After magazines and interiors websites announced its phenomenal come-back a few seasons ago, there was a real risk that we might grow tired of this iconic material. But despite the vagaries of fashion, marble has proven rock-solid
After magazines and interiors websites announced its phenomenal come-back a few seasons ago, there was a real risk that we might grow tired of this iconic material. But despite the vagaries of fashion, marble has proven rock-solid
An enduring material extracted from rock, marble its name derived from the Greek Marmaros, meaning ‘splendid stone’ has had a long and distinguished career. It is believed that it was already used by the very ancient civilisations of the Mesopotamian basin, and it is certainly the basis of some of the loveliest works of ancient times. Marble’s translucent nature, which allows light to enter the stone before being reflected, confers on this popular material a special luminosity and made it the ideal choice for sculptors and other creators in ancient times. The Venus de Milo, the Hermes of Praxiteles and also the most famous monuments and temples of Greece, such as the Parthenon, made use of this unique rock that can take much of the credit for the continued importance of ancient cultures.
Not content to carve itself a solid reputation in the domain of the arts, marble had already started to colonise interiors in the form of bathtubs, furniture and other small objects. If the Barbarian era put a temporary halt to the use of this previous stone, the Italian Renaissance caused it to flower anew and began to make the country’s now-famous quarries rich especially Carrara. At this time, marble in rare hues from the East began to be discovered, confirming the inexhaustible wealth of this infinitely creative material.
A symbol of splendour and opulence, marble cuts across the ages and civilisations. From the Taj Mahal in India to Paris’ Opéra Garnier, this is a material that inspires grand creations attracting tourists from all over the world. Its intrinsic nobility is no doubt part of its more modest success in the world of interiors. A coffee table, a kitchen counter or small objects: marble has crept into contemporary homes, and in doing so imposed its elegance – something particularly welcome today, in a time of ‘joyful’ interiors. Brass, copper, silk and even blown glass are among the noble materials that marble can be paired with, as well as with chic, soft colours that temper its apparent coldness. With its gilded-steel stand, the Hop Maxi console, available via designerbox.com, brings instant refinement to a space.
A timeless material by its very essence, as we saw above, marble fits in with all interiors styles. Hence, those who like neutral living spaces can pair it with raw natural materials such as wood in a pared-back atmosphere that recalls the Scandinavian movement so popular over the last few years. Sculpted by our forebears with the greatest sophistication, marble is now appreciated in its purer formats that don’t detract in any way from its extremely delicacy. Pieces as simple as Un’common’s Oval tray, available on designerbox.com, allow us to appreciate all the more, through contrast, the subtlety of the material’s natural streaks. Pure lines and noble materials : whatever piece you choose, one thing is certain it will last !
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