Marble is amongst the most popular choices of natural stone for flooring in homes. The elegant sophistication of this stunning material has been and will continue to remain in style for generations to come.

If you’re considering marble flooring for your home, there are many, many options and opportunities for customisation. While many people choose darker coloured marbles to really help make the floors in their house pop, the classically lighter marble has always been the more frequently chosen. In this article we’ll outline some of the most popular and best marble flooring design styles for light marble.

White, light and bright

White marble offers a lot by way of design and functionality. If you’re a fan of minimalist and scandanavian design but don’t want to go down the dark, bold colour scheme path an open concept white marble floor is the way to go. The white stone will reflect the natural light that enters a room and will help make your entire house brighter. Keeping an all-white tone of marble across the space allows you to choose whether you want larger tiles or smaller but more intricately patterned marble stones, which takes us to our next design idea.

Add some mosaic to your marble

If you love the look and feel of white marble but want to add some depth, you can opt for a mosaic marble floor. Marble is extremely versatile, especially stunning Italian marble, and can make for a stunning display in all manner of patterns: herringbone, hexagonal, fish scales or oriental. While more intricate mosaic designs can make your floor seem busier, the light marble shading will keep it from being distracting or overwhelming for you and your guests.

Wide and veiny

Carrara marble is extraordinarily popular for use as stone floor tiles. The grey-silver cloud-like veins that run through this stunning stone break up the whiteness and lightness, and infuse an element of depth into the floor. An excellent idea for incorporating this marble into your home is by using large, flat and square tiles throughout the entirety of the room, be it a living area or a bedroom. The grey veins will not only look like a million bucks but they will often even play with your optical perceptions and make the room feel like it’s growing out from under you and lengthening. 

Checked black and white tiles

Many people don’t realise this but marble comes in a whole variety of colours, not just white and grey. One of these colours is black. Now, we promised from the top that we’ll be sticking to light marble colors for flooring but one way of introducing a bit of a funky yet elegant design into your lighter flooring is by strewing some (small or large) black tiles in a checkered pattern amongst the white. The benefit of this style is that it adds a contrast of marble colouring while keeping the iconic royal look that everyone loves.

Stripes and sheathes

Striped marble tiles or sheaths can liven up a plain marble stone floor effortlessly. Much like the natural milky veins of marble, particular types of this stone offer even more variety and boldness in the overlaying design. Take for example our exclusive licorice marble. The longitudinal lines create a rather striking pattern without sacrificing the lightness of shade or the modernistic look. Striations in marble offer a lot of opportunity for you to add a bit of colour and character in your marble flooring, all while keeping it tasteful and seamless.

Light blue and white

Another colour option, if you want to add something other than white, grey or black, is blue marble. While some home owners love the dreamy light blues inherent in this particular natural stone, others prefer to incorporate light blue marble flooring within a white tiled border. Elegantly arrayed this bright style will add eye-popping colour without sacrificing the airiness you’re wanting to achieve by opting for light stone. Blue marble is particularly well suited for integration in bathrooms and laundries.

Earthy brown marble

Brown marble might not seem intuitively like a lighter flooring option but, like all marble, the brown stones come in a variety of shades. Light brown marble arrayed in large tiles across a room can achieve a unique balance of warmth with its earthy undertones and brightness with its shiny, smooth appearance. If you’re a big fan of the wooden look, there’s even a type of marble stone called teak wood that is sure to have you head over heels. 

Go for gold marble

If you want your marble flooring to look and feel fit for a king, few ideas can go toe to toe with a gold and white marble flooring pattern. Pure luxury in execution, gold and white are perfectly complementary colours of marble that can be set out in exquisitely complex patterns or can be tastefully designed with minimalism in mind. Either way, a golden marble look will gleam in the sun and keep your flooring light and fresh looking.

Conclusion

Thanks to the wondrous nature of marble stone flooring and the many differences in design, tone, shading and colour, there are plenty of light marble flooring ideas for your home. Whether you’re looking for something unique or want a style that’s tried and tested, there’s a ton of variety that is bound to look amazing however you integrate it.

Would you like to discuss any of the ideas outlined above in more detail? Or do you want to explore some entirely new and different ideas? The Euro Marble team can’t wait to dig into the details of all things marble stone flooring. So give us a call on (02) 8585 2999 today!

Using jet black granite in your commercial project may just be the wow factor you’re looking for. Granite and other natural stones come in a variety of different colours but black offers a unique aesthetic, a powerful impact and a special feel when used in construction, architecture and interior design.

Black granite is among the most popular stones in home and office designs and, due to its durability and luxury look. Suitable for traditional and modern decors, jet black granite oozes sophistication and power with a combined elegant etherealness few other materials offer. 

Knowing just how to use jet black granite in your commercial project for a wow factor however is certainly very important as you can both overdo it or under-sell it.

What is jet black granite?

Black granite is a natural stone that’s been used in construction for thousands and thousands of years. It offers numerous valuable properties, including being particularly reflective of the sun. Available both in tiles and slabs, this dense material is used in a variety of applications in both residential homes and apartments and commercial offices and workspaces. 

Jet black granite is the darkest black colour granite comes in. This pure black variation is also becoming increasingly common. Often referred to as absolute black, pitch black, or Nero Assoluto jet black granite looks refined, high end and exquisite. 

