Marble Interior Design Inspiration

Natural Stone Finishes: The Complete Guide

Using natural stone for interior and exterior applications in your home is a great idea. This fantastic material has been revered for its timeless beauty and appreciated for its hardy durability for centuries. One crucial aspect of using stone, however, is not just the type of material itself but the stone finish.

The right tile finishes can make or break your use of stone. Not only can it enhance the aesthetic appeal of the surface, but it also provides practical protection from exposure to moisture and susceptibility to staining.

In this guide, we’ll run through everything you need to know to get started with stone finishes and make the right choice for your particular application.

The Basics of Stone Finishes

The term “finish” refers to the treatment applied to the surface of the natural stone to either alter its appearance or enhance its performance, or both.

This step is crucial in the fabrication process of the stone tiles you’re looking to use and can influence not just the stone’s colour and texture, but its durability and longevity. The right stone finish can help shield the material you’ve invested in from wear and tear and damage by melements and moisture, keeping it functioning and looking as good as new.

Finding the Right Tile Finishes

Selecting the appropriate finish for your needs is quite important. A considered and well-informed choice of finish will ensure that your stone complements your overall design choices and ensures that it features the right level of resilience against the elements it may encounter once installed.

Marble, granite, limestone and the array of other natural stone materials all bring with them unique qualities and aesthetic appeal. Matching the stone with the right finish for its particular application can contribute significantly to the visual appeal and the value of your home.

How to Choose a Stone Finish

1. What type of stone are you using?

While all natural stone looks great and works like a charm in a range of applications, they do respond differently to various finishes. The specific characteristics of the stone, such as the porosity of marble or the hardiness of granite, can mean that certain finishes are more appropriate than others.

2. Where are you placing the stone?

Are your stone tiles going outside? Is the natural stone going to be featured inside? The location of your stone finish application will be a significant factor to consider. Exterior finishes need to be hardier to withstand exposure to weather conditions, while internal applications may be better suited to finishes that prioritise aesthetic and/or easiness to clean.

3. What maintenance requirements are you looking for?

Different stone finishes require different types and intensity of maintenance routines. Consider your willingness and ability to maintain your stone when considering the different types of finishes available.

4. What are your style preferences?

This one is up to you, for better or worse. Consider what sort of aesthetic you’re going for. A finish can be used to either intensify a stone’s natural colour, subdue it, or add a different element that can contrast or complement the rest of your interior design.

5. Do you have additional needs?

While we’ve spoken a lot about the aesthetic and hardy attributes of stone tile finishes, there is another beneficial function to them. Certain stone finishes offer features such as slip resistance, which can be crucial for applications such as patios or pool areas. These special finish options provide a safe surface in wet conditions and should be considered when weighing up your various options.

Natural Stone Finishes: The most popular options

The Polished Finish

Perhaps the most famous of the options when it comes to stone finishes, a polished finish achieves a glossy, reflective surface and is popular for use on marble and granite. The polish works to enhance the natural colour of the stone and helps ensure its patterns and veining pop.

The Honed Finish

The honed finish, also sometimes referred to as a matte finish, is smooth to the touch like the polished finish but without the shine. Honed finishes are commonly used for areas exposed to higher levels of traffic where a polish wouldn’t last. It provides an equally appealing visual style but in a more casual and understated way.

The Flamed Finish

The flamed finish is most commonly used for materials such as granite and in applications where you want to achieve a textured surface reminiscent of a rustic aesthetic. The flamed finish, as its name suggests, is achieved through exposing the stone to high temperatures and makes for a highly suitable finish on stone being used in exterior applications.

The Brushed Finish

This unimaginatively named finish is achieved by brushing the surface of the natural stone with a stiff and abrasive brush. It creates a rather comforting and visually interesting textured look and unique aesthetic. It can be more difficult to keep clean and maintain however.

The Tumbled Finish

The tumbled finish involves tumbling the stone pieces with an abrasive material to create an intentionally worn appearance and evoke suggestions of an antique quality. Travertine and limestone tiles are common recipients of the tumbled finish as it complements their sedimentary make-up.

The Split Face Finish

Achieved by splitting natural stone along its natural cleavage lines, this finish achieves a rough and yet artistically textured surface. It is particularly popular for use in accent walls and exterior cladding thanks to its visually arresting appearance.

The Sandblasted Finish

With the sandblasted finish, a high pressure stream of sand is applied to the surface of the natural stone achieving a matte appearance but with a subtly textured surface. Apart from the aesthetic appeal of this finish, it also offers a degree of slip resistance making it highly popular for use in outdoor settings.

The Leathered Finish

Much like its name suggests, the leathered finish helps to create a leather-like surface to the natural stone. Textured yet smooth, it is gaining popularity for use in interior applications particularly granite and stone countertops where homeowners want both the contemporary style of stone but with the warmth of a leather-esque surface.

At Euro Marble, we’ll help you finish the job!

Finding the right stone finish for you is a crucial step in the design and construction of your home, in terms of both aesthetics and functionality.

Whether you know exactly what sort of finish you’re after or need a bit of assistance discussing the different options, make sure to reach out to our experts in stone finishes right here at Euro Marble.

Viva Magenta – Pantone Colour of the Year 2023 Design Tips

In December 2022, the Pantone Colour of the Year was announced for 2023 and the winning shade was Viva Magenta. Since then the Viva Magenta colour scheme has gone on to inspire countless artists, designers and home design experts.

If you’ve similarly fallen in love with this amazing colour and are wondering how to incorporate this bold look in your home, we have got you covered.

What is Viva Magenta?

According to the Pantone website, the choice of Viva Magenta 18-750 as the colour of the year represents bravery and fearlessness. This pulsating colour descends from the family of reds and brings with it an aesthetic of joyousness and optimism, inspiring one to write a new narrative and blaze new trails.

This vibrating and vigorous new shade was chosen due to its powerful visuals and empowering energy. As such the new animated magenta red welcomes anyone who feels like a bit of a rebel at heart whilst still being inclusive of everyone.

Introduction to Pantone

Pantone is both a colour matching system and an independent organisation. Their role is to provide colour standards for a use across a variety of industries.

