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alphamarblegraniteuk-blog · 6 years ago

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Your Guide To Finding The Perfect Worktop For Your Kitchen

Kitchen! The busiest room in the house. Since you build a home that defines your sense of style, you can’t afford to compromise on your kitchen too. A kitchen is a place where all the cooked or uncooked food is stored; cabinets cover the area for that task. The real deal is to choose the perfect worktop for your cooking area. A worktop that you will use for chopping, cutting, baking, cooking, and placing the kitchen ware after cooking.

There are certain factors you need to consider before choosing the best suitable worktop for your kitchen. You can start by deciding your budget, then move on to the design you want for your kitchen. After that comes the part of detail study, i.e., choosing the right material for your kitchen worktop.

There are plenty of materials available in the market for worktops, varies from natural stones to man-made materials. Choosing the worktops that best suit your kitchen design, bearing in mind the functionality and price of the material.

Have a look at the types of materials you can choose from, based on its features, pros, and cons, and price:

1.Granite

Granite is the most popularly used natural stone. People generally incline towards granite when it comes to worktops because of its durability and appeal. It is not very expensive for its features. Granite being the natural stone comes in varied colors and patterns, you will have plenty of options to choose from that goes with your kitchen design.

Pros:

Granite needs occasional releasing, in order to maintain non-porous surface.

It is highly resistant to heat and stain which makes it ideal for kitchen worktops.

Highly durable and robust.

Good for its price and doesn’t depreciate in value.

Easy to clean and maintain.

Cons:

Has to be sealed appropriately, reason being its porosity.

Because it is so heavy, it needs proper support underneath.

They can not be repaired after getting damaged.

2.Marble

Marble is the sure shot a sign of ultimate luxury. They are the most gorgeous looking worktops to have. The best thing about marbles is there are no two slabs that are exactly the same. They are highly expensive and once stained, it doesn’t go back to its original form.

Pros:

They are timeless and elegant.

Each slab has a unique pattern.

It’s a naturally cool stone.

Cons:

It stains quite easily.

The scratches are formed easily.

It is very expensive.

3.Quartz

Although being a man-made stone, it has the durability of natural stone. Quartz is popular for its quality of being scratch-proof. It can even withstand chipping, which makes it low maintenance. Because of its consistency in a pattern, it gives the finished look to your worktop.

Pros:

Can be intricately cut down to any shape and size.

Highly scratch and stain resistant.

Comes in various color range and consistency.

Cons:

Not much heat resistance.

They are very expensive.

4.Corian

Corian is a brand of solid surface material. It is composed of alumina trihydrate (material derived from bauxite ore) and acrylic polymer. What sets corian apart from other materials is that it can be seamlessly molded to form a sink with the worktop. We can't deny that it can give you the most classy look with its finished polish appeal, but you pay a good price for it.

Pros:

It gives your kitchen the most finished look.

Since it is plastic and not stone it doesn’t make those noises when you place your utensils on the surface.

It is hygienic as it is non-porous.

Cons:

It is less heat resistant than quartz or granite, so there’s a possibility of it getting damaged with time.

It is way too expensive.

Summary

These were some of the types of worktops that we found to be the most popular. Take these points into consideration while you make your decision. Worktops are coming to stay in your kitchen for the more longer period, make sure you choose the best of them. You can go and check out marble and granite London companies for the expert's guidance and find what works best for you.

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architectnews · 4 years ago

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The Dezeen guide to stone in architecture, interiors and design

Thinking of using stone in your project? Our latest Dezeen guide includes 15 popular types of natural rock used in architecture, interiors and design with links to hundreds of examples to inspire your own work.

Alabaster

Alabaster is a soft, fine-grained stone that has been used for centuries to carve elaborate forms and ornaments. However, its solubility in water means that it is best suited for indoor use.

In its pure form, alabaster is white and translucent, which makes it ideally suited to lighting design.

Studio Tack used tubular light shades made from alabaster to softly illuminate a cosy Japanese restaurant in New York (above), while lighting studio Allied Maker used the stone to create ornate totemic floor lamps.

