Having natural stone in a bathroom is one way to add a touch of luxury to your home. The earthy tones of limestone can recreate a spa-like experience or the bold colours of marble elevate a space with a hint of grandeur.
No matter what materials you use in a wet environment, regular maintenance will always be necessary. The grout of a porcelain tile, for example, will become discoloured easily if you don’t keep on top of the cleaning. A little more time investment might be needed to care for natural stone, but having to do this means that you’ll not neglect the tiles as is so easily done with a ‘low-maintenance’ surface.
As with any room that you are considering installing natural stone in, there’s stone types that are more suitable and usually this is down to reducing the required maintenance.
Marble installed in a bathroom should ideally be the highest grade possible for the minimal inclusions and veining. This is because the vein composition is vulnerable to moisture damage. Very light, white marble can also be subjected to discoloration over time due to its naturally occurring iron content rusting. On the contrary, dark marbles will show the etch marks and hard water deposits very easily and so do require a diligent approach to maintenance.
It is important too, if considering limestone or travertine to opt for a less porous type. Stone suppliers should be able to talk you through the options with the lowest water absorption rate.
After selecting the stone type, particular attention should be paid to the finish on the stone, size of tile and other factors that will impact the slipperiness of the surface if being installed on a bathroom floor.
We recommend that you clean your stone shower and bath area daily. The easiest and most effective way is to spray the walls and floor of the stall with a stone safe cleaner, then squeegee down after everybody in the home has taken a shower for the day. This will stop hard water build ups to the surface of the stone.
This is particularly pertinent when it comes to Marble which is acid sensitive. With strong acids, you will see the effects of this instantly with a white or dull burn mark showing almost instantly. Known as etching, this is not something that can be wiped or cleaned off and will require professional restoration.
Tap water is not always PH neutral which means that over time, this can have a similar effect on your stone. In a marble bathroom, this means that it is really important to keep the surfaces as dry as possible.
In hard water areas (like London and the South East), sitting water will also lead to a build-up of limescale and mineral deposits which can be tricky to remove without risking damage to the stone surface.
When it comes to cleaning the stone in your bathroom it is essential to use a pH neutral stone cleaner. If in doubt, look out for ‘stone-safe’ on the label.
We also recommend keeping this in mind when cleaning other areas of your bathroom. Try using alcohol to clean your windows and mirrors rather than harsher acidic-based cleaning chemicals. If using bleach for your toilet then it is worth taking a little more time to protect any surrounding stone too.
Don’t let metal bathroom accessories (toilet brush holder, toilet paper stand etc) sit directly on the stone floor. Moisture, even from steam condensation will pool around the bases and can cause unsightly and difficult-to-remove rust marks in the stone.
It is also very important to keep an eye on grout and particularly silicone throughout the bathroom. Not only will worn grout look unsightly, but water that gets behind the stone can cause damage beyond repair.
Although stone will have been sealed when installed, it is important to note that this will not prevent the damage that acids and hard water can do over time. Periodic reapplication of a sealant can help to maintain the aesthetics as well as topping up the protection.
Just pour a small amount onto a microfibre cloth and apply to the stone surface in small circles until you have covered the area. Then buff the stone with a fresh cloth to remove any excess. Leave this for at least 15 minutes to dry, ideally 24 hours if possible.
If you opt to have your stone professionally restored or cleaned, the application of a sealant will always be included as part of the treatment.
For more information on how to look after stone in a bathroom or for you free copy of Athena Aftercare to share with clients please email [email protected]
About Athena Stonecare
Natural stone is an investment and we are committed to ensuring that its beauty endures. We specialise in working with marble, limestone, travertine, granite, and all types of natural stone, ensuring that stone will continue to be a beautifully sustainable feature within any property. As natural stone restoration experts we work with floors, worktops, shower walls, sinks and vanity units. The ongoing care of stone is important to us too and so we have developed a suite of advice and guidance on how to maintain the finish of any stone surface. This is distributed through stone suppliers across the UK and is also available to anyone who works with natural stone.
