Beautiful home uses nine different natural stones

Sponsored by Cav’Art Designer Stone

Many people say you have to use the same materials throughout a home for cohesion, but designers Marianne Michael and Vanessa Alphonse at AlphaMade don’t agree. This home, which uses a total of nine different natural stones together beautifully, is a great example.

“We love the natural beauty of stone and believe each space should tell its own story. While cohesion is important, we don’t believe it requires uniformity. Instead, we carefully curate materials so each room has its own identity, while still connecting to the broader narrative of the home. Stones are thoughtfully repeated or referenced in different ways, creating a sense of continuity without being cut-and-paste,” says Marieanne.

“We actually used nine different stones throughout the home, but you wouldn’t necessarily realise it because they work so cohesively together.”

The house is a new build tri-level home located in an affluent pocket of Sydney’s Inner West. It was built for a blended family of five.

“The brief was to create a home that balances calm, serene spaces with moments of bold expression,” says Marieanne. “It was to be classic but not boring. The home needed to feel refined and reflective, while still catering to a very sociable family with incredibly busy lives. As such, entertaining was very central to the design, so the home needed to function beautifully for hosting.”

Thankfully, their clients were great to work with: collaborative, trusting, and open to embracing a layered, expressive aesthetic. “They were happy to let us ‘steer the ship’ so to speak, and it was this trust in our vision that led to what we think is an incredible outcome,” Marianne says.

The showstopping kitchen has used two stones in the one room. Lead designer Vanessa had just returned from Europe and was inspired by the unapologetic use of multiple natural stones in layered applications.

“We paired Acquarella Quartzite with Taj Mahal Quartzite in the kitchen; a combination we absolutely love. The Taj Mahal provides a warm, elegant backdrop, allowing the bold movement of the Acquarella to shine without overwhelming the space,” Marieanne says,

“The cashmere coloured joinery beautifully balanced the stones together to create cohesion between the two. The sole use of Quartzite in the kitchen was also intentional as our clients wanted something natural but also tough and hardy. Whilst this can also be achieved with Granite (and to a lesser extent, Dolomite), Quartzite stones tend to provide a lot more options to play around with in order to create a combination that works.”

Vanessa and Marieanne like to visit one of their preferred suppliers, Cav’Art Designer Stone, where much of the stone for this project was sourced, early in the conceptual phase. “We love seeing what’s new and letting the materials inspire the design. From the outset, Vanessa envisioned using two complementary stones in the kitchen. When we came across both slabs early in the process, we loved them so much that we designed the kitchen, and much of the surrounding spaces, around them.”

The kitchen island/dining table is a real statement. The designers selected the Acquarella Quartzite early in the design phase and knew they wanted to showcase its incredible depth and movement.

“The island was designed as a sculptural centrepiece: bold, expressive, and truly the heart of the home,” says Marieanne. “The design of the island is simple yet unusual. It consists of three blocks of Acquarella stacked upon one another to create the form. The middle block is intentionally set at dining table height, and hidden within the bottom block is a steel frame that anchors to the slab, allowing the dining table to cantilever three metres across.

“This was important as the client’s brief with the kitchen was to incorporate an island that they could use as their everyday dining space. We had to fit at least six chairs and didn’t want to clutter the space with table legs, so this design achieved the optimal outcome. The top block of stone was then stacked at standard kitchen bench height to provide additional space to prepare and serve meals. A sink was intentionally not included in the island to allow it to shine as a bold sculptural piece of furniture.”

The stone masonry, as well as the materials themselves, were absolutely critical, especially with the level of detailing, curves, and bespoke applications throughout the home. “Choosing the right stonemason comes down to craftsmanship, experience, and attention to detail, but above all, trust. When working with natural stone, every cut matters. You need a team that understands the material and respects the vision, ensuring each piece is handled and installed with precision.

“We like to stick to the same stonemasons when we can, as execution of the design is just as important as the concept itself. If we engage someone new, it is usually only through the recommendation of trusted industry friends who can vouch for the skill and expertise. Design and execution go hand-in-hand so trust between the designer and the stonemason is paramount to success.”

