Whether you’re using it for a countertop, fireplace surround, or flooring material, using natural stone is a way to let your personality shine. “Personality can be expressed in stone through color, design, shapes, and patterns,” says Susan Van Etten, owner of Murphy Marble Company and Galloy & Van Etten, Inc., a custom fabrication shop in Chicago. Each stone has its own personality. Some reflect stronger patterns while others feature more classic and subtle veining.
Marbles are still popular among her clients, especially the classic white Statuary and Carraras, sometimes with an inlaid pattern as a checkerboard white with gray pattern. “Grays are very popular and considered a neutral,” she says.
Black and white combos are also popular in both traditional and contemporary applications. Another trend is toward larger sized pieces or pieces cut from slab. Van Etten is noticing more requests for mosaic inlays, with borders or patterns. Since her firm tends to do a fair amount of custom work, there are also more asks for bookmatching details, which must be done in full stone slabs. Van Etten notes that natural stone can be textured, which is better for high traffic areas because it helps with slip resistance. Read More >