Why choose jet black granite?

You don’t choose a stone material like jet black granite unless you want to make a bold statement. Whether used internally or as part of the exterior, jet black granite stands out and can be a positively arresting image that will draw the eye and certainly impress. 

Modern, sleek and utterly luxurious, jet black granite provides a striking look to elevate just about any space or area with a unique, bespoke aesthetic. That’s not it though: black as a colour and black granite as a material are not bound by fluctuations in fashion. This is one style that won’t fade or look dated ever. 

A big selling point of black granite is that it’s versatile in its complementary design in both colour and texture. Much like clothing styles, black matches, blends and suits just about any other design. Subtle uses of jet black granite can enhance the other colours already incorporated in the surrounding area and it can stand out as its own feature. Inside, outside, floors, countertops, wall cladding… There are  numerous applications for both commercial and residential spaces.

Moreover, black granite requires very little by way of maintenance. Resistant to heat and water, it’s a durable and easy to clean material that will not only last but look great for a long time.

How do you use jet black granite in a commercial project? 

Black as a colour works best when incorporated in minimalist colour combinations and in conjunction with hard yet smooth design lines. When you’re putting together the design for your commercial project you’ll probably be thinking about whether you want to go traditional and opulent, modern and innovative, industrial and striking, or contemporary yet understated. No matter what impression you’re aiming to achieve in your commercial space, there are plenty of opportunities to incorporate jet black granite.

Kitchen countertops

Kitchen countertops are understandably most commonly associated with residential homes. As commercial spaces and offices become more and more accustomed to incorporating home-like elements, like end-of-journey features or lounge/breakout areas, the commercial kitchen is becoming equally more important. A badly designed kitchen can stick out like a sore thumb in an office or commercial kitchen space. 

A polished countertop will add both a sense of depth and versatile colour without requiring you to redesign or rearrange the rest of the space. Jet black granite matches stainless steel perfectly as well, which is why it makes for a great commercial option.

Office bathrooms

Commercial bathrooms can be a sticky issue design-wise. Black granite allows for professionalism in design and yet sophistication in aesthetic in a part of the office that is often neglected and yet used by everyone every day. 

On a practical note, granite is impressively resistant to heat, water, and humidity, so incorporating jet black granite is a win-win option. One important thing to note is that many commercial bathrooms don’t have windows or if they do they’re opaque and block natural sunlight. Bear in mind how much natural sunlight gets in and how strong the electrical lighting is when designing the bathroom.

Flooring

When it comes to creating a “wow” factor this is as bold as it gets. Black-coloured floors can add a sense of intensity to a commercial space while still ensuring a sense of richness and vitality. Commercial spaces are often designed to impress newcomers, visitors, clients or customers and nothing will make an impression like gleaming jet black flooring. Much like the bathroom option, it’s recommended that you keep the black granite flooring to spaces beside large windows with plenty of sunlight. 

Feature walls

A common design component of modern offices and commercial spaces is a feature wall to both break up monotone aesthetics and add a sense of character. There are lots of options for feature walls but nothing quite screams high-class, impressive professionalism like a subtle yet striking jet black granite feature wall. These walls can feature in both open plan offices, in a private office or even as a backdrop for bathrooms, kitchens or lunch rooms.

Outdoor cladding

So far this list has been focused largely on internal design options for your commercial space. There’s no reason to confine jet black granite inside. Your outdoor wall cladding offers a tremendous canvas upon which to add a wow factor. Jet black granite looks absolutely stunning in direct, natural sunlight and it won’t look worn or tacky when exposed to the inevitable dust or water.

If your commercial space is near a thoroughfare or exposed to traffic, jet black granite will be a head-turning feature to help put your business in front of more and more passing people. It’s a surefire way to stand out in public. 

Let’s talk all things jet black granite

If it’s not clear by this point it’s worth mentioning that jet black granite is astoundingly versatile in application and magnificent as an aesthetic design. We know that some people are hesitant when it comes to the boldness of black natural stone but are still curious as to how black granite can be used to bring a real wow factor to their commercial project. If you’d like to find out more about this amazing material, get in touch with our marble-loving team today.

There’s a lot to take into account when choosing materials for your house renovations. Of course you want the aesthetic to suit your style, taste and the design of the rest of the home. Additionally, you want long lasting and durable materials (hello, natural stone!). An important consideration to take into account is the climate. Home materials can make a huge impact on the comfort and practicality of your home. 

Before embarking on a home renovations project, it’s important to understand how different materials and house modifications will affect your ability to keep a home insulated and heated in cold climates and cool in warmer climates. The right materials should complement the climate you’re living in and add to your level of comfort. How do you choose the right materials for the Australian climate? 

Let start off with a brief summary of what the Australian climate is.

Australian climate

We’re a pretty big country as it turns out and so there are actually a number of different climates. Northern parts of the country are more tropical in climate with hot and humid summers followed by warm yet dry winters. Southern areas tend to see hot and dry summers with rainier winters.

The general climate zones can be summarised in the following categorisations:

– Hot humid summer with a warm winter

– Warm humid summer with a mild winter

– Hot dry summer with a warm winter

– Hot dry summer with a cool winter

Material choice

External walls in particular, as well as the roofing, make the largest impacts on a home when it comes to climate suitability.