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Becca Cranfield, Director of Athena Stonecare, has given her insights into the industry.
Athena Stonecare is a family run business headed up by myself and my husband Dave Cranfield. The Company was Founded by Dave in 2012 and is now firmly established as one of the leading stone restoration providers in the UK partnering with Mandrin Stone, Fired Earth and Artisans of Devizes to provide ongoing stone maintenance services. I joined the business in 2018 and originally took on a hybrid role as a second pair of hands on site while growing the business. I’m now more likely to be found networking, giving talks and managing client relationships. Dave leads a team of 4 on site and still carries out every site visit and sample.
The focus of our services is all about returning it to its original condition. It could be that a client is having a kitchen refit and wants to keep their existing stone floor. Or a new section of stone is being added to the property in an extension and the older stone needs to be refinished to match. It might even be as simple as the stone needing a refresh after a renovation project is complete. Occasionally we are even called in to rectify damage caused during a build, or an installation issue. Our goal is simply to help you to make sure that natural stone is a feature of your projects.
Outside of the services that we provide, we are passionate about providing guidance on how to care for stone. Our Athena Aftercare guide was developed in 2022 in response to requests for advice on how to keep the stone surfaces we restored looking as good as when we left. This is now distributed by stone suppliers and fabricators and is available for anyone who specifies or installs stone. Knowing how to care for stone is essential as soon as it is installed – and it’s not difficult if you know how. Stone is durable and so the only way to ensure its timelessness is by looking after it from day one.
As well as providing restoration services for projects with existing stone surfaces, we are also always on hand to offer advice. Being the people that see the stone in situ – and so often with avoidable issues – we are well placed to give an independent review. Our expertise are often called upon when selecting stone to comment on the suitability and note any specific care that the stone might need. We are always happy to review photos of stains, cracks and marks too and advise on the restorability. We want to make sure that anyone who chooses to use natural stone can enjoy it forever, whether they embrace the patina that develops over time or invest in professional maintenance to see it elegantly endure.
Achieving our SBID accreditation! This is a significant step in our journey as it shows that the industry is keen to learn more about natural stone. We are hopeful that the guidance we provide can help Interior Designers to make more informed choices when using natural stone. It is the most bespoke material that you could work with and so misunderstood. We are hoping that we can change that narrative and help more Designers to specify stone in their projects.
We have seen an increase in clients wanting to change the finish of their stone – from polished to honed or vice versa. This could be due to the tile only being available in a certain finish, or simply because the customer has changed their mind. This is one of the cool things about stone that lots of people don’t realise. You can change the finish at any point. This is common with worktops as a honed finish can be seen as a little more practical. Although it’s not actually more hard wearing, a matte/velvet finish will show scratches and marks a lot less obviously and make it a popular choice.
There is a huge focus on sustainability and quite rightly so. This is moving away from just looking at the carbon footprint or embodied carbon but also considering how to make a design timeless. Stone fits in well to this ethos. Not only does is outperform its counterparts in many measures of sustainability but it is also durable and restorable. Most importantly, it never goes out of fashion. A limestone floor will look as good with today’s pantone of the year as it does with next years.
We’ve always got lots of projects on the go as our average job size is 2-3 days. This high turnaround always keeps us on our toes. Intermingled with this, is a few large projects and some historic and prestigious properties that we’ve submitted quotes for more recently. You’ll have to keep an eye on our socials to see how we get on!
It’s a real honour and an opportunity for us to share out passion. We are looking forward to getting involved and meeting lots of members over the coming months.
One of the questions we are most frequently asked after we restore someone’s natural stone is: how do I keep it looking like this? It is this that led us to develop Athena Aftercare.
It's a concise guide explaining how to care for natural stone without needing a professional. Looking after natural stone shouldn’t be hard, expensive or time consuming. It is all about having the right advice from the moment it is installed.