Marieanne said her business’ relationship with Cav’Art Designer Stone was invaluable. “Nathan (Karpenko, the owner) is incredible to work with. He offers expert guidance on the best stone for each application, sources unique pieces for us, and keeps us informed about new arrivals he knows we’ll love.

“Despite the many designers, trade customers and everyday homeowners he works with, he doesn’t forget a face. You always have his undivided attention and respect whether you are a regular customer or first time visitor. Character and integrity is so important in our industry, so having great partners to work with like Cav’Art, makes the design process that little bit easier.”

Almost every space in the home features natural stone in some form and Marieanne says if the client allows, they’ll always choose natural. “There’s a timelessness, individuality, and organic beauty that simply can’t be replicated. Each slab is unique, and that uniqueness helps create a truly one-of-a-kind home for our clients. Aside from that, when you breakdown the cost of engineered or porcelain slabs, the quality and personability of natural stone is very much worth the slightly higher price in our opinion.”

Sadly, there’s still a perception from some people that natural stone – particularly marble – is difficult to maintain. However, with proper sealing and care, it can age beautifully.

“More importantly, people should rethink how they view materials,” Marieanne says. “A home should feel warm and lived in. It is not showroom. Etches and blemishes that will inevitably build over time, are not a sign of damage but should be understood as a quiet record of living: shared meals, conversations, daily rituals. Each subtle mark represents a sense of depth and authenticity that cannot be manufactured. It’s time to embrace those wine glass rim marks!”

Marianne said it was very hard to choose a favourite part of the project. “Ultimately, the best part is when the client sees a space come together for the first time and you can feel their joy at how it is progressing. It is so rewarding when you are trusted to create and execute your vision for a space and the client is in love with the result.”

The biggest splurge was the huge glass window installed in the pool (much to the builder’s dismay!). “The glass window let much needed natural light into the underground entertainment room and creates an incredible ambience, the way that light bounces through the water. This inspired us to venetian plaster the walls and ceiling in a custom blue colour (another big splurge) to set the scene for an incredibly moody underwater entertainment space.”

Designing a tri-level home with multiple zones while maintaining a cohesive feel was a key challenge, however. “We wanted the home to feel intimate, elegant, refined, and relaxed all at once, while honouring the family’s story and working within budget constraints.”

Despite the beautiful aesthetic, Marieanne said practicality was always a major driver in their material selections. As busy mums themselves, they understand the importance of durability.

“While we love the beauty of natural stone, we’re mindful of its limitations, such as etching and staining. That’s why we often lean towards Quartzite, particularly in high-use or wet areas. It offers the beauty of marble with greater durability and ease of maintenance.”

The clients absolutely love their home, which truly reflects their lifestyle, personalities, and the way they want to live and entertain. “The home is layered, sophisticated, and deeply personal,” says Marieanne.

“It balances calm, refined spaces with bold, expressive moments. It feels both luxurious and liveable, with a strong sense of warmth and individuality throughout. It is cohesive and inviting, yet no two spaces are the same.”

The natural stones and where they were used

Each stone was selected with intention, based on the mood and function of the space:

Acquarella Quartzite: used exclusively in the kitchen as a hero feature
Taj Mahal Quartzite: used in the kitchen, butler’s pantry, and laundry for continuity
Tundra Grey Limestone: used in the teenagers’ bathrooms for a grounded, contemporary feel
Storm Grey Limestone: used in the fireplace and entertainment joinery opposite the kitchen to ground the living room without clashing with the kitchen stones
Cosmic Black Granite: used in the front room, office, and powder rooms for depth and sophistication
Tama Blue Marble: featured in the prayer space as a striking standalone element
Sovereign Grey: used in the basement entertainment and cinema rooms for a moody, immersive atmosphere
Silver Travertine: used in the wellness bathroom and cabana for a soft, organic texture
Patagonia Stone: used in the basement bar as a dramatic focal point.