Commonly used materials for increased insulation include roofing tiles, Colorbond sheets, bricks, weatherboards, and polystyrene foam and more. These materials are widely used across Australia to offer both insulation in colder winters without creating a hot box during the summer.

Of course, depending on the specific climate your home is in, the ideal material or combination of materials will fluctuate. 

Colour choice

As a general rule darker colours absorb heat and lighter colours reflect it. This is why dark rooftops are not ideal for particularly warm climates, like much of Australia. Light coloured materials, such as bricks or natural stone, are strong choices for warmer climates that don’t experience anything beyond a mild winter.

Glass

Glass, of course, is a key component in all homes, but the clear float glass that is commonly used in windows does not offer much insulation for colder climates. While extensive glass panelling might look lovely, make sure to take into consideration how cold it can get in the winter. There are ways of improving the insulation of glass windows including thick curtains, replacing generic glass with higher insulating types, and double glazing. When renovating on a budget, you may want to make your glass-related decision based on the costs required in ensuring further insulation. 

Of course, on the flip side large windows can also heat up a house quickly in the summer by allowing the sunlight to filter in unobstructed. Again, if you’re dying to use large amounts of glass, glazing and blinds are always good starting points to mitigate excess heat from sunlight. 

Moisture and heat damage

Understandably, a lot of focus is given to how hot or cold you’ll be inside your home based on the materials used. There are some other climate-related factors to consider as well: how much damage will the heat and humidity (moisture) cause to your home? The best materials for building or renovating a home will protect against moisture damage and heat damage and mitigate the long term costs to you.

Some material-related ideas to help combat this include:

• Stainless steel/aluminium fasteners to reduce rust
• Permeable indoor wall coverings to let moisture escape
• Vapor barriers under the house
• Elevated foundations 

Insulation

Much of Australia is beset by rather hot summers which makes having the right insulation materials absolutely vital. Ideal insulation materials include:

• Cellular glass
• Plastic foam
• Mineral wool
• Fibreglass 

Using natural stone

Natural stone is a commonly used material in home design and construction throughout Australia. Of course, much of this has to do with its luxury aesthetic, long term durability and application versatility. Yet thanks to the high energy density of natural stones they also offer great thermal conductivity. Natural stone can come in a variety of colours so choosing the right shade for your specific climate is easy.

Limestone

Limestone remains nice and cool no matter how hot the temperature is and its light colour allows less heat absorption and more heat refraction. It’s a wonderful material for pool areas or outdoor renovations.

Travertine

Like limestone, travertine retains its coolness and while it does come in darker and more complex shadings/patterns than limestone it offers the same environmental benefits.

Granite

Granite, surprisingly, can be very cool and is used commonly throughout Australia. Of course, the darker the granite the more heat it will absorb.

Marble

Marble is a unique natural stone but its light shading and subtle veining allows it to both refract sunlight to keep your home bright without absorbing and retaining too much heat during the summer months.

Quartzite

Quartzite comes in a wide variety of colours so finding the perfect shade for your climate isn’t hard at all. If you’re in a particularly hot climate, it will definitely be worth investing in a lighter colour of quartzite than one of the darker shades. 

Talk to an expert

Australia is the lucky country for many reasons and our sunny, lovely climate is just one of them. Yet, it can still get rather hot, rainy, or cold, so making sure you know how to choose the right materials for the Australian climate before designing, building or renovating your home is very, very important.

Always talk to an architect, designer or construction expert so that you can find the best material for you without sacrificing your visual preferences or aesthetic style.

When it comes to marble, granite and any other natural stone, make sure to consult the Euro Marble team. We don’t just know which stones look prettiest, we’ll be able to advise on which will function best for you too. 

Builders, interior designers, home owners and architects have loved using marble for generations.

This natural stone is famous for its luxurious aesthetic and its practical durability. From its cool, cold tone, to the rich cloudy veining that gives it its iconic and signature look, the versatility of marble use in a home is nearly endless. Kitchens, bathrooms, walls, flooring, staircases, fireplaces…

However, not everyone wants to deck out their home in top-to-toe marble. This is of course why lots of people choose to feature marble as a stone benchtop for their kitchen or as a vanity in their bathroom.

Most people don’t realise that a marble aesthetic doesn’t limit your ability to incorporate numerous other materials inside your home. Pairing wood and marble can provide a jaw-dropping look to your home, and using a variety of warmer metals to balance the coolness of marble can help bring a room to life in extraordinary ways.

We’ve curated a number of expert design tips for pairing marble with wood and metal to help inspire you on your marble journey.

How to pair marble with wood

1. Slatted Wooden Walls

Slatted wooden walls have become very popular in recent years. This unique style of wall adds a glorious dimension to your home by offering a practical partition without preventing or interrupting air flow, obscuring natural light from windows or enclosing the space too much.

Pairing a slatted wooden wall against or by marble wall cladding, flooring or panels not only looks elegant but offers a number of benefits. It won’t block the view of your gorgeous marble stone. It doesn’t block the light bouncing off your light marble tones and it allows the light to filter through in a very interesting way. 

2. Marble kitchens with wooden cabinets

How and where you decide to use marble in your kitchen is up to you. This stunning natural stone perfectly suits kitchen benchtops, flooring, tabletops or splashbacks. So, how do you match marble kitchens with wood?

