Mantel Decor Ideas that Look Great in Any Space

A beautifully decorated mantel with a mix of framed art, candles, and greenery, creating a stylish and inviting focal point in the living room.

Fireplace Mantel Decor: Understanding the Heart of Your Space

The mantel above your fireplace is more than just a functional shelf. It’s a canvas waiting for you to incorporate stylish additions that represent your personality and preferences.

In many homes, fireplace mantel decor focuses on items like family heirlooms, cherished and sentimental ornaments and sometimes even artwork. Nowadays, it’s becoming more and more popular to utilise the potential of mantel decor to incorporate some interior design and fashion styling to take the ambiance of your room up a notch.

If you’re struggling to use your mantel to its utmost potential, we’re here to help you understand the basics of all things mantel decoration.

The Basics of Mantel Decor

Before he dive into some specific ideas to help inspire you, let’s set down a few guiding rules when approaching this versatile yet unique space of the home.

1. Symmetry and Balance

Visual harmony on your mantel can help set the tone for the rest of the room. Place larger items on either side of the mantel and transition aesthetically towards the middle with smaller pieces, objects or artwork. This helps to achieve a strong, calming balance.

2. Height Variation

Bearing in mind Rule #1, height variation adds both depth and dimension to your mantel display. Without becoming too noticeable, varying the heights of your decor helps to add a little extra visual interest with no extra effort.

3. Focal Point

Choose one central piece that anchors your mantel decor arrangement. This can be a mirror, a uniquely shaped ornament, or event statement artwork. This not only provides a focal point for guests and visitors but helps to give a bit of weight and order to the space.

4. Colour Coordination

Keep your decor consistent with the rest of the room. This doesn’t mean you have to stick with one monochromatic colour, but ensure that any colour you choose complements your room’s aesthetic and offers cohesive visual harmony.

5. Texture and Materials

Don’t be afraid to mix and match different textures or materials. The level of tactile interest will make the overall visual impression that much more engaging and impressive.

6. Personal Touch

Last but not least is your own personal touch. Why not add something of sentimental value to your mantel piece? Or something that reflects who you are and what you’re interested in? Not only does it put a unique stamp on the arrangement but it also provides an excellent talking point for guests and visitors.

8 Mantel Decor Ideas for Every Space

1. Timeless and Elegant Pieces

Whether you’re working on a kitchen mantel decor or a fireplace in the lounge, a classic decorative piece, such as a large, ornate mirror, a vase or candle holders, never goes awry.

Balancing a timeless quality that won’t be outdated in a mere few years and a sophisticated elegance that will elevate any space ensures these more conventional items can work in any situation.

2. Lean in to Nature

Natural elements are wonderful at bringing an indoor space to life. Whether you opt for potted plants, dried flowers or even driftwood, a touch of the outdoors adds visual and tactile depth to your mantel decor without becoming overwhelming or looking out of place.

It’s also easy to spruce and change up your decor as your preferences or trending styles change.

3. Keep it Minimalist

Minimalist designs prioritise clean, sleek lines, minimal decorations and neutral colour tones. By embracing simplicity on your mantel place, you’ll be allowing the negative space to work its magic.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t hero a single oversized piece of art or a statement sculpture. Often, a single piece of carefully chosen decor can seem even more impressive when not surrounded by other items.

4. Vintage and Personal Ornaments

As we mentioned before, your fireplace mantel decor offers a ton of opportunity for you to incorporate a bit of personality. Whether you’re a fan and collector of antique books, love delicate porcelain figurines or even have a sentimental old-fashioned grandfather clock, the mantel is a fantastic place to show them off.

It can be helpful to consider the style of the rest of your fireplace, however, as you don’t want the vintage piece to stand out in contrast in all the wrong ways.

5. Go Warm and Rustic

Fireplaces are naturally cosy and warm places, so a decor that’s focused on warm and rustic visuals always looks great. Everything from reclaimed wood frames to burlap-wrapped vases can help to elevate the rustic vibe of your interior design in a thoughtful, considered and visually stunning way.

6. Global Artifacts

Your mantel is a great canvas for showcasing items representative of different places, cultures and styles. You might have a sentimental Moroccan lantern or a traditional piece of ceramic from Asia – use your mantel to show these off in an understated way.

Fireplace mantels are like mini stages offering you plenty of space to add something a little different to the room.

7. Quirky Personal Objects

If you’re not much of a collector of global artifacts but really want to use something deeply personal, why not showcase an item or two that reflects your whimsy, quirky side. Perhaps there’s an abstract sculpture you just love or some colourful glass bottles that come with an interesting or funny personal anecdote.

As long as your quirky decor fits the tone of the rest of the home and doesn’t look oddly out of place, it’s a great way to incorporate your own personality in a lively way.

8. Family Treasures

Your mantel decor can also be reserved for your most precious treasures as well. Family heirlooms, photos or other pieces of your history can hold a special place in your heart and deserve an equally special place in your home.

Placing a family treasure on the fireplace mantel will not only ensure it’s a central aesthetic piece but can also bring you and your family a lot of joy with it serving as a constant, emotional reminder of your history and connection to your past.

Fired up with some mantel decor ideas?

We help you create your dream mantelpiece. Explore endless design ideas. Contact us today!

Click Here

Stylish Two Tone Kitchen Ideas

A modern two tone kitchen featuring black and white cabinets, a large island, pendant lighting, and wooden bar stools.

Bringing your home decor to life with a two tone kitchen is an excellent way to add a touch of creativity and infuse a sense of personality into the space. There are many two tone kitchen designs out there to inspire you and, with the trend only becoming more popular, there are near endless possibilities for achieving a visually appealing and stylish kitchen area.

In this blog, we’ll help you understand what a two tone design means, what makes it popular and help inspire you with some of the top design ideas going around.

What are Two Tone Kitchens?

As the name suggests, this design concept involves the use of two different colours, materials or finishes in your kitchen. From the cabinetry to the countertops, and from the backsplash to the kitchen island, these two contrasting yet complementary tones can be applied to various aspects of a space.

A two tone kitchen offers many benefits stylistically, but in essence it is a simple yet effective way to create a sense of aesthetic contrast and depth while still incorporating a feeling of uniqueness in the space.

Why Two Tone Kitchens Are Popular

Visual Interest

Kitchens in particular are prone to descending into more monochromatic territory. An intentionally designed two tone kitchen on the other hand allows you to balance a more captivating look that has enough visual interest and stylishness without being over the top.

