The Set In Stone Bathroom

It’s critical to understand what a homeowner is comfortable with. I prefer marble as I love its organic quality and the level of variation it offers. For people who are worried about staining, there are some great porcelain and quartz options available. Nothing in this world is completely indestructible, though, so I say just go for what you like.

I will use it on every surface if given the opportunity! Although I wouldn’t bother spending the money on slabs for separate water closets. In a powder room, we’ll often create an entire sink and vanity out of marble for maximum impact and then pair it with a tile floor and plaster or painted walls.

Floors, a shower wall, or the countertops are good places to start. A wall is my personal preference, since it draws the eye upwards.

You can either pick a very quiet tile that allows the stone to be the star, or for a bigger overall impact, find a more interesting tile that picks up the tones in the stone.

Slabs are definitely the most luxurious option, but the majority of the time we end up using tile as it’s more affordable. With slabs, it also takes more time and effort to figure out how to cut and lay out the pieces.

Always take a stone sample when you go shopping for finishes. You want a finish that complements the tones in the stone, but mostly it’s personal preference. And not all finishes in a room need to match either. In fact, mixing metals can look very chic and sophisticated. In my own bath I have both matte black fittings and brass hardware.

When you have stone with a lot of movement, everything else should be relatively simple and quiet to allow the stone to speak. I do, however, like to play with various finishes, from walnut to high-gloss white. The only thing I avoid are satin finishes, which I don’t think look as good in a bath setting.

Sometimes I’ll avoid hardware altogether and opt for integrated pulls. Otherwise, we’ll pair plain cabinetry with decorative hardware that feels like jewelry. In the case of this bath, the client wanted something special so we went with matte black handles wrapped in hand-stitched leather.

Interview by Alyssa Bird