A marble counter or splashback is a wonderful complementary design choice with wooden cabinets. If you’re a fan of minimalist or Scandinavian design we recommend light wood against a light marble. If you’re happy to go darker, then this design idea works well too. Pairing elevated wooden cabinetry with low-key marble applications will add texture and depth to your kitchen in an elegant manner.

3. Wooden paneling

An excellent opportunity to add a combination of elegant marble and rich wood aesthetics without overdoing either is by combining wall panelling with your flooring. Wooden flooring with marble wall panels, especially if it includes ridges to increase depth, can look absolutely stunning. Alternatively, you can switch this around and use marble flooring with wooden panels on the wall.

A variation of this design includes alternating wall panels with both marble and wood. Done elegantly, this design can be absolutely jaw dropping. Bathroom walls offer a great opportunity for this design idea as well.

4. Flooring

If you want to incorporate both wooden flooring and marble flooring in your home we highly recommend opting for a herringbone style floor for your wooden flooring. You can use this in hallways, lounges, dining rooms or even a bedroom. Opting for a running transition to a marble floor in your kitchen, laundry or bathroom will provide a smooth change in material without either looking jarring or out of place.

5. Accent furniture or features

Marble can make for an absolutely stunning flooring or wall material. For some people, however, they want to infuse a bit of wooden warmth which is why adding a piece of accent wooden furniture to sit on top or beside your marble can work wonders. Alternatively, opt for a single wooden countertop in your kitchen against a marble splashback or a wooden counter in your bathroom to add a striking feature and break up the marble. 

How to pair marble with metal

1. Metal backsplash

Metal backsplashes can add a striking visual element to a home and kitchen. In addition to being endlessly practical in a space highly exposed to liquid and water, metal can make a perfectly complementary aesthetic to marble countertops by balancing the natural stone vibes with a semi-industrious but elegant look.

2. Brass and marble

Warm metals, like brass, work best with marble as they offer a contrast to the largely light coloured stones. (Though darker marbles are available as well.) 

It’s a common design choice to match brass with white or grey marbles to help balance the brightness and darkness of each. Brass faucets or cabinet handles offer a royal sophistication against the marble around it.

3. Brass tile trims

An understated but truly eye-catching design idea for brass and metal is to incorporate thin brass tims around marble tiling. Whether you’re using black or white marble, brass metal trimmings will add an inviting sense of warmth and depth to the sleek marble visuals. 

4. Marble topping

Another Scandinavian-inspired idea that retains a minimalist visual preference while incorporating both metal and marble is to use marble table- or countertops over shiny gold, brass or other warm metals.

This design choice allows you to balance the aesthetics of metal, which can be overwhelming if used too much, with the coolness of a marble benchtop, countertop or table top. A slight variation of this idea is the incorporation of a metal counter in the bathroom above brass or gold cabinetry. 

Conclusion

We’ve only just broken the surface on the different and unique options available when incorporating marble stone in your home. Whether you’re looking to combine luxury marble with rich wood or sleek metal, the various options available will help you achieve the ultimate material balance and textual contrast.

If you’d like to find out more about how you can use marble in your home or how to pair it with wood, metal or any other material, get in touch with the Euro Marble team today. We’re always bursting at the seams with marble-related ideas!

Fantastical Super White Quartzite

Whether you’re an interior designer by trade or hobby, there’s no doubt that the more you discover about super white quartzite the more you’re bound to fall in love with it. And you won’t fall out of love with it either! Quartzite, which is a natural stone found in the Earth, comes in a variety of colours. The most popular among designers, builders and homeowners, however, is of course the utterly dazzling super white.  It’s no wonder why many people call this stone Fantasy White Quartzite. 

In this article, we’re going to dive into what makes super white quartzite a designer’s dream but first let’s make sure we know exactly what we’re talking about.

What’s the difference between quartzite and quartz?

You may have seen both terms used and thought, understandably, that the two are interchangeable. While there is a connection between the two, each term refers to a different stone material.

Quartzite is a natural, metamorphic stone and one of the strongest and hardest to boot. Being natural, the only way to get quartzite is to dig it out of the ground in quarries. Quartzite can be found in a number of states in the United States of America, throughout the United Kingdom (including England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales), Canada, Europe and many other places, like Mozambique. Being completely natural, each quartzite quarry will provide unique looking and exclusive types of the beautiful stone.

Quartz, on the other hand, is neither natural nor found in the crust of the Earth. It is an artificial and man-produced stone material. While quartzite is used as a major component in the manufacturing of quartz, due to its strength, it is not the sole ingredient. A similar term for quartz is engineered stone, and that’s what it is: stone that is engineered by man. Super white quartz is therefore an entirely different material to super white quartzite. 

When Super White is Super Right

One of the most common areas of a home in which to incorporate super white quartzite is the kitchen. Thanks to the crisp whiteness of the stone, the luxurious aesthetic isn’t too overwhelming and offers a wonderful balance to the many other design features going on in a kitchen.

Having said that, the cloudy shades of grey and subtle veining ensure that a rich depth isn’t lost. Even a minimalist or all-white kitchen will enjoy a fashion elevation with just the simplest applications of super white quartzite, like in a splashback or benchtop. This fantastic rock lets home designers have their cake and eat it too… figuratively of course.

