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A guide to using natural stone in your home

By Guest Poster โ€ข

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By Dara Shashoua

My name is Dara Shashoua and I am addicted to stone. There. I said it. Itโ€™s true, I cannot think of a more exquisite surface to be used in your home. Truly. Every floor is unique; you are installing an actual piece of history on your floor or wall. With so many companies importing stone these days, the price and range that is on offer makes stone a lot more affordable so it can be enjoyed by many more people.

A chic bathroom using tumbled products
A chic bathroom using tumbled products

I started in the natural stone and tile industry 13 years ago, when 20x20cm tiles and decorative borders were the fashion for bathrooms; thankfully that has all changed, and quite quickly. I remember the first time we had travertine come into the showroom, I was in love! It was a beautiful cappuccino colour, featuring a beige base with taupe tones running through it. Soon afterwards we had marble, granite and finally, limestones, arrive in the showroom.

The beauty of stone is that your installation will not look like anyone elseโ€™s, because every batch is cut from a different part of the quarry. This means that every vein pattern or inclusion will be different with each batch. Stone will age as your home does, it will darken and the patina will change as it ages in your home.

A Calacatta marble kitchen with marble, limestone and volcanic stone examples
A Calacatta marble kitchen with marble, limestone and volcanic stone examples

In Australia, we tend to want to maintain the perfection of the stone when it is first laid, we do this by applying multiple coats of sealer. In Europe and almost everywhere else in the world, stone is rarely sealed, and any stains or marks that come from living with stone become part of the story of the home. I have heard that in Italy, when you move you take your kitchen with you, including the benchtop, and this continues the storytelling of the family. Such a lovely idea. Stone does not necessarily need to be sealed, however, there are some stones such as limestone which do benefit from sealer in order to strengthen it.

A misconception I would like to clarify about stone concerns pricing. I understand that these days you can purchase travertine from $30-to-$100 per sqm, which sounds fabulous, but please note the following: you get what you pay for. Itโ€™s like clothing; you are at Myer and have 2 t-shirts to choose from, one for $15 and one for $80. You know that the $15 t-shirt will have holes and will pil from about the second wash. The $80 t-shirt will probably last you many seasons because it is better quality. The travertine that is being sold for $30 per sqm is generally rubbish that the quarries want to get rid of cheaply for many reasons, but the quality is nowhere near as good as the $80 per sqm product. If you are staying in your home for many years I would always recommend making the investment and spending more money on a floor that will last and age beautifully.

An Arabescato bathroom with marble and mother of pearl mosaics
An Arabescato bathroom with marble and mother of pearl mosaics

A quick guide to stone types and their best uses

Limestone – lighter colours are generally quite soft so these are great for bathrooms. Some limestones can be dense, but they are usually darker in colour. Dark limestones can be quite sensitive and will show small scratchings over time.

Marble – Very hardy but can generally be quite patterned and busy. Carrara and Calacatta marbles are an absolute design classic and used for everything from kitchen benchtops to flooring to mosaics.

Travertine – tumbled travertine is an absolutely perfect outdoor stone; it has amazing natural slip-resistance because of the holes. I would always recommend filling the holes to about 70% with grout so that the holes still have some resistance. Honed and filled travertine is also a great indoor flooring material. I recommend making sure that the fill is epoxy and colour matched to the stone otherwise it is the first thing you see when you look at the floor.

Granite – the hardiest of all of the stones, fashions have changed and granite is now mainly used outside with an exfoliated or flamed finish. Also used commercially for cladding buildings.

Volcanic stones and bluestone – generally darker grey toned stones which are great for internal or external uses. However, they can be quite porous, so once laid they may need time for the moisture from the glues to evaporate, so will have a different appearance for about a week.

Sealing stone

If you are going to seal stone, there are some simple guidelines that you can follow. These only apply if the stone does not need to be pre-sealed. You should check with your supplier if the stone needs pre-sealing.

1. Lay the stone in its natural state.

2. Clean the stone and apply first coat of sealer.

3. Grout the stone and clean residue completely.

4. Apply final coat of sealer, paying attention to the grout lines as well.

5. To test if there is enough sealer on your stone, try to rub a small amount of water into the stone. If it is absorbed you need another coat of sealer, if not, the job is completed.

Always check with your stone supplier for their recommendations for sealing stone as well.

I could go on about stone for hours, this is just a small piece describing a few major points about selecting stone for your home.


As well as being a long time stone addict, Dara Shashoua owns Byzantine Design, a design-focused stone supply company which focuses on bespoke finishes.

