Stone in Interior Design

STONE is an amazing material for home improvements and commercial designs. Stone is a timeless material which will never date (if selected right). Natural stone has to be quarried, cut and finished. There are many types available which are really made by nature. Some of them are created by volcanoes and lava, some of the are created by riverbeds and oceans. In recent times, stone became very popular.           

GRANITE - The large group of granites consists mainly of magmatic rocks which were formed by the cooling of magma deep in the earth's crust. Their outward appearance is usually dappled. Some granites are also metamorphic in origin, having been created by the transformation of existing magmatic stone under high pressure (for example, during the development of mountain ranges). These metamorphic granites are typical for their variegated colouring and their flamed structure, which makes every individual tile and slab unique. All the granites are renowned for their outstanding technical qualities.

MARBLE - The large group of marbles contain both metamorphic and sedimentary rocks, all of which are composed of calciferous particles (calcite). Marble is a relatively homogenous and compact natural stone. Because it is relatively easy to work, but also because of its wide variety of different colours (red, white, pink, etc.), it has found many applications in the building industry: floors, staircases, fireplaces, etc.

LIMESTONE - Limestones are sedimentary rocks created by the accumulation and compression of fossils and/or stone fragments, such as quartz and calcium. The WHITE STONES also consist of compressed accumulations of fossils and/or calcium fragments, with a texture which is soft and easily workable. Certain types are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. The majority of these limestones cannot be polished and are delivered with a lightly honed finish. The best known examples are the French white limestones, but other high quality types are available from Portugal, Turkey, etc. These types can be used for flooring, fireplaces, statues, etc.

SLATE - There are many different types of slate, dependent upon the clay from which they were formed. Slates are highly layered in structure. This gives the surface a 'split' appearance, but a lightly honed finishing is also possible. This makes the slates suitable for indoor and outdoor flooring, and also for use as a wall covering.

COLOUR

Every tile, every object in natural stone is unique, by virtue of the natural manner of its creation. The colouring is also 100% natural - a colouring formed by the different shadings of the mineral elements of which the stone is comprised. There is no such thing as 'identical with natural stone! Colours can even vary within the same quarry, thanks to the differing geological composition in the different strata. Moreover, this colouring can be used to create various types of effect: lighter colours make a space seem larger, whereas darker colours have the opposite result.

TEXTURE

The origin of the stone and its geological history are the main determining factors for texture. Take, for example, granite and basalt. Both stone types were formed from magma, but granite has a completely different geological history than basalt. Consequently, the two stones look very dissimilar. Granite has a mottled appearance, due to the fact that its mineral grains - in various sizes - can clearly be distinguished. In contrast, basalt appears to be very finely grained, due to the fact that its minerals had insufficient time to crystallise fully. Marbles have a generally 'softer' appearance, with typical 'veined' markings. Limestones still show traces of the fossilised shells and corals from which they were made.

SIZE

Size can also play an important role in the choice of natural stone tiles. Large format tiles give an impression of greater space. Smaller tiles have the opposite effect. Natural stone for use on floors and walls is available in square tiles and random lengths. For surfaces which are often exposed to changes in temperature (such as flooring next to large windows or on an outdoor terrace), it is advisable to work with square tiles with a maximum size of 40 cm x 40 cm. The use of random lengths in such circumstances is not recommended. The thickness of the natural stone is generally determined by the weight it will be required to bear and by the level of stability it must provide. Specially calibrated thin tiles are available for renovation work (where thickness and weight can sometimes play a more crucial role) and/or for work where the stone must be glued into position.

FINISHING

The surface finishing of the natural stone is a key factor in determining its final appearance, but also plays an important role in helping to decide which material should be used for which application. For outdoor use, there is tendency to opt for a 'rougher' finish (because of its enhanced anti-slip qualities). This also means that the stones are generally lighter in colour. For decorative interior work the choice usually falls on one of the polished finishes, since these highlight more clearly the colour and structure of the stone. Remember, however, that rougher finishes are more difficult to maintain, whilst polished finishes (particularly in busy locations) can quickly become scratched.

I love stone mosaics and I think stone mosaics are cool. You can use them in the kitchen, shower area or as main vocal point.