The Perfect Look

In most areas of life looks aren’t everything. When it comes to super white quartzite, they may also not be everything, but they’re pretty close! This marble look alike has a striking and beautiful appearance.

As mentioned above, the rich splashes of smokey grey and silver give a sculptural depth to the stone without compromising its lightness on the eye. As a designer, you probably can’t imagine anyone saying no to incorporating a stone that oozes sophistication and refinement, which is why few can say no to super white quartzite.

Super White Colour Matching 

If you are looking to incorporate a feature colour somewhere in your house–whether it’s pink, orange, green, blue or yellow–the numerous shades of super white quartzite offers enough variety to balance any colour. Like all natural stone, no two slabs of quartzite ever look exactly the same. Some include darker shades of veining, others provide more blurry cloudiness. The one consistency amongst all super white quartzite stones is that there’s a timeless elegance and effortless gracefulness that designers simply can’t get enough of!

Source

Marble’s Rival – Quartzite vs Marble

We don’t have to sell marble to you. The reputation of this luxury stone precedes it. What if there was a stone that was cheaper but just as visually jaw-dropping? Well there is and it’s super white quartzite, aka the designers dream! By choosing to incorporate this unique rock, as a designer you’ll be free to use the excess budget for the rest of your interior design without having to compromise on style. In a nutshell, the difference between super white quartzite and marble, is not in looks but in functionality.

Super White Quartzite – More Than Meets The Eye

Quartzite is one of the hardest minerals in the world and is both harder and less porous than marble. This makes it incredibly durable, strong and highly stain resistant. On a practical level, if you’re looking for a natural stone that requires minimal maintenance but offers maximum longevity and return on investment, the buck stops at super white quartzite. This is especially valuable for areas of the house with high levels of exposure to liquid and moisture, like the kitchen and bathroom, or areas of heavy use, like flooring or stairs.

A Team Player

Super white quartzite might seem like a bit of a hotshot style of stone, but the truth is that it actually blends in beautifully with many other design styles. Want a bright, white home? What could be better than super white stone! Want a breath of fresh air to offset a darker theme? Use fantasy white quartzite. Plus, this amazing team player matches wonderfully with cabinetry, be it wood, white or black, and works very well with glass as well.

Super White Quartzite’s a Real Winner

See? We seriously weren’t kidding when we said that this white quartzite stone is a designer’s dream: fashion, function, financially… It’s a smart investment on all accounts.

Super white quartzite infuses an incredible, wow factor to homes of all styles and designs and provides both elegant simplicity and versatile application opportunities.

Ready to find out more? Check out our super white quartzite offerings and get in touch with the Euro Marble team today.

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Grey Natural Stone Is On Trend This Winter

For many years grey stone has been a popular choice for use in homes around the world and in Australia. This winter, grey stone is once again on trend.

With even just a cursory glance at the many shades and styles of grey stone it’s not hard to see why this material is so popular. The minimalist design of grey stone offers an effortless elegance and combination of both cool, lightness of colour and warm natural tone. 

Grey stone strikes the perfect balance between sophistication and simplicity which is why many designers and home builders prefer this uncomplicated design that also happens to be in fashion at the moment.

Shades of Grey

You may be surprised to read this, but there are a lot of variations of grey stone. There’s something to suit everyone, with everything from off-white grey shades to warmer, mysterious smokey greys. The versatility of grey stone means that it can suit just about every home and style.

Of course, there are factors that may affect which grey will suit you best. Think about your lighting (natural and otherwise) and what other colours you want to incorporate – more on this point later, but suffice it to say that a grey stone design is the perfect set dressing for adding a bit of colour down the track.

Here at Euro Marble, our showroom is packed with slabs of various grey stone shades and styles. To check out our offerings, visit our grey natural stone webpage.

Textures & Depth

Part of the intense appeal of grey stone and a hugely contributing factor to its enduring quality as an on trend choice is the variation in finishes and textures of natural stone. The raw and rough grey stone, especially when incorporated into a wall or splashback, exudes a rich depth that will enhance the entire room. For the smooth sailors amongst you, a matt finish is also available in grey stone and boasts equally aesthetically pleasing qualities.

Grey Stone Patterns

Yet another reason why grey stone is so on trend this winter is the flexibility it offers in tiling patterns. Many people have specific preferences when it comes to the pattern of their slabs, tiles or flooring, and the fashion trend will shift season to season.

Grey stone, however, works just as well in herringbone style as it does in a hexagonal, modular, or basket weave pattern. Due to the fact that the neutral tones of grey ensure even a ‘busy pattern’ doesn’t become overwhelming, this on trend natural stone gives you all the choice you could want.

Complement Colourful Features

While grey stone is on trend due to its inherent beauty in and of itself, much of its potential as a fashion style lies in the fact that it perfectly complements many other on trend styles. If you’re looking to add a little colour in the form of a bright splashback, window frame, shelving or doorway, using a gray scheme will keep the overall effect balanced and help highlight the feature spaces of your choosing.

Of course, there are neutral coloured stones that offer similar advantages, such as white and beige, but none of these are enjoying quite the renewed attention as a trend as grey this winter.

Grey Stone Colour Pairings

If you want to add a bit of colour but are nervous about overdoing it, grey stone won’t let you down. It pairs wonderfully with a number of organic and soft shades of stone, from tan to sand, and even off-white.

