Marble is having a thoroughly modern moment. Though one might argue that this classic material has never really gone out of fashion, its delicate veining is now weaving gently across surfaces in almost every room of the house. Always synonymous with luxury and a certain kind of refinement, marble remains as popular as ever in bathrooms and kitchens, where it can transform an average space into something truly special. And while exceptional varieties cost a pretty penny, there are less expensive ways to acquire its superluxe look.
“Prices of popular marbles such as classic Italian Calacatta and Statuario have skyrocketed over the past few years,” says Jason Cherrington, director of the stone specialist Lapicida. “Cost depends on rarity and quality, so a clean white background and a definite vein could come in at up to £800-£900 a square metre for a 20mm-thick slab. However, there are other excellent marbles, such as Italian Crema Delicato or Spanish Crema Marfil, that cost as little as £150 a sq metre and can create an almost identical feel.”
Alternatively, the latest printing techniques mean it’s possible to buy porcelain tiles that are practically indistinguishable from the real thing. They are easier to cut and install, and require none of the treatment or maintenance demanded by natural stone, which is porous and can mark or stain easily. Try surfacetiles.com or wallsandfloors.co.uk; both stock good ranges, from about £120 a sq metre.
Product designers, meanwhile, are using the latest technology to rework marble in contemporary ways. “Up until about 20 years ago, the stone industry hadn’t changed for nearly 2,000 years, but whereas a skilled mason used to be the only one who could carve a block of marble, now we have CNC [computer numeric control] machinery, which does the job quickly,” Cherrington says. His company recently collaborated on a second collection of tables with the jewellery designer Lara Bohinc, to be launched next month. “Specialists are still needed to finish items — in fact, we employ more masons now than ever — but a laser scanning machine does the bulk of the work, which brings the price down and makes it a lot more accessible.”
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Though Bohinc’s tables will still be but a dream for most of us, the same laser technology is being used by a new generation of furniture and accessory makers. The award-winning British designer Lee Broom’s clean-lined pieces have an ultramodern feel. “Marble has endless possibilities,” he says. “I create tableware and lighting, things you wouldn’t commonly see it used for.
“The key is to keep shapes simple. There is already so much to look at in the texture — you don’t need to overdesign the silhouette.” Broom’s Chamber pendant lights are bestsellers, and his elegant On the Rock glasses have crystal bowls atop a satisfyingly heavy marble base.
The trickle-down effect means even the high street has gone mad for marble, with the big department stores, including Debenhams, John Lewis, Marks & Spencer and House of Fraser, stocking a full quota of products that won’t break the bank. Perhaps the prettiest are to be found at Oliver Bonas, where the AW15 range, available next month, will include cheese knives and boards, cake stands and pinch pots that combine marble with the ever-popular copper and brass. Ferm Living has transferred the trend onto wallpaper, shower curtains and even bed linen, should you wish to cuddle up under Carrara — or at least something that looks like it.
Even if you don’t have the wealth of a Roman emperor — they were big fans of the metamorphosed limestone look — there are affordable ways to bring a little bit of marble magic into your home.
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