The Timeless Quality of Natural Stone: Why I Use Natural Stone
Working in the interior design field has its joys and its challenges. Staying informed about product includes both. I have had the opportunity to visit stone fabricators, tile factories, stone quarries, and many other types of manufacturers and distributors over the years.
In a category like appliances or furnishings, there are often products that are newer or better. When it comes to surfaces, I always seem to find myself coming back to natural stone. I find that I really enjoy looking at it! Each piece of stone seems to conjure up a story. There is a timeless quality that honed stone brings that really enhances almost any architectural style. Natural stone has the look and feel of luxury. The durability as well as its ability to be sculpted into functional art give it a time honored respect that is hard to come by in building materials.
I have used charcoal soapstone in kitchens for its easy maintenance and depth. Water jet manufactured tiles can weave intricate patterns and one of my favorite projects has some stunning large pattern tiles on the floor of a foyer. Large slabs of natural stone can create such drama for walls, floors, and countertop surfaces. Backlit onyx has a dreamy quality that I have used for wall and counters. Whether European, South American, Asian or domestic, natural stone has a distinctive look that can really make a project.
The current trend of organic modernism makes real stone a natural choice. The simplistic style combined with natural materials like stone, metal and wood give a space a calming vibe. The materials free of chemicals create a feeling of wellness we are all striving to create. Here are a few of my projects using natural stone slabs and tiles.
I chose soapstone for a kitchen remodel in a historic building on the west side of New York City. The natural darkening with age, nonporous quality, and durability made this stone a natural choice for both the cook and the look! I wanted the design to perform and the honed quality of natural stone is also easier on the eyes than shiny surfaces as you age.
Light granite was chosen for the countertops and backsplash for this apartment to create continuity and make the space look larger. Simple, small-patterned natural stone gives interest without looking too busy.
The natural marble here done with large slabs and an accent strip created a perfect transitional blend for the prewar building with lots of architectural challenges and the modern conveniences we added to this master bath. The stone gives a lovely and calming biophilic warmth to this urban space that we could not have accomplished with tile or manmade surfaces.
About Toni:
Toni Sabatino is a leading kitchen designer who has designed residential and commercial projects all over Manhattan as well as in Brooklyn, Long Island, the Hamptons, and in resort destinations like Vermont, Palm Beach, and Las Vegas. She is a proud recipient of several Best of Houzz Awards and an Interior Design Society Designer of the Year Award for Kitchens. Toni is proud to be the 2018-2019 NKBA Manhattan Chapter President, a member of the K&BB Editorial advisory Board, designer of the Retro Collection for Baden Haus Spa, a member of several industry design councils and is CLIPP certified. Toni is also an award-winning member of the Interior Design Society and a member of the Sustainable Furnishings Council. Learn more about her here.
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