Flexible and multifunctional spaces using natural rocks
The use of natural stones in interior decoration has gained increasing prominence due to its versatility and sophistication. These stone materials, such as marble, quartzite, and granite, possess unique beauty and offer unmatched resistance and durability.
When applied in interior design or outdoor areas, natural stones can transform spaces, bringing harmony with natural elements.
Today, you will see how these natural stones can create versatile and multifunctional spaces, always with a touch of sophistication. Follow along!
What are natural stones?
Natural stones are materials extracted directly from nature through open-pit or underground mining. Then, the stones undergo cutting and finishing processes before being applied in various design projects.
Used in construction and interior decoration, they play an essential role in architectural projects, whether for floors, wall coverings, countertops, or furniture.
The durability and timeless aesthetics of natural stones, such as marble, quartzite, and granite, are the main reasons they are ideal choices for creating high-end spaces with a sense of elegance.
Additionally, they have characteristics that allow them to be used in multifunctional spaces that demand functionality, practicality, and beauty.
Main types of natural stones in decoration
Quartzites
Quartzites are metamorphic rocks composed primarily of quartz, which gives them high resistance and durability. The appearance of quartzite stones varies greatly but always carries a touch of sophistication.
Their colors range from light to dark tones, making them ideal for countertops, floors, and coverings in both indoor and outdoor areas.
Marbles
Highly prized for its crystalline texture and striking veining, marble is a metamorphic rock composed of calcite or dolomite and evokes the most admired works of art throughout the centuries.
It is widely used in prominent indoor areas, such as living rooms, bathrooms, and kitchens.
Flexibility of finishes for coverings
The flexibility in natural stone finishes allows for the creation of various visual and sensory effects. Each finish can enhance shine, texture, or softness. Here are some of the most popular finishes!
- Polished: The polished finish is synonymous with high shine and a smooth texture. It highlights the stone's veining and tones, giving an elegant and refined appearance.
- Honed: This finish offers a semi-smooth texture but is more opaque and matte. It is an excellent choice for spaces seeking a minimalist touch.
- Flamed: Ideal for outdoor areas, the flamed finish uses heat to create an anti-slip texture. It is perfect for gardens, balconies, and facades, as it is resistant and provides a rustic touch.
- Brushed: This finish is more anti-slip than polished but still offers a satin-like, smooth, and natural look. Ideal for countertops and floors, the brushed finish brings sophistication without compromising durability.
Get inspired by real projects: multifunctional spaces with natural stones
If you want to create sophisticated and multifunctional spaces, the following projects are perfect examples of how natural stones can transform environments.
All the natural stone patterns used are part of Decolores' portfolio. See how they made a difference in these projects!
Penthouse with Mont Blanc Quartzite
A striking example of the use of natural stones in multifunctional spaces is the Penthouse, designed by the Ambidestro studio.
Located in Porto Alegre, this residence uses Mont Blanc quartzite in various finishes, creating a sophisticated and fluid environment. The material was applied to walls, countertops, and floors, ensuring continuity and harmony.
The light tone of Mont Blanc, combined with warm wood, brought a perfect balance between modernity and coziness, essential for a multifunctional space.
La Petite Afrique Building with Bronzite Facade
Another notable project is the La Petite Afrique Building in Monte Carlo, Monaco, designed by renowned architect Isay Weinfeld. The Bronzite quartzite was used on both the facade and the interior, creating a unique and imposing look.
The application of Bronzite in a brushed finish on interior walls brings subtle movement, highlighting the stone's natural beauty and providing a sense of fluidity to the space.
Living Inspirar with Rosso Levanto Marble
In the Living Inspirar project, signed by Gramés Interior Architecture, the Rosso Levanto marble took center stage. This Italian stone, with its striking veining and vibrant tones, brings a sense of luxury and exclusivity to the space.
The use of Rosso Levanto provided unique elegance in countertops and decorative tables. The project combined marble with modern and natural elements, such as wood, creating a multifunctional and welcoming environment.
As you can see, natural stones are not only beautiful but also extremely versatile, allowing architects and designers to create multifunctional spaces.
If you are looking for materials to add personality to your projects, from Mont Blanc quartzite to marbles, there is a vast array of natural stones to transform your designs.
To explore even more possibilities with natural stones, check out the complete catalog of stones from Decolores.