Natural stone has been used in building for centuries so there is no denying that it is durable. With the right care and attention, it can also look beautiful for year to come. Being able to restore, repair and recycle stone also means that it is a great choice for anyone looking to build with sustainability and longevity in mind. After all, natural stone will never go out of fashion, so your limestone floor will always be on trend no matter how many times you change your furniture style, redecorate or renovate.
With each client that we see, we will spend around half an hour discussing the exact cleaning regime that we would recommend for their specific natural stone floor. The advice that we would give to someone with 150sqm of tumbled limestone who lives in the countryside with 3 dogs and a smallholding is slightly different to someone with a polished marble hallway in Central London. However, the basic principles are the same and we have simplified this into wet and dry-cleaning recommendations.
Dry Cleaning Stone flooring does not need to be wet-cleaned everyday in fact we would advise against it. It is important though to regularly sweep the floor to remove dirt, dust and debris that could easily scratch the stone surface. We advise against using a vacuum and recommend instead sweeping the floor. This is much quicker and efficient compared to vacuuming and doesn’t run the risk of scratching the floor.
Wet Cleaning One of the tricks with wet cleaning is not to over-wet the floor. Frequent use of a steam cleaner for example can damage the stone. When mopping the floor, it is also key to ensure that you do not let the dirty water dry into the floor. Especially with an open textured or pitted floor that is protected with an impregnating sealant.
The most important thing to remember when cleaning a natural stone floor is to use the right cleaning detergent. Many household cleaners are not stone safe as they contain acidic ingredients. Others will contain highly alkaline ingredients which can damage the sealant. PH neutral cleaning products will emulsify the dirt without risking damage to the sealant or the stone surface. For our clients, we recommend the range by Fila which are also eco-friendly and VOC free.
The good news is that when it comes to bathrooms, the rules are the same. Ensuring that only pH neutral cleaning products are used is of the utmost importance. It is worth considering other cleaning fluids used in the bathroom and how they could impact the stone. For example, bleach used to clean a toilet could damage a marble floor and many glass and mirror cleaners are acidic too. A little caution when cleaning can go a long way.
Probably the most important thing to be aware of with natural stone in a bathroom is the impact that even water itself can have. In a hard water area and the pH of the water is not 7. This means that water that is left to pool on a sink or drip down the walls of the shower, will leave hard water deposits on the surface that can eventually etch the surface of the stone. We always advise clients to cleaning the shower and bath area daily. The easiest and most effective way is to spray the walls and floor of the stall with a stone-safe cleaner, then squeegee down after everybody in the home has taken a shower for the day. It is vital not to be tempted by limescale removers that are commonly available in the supermarkets as these will damage the stone surface and require professional restoration.
As with bathrooms and floors it is essential to regularly clean your marble worktop but to do so only using a stone-specific pH neutral cleaner. As marble is acid sensitive, the key is to try and keep the exposure to acid as minimal as possible. Vinegars, wine, lemon and anything that you might cook with that is acidic needs to be kept on a tray or plate or just away from the worktop altogether. If an acidic spill does occur, then we would advise to blot this rather than wiping it as this will just spread the damage. The chemical etching caused by acid on marble is almost instant and so the damage is done at this point. There will be little that you can do yourself to rectify this, but it can usually be restored to look like new.
Choosing natural stone over a man-made surface is an investment. If you bought a designer pair of shoes you would take the time to put them back in the box after each wear and if you bought a sports car, you probably wouldn’t take it through the car wash. For those who want their stone to continue to age elegantly, then just a few steps can keep it looking stunning. For a PDF copy of Athena Aftercare to share with your clients please email [email protected] or visit www.athenastonecare.co.uk for more guidance and advice.
The fashion house of Dolce & Gabbana put Sicily on the fashionista map and spread the island’s crafts worldwide by incorporating iconic Sicilian images in its bold prints like the colourfully decorated horse cart, ripe lemons and oranges. This was an early inspiration for the interior design concept created for the hotel by The Hickson Design Partnership (THDP), a London-based interior designer and architectural practice with a team of 50% British and 50% Italian designers.
