the Right Stone</p><p>32:01 — Common Mistakes People Make When Choosing Stone</p><p>34:18 — How to Choose the Perfect Stone Slab</p><p>37:32 — Creating an Exceptional Customer Experience</p><p>41:10 — Business Lessons on Leadership, Relationships &amp; Growth</p><p>45:12— Final Advice for Designers, Builders &amp; Homeowners</p><p><br></p><p>Keywords</p><p>Natural Stone</p><p>Stone Selection</p><p>Kitchen Benchtops</p><p>Marble Benchtops</p><p>Quartzite Benchtops</p><p>Interior Design Australia</p><p>Interior Design Podcast</p><p>Home Renovation Tips</p><p>Kitchen Renovation</p><p>Bathroom Renovation</p><p>Stone Supplier Australia</p><p>Marble vs Quartzite</p><p>Choosing Natural Stone</p><p>Interior Designers Australia</p><p>Building Relationships in Business</p><p>Cava Stone</p><p>Camilla Ingall</p><p>Behind the Design Podcast</p><p>Design Industry</p><p>Residential Design</p>