Sponsored by Stone Ambassador
This month marks the start of an exclusive new longterm partnership between Interiors Addict and Stone Ambassador; a brand I’d been watching from the sidelines for some time and was excited to hear they were launching into NSW. I sat down with senior marketing coordinator Annalyse Vamvalis to get the back story on this impressive market leader in porcelain and zero-silica vitrified compact surfaces.
Established in 2012, Stone Ambassador’s owners were developers and builders who identified a gap in the market for a high quality and affordable surface brand that combined simplicity with professionalism. Starting from a small distribution centre in the Melbourne suburbs, they were driven by a passion to create something truly unique.
Over the next seven years, the company steadily built a reputation for excellence, becoming known throughout Victoria for delivering quality products and outstanding service. Then, in 2019, Gary Isherwood was appointed as general manager, tasked with a focus on national expansion. Just six years on, that vision has been realised, with showrooms in QLD, WA and SA, and the last piece of the puzzle, NSW, about to open its doors.
“Today, we are proud to be Australia’s leading supplier of decorative surfaces, supported by state-of-the-art distribution facilities and showrooms in every state,” says Annalyse.
All this has happened in the context of the huge changes brought about by the Australian Government’s ban on engineered stone just under 12 months ago. But rather than a roadblock, Stone Ambassador, who had already started innovating behind the scenes, saw this as an opportunity to invest and commit to a new product, and they’ve reaped the rewards.
“From the outset, responsibility has been a cornerstone of our business ethos. As the national conversation around engineered stone intensified and the possibility of a product ban became increasingly real, our team responded swiftly and decisively,” Annalyse said. “Long before regulatory changes were enacted, we had already begun reformulating our materials to reduce crystalline silica content—an initiative driven by both foresight and a commitment to health and safety.”
In fact, 18 months prior to the official ban, they had successfully developed and implemented a lower-silica formula. “This was not a reactive measure, but a proactive stride, powered by innovation, integrity, and an unwavering focus on responsible manufacturing.” Their research & development team continued to push boundaries, refining the product and setting new benchmarks for what could be achieved in the category.
“We are proud to have been the first Australian company to not only reformulate our materials but also validate our efforts through rigorous testing by certified Australian laboratories,” Annalyse said. “This transparency provided our clients with clear, evidence-based assurance that we had achieved a breakthrough: a zero-silica product formula.”
In November 2023, months ahead of the national ban which came the following July, Zenith Surfaces was born. It marked not just the launch of a new product line, but the beginning of a new era in safe, sustainable decorative surfaces.
Stone Ambassador proudly offers two flagship ranges: Zenith Surfaces, their vitrified compact surface containing zero percent crystalline silica, and Vasari Surfaces, their premium large-format porcelain collection. Both have been carefully curated to meet the evolving needs of Australian designers, renovators and builders.
With a strong emphasis on trend-driven aesthetics, their colour palettes are continually updated to align with both international kitchen design trends and Australian style preferences. The dedicated R&D team plays a crucial role in tracking these movements, ensuring the collections remain both stylish and relevant.
And while their brands sit proudly in the premium category, Stone Ambassador remain deeply committed to affordability. “One of our core challenges—and accomplishments—is maintaining this balance between high-end quality and accessible pricing,” Annalyse explains. “Through strong, strategic relationships with our global supplier partners, we’ve been able to deliver premium products at competitive prices, making exceptional design attainable for a broader audience.”
So why expand into New South Wales, an already highly competitive market, well served by surface suppliers? While covid and the stone ban may have caused unavoidable delays to finally getting to Sydney, the brand feels the timing is right and they’re confident they have something new to add.
“We believe our distinct product ranges and commitment to affordability will strongly resonate with clients across the state. Our upcoming distribution centre and showroom in Prestons, opening in July 2025, is a cornerstone of our NSW strategy.”
The new facility will proudly introduce NSW’s first and only full slab viewing gallery; an industry-first experience. This unique space will allow both specifiers and consumers to explore the full Zenith and Vasari collections in their entirety. “By providing the opportunity to view complete slabs, we empower our clients to make confident, well-informed choices when selecting the perfect surface solution,” Annalyse adds.
It’s not just the product that Stone Ambassador have confidence in, but their people too. Customer service and professionalism have always been key. “The heart of our business is undeniably our people and our clients. Without our clients, we don’t have a business: it’s as simple as that. In a market full of choices for specifiers and consumers, what sets us apart is our unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional service at every touchpoint.”
Equally important is the culture they’ve cultivated within their team, says Annalyse; not just a point of pride, but a key differentiator. “Our national teams operate like a close-knit family, and that sense of unity is reflected in everything we do. This dedication and camaraderie resonate with our clients, who see and feel the difference in every interaction.”
In terms of what’s currently trending in surfaces, there’s been a clear shift towards warmer tones and away from the cooler minimalism of the last few years. “Neutrals are still going strong, but they’re evolving,” says Annalyse. “Instead of stark whites and cold greys, customers are leaning into buttery beiges, soft taupes and warm sands — colours that feel lived-in, natural and timeless.”
Their upcoming July launch will perfectly capture this design direction. They’ll be introducing a curated mix of warm-based hues alongside refined grey tones — ideal for designers who want to balance softness with structure.
The ban on engineered stone has certainly reshaped the market landscape, prompting both specifiers and consumers to explore alternative surface solutions. This shift has increased awareness around porcelain surfaces and Stone Ambassador have seen an uptick in demand for their Vasari range. At the same time, they’ve been fortunate to bridge the gap left by engineered stone through the introduction of Zenith Surfaces.
It’s an exciting time for Stone Ambassador and their customers. Find out how you can work with them or use their products today.
Interiors Addict have chosen to feature Stone Ambassador exclusively in the stone alternative space going forward and we look forward to sharing more of their products, people and projects with you in the coming months.
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