Amarist Studio showcased the sculptural possibilities of the stone in its Aqua Fossil collection, which includes a coffee table with swooping, curved legs.

See projects featuring alabaster ›

Basalt

Basalt is a dark-coloured igneous rock that is formed when lava cools rapidly. It is most frequently used as an aggregate for concrete as it is low-cost and high-strength, but it is also a popular cladding and flooring material, especially when polished.

Examples of this include the facade of a small gallery in Amsterdam by Barend Koolhaas and a Hawaiian holiday home by Walker Warner Architects in which slender basalt cladding tiles are contrasted with cedar detailing (above).

Icelandic studio Innriinnri used two sculpted slabs of basalt stone to create a sculptural table that doubles as a stool or a piece of art, while South Korean artist Byung Hoon Choi polished the stone to create oversized outdoor furniture.

See projects featuring basalt ›

Flint

Flint is a highly durable stone found in abundance as irregular-shaped nodules in sedimentary rocks such as chalk. It has been used as a construction material since the Roman era, though it is not often seen in contemporary architecture.

Flint varies in colour, but it is commonly glassy black with a white crust. In architecture, it is usually knapped – split to expose its glossy inner face – before being laid in mortar.

Skene Catling de la Peña used a combination of knapped and unknapped flint to cover a wedge-shaped house in Buckinghamshire (above), which creates a subtle colour gradient across its facade.

See projects featuring flint ›

Gneiss

Gneiss, a robust metamorphic stone composed of alternating layers of different coloured minerals, is popular to use for flooring and worktops. Hues can range from pinks and golds to greens and dark greys.

Peter Pichler sourced grey gneiss with black-and-white bands from Passeier Valley in South Tyrol to create a large counter in the bar of an Italian Alpine hotel (above).

It can also be used as a cladding material, such as in Bernardo Bader Architekten's ski resort office in Austria and a radio broadcasting station in Nepal by Archium.

Granite

Granite is one of the most widely used stones in architecture and design. It forms from the slow crystallisation of magma beneath the Earth's crust. It is used for everything from load-bearing structures to cladding, worktops and furniture.

Its popularity is down to its high compressive strength, durability and low porosity. Granite is also found in an array of colours, making it suitable for a range of spaces and styles.

Heatherwick Studio recently used green granite to make a trio of its sculptural Spun chairs (above), while Snøhetta has used a grey variety to cover almost every surface of an Aesop store to emulate a rocky coastline.

Architecture studio NOARQ tested the material's strength by elevating a cabin on thick blocks of granite over the entrance to a stone villa in Portugal.

See projects featuring granite ›

Laterite

Rusty-red laterite stone is formed from the leaching of rocks and soil during alternating periods of high temperature and heavy rainfall in tropical areas. This process leaves behind a high concentration of insoluble iron oxides, which gives the rock its colour.

Laterite is typically used in construction in Africa and Asia in the form of bricks, which have excellent thermal mass and a low embodied energy. These bricks are made by cutting the rock out from below the water table when it is moist and leaving it to harden in the air.

Architect Francis Kéré used locally sourced laterite to build the walls of a school in Burkina Faso and Studio Lotus has used it to create the pedestal of a government building in India (above).

Limestone

There are many different types of limestone, a sedimentary rock composed mainly of calcium carbonate. It is considered a good all-round building material as it is easy to cut and carve and usually has a uniform texture and colour.

Popular limestone varieties include travertine (see below) and Portland stone, which is used on notable buildings in London such as St Paul's Cathedral and Buckingham Palace.

David Chipperfield Architects recently used limestone to clad the Kunsthaus Zurich museum extension in Switzerland and John Pawson used it to line the surfaces of a minimalist flagship store in Japan for fashion label Jil Sander.

Design projects that utilise limestone include a blocky furniture collection called Dig Where You Stand by students from the Estonian Academy of Arts (above).

See projects featuring limestone ›

Marble

Marble is a metamorphic rock with veins of calcite crystal. It forms from limestone that has been exposed to heat and pressure and is found in many colours. Marble is strong but easily carved and polishes well, making it suitable for numerous applications.

It is most popularly used in kitchen and bathroom designs, but it is often used as cladding too, such as in Alexander Owen Architecture's garden room in London (above).

