Old fashioned, I think not

I have been obsessed with marble for as long as I can remember. I took the photo above over a decade ago when walking in a centuries old mosque in Istanbul, and it remains one of my favorite photos of the depth of this stunning material. Marble, to me, is such a perfect metaphor for beauty. In essence, it is rock. Rock that has undergone transformation due to pressure, heat, and the flow of water. Every piece is unique, and every piece has its own perfect imperfections.

That is such a wonderful way to describe people - and the beauty in every soul. We all are made of the same matter. We all undergo pressure, heat, and shifting/erosion/formation due to the constant flow of that which surrounds us, much like water impacts this rock.

And often, as with people, marble is (mis)labeled. It’s ‘old fashioned’, it’s ‘cold’, it’s ‘boring.’

I will never forget standing in a stone & tile shop around 10 years ago with a client in Geneva, kindly trying to explain to the salesperson helping us that no, I don't think mixing styles and materials is a bad idea, and no, we weren't interested in doing a classical bathroom just because we picked marble. Because marble is one of those wondrous materials that stands the test of time physically but also something that has been adapted, so that no matter the era, those gorgeous veiny slabs find their way into our homes.

When we give space for creativity to flourish, we allow ourselves to connect to the ideals of beauty that speak to us, that inspire us, and that allow us to create something that continuously gives back to us in the form of positive energy and inspiration.

So I want to invite you to revisit the labels you associate with marble - and with anything that you place in a box and don’t allow to expand beyond the borders that you’ve been taught - and see how something that is labeled as “traditional” and “old fashioned” can be anything but.

Below are some favorite images (mostly from Pinterest, unless otherwise noted), that show how wonderfully contemporary - and stunning! - marble can be, particularly in a bathroom setting, where I love to recommend stone and earthy tones that help to balance the Water dominance that is natural to a bathroom due to its function.

Obsessed with this stunning bathroom by Kate Lester Interiors via Waterworks.

An example of how marble can be used to create huge impact in small spaces. Design by Elizabeth Roberts Architects via Waterworks.

And this! LOVE!!! So simple, so gorgeous! (although it's not actually real stone - but damn it looks good!)

xoxo, Laili