Jen is currently on honeymoon in Tokyo, Venice and the UK, and has opened up the blog to a series of fabulous guest posters to share their interiors-related expertise in her absence. She hopes you’ll enjoy them and look out for the odd honeymoon post from overseas! The new Mrs Francis (who will still be known as Bishop for work purposes) will be back at her desk on 11 November.

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October 18, 2013

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When her styling business took a hit, @vaultinteri When her styling business took a hit, @vaultinteriors decided to reduce her outgoings by moving to a tiny house. And we're not sure we've ever seen a more stylish one!

Although the move to a container home was motivated by financial pressures, Justine Wilson is loving her new simpler way of life.

Read her refreshingly honest, positive interview on the blog now, via link in bio.

It'll make you want to downsize too!

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Appliance colour trends: They've certainly change Appliance colour trends:

They've certainly changed over the years. Remember when ALL fridges were white?! I remember the original BROWN wall oven in our 60s kitchen here pre-reno! I think the dishwasher was brown and beige (and it tripped the electrics every time we used it!) ๐Ÿ˜œ

What do you think of this new dark stainless steel option (pictured) from Westinghouse as seen in @dnaofdesign_'s latest reno? Yay or nay? 

What colour do you like your appliances?

See the rest of this home and kitchen and laundry design tips from the ex Blockheads on the blog now via link in bio.

#kitchenappliances #walloven #wallovens #combioven #combioven #microwaves #builtinappliances #builtinoven #builtinovens #homeappliance #westinghouse #kitchentrends #ovens #laundryappliances #darkstainlesssteel #stainlesssteelappliances
SALE ALERT! Listen up Sydneysiders, one of my fav SALE ALERT!

Listen up Sydneysiders, one of my favourite home stores @shack.furniture.homewares are having their annual warehouse sale this week, from Thursday until Saturday.

HUGE savings on furniture, homewares and decor with 30 to 80% off. Wowsers!

I'm a big fan of SHACK and can never leave one of their stores without a few styling goodies for my place! It's just too tempting!

While you're at the sale, mention Interiors Addict for an extra 10% off!

Unit 16a, 1801 Botany Rd, Banksmeadow NSW 2019

Thursday 1st to Saturday 3rd June 2023, 9am to 4pm. Not online.

#sydneyshopping #sydneysale #sydneysales #sydneyfurniture #shackfurniture #shackfurniturehomewares #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #comeshoppingwithme
A door to door continuous curved stone ledge in th A door to door continuous curved stone ledge in this bathroom is one of the cleverest designs we've seen in a while!

This mega ledge, made of Corian, even incorporates a sink, seamlessly.

Combined with venetian plaster on the walls, it's no wonder this Illawarra bathroom by @birdblackdesign feels like a day spa!

Come check it out via link bio.

Lead designer Stuart Gibson says: "One smooth curve, right around the room, from either side of the door opening. As it moves around, it creates a ledge for the bath: for bath oils, lotions, a book and a champagne glass. The ledge continues around and becomes the vanity, widening out to create a custom seamless basin."

#bathroomhappiness #bathroomdetails #bathroomshelves #bathroomshelf #venetianplastering #coriandesign #coriansolidsurface #spalikebathroom #spabathroom #sustainablebathroom
Catch the season finale of @sellinghousesaus last Catch the season finale of @sellinghousesaus last night?

We have all the before and afters for you on the blog now, via link in bio (and swipe for a taster).

#sellinghouses #sellinghousesaustralia #foxtel #lifestylechannel #beforeandafterkitchen #beforeandafterlivingroom #beforeandafterrenovation #realitytv #housetours #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
๐Ÿ˜ Not sure what's better: the custom mirror abo ๐Ÿ˜ Not sure what's better: the custom mirror above the fireplace in this Art Deco one-bedder or the wallpaper in the kitchen (swipe)?!

It's been a while since we featured an apartment makeover on IA. Would you like to see more apartment interiors? Head to the blog now to see more of this one. Via link in bio.

#artdecoapartment #artdecointerior
#artdecomirror #artdecofireplace #artdecomelbourne #artdecofurniture #artdecobuilding #artdecointeriors #apartmentrenovation #apartmentinterior #smallspaceliving #melbourneapartments #melbourneairbnb #kitchenwallpaper #wallpaperaustralia
Low tox and planet friendly laundry liquid (and sh Low tox and planet friendly laundry liquid (and sheets and soap and powder!). We have a great roundup of the best options on the blog today. 

A whole host of brands are offering eco-friendly, low tox alternatives to the more chemical-laden ones. Not only that, they often smell amazing, look good on your shelf and come in recycled or recyclable (or even better, both) packaging. 