Within the Pantone Matching System, sometimes referred to as PMS, there are a series of standardised colours. Each colour, such as Viva Magenta, has its own name and unique number. This allows artists and designers to more easily and accurately communicate their colour use regardless of media and material context.

Thanks to the Pantone standards and systems, graphic designers, interior designers, fashion designers, printers and product designers can all work with clear consistency and specificity.

At the end of each calendar year, Pantone announces their choice of the Colour of the Year for the following year. This announcement has become an anticipated event across the design and artistic world.

“Pantone Color Institute provides trusted color leadership. We can develop a comprehensive set of solutions that leverages the power of color, increasing color confidence and achieving brand goals.” – Pantone Color Institute

10 Tips for Using Viva Magenta in Design

Using Viva Magenta in interior design can be an exciting and effective way to inject a bit of flair and flavour into your home. However, being the bold and striking colour that it is, we’ve put together 10 handy tips for helping you use the Viva Magenta colour to maximum effectiveness.

Balance the Colour Scheme

Balance in interior design is always important and when incorporating Viva Magenta it’s all the more so.

One simple design technique for balancing colour schemes is to use a base, neutral colour in conjunction with Viva Magenta. Think of your whites, greys, and even blacks. There is still plenty of opportunity to customise which sort of neutral colour you’re opting for and how you actually apply both shades to the space is up to you.

Hero the Magenta

With the right balance of colours so that the animated red of the Colour of the Year isn’t overwhelming, you can be free to truly hero the Viva Magenta.

Using it as an accent colour can create a real pop of visual flair to a space. Incorporate the Viva Magenta colour centrally (not physically but aesthetically) so that–without dominating the space–it draws one’s eyes and creates visual interest.

Match with Warm Colours

Once you’ve determined how you’re going to both balance and hero the Magenta, it’s time to start considering complementing the bold look with some other accessories, decorations, or even fixtures and tapware.

When you’re choosing the colour of these items we recommend opting for something warm without being too striking. Gold, for example, can wonderfully match the Viva Magenta and contribute positively to the overall atmosphere without stealing aesthetic attention.

Try It If Unsure

Viva Magenta is a gorgeous colour but it might not be for everyone. When you’re considering how to use it in your home, if you’re feeling a bit unsure then try it out first.

Opting for magenta curtains or pillows or even a rug can be a cost-effective and non-permanent way of trialling this bold colour before you commit to something more extravagant or difficult to reverse.

Use with High Ceilings

Rooms with high ceilings and/or natural light offer a lot of interior design opportunities. With the Viva Magenta colour it allows you to incorporate this vibrant aesthetic in larger and grander ways without becoming overwhelming.

Whether you opt for magenta furniture, a feature wall or some other incorporation is up to you and your design style preferences.

Create an Earthy Feel

Bearing in mind Tip #1, you can effectively create a grounded, Earthy feel while maintaining sophistication in design by combining magenta with muted tones like beige, brown or olive green.

Whether you use wood, Earthy-looking stone such as limestone, or some other material, Viva Magenta can be used to great effect bringing such an interior style to life.

Play with Texture

So far our tips have focused mostly on colour use and choice. But texture is a very important consideration in interior design. Using different types of material adds a layer of visual depth to any room.

When it comes to using Viva Magenta, it’s even more effective as it combines the richness of the colouring with the aesthetic complexity of varying textures. To get you started, think about how you could use velvet or silk.

Use Magenta Shades

Whether your magenta is being incorporated on a wall or in your furniture, there is a lot of scope to mix and match different shades of magenta along with the chosen Pantone Colour of 2023.

Don’t be afraid to play around a little bit as you try to balance the playful, vibrant look with the rest of the room’s design and aesthetic.

Use Artwork

A gallery wall of artwork and/or photography can be an effective and easier way to use Viva Magenta in interior design.

You can feature the colour as heavily or subtly as you so choose and opt for the exact size, shape, style and placement of the artwork as suits your interior space best. As with Tip #4, using artwork to showcase magenta gives you plenty of scope to chop and change the styling later on.

Use the Colour in Unexpected Ways

Interior design is about being creative and one way to do that is to use Viva Magenta in unexpected ways and unexpected places.

Think about areas of the space that one wouldn’t usually apply a feature colour, such as the ceiling or even a bookshelf. Are there decorative pieces or items of furniture that would be striking yet appealing if coloured magenta? Playing around and trying out different ideas can help you stumble across some wonderful and creative new ways to incorporate this amazing colour.

Find the Right Colour for Your Space Today

Did you know that Euro Marble is the premier supplier of not just classic-looking stone like marble and granite, but a wide range of different coloured natural stones too?

We love helping our customers explore and create wonderful new spaces in their home and we’d love to help you too! So, if you’d like to brainstorm more ways of using Viva Magenta or want to find out more about our products, make sure to contact our team today on (02) 8585 2999.

Mixed Metals in Bathroom Design

Using mixed metals in your bathroom’s design can be a fantastic way to add a touch of elegance and a sense of visual interest to your space. This increasingly popular design trend offers many benefits, functionally and aesthetically.

How can you best use mixed metals? Why should you consider this design trend? In this blog, we’ll introduce you to everything you need to know about combining different metals to great stylistic effect.

Mixing Metals – What is it exactly?

Mixing metals in interior design refers to the use of different metallic finishes in an intentional blending stylistically. While, in the past, conventional use of metal finishes is to hero a single type of metal, nowadays it is becoming more and more common to actually use two contrasting and yet complementary metals to achieve a desired look and feel.

Why consider mixing metals in your bathroom?

This stylistic technique creates a visual depth and balance in a room, such as a bathroom, and when done with consideration and deftness can be aesthetically captivating.

If you’re a fan of the metallic look in general, you may find that only incorporating a single type of finish doesn’t give you the depth and sophistication you’re after. Mixing metals allows you to utilise the contrast in materials to add texture to the space without compromising the overall metallic aesthetic.

What metals are commonly used in bathrooms?

There really is a wide range of metallic finishes that look and function amazingly in a bathroom. Some of the more common options, however, include:

Brass
Copper
Silver
Gold
Stainless steel
Black metals

Of course, each of these metals will bring its own unique look and functionality to the table. At the end of the day, you will need to consider what sort of style you’re looking to achieve with your interior design and choose the metal finish that will best enhance that chosen aesthetic.

