Outside(Granite Countertops) In-Contemporary Interior Design Trends Once used in only the most high-end custom applications(Granite), natural stone has become one of the most sought-after materials for residential and commercial interior design projects(Countertops) of all types and sizes. In fact, throughout the country, everything from granite and marble to limestone and travertine is making an appearance in homes(Tombstone), office buildings and commercial properties such as restaurants and hotels. It's being seen in clubhouses(Granite Countertops), community sales offices and banks. It's so popular these days that it's even being found in the interior design plans of hospitals nationwide(Granite). Although a variety of(Granite) trends have emerged in the way natural stone is being used in those settings, the material is far from trendy. "Once interior design gets past reality(Countertops) TV(Countertops)and quick fix decorator approaches to design problems, the solid elements remain — good use of texture(Tombstone), pattern, lighting, space planning and basic design principles," says Gary McCurry, IIDA, interior designer and showroom manager for Granite Mountain Stone Design-California in Fresno. "Natural stone has always been a material used in interior spaces and will continue to be a mainstay of good design.(Granite Countertops)" There are several reasons for(Tombstone) this. "We all yearn for a better balance with nature in our increasingly 'neon' world, and bringing stone indoors is bringing a natural element(eyelash) into our everyday sensory realm," explains Marcia Weese, director of design for 4240 Interiors, a division of 4240 Architecture Inc. in Denver. By bringing elements of the outdoors inside, McCurry adds, people are fulfilling "the need for materials that speak to quality, have a feeling of stabilitystone and impart a sense of time and history in today's fast-paced disposable society." Natural stone is enduring in both its composition and its aesthetics, making it a perennial favorite in terms of design. What's more, he continues, natural stone products fit into the widespread and ever-growing "green" movement seamlessly, giving people the opportunity to select sustainable materials that are not only beautiful and timeless, but also beneficial for themselves, their familiesStone and the environment. Of course, while natural stone has always been a popular tool for interior designers, recent advances in the industry have allowed it to be seen in an entirely new light, making it one of the more creative devices design professionals can use to enhance and personalize a space. According to Karen Ferguson, ASID, a designer with Harrison Design Associates Inc. in Atlanta, "The industry has changed, and the options associated with natural stone materials and the areas in which to use them are virtually endless." Much of this can be attributed to the new fabrication technologies and techniques that have been developed and introduced to the market, notes Mark Fernandes, president of Charles Luck Stone Centers, headquartered in Richmond. It's those methods that have provided designers with an extensive palette of innovative finishes, textures and shapes with which to work and transformed a seemingly conventional material into a truly versatile and multifaceted design element. Home Sweet Home In the past, natural stone was exclusive to the most upscale homes. However, Judith Sisler Johnston, president of Sisler Johnston Interior Design in Jacksonville and ASID allied member, reveals that the availability of materials such as granite and marble, as well as a considerable drop in price over the years, has made it possible for almost any homeowner to include natural stone in his or her design plans. "[Natural stone] used to be confined only to the world of the custom home market," she asserts, "but now it's even being seen in entry level markets." Also, she observes, the demand for natural stone has increased significantly because "consumers are better educated than they ever were before" about the various ways stone can be incorporated into their interiors. And one of the first places they consider using it is in the kitchen. Granite countertops are nothing new in regard to kitchen design. The sturdy material provides a perfect surface for the multipurpose space, and for food preparation in particular. But what has changed is the finish being applied to the stone. Homeowners have moved away from shiny polished granite and are going with other options. According to Weese, honed stone has moved into the spotlight. "It has to do with touch," she saysStone. "Honed stone feels softer and warmer to the hand." In addition, Fernandes indicated that granite featuring the leathered look is growing in popularity. And even marble and limestone are making their way into the kitchen. The trend is reminiscent of the styles found in Europe, where kitchens are not meant to be pristine and clean; a kitchen that has been used properly — to prepare large meals for family and friends — should look aged. The imperfections ofStone natural stone provide that appearance. They also bring depth to the rest of the kitchen when stone is used in a variety of other ways. "You can find natural stone everywhere in the kitchen except the cabinets nowadays," Sisler Johnston notes. For instance, as Ferguson describes, "We are now fabricating sinks out of the stone that weCountertop are using on countertops — this allows for a seamless transition, as you do not have materials fighting with each other when you are trying to create a soft or restful palette." Also, Sisler Johnston often applies four-by-four tiles of tumbled marble as a backsplash, turning them on a diagonal to fill in the space and complement granite countertops. Stone is even being applied to such design components as stovetop shrouds and entire floors, giving the kitchen a warm and welcoming ambiance. And with techniques like sandblasting and laser etching, any design element made of stone can be personalized to fit a homeowner's taste, McCurry adds.
That same sentiment is being carried into the master bathroom, which has become a sanctuary for today's homeowners. According to Fernandes, many baby boomers, who travel to spas and resorts around the world, yearn to bring that aesthetic home and recreate the havens they discover while on vacation. He says, "The master bath is the new kitchen" in terms of how important the design of that space has become in recent years. "People want to create a real relaxing, spa-likeTombstone atmosphere, so that's bringing back neutrals and earth tones, as well as light-colored tumbled materials." The vanity area and the floor are ideal places to incorporate natural stone, but it can also be brought into the shower and used on tub surrounds to produce a truly consistent look throughout the master bath. Furthermore, the walls are becoming a fashionable location for a wide array of stone products. "We're seeing more tile going up the walls instead of wallpaper in some bathrooms," Sisler Johnston comments. In fact, stone accent walls in powder rooms are seen much more often these days, as well as in other areas of the home. Dining rooms, living roomsGranite and entertainment spaces are being adorned with walls made of irregular flagstone, fieldstone, sandstone and even stacked stone. Bringing that natural outdoor fade indoors is a hallmark of architecture found in French chateau, English castle or Pennsylvania farmhouse designs, Fernandes observes. "It brings a warmth and classic sophistication to the space," he says, and it's something many homeowners are trying to duplicate in their own residences. The look is a wonderful accessory for a room with a traditional stone fireplace surround or a decorative stone alcove or one that's adjacent to a foyer that features stone floors. Furthermore, an accent wall can be a very versatile design tool, as stone can change personalities depending on the materialsBlack granite and ornamentation that surround it. With natural stone, Sisler Johnston states, "You can get a rustic look. You can give it a western look, or you can give it a Mediterranean look. You can get a very formal ambiance or a very informal ambiance. You can get a door that's very traditional or a door that's extremely contemporary. It all depends on what other choices are made in the room." And that makes stone an indispensable material forBlack Stone anyone who wants to create the look of their dreams in any room of their home.