The texture of natural materials organically fits into the design concept. Decorative stone in the interior is a spectacular, stylish decor. The wide range of textures and colors allows it to be used for rooms with different stylistic soundings. Imitation of natural rocks will transform the interior, will complement the solemn sound of the classic and modern style.
Types of decorative stone and interior atmosphere
Modern technology has made it possible to create analogues of natural stones with a low cost. The materials are designed for use as decorative interior decoration. Types of decorative stone:
On the basis of cement-concrete mixtures. Depending on the formulation, the composition contains components: cement, sand, reinforcing elements, various modifiers and plasticizers. The color palette is determined by dye pigments. Textural diversity depends on the geometry of the forms in which the mortar is poured.
The analogue of cement-concrete mixtures is gypsum. The production is organized according to a similar scheme. The gypsum base is suitable for creating a wide range of decor: brick, natural stone such as savage, sandstone.
Artificial granite, marble (conglomerates – compounds). Up to 80% contain marble, granite crumb obtained from the crushed fraction of substandard remains of natural materials. Adding of binding resins, hardeners and other reagents combine the mass into a solid monolith. On the technical characteristics, strength, resistance to mechanical and chemical attack is not inferior to natural counterparts.
Porcelain stoneware. The mixture, from which the tiles are made, includes clay, silicates, igneous rocks (spars). Dyeing pigments make it possible to achieve the desired shade. High-temperature firing makes the material durable, resistant to mechanical impact and moisture. Ceramic granite is an analogue of ceramic tiles with the addition of natural fillers.
Composite – acrylic stone. Natural mineral fillers are bonded with acrylic resins. Dyes help achieve the desired shade.
Decorative slabs are smooth on the back side. A texture imitating a natural material is applied to the outer surface. Such a shape facilitates laying.
Decorative stone in different stylistic trends
Natural materials, wood, stone, are organically integrated into a variety of styles. Decorative artificial tile gives the opportunity to choose an imitation of natural materials at an affordable price. For example, natural polished marble is much more expensive than porcelain tiles.
Classicism
This category includes styles: baroque, antique, renaissance, neoclassicism and some others. All styles combine the desire to recreate a richly decorated, solemn, with notes of pathos interior. Marble, polished granite, aventurine with mica inclusions are the satellites of decorative design of such interiors. Stone is mainly used to decorate fireplaces, columns, and wall panels. The main thing is to maintain balanced proportions between all elements of the room design. Use the tile as a floor covering. Decorative tiles under the marble are laid out in bathrooms.
Regulatory styles
First of all, these include styles decorated in the traditions of minimalism. Laconicism, the use of strict geometric shapes, the absence of excessive decoration, simplicity of lines – the aesthetic principles of the style. Decorative stone in the interior of minimalism looks more expressive. The absence of unnecessary details creates additional space for visual emphasis on the texture of the material.
Slabs are used to highlight areas, as decoration of a fireplace. Separate structural elements, open plasterboard shelves, partitions are emphasized.
Mainly sandstone textures are used, yellowish shades soften the “austerity” of minimalism. Grayish-white tone of slate, shungite looks favorably in the interior, in harmony with the overall stylistics.
Smooth lapatte (non-slip) porcelain tiles are suitable as a floor covering.
Urban style techno, high-tech restricts the use of decor, mainly modern composite materials are used. But inclusions of stone decor with textures of brick, wild stone naturally fit into the styles of techno and high-tech.
Loft is an eclectic (mixed) style. It was born in the first half of the 19th century. Bohemian intelligentsia of America mastered the premises of former factories, warehouses and attics as living quarters. Spacious rooms with brickwork, textures of butte and cobblestone are part of the natural entourage of loft, so the stone decor is organic in this style.
Homely or organic styles
Unites this stylistic direction desire to create an atmosphere of comfort. An important role is played by the functional filling of the room. Smooth contours, warm and pastel shades are needed to create an atmosphere of home comfort. The texture of natural stone naturally complements this treatment.
These styles can include Provence, grunge, country, chalet, shebby-chic. Mostly use natural stone textures in the form of slate, cobblestone, sandstone. Stone decor along with natural wood dominates the interior.