Customisation

There is plenty of potential for showcasing personal style in your choice of colours and your particular application of the aesthetic.

Dimension

Two tone designs give your space a larger yet cosier feel and allows you to play effectively with the dimensions of the space.

Accentuation

By using two different colours, you can highlight specific features or draw attention to particular focal points to really make your kitchen pop.

Balance

Done with a deftness and consideration, a two tone kitchen can help you create a really balanced aesthetic design.

Two Tone Kitchen Designs To Inspire You

1. Classic Contrast

The classic contrast uses timeless and popular combinations to achieve a really crisp and clean aesthetic. Colours like navy blue and white, for instance, allow you to balance the desire to achieve visual complexity and sophistication without overpowering the senses.

2. Earthy Elegance

If you’re a big fan of warm earthy tones, a two tone kitchen enables you to balance the aesthetics of an olive green feature in the kitchen with sandy beige as a complementary colour scheme. For example, you might use green for the upper cabinetry to really stand out and make a statement while incorporating the understated beige below to ensure elegance and balance.

3. Bold and Beautiful

Two tone kitchens are great for making big, bold and striking statements. Black cabinetry with gold tapware, for example, will help create a really daring ambiance whilst still managing to achieve the luxurious feeling and aesthetic you’re after.

4. Neutral Harmony

Two tone designs certainly allow for big, brash visual statements, but achieving a neutral and calm harmony is more than possible as well. The neutral palette of grey and white will create a sense of visual depth and complexity without having to be ‘in your face’.

5. Rustic Charm

A rustic aesthetic is very popular, and for good reasons. The warmth of darker red and wooden brown tones brings a sense of warmth and depth to a kitchen space and perfectly suits particular aesthetics like open shelves or wooden floorboards.

6. Modern Monochrome

Two tone kitchen designs still allow you to capitalise on the modern, sleek and minimalist monochrome trend. For example, you can opt for two different shades of grey – one slightly darker than the other – to achieve a contemporary contrast without losing that modern monochrome feel.

7. Coastal Vibes

Capture the essence of coastal living by choosing two tones associated with the sea, such as soft blue and white shades. Whether you opt for a blue mosaic along your splashback or light blue kitchen walls, combining this with a white kitchen benchtop or cabinets will help incorporate unique and appealing coastal vibes in your home.

8. Vibrant Accents

Two tone kitchens, as we’ve mentioned before, allow you to incorporate some bold personality without over complicating the space. A pop of sunny yellow amongst a naturally toned background, for example, gives you the space to really add a sense of life and vibrancy without compromising a sense of sophistication.

9. Farmhouse Fusion

The farmhouse design is certainly making a comeback. If you’re a fan of farm-inspired living, two tone kitchens offer a lot of opportunity to incorporate the pastel blues or browns/greens with white. This charming combination is an excellent way to create a truly cosy and inviting kitchen.

10. Industrial Edge

On the other end of the interior design spectrum, is the industrial look. Of course, while exposed brick walls and metallic finishes don’t go astray here, a two tone kitchen with charcoal grey can help you incorporate a consistent industrial edge aesthetically across the space.

Find the Perfect Kitchen Design with Euro Marble

Source the finest natural stone for your dream kitchen. Explore endless colors & shades. Contact us today!

Click Here

How To Accessorise Your All White Kitchen

A bright and inviting all white kitchen with a rustic touch, featuring a bowl of lemons, green plants, and decorative item

The Beauty of an All White Kitchen

An all white kitchen is a fantastic design aesthetic to achieve something timeless and elegant in your home.

Fresh, light, bright and inviting, there are many benefits to opting for a completely white colour scheme.

Why a contemporary all white kitchen could be the right move

White reflects light. In a kitchen where there is generally a ton of appliances, a hive of activity and heavy foot traffic, making the room seem more spacious and appear brighter is invaluable. The more light that is reflected around the place, the more airiness and less cramped the kitchen is going to feel.

Moreover, the simplicity of an all white kitchen brings a sense of calmness and tranquility as the clean nature of the walls, floors and cabinetry will help you achieve a more rested peace of mind.

Lastly, white looks and functions like a blank and versatile canvas. For those wanting to accessorise, there’s plenty of scope for using different colours and textures throughout the kitchen without having to worry about overwhelming the space aesthetically.

Interior Design Styles for an All White Kitchen

White kitchens are not just beautiful inherently, they also offer a ton of potential for achieving fashionable and stylistic interior design looks. Whether you prefer a contemporary appearance, something more rustic, a traditional feel or the minimalist aesthetic, an all white kitchen is the springboard you may need to achieve your desired look.

For example, you may want to use stainless steel and geometric pendant lighting for a modern and sleek steel. Alternatively, exposed beams and wooden accents can infuse a bit of rustic charm. Lastly, traditional kitchenware and ornate detailing can turn a white kitchen into something traditional and opulent.

The design style is up to you!

Choosing The Right Shade of White

Even all white kitchens can actually vary when it comes to look and feel.

There are many different shades of white that are used in interior designs, especially in the kitchen. The shade you choose will add depth and character to the aesthetic, so consider what you’re going for,

For example, a cool-toned white will bring a neutral appearance to the space whereas one with a slight grey or blue undertone will come off as crisp and contemporary. Something slightly beige-tinged will be more cozy and ambient in feel.

It can be difficult trying to work out which white best suits your intended style. Rather, we recommend starting with the interior design style you want to achieve and then from there working out which type of all white kitchen will best achieve that sophisticated look.

To help inspire you, check out our range of white stone slabs here.

Do’s and Don’ts for Accessorising an All White Kitchen

The Euro Marble team is bursting at the seams with all white kitchen ideas. To help us channel our expertise and experience in a way that will help you bring to life the kitchen of your dreams, we’ve put together a list of do’s and don’ts for accessorising your white kitchen.

Do’s for Accessorising

1. Use pops of colour

Adding a little colour in the form of contained accessories, think dishware or flowers, is a subtle yet effective way of injecting life and personality into the contemporary all white kitchen aesthetic.

2. Play with textures and patterns

All white kitchens look inherently smooth and sleek. This provides the perfect opportunity to incorporate more varied textures in rugs, placemats or even splashbacks. Some well-considered patterns can bring the room to life and complement the rest of the neutral coloured room.