Mixed Metals in Bathrooms

The bathroom is one room of the house that is often relegated to just its ‘function’. But the truth is that the humble bathroom offers a lot of scope and opportunity to infuse style, visual flair and personality. The well appointed and designed bathroom can be elevated to your own personal hideaway and, considering the fact bathrooms are used every day, bring joy to your life on a regular basis.

So, how should you go about mixing metals in your bathroom? Firstly, you need to consider the durability of any metal you’re considering. Being located in the bathroom, any finish or material you choose needs to have the required resistance to moisture as well as general hardiness to stand the test of time when it comes to wear and tear.

Secondly, you’ll likely want to achieve a more sleek and/or modern aesthetic if you’re considering mixed metals. To do this, try to mix metals that complement each other colour wise and stylistically. One bold colour, such as gold or black, mixed with a more neutrally-toned colour is the key here. While contrasting metal finishes will certainly add depth and complexity to your space, the last thing you want to be doing is overwhelming the bathroom with an overload of visual stimuli.

Lastly, consider the ongoing maintenance required by any metal you’re thinking of using. Corrosion and even fingerprint marks are common problems interior designers face when choosing lower quality metals. Fortunately, by choosing high quality metal finishes, and armed with some simple, basic maintenance habits, you can mitigate these issues pretty successfully.

Benefits of Mixed Metals in the Bathroom

The Look

As we’ve mentioned above, mixed metals can really elevate the visual style of a bathroom. Whether you love the slightly industrial look of copper or the glamour of gold, metal finishes bring a sleek, sophisticated and visually appealing aesthetic to the room.

The Practicality

High-quality metal finishes offer equally high durability, temperature and moisture resistance. For obvious reasons, this can be invaluable in a bathroom setting. Remember, bathrooms are also exposed to a lot of humidity, so choosing a hygienic and easy-to-clean material such as metal can be a life-saver. Metals are also hardy, which is important for everyday traffic and activity.

The Flexibility

Mixed metals offer a ton of flexibility in application. You can incorporate large, reflective services of polished brass or simply infuse a touch of elegance with stainless steel fixtures, faucets, showerheads and towel bars. The degree and manner in which you use mixed metals in the bathroom is really up to you.

The Longevity

We’ve touched on the hardy, practical nature of metals already, so we won’t repeat ourselves. But there’s another aspect to mixed metals’ longevity that’s important to consider: It won’t be outdated stylistically! Using metals in a considerate way in your bathroom can help you achieve wonders in interior design and won’t leave your bathroom feeling outdated in just a few years.

Tips for Mixing Metals in the Bathroom

Choose a Dominant Finish

Start your design work by selecting one dominant metal as the focal point and main material. From there, you can establish an overall style and choose a complementary metal that will enhance the aesthetic.

Think About the Undertone

Mixing metals adds a dimension visually to your space, but you need to consider the subtle undertones when contrasting and incorporating different metals. To achieve that harmonious combination you’ll want the metallic undertone to balance and unify the dominant metal.

Focus on Elements

Using metal in a bathroom should be a strategic undertaking. Think about all the different areas where you could potentially incorporate mixed metals and then consider which ones will look the best. For example, you may choose to focus on accents and faucets. Sometimes, less is actually more.

Here’s a quick list to run through in your deliberation:

Faucets
Showerheads
Shower door handles
Cabinet hardware
Towel bars
Mirrors
Vanity fixtures
Toilet paper holders
Lighting fixtures

Play with Proportions

It’s not just the finishes, visual colours and style of mixed metals that can offer versatility and depth to your bathroom. Think about how you can play with proportions as well. Using the dominant metal in focal points of the bathroom, with your secondary metal ‘just’ in accessories, can help you achieve a really balanced and impressive interior design style.

Synergise Mixed Metals in the Bathroom with Natural Stone!

The team here at Euro Marble knows all about mixing metals in the bathroom, and we love nothing more than matching a metallic style with complementary natural stone materials. From marble to granite, the organic textures of stone can provide a unique backdrop for the mixed metallic finishes, especially in a bathroom.
If you’d like to find out more about how stone can elevate your chosen mixed metals aesthetic, or you just need a little more inspiration and guidance about how to mix metals in your bathroom, make sure to reach out to our team today. We’re always here to help at Euro Marble!

Bring Colour to Your Floors with Coloured Marble Tiles

green marble olga thelavart lIg6fu2yxFk unsplash

Coloured marble tiles can be an excellent choice for use in and throughout your home. Marble stone, being the hardy and durable material that it is, is popular for use as flooring in terms of both fashion and function.

To that end, while the practicalities of marble are all well and good for high foot traffic areas of the home, there are plenty of stylistic and aesthetic reasons why marble tiles might be the right choice for you.

The Classic Marble Look

The most commonly used type of marble, and the classic, iconic aesthetic of this stone, is white and off-white with grey vein patterns.

Most likely, when you think of marble, you’re picturing Carrara Marble, which is sourced (and named) after the city of Carrara in Italy. Over the years, this aesthetic has proven timeless and popular among builders and designers. Classic, luxurious and versatile, it’s no wonder that it’s been long associated with the stone itself.

There are a few other types of marble that look similar, however, such as Italian Marble, Calacatta Marble and Statuario Marble, all of which will look great when used across your home’s floor.

But, we’re here to tell you that there’s a lot more on offer from the family of marble. Coloured marble tiles can produce a mesmerising and invaluable visual effect in the home.

Coloured Marble Tile Options for your Floors

Floors can and are customised to suit all sorts of personal preferences and styles. While we’ll go through some of our favourite options of coloured marble, remember that each coloured floor can be further tailored to suit your preferences in terms of tile size and pattern.

Light Grey Marble Flooring

Light grey marble flooring is an excellent option. This interior design style allows you to maintain a minamlist and modern aesthetic or highlight an industrial design style, if you so choose.

With enough texture and colour depth to ensure your floors pop off the ground, the neutral colour palette keeps the overall effect sleek and simple.

We particularly love light grey marble flooring in areas of the home where you want to achieve a calm and relaxing atmosphere but worry that white or offwhite marble might come off as too light or bright.