A number of more bright and bold colours also work well with grey stone, like pink, sea green or blue. In fact, we’ve put together some options of colours that go perfectly with on trend grey stone.

1.  Grey and navy blue

Navy blue is a gorgeous colour but can be overbearing in its darkness. Highlighting it through the use of grey stone is a perfect way to hereo both colours.

2.  Grey and green

It’s your choice whether to go for a muted sea green or a more vibrant green–either way when complemented with soothing grey it will make for a strong fashion statement.

3.  Grey and yellow

This colourful combo is great if you’re looking to create a bright and upbeat vibe. While yellow is a bold choice, offsetting it with on trend grey stone will keep the overall effect soothing.

4.  Grey and white

While off-whites can work as well, there’s something magnificent about the low-key pairing of pure white and grey. These seemingly unaggressive colours match surprisingly well and offer a truly refined and effortlessly fashionable look.

Go Grey – Get On Trend

Palladiana Grey, Beach Grey, Grigio San Marco, Hampshire Grey… and that barely scratches the surface on what’s on offer when it comes to grey stone. There is simply so much versatility that this on trend fashion choice is bound to stay relevant and popular for many years to come.

If you’d like to arrange a time to come in to our showroom and see the stunning slabs we have on display in person or simply want to chat about all things natural stone and grey stone, make sure to give our expert team a call on (02) 8585 2999.

A backyard is almost never just a backyard. Whether you have a pool or a simple entertaining area, you’ll want to incorporate a timeless home design that won’t look good today but become outdated tomorrow. Introducing: natural stone.

Natural Stone

Natural stone refers to a number of different materials and minerals that are found naturally in the Earth and have been used for building and construction for thousands of years.

You’ve probably come across marble floors and granite kitchen benchtops, but have you considered surrounding your pool and entertaining area with this stunning material?

Timeless Style 

You can forget about the blue-tiled rectangular pools and poorly constructed entertaining verandas of houses gone-by. If you want to infuse sophisticated style into your backyard, natural stone is the way to go. Using natural stone around your pool is a surefire way of ensuring your home design won’t date in the future, even as the fashion changes.

Here are just some of the many reasons why natural stone is truly a timeless style choice.

The Versatility of Natural Stone

Choosing natural stone as a material for your outside area offers numerous opportunities to customise according to your preferred style. Each and every natural stone, while sharing certain characteristics like durability, hardiness and beauty, shines in a subtly different way.

Travertine, for example, comes in various rustic shades making it a solid choice for that country, simplistic look. On the other hand, if you want an area that shouts luxury and opulence from every slab, the classic aesthetic of marble simply can’t be beaten. If it’s that rugged elegant look you’re after, go for granite, and if a warm, natural glow is up your alley, opt for limestone. Natural stone simply offers an unmatched, timeless versatility in style to suit all preferences .

Blending Into Nature

This may seem like a no-brainer, but the best material to choose if you’re trying to emulate the richness of nature in your pool and entertaining area is a natural material: like natural stone! Using natural stone quarried directly from the ground itself will help create a true oasis for your home. In fact, more and more modern pools are incorporating majestic waterfalls, spillways, or fountains. What better or more classic surrounding material could there be than natural stone?

Complementing Your Landscaping 

If you want a timeless style for your pool and entertaining area, chances are you’re also taking your landscaping pretty seriously. Natural stone can be used to match a variety of retaining walls, raised garden beds, rock gardens and hardscaping. Keeping a consistent design will ensure your outdoor area’s style flows well.

Even if you want to include a stone feature wall by your pool or a stone firepit by your barbecue, incorporating natural stone will not only complement but enhance the area. Natural stone is simply the only choice if you want a flexible outdoor home design.

Natural Stone Will Last 

It’s not just the style of the natural stone surrounding your pool that will last, the stones themselves will too! Natural stone is known for its durability and hardiness. Pool surroundings and entertaining areas are prone to high volumes of foot traffic, not to mention pool chairs, outdoor tables and mobile barbeques. 

From scratches to large amounts of pressure, your natural stone will stand up to the wear and tear, not to mention its stain resistance too! If, in the event it does chip or crack, repairs can be done easily and with no fuss. Your natural stone outdoor area is designed to last in more ways than one!

Don’t Slip Yourself Up 

You’re looking for a material to surround your pool, aren’t you? Then the less slipper the better, right?

Natural stone offers a natural anti-slip quality to it that beats many other commonly used materials. Of course, granite, travertine and limestone are all known for the strong traction support they offer, but even the glossy and iconically smooth-looking marble is a surprisingly non-slip surface. (Though due to its porousness, marble and some other natural stones will require proper sealing to be truly waterproof.)

Additionally, natural stone won’t heat up too much under the hot summer sun, pack up under a freezing winter, or throw up too much glare on a bright sunny day. Properly maintained, there’s no season, no party and no lifestyle that natural stone can’t copy with!

A Timeless Beauty

At the end of the day, if you want a timeless home design the superficial visuals matter. Luckily, natural stone doesn’t just walk the walk it talks the talk too! Popular for its magnificent beauty and aesthetic appeal, the true design value in natural stone comes from the slight variation each and every slab, tile and piece offers. Instead of a boring and monotone uniformity, natural stone offers an inherent visual depth that will retain its appeal for many many years to come. Natural stone hasn’t gone out of style for thousands of years and it won’t for a few thousand more. 

