BY CG DESIGNS
We have put together a list of 6 stone products making waves in the world of design. From natural beauties to manmade alternatives, we have the current front-runners and future-favourites covered below.
D O L O M I T E
A stone you are likely to have seen featured heavily in your Instagram feed in 2019 is Super White Dolomite. Striking in the combination of cool grey and white veining, this natural stone has been so prominent due to its ability to perfectly compliment the likes of charcoal, light grey and white cabinetry which have dominated the kitchen scene for yet another year. Super White also lends itself beautifully to palettes featuring timber or coloured cabinetry, particularly captivating when paired with blues or sage green. Despite being much softer than Granite, Dolomite is notably more durable than marble, making it a desirable substitution for Carrara.
T E R R A Z Z O
A hot favourite in recent hospitality as well as modern residential spaces is Terrazzo. First popular during the Art-Deco design era, Terrazzo’s younger (more attractive) sibling is contemporary, playful and a stand-out. Created through a process which involves by cementitious binder over chips of stone, quartzite, glass and other decorative solid matter, these pre-cast slabs are hardy. We love the depth of colour and interest that can be achieved with the presence of Terrazzo in the right space.
L I M E S T O N E
Luxurious Limestone is another natural hard-material that has been prevalent in design of recent years. The cool, earthy nature of this stone means that it works harmoniously with a range of timbers and is equally stunning with fresh white. Sophisticated and sleek, Limestone possess an effortless beauty that is perfectly suited to contemporary and classic interiors alike.
T R A V E R T I N E
A stone that is having a resurgence in the world of design is Travertine. As the luxe stone of the 80’s, it’s laid dormant until recent times. Often warm, creamy and calming in appearance, this stone has become the new ‘cool’ material – just look to Brisbane’s, The Calile Hotel. Vast colour variation and aesthetic change achieved by the direction of the slab cut makes this stone versatile and a trend on the rise (or the return, depending on your vintage).
E N G I N E E R E D S T O N E
The most commonly used benchtop material is engineered stone. A mixture of quartz and resin, this product is commonly associated with brand names such as Caesarstone or Quantumn Quartz. Engineered stone is constantly evolving and progressing, with designs mimicking the aesthetic of natural stone, marble and concrete. We are particularly loving the more matte or honed-like finishes coming through in recent times. Being the most durable and easily repairable ‘stone’ product available, as well as the fact that it is considered a cost-effective alternative to natural stone has attributed its success.
P O R C E L A I N
Of late, there have been growing concerns regarding silicosis as a result of the manufacturing and installation process of engineered stones, resulting in a shift toward natural stone and the innovation of porcelain slabs. Ultra-fine and lightweight, Porcelain possesses superior versatility in regard to application and detail. Due to specialised tools required for cutting and fragility during fitting, we have found that specialist stonemasons may be required, therefore increasing the installation cost. Being a relatively new product, we are predicting Porcelain benchtops could soon be a prominent player in the hard material game.