Green Marble Flooring

Ever heard of green marble? Once you see it, it’s hard to look back!

This beautiful and unique marble option works really well in interior design applications when one wants to emphasise the natural world and organic visual tones. If you love incorporating wood and other natural textures in your home, green marble flooring will look an absolute treat.

There’s a calming effect to green marble that can help to achieve a fresh yet relaxing atmosphere in the home without creating too bold or out-there a look that overwhelms guests and visitors.

Blue Marble Floor

Blue marble is as bold as it is striking. While this bright and vibrant marble stone shading might not suit every palette or home, for those looking for a modern or contemporary stone floor that still pops, blue is a great option.

There’s still plenty of variety among types and shades of blue marble tiles, so depending on your personal taste for the dramatic and eye-catching designs you may want to look for subtler blues or vibrant hues.

Much like green marble flooring, a blue marble floor can evoke a sense of calmness and even a touch of nature as it evokes the bright blue sky up above.

Black and Gold Marble Floor Tiles

Moving on to the luxurious black and gold marble floor tiles…

This bold and rich looking aesthetic will create a sense of warmth and snugness in your home. Perfect for matching with ornate furnishings and finishes, black and gold marble tiles have an inherent visual complexity that can be very appealing and attractive.

While perhaps not best suited to contemporary or modern aesthetics, for those of you wanting to achieve that royal opulence design style, few other materials can measure up to the classic gloriousness of black and gold marble floor tiles.

Gold Marble

If you’re feeling like you’re not ready for the boldness of black and gold marble, straight gold marble can still help you achieve a stunning and glamorous aesthetic.

Perfect for pairing with either metallic accents or minimalist furnishings, gold marble tiles are both bold yet subtle in a very enriching way.

A gold colour palette also balances the practicalities of lighter, brighter flooring with the visual complexity of this rich-looking stone.

Black and White Marble

Balancing both the boldness of black and timelessness of white, black and white marble is quite the material. At once bold and vibrant and yet neutral in spots and understated in overall affect, it can help to achieve a perfect symbiosis when used as flooring.

Black and white marble can also be used in a variety of different patterns to help achieve an aesthetic that suits your particular preferences and partialities.

Pink Marble

Last but not least comes pink marble. This unique option for flooring is stylish in a rather subtle yet impactful way. Evoking feelings of romance and femininity, the soft, pastel colouring of the marble matches excellently with delicate and ornate furnishings.

Pink marble is super effective in helping infuse some low-key warmth whilst still maintaining a sleek, minimalist overall aesthetic.

Euro Marble – your perfect coloured marble tiles await you!

Whether the light grey marble flooring speaks to you or the thought of a blue marble floor excites you, here at Euro Marble we’ll help you find the perfect type of marble stone!
This beautiful material is versatile enough for any design aesthetic and just about any home and our team would love nothing more than to help you find your perfect coloured marble tiles. Want to find out more? Contact us today!

Modern Classic Interiors Inspiration with Marble

modern marble interior rahubovskiy 6903149

Marble stone is one of those elegant materials that’s perfect for a timeless home design style. For centuries, marble has been used for both external and internal construction purposes.

In recent years, this natural stone has enjoyed an increase in popularity just as the modern-classic aesthetic has similarly surged in popularity among designers.

In this blog, we’ll help inspire you with how to use marble in a modern classic interior design. Hopefully, you’ll get some ideas for yourself but if you need any more assistance or advice, don’t hesitate to reach out to the Euro Marble team.

Understanding Modern Classic Interior Design

Marble, fortunately, is a very versatile material when it comes to design. For a long time it has been used with classic or traditional interior aesthetics. Thanks to the associations with luxury and its sophisticated visuals, marble has proven to have sustained popularity.

But new trends have similarly proven that marble can just as effectively be utilised in modern design styles and contemporary interior. Without losing the timeless glamour and classic elegance, this fantastic stone has elevated what can be achieved with a modern style.

Classic vs Modern

Classic interior design styles include features such as columns and panelling to create a visual depth to a space while maintaining cohesiveness. In contrast, modern interiors favour simplicity and sleekness with bold, straight lines.

When fused together, the classic modern aesthetic takes the best of both design approaches. The grandeur and timelessness of classic architecture mixed with the monochromatic, neutral colouring and simple accessorising of modern styling.

Marble, for its part, allows for modern classic interior design thanks to its iconic white tones and grey veining. This perfect balance of classic visual sophistication whilst maintaining soft and light tones is a huge factor in contributing to the timeless home design.

Overall, marble is a versatile material that can work well with a variety of interior design styles, from classic and traditional to modern and contemporary. Its timeless elegance and natural beauty make it a popular choice for designers and homeowners alike.

How to Use Marble in Modern Classic Design

Marble Walls

Every room has walls, doesn’t it? Using marble paneling is a stunning and effective way of incorporating marble throughout. Being a relatively luxury material however, wall-to-wall marble might not be in everyone’s budget. If that’s the case, even a feature wall that highlights marble can create a very effective focal point in the room.

The modern aesthetic of white or off-white walls can be offset with the dimensional depth of marble, infusing into it a very classic look without losing the modern style.

Additionally, marble can be used freely without impeding on classic architectural features such as columns or moldings.

Marble Floors

As well as walls, floors are another ubiquitous way to achieve a timeless home design with marble. Many grand homes feature marble for the luxury look and sophisticated feel. While marble floors can be used to great effect in a number of different colours, to achieve that modern classic interior design style we’d recommend the neutral, lighter colours.

This helps to keep the overall look minimalistic but–thanks to the varied veining patterns on marble stone–still infuse some classic interior colour schemes.

Marble Accents

Small accents are a great way to touch up a modern classic space without overwhelming the eye. Marble accents, in particular, look a million dollars but without the price tag.

When it comes to accents, we favour decorative pieces such as marble vases or ornaments, but even modern styled furniture such as a coffee table can be particularly visually appealing. For those of you looking to mix another atmosphere in the mix, you can always combine marble with a bit of wood and/or leather.

Marble Kitchen

The kitchen offers an opportune canvas on which to achieve that timeless home design with marble. Between the kitchen countertop and the backsplash, there’s a lot of opportunity to use marble to amazing effect.