See projects featuring marble ›

Onyx

Onyx is a translucent gemstone composed of parallel bands of quartz, found in almost every colour. It has a long history of use in sculpture and jewellery but is less commonly found in architecture and design. However, onyx is sometimes used as a facing or lighting.

Projects that use onyx include a mausoleum in Minneapolis by HGA and an office by Anne Claus Interiors where it has been used to clad a multi-coloured bar (above).

See projects featuring onyx ›

Porphyry

Porphyry is a strong and hard-wearing igneous stone that comes in reddish-brown to purple hues. It is composed of large-grained crystals embedded in a fine-grained groundmass.

It has been used in architecture and design since antiquity, though it is rarely seen in contemporary architecture and design. Today it is mostly used as aggregate in the construction of roads in places where cars require studded winter tires.

Pedevilla Architects used a block of porphyry as a kitchen island for a cookery school in South Tyrol, while architect Claudio Silvestrin used it to line the walls of a Milanese fashion boutique.

Quartzite

Formed from sandstone exposed to high heat and pressure, quartzite is a very hard and durable metamorphic rock. It is usually found in white and grey shades.

Quartzite is a popular material for kitchen countertops as it is resistant to staining, but is most commonly used as a decorative cladding or flooring.

Examples of this include a dwelling in Utah by Klima Architecture, Peter Zumthor's Therme Vals spa (above) and a monolithic Parisian library by Agence Pascale Guédot.

See projects featuring quartzite ›

Sandstone

Sandstone is composed of fine silicate grains that have eroded from other rocks, giving it either a warm red, yellow or orange colouration.

Used for construction since prehistoric times, sandstone continues to be a popular choice in architecture and design as it is abundant, durable and easy to handle.

Recent architectural projects that use the material include a cathedral extension by Feilden Fowles, a museum by Álvaro Siza, and an oval-shaped all-girls school in India (above) that is designed to blend into its desert surroundings.

See projects featuring sandstone ›

Shale

This grey fine-grained stone is one of the most common sedimentary rocks on earth. It is formed from the compaction of silt and mud into thin, fissile layers. In architecture and design, shale is usually crushed and processed into bricks, tiles and pottery, or heated with limestone to make cement.

Aketuri Architektai used shale tiles to clad a pointy woodland house in Lithuania (above), while Spaceworkers wrapped the stone around the basement of a Portuguese house to provide it with a raw, rugged aesthetic.

See projects featuring shale ›

Slate

Slate is a dark fine-grained stone that is formed when a sedimentary rock, such as shale, is subjected to high pressure. It is a foliated rock, meaning it is made up of thin sedimentary layers, which allows it to be split – or riven – into thin slabs.

Slate is durable and weather- and frost-resistant, making it a popular material choice for cladding, roofing and paving.

In interior projects, the material is often also used as floor tiles, hearths and kitchen worktops. Natalie Weinmann sanded and polished the stone to create a blocky furniture collection.

TRIAS used it to clad a small writer's retreat in a Welsh valley while Austin Maynard Architects diamond, scalloped and brick-shaped slate shingles to cover a Melbourne house (above).

See projects featuring slate ›

Travertine

One of the most commonly used forms of limestone is travertine, which has been sourced from mineral springs for use as a building material for centuries. The largest building in the world made from this stone is the Colosseum in Rome.

Today, travertine is mostly processed into tiles for internal and external surface coverings, but it is also a popular material for bathroom fit-outs. As it is found with troughs on its surface, processing travertine usually involves polishing its surface.

Projects that use travertine include an extension to a German museum by Bez + Kock Architekten (above), an apartment renovation in Lithuania by 2XJ, and a furniture collection by David/Nicolas.

See projects featuring travertine ›

Recent popular stone projects on Dezeen include an inconspicuous house on the island of Serifos, a monolithic spa by Smartvoll, a collection of luxury lodges on England's Jurassic Coast and a coffee table by Studio Twenty Seven.

The main image is of Rajkumari Ratnavati Girls' School by Diana Kellogg Architects taken by Vinay Panjwani.

