Marble is the ultimate material for representing luxury and refinement. From grand country houses to sleek, minimal swimming pools, it’s the go-to for creating an enduring style statement that can be wildly opulent or quietly regal. And although it’s a material that calls for a little more financial commitment, its unparalleled natural beauty and calming qualities will return the investment many times over. A full marble room décor may be a little overwhelming for a small apartment, but even the simple addition of a marble tray on a coffee table or a row of marble tile trim can bring a luxurious atmosphere into your home. Before you start planning, read our useful guide to making marble marvellous.
Basic Truths
There are some important things to consider before you start with marble. Marble is very heavy, and although obviously a sliver used as a marble skirting board is much lighter than a full marble slab used to wrap a kitchen island, you need to know your floor and walls can handle the weight. Cost varies radically depending on the stone’s rarity and type of marble; a dramatic rare pink-hued colour with deep veining will be far more expensive than a simple plain white, easily mined slab. Some marbles are also more soft and vulnerable to chipping or staining, although there are many innovations in treatments to seal and maintain marble, you need to know which yours is to ensure most applicable usage. If you are working with an architect or builder to achieve your designs, then it’s worth visiting the marble supplier to look at the sheets of marble that may be used. As a natural material, the colour patterns can be strong or subtle and they usually vary from piece to piece, even in the same slab of stone or from the same quarry. It can be astoundingly beautiful if used in large expanses, such as the floor and walls in a bathroom, and is an obvious choice for wet rooms. However, if you want the look without the price tag it can be used to great effect in smaller details and touches – marble wall tiles, pulls for blinds, doorknobs or panels.