SURFACE & STONE WAS CREATED TO MAKE TILE SELECTIONS FEEL MORE INSPIRING, APPROACHABLE, AND PERSONAL.
MEET THE FOUNDER
A thoughtful point of view shaped by experience.
Surface & Stone Tile Co. was founded by Kristin Kivela with the intention of creating a tile showroom that feels approachable, well edited, and genuinely helpful. With a formal education in interior design earned in San Diego and experience owning and operating a design firm in Las Vegas, Kristin developed a grounded understanding of both the creative and practical demands of material selection.
After relocating to Northwest Montana, that perspective shaped the vision for a showroom focused on thoughtful curation, clarity, and materials that perform well in real spaces.
MORE THAN A TILE SHOWROOM
A resource for homeowners, designers, and builders alike.
Located in Northwest Montana, Surface & Stone Tile Co. offers a curated selection of tile for residential and commercial projects. The showroom emphasizes timeless design, craftsmanship, and materials that perform well in real spaces. By being intentionally selective, Surface & Stone Tile Co. simplifies the decision-making process while still offering distinctive, design-forward options.
Surface & Stone Tile Co. serves as a resource for homeowners, designers, and builders alike — a place to explore materials, ask questions, and make confident, well-considered choices throughout the design process.
A guided tile experience designed to take the pressure off.
For homeowners, the showroom is designed to make tile selection feel approachable and manageable. Rather than overwhelming clients with endless options, Surface & Stone Tile Co. provides guidance through an intentionally selected collection, helping clarify what works best for each space, lifestyle, and budget. Whether starting with a clear vision or a blank slate, we help navigate the design process, narrow selections, and create a cohesive material palette tailored to the home. The result is a more enjoyable experience and decisions made with confidence.
A collaborative showroom built to support professional workflows.
For designers and builders, Surface & Stone Tile Co. functions as a reliable material resource and collaborative partner. The curated selection, product knowledge, and streamlined sourcing process are intended to support efficient workflows and well-executed projects. Whether assisting with early design direction or final material selections, the showroom is built to complement professional expertise and elevate the finished result.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Yes. Surface & Stone welcomes homeowners, designers, builders, and trade professionals. Walk-ins are welcome during business hours, though appointments are encouraged for design consultations and larger projects.
Appointments are recommended if you'd like dedicated design guidance or are working on a larger project. Walk-ins are always welcome to browse the studio and explore materials.
Floor plans, inspiration photos, cabinet finishes, countertop selections, paint colors, and any other project details are helpful. The more information we have, the better we can guide material selections.
Yes. We encourage clients to view materials in their own space whenever possible. Sample availability varies by collection, and special-order samples can often be requested.
Surface & Stone does not provide installation services, allowing us to focus entirely on helping clients select the right materials for their project. We work closely with homeowners, designers, builders, and installers throughout the selection and ordering process to help ensure everything is specified correctly and arrives when it's needed. If you're looking for an installer, we're also happy to share recommendations for trusted local professionals.
Absolutely. One of our favorite parts of the process is helping clients bring their vision to life. Whether you're selecting tile for a single bathroom or an entire home, we provide guidance on materials, color palettes, scale, and overall coordination to help create a timeless result. For projects requiring more comprehensive design services, we're also happy to collaborate with your designer or recommend trusted local professionals.
Most products are special ordered directly from our manufacturing partners. Once selections are finalized, we coordinate ordering, shipping, and delivery to help ensure a smooth experience from start to finish.
We recommend selecting tile at least 6–8 weeks before installation, though larger projects or specialty materials may require additional lead time. Many products are made to order or shipped from other states or countries, and availability can change throughout the year.
Starting the selection process early helps ensure the best options are available and allows plenty of time for ordering, delivery, and coordination with your contractor or installer.
For custom homes, we encourage clients to visit the showroom as soon as finish selections begin so tile can be integrated into the overall design plan from the start.
We work on projects across a wide range of budgets, from simple updates to custom homes. While many of our clients fall within a mid-range investment level, our collections include options at a variety of price points. Our goal is to help you find materials that align with both your vision and your budget.
Most orders are shipped directly from the manufacturer to your project location, helping streamline the delivery process and reduce handling. Surface & Stone coordinates the order from start to finish, providing shipment updates and support along the way to help ensure everything arrives as expected.
