DIFFERENT TYPES OF MARBLE AND DESIGN IDEAS TO GET THE BEST OUT OF THEM:
A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE BY BHANDARI MARBLE GROUP:
Natural stones are considered a luxurious option when it comes to decoration of buildings. The earthy look, natural beauty and environment friendliness make natural stones the perfect material that can be used for adorning both indoor and outdoor spaces. Out of all the natural stones, marble is at the top of the game. It is the most famous natural stone that has been used extensively by architects, sculptors and designers throughout the history of human civilization. This stone is renowned for its glimmering appearance and its ability to make any space look ten times more aesthetically pleasing. As marble is considered the king of luxury, it also comes with a high price tag.
WHAT IS MARBLE:
Marble is found in quarries from where it is transported to factories in order to create products such as tiles, pavers, slabs and mosaics. Marble has a huge variety of lovely hues and tones with different veining patterns and intensities. Marble products available in markets are found in different finishes out of which polished is the most preferred one as it enhances the refractive property of marble.
TYPES OF MARBLE:
Marble has a huge list of types as the appearance of this stone varies from location to location and changes on the basis of impurities, elements and general environment. Marble has many different types depending on its color and veining intensity. The price of marble types also varies drastically from one another depending on these factors. The vast amount of variety available in marble can make any homeowner dizzy which is why it is recommended to always do your homework before going for marble shopping.
Here we have listed the most famous marble types which are favourites of homeowners around the globe:
– Calacatta Marble
Calacatta marble is considered as the most luxurious marble type due to its rarity. Calacatta stone is very often mistaken for Carrara marble due to the striking similarities in color and veining. However, there are some distinct differences that set the two marbles apart, for instance, Calacatta marble has dark thick veining patterns and is bright white in color. Carrara, on the other hand, is white in color and has intricate grey veining. Due to its uncommonness, Calacatta marble is placed at the top of the marble hierarchy. It is found in the form of tiles, pavers and slabs. Calacatta tiles can easily be paired with any color combination, however; those who have the luxury of affording this extremely expensive stone mostly prefer to stick to a contemporary minimalistic approach when it comes to redecorating. Calacatta is also available in a beautiful gold hue that looks lavishing when paired with white porcelain or black neo marquina marble. Calacatta marble is for those who have a heart for opulence and like chicly decorated living space.
– Calacatta Gold Marble
Calacatta Gold marble is the epitome of grandiose and magnificence. This visually stunning marble is perfect for those who have an aristocratic taste. The golden vein of this marble look striking and add old money vibe to their area of installation. This marble is impeccable in appearance and can be paired with black marble for a voguish result.
– Calacatta Michelangelo Marble
Calacatta Michelangelo marble is ideal for those homeowners who want to add a subtle touch of lavishness in their house. This marble has delicate grey veining with the mostly consistent white background. Calacatta Michelangelo can look amazing in any minimalist design scheme. This marble type has less is more vibe to it which is why it is recommended for all types of simple yet elegant designs.
– Calacatta Borghini Marble
Calacatta Borghini marble has signature thick grey veining with occasional undertones of gold against a white background. It looks amazing as countertop in kitchens with kitchen islands. It is lovely in appearance with a hint of drama and adds beauty to your home.
– Talathello or Silver Beige Marble
Talathello marble has a light grey background with varying shades of silver and beige deposits in its structure. This marble is perfect for a dazzling makeover of outdoor spaces such as driveways and patios.
– Emperador Marble
Emperador marble is a Spanish marble type found in light and dark brown colors. The shades of browns are accompanied by stark white dramatic and grey feathery irregular veining patterns. The dark shades of brown in this marble go perfectly with rooms having gold or brass furniture and accessories.
– Crema Marfil Marble
Crema Marfil is another famous Spanish marble type known for its varying tones of beige with irregular patterns and varying veining intensity. It is commonly used in combination with dark colored marble or other natural stones to subdue their intensity with its light color and uniform background. It is used for flooring, wall cladding and in marble mosaic products.
– Carrara Marble
Carrara marble is the most common marble type which is why it is also the least expensive marble on this list. It has greyish white background with fine feathery grey veining. The veining pattern is generally linear and soft in appearance. Carrara marble is used by majority of homeowners as it is budget friendly and its whitish appearance can make the living space look livelier.
– Levadia Black Marble
Levadia Black marble is a Greek marble in black with greyish white fine veining in smoke spot pattern. It is also known as Titanium Black marble and it is usually used for decoration of countertops.
– Nero Marquina Marble
Nero Marquina is a dazzling Spanish marble in black color. It has striking white veining that adds glamour to its appearance. This marble is a favorite of anyone who likes the contemporary design schemes and looks amazing in bathrooms, flooring in general and as backsplashes.