3. Bring in some greenery

The kitchen is the perfect place to bring in some fresh herbs on the windowsill. Not only will this add a touch of delicate nature but it is a practical addition as well. Apart from edible herbs, indoor plants add life and vibrancy to a room and in a white kitchen the greens and browns will pop even more.

4. Leverage the lighting

All white kitchens are naturally bright and light, so use the light fixtures to great effect. Strong and bright lighting is not only practical in providing needed illumination during food preparation but it will also take advantage of the whiteness of the room and reflect throughout.

5. Hang artwork

Artwork belongs in every room of the home but with the whiteness of the kitchen providing the perfect backdrop, your personally chosen artwork will infuse a bit of your character into the otherwise minimalist space.

Don’ts for Accessorising

1. Overcrowd with accessories

Kitchens are prone to becoming cluttered and overcrowded. Take care not to add too many accents or accessories to keep the room balanced and feeling spacious.

2. Use dark tones excessively

We’ve opted for an all white kitchen for good reason, remember? Some contrasting colour elements can be really positively impactful but don’t choose too many dark accessories that can undermine the white theme of the kitchen.

3. Ignore storage needs

Kitchens need storage. More often than you realise, adding accessories can interfere with the functionality of a kitchen and its storage solutions. Keeping spaces and countertops clear of unnecessary items will help you manage your storage needs.

4. Neglect maintenance

All white kitchens can show dirt, stains and mess more easily. When you’re accessorising the space, try not to add too much maintenance to your daily cleaning routine. On the other hand, remember not to neglect needed maintenance and cleaning at the same time.

All White Kitchen Ideas for Every Application

With these ideas in mind you’ll be ready to confidently accessorise your all white kitchen and create a room that looks great, functions wonderfully and reflects your unique personality.

There’s no better way to achieve a contemporary all white kitchen look than with beautiful white natural stone.

So, come on into our showroom today and we’ll find the right white for you!

Marble Flooring Ideas that Work for Every Room

Modern living room featuring a luxurious white marble floor with distinctive grey veining, complemented by a sectional grey sofa, minimalist decor, and an artistic golden chandelier.

Flooring is a feature of the house that most certainly pervades every room and marble stone is a wonderful material to bring it to life.

If you’re after luxury, elegant and amazing marble flooring ideas, you’ve come to the right place. At Euro Marble, we’re big fans of everything to do with this natural stone. From the unique veining and patterns of each and every slab to the opulent yet understated aesthetic of seeing it laid out in tiles across the floor, we just love helping people find the right marble floor for them.

Fortunately, marble suits a wide range of design aesthetics including classic, contemporary, minimalist and even eclectic styles.

In this blog, we’ll explore various marble flooring ideas to inspire the perfect option for your home.

How To Choose The Right Floor Design For You

To get us started, consider the following questions when choosing between different marble flooring ideas.

What is the room's function?

Different rooms of your home have different purposes. The dining area, for example, might be primarily used for entertaining guests and hosting dinner parties. Your bathroom might be the one place in the house where you want to feel most relaxed and rejuvenated after a long, hard day.

What is your lifestyle?

Marble flooring is a hardy and durable solution for many applications but you still need to take into consideration your lifestyle. How is the floor going to be used? Will it be exposed to high levels of foot traffic, children playing, food and drink, or pets? Whichever flooring option you choose it needs to be able to stand up to your daily lifestyle.

What is your preferred style or design theme?

In a word, marble is a luxurious type of material. However, it can be used to great effect to fit just about any overall style or design theme. It is important that you are aware of the aesthetic you’re going for though as this can influence not just the pattern of the flooring tiles you choose but the colour of marble stone you opt for as well.

What is your budget?

Marble flooring is not the cheapest of options. While you most certainly get more than value for money and marble stone is likely to not just last for many years with the right maintenance but add value to your home, it is important to consider what your budget is when looking at the different marble bathroom or living room ideas.

Do you want a consistent flooring design throughout the home or different designs for each room?

Apart from budget considerations, your own design preferences will influence to what extent you choose to incorporate marble in your home. Do you want to infuse marble flooring in as many places as you can or keep it to select rooms of the house where it will have the greatest impact.

Marble Flooring Ideas

1. Classic White Marble for an Elegant Living Room

White marble is among the top choices for bathrooms. The soft, neutral tones create a sense of spaciousness and offer more enhanced lighting. The minimalist quality gives you a lot of room to customise the rest of the interior design of the space whilst the veining adds visual interest without overpowering the senses.

2. Dramatic Black Marble for a Striking Entrance

If you want to make a bolder and stronger statement, consider dark or black marble floors in your living room or entrance way. Atmospheric and warm, there are plenty of black marble options that incorporate lighter veining such as white and gold to help balance the mood. Combined with stylish lighting and light-coloured accents, black marble will achieve a truly striking visual impact.

3. Rustic Charm with Earthy Marble

Earth-toned marble tiles range from beige and tan and can help infuse a rustic charm into your home without stripping out a sense of luxury and elegance. If you’re after a more farmhouse or Mediterranean-style kitchen for example, earth-coloured marble allows you to add texture, character and flair in a subtle way when incorporated in the flooring.

4. Serene Bathroom Retreat with Blue Marble

There are many marble bathroom ideas, but one of the most appealing has to be blue marble flooring. Cool, calming hues of blue can turn your bathroom into a spa-like retreat that is perfectly inviting for unwinding sessions. Large-format tiles in particular can create an expansive feeling and help open up even the more confined bathrooms in a home.

5. Timeless and Elegant Grey Marble

Grey marble flooring in areas such as the dining room can exude a timeless elegance. The soft, neutral tone of grey allows you to further customise the aesthetic however you so choose whilst the deep, richness of the darker marble also brings its own eclectic, textured beauty.

6. Playful Patterns and Mosaic

Last but not least is the use of different tile styling and patterns. While many marble floor ideas focus on the colour and shading of the slabs in question, don’t forget to consider the patterns you use. While classic rectangular tiles are the least conspicuous, playful mosaics with smaller marble tiles can help form really engaging patterns and bring a unique charm and sense of life to any room.

Looking for more marble flooring ideas?

Explore marble flooring options with Euro Marble. Contact our design experts today to discuss your ideas and learn about the practical benefits of marble floors.

Click Here

Waterfall Edge Kitchens that Redefine Luxury

Modern kitchen with dark wood cabinets and a marble waterfall island, complemented by gold pendant lighting and teal bar stools.

