Results after launch
Building one platform for a business that was three
Built a full-scale e-commerce and catalog platform for MRC Rock & Sand — a family-owned natural stone materials supplier operating under multiple brands simultaneously, including Santa Paula Materials and the emerging Stoneyard umbrella. The platform lives at stonesuppliers.net.
Beyond the catalog itself, the engagement required helping the client consolidate their identity into something a customer could actually understand. The platform needed to serve two distinct audiences: contractors placing bulk orders and landscapers sourcing materials for client projects — each with different browsing intent, vocabulary, and conversion needs. Equally important was ensuring the new interface didn't disrupt the existing customer base — the goal was to build toward the existing clientele, making the transition to the new platform as seamless as possible for them.
Catalog scale meets consumer-grade UX
Design for where they're going, not where they were
Rather than trying to represent all three operating names equally, we committed to MRC Rock & Sand as the visual anchor — establishing a consistent design language across color, typography, and layout that the business could grow into as the rebrand progressed. That decision drove almost every subsequent design choice and gave the client a platform with a clear identity rather than one that hedged.
The materials catalog handles browsability through faceted, persistent filtering across category, color, texture, and use-case — so contractors can narrow inventory without a manual. Navigation serves both audiences from the same structure: landscapers can browse by material aesthetics and project suitability, while contractors can filter by specs and availability, without forking the experience or leaving existing customers behind.
Palette & Design Rationale
The founders are Croatian. One look at the Adriatic and the palette makes complete sense. That heritage drove the color direction entirely. The deep teal navy and lighter brand teal are both a nod to that origin. The off-white cream grounds the catalog in the materials themselves — warm, natural, tactile. Dark charcoal type keeps everything readable and trade-appropriate.