A marble kitchen countertop will look both classic and royal whilst contemporary and minimalist. And, of course, there’s still a lot of scope for customisation. You can choose the type and style of kitchen countertop or even play around with different sized or patterned marble tiles for the backsplash.

Last but not least, the kitchen benchtop offers an opportunity to add a pop of different coloured marble in a self-contained way without encroaching on either the timeless classic aesthetic or minimalist, contemporary styling.

Marble Bathroom

The bathroom is a classic choice for marble surfaces. This natural stone can be used just about everywhere and anywhere. We particularly like marble showers and bathtubs as a way of adding a hint of luxury to the bathroom. Being sleek and sophisticated, you can achieve both a timeless classic style with modern features such as squared corners and light colour schemes.

Depending on your particular taste, marble sinks and vanities are also a great option and can be used to amazing effect. For those designers wanting something minimal (in terms of cost and overall effect) even marble fixtures and accessories can inject a bit of classic luxury quite well.

Marble Fireplace

While not every home has a fireplace, for those that do it can be an excellent opportunity to strike the perfect balance between classic and modern styles.

Fireplaces seem inherently luxurious and elegant, and when made from marble stone it can look equally sleek and contemporary. Like all marble tiling, the exact pattern and style can be customised according to your preferences.

In a similar way to the kitchen benchtop, there is also the opportunity to add a bit of colour or flair through the self-contained fireplace without it affecting either the modern or timeless home design.

Inspired? Us too! So give our team a call today!

If any of the ideas above have inspired you in how to use marble in your modern classic interior design plans, or if you need a bit more assistance, the Euro Marble team is here to help.
Give us a call, send us a message or come on into our showroom, and we’ll help you unlock the amazing potential of marble stone.

Creating a Spa-Like Bathroom with Marble Tiles

marble spa jared rice PibraWHb4h8 unsplash

If you’re dreaming of turning your bathroom into a luxury spa in your home, marble is the best material option out there! This timeless and elegant stone can take any space in your house and infuse it with luxury and beauty like no other material can.

To help inspire you when creating a home spa-like bathroom with marble tiles, we’ve put together this handy guide.

Creating a Spa at Home

Everybody loves the concept of a spa. It evokes feelings of relaxation, serenity and otherworldliness.

When it comes to interior design, your choice of material, style and even the layout of any room should emulate these same feelings and experiences. To that end, making stylistic choices around elements that promote calmness and encourage tranquility is critical.

In general, to achieve this, we recommend following a few basic rules:

Choose soothing colour palettes.
Opt for soft lighting.
Use natural materials.
Evoke a minimalist aesthetic.

These general rules, from neutral colours to minimalist design styles, aim to bring a sense of calmness to your body and mind. The softer the aesthetic and feel of a space, the more peaceful the area will seem.

You should be aiming to create a truly tranquil ambiance. Harsh colours, bright lighting and busy designs will do little to encourage a calm mind and relaxed body.

10 Ways to Use Marble to Create a Home Spa

Choose the Right Marble Tiles

Believe it or not but not all marble is the same. This wonderful stone actually comes in many different colours and styles. But the classic off-white shade of marble complete with soft, greyish veining offers the most serene and calming option for your spa at home.

We commend choosing white or light-coloured marble tiles such as Carrara, Calacatta or Statuario Marble.

Install Marble Tiles on the Floor

The floor is often a neglected area of the bathroom but can be used to great effect nonetheless for creating that luxury spa feeling. Installing marble tiles across the bathroom floor will certainly enhance the beauty of the space from bottom to top and infuse a sense of luxury, calmness and elegance throughout the room.

Create a Marble Accent Wall

Marble, being the luxurious material that it is, is not always in everyone’s renovation budget. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be used to great effect in your home spa without breaking the bank. A marble accent wall can have a truly out-sized impact on a bathroom.

A wall of gorgeous marble tiles behind a sink, surrounding a shower or by the bathtub can inject a sense of spa-like wonder into just about any bathroom.

Use Marble for Vanities and Countertops

Marble is very versatile in application. It’s also a classic choice for use in bathroom vanities and countertops. Apart from the cohesiveness of including marble in these applications as well, using this beautiful material across the entirety of your bathroom makes for a truly breathtaking visual effect.

Incorporate Marble into the Shower

Marble tiles are hardy and durable. With regular professional resealing it is an excellent choice of material for use in the shower.

Your shower offers ample opportunity to create your own luxury spa at home. Marble tiles can add elegance and a touch of sophistication in your shower and turn the little space into not just a focal point but your own little retreat within a retreat.

Use a Marble Mosaic

Marble tile mosaics offer a lot of opportunity to add a unique aesthetic and touch to your bathroom. With many patterns and styles to choose from, it allows you to effectively capture the minimalist look required for that spa-like feel while also giving opportunity for personalisation and customisation.

Bring in Marble Details

Sometimes the smaller details can have a larger impact. While we mentioned the marble vanity above, you can even consider installing just a marble sink or adding marble details to your pre-existing vanity.

This gives you the benefit of infusing the beauty and serenity inherent in the marble aesthetic without having to undergo extensive renovations or redesigns. It’s economical, effective and easy.

Use Marble for Accessories

As with the option above, even your bathroom accessories can add touches of spa-like tranquility and elegance to your bathroom. From soap dispensers to toothbrush holders, there are many different ways you can take the tiniest of elements in the bathroom and bring them to life and luxury by replacing them with a marble option.

Add Lighting

Lighting, soft lighting in particular, should be used to great effect in a bathroom spa at home. Coupled with bright marble, warm pendant lighting or sconces can create a truly affecting, warm and inviting atmosphere.

This is just what you need to create that luxury spa feeling right in the comfort of your own house.

Match Marble Tiles with Simplistic Design

The gorgeous nature of marble speaks for itself. Let it shine by keeping your bathroom simple and as minimalistic as possible. Not only will that enhance the relaxation nature of the space, but it will also allow the beauty of marble to work its magic without the unnecessary clutter of additional decor.

Lastly, keep the design of your bathroom simple and minimalistic. Let the beauty of the marble tiles speak for itself and avoid cluttering the space with unnecessary decor.

Let’s start designing your home spa today!

We love marble here at Euro Marble… and we love helping our customers create and design their very own luxury spa at home by pairing them with the perfect marble tiles for their needs!