Finding the perfect interior design for your home can be a challenge, but when it comes to a waterfall countertop in your kitchen you’ll undoubtedly be on to a timeless winner!

Waterfall edge benchtops infuse a sense of luxury and practicality into a home and can be a heart-warming addition for family and eye-catching feature for guests.

What Is A Waterfall Countertop And Why is It So Luxurious?

The waterfall edge countertop refers to the sleek and seamless design of a benchtop that seems to cascade over one or more sides of an island or peninsula.

Instead of having sharp, distinct edges where the horizontal bench sits and the vertical column extends, the waterfall design creates a continuous flow from the top to the floor, much like a waterfall would in nature.

This interior design style is making waves in luxury homes for a reason. It looks flawlessly elegant and surprisingly sophisticated yet still minimalist aesthetically. Modern, functional and beautiful there are many benefits to incorporating a waterfall benchtop in a home kitchen.

The Benefits of Waterfall Edge Kitchens

1. Visual Appeal

First and foremost, waterfall edge kitchens look fabulous. The uninterrupted aesthetic creates a focal point that is alluring and captivating without infusing too much design, flair or boldness.

2. Seamless Integration

The inherent seamless nature of the waterfall countertop means that it’s easy to pair it with cabinets or flooring in a way that feels cohesive and effortless. Without visible joints, your entire kitchen will benefit from a clean and polished look.

3. Enhanced Durability

There are practical benefits to consider as well. Without edges and cracks, it offers enhanced durability against wear and tear. Many waterfall designs also offer greater structural integrity thanks to the lack of joins and pieces.

4. Space Optimisation

Space is always at a premium in kitchens. Waterfall edge kitchens offer a ton of space optimisation solutions. For one thing, you can extend the seating area on the side of the island or peninsula with the waterfall for extra use. You can also turn the internal space into storage facilities. Lastly, the stunning design of the waterfall lends the countertop naturally to being perfect for use unadorned when entertaining guests in style.

How to Redefine Luxury with Waterfall Edge Kitchens

Classic Marble Elegance

When you think elegance and luxury, you can’t help but think of marble. This utterly spectacular natural stone is perfect for use in waterfall edge kitchens. The smooth, subtly veined surface adds a touch of opulence whilst balancing simplicity and sophistication. Not to mention the durability and hardiness of stone for use in a benchtop.

Marble stone is also excellently versatile in design use. It can be paired with everything from dark wooden kitchen cabinetry to gold-finished hardware to achieve a classic, timeless feeling of luxury.

Bold Granite Benchtops

Bold, impactful and beautiful, granite is another natural stone that works amazingly when incorporated in a waterfall countertop. Available in a wide range of captivating patterns and equally impressive colour shades, the right granite slab can elevate a kitchen unbelievably well.

Granite waterfall edge benchtops are particularly well suited when coupled with minimalist cabinetry and or metallic accents. The grainy texture of granite achieves both a contemporary and luxurious aesthetic.

Cutting-Edge Concrete

If you’re interested in a waterfall countertop made of a material other than stone, concrete can be a somewhat unconventional yet considered choice. Especially suited for industrial-design aesthetics, concrete brings a grounded yet minimalist texture to your kitchen’s aesthetic.

Many interior designers favour concrete in kitchen designs heavy with sleek stainless steel appliances and/or open shelving.

Glitzy, Illuminated Quartz

Artificially-engineered quartz waterfall benchtops allow you to incorporate some more glitz and glamour. You can use backlights to bring the entire benchtop to life or opt for a glow of soft LED lights to achieve a translucent and ethereal feel.

While not every home and kitchen will suit the glamour of illuminated waterfall countertops, if it is your preferred style it makes for a truly extravagant visual.

Choosing Your Waterfall Countertop

Choosing the right design and material for your waterfall edge benchtop can be overwhelming. Here are the key elements and features to look for and consider for the ultimate in luxury design and functional experience.

High-Quality Materials

Many people turn to natural stone for their waterfall edge kitchens or other equally high quality material. The countertop is a space where there’s bound to be a lot of activity, so make sure you choose a suitably durable material.

Impeccable Craftsmanship

The key draw of a waterfall countertop is its luxurious beauty. Only settle for the most skilled of craftsmen and installers to ensure the waterfall edge is done just right. At Euro Marble, for example, our team are all extensively experienced and trained to ensure a seamless installation experience as well as a seamless waterfall benchtop.

Complementary Kitchen

You want your kitchen benchtop to stand out for the right reasons. It’s important therefore that you consider the design aesthetic of the rest of your kitchen and your other intended choices when evaluating what sort of waterfall design you’re after.

Thoughtful Design and Layout

A waterfall edge kitchen should enhance your kitchen’s functionality. Think about the layout and flow of the space and consider which edges should be included in the design. Remember, smart storage solutions can always be incorporated as well to help free the area of clutter and assist you in keeping the space as organised as possible.

Lighting Enhancements

Proper lighting can be used very effectively to bring out the best in your countertop. We’re not necessarily talking about LED strips or under-cabinet lighting. Even your regular choice of kitchen lighting should be considered. Think about how it will hero the waterfall design or hinder it.

Personalisation

A luxury kitchen should reflect your preferred style and specific requirements. From the appliances to the range hood and from statement pendant lights to a stunning splashback, there’s a ton of opportunities to customise and personalise your kitchen.

Long-Term Investment

Waterfall edge kitchens are not the cheapest design option. But you need to think of it as a long-term investment in your happiness and in the value of your home. That’s why we recommend choosing timeless designs and materials that won’t become outdated in a few years.

Let’s design the perfect countertop for you!

Elevate your home with a luxury waterfall edge countertop. Contact Euro Marble today to explore stunning stone options or visit our showroom.

Click Here

Art Deco Marble Mosaic Inspiration

Art Deco style marble mosaic of a colorful bird with intricate detailing, set against a vibrant, geometric background.

Are you looking for ways to elevate your interior design? Art deco mosaic patterns could be just the way to go!

Mosaic in art is a style that relies on using small pieces of material in a closely set pattern. Often, multiple colours or styles are used to create a larger pattern of depth, vibrancy and aesthetic appeal.

Intricate tile patterns and mosaics have been used in interior design for centuries and by drawing on some art deco inspiration, coupled with the beauty and functionality of marble stones, you can incorporate this unique art style in your home as well.