The post The Dezeen guide to stone in architecture, interiors and design appeared first on Dezeen.

#Architecture – Dezeen

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quartzstarr6 · 3 years ago

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Light Grey Quartz Worktops offer an extremely unique match with most kitchen cabinets available in #UK #London, #surrey, #watford, #enfield, #Hertfordshine, #Middlesex #Twickenham, #Hounslow, #Isleworth, #Brentford, #Richmond, #Teddington, #Hampton, #Feltham, #Ashford, #Sunbury-on-thames, #Shepperton, #Staines-upon-thames, #Egham, #Southhall, #Hayes, #Greenford, #West Drayton, #UxBridge, #Northolt, #Luton, #Dunstable, #LeightonBuzzard

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worktoplibrary · 3 years ago

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This is a CRL Quartz White Water worktop installation in a kitchen located in Elstree. It was brand new but it didn’t suit the homeowners busy lifestyle. This new kitchen gives them more space to cook and work, and it matches the modern style of the home. They chose White Water because of its similarity to Carrara marble: it offers soft grey flowing veins on a white backdrop, bringing serenity and a calm inviting look. If you want to add a sophisticated touch to your kitchen, with a material with zero water absorption, we highly recommend using CRL Quartz. You can pair this marbled quartz stone with golden, silver or black appliances. Get in touch with us today to have your new worktops ready before Christmas! #crl #quartz #white #water #crlwhitewater #crlquartz #crlquartzwhitewater #kitchenworktop #londonworktops #casestudy #worktoplibrary #worktopinstallation #beforeafter #beforeandafter (at London, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/CWcgEHtNWHX/?utm_medium=tumblr

#crl #quartz #white #water #crlwhitewater #crlquartz #crlquartzwhitewater #kitchenworktop #londonworktops #casestudy #worktoplibrary #worktopinstallation #beforeafter #beforeandafter

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contentcreator11 · 2 months ago

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5 Reasons Why Calacatta Quartz Worktops Are a Top Choice for Modern Kitchens

Designing a modern kitchen involves more than just selecting appliances or cabinets—it’s about creating a space that’s as functional as it is beautiful. One key element that often steals the show is the worktop, and when it comes to making a statement, Calacatta Quartz worktops are unrivaled.

Combining style, durability, and practicality, these worktops have become the go-to choice for homeowners and designers alike. Here are five compelling reasons why Calacatta Quartz could be the perfect fit for your kitchen.

1. Timeless Elegance and Aesthetic Appeal

Calacatta Quartz captures the luxurious look of natural Calacatta marble, but with an added layer of practicality. Its clean white background, interwoven with dramatic grey or gold veining, creates a striking focal point in any kitchen. This classic yet modern aesthetic works seamlessly with various design themes, from minimalist to farmhouse or industrial.

Pro Tip: Pair Calacatta Quartz with matte black fixtures or warm wooden cabinetry for a stunning contrast that exudes contemporary charm.

2. Unmatched Durability for Busy Kitchens

Unlike natural stone surfaces, Calacatta Quartz is engineered for strength and durability. It resists scratches, stains, and chips, making it ideal for households with children, frequent cooking, or high traffic. Whether you’re rolling out dough or chopping vegetables, you can count on this worktop to withstand the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Why It Matters: Natural marble, while beautiful, is prone to etching and staining, making quartz a far more practical option for modern kitchens.

3. Effortless Maintenance for a Stress-Free Experience

One of the standout features of Calacatta Quartz is its low maintenance. Thanks to its non-porous surface, it resists absorbing liquids, reducing the risk of stains from spills like coffee, wine, or oil. Cleaning is simple—just wipe it down with a damp cloth and mild detergent to maintain its pristine look.

Bonus: Because it’s non-porous, Calacatta Quartz also offers enhanced resistance to bacteria and germs, ensuring your kitchen remains a hygienic space for meal preparation.

4. Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Choice

Calacatta Quartz doesn’t just look good—it’s an environmentally conscious choice. Made using natural quartz blended with recycled materials and resins, it offers a more sustainable alternative to mined stones. This eco-friendly approach means you can enjoy luxury without compromising your commitment to the planet.

