Stone has long been a desirable material. Available in a host of colors and variations as well as durability, stone provides long-lasting quality. Even so, stone is considerably more expensive than traditional materials. For those looking for one-of-a-kind designs and craftsmanship, stone is a creative alternative. From light marble to agate and dark blue tiger eye, the outcome of your furniture piece can be either light and bright or dark, smoky and rich.
One slight warning: Stone pieces are extremely heavy and even small pieces can require more than one person to lift or move.
HOW STONE PIECES ARE MADE
While stone furniture appears to be entirely made of stone from the outside, in most cases, the piece begins with a wood foundation or mold, and then large pieces of stone are veneered onto parts of the foundation. The goal in creating such a piece is to have as few seams as possible. The fewer the seams, the smoother and more cohesive the piece will look.
TYPES OF FURNITURE THAT CAN BE MADE INTO STONE
The beauty of stone is that it no longer has limitations. The advantage of working with a custom designer or craftsman opens up a world of possibilities. From console tables to table bases, table lamps and even chairs, stone can be used to create nearly any piece of furniture.
If you are on a budget, stone isn’t likely the option for you. Essentially when you buy a stone furniture piece, you are not only buying the stone itself, but you will also be paying for all of the design, prep work and execution. Also, when it comes to maintenance, be sure to speak to a reputable stone fabricator to properly learn about how to seal and protect your stone furniture.
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Cathy Hobbs, based in New York City, is an Emmy Award-winning television host and a nationally known interior design and home staging expert with offices in New York City, Boston and Washington, D.C. Contact her at info@cathyhobbs.com or visit her website at www.cathyhobbs.com .
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