Introduction to Art Deco Mosaics

Art deco styling has similarly been drawn upon by design enthusiasts and specialists for many years to captivate, impress and delight. With bold geometric patterns, art deco designs can be applied throughout a home to utterly amazing effect with marble stones.

A Brief History

The art deco style emerged in the 1920s. Riding the waves of a design movement that highlighted geometric shapes, sleek and clear lines and opulent ornamentation, it was developed as a way of capturing a sense of sophistication and an aesthetic of luxury.

In many ways, art deco continues to reflect the original influences of ancient Egyptian art and even ancient Aztec motifs. Crucially, these styles utilise bold materials and colours to create a distinct pattern.

In more recent years, the use of marble tiles and stones in art deco mosaic has taken off in popularity as it leverages the artistic flair of the interior design style with the durability and functionality of natural stone.

Classic Characteristics

An art deco style can be achieved in many ways, but there are some classic characteristics to this iconic design.

1. Geometric shapes

As mentioned above, art deco loves bold and straight-lined geometric shapes. There’s a practically unlimited number of ways in which tiles can be arranged in symmetrical patterns, tiers or repeating motifs to create variety and uniqueness, but the icon of geometric shapes lies at the core of this interior design style.

2. Silhouettes

Another visual element that art deco is known for is its streamlined silhouettes. In conjunction with the emphasis on clean and straight lines, furniture, architecture and other decorations in the art deco style favour crisp, clear edges that give off a distinct silhouette and shape to a space.

3. Luxurious Materials

Luxurious materials are known to be more than well suited to an art deco design choice. Marble, for example, oozes elegance and sophistication and thus makes for a perfect material for use in art deco mosaics throughout the home.

4. Colours

At its heart, art deco is bold and vibrant. Using rich colours in a considerately laid out pattern is completely in tune with what this interior design style is known for. If you’re looking to create a marble mosaic in this style, consider contrasting different complementary hues that work together but also draw the eye in a good way.

5. Ornate Details

Inherent in the use of mosaics is the intricacy and decorative aspects that come with arranging many small pieces of marble in a larger geometric pattern. While you can still create the overall motif or imagery you want with your art deco motif, ornate details keep the effect visually interesting without becoming overwhelming or overpowering in a space.

6. Symmetrical Balance

Along with geometric shapes and clear lines comes symmetry and balance. Art deco emphasises these design characteristics in everything: from the pattern arrangement to the placement of furniture throughout the room. Consider how your marble mosaic patterns balance visual complexity with symmetrical aesthetics.

Using Marble Mosaic to Achieve Art Deco Style

As iterated above, marble mosaics are made from an artistic technique that incorporates small pieces and tiles of this special stone to create patterns of various shapes, designs, and colours. Sometimes, designers create an image from the assembly of marble pieces, while other times they simply incorporate geometric shapes and patterns.

Thanks to its natural beauty and intricate veining, marble lends itself as a perfect material for creating art deco mosaic patterns. Every creation is unique in and of itself, and the design possibilities are practically limitless.

Using marble art deco mosaic tiles can help you add a bit of detail and depth to any space of the house in a way that’s suitably subtle and yet appropriately visually striking.

How to Incorporate Art Deco Mosaic in Your Home

At the end of the day, the way in which you use art deco-inspired mosaics to liven up your home is up to you. Consider where you want to add a focal point visually. Think about which spaces need a bit of boldness and colour. Take into account what other design styles and decorative aspects you have already.

Once you’ve considered these factors, here’s a few suggestions of where and how you can use marble mosaics to amazing effect.

1. Statement Wall

A statement wall offers a perfect canvas for infusing some personality and colour to a space. By transforming a blank or bland wall into something art deco and beautiful, you’ll change the entire room for the better.

Geometric art deco-inspired patterns made from marble tiles will work wonderfully on a statement wall. Consider contrasting colours, such as black and white, for a really mesmerising aesthetic. Or, alternatively, choose vibrant, colourful hues to achieve a more dramatic flair in your interior design.

2. Floors and Entryways

Art deco mosaics are certainly works of art in and of themselves, so it’s understandable that walls are the first port of call when someone is thinking about how they can incorporate this style in their home. Floors and entryways, however, offer a lot of potential for artistic expression and design.

Apart from the sheer size of the surface area, a geometric pattern – whether it’s in zigzags or the shape of an image – across a foyer or hallway will help add some grandeur to your home that impresses family members and visitors alike. With plenty of marble stone options, there’s a lot of flexibility in how you use art deco mosaic patterns to suit your preferred aesthetic and the floor space you’ve chosen to transform.

3. Bathroom

Bathrooms are too often a room of the house neglected when it comes to personal styling. Infusing some art deco glamour in your bathroom is a great way to combat this. A room already tiled for functional reasons, some art deco inspired marble tile patterns across the wall, floor or even within the shower will bring the room to life visually.

Whether you opt for a classic fan-shaped pattern or prefer a mosaic that’s more intricate and aesthetically deep is up to you. Marble stone offers plenty of versatility to achieve some rich styling that’s luminous, captivating and perfectly suited to your bathroom.

Find the perfect marble for your art deco mosaic today!

If you’re looking to incorporate some unforgettably unique art deco mosaic patterns in your home, marble tiles are the way to go! Beautiful, opulent and durable, this natural stone is truly a triple threat.

Click Here

10 Top Green Marble Design Ideas

Luxurious kitchen featuring deep green marble countertops and matching island, dark green cabinetry, gold pendant lights, and built-in shelves.

Marble stone is iconic and popular for many reasons in interior design and general construction. While the classic visual of marble is white or offwhite with grey veining, there is actually a wide spectrum of colours and shades of this wondrous natural stone to choose from.

If you love marble – and who doesn’t – but are looking to add something with a bit more flair and boldness than the standard aesthetics of the classic stone, green marble designs may be just the answer for you!

Why Use Green Marble?

Unique and Natural Aesthetic

Green marble is utterly gorgeous. Boasting an eye-catching aesthetic, this stunning stone will add a distinct visual element to any space of the home. The rich marble surface brings natural patterns and deep variations to ensure a truly captivating look. Plus, with plenty of hues and shades ranging from light to dark, you can find the perfect green marble slab to match your dream interior design style.

Versatility in Design Application

Green marble allows for a ton of versatility in application. While we’ll get into some of the most common uses of this beautiful stone further one, suffice it here to say that the nature-coloured stone can be used to perfectly complement any floor of the home and even outside of the house itself.