Euro Marble – the natural (stone) choice

Modern, classical, or something in between, make sure to speak to the team at Euro Marble about finding the perfect and practical natural stone to surround your pool and bring your entertaining area to life.

For more handy articles about everything natural stone, check out our blog.

An Introduction to Dolomite

Dolomite, also called ‘dolostone’ or ‘dolomite rock’ to distinguish it from the mineral, is a sedimentary rock. Found primarily in sedimentary basins it forms in much the same way as limestone and shares much of the same properties such as hardiness. It is also used in many of the same applications, for example construction where it is employed to neutralise acids. In fact, the process of dolomitisation can even occur to previously formed limestone, changing it into a dolomitic limestone.

What is Super White Dolomite?

Super White Dolomite is a type of Dolomite boasting an exquisite white colouring infused with wisps of grey veining. This luxury-looking stone exudes the same stunning milky shades of marble, which is one of the many reasons why Dolomite is fast becoming an equally stylish and practical alternative to it.

In recent years, Super White Dolomite has enjoyed a surge in popularity among builders, renovators and interior designers because it offers that perfect match of gorgeous aesthetic with practical functionality.

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Dolomite vs Marble

While similar in appearance, though of course this will vary from slab to slab, Dolomite is a far denser natural stone than marble. Not only does this mean it’s less porous, making it better for areas of the home that are exposed to significant amounts of liquid like bathrooms and kitchens, but it also means that it’s tougher as well. Super White Dolomite is extremely hardy and resistant to scratches, chips, stains and cracks.

Uses of Dolomite

Thanks to its versatility and durability, Dolomite is used for many applications. Super White Dolomite is most commonly used residentially for kitchen benchtops and splashbacks, or bathroom vanities, flooring and bathtubs. Low porosity, high resistance to water damage and extreme hardiness makes this more than just a fashionable choice but a functional one as well.

Other commercial uses of dolomite include:

• Construction – where it’s crushed and used as an aggregate in various projects, and used to produce ceramics and glass.
• Chemical Industry – where it’s calcined to produce lime, used for magnesia and utilised to neutralise acids.
• Steel Industry – where it’s used as a sintering agent in steel production.
• Agriculture – where it’s used as a feed additive and soil conditioner.

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Where does Super White Dolomite come from?

Quarried in the south of Bahia, Brazil, Super White Dolomite is processed from the blocks in which they are cut and polished into slab shapes. These slabs are then inspected to ensure quality, structural integrity and visual appeal before being trucked and shipped to us, here in Sydney, Australia.

The Benefits of Dolomite

There are a number of reasons why this sophisticated and timeless stone is commonly used for internal and external home construction.

Variety of Patterns

While Super White Dolomite is becoming increasingly popular due to its visual beauty and seductive allure as a marble-like stone, that doesn’t mean there isn’t opportunity to customise your selection of slab. Like other natural stones, no two slabs of Dolomite are exactly the same. The intensity of the grey veining, the exact shade and hue of white and silver, and the undulating patterns all vary from piece to piece.

Durability

There are a lot of uses for Super White Dolomite (as we expanded on earlier) but one of the common uses is for a kitchen benchtop. Why? Because in addition to standing out as a visual feature of note, Dolomite is a highly durable and long lasting stone material. Your kitchen is bound to see a lot of action and movement, so choosing a scratch-resistant and non-porous natural stone like Super White Dolomite is a great option.

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Heat & Pressure Resistant 

If you’re thinking of installing Super White Dolomite in a kitchen or bathroom, you won’t just want a non-porous material – you’ll want something that can take the heat! Dolomite is very resistant to both heat and pressure, and even acidic etching, so using it as a splashback or benchtop is a no brainer.

Maintenance 

Keeping your Super White Dolomite super and white is the key to enjoying the rich elegance this stone has to offer. Luckily, Dolomite is easy to clean if done regularly and will retain its appeal for many, many years if properly sealed and then resealed every couple of years.

Cost

Marble is one beautiful stone and we love using it, but for many customers a relatively more affordable option is the better choice. Super White Dolomite offers a more inexpensive choice without compromising on style or aesthetic flair. 

Style

We like to tell our customers that Super White Dolomite simply oozes “sensational charisma”. The rich silvery grey veins and the understated but luxurious white shading will inject a real sense of elegance into your kitchen or bathroom. Additionally, unlike some other more colourful natural stones, the timeless beauty of Dolomite means you’ll enjoy a style that won’t feel outdated in a decade.

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How to maintain Super White Dolomite

While Dolomite is a super tough natural stone, it does require a little bit of maintenance to ensure it not only lasts a lifetime, but does so looking as sparkling and cleanly as you’d like. Luckily, it’s easy to maintain with just a little bit of proactive care. 

1. Clean up spills as soon as they occur.
2. Avoid using knives or other cutting instruments directly on the stone.
3. Seal your Super White Dolomite.
4. Clean using warm water and a soft sponge.
5. Avoid using abrasive cleaners or harsh chemicals.

Let’s Find You Some Super White Dolomite

This increasingly popular stone will enhance your kitchen and elevate your bathroom. If you’d like to find out more about Super White Dolomite, visit our webpage, or give our expert team a call on  (02) 8585 2999.

