From historic streets to Raleigh homes
Hands On Granite is owned and operated by Tomas and Nadia Rypka of Raleigh, North Carolina. Tomas grew up in the Czech Republic and discovered his passion for stone as a teenager while restoring historic cobblestone streets and roads. The summer job became daily work after school and on weekends—and eventually a career.
His patterns and originality earned attention from peers and clients. Time in the military also taught him patience and discipline, two qualities that remain essential when measuring, cutting and placing natural stone.
After moving to the United States in the 1990s, Tomas entered the granite industry and learned every stage of the work: templating, fabrication and installation. He met Nadia in 2006 while she was also working in the stone business. Together they founded Hands On Granite in 2011.
With more than 25 years of combined experience, the Rypkas help homeowners create custom granite, marble, quartz and soapstone surfaces for kitchens, bathrooms, fireplaces and other interior or exterior applications.