If you’d like to discuss how marble can transform your bathroom into the luxurious retreat you’ve been dreaming of, don’t wait! Contact our team today.

Decorating your space with marble furniture

Marble tiles can be used to amazing effect in floors, walling, fireplaces, stairs and countertops. However, in this helpful article, we’ll go through everything you need to know about marble furniture.

Marble furniture might not be the first thing you think about when it comes to this spectacular natural stone, but it can be a great way to decorate any space.

Marble Furniture: What exactly is it?

The simple understanding of the term is any type of furniture that is made from marble stone. Of course, this can include tables, coffee tables, chairs, benches and desks but even some lesser known types of furniture, such as sculptures or pedestals.

In addition to the fantastic, luxurious aesthetic of marble, this natural stone is highly popular for its versatility in matching all kinds of internal design styles. This is one of the many reasons why you find marble in homes around Australia and across the world, whether it be in living rooms, dining areas, bathrooms, kitchens or hallways.

Marble furniture is fashioned from quarried slabs of stone. This means that not only is there a wide range of styles, sizes, and colours to choose from, but every single piece of furniture is unique and one of a kind. As every slab is different, every subsequent piece of furniture will be equally as original.

On a practical note, the hardy nature of marble that makes it such a popular material for use in flooring and countertops also makes it handy for furniture. With regular and basic maintenance, your marble items will last and look a million bucks for long into the future.

How to Decorate Your Space with Marble Furniture

1. Tables

Countertops are popular applications for marble. Whether dining tables, vanity tops or counter tops, these large pieces of a home’s decor and structure offer plenty of scope for bringing to life the hero that is marble stone.

There are a few different ways in which you can use marble in a table application.

(a) Dining Room Tables

If you’re a fan of entertaining and hosting, or just want to elevate family dinners, marble table furniture looks and functions wonderfully.

(b) Coffee Tables

The coffee table might be humble in terms of height, but it can truly be the focal point of a living room. Using marble in your coffee table can infuse this centrepiece with a sense of wow!

(c) Countertops

Aside from the durability and hardiness of marble, this stone looks absolutely amazing. That’s why kitchen countertops are a popular choice for marble applications, as are bathroom countertops. Both of these types of furniture need to be up to the challenge of everyday activity but also deserve to look glorious in and of themselves.

(d) Accent Tables

Accent tables are so named as they provide a point of visual emphasis. While some can offer practical value, a marble accent table is primarily a decorative piece to help improve the overall aesthetic of a room.

2. Chairs and Pedestals

Marble chairs and pedestals can be just as effective and jaw-droppingly beautiful as tabletops. Elegant, minimalist-styled chairs carved from marble are perfect for matching with pre-arranged interior styles or as the cherry on top for a top-to-toe re-styling.

3. Outdoor Furniture

Both light coloured and black marble furniture offer a lot of decorative potential. When it comes to bringing to life and adding a bit of personality to an outdoor space, marble is the perfect option. Stunning, durable and elegant, it’ll elevate just about any outdoor area without making the space feel cluttered.

4. Sculptures

Marble furniture varies from the very large to the small and contained. Marble sculptures add a lot of elegance and sophistication to a space without taking up a lot of room. Sculptures come in all the range and sizes, and can certainly suit any style.

In fact, there are a ton of different types of sculptures as well beyond just the decorative statuettes. Think bookends, candleholders, paperweights, coasters and other standalone pieces of art.

5. Statues

If you’re willing and able to take your marble sculptures to the next level, larger statues are a great option. Most commonly incorporated in outdoor areas and gardens, there’s still no reason why it can’t be used internally as well. Just remember not to choose a statue that doesn’t suit or overpowers your existing design aesthetic.

6. Accessories

When you stop and consider it intentionally, living and dining areas are often adorned with all sorts of accessories. From vases to bowels, using marble accessories can be a subtle and economical way of using this amazing natural stone to excellent effect.

7. Fireplaces

Fireplaces can be made of a variety of materials, but none are as elegant and luxurious-looking as marble. Of course, this natural stone is also heat resistant which makes it useful as well as stunning for a spot prone to higher, concentrated temperatures.

8. Sideboards

Sideboards are often relied upon for storing important china or cutlery, or anything for that matter. There is no reason why you can’t use a marble sideboard for both practical utility and to decorate your entire dining or living room.

Need more marble furniture advice? Give us a call!

At Euro Marble, we’re experienced in working with marble applications of all types and sizes. From wall-to-wall cladding to small pieces of marble art, our team live and breathe all things stone.

Decorating your home with marble furniture doesn’t have to be difficult and with our expert advice it won’t be! All it starts with is a simple stress-free and no obligation chat to get started.

So contact us today by clicking here.

Our guide to enhancing your bathroom with marble

We love bathrooms! And you deserve to love your bathroom too.

Marble stone is one of our favourite ways of enhancing and elevating just about any space in the house, the bathroom included.

However, knowing that you want to incorporate marble is one thing; knowing how to do so is quite something else.

Read on for our guide and tips for using marble to take your bathroom to the next level.

An Intro to Marble

Marble is a type of natural stone that is commonly used in construction and interior design. Made from calcium carbonate and known for its unique pattern of cloudy veining amidst majestic off-white shading, carrara marble in bathrooms is particularly popular.

Fortunately, marble comes in a wide variety of different colours aside from the iconic aesthetic it is most commonly known for. There are white, grey, pink, black, blue, red and green marble slabs available, so you’re bound to find the right style for you and your home.

The Benefits of Marble

Durability

Marble, like all natural stones, is very hard and highly durable. This makes it fantastic for use in the bathroom where not only will it be exposed to significant amounts of moisture and water, but also a lot of daily activity.

Elegance

If you’re after an elegant material to uplift your bathroom, marble offers a fantastic solution. Known and associated with luxury for a long time for good reason, few materials can match the natural beauty of marble.

Resistance

Marble isn’t just durable but actively resistant to everything from heat to staining. With minimal maintenance and resealing every few years, your marble will not just last for ages but will look fantastic as well.

Versatile

Using marble for bathroom walls, floors or other applications gives you a lot of versatility in choosing the right pattern and colour that suits your overall interior design style. The patterns, colours, and shading available all vary to significant degrees, which gives you the scope you need to find the aesthetic you want.