Practical and Functional

Marble stone in general is known for being highly durable, hard wearing and as a result long lasting. Aside from its aesthetic beauty, this is one of the main reasons why it’s such a popular material for use in houses. Green marble designs are no different. You can enjoy all the durability this stone is known for while still adding an element of elegance to even areas of high activity and foot traffic in your home.

Green Marble: Interior Design Ideas

1. Kitchen Island

The kitchen is often the centre of not just your actual house but of daily activity. Introducing a centrepiece that is flawless in aesthetics and stunning in its impact on the overall interior design of a space is a game changer.

A green marble kitchen island balances luxury and elegance in design with a tone of the natural world. In contrast with surrounding cabinetry that is considerately chosen, the overall feeling of your kitchen will be airy, spacious, colourful and opulent.

2. Bathroom Shower

Rich green marble tiles can transform a space. We all want our bathrooms to feel inviting, relaxing and spa-like. Instead of relying on wall to wall neutral colouring, using green marble tiles in your shower area will infuse a sense of the beauty of nature while still maintaining a rich sophistication visually.

3. Flooring

There are many great green marble flooring ideas depending on your preference and needs. This visually striking and durable stone can be used to great effect in an entryway, throughout the living room or even in the bedroom. While normally the floor is forgotten underfoot, literally, using green marble in your interior design will truly elevate it in every which way.

4. Fireplace Mantel

The fireplace is an area commonly associated with wood, brick or even off white marble. However, if you’re looking for marble designs that will really add depth and character to your living room, a green marble mantel will do just the trick. Not only can the right shade of green make a roaring fire pop visually even more, it will create a unique focal point in the same way as an accent wall, which brings us to our next green marble interior design idea.

5. Accent Walls

Accent walls can be used to amazing effect in interior design. Whether it’s an office or the dining area, adding depth and colour to a space with an accent/feature wall will change the entire feel of the room. A green marble wall brings all the beauty of nature and its colouring into the home while still maintaining the rich opulence that is so beloved of marble itself.

6. Countertops

Last but not least of our marble designs for interior design is the humble countertop. Kitchens, laundries and bathrooms often have long counters that offer plenty of surface area on which to infuse character and striking aesthetics. A slab of amazing green marble will inject a bit of colour and style to the space without you having to compromise on functionality or practicality.

Green Marble: Exterior Design Ideas

1. Patio

Green marble is just perfectly suited for inside the house. Consider turning your outdoor living space into an area of try luxury with a green marble tiled patio. It will serve as a memorable and stunning backdrop for outdoor entertaining, dining and general relaxation.

2. Pool Decking

If you have a pool in your backyard, you’re probably familiar with just how gorgeous the contrast of blue water with greenery and grass can be. With green marble pool decking you can achieve this same refreshing and sophisticated oasis-feel.

3. House Facade

This design idea is a bit bolder than some others but if you’re as much of a fan of green stone as we are, using it on the exterior facade of your home can add something invaluable to the overall look of the house. With a green marble facade your home will stand out for all the right reasons, looking both regal and natural at the same time.

4. Garden Pathway

As we’ve mentioned a few times, green marble evokes nature down to its core, which is why using this natural stone for a garden pathway leading to your front door or out the back is a great way of ensuing elegance in your exterior design.

Perfectly complementary with garden beds and landscaping for obvious reasons, green marble will not only perfectly match the surroundings but will raise it all up a level aesthetically.

Green Marble Interior Design Ideas That Really Wow!

The team here at Euro Marble live and breathe all things marble. We love helping come up with green marble designs for our customers. So, if you have some ideas about what you’re looking for or want to discuss how to best use green marble in interior design or exterior design, just contact us today.

12 Pink Marble Design Ideas

Collage of pink marble interiors featuring a chic living room with a pink marble fireplace, decorative pink marble wall with artwork, and a kitchen with pink marble countertops and pink cabinetry.

Marble stone can look wonderful in many applications and in many different ways. Whether you decide to incorporate this wonderful natural stone from wall to wall or across the floor is up to you.

But what most people don’t realise when it comes to marble is just how many different colours and shades there are. In this blog, we’ll introduce you to some of the top pink marble design ideas to help inspire you and your next renovation.

Using Pink Marble in Interior Design

Pink marble is rising in popularity amongst interior designers and homeowners. At Euro Marble, for example, we help many of our customers find the perfect shade and style of pink to suit their home style, preferences and aesthetic.

You can check out our range online or – better yet – come into our showroom to see them for yourself.

Types of Pink Marble

Pink Marble Interior Design Ideas

To help you get your creative juices flowing and to inspire you with your new home decor project, we’ve put together the top 12 interior design ideas for incorporating pink marble.

1. Pink Marble Accent Wall

Coloured accent walls offer an opportunity to infuse some bold and brilliant aesthetics to your living room or bedroom. Using marble for your wall allows you to incorporate elegance and sophistication as well as some flair and style.

With a pink marble accent wall part of your interior design you can successfully strike the balance between warm colouring and brightness. Unlike darker coloured stone, pink marble enables you to achieve a sense of space and lightness while still ensuring strong levels of vibrancy.

2. Marble Kitchen Countertops

Marble kitchen countertops look a treat, work like a charm and are a great addition to just about any home. When you opt for pink marble in your kitchen you’ll be making a memorable visual statement to family, friends, guests and visitors.

Like all marble stone, pink marble – treated and sealed – offers hardy longevity when used as a kitchen benchtop. As the centre of your kitchen, using pink stone is an effective way of incorporating colour in a strong yet non-overwhelming way.

Moreover, you can easily pair it with equally sophisticated cabinetry or splashback designs.

3. Bathroom Vanity

Your bathroom vanity offers another amazing opportunity to use pink marble in interior design. Light, airy shades of pink stone create a sense of serene luxury and unique styling: The perfect balance for your bathroom.

Combining functionality with fashion, a pink marble bathroom vanity is a low-key yet high-impact way to take your bathroom up a notch.

4. Fireplace Surrounds

Stone fireplaces offer a lot of potential for adding a touch of genuine opulence to a living or family area without sacrificing the cosiness of the space.

While white, grey and even darker marble are common choices for marble fireplaces, pink stone can work amazingly. In fact, with a deeper, rich pink shading, your fireplace will stand out whether it is in use or not.

5. Pink Flooring

There’s almost limitless potential when it comes to pink marble flooring designs. Marble is highly functional when used to tile the floor and will enhance the entire house with its aesthetic appeal and iconic look.

