How To: Marble Accents

               Trends in home design can be expensive and time consuming. Unless you’re already planning on remodeling your home; you probably don’t want to spend thousands of dollars to tear out and replace what you have with the current trending designs. A good place to start is to find the trends you like and are also cohesive with the current layout and design of your home; then find fixtures and products to incorporate. They don’t have to be big ticket items. The fixtures could easily be few smaller items that make for a huge impact.

                One of the popular trends is marble. Everything from office supplies to back-splashes. There are a few ways you can incorporate this look into your home, some are large scale while others are simple additions. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

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Counter Tops

This might be the most obvious way to add a little bit of the classic stone into the mix. The light color of the stone in large scale will definitely open up any small kitchen or bath.

Accent Wall

Another option of brightening up your living space is adding an accent wall of marble. It’s a classic stone, but still has enough detail to add some visual interest on your walls.

Backsplash

Now if you don’t feel like covering up an entire wall, you can easily add some marble to your backsplash. There’s a bunch of interesting tiles available to choose from.

Image via American Tile Depot

Image via American Tile Depot

Coasters, Candles, Vases and Trays

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Image via Etsy Shop WhitewickHome

A very simple and inexpensive way to incorporate the trend around the house. Just be careful not to overdo it in one room, try keeping it less than four marble-type decor (but also keep in mind the size of the room and your decor).

Clocks

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Image via Society6 by Sarah R Bock

Much like the coasters and candles, this is a very inexpensive option. It’s a great way to add some interest to the walls. Try contrasting it among other frames or a clock with gold detailing and hands.

Coffee Tables

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Image via AllModern

Perfect for adding marble in a larger scale, but without the permanence of a counter top or backsplash.

Tile, yes please!

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Tile is so much more than functional, it's fun, it adds interest and texture and pattern. This bathroom with it's sophisticated finishes is kept fresh with the addition of this concrete wave It's projection and shape just makes you want to touch it.  The limestone tiles are also used on the entire wall and finishes the window jamb (seen in the mirror) instead of wood casing. There are some spaces that look terrific having the tile or stone fill the entire wall for a continuous element in the room.  

This 1907 home felt as though it needed true craftsman tiles in the back and shower. These striking tiles were made right here in Georgetown.  The floor is a basket weave pattern of Calacata marble and honed logos stone.  The shower pan was also done in this basket weave material. The cabinetry is Rutt Regency, a khaki stain on mahogany, glazed and then sanded back on the edges to show a hint of the burgundy wood. 

This 1907 home felt as though it needed true craftsmen elements with the architecture of the home.  These striking tiles were made right here in Georgetown.  The floor is a basket wave pattern of Calacata marble and honed logos stone.  The shower pan was also don in this basket weave (shown below). The ceiling of the shower matches the curb done in matching Calacuta marble tiles.  The cabinetry is Rutt Regency, a khaki stain on mahogany with a glaze and then sanded back through on the edges to show some of the burgundy color of the wood. The top coat is a flat ten percent sheen.  Pulls are from Sun Valley Hardware. The plumbing is Kallista Tuxedo with matte black reeded handles in a nickle silver finish.  They are stunning. 

The details make all the difference in the final look.  The single frosted shitake tile color is clean enough to work well with a patterned floor.  The shampoo niche has the added touch of a pencil trim mitered at the front edge all all sides.  The floor is heated for those cold mornings. Tile adds character, texture, it can be elegant or just fun like the floor shown below .  I haven't even touched on the prep work that goes into these beautiful rooms.  Dry packed shower pans, water proofing and specialized grout that never needs sealing. 

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The small area shown below demonstrates how you can create a feature area in the kitchen.  I had the mosaics made in this pattern and scale from Calacata marble, clear and grey glass.  Each piece was cut with a water jet and pieced together to form the pattern.  When you stand to the side you can actually see the full edge of the stone.  Combined with the soap stone counter top and white Rutt Handcrafted cabinetry it was a beautiful project. 

Tile, texture and tone sets the mood

Do you ever wonder how much the size of a tile or stone, or even the shape can help create the entire feel of a room?  I love this vignette that demonstrates the different feel in the same tones and how scale effects everything. Also notice the sheen level of each different tile and stone tile, are they casual or formal to your eye?

I like to use large tiles in small rooms for a larger cleaner feel.  With any size  tiles you can develop a pattern that tells a modern or traditional story.  Small tiles with sheen or transparency can make you feel like your at the ocean.

Next time you look at a room in your home, think about not only how you may want it to look but how you want it to feel.  Where will it take you, the ocean or a bistro?

Thank you to Statements Tile and Stone for this great display.

Nancy Dalton