Good for your skin, your clothes and the planet: whatโ€™s not to like?

Do you use any of these?

COMPARE THEM ALL VIA LINK IN BIO NOW.

#lowtoxliving #lowtoxlife #lowtoxlifestyle #lowtoxhome #lowtoxlaundry #lowtoxswaps #naturallaundry #naturallaundrydetergent #naturallaundrysoap #ecolaundry #lowtoxcleaning #ecofriendlyhome #ecofriendlyhouse #laundryliquid #laundrypowder #laundrysoap #naturalcleaning #chemicalfreecleaning #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
Play room goals!๐Ÿ‘Œ๐Ÿป This is just one room fr Play room goals!๐Ÿ‘Œ๐Ÿป

This is just one room from today's real house tour which I really love because in employing interior designer @issyandhcreative the owners weren't looking for a complete rip out and re-do but rather to work with what they had in their new suburban home (including a dated kitchen) and give it a largely cosmetic glow up with styling and new furniture (some of which was upcycled). 

The brief was to create a family friendly home. "They weren't looking for perfection but rather a warm and relaxing retreat for their busy young family." This playroom though? Pretty close to perfect! And the mum did the colour coded books herself. Love that๐Ÿ˜

Head over to the blog now via link in bio to see the rest of this home.

#playroomideas #playroomgoals #playroomdecor #familyhomes #kidfriendlyhome #kidfriendlyinteriors #familyhomedecor #sustainabledecor #affordablerenovations #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #beanbagchair #beanbags #colourcodedbooks #colourcoded #toyroom #kidsroomdesign 

Pix by @tealily
All the heart eyes for this little setup ๐Ÿ˜ Hea All the heart eyes for this little setup ๐Ÿ˜

Head to the blog to shop this and two other gorgeous styled images from @greenhouseinteriors 

The stunning @mrsniceart artwork has already sold but the good news is, you can still get prints of it!

Styling by Aisha Chaudhry for Greenhouse Interiors, assisted by Nikki McGar, Kylie Harris, Rachael Blake and Max Green. Photography by Stephanie Rooney. 

#poolart #sideboardstyling #buffetstyling #consolestyling #vignettes #greenhouseinteriors #barcartstyling #shopthelook #bluehomedecor #poolumbrella #beachumbrella
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. AvatarMegan says

    October 18, 2013 at 10:43 am

    Thank you for this blog post! Currently about to order some marble mosaic floor tiles for my bathroom. Should I buy tumbled, honed or polished? I’m thinking polished is out because it could be quite slippery for bathroom use. Byzantine has a beautiful collection – I think I just found my tile company ๐Ÿ™‚

  2. AvatarDara says

    October 18, 2013 at 12:12 pm

    Thanks Megan
    What lovely words.
    I think you should buy the finish that you like the most, the reason being that because they are mosaics the surface area is broken up with grout joints so the slipperiness (if that’s a word) factor is highly reduced. However, polished will show up more micro scratches over time.
    Either way, buy what you love.

  3. AvatarSamantha Bailey says

    October 18, 2013 at 12:51 pm

    Great article. I also love natural stone and have just finished tumbled marble mosaics in all of my bathrooms. There is nothing lovelier under foot and the walls have such a soft and moody look and feel. Tumbled marble rocks!

  4. AvatarDara says

    October 18, 2013 at 1:14 pm

    Thanks Samantha
    The beauty of the tumbled marble is that it will age beautifully, and it already looks like it’s been there forever.
    Rock on.

  5. AvatarSally says

    October 18, 2013 at 1:59 pm

    This is great – I’m very new to stone/tiles so this has been a wonderful intro! After reading the other comments it’s got me wondering about the slipperiness factor of polished surfaces versus honed? Obviously this is a consideration for bathroom flooring?

  6. AvatarDara says

    October 18, 2013 at 3:24 pm

    Great question Sally and one that I get asked a lot.
    Depending upon the stone itself will depend upon how slippery it is when polished or honed. Sometimes honing a stone will make it more slippery than polished. When the stone is polished it usually opens the pores up, this results in when the stone is wet the bigger the pore the higher the vacuum effect occurs when pressure (like a foot) is applied. Same goes for honed tiles.
    At the end of day, it comes down to personal preferences as a honed or polished look creates different effects within the design of your room. Using bathmats always help as do using smaller versions of the same stone, such as mosaics in the shower recess, can also reduce the slipperiness of the floor.
    Hope that helps.

  7. AvatarStonehand.com says

    October 20, 2013 at 8:20 pm

    Thank you for this piece. The pictures of the stones used sure made it easier for designers like me. Sometime it’s hard to figure out the stone used in designs.

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