White granite is a fantastic addition for any home. While this granular-patterned, naturally-occurring stone comes in many colours, there’s something about the white granite that simply takes our breath away.

White anything, however, is always going to be more prone to visible staining than any other colour. White granite is no different, but that doesn’t mean keeping it clean and beautiful has to keep you up at night. Here are 10 ways to keep your white granite clean and in showroom condition for the lifetime of your kitchen.

1. ALWAYS Clean Up After Yourself… As Soon as Possible

Granite is a popular stone for use in kitchens, as table tops, benchtops and splashbacks, and in bathrooms as vanities. These highly frequented areas are subject to the risk of spillage. A kitchen benchtop in particular could see everything from coffee to wine to tomato sauce spilled across its lovely white granite surface. Make sure to be proactive and wipe up spills immediately. Leaving a spill, even a cooking oil spill, will increase the likelihood of long term staining.

2. Blot Up A Spill BEFORE Wiping

Carrying on from number one, when a spill does happen–and let’s face it, it probably will–before you grab a cloth and give a Herculean wipe across the length and breadth of the granite slab, make sure you blot up the spill first. This way you’ll remove as much of the liquid as possible before having to wipe it up. Without blotting first, you’ll likely just spend the first few wipes spreading the staining liquid around and over a greater surface area.

3. Use A Soft Cloth or Sponge

Be gentle with your white granite. It doesn’t matter where you’ve installed it, this natural stone should be treated gently to avoid scratches or other damage. While there are specific granite cleaners, wipes, and detergents on the market, even just a quick wipe with a soft cloth and warm water will do the trick. While not likely to damage your granite when used once or twice, avoid using dishwashing liquid or soap as repeated use can dull your white granite’s shine. Definitely avoid abrasive cleaning pads or sponges so as not to cause scratches.

4. NEVER use Bleaches or Harsh, Chemical Cleaners

White granite has an aesthetic fit for royalty, so treat it as such. Bleaches and many household cleaners contain harsh chemicals that will damage your granite stone in more ways than one. Not only will it stain but it will also dull the colour and weaken the integrity of the sealant. Regular use of warm water, especially when applied quickly, will work wonders, as will the many varieties of granite-specific cleaners available in stores. Other no-no cleaners include vinegar, lemon, ammonia or your regular run-of-the-mill household cleaners. Better be safe than sorry!

5. Keep Varnishes and Other Liquids Away!

A lot of seemingly innocuous, everyday liquids can cause extensive and permanent damage to a pristine white granite bench or tabletop. Colognes, nail varnishes, nail removers, creams, lotions and perfumes all contain a number of chemicals that, if spilled over granite, can leave a lasting reminder of the accident. The best thing to do is to simply keep these harmful liquids far away from your gorgeous granite.

6. Beat the Heat with Trivets or Hot Pads

A lot of staining on white granite isn’t caused by liquids at all. Hot pans or pots placed directly onto a granite benchtop will leave an ugly, permanent stain. It’s even possible for the granite to crack due to thermal shock. Always place a trivet or a heat pad on the counter and then place the hot pot or pan on to that.

7. Make Coaster-Usage A Habit

While not as unsightly and hard-to-repair as heat stains, if your benchtop or tabletop is made of white granite you’re going to want to enforce coaster usage as a habit to prevent ring stains. Coffee and tea mugs, soda cans, and even glasses of water are all better off sitting on a coaster. Prevention is always better than cure and if you want your white granite to continue looking like it’s in showroom condition for years to come this is a great habit to get into.

8. Avoid Sitting and/or Standing On It

Yes, granite is one very hard and durable material. Yes, white granite is a fantastic investment that will add value and appeal to your home. But no, white granite benchtops are NOT designed to be stood or sat on. Why? If the weight placed on the slab of granite is applied too heavily in one spot it could crack. Unless the floor suddenly becomes lava, there’s really no need to jump onto your beautiful white granite top.

9. Reseal Your Granite

White granite offers endless appeal and will remain in fashion for years and years to come. To keep it looking like the day you had it installed for its entire lifetime, we recommend getting it resealed every 2 to 4 years. Resealing your granite will help protect it from the usual wear and tear that occurs over time. The longer you leave your granite without resealing it, the duller it will become and the more likely it is to get stained.

10. Institute A Regular Routine

We know you and your white granite are bound to have a long and loving relationship, but all good relationships are worth a little care. Institute a regular daily, weekly, monthly and yearly routine to keep your granite clean, sparkly and as impressive as ever.

• Daily – use hot water and a soft sponge to wipe away spills and crumbs.
• Weekly – Remove any objects on the counter and use a specialised granite cleaner over the whole surface, including corners and edges.
• Monthly – Use special granite polishes to keep your white granite as stunning as the day you fell in love with it in our showroom.
• Yearly – Test your white granite to check whether it needs to be resealed. You do NOT need to seal your granite every year, but it’s worth throwing yourself a little annual reminder so, when it is time for resealing, you’ll be on the ball.

Find Out More About Granite

If you want to know more about granite check out our blog! You’ll find a ton of information on what granite is used for, how it compares to quartz, and how to clean stone benchtops. Or give us a call and have a chat to our friendly, expert team about all things natural stone and how to best keep your white granite clean.