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

Choosing natural stone is about far more than aesthetics.

In this episode of Behind the Design, I sit down with Nathan Karpenko, co-owner of CAV'ART Designer Stone, to explore what really happens behind the scenes when selecting one of the most important materials in a home.

Nathan shares his journey from working in luxury hotels to leading one of Australia'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.

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.

Whether you'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.

In this episode, we cover:

• Nathan's unexpected path from hospitality into the natural stone industry

• How a bowel cancer diagnosis changed his outlook on business and life

• Starting CAV'ART during the uncertainty of COVID

• Why trust matters more than selling products

• The biggest misconceptions about marble, granite and quartzite

• How designers and suppliers collaborate to achieve better project outcomes

• Choosing the right stone for your lifestyle, not just the look

• Why customer experience is just as important as the materials themselves

• Building a business around quality, honesty and long-term relationships

If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe to Behind the Design for more conversations with the people shaping Australia's design industry.

We'd also love it if you left a review and shared this episode with someone planning their next project.

Follow Nathan Karpenko and CAV'ART Designer Stone

https://au.linkedin.com/in/nathan-karpenko-53350617

https://www.instagram.com/nathankarpenko/

https://au.linkedin.com/company/cav-art-designer-stone?trk=public_profile_topcard-current-company

https://cavart.com.au/

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Chapters

01:29 — Nathan Capon's Journey Into the Stone Industry

05:46 — How a Cancer Diagnosis Changed Everything

10:17 — Starting a Business During COVID

15:16 — Building Trust Instead of Chasing Sales

21:34 — Why Quality Matters More Than Quantity

25:02 — How Designers and Stone Suppliers Work Together

30:02 — Marble vs Quartzite: Choosing the Right Stone

32:01 — Common Mistakes People Make When Choosing Stone

34:18 — How to Choose the Perfect Stone Slab

37:32 — Creating an Exceptional Customer Experience

41:10 — Business Lessons on Leadership, Relationships & Growth

45:12— Final Advice for Designers, Builders & Homeowners

Keywords

Natural Stone

Stone Selection

Kitchen Benchtops

Marble Benchtops

Quartzite Benchtops

Interior Design Australia

Interior Design Podcast

Home Renovation Tips

Kitchen Renovation

Bathroom Renovation

Stone Supplier Australia

Marble vs Quartzite

Choosing Natural Stone

Interior Designers Australia

Building Relationships in Business

Cava Stone

Camilla Ingall

Behind the Design Podcast

Design Industry

Residential Design