Good to Know: Many manufacturers of quartz worktops follow ethical sourcing practices, further reducing the environmental footprint of your kitchen upgrade.

5. Affordable Luxury Without Compromises

While natural marble like Calacatta is undeniably beautiful, it often comes with a hefty price tag and ongoing maintenance costs. Calacatta Quartz, on the other hand, delivers the same upscale look at a fraction of the price. Its longevity and low upkeep make it an investment that pays off in both style and savings.

Budget Tip: Investing in Calacatta Quartz means fewer repair and replacement expenses over time, making it a financially savvy choice.

How to Style Calacatta Quartz in Your Kitchen

Calacatta Quartz is not just functional—it’s a design statement. Here are a few ideas to make it shine:

Add a Waterfall Edge: Extend the quartz down the sides of your kitchen island for a sleek, modern look.

Pair with Metallic Accents: Gold or copper hardware complements the bold veining, enhancing the luxurious feel.

Go Monochrome: Combine white cabinets and Calacatta Quartz for a clean, cohesive aesthetic.

Why Choose DialAWorkTop for Calacatta Quartz Worktops?

At DialAWorkTop, we specialize in helping London homeowners find the perfect worktops for their kitchens. Our range of premium Calacatta Quartz worktops is paired with professional installation services, ensuring a hassle-free experience. With competitive prices and expert guidance, we make upgrading your kitchen simple and stress-free.

Ready to elevate your kitchen? Contact DialAWorkTop today for personalized advice and a free quote. Let’s create a space you’ll love for years to come!

#quartzworktops #kitchenworktops #worktops #kitchenworktop #worktopinstallers #kitchen #homeimprovement #kitchenremodeling #quartz worktops #quartz

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mkw-surfaces · 5 years ago

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Meet the New Caesarstone Colours From The Metropolitan and Supernatural Range

Caesarstone has amazing inherent characteristics, like non-porous, hardness, durability and resistance to scratches and stains. All these qualities make this quartz type the best material for any kitchen surface.

Caesarstone is a leading high-quality quartz brand that’s popularly used in creating stylish kitchen worktops, splashbacks, benchtops and feature panels. This engineered stone is non-porous, scratch-resistant and waterproof, as well as mould and mildew resistant. Besides, it is a low-maintenance and highly durable material, which make it a good investment.

Caesarstone quartz surfaces are also available in many interesting textures, patinas and colours. However, in this article, we are going to discuss the Caesarstone Metropolitan and Supernatural collections.

Caesarstone Metropolitan Collection

The new Caesarstone Metropolitan collection is a new take on harsh concrete while incorporating interesting aged patinas, textural effects and oxidized accents to the quartz surfaces, using exclusive proprietary technology. The result is the urban concrete-like surface with experimental, romantic and refined expressions.

The latest Caesarstone London’s metropolitan collection comes in various trendy hues and interior design palates and schemes. All these new colours represent modernity on premium surfaces.

The new additions of Caesarstone quartz worktops feature four beautiful colours – Primordia, Cloudburst Concrete, Topus Concrete and Turbine Grey. These four designs boast authentic textures featuring manufacturing details of poured plaster, oxidized steel and raw concrete. All these designs are influenced by lofts and factories translated to commercial and residential interiors with organic hues.

Caesarstone Primordia: Caesarstone Primordia (metropolitan collection) takes Caesarstone worktops to a whole new level. If you want a sturdy material to enhance the aesthetics of concrete in your building while offering great performance, Primordia is ideal for you. This design features a subtle cool grey base with rusty spots and imperfect patina.

Caesarstone Cloudburst Concrete: This is a new addition to the Metropolitan Collection and influenced by the traditional beauty of concrete. The fabricators of this man-made quarts work on enhancing its performance while maintaining its sturdiness and regular maintenance. This material doesn’t need any sealing, as it’s highly resistant to scratches and stains, as well as hot and cold temperatures, thanks to its non-porous surface.

Caesarstone Topus Concrete: This quartz stone is designed to have a natural topological state comprising of muted pink hues on its fossil-like surface. The Topus Concrete features a dynamic design while giving opaque tones to its textural material design.

