September 21, 2006 | Recommend this Article »

Tomorrow’s colours

Trend scouts and trend-setters becoming increasingly important in the natural stone industry

Spoilt for choice. Natural stone and foreseeable trends are no easy topics as natural stones are unique and architects and developers are usually individualists.

Trend scouts and trend-setters are becoming increasingly important in the natural stone industry. Colour varieties are also subject to fashion trends in this industry!
One of today’s trends is towards high-quality products – in terms of material selection and working and in the combination of different materials and colours. The haptic of the finish is increasingly important.
Simple forms are intentionally used as contrast to lavish materials and multifunctional design. This trend to high-quality products is reflected in the design of living space. Valuable furnishing is preferred, which is distinguished by the durability of the material and design. The intention here is “I deserve something special”. Added to this is the tendency to »spend more time at home«, the importance of the living area as a »retreat from daily routine« and as an area for realizing one’s own ideas.

The kitchen

For a long time, kitchens were planned as industrial workplaces. The kitchen was a purely functional workspace in the 80’s and 90’s of the last century. Today’s kitchen is the communication centre and meeting-place for family and friends – with very special requirements for functionality and design. Natural stone combines both in an ideal way. The trend is away from glossy finishes; the alternatives are ground, satinized, sand-blasted, brushed, flamed or bush-hammered.

Bathroom and wellness area

Wellness and relaxation are also becoming more and more important in the home: Marble and limestones are »on top« here, with a trend to rough-split stones. Seen increasingly often are showers and free-standing baths or bath tubs of natural stone, indoor or outdoor pools or separate spa areas. The marble bath is no longer an unaffordable dream. Affordable natural stones are meanwhile offered from all the world’s continents.