Natural stone transcends temporary trends to offer timeless elegance and durability in interior design. YesStrong, impressive and timeless interiors come from the materials you include in your design. Although there is an endless selection of fashion options available, incorporating nature through the use of natural stone can help you keep your design timeless and attractive, regardless of how trends change. Due to its longevity, natural stone is a cost-effective material and a big selling point. Whether you use it in your investment properties, new construction or renovations, natural stone creates beautiful interiors that will captivate all your potential clients. Gone are the days when natural stone was only used in fireplaces. Today, natural stone is used in virtually every aspect of design. From shower walls to kitchen backsplashes, interior flooring and even accent walls, natural stone makes a strong statement. Try using natural stone as an accent wall on the bed wall in the master bedroom, or add it to the kitchen backsplash for a more rustic/ranch feel. Adding it to the bar wall is a very popular application because it protects the wall from people kicking and smearing the paint while sitting at the bar. For a quick fireplace makeover, try using stone stringer sheets to give any fireplace a quick facelift with a more modern look. The stone-human connection Stonework has been linked to humans since the time of prehistoric people who lived in caves. Its telluric character is understood as our connection with the land. From the Egyptian pyramids to Greek temples and other ancient stone monuments around the world, there is no denying that humans have an unspoken connection with natural stone. Because of this connection, using natural stone indoors connects the earth to humans, creating intrigue and adding familiarity. Timelessness and beauty Trendy materials on the market may cost less than natural stone, but they can quickly start to look old and dated. Natural stone, however, will maintain its value longer, if not forever, because it adds timeless beauty to any design. Since no natural stone is the same, it adds interest and elegance. Gives any design a bold, personalized feel, adding sophistication to the home. In a competitive real estate market, a high-quality material like natural stone can set your property apart from others. Variations Natural stone comes in all shapes and sizes. Examples include travertine, sandstone, bluestone, limestone, onyx, and basalt. The color also varies greatly from one stone to another, which increases its beauty, but you will have to pay special attention when selecting each piece. Natural stone slabs, such as marble or granite, should be placed side by side during selection to ensure colors match. When using natural stone in a fireplace design, you may need to hand-select each stone one at a time to ensure the masonry looks cohesive and to control color selection. It is also important to be aware of the condition of each stone. Because natural stone is extracted from the earth by forceful measures, some stones may be damaged. Durability The durability of natural stone should be one of its strong points when incorporating it into your next design. Natural stone is easy to maintain and most can be cleaned quickly with just a damp cloth or sponge. Although natural stones are usually stain resistant, please confirm this before purchasing. Stones like marble are more porous and will stain over time. Sealers are available to protect natural stone from stains and highlight the rich vibrant color and natural beauty of the stone. Cleaning the stone with water will help you decide if the stone will give you a better color with a more wet appearance before applying a permanent sealer. Environmentally friendly Being an environmentally friendly material, natural stone can even help control allergies by reducing allergens in the air. Being a natural material, natural stone is non-toxic and biodegradable. Natural stone will even recycle heat from the sun, helping to reduce energy costs depending on how much stone you use in the home and whether it is located in an area that receives morning or afternoon sun. Application Considerations Selecting and working with natural stone can be difficult if certain steps are not followed during the design process. You must carefully consider how the stone will be assembled and applied, again because its characteristics will vary thanks to Mother Nature. Meticulously placing each piece of stone before placing it in the mortar ensures that your design will be to your liking before it is permanently set. Doing this advanced work will not only allow you to see what the shape will look like, but also work with the color variations of each stone. For example, natural stone from a quarry in the Rocky Mountains of Montana comes in different shades of gray, rust, and brown. These full size stone veneers are a great example of how many color variations natural stone can have within a project. Taking the extra step to lay out the design stone by stone beforehand prevents the project from becoming too gray or brown in one place, which would detract from the beauty of the design. Obtaining and selecting your stone Finding natural stone today has become much easier. Almost any landscape garden will have a good selection of stones to choose from. Large hardware stores now offer a significant selection of natural stone, due to its popularity in the design world. However, before you go shopping, find out which stone is best suited for your project. As with any material used in design, certain natural stones define certain design styles. For example, a travertine stone is best suited for a Tuscan style design, and limestone will always make a great statement in a ranch style home design. These basic design concepts apply whether you use natural stone inside or outside the home. A solid choice Incorporating natural stone into home design offers both aesthetic and practical benefits, making it a timeless choice for homeowners. Its durability ensures longevity and
