Stone Federation Great Britain’s Interiors & Surface Materials Focus Group gives its opinion on issues relating to the stone industry.

In the world of interior design, in a sector where aesthetics lead the way and individuality is essential, natural stone is the ideal material.

Quarried and mined from the earth, every piece of natural stone is truly uniquely forged by nature. It carries characteristics that are the result of complex geological processes, giving the discerning interior designer more than just a material – it offers a whole story.

No two pieces of natural stone can ever be exactly the same. When this novelty is embraced, stone provides a wealth of options in both texture and colour that simply cannot be matched by any other material.

Let’s take a look at exactly what natural stone has to offer the world of interior design.

Texture. From the fossils found in Portland stone to the natural, subtle layers of slate, texture is a strong selling point for using natural in interior spaces.

The three-dimensional dynamic that a feature wall of unpolished, naturally textured stone can provide is stunning. It is no wonder that using stone in this way is a trend that is growing.

Unlike many other materials, the same piece of stone can lend itself to being finished in a number of different ways to provide the texture best suited to the application.

Flamed, honed, blasted, sanded, polished and line textured are all finishes that can give the same piece of stone a very different visual impact.

Impact. The geological striations and natural colour streaks that are particularly prominent in marble create a striking aesthetic used across the interiors world, from hotel lobbies and internal walls to floors and countertops. 

In a market where individuality is key, the unique visuals that natural stone can create are striking, bringing a strong identity to interior spaces of all description.

Durability. As a result of the geological processes of heat, pressure and movement that only a planet can deliver over millions of years, natural stone is a particularly hard wearing material. You need only look at the centuries old, limestone buildings lining the streets of London, the granite-paved streets of Aberdeen or the Clipsham rich buildings of Oxford to see evidence of the longevity of this natural material.

When it comes to choosing the right stone for your particular project, it’s worth exploring the wealth of options that natural stone offers the interiors market and seeking advice from Stone Federation’s members about which to choose for which application.

The Natural Stone Awards run by Stone Federation biennially celebrate the best examples of the use of natural stone across a wide range of applications, including interiors.

The interiors category of the  Awards is a showcase for the successful use of natural stone in bathrooms, hotel lobbies, high-end apartments, church floors and so much more.

The Awards have shown just what a contribution the spectrum of stones available make to successful projects.

From subdued limestones, sandstones and slates to the liveliest granites and marbles, or exotic semi-precious stones of the world such as onyx or lapis lazuli, stone offers just the aesthetic you seek, making statements that can be as understated or dramatic as you like. They all express the skill of the designer or architect to the highest degree.

To start your search for the ideal material and company for your next natural stone project, go to bit.ly/FindAMember.