Investment

Marble doesn’t just look great and last well, but it also greatly increases the value of your property. If you’re thinking of investing in your home for potentially selling it in the future, marble is a fantastic way to go.

Environmentally Friendly

Natural stone tiles, such as marble, do not use chemicals or other highly polluting substances in its manufacturing. Being quarried and cut to size, it’s a far more eco-friendly way to elevate your bathroom than many other materials.

Tips for Marble Bathroom Decor

Use a Marble Countertop

Marble countertops make for an excellent addition to just about any bathroom. Not only does it look luxurious and stylish, but marble stone’s durability and easiness to clean makes it ideal.

Using it in a contained application such as a bathroom countertop allows you to still incorporate it elsewhere (or not) without the costly requirement of going all out from the outset.

Elect for a Marble Sink

If a marble countertop is too much, perhaps consider a standalone marble sink. This subtle touch of elegance can help to elevate the entire room. There are still plenty of options for customisation here, so don’t worry. From the shade and style of the marble itself to the shape of the sink, there’s a lot to choose from.

Keep it Contained to the Vanity

Even the bathroom vanity can look fantastic with some marble. Like the countertop and sink, the vanity provides a perfect opportunity to infuse a minimal yet effective amount of marble without breaking the bank.

Focus on a Backsplash

Backsplashes aren’t just for the kitchen! If you love the look of marble–and who doesn’t–but don’t have the budget you wish you had, a marble splashback can be another fantastic way to make the most with less.

Marble Floor Tiles

There is no better way to enhance the overall look of your bathroom than with elegant marble floor tiling. Regardless of the style, pattern and shade of marble slab you choose, it will look a treat! Plus, with its high level of durability and resistance to moisture with proper resealing, it’s extremely practical for use as well.

Marble Showers

The shower is often considered a sanctuary within a sanctuary. We love the spa-like feel that a marble shower surround provides. If you absolutely love the look and feel of it too but are not sure you’re ready or able to incorporate it across the entirety of the wall(s), the shower is an excellent option.

Wall-to-Wall Stone

If you’re ready to go all the way with your stone tiling, using marble for bathroom walls offers plenty of scope and opportunity. Your bathroom will be utterly transformed with sophisticated-looking marble reaching from floor to ceiling.

A Luxury Bathtub

You might not think of the bathtub as the first or foremost option for applying marble, but it can be a really fantastic opportunity to create a truly jaw-dropping centrepiece in your bathroom.

Mirror Framing Made of Stone

We often forget to consider the surroundings of our mirror, seeing as we’re so used to looking into the centre of it instead. But the truth is that marble provides the perfect framing material to help bring your mirror, and anyone reflected in it, to life.

Marble Accents

Sometimes dynamite comes in small packages. Bathrooms are filled with small accents that can be used to great and cost-effective effect when elevating your bathroom. Knobs, handles, towel racks, tapware and soap dishes can all be found in marble to provide that perfect elegant touch. (P.S. If you’re wondering what colour towels to use in a marble bathroom, make sure to contact us at Euro Marble!)

Euro Marble: the marble bathroom decor experts

Ready to start exploring how to use marble for your bathroom? We’re brimming with ideas and solutions for enhancing any room of the house with this stunning, one-of-a-kind stone and we can’t wait to help you!

Let’s get started: contact our team today.

Tile vs Hardwood Flooring

Are you looking to redo your floors?

If so, the decision between tiles vs hardwood flooring can be a difficult one.

This is why we’ve decided to put together the definitive guide to all things tile flooring and hardwood to help you out.

A Guide to Tiles

What are tiles?

The tiles used in flooring are normally made from flat and thin pieces of some sort of hard material such as porcelain, stone, ceramic or glass. Each individual tile material brings with it its own advantages and disadvantages.

Of course, there are also natural stone tiles that prove to be highly popular among new home constructions and renovations. From granite to marble, stone makes for a wonderfully durable and hardy tile material.

Regardless of the type of tiles used, these versatile construction blocks can be applied in areas of the home beyond just the flooring. Splashbacks, countertops, pool edging and walls are all commonly constructed with tiles. Because tiled surfaces are by definition made from multiple different pieces, there is a lot of versatility in patterns, colouring and styles available.

The Pros of Tiles:

It’s important to consider the different pros and cons of tiles vs floorboards.

Durability

Tiles can prove to be long-lasting and highly durable when used on surfaces , especially in areas that tend to be exposed to moisture, high levels of activity and foot traffic.

Moisture-resistant

While some tile materials are better than others, tiling in general is quite resistant to both staining and moisture. With proper grouting and sealing, everything from natural stone to ceramic tiles can more than stand up to the daily needs of a household.

Easy to clean

Tiles are smooth and hardy which makes them quite easy to clean. With minimal investment of time, effort and money, you can maintain them and keep the tiles looking as good as new.

Versatile aesthetic

Tiles can be found and arranged in a near limitless range of colours, patterns and styles. This gives you all of the versatility in aesthetics you need to suit your personal preferences.

The Cons of Tiles:

Cold

Tiles, especially in the winter, can be prone to feeling cold to the touch. If you’re a fan of walking barefoot throughout the house and are also quite sensitive to the cold, this may need to be considered. Of course, tiles can also be somewhat slippery, but there are plenty of anti-slip solutions if you’re so inclined.

Prone to trauma

Tiles are made of thin slabs of material which means that in the event that a heavy object is dropped on them, they can chip or crack.

Expense

In addition to the cost of the particular material, which does vary, tiles do require a significant amount of labour. This makes them somewhat more expensive in general to install.

A Guide to Hardwood

What is hardwood?

The term hardwood refers to flooring made from many individual planks of wood. Most commonly the planks are arranged in long strips and are often rectangular in shape so that they tessellate easily. Some of the most common forms of wood used for hardwood flooring include oak, maple and hickory, though there are others.

The wood, once cut from the species of tree of choice, is sanded to the point of being smooth, stained and then sealed to protect it from activity and moisture. When it comes to installation, hardwood is stapled or nailed to an underfloor but can also be floated on top of an under layer of construction foam.