Take advantage and try our environment simulator to discover which natural stone best suits your project!
Related contents
Trends in Natural Stone for 2023
We've gathered everything you need to know about trends in natural stones for 2023. Read More! What are the main trends in natural stones for 2023? Spoiler alert: they involve a wide range of colors, unique patterns, and the prominence of technology, for instance. But that's all we can reveal for now. To learn more about the topic, follow along here and check out the content crafted especially for you. Happy reading! The Importance of Ornamental Stones Ornamental stones are perfect for enhancing the ambiance. Granite, quartzite, marble, and sandstone, for example, set the tone for attractive, decorative, and truly diverse spaces. In this regard, these materials enable you to "uplift" many areas. From the pool to bedrooms, from bathrooms to the kitchen: with them, everything becomes incredible and unique! Trends in Natural Stones for 2023 In addition to natural elements with raw finishes, pieces rich in unique details and distinctive textures are also expected to remain popular. However, unique design and a focus on technology and sustainability are equally prominent today! Stay updated on the main trends in natural stones for 2023: Innovative Colors and Patterns Neutral and warm palettes stand out, each in its own way, with avant-garde patterns. When it comes to the former, softness is their trademark! Meanwhile, warm colors, including shades of orange and red, are expected to claim increasingly larger spaces in interior decoration, especially when combined with various geometric patterns. Distinct Textures and Finishes Sophistication is present in natural stones through textures and finishes that deviate from traditional options. Consequently, each material becomes unique, with various application possibilities in different settings. Sculpting, sandblasting, and polishing techniques make all the difference in creating distinctive surfaces. Exotic and Rare Materials Stones like sodalite, very rare and found exclusively in Brazil, also play a significant role in current trends. Its exuberant royal blue color brings sophistication and refinement to various spaces. Therefore, it can be incorporated into countertops, tables, sinks, and more. Sustainability and Natural Stones Preserving the environment is everyone's duty. The importance of sustainability is increasingly in focus, driving innovations that are essential in product creation. In the case of stones, the trend is towards increased production of long-lasting items that do not require frequent replacements and outlast traditional solutions. Innovative Applications In this topic, the spotlight is on various ways to apply natural stones, whether in interior or exterior designs. Stones in contact with water are expected to become an increasingly common feature moving forward. Moreover, these pieces can also be found in unexpected places, such as the wall behind the bed, for example. Integration with Technology Continuous improvement in processes facilitates synergy between natural stones and technology. In other words, innovation contributes to the development of unique solutions, delivered to clients with extensive customization possibilities. Cutting-edge resources have been crucial in making spaces even more modern, intelligent, and beautiful. Sustainable Projects It's impossible not to emphasize the topic of nature. Natural stones are being widely used in architectural projects, from small spaces to large buildings. As such, items like these have indeed made a unanimous contribution to the preservation of what matters most: the environment. Count on us and elevate your interior decor The best trends in natural stones for 2023 are here at Decolores. Since we started our operations in the year 2000, we have spared no effort in providing truly distinctive ornamental stones for our clients' projects. Explore options, get in touch with us, and discover everything we can do for you!