Giardini Naxos, founded in 734 BC by colonists from Chalcis in Euboea, and was the first Greek colony in Sicily. Ancient Naxos was destroyed in 403 BC, and the centre that rose in its place in the Middle Ages as a fishermen's village. In the late 19th century elegant villas were built, used as holiday mansions by the upper classes.
The Greek heritage that remains in Sicily can be seen in the architecture of a few very important buildings. The Temple of Concordia today is a popular seaside-resort, offering more than 40 hotels, and a great number of vacation homes. Throughout the year the island plays host to numerous artistic, cultural, and religious events. Sicilians love a celebration!
The ancient Phoenicians and Greeks brought their artisanal traditions to the island, creating amphorae, kraters, kylixes, and other typical ancient wares and the technique of laying bright, saturated colours have been introduced into Sicily during the Muslim conquest.
The building presents most of the room facing the sea allowing the Mediterranean light to enter from the big windows and the guest can enjoy the salty air from the guestroom balcony. It sits at the feet of Etna volcano and near to Taormina.
Detailed local research guided the narrative of the entire concept project, commencing with the refurbishment of the main public areas, lobby and lobby bar, guest check in, Restaurants Panarea & Sciara, and creating a new Pool Terrace and Fluido bar.
The interior design concept was inspired by the natural beauty of the volcanic beaches, the sea, mount Etna’s super-natural presence and the features of the island of Sicily and the ambition was to bring them into the centre of the hotel. By adding local decoration, artworks and colours the goal was to add character, a deep sense of authenticity and a refined and resort-based palette of natural tones with touches of colours of the sea.
The lobby was a large open space of over 700sqm meters, previously decorated in a heavy baroque style, the concept from the outset was to re-activate this space, giving it a new heart and focal point – and to be appealing to both guests and to walk-in locals.
From the outset THDP considered adding a new lobby bar to the centre of the space, being both a visual anchor but also dividing the space and making it feel more intimate. With the new layout smart workers and leisure guests can meet using a polyvalent area which can host all, thanks to the different typology of seating. The style is elegant, Mediterranean with sea colours and Taormina’s stone colours melting indoor and outdoor colour palette.
The bar utilizes local materials to create a new feature in the centre of the lobby space, the bar top from local company Nero Sicilia is a made from volcanic lava stone extracted from the quarries of mount Etna glazed in cracked white glass. The bar fluted and curved front is formed from woven faux leather by Natutex, the rear bar features antique mirror with the joinery finished in Italian Oak and Rattan.
The seating in the Quintessenza features two room divider style banquet seating, fitted with USB and power outlets it’s the perfect place to work and relax, the backs of the banquets are finished in woven faux leather by Naturtex. The bar offers a range of seating options from the bar stools facing the bar from Gervasoni to the lower relaxed armchairs are from Miniforms and Torre 1961. The tables and banquets were manufactured to THDP’s design by Riabita. The new highly decorative wall covering is by Janelli & Volpi.
The reception has been inspired by the Sicilian attitude of welcoming and it has been translated in three large reception desks, the feature rear wall is tiled with hand painted local tiles by La Fauci, the accent decorative lights are from Aromas del Camp and are of copper and rattan, thus from the very beginning of their journey the guest is surrounded by an authentic and local experience.
The reception desks are finished in dark grey lava stone by Nero Sicilia, with a façade of woven faux leather by Naturtex adding warmth and texture, the fronts of the desks feature oak panelling mimicking the fluted effects of classical columns of the Temple of Concordia.
New desks, headings and rear artwork and tiling by La Fauci were all custom designed by THDP.
The Panarea Restaurant is the place in the morning for breakfast but easily converts during the day to host lunches, special events and dinner in the evening. The layout of the restaurant focuses on the new buffet counters which are aligned to the show cooking area - allowing guest to admire the chefs preparing their dishes to order. The restaurant has materials, features, and shapes that reminds guests of antique craftsmanship, incorporating hand painted tiles in the niches at the entrance with traditional motifs from La Fauci.