National and ecological styles
Ethnic styles are very diverse, but we should highlight several trends that attract natural stone.
Scandinavian style was formed in the conditions of harsh landscapes, rocky mountains and hills. Therefore, stone is a natural part of the design of homes. Against the background of light walls, stone tiles look expressive. Natural textures of the decor in gray, yellow tones are used. Stone is present not only as décor on the walls and floor cladding; it is often used to make countertops.
A characteristic feature of Japanese minimalism is the desire to use natural materials and textures. Wood dominates in the interior, and natural stone is used as a companion.
Features of interior design with decorative tiles
Finishing of interiors with decorative stone is a frequently used method of designers. The materials have a number of advantages:
aesthetic appeal;
a wide range of textures and colors;
universality, suitable for decoration of different rooms;
durability;
ease of care;
low cost.
Decorative stone in the interior – it is a stylish, practical, reliable decor.
Features of decorating the living room
The texture of natural stone creates zones of comfort, brings the aura of the presence of a natural landscape to the interior. The designer’s work with stone requires a balanced approach in the selection of textures, the amount of decor used.
Decorative stone in the interior of the living room is used:
to decorate individual walls;
allocation of transitional zones in the room-studios;
as accents for some structural elements (shelves, niches);
room zoning;
flooring;
for a fireplace and the area around it;
as a frame for decorative panels, murals.
Most often, a decorative stone slab is used to highlight the central wall in the living room. Such a design solution serves not only as a way of aesthetic design, but also visually transforms the space. Focus attention on the main element in the room, where the audio, video equipment, fireplace area is located.
If the room has niches, plasterboard structures, highlighting the texture of the stone will make them more expressive due to the aesthetic appeal, volumetric texture. Additional coloring to such details will give lighting.
The use of stone decors with different textures is a successful way to zoning the room. For example, the floor covering of the kitchen and dining room zones are lined with porcelain tiles of different shades. On the walls, the boundary part of the room is highlighted with a sandstone texture. It is duplicated on the central wall in the living room.
It is traditionally believed that the textures of marble, granite and aventurine are more suitable for interiors in a classic style. But this is not entirely true. Glossy and matte smooth porcelain stoneware is an excellent decoration in a minimalist interpretation of the living room. A wall decorated with a marble slab will give the interior a touch of stylish elegance.
Organic styles, country, Provence and others are primarily a combination of stone decor and wood.
Finishing the fireplace area with decorative stone is not only an aesthetic gimmick, but also practical. Slabs can withstand high temperatures, are easily cleaned from soot, plaque, are not afraid of mechanical impact. Fireplace in the living room – one of the main compositional forming elements. Flame, hearth and stone – the optimal solution for the device of the fireplace zone.
Artistic panel or mural framed with decorative stones form a single ensemble. The decor is like a natural continuation of the natural landscape in the image.
Stone decor in the interior of the hallway
Vestibule – a functional node in the apartment or house. From it go to other rooms, at the same time serves as a place to store outerwear. The layout of the room is subordinate to the functionality. Quite often you can find long or rectangular small rooms with several doors. The main purpose of hallway design is to transform the space of the room, visually expand it. The task before the specialist is to turn the hallway into a part of the overall stylistic ensemble of the whole house or apartment.
Decorative stone in the hallway performs a dual function, aesthetic and practical. On the one hand – it is a design method of decoration, on the other – stone tiles are reliable protective coating, which is easy to care for.
Design decisions when decorating hallways:
Transformation of space with the help of mirrors and volumetric stone tiles. Such a solution is suitable for narrow, long rooms. For example, a closet with mirrored doors is placed opposite the wall with a stone decor.
The stone tile decor in combination with wall murals, photo wallpaper or a picture of perspective, visually expands the room. To enhance the effect, a mirror can be hung on the opposite side.
As lighting for hallways, a combined option is most often used. For example, a stained-glass window or a chandelier – in the main part of the hallway. In the hallway leading to other rooms, wall sconces are installed. Thanks to the volumetric texture, color palette of stone decor is a visual transformation of the wall of a narrow aisle room.