Natural Stones in high-end commercial projects
What factors should be considered when choosing natural stones for high-end commercial projects? Find out here! Providing excellent customer service and offering unparalleled experiences is essential in today's world. And principles like these involve the presence of natural stones in high-end commercial projects. That 's right! Materials are not only crucial for adding grandeur to establishments but also for ensuring unique decorations and singular experiences for the public. Shall we delve deeper into the topic? Here, you'll discover everything about natural stones: advantages, types, how to select them, and much more. Enjoy the reading! Natural stones in high-end commercial projects and their benefits High-end commercial projects offer ample opportunities to use natural stones in various ways. The application tends to go far beyond traditional work, making this material a common component in floor and wall coverings. In this regard, marbles, granites, and quartzites can be present in lavatories, SPAs, fireplaces, etc. Additionally, they add a sophisticated touch to countertops, workbenches, and tables, ranging from minimalism to the most extravagant designs available today. Their advantages are also numerous. Here are some of them: High durability; Wide range of applications; Great resistance; Ability to not retain heat and moisture. Distinctive features like these make the spaces unique, providing beautiful decorations and simplifying everyday cleaning processes, for example. Types of natural stones and tips for choosing them Having the best natural stones in high-end commercial projects is entirely possible, from various types of establishments, from facades to interior spaces. To help you make the right choice, we've prepared some tips: Opt for patterns that harmonize with the other decorative elements of the project. A good decoration brings a balance between natural stones and other decorative resources in the environment, aiming for a pleasing harmony to the senses. From the classic patterns of marble types to the vibrant and modern ones of quartzites, the combination will look amazing when blended with the other elements of the project. Pay attention to the types of natural stones and their recommended applications: Knowing the types of stones and their recommended applications is an essential point for you to determine which product will be chosen. Check out the main recommendations for each type below: Quartzite: extremely resistant, quartzite can be used in a variety of environments, both indoors as flooring, countertops, and panels, or outdoors like pools, facades, and outdoor fireplace cladding. They come in a wide range of colors, patterns, and textures, adding refinement and originality to projects; Granite: with scratch resistance and easy installation, granite is a type of stone that also has a wide range of applications, whether for outdoor or indoor areas, ensuring beauty to projects; Marble: from classic patterns, marble elegantly complements indoor spaces, being suitable for applications like floors, walls, and furniture, as well as exterior fireplace cladding and tabletops; Travertine: known for being a timeless and versatile stone, travertine can be used in indoor spaces like panels and floors, or in outdoor areas such as facades and pool edges. With a velvety texture and neutral colors, it provides versatility and elegance to the project. Take into consideration the texture you wish to use. In addition to the broad patterns and veins that natural rocks possess, there is the possibility of varying the applied textures, bringing a fresh perspective to the product. Among the various possible finishes, we mention polished, which imparts a shiny and mirrored aspect to the material; brushed, characterized by a velvety and satin-like texture; honed, ensuring a matte and smooth appearance; flamed, providing a more rustic, raw finish to the stone. Stay informed about cleaning and maintenance tips for the material. Besides ensuring the best standard and texture of your material, remember that it is essential to know how to protect your natural stone. Avoid using abrasive or chemically aggressive cleaning products and always prefer detergents with a neutral pH. More information on the protection, application, and maintenance of these products can be found in our Natural Stone Guide. To recap: Natural stones offer numerous benefits, including unmatched durability and resistance. There are various types available today, including marble, granite, and quartzite. In high-end commercial projects, they can be used in a variety of ways, well beyond what is considered common applications. Choosing quality products is one of the key factors in enhancing architectural work like no other! Want to know how we can help you? Click here, explore our solutions, and discover what we at Decolores have to off.
Discover how to combine resistance and sophistication in your projects with quartzite
Check out some tips for creating stunning projects using quartzite. Read here. Do you want to use natural rocks in your projects but don't know exactly how to create harmonious compositions that enhance your spaces even more? Keep reading and discover the various possibilities that quartzite can offer according to your goals. What is quartzite? Quartzite is a type of natural rock found in several Brazilian states. Formed from highly resistant sedimentary rocks, it is composed of 75% quartz and 25% other elements such as tourmaline, muscovite, biotite, among others. With unique patterns, it has a uniform and clean base, making it perfect for creating modern projects where minimalist aesthetics are the focal point. What are the advantages of quartzite? Here are the main benefits of using quartzite in your projects: Resistance: Due to its low absorption and high quartz content, which provides high hardness, quartzite has a wide range of applications. Finishes: Being a natural rock, quartzite can receive various finishes on its surface, such as polished, honed, brushed, flamed, or raw. Varied colors and prominent veins: Quartzite can be found in a wide variety of colors, with distinctive and original veins and tones. Easy to clean: Only water and mild soap are needed to clean this rock. As it doesn't absorb liquids, immediate cleaning is not necessary. How to use quartzite in projects? This natural rock can be applied in different areas of the house. Here are some great examples of applications that look amazing: In bathrooms, it can be used on the sink countertop or as a wall covering in the shower area. In kitchens, the classic use is as a countertop and supporting counter, also serving as a product for kitchen islands. In living rooms and bedrooms, it stands out as a wall covering, especially on focal walls within the space, such as behind the bed or TV wall. In outdoor areas, such as flooring, it is recommended to apply a special treatment to the surface of the rock to prevent it from becoming slippery. Get to know Decolores quartzites Click here and check out the options for natural rocks to create charming projects.