– Comparison of Marble Types
When it comes to marble comparison, a lot of factors come into the picture. If we go with the price then the rarity of the marble determines the price tag, for example, Calacatta marble is the most expensive due to its uncommonness while Carrara is found in abundance so it is in the affordable spectrum for most homeowners. The softness of the stone, the percentage of impurities present and amount of imperfections present on its surface are other factors that differentiate marble types.
DESIGN IDEAS FOR MARBLES:
No matter where you install marble products, the results are always worth it. This natural stone has the ability to provide aesthetics and elegance at the same time. The brilliance of marble is noticeable no matter what type is installed. Homeowners can select the marble best suited to their house’s color and design scheme but this selection can prove to be a bit daunting thanks to the huge variety available in the market.
So, to help you with that we have listed some lovely design ideas where marble can be used with specific design schemes and marble types.
– Bathrooms
Marble in bathrooms can convert it into an interior design masterpiece. You can use marble for flooring, wall decoration, bathtub, countertop, sink and even on the backsplash. The possibilities are limitless along with the designs. Some of the chic-est design ideas for marble bathrooms are:
A Nero Marquina marble bathroom looks great in a simple English bond pattern. With the help of a white natural stone countertop, silver bathroom accessories, a white vessel sink and white drop-in bathtub, you can create a sleek yet stunning bathroom.
For a dramatic yet lavish black marble design, use Loto Black Gold marble for the decoration.
of the floor and walls in combination with Calacatta Gold marble countertop. Gold accented shower and toilet accessories will make this bathroom fit for royalty.
If you like Calacatta marble in your bathroom then we suggest adding an alcove tub with marble steps to make it look spacious and elegant. Use a glass shower wall in order to separate the shower area from the rest of the bathroom while keeping the design simple.
Use Emperador Dark marble tiles in mosaic form to cover the shower area and add cover rest of the bathroom with stack bond laid Emperador Dark marble. Add brass toilet accessories and white bathroom set to complement the veining of marble.
If you have a tight budget then we recommend Carrara marble bathroom decoration using a combination of tiles sizes. Use Carrara mosaic tiles for covering the floor and use regular sized tiles in subway pattern for covering 3 quarters of the walls. Paint the remaining walls with a color of your choice. Add a Carrara countertop with a simple vanity to achieve a uniform look.
– Walls
Gone are the days when the only options for the decoration of walls were paint and wallpaper. Natural stone adorned walls look spectacular and refreshing. Marble on walls looks phenomenal no matter what marble product is used. Listed here are some of the design options that can be used for marble.
If you have a wooden floor in your bedroom then go for big sized Calacatta Borghini marble tiles for covering the walls. Use a simple square pattern and add a fantasy white marble covered fireplace for a fashionably chic design.
If white is not your thing then black marble walls can be used as well. The only element that needs to be catered while using black marble is lighting the room.
You can also cover only one wall of your bedroom with marble tiles. This marble tiled wall act as an accent wall.
For living rooms, accent walls with tumbled marble finish look glamorous especially in combination with a traditional fireplace.
– Flooring
Marble floors are classy and radiate elegance no matter what the room is. One can never go wrong in the flooring department using this amazing stone. But the difficulty that many homeowners face is what pattern should be used for laying the marble tile. Here we have listed some marble flooring patterns that look great no matter what marble is being used.
Stack Bond Pattern: A stack bond pattern is also known as the regular pattern. This pattern has large sized tiles laid in the horizontal direction. This pattern can look great in rooms that need to look spacious. You can use this in kitchen, bedroom and living room.
Subway Pattern: A subway pattern aka brick pattern is perfect for decoration of a small bathroom floor. It looks great on a patio or a driveway especially if contrasting marble color is used for creating its border.
Herringbone Pattern: A herringbone patterned marble floor in high polish finish is every contemporary design lover’s dream come true. No matter what herringbone pattern variation is used, it looks visually stunning. You can use this pattern for flooring in modern kitchens and voguish bathrooms.
Diamond Pattern: A diamond pattern looks lovely with its simplicity and can be used either using a single marble type or in making complex designs such as a black and white checkered marble floor. You can use the diamond pattern for creating dazzling repeating designs that complement the rooms’ overall aesthetics.
Marble mosaics and medallions: Unleash your inner artist by incorporating marble mosaics and medallions in your flooring designs. From geometric designs to creative multi-color motifs, homeowners can add a majestic touch to their hallways and foyers with marble mosaics and medallions.
For personal assistance with your project, drop an email or contact the team at BHANDARI MARBLE GROUP- Your one stop destination for all stone needs.