Consider how and where you should use pink marble flooring in your home, such as entryways, hallways, or bathrooms. It’s a highly effective way to inject a glamorous, timeless sense of style into your house.

6. Pink Marble Coffee Table

If you love the thought and look of pink marble but are not sure you’re ready for the financial or stylistic commitment of incorporating it in the floors or walls, a humble pink marble coffee table could be just the ticket.

Paired with carefully chosen furniture and other stylistic accents, a pink table can be a striking and highly impressive centrepiece for your living room that exudes sophistication and charm.

7. Marble Splashbacks

While we briefly mentioned splashbacks earlier in conjunction with a countertop, pink marble splashbacks on their own also offer plenty of opportunity. This oft ignored section of the kitchen can be used to great effect to add a visually captivating element to an otherwise bland kitchen.

If you’re willing and able to take it up a step, you can always choose other complementary design aesthetics to further highlight the pink beauty of the marble splashbacks. But if not, it will still look fantastic on its own.

8. Bathroom Shower Tiles

Returning to your bathroom for a moment, using pink marble tiles in the shower area can help you achieve the luxurious, retreat-like aesthetic you’ll love.

Your bathroom, and your shower in particular, should be a space that promotes relaxation and enhances feelings of rejuvenation. Pink marble is a great way of creating just that feeling but without going overboard.

9. Wall Art

Pink marble art, such as marble-style paintings or even artwork on framed slabs, can be added wherever and however you want throughout your home.

Much like a coffee table, pink marble wall art is an easy and understated way of incorporating this amazing stone into your home. This classy marble is suitable throughout the home from bedrooms to dining rooms and everywhere in between.

10. Marble Dining Table

If you’re not sure that you want to incorporate a slab of pink marble in your kitchen, the dining room is another excellent opportunity to achieve the same excitingly bold visual statement. With plenty of additional potential in design, shape and style, a pink marble dining table can be tailored to suit your needs and preferences.

11. Marble Bathroom Sink

The humble bathroom sink is more than just a functional feature of the room. There’s still a lot of scope for infusing an element of elegance and with pink marble you can easily do exactly that.

A simple pink marble sink can have a surprisingly outsized impact on the entire room.

12. Pink Accessories

Using pink marble in interior design effectively can sometimes be just as much about the little things as the big things. Pink accessories made from stunning marble stone, such as vases, candle holders, mirrors, and even trays can be artfully and tastefully placed around a home.

Not only will it infuse a ton of vibrant colouring and style, but it can help to tie the overall design aesthetic of your entire home in an easy to incorporate way.

Contact Euro Marble today for more pink marble ideas

If any of the above ideas have inspired you to find out more about how you can incorporate pink marble interior design in your home or you’d like to view our entire range of coloured marble stone, give us a call today on (02) 8585 2999 to arrange a tour through our Sydney-based showroom.

Click Here

Decor Ideas For Your Dining Room Wall

Stylish dining room featuring a white dining table with chairs, textured walls with wooden slats, decorative art pieces, and a display cabinet with elegant decor items.

Exploring different dining room wall decor ideas can and should be fun!

After all, the dining room is often the beating heart of a home–where friends, family and guests gather to share meals, stories and memories. To create as much of a welcoming and visually appealing dining space as possible, the right decor is critical.

In addition to furniture and table settings, dining room wall art offers extensive opportunity to infuse personality, style and sophistication.

In this blog, we’ll explore the significance of décor in dining rooms and present some creative ideas to inspire your approach to dining room walls.

Why Dining Wall Décor Matters

1. It Helps to Create Ambiance

Thoughtful dining room art and other decor can enhance and set the ambiance you’re looking to create. Whether you’re engaged in a casual weekday meal or hosting a festive gathering, the dining room wall art you choose will go a long way towards setting the tone you’re after.

2. It Helps to Create Visual Interest

Dining room walls are essentially blank canvases allowing you to showcase your personality through art, architectural elements or decorative accents. Apart from the appealing visual aesthetic of dining room decor, adding layers of visual interest and depth can transform an otherwise ordinary space into a captivating focal point to arouse interest in guests and family members alike.

3. It Helps to Express Personal Style

As a homeowner, you’ll likely want to infuse personal style into your dining room and incorporate decisions that reflect your preferences. That way, this central space of your home will feel uniquely yours and customised to suit your lifestyle. Whether you opt for family photos or cherished family heirlooms, there’s almost no limit in how you can use decor to infuse personality and warmth into the room.

Creative Ideas for Your Dining Room Wall Decor

Struggling for some ideas? We’ve got some inspiring and creative ideas to help get you started designing the dining room of your dreams!

Gallery Walls

Gallery walls offer boundless creative potential. Curated collections of artwork, collages of family photographs and even tastefully framed prints are all wonderful options for your dining room wall. There’s also an opportunity to mix and match different styles, sizes and frames to create a visually dynamic and engaging display.

Mirrors

Mirrors are simple and yet effective statement pieces for dining wall decor. Apart from the benefits it brings by expanding the sense of space and reflecting natural light, a decorative mirror with an ornate or minimalist frame can perfectly complement the rest of your interior design aesthetic.

Wallpaper

Wallpaper accents allow you to introduce a pattern, colour scheme and even texture into your dining room. There are plenty of bold prints but there’s no reason why a subtly textured wallpaper or timeless, low-key design can’t add a huge amount of visual interest without risking overwhelming the dining space.

Floating Shelves

Floating shelves are stylish, fashionable and highly functional. Without taking up precious floor space, these shelving units provide plenty of surface area to display decorative objects–think vases, candles and pottery–and serve as a visual statement piece in and of themselves. How? By experimenting with asymmetrical arrangements or different height levels you can bring a complex aesthetic to an otherwise barren dining room wall.

Plants and Greenery

Botanical themed decor is a fantastic option for dining areas. By incorporating greenery into the room, you can help transform the room into a living, bright space. Not only does this add a touch of nature, but it can also improve air quality and ensure a calming atmosphere. Whether you’re keen on a ‘living wall’ or would prefer something more subtle like a hanging plant or two, botanical accents make for a wonderful dining wall decor.

Statement Lighting

Lighting in a dining room is highly functional, by necessity. But statement lighting doesn’t have to be. You can incorporate striking light fixtures on your dining room walls to help set a tone and create an ambience of sophistication, comfort and luxury. There’s plenty of lighting designs and styles available so you’re bound to find one that complements your overall decor style and preferences.