To make the hallway aesthetically appealing, small niches, false columns are made on the wall. Their expressiveness is given by decorative tiles and illumination.
Frame the doorways with stone decor for their greater expressiveness.
Stone in the interior of balcony and loggia
Stone decor organically fits into the design of the balcony loggia. From a practical point of view, it is appropriate in small areas. The walls are not dirty, easy to clean. The boards are not susceptible to changes in humidity.
To visually expand and transform the space, the same techniques are used as for hallways.
On the loggias are equipped with a recreational nook, a mini-office. If the area allows, you can make a dining area. In the case where a balcony or a loggia combined with a child’s room, it is advisable to equip there a play area, a place for training. The decor allows you to decorate the small space beautifully. Panoramic view, which opens from the loggia, perfectly combines with the texture of stone masonry.
Frequently used design solutions:
Framing an opening, aisle;
“torn” masonry;
Decorating one of the walls;
Decorating structural elements with decorative stone.
Looks interesting in a small room decorated with decorative stone with different textures, such as brick – cobblestone.
Stone tiles in the nursery
Decorative stone in the nursery can become not only a decor, but also have a practical purpose. It is easily cleaned from dirt, not afraid of rough mechanical action. Stone tiles are laid in areas of active exposure: the play area, a place for training, sports. For the children’s room, a decorative board painted in bright, “fun” colors is used.
Teenagers gravitate to urban, techno style. These minimalist trends appeal to textures like brick.
Stone in the bedroom
The techniques for using stone decor in the bedroom are similar to those used in the living room. The difference is that the wall at or opposite the headboard of the bed is used as the focal point. The framing of the bed can be highlighted by columns, an arched opening, a niche in a frame of decorative stones. Additional lighting with a switch near the bed will decorate the design, making it functional.
In the case where the bedroom is connected to the loggia, the stone masonry can be repeated on the balcony.
The type of decorative stone and color palette is selected according to the stylistics, the size of the room, the design concept.
Decorative stone tiles in the bathroom
The use of decorative stone in the bathroom has become popular recently. This is partly due to the popularization of eco-style. Designers are actively using the newfangled trend.
The bathroom, lined with decorative stone, looks natural. It is pleasant to take water procedures in such an interior. The bathroom, lined with slabs of marble and granite, gets additional charm. Such designs are suitable for open showers with a drain instead of a tray. Effectively in the interior with a texture of natural stone look freestanding bathrooms.
Decorative stone tiles in the kitchen
Stone tiles with natural textures are used for decorating the apron of the working area, porcelain tiles – as a floor covering. Different colors can highlight the work and dining areas.
On the walls they are used as a decor, including in combination with photo wallpaper, art panels.
How decorative stone combines with other materials
The most popular companion is the texture of wood, as it is a natural combination. It is actively used in ecolistics, “home” styles.
The versatility of the texture of decorative stone is that the variety of shapes and color shades allows you to tie it to a variety of materials.
Glass and stone complement each other. The lightness and airiness of the first makes up for some of the roughness of the second. Glass niches and shelves look great framed in stone.
Volumetric stone texture and mirrors. This method of decoration is used to transform the spatial perception.
Composite panels, chrome products and decorative stone are used mainly for interiors in the style of minimalism. They are suitable for forming a sense of free space. The disadvantages of composites include tactile, visual “coldness” of textures. The use of decorative stone compensates for this feeling.
Plasterboard structures, supplemented with a stone finish, in any interior – a winning option. The volumetric texture emphasizes and highlights the structures. Backlighting enhances the effect.
Stone slab and metal, forging. Products of wrought metal are organic in the styles of country, Provence (in pastel light colors), chebby-chic. Loft and steampunk styles are popular among young bohemians. Designers often use a combination of metal-stone materials. Steampunk is an avant-garde style with elements of kitsch. Its characteristic feature is the use of old mechanisms to furnish the interior. The texture of rough brick, rubble stone resonates with this style.
The wide use of decorative stone in interior design is due to the universal properties of the materials. Due to the wide range of textures, textures, colors and their shades, stone natural decor can be chosen under the interior of almost any style, different types of rooms.
