Richard Smythe

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“The finest workers in stone are not copper or steel tools, but the gentle touches of air and water working at their leisure with a liberal allowance of time.”
Henry David Thoreau, American essayist, poet and philosopher, 1817-1862

Millions of years in the making, stone has few equals in durability, natural beauty and individuality. It is hard to find fault in natural stone as a striking adornment and a tough workhorse for the contemporary interior: for floors, worktops and other applications.

To really appreciate stone, and to help you make the right decisions, it’s worth understanding what it is, how it began life, and its suitability as an interiors material.

	Granite What is it? Granite is an igneous rock, formed underground when magma (molten rock) cools and solidifies. Igneous rocks are sometimes called ‘fire rocks’ because of their formation in the intense heat of the earth’s core. Granite is the most commercially viable and abundant igneous rock. Much of it was formed in the Pre-Cambrian age, 4,500 million years ago. Despite its age, it’s really kept its looks. What are its main advantages? Granite is the king of kitchen worktops. It is the most scratch and stain resistant of natural stones, and its incredible heat-resistance means that nothing is cooler when the heat gets dished out. What are its disadvantages? There are fewer colours to choose from than with engineered stone. On floors, it can be cold underfoot. What colours does it come in? From greys, greens and blacks to golds, browns and whites. What finishes are available? Granite can be finished in more ways than any other stone. It can be highly polished, take a matt finish (honed), produced to look aged (anticato), or be given a satin finish (satinato).		Marble What is it? Marble is a metamorphic rock. Metamorphic rocks have ‘morphed’ from one type of rock into another over millions of years under many tons of immense pressure deep beneath the earth’s surface. Humankind has an enduring relationship with marble. In folklore, it is associated with purity, immortality and educational achievement. What are its main advantages? Marble cuts and shapes well. Its superb engineering properties therefore make it perfect for a wide range of applications, however complex. For thousands of years, marble has been widely regarded as the definitive stone for eye-catching beauty and magnificence. Nothing’s changed. If granite is the king of kitchens, then marble is the queen of bathrooms. What are its disadvantages? Marble is more porous than granite, and can stain. Therefore, we don’t recommend it for use in kitchens. If you do plan to use marble in kitchens, you will need to take more care with spillages and food deposits. Acidic ingredients like lemon juice and vinegar, if left, will corrode marble. What colours does it come in? Marble comes in a wide range of muted and vivid colours, including pure black and pure white. What finishes are available? Marble can be either highly polished or have a matt finish (honed).

	Slate and limestone What are they? Slate and Limestone are both sedimentary rocks (although slate starts life as a metamorphic rock). Sedimentary rocks are small pieces of eroded rock that have been carried by wind and water to settle on the rivers, lakes and oceans of our planet. Layer upon layer is then pressed down into the earth where the lower layers then form into rock. Both are stunning in their organic beauty, displaying elements of their early existence in the form of metamorphic patterns and small fossils. What are their main advantages? Slate and limestone provide a totally original hallmark to any interiors project, and their natural warmth makes them perfect for floors and fireplaces. What are their disadvantages? Generally, both come only in a matt finish, with less of a colour spectrum than marble. Perhaps it’s unfair to call it a disadvantage, but limestone and slate can be unpredictable in their patterns, and their natural randomness and fossil deposits can be perceived by some people as flaws. Others, however, love them for this very reason. Slate and limestone are also both relatively soft and, as worktops, will not endure the rigours of a busy kitchen. What colours do they come in? Slate tends to be darker (blacks, browns, greens and greys) while limestone is lighter (creamy whites and light browns). What finishes are available? Neither can be polished, and both are usually matt finished (honed).

			Engineered stone What is it? Engineered stone is a manufactured alternative to natural stone. It is made by mixing ground quartz with resin and colour pigments. Mirrored glass is sometimes added to give a more reflective finish. What are its main advantages? Controlled production gives engineered stone a consistent finish, without the inherent idiosyncrasies of natural stone. It is therefore ideal for achieving a uniform look. When you choose from a sample of engineered stone, it will precisely match the final product you receive, whereas natural stone samples can only indicate a close match to the final product because of individual variations that come with each piece of stone that is cut. Engineered stone comes in the widest range of colours and can be matched perfectly to your own interior scheme. It’s also completely non-porous and the most stain resistant of the materials we work with, making it extremely easy to maintain and less likely to change its appearance over time. What are its disadvantages? The most obvious one for stone lovers is that it’s not pure stone but a composite to meet the needs of modern life, perhaps lacking character in some people’s eyes. What colours does it come in? Just about any colour you want. Engineered stone comes in the widest range of colours of any of the materials we work with. What finishes are available? Engineered stone can be polished or take a matt finish (honed).