Marble: The rock star stone

The truth is that this precious stone which is quarried from mountains around the world has been used in interior design for centuries. Just as much at home in an Old Rectory as in a contemporary town house, marble is one of the most versatile materials architects and designers have in their repertoire.

Marble’s resistance to heat made it the traditional choice for fire surrounds in period properties and this quality also makes marble ideal for kitchen counters. The downside is that it is porous and liquids like oil and lemon juice will permanently stain the surface so make sure it is professionally sealed. Similarly, marble is a luxurious option for bathrooms. A contemporary marble bathroom is timeless, adds value to your property, and is a classic look that will stand the test of time. As with marble in the kitchen though, maintenance is key. Marble must be sealed yearly and cleaned regularly to avoid stains, scratches and moisture damage. Although it is essentially a rock, it is relatively soft and can be chipped and damaged in the wrong conditions. This is especially true if the marble is polished as any imperfections will be more noticeable in the smooth surface. Unfortunately, scratches are not easily repaired and usually mean replacing the damaged material completely. Whenever marble is installed, buy at least one box of extra material and keep it in reserve.

If you want to experiment with marble without major investment, marble accessories are an option. From the high street to high-end retailers, marble is the go-to material for summer 2018 meaning you’ll be spoiled for choice if you tap into this trend. Online furniture and homeware retailer MADE.com is worth a browse for their selection of marble-topped coffee tables and table lamps with a marble base. Accessorising the marble with other classic materials like oak and brass achieves a very Scandi look. Plain or textured effect marble wallpaper is another way to inject the marble look into your home at a fraction of the cost of marble tiles.

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