Caesarstone Turbine Grey: This Caesarstone quartz comes with a mid-grey backdrop featuring gorgeous veining in dark greyish tones. There are also many random spots scattered throughout its surface in swirly patterns. This quartz is reminiscent of natural stone like Bardiglio marble.

Caesarstone Supernatural Collection

The high-end Supernatural Collection blends the classic beauty of nature with the superlative functionality of Caesarstone quartz. Following previous years’ success, the Classic supernatural design series is extended further with new trendy colours. Furthermore, the Caesarstone cost of this particular design is quite reasonable to fit any budget – small or big.

This collection includes five additional Supernatural designs, such as Empira White, Dreamy Marfil, Rugged Concrete, Piatra Grey and Frosty Carrina. All these new designs feature exclusively wider veining, which is created using the brand’s signature proprietary technology.

Caesarstone Empira White: Caesarstone Empira White (Supernatural collection) provides a new twist to the classic design of Italian Calacatta Marble. Its divine white background features grey bold veins to add light to any room. This quartz stone also brings a natural yet exquisite look to any sophisticated home or office interior. It is a perfect worktop material for both classic and modern interiors.

Caesarstone Dreamy Marfil 5220 quartz: These Caesarstone worktops come in creamy beige hue with soft and delicate veining. It is designed to evoke the timeless beauty and natural beauty of Crema Marfil from Spain. Meanwhile, it boasts superior performance and resistance to staining, heat and scratching.

Caesarstone Rugged Concrete: This quartz stone reinterprets the actual concrete surface. You must be aware that cement is made from gravel, water, sand and broken stones. Keeping that in mind, its design is created perfectly to mimic the actual concrete but without superior performance and long-lasting surface.

Caesarstone Piatra Grey 5003: This grey quartz stone has a soft slate-like surface with chalky white veining to suit any traditional and modern interior, as well as architectural features in residential and commercial spaces.

Caesarstone Frosty Carrina: It represents the beauty and timeless appeal of natural Bianco Carrara marble. If you want to add the accent of this natural Italian stone without the flaws of marble, Frosty Carrina is a perfect choice. It highlights a white to the ivory background with delicate grey veins all over the surface.

#Caesarstone quartz worktops

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perfectfitkitchens · 5 years ago

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Here's a project from Muswell Hill in North London. A calm and inviting kitchen in Dove Grey matte lacquer. The model is Liberamente by Scavolini. Worktops are Carrara quartz from Compac courtesy of Granite Direct. #scavolini #scavolinilondon #scavoliniuk #mattelacquer #kitcheninspo #kitchendesign #loverenovate #granitedirectlimited #muswellhill (at Muswell Hill) https://www.instagram.com/p/B3pYUzQBZCx/?igshid=178axzincdokh

#scavolini #scavolinilondon #scavoliniuk #mattelacquer #kitcheninspo #kitchendesign #loverenovate #granitedirectlimited #muswellhill

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miteshuk · 4 years ago

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Grey Quartz Worktops in London(south), UK for kitchens & bathrooms. DialAWorkTop offers high-quality products of unique designs. Con: 02083685555

#Quartz worktops in london Quartz kitchen worktops in london Grey Quartz kitchen worktops in london

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alphamarblegraniteuk-blog · 6 years ago

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A Complete Guide to Caring for your Quartz Worktops

Choose direct top quality Quartz Worktops for kitchen at affordable rates in London, UK. The best place to buy quartz countertops. Call us & get the best deal on quartz worktops. - https://alphamarbleandgranite.com/products/quartz-worktops/

#best kitchen worktops #quartz worktops direct #quartz worktops london #best place to buy quartz countertops #quartz countertops london #london grey quartz countertop

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architectnews · 4 years ago

Text

The Dezeen guide to stone in architecture, interiors and design

Alabaster

Alabaster is a soft, fine-grained stone that has been used for centuries to carve elaborate forms and ornaments. However, its solubility in water means that it is best suited for indoor use.

In its pure form, alabaster is white and translucent, which makes it ideally suited to lighting design.