If one so chooses, you can even stain, paint and/or varnish the panels further to achieve a particular look and style. Hardwood is popular for its durability, beauty and warm, earthy aesthetic.

The Pros of Hardwood:

Here are some of the most important factors to consider when choosing between tiles vs floorboards.

Easy to Clean

Like tiles, hardwood floors are actually quite easy to keep clean. The smooth finish and hard surfaces mean that ongoing maintenance and care doesn’t cost too much or require a lot of effort.

Warmth

One of the most appealing benefits of hardwood flooring is the warmth they bring to a home. Without having the hassle of carpets, they help bring a tangible and aesthetic warmth to the entire house.

Value for Money

Hardwood, being popular and durable, can often increase the value of a home. If you’re interested in investing in your house for a future resell, hardwood can be a great asset.

The Cons of Hardwood:

Scratchable

Hardwood, though still quite durable, can get scratched. Dragging furniture or excessive activity has the potential to leave its mark.

Temperature and Moisture Effects

Hardwood can be affected negatively by high levels of temperature, moisture and humidity. While in most cases moderate climates won’t be a problem, if you’re anticipating high levels of any damaging elements, it’s important to take this point into account.

Refinishings

Every so often it is recommended to refinish your hardwood to keep it gleaming, beautiful and looking as beautiful as possible.

Let Our Team Floor You with The Potential!

If you’re not sure whether tile vs hardwood flooring is right for you, make sure to get in touch with us today. The Euro Marble team are experts in all things natural stone and flooring. We’ll be more than happy to talk and walk you through your options based on your preferences, needs and budget.

Of course, we’re the biggest fans of natural stone flooring around, but we’re still more than happy to chat through the pros and cons of both tiles and floorboards.

How to Style a Marble Coffee Table

Marble Coffee Table Styling in the Home

Marble stone can be used just about everywhere and anywhere in the home. From the kitchen floor to the entryway and from your bathroom to your staircase, marble looks and functions wonderfully. One of perhaps the lesser known applications of this fantastic natural stone is the humble coffee table.

Marble coffee tables are becoming more and more popular but remain one of the lesser known applications. If you’re considering different ways of incorporating marble in your home, we’d highly recommend the coffee table.

How to Style a Coffee Table

Coffee tables come in all sorts of styles, sizes and shapes. Normally, they are placed in the centre of a living room, lounge or sitting area.

With the primary purpose of providing a surface for holding drinks, snacks, books, and other items that you may want to have within reach from the couch or sofa, many people miss out on the potential styling a coffee table has to offer.

Choosing marble for your coffee table can turn an almost purely functional piece of furniture into a focal point and stylish centrepiece in and of itself. You and your family or guests are bound to sit around the coffee table and socialise, so why not make the most and turn it into something spectacular?

Of course, styling a coffee table in the right way can be easier said than done. After all, you don’t want the table to seem empty nor do you want to overshadow the hero of the marble itself. To help you, here are some ideas to get you started with discovering how to style a coffee table.

Marble Coffee Table Styling Ideas

Choose Complementary Colours

One of the important first decisions to make when styling a marble coffee table is to consider the colours. Think about the colour of the marble itself and consider which contrasting or complementary colours you want to use in your styling. If your marble coffee table is a strikingly bold colour, you may want to opt for neutral accessories so that the aesthetic isn’t too overwhelming. If you have a neutral coloured coffee table, think about what sort of colours you want to infuse into the space to bring the table and its surroundings to life.

Focus on Texture

Somewhat counterintuitively, the aesthetics of a marble coffee table styling isn’t just about how it looks. To add visual interest to your marble coffee table, incorporate a mix of textures and materials into your decor. This could mean opting for a plush throw blanket or a raised patterned pillow on your sofa. Most coffee tables are smooth, clean and polished, so think about how you can incorporate some contrasting texture.

Use Different Heights

Playing around with heights is a strong way to create a lasting (and positive) visual impression. Neatly stacked books, vases of flowers, pot plants or even a decorative basket or box beside the table can create a nice visual eye line that is engaging without being overwhelming or off putting.

Focal Points

Focal points are important for interior design, and all visual design for that matter, as you, your family and your guests’ eyes will all naturally focus on one thing to begin with. By putting care and consideration into your focal point you can help to influence what that one first impressionable thing is. A marble coffee table can be a beautiful focal point in your living room on its own, so consider styling it to draw the eye. Think of a sculpture or a vase if you’re looking for accessories. In terms of the rest of your lounge or room, think about how your furniture can be arranged in a natural way that places the coffee table in the centre. Even lighting in the form of a table or floor map can be used effectively in this regard.

Do Not Clutter

When it comes to marble coffee table styling, keep it simple. Believe us when we say that less really is more. By avoiding clutter and limiting the number of accessories and decor items on the table, you can ensure the focus remains on the beautiful marble table itself. This will help to create a sense of balance and harmony in your living room as well as hero the coffee table.

Group Items in Trays

If you’re confident with your coffee table styling, an array of accessories can be deftly displayed in a seemingly random order. For the rest of us, simple and elegant trays can be an excellent way to group items together in a manner that seems cohesive and intentional. It also helps to keep the rest of your marble table as clean and uncluttered as possible.

A Checklist of What to Consider When Coffee Table Styling

Think about the overall aesthetic of the entire living space or room.
Look around for what other visual elements and focal points already exist.
Consider what sort of furniture is in the room and how they are styled.
Think about whether the coffee table is actually used and how it is used, or whether it is purely decorative.
Consider when you’re most likely to sit around the coffee table. For example, Candles can be excellent for primarily night-time use while greenery will perfectly complement day-time use.
Remember to consider the size and shape of your coffee table. Keep your styling and accessories proportional to the size of the table unless you’re deliberately playing around visually.
Consider what sort of items you want included on the table, how you can arrange them in a pleasant yet balanced mix that looks engaging without being cluttered.

Your Marble Coffee Table Awaits at Euro Marble

Just because we’re known for our big marble projects like kitchen benchtops, staircases, flooring and vanities, doesn’t mean we’re not passionate about marble coffee table styling too.

If you’d like to come into our showroom to view our jaw-dropping selection of marble or you’d simply like to help styling a marble coffee table you already have, make sure to reach out to our team today.