Wall Panels

Wall panels are an easy way to add a semi-architectural interest and depth to your dining room walls. Textured panels in particular come in a range of colours and patterns so you can use them to create effect in tying the room together stylistically. Of course, there’s no reason–and often plenty of reason not–to add wall panels from floor to ceiling and throughout the dining room. But a single feature wall can go a long way in elevating the space visually.

Metallic Accents

Metallic accents, such as gold or copper wall sconces, mirrors, frames and artwork, are a low-key and yet highly effective way to add warmth and sophistication to your space. Metallic finishes also work to reflect light and create a sense of overall luxury, both of which are welcome additions in just about any dining room.

Stone Cladding

Natural stone, such as granite or marble, isn’t just a highly functional and durable material. It’s a wonderful option for subtly enhancing your dining room wall art. Add a touch of timeless elegance with a natural stone veneer or incorporate visually interesting aesthetics with stone panels. The wide range of colours, patterns and styles means that you can achieve everything from a rustic look to glamorous sophistication with natural stone cladding.

Want to Talk More Dining Wall Decor?

Incorporating creative dining area wall décor into your home can elevate the overall look, the general feel and the level of personalisation. With the right dining room art and decor, you can transform the space into an inviting, iconic and interesting gathering place for your loved ones.

If you’d like to find out more about how to bring your dining room to life, why not reach out to the team at Euro Marble today? We’re passionate about all things home decor, especially how to infuse stunning natural stone into the mix.

Styling End Tables for Form and Function

An elegantly styled end table with tasteful decor amid comfortable seating and chic wall art in a well-lit, cozy room setting.

Decorating end tables is one of the more commonly overlooked areas of interior design. Yet, this small but significant element can be the missing key in elevating the look and feel of a space.

End tables are versatile pieces of furniture offering both practical benefits and aesthetic purposes. The right elegant end table for a living room can help you strike the perfect balance between form and function.

In this blog, we’ll delve into what end tables are, how to effectively utilise them, where to place them, and why decorating them is paramount.

What Are End Tables?

End tables, also referred to as side tables or accent tables, are small tables typically positioned beside sofas, armchairs, or beds.

The main function and use of end tables is to provide a convenient and accessible surface for placing items within arm’s reach. To that end, they are commonly used for lamps, books, cups and beverages, or even TV remote controls. Aesthetic adornments, such as plants, vases, candles and sculptures, are also often placed on end tables.

End tables come in various shapes, sizes, and materials, ranging from wood and metal to glass and natural stone. Of course, they often feature a flat surface on top by necessity though some include shelving above and/or drawers below.

Where To Put End Tables

There’s really no right or wrong place for an end table. They are incredibly versatile and can be placed in various locations across various rooms of a home.

Most commonly, end tables flank couches and armchairs in a living room to offer a place for your family and friends to palace drinks and snacks.

In the context of a bedroom, they are often next to one’s bed to provide easy access to lamps, books, alarm clocks and glasses of water.

As decorative furniture, end tables can be used in dining rooms, hallways or entryways to display sculptures, indoor plants, lamps, ornaments or photographs. Many people also use end tables in high traffic areas of the home to collect mail, hold keys and provide storage for hats and sunglasses.

Ultimately, your end table placement is up to you and your functional needs and stylistic preferences.

Importance of Decorating End Tables

Decorating end tables is essential for adding personality and visual interest to a space. Even end tables which primarily offer functional, practical utility can and should be styled to enhance the overall ambiance and interior design of a room.

When it comes to decorating end tables, it’s not just about curating the right items and accessories on top of it–but also the type, shape, style, material and size of the end table itself.

Remember: End tables provide a fantastic opportunity to incorporate color, texture, and dimension into your decor scheme and can be used to great effect in tying together different elements within the room.

Ideas for Decorating End Tables

1. Minimalist Style

For a clean and contemporary look, opt for a sleek end table with minimalist design. By keeping the tabletop clutter-free or adorned with a single statement piece such as a sculptural vase or a minimalist lamp you’ll emphasis simplicity and ensure a balance between sophistication and spaciousness.

2. Storage Solutions

For those of you with more accessories and items that need to be stored away, consider choosing end tables with built-in storage options such as drawers or shelves. These storage spaces maximise functionality and help to keep clutter at bay. You can still showcase design and styling with decorative elements on top without losing out on tidy and organised living.

3. Eclectic Accents

You can embrace eclecticism by mixing and matching different textures, patterns, and materials on your end tables. For example, consider pairing a metallic accent table with a woven basket for an intriguing contrast of elements. Use contrasting shades of natural stone to imbue a sense of colour and visual interest to the space. Even by layering different decorative objects of varying heights, sizes and shapes can create visual complexity and showcase your unique style personality without going overboard.

4. Nature-inspired Decor

End tables offer a wonderful opportunity to bring the outdoors inside by incorporating natural elements into your decor. You can display a small potted plant or a vase filled with fresh flowers and add a pop of greenery and breath of life into the space. In terms of the end tables themselves, natural stone or wood are great materials for further enhancing the organic aesthetic and creating a harmonious integration of natural elements.

5. Functional Lighting

Elegant end tables for living rooms can be fantastic spaces for incorporating additional functional lighting solutions. Table lamps with adjustable arms or different dimming settings can improve both usability of the space and ambiance within the room. Remember to position your end tables and the lighting on them in a way that best enhances the overall mood and atmosphere of the room while being accessible and functional.

6. Decorative Material

As mentioned before, the actual material chosen for your end table can be a decorative element in and of itself. Natural stone, such as marble, in an end table can be a thing of beauty and a welcome design choice without any additional adornment. Stone comes in such a wide range of colours, patterns and shades that it’s easy to find the perfect aesthetic for your preference and your application. To explore some natural stone end table options today, click here.

Your Search for the Right End Table Ends Here

If you’re still wondering where to put end tables in your room or how to perfectly ensure placement of the right accessorizing on an existing table of yours, the Euro Marble team is here to help.

We know just how critical decorating end tables in the right way can be for the look and feel of your home. And we appreciate just how important balancing practical needs and aesthetic preferences is for ensuring usability and a style that reflects your unique personality and lifestyle.

So, why not give us a call to discuss all things end tables or come into our showroom to see our gorgeous natural stone slabs?