Granite State Cabinetry: A New England Legacy of Luxury Design

Granite State Cabinetry started as a small custom cabinetry company in Bedford, NH, acquired in 1996 by seasoned home builder Frank Morris Sr. With a vision to make exceptional kitchen and bath design accessible to New England homeowners, he brought in his sons Frank Jr. and Peter. Under their combined leadership, the company has evolved into a premier full-service kitchen and bath design firm in the region.

Serving southern New Hampshire and northern Massachusetts, they offer services from cabinetry and countertops to complete kitchen and bath renovations. Their 5,000-square-foot showroom features extensive vignettes and samples, offering clients a hands-on design experience. For over a decade, Granite State Cabinetry has proudly partnered with Cambria.

The Beauty of Good Design

Designer Jackie Friberg has long been inspired by design’s transformative power to elevate homes and lives. A 25-year industry veteran, her design journey began unexpectedly with a six-week kitchen design training program at The Home Depot. Over 14 years ago, her passion for creating beautiful spaces led her to Granite State Cabinetry, where she continues to shape dream kitchens and baths.

The Enduring Appeal of Cambria Quartz Surfaces

“It’s their finishes and textures, plus the movement and the veining that nobody else has,” Jackie emphasizes. “Cambria also has an exceptional understanding of what customers are looking for.” For years, New England clients predominantly preferred marble. Then Cambria introduced its maintenance-free marble-inspired designs, requiring no special treatment, and they quickly became essential offerings. More recently, designs like Windsor Brass™ are in high demand, reflecting their clients’ desires for bolder aesthetics.

Cambria’s innovations catch clients’ attention, including textures like the Inverness® designs with debossed veining. Jackie notes: “We had a client who chose natural finishes for her kitchen but wanted to introduce something special yet subtle. Inverness gave her that perfect touch.”

She also worked with a client with a 31-foot-long kitchen wall who wanted something subtle yet rich. Cambria’s Remington Brass™, with its dark tones and alloy veining, gave the space a quiet drama.

And finishes are key to the appeal. “It’s not just a polished look,” she says, noting that Cambria Matte® and Cambria Satin™ finishes have opened up more creative opportunities for Granite State Cabinetry’s design team.

Most clients opt for straight edges on countertops to let quartz’s movement shine. “The simplicity highlights the natural beauty,” says Jackie.

What Clients Love

Clients are particularly drawn to Cambria designs with significant movement. “Because of this, clients often want to see the slabs to get a better sense of how the designs will look on a large island or full-height backsplash,” she says. “We’re lucky that Cambria has a beautiful distribution center and showroom in nearby Milford, MA. We bring clients there to experience the designs firsthand.”

The Way They Work

The designers begin with cabinetry, followed by countertops, tile, and finishes. Jackie often pulls two go-to Cambria designs, Everleigh™ and Inverness Blakeley™, into renderings for presentations. “Then once the client decides on other elements, they may want to choose a bolder design for contrast,” she explains.

Beyond kitchens and baths, the team has specified Cambria for fireplace surrounds, wet bars, and other specialty applications.

Another client, owners of a local board game company, wanted a fun aesthetic to balance their kitchen’s charcoal perimeter cabinets and white oak island. They chose the design for its dynamic movement and subtle gold specks, which coordinated with their brass hardware for a playful yet sophisticated touch.

A True Partnership

A strong Cambria connection has been a benefit to Granite State Cabinetry. “Our Cambria rep is a huge asset,” Jackie affirms. “She’s just a town away, and available whenever we need her.”

A visit to Cambria’s Minnesota slab manufacturing facility further cemented Jackie’s connection. “The trip made me appreciate it even more,” she says. “When you go there, you can see the heart and soul of the company: how the product is made and how proud and excited everyone is.” She vividly recalls seeing new designs during her visit, including Everleigh, which has become a client favorite.

Jackie and another Granite State Cabinetry designer also attended Cambria University™, where they enjoyed “meeting other designers who also loved working with Cambria” and exploring the opportunities for growth that a collaborative partnership brings.