grew from their original business, Island Memorial.

With Island Memorial, the McFarlanes were familiar with all aspects of marble and granite as Mr. McFarlane's family owned a fabrication plant in Canada.

Realising that there was a need for a local supplier of quality granite and marble, the McFarlanes seized an opportunity to expand the business and pursue new avenues.

The McFarlanes, who were operating out of their home, also realised that they needed a new location in order to properly display their wares.

"I offered marble and granite counters,'' he said. "Then I thought of adding kitchen cabinets and gradually it just led to the rest.'' A long list of solid wood products and natural stone finishes were added to their line, hence the name Sticks and Stones.

Sticks and Stones offer Bermuda residents quality, high end finishings like custom made cabinets, stairs, fireplace surrounds and marble or granite items like counters and floors.

Mr. McFarlane said the business was based on the concept of quality along with a quick turnaround time -- three to four-weeks for cabinets and two weeks for tiles.

"The custom-built cabinets could incorporate any feature the customer desired,'' he said. "We try to be flexible and offer whatever we can.'' He added that all cabinets were made of solid wood, were designed to meet Bermuda's humid climate and were competitively priced.

"Special steps are taken with the cabinets so they will hold together,'' he said. "They won't sweat or swell.'' Mr. McFarlane said purchasing custom-made cabinets was not as difficult or troublesome as many imagined.

"They could just walk in (to the showroom) with a floor plan or we would go to their home and measure the area they want done,'' he explained.

Then customers examine all the options open to them including cabinets with roll-out drawers, cabinet doors with built-in spice racks or a roll out potato/onion bin.

"Once the floor plan is completed,'' he said, "it is then sent to Canada for an estimate.'' If the customer decides to go ahead with the project, elevation drawings -- a working drawing of the area in question -- are furnished and final details are ironed out.

After the ordered cabinets arrive in Bermuda, Mr. McFarlane said it would only take his employees two days to install the cabinets for an average sized kitchen.

"We back up and guarantee our workmanship,'' he added.

For those who do not have the space for a full-size kitchen, Sticks and Stones offer mini kitchenette units.

"We offer Dwyer units and we expect them to be popular with those who have studio apartments or with guest houses. They are mini kitchen units and the customer has the same scope regarding choice as with the large kitchens.'' He added: "They can fit into spaces from 30 inches, up to 96 inches. There are units with handicap accessibility as well as units designed for senior living.'' Bermudians and visitors will soon get the opportunity to see some of Sticks and Stones handiwork firsthand when the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute opens. The company is presently working on the Institute's epoxy terrazzo floors.

"Basically it is a poured floor, that is grounded smooth and can encompass designs,'' he explained. "This type of floor allows for more designs and it looks like granite.'' Mr. McFalrlane also offers sandblasting services, which include everything from etchings and designs on glass for shower enclosures to cleaning boat bottoms and swimming pools.

Sticks and Stones celebrates its grand opening today and the public is invited to visit their new location on St. John's Road, Pembroke, just three buildings past Point Mart grocery store.

FUNCTIONAL DISPLAY -- The kitchen display in the new Sticks and Stones showroom where the oak cabinets house samples. The showroom also features hardwood floors and a beamed ceiling.

BEFORE -- The Sticks and Stones building on St. John's Road in Pembroke before it was renovated by owners Tom and Carol McFarlane.

. . . AND AFTER -- Architect Gary Simmons outside the new Sticks and Stones showroom. Mr. Simmons and owner Tom McFarlane agreed on the need to give the building a tradtional Bermuda look, including a peaked roof and verandah.