Just like male model, Hansel, from Ben Stiller’s 2001 movie classic Zoolander, marble is also ‘so hot right now’. Trending across interior design, international kitchen design, bathroom installations and even accessories, marble has become a definitive statement of design aesthetic and luxury. Unlike high fashion trends, when applied thoughtfully and creatively, marble applications in your home add an old-world charm or a broad aesthetic appeal difficult to resist. Check out these 15 inspiring uses of marble to bring out your inner interior designer!
1. Dramatic Splashbacks
With improvements in industrial adhesives’ strength, it’s now possible to apply large slabs of natural stone to create wall cladding that isn’t broken up by the traditional, small tile formats of the past. The contrast of the bold, busy, dark grey veining in this single-slab, marble splashback is magnificent juxtaposed with the consistent colour of the engineered quartz kitchen countertops and the stained timber kitchen cabinets. We love how this designer made a feature out of an area of the kitchen that we usually consider part of the background.
2. Striking Bath Cladding
The reason this is a jaw-dropping bath cladding installation is that the Carrara marble has been tastefully applied – and with restraint. Many designers have made the mistake of cladding a bathroom from floor to walls – or even ceiling – in the same natural stone product with such busy patterning, one is temporarily disoriented just walking into the room! By using a limited amount of marble in the design, this bath is now the feature of the space, instead of part of an overwhelming ‘themed’ bathroom design.
3. Bathroom Feature Wall
If you’re going to cover your bathroom in marble from top to toe, this is the way to do it. The designer has cleverly contrasted the dark-and-striking, Nero Marquina on the feature wall, with a softer, pale and lightly veined marble to add depth and visual relief to what would have been an overwhelming space to inhabit. The marble feature wall behind the bath anchors the space, allowing other design elements to support it. The beautiful view doesn’t hurt either…
4. Marble Fireplace
Marble is most often imagined in kitchen or bathroom spaces, but as is evident in this example, it’s definitely a material for any room in the house. Sleek, modern and eye-catching, the designer has made use of three panels of marble that have been applied to clad the fireplace arch, which becomes a striking feature in this urban living room.
5. Monotone Marble Colour Scheme
With neutrals and earthy tones hitting a peak in design trends, we absolutely love this monotone open plan kitchen and living room. The contrast between black and white dominates the design colour palette adding depth to the space. The light wood flooring and designer bar stools add a delicious contrast, while the contemporary patterning of the marble makes this interior spring to life! This designer has cleverly created a comfortable, but beautiful space that has some serious shelf life on it. If you’re looking to sell your property, estate agents will tell you that a classy kitchen design immediately vamps up the perceived value of your home. Although it’s gorgeous, marble can be a pesky kitchen countertop surface as it’s a high maintenance investment: wherever you apply it, natural stone requires regular sealing to avoid stains. Marble is also relatively soft, so you may need to come to terms with scratches, chips and even cracks if you insist on a marble kitchen countertop.
6. Antique Shower or Bath
We love this modern take on an old-school shower and bathroom vanity! Instead of glass shower partitions, why not try marble? The designer of this space has cleverly matched the shower with the bathroom vanity surface, using antique-style light fittings, tap fittings and an antique, French mirror to complete the look.
7. Old-School Marble Tiles
Although marble tiles are considered a little bit dated, this bathroom vanity design leaves us breathless! The attention to detail seen in the marble moulding and the larger base tiles add a sense of sophistication, while the underslung basin in the metal-framed sink area fits in perfectly! The vanity surface looks to be about 20mm thick, which complements the dainty feel of this washroom area. We love how the muted colours and patterning of the floor and wall tiles create a seamless, vintage European look. Take us back to the 1800s, please!
8. Mixing Textures
The marble use in this modern bathroom design looks like an art installation, lifting this space to an almost transcendent bathroom interior. Too often we design spaces according to how we’ve always experienced them, but we love how this bathroom has made a feature out of the large, gorgeous marble slabs, pushing the boundaries of bathroom design! The designer has cleverly balanced the striking look and size of the marble installations by limiting colour use, and mixing textures and patterns of other natural materials within the space, helping to calm the senses in what could possibly have been a very overwhelming interior.
9. Mixing Natural Materials
Another hot trend right now is mixing natural materials in contemporary kitchen design. This design features marble backsplashes, copper light fittings and timber flooring, with some greenery thrown in to complete the natural look. Because it’s so easy on the eyes and the soul, this trend has a lot of longevity in it, so you’ll be sure to enjoy your kitchen design for many years to come!
10. Marble Accents
The ultimate, classic material that will never go out of fashion, tastefully incorporating contemporary marble elements into your home can add a certain je ne sais quoi to the space. Here we see a simple, small piece of traditional marble incorporated into a traditional bathroom in the form of a ‘lid’ for the radiator, which allows for added surface area – in this instance used for towel storage. Regular heating of marble shouldn’t damage the material, as long as the heating up in gradual, not too hot, and not in an isolated spot, which could cause cracking, burn marks or discoloration.
11. The Bath Stand
Once again, contrast has been artfully incorporated into this bathroom design. From the pale-coloured flooring, to the striking, boldly-veined shower and wall cladding juxtaposed with the sleek glass window, we love this bathroom all-round. Separating the bath from the rest of the bathroom via a delicate marble flooring installation is a practical choice if you ensure there are plenty of non-slip accessories to protect happy bathers. Have you thought of including a marble bath stand in your next bathroom design?
Get the Look: Rudi’s Choice Bianco Royal Marble (bath stand)
Get the Look: Rudi’s Choice Marron Emperador Marble (wall cladding)
12. The Butcher’s-Block-come-Pastry-Station
‘Butcher’s block’ is a fancy name for a surface dedicated to chopping food, while a pastry station is dedicated to kneading dough or rolling out pastry. Pastry stations need a naturally cold, marble top in order to cool the temperature of pastry while the rolling pin beats it into submission. Both cold and enticing, marble is the traditional surface of choice for both of these nifty kitchen inventions!
13. The Many Colours of Marble
Did you know that marble comes in more colours than white, grey and black? We’re not joking! Why not shop around and see what varieties are available in your area before designing your dream home? You might be surprised and have your heart stolen by Pietra Grey, Marron Emperador or Perlato Olimpo.
14. Contemporary Designs with a Traditional Material
Here we see the feature-wall-come-fireplace subsumed with a low display surface in a modern living room – made completely out of marble with almost invisible joins. Why not dream a little and come up with some inventive uses of marble material for your home interior?
15. Marble Home Accessories
We have good news for you: you don’t need to be renovating or building to include marble in your home! The marble trend can be expressed through signature accessories like this beautiful display piece, a chopping board, vase or even a marble cheese board. The bottom line: find a way to include marble in your home this year!