Amarist Studio showcased the sculptural possibilities of the stone in its Aqua Fossil collection, which includes a coffee table with swooping, curved legs.

See projects featuring alabaster ›

Basalt

See projects featuring basalt ›

Flint

Flint varies in colour, but it is commonly glassy black with a white crust. In architecture, it is usually knapped – split to expose its glossy inner face – before being laid in mortar.

Skene Catling de la Peña used a combination of knapped and unknapped flint to cover a wedge-shaped house in Buckinghamshire (above), which creates a subtle colour gradient across its facade.

See projects featuring flint ›

Gneiss

Peter Pichler sourced grey gneiss with black-and-white bands from Passeier Valley in South Tyrol to create a large counter in the bar of an Italian Alpine hotel (above).

It can also be used as a cladding material, such as in Bernardo Bader Architekten's ski resort office in Austria and a radio broadcasting station in Nepal by Archium.

Granite

Its popularity is down to its high compressive strength, durability and low porosity. Granite is also found in an array of colours, making it suitable for a range of spaces and styles.

Architecture studio NOARQ tested the material's strength by elevating a cabin on thick blocks of granite over the entrance to a stone villa in Portugal.

See projects featuring granite ›

Laterite

Architect Francis Kéré used locally sourced laterite to build the walls of a school in Burkina Faso and Studio Lotus has used it to create the pedestal of a government building in India (above).

Limestone

Popular limestone varieties include travertine (see below) and Portland stone, which is used on notable buildings in London such as St Paul's Cathedral and Buckingham Palace.

Design projects that utilise limestone include a blocky furniture collection called Dig Where You Stand by students from the Estonian Academy of Arts (above).

See projects featuring limestone ›

Marble

It is most popularly used in kitchen and bathroom designs, but it is often used as cladding too, such as in Alexander Owen Architecture's garden room in London (above).

See projects featuring marble ›

Onyx

Projects that use onyx include a mausoleum in Minneapolis by HGA and an office by Anne Claus Interiors where it has been used to clad a multi-coloured bar (above).

See projects featuring onyx ›

Porphyry

Porphyry is a strong and hard-wearing igneous stone that comes in reddish-brown to purple hues. It is composed of large-grained crystals embedded in a fine-grained groundmass.

Pedevilla Architects used a block of porphyry as a kitchen island for a cookery school in South Tyrol, while architect Claudio Silvestrin used it to line the walls of a Milanese fashion boutique.

Quartzite

Formed from sandstone exposed to high heat and pressure, quartzite is a very hard and durable metamorphic rock. It is usually found in white and grey shades.

Quartzite is a popular material for kitchen countertops as it is resistant to staining, but is most commonly used as a decorative cladding or flooring.

Examples of this include a dwelling in Utah by Klima Architecture, Peter Zumthor's Therme Vals spa (above) and a monolithic Parisian library by Agence Pascale Guédot.

See projects featuring quartzite ›

Sandstone

Sandstone is composed of fine silicate grains that have eroded from other rocks, giving it either a warm red, yellow or orange colouration.

Used for construction since prehistoric times, sandstone continues to be a popular choice in architecture and design as it is abundant, durable and easy to handle.

See projects featuring sandstone ›

Shale

See projects featuring shale ›

Slate

Slate is durable and weather- and frost-resistant, making it a popular material choice for cladding, roofing and paving.

In interior projects, the material is often also used as floor tiles, hearths and kitchen worktops. Natalie Weinmann sanded and polished the stone to create a blocky furniture collection.

TRIAS used it to clad a small writer's retreat in a Welsh valley while Austin Maynard Architects diamond, scalloped and brick-shaped slate shingles to cover a Melbourne house (above).

See projects featuring slate ›

Travertine

Projects that use travertine include an extension to a German museum by Bez + Kock Architekten (above), an apartment renovation in Lithuania by 2XJ, and a furniture collection by David/Nicolas.

See projects featuring travertine ›

The main image is of Rajkumari Ratnavati Girls' School by Diana Kellogg Architects taken by Vinay Panjwani.

The post The Dezeen guide to stone in architecture, interiors and design appeared first on Dezeen.

#Architecture – Dezeen

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