The buffet counters are cantered into the new restaurant and are closable during evening set up and special events with a custom designed screening. The counters feature built in an invisible heating and cooling elements which allow all the dishes to be moved around and swapped around to offer maximum flexibility to the hotel. During events the buffet counters can be stripped back and closed off - giving the restaurant less of a ‘breakfast’ space feel and more of a space for fine dining.
The buffet area has screens featuring irregular but geometric shapes hanged from the ceilings that recall ancient Greek terracotta jars. The artisan tributes continue on the walls covered with a braided woven leather cowhide effect inspired by ancient Greek sandals.
The new seating offers relaxed arrangements with a mix of table sizes, featured in fabrics reflecting the colours of the sea, visible from the restaurant. THDP also designed high tables, which can be used in the morning for breakfast to display local pastries and in the evening a high table dining experience. The adjustable tables made by Riabita, who also carefully prepared all custom furniture for the project and project managed their execution on site.
The custom designed carpeting by THDP is made by Ulster Carpets, the ceiling lighting are re-purposed light fittings from a hotel in Milan owned by the client – made in Murano.
The word “Sciara” is a local term, used in Sicily in the Etna area to indicate the accumulations of volcanic ‘waste’ that form on the surface or on the sides of the mountain. The term gives it name to the fine dining restaurant at the hotel, where the interior concept is intense and reflects power and wonder of the volcanoes spilling lava – dark intense with touches of blue & red - recalling colours of the sea at night, foreboding, dark yet attractive and welcoming.
The walls were finished with rough hewn lava stones, giving a raw and natural feel, to compliment this toughness the seating by contrast is curved and flowing and features 4 signature tables finished in enamelled lava stone by Nero Sicilia, the booths too are curved and help give the restaurant a centering. There are screenings in copper tones which feature so the design of super scaled rattan, adding a sense of privacy whilst not robbing the restaurant of its sea and pool views. The flooring is stained Natural Oak laid in a herringbone design by Havwoods. The copper-coloured feature lighting is from Utu, the hexagonal mirrors by Sovet.
The bar, show kitchen and wine display area were all uplifted, with lava stone from Nero Sicilia used for both the bar top and front, and in a glazed motif for the table tops.
The Fluido Bar is located on the pool terrace, just outside La Sciara Restaurant offering breathtaking panoramic views of the Mediterranean sea and the unique grey volcanic sandy beaches. The pool Bar is characterized by a contemporary, indoor meets outdoor styled residential look and feel. The walls are finished in a cement-coloured panels by Cosentino, the bar top is white Dekton and the bar front is feature tiles in raw and glazed lava stone by Nero Sicilia.
The bar serves pre-dinner aperitives with signature cocktails, open to guests and locals, the ambition is to become a destination bar for the hotel adding to its local night scene. The seating is part dining, part informal lounge sofas with outdoor furniture by Etimo & Varaschin. The flooring is a grès tiling from Gruppo Florim, who also provided the surround to the pool and its interior. Large ecru umbrellas offer shade to the guests during the summer times. THDP created a warm garden style lighting effect, selecting outdoor weathered wall fittings by Aldo Bernardi & suspended light by Faro Barcelona. The large pergola and pavilions are custom designed and supplied by Corradi.
About THDP
THDP was founded in 2005 by partners and couple Italian Architect Manuela Mannino & British Interior Designer Nicholas J. Hickson. The studio is based in south east London and Italy and has a team of 10 people between the two countries. The studio designs hotels, restaurants, and residences internationally, focusing on the south and east part of Europe and Italy. THDP aim to be flexible and able to react to the fast-moving waters of the hospitality sector, prioritizing authentic narrative based on local research and curated selections of artisans, local companies and talented artists. This work is reflected in the guests experience that will be dotted with details to discover during their stay. THDP's approach springs from an endless creative curiosity, enthused by the founders to every team member, each one of them a true passionate designer and a talented focused team, who is integral part of the successful accomplishments of our projects.
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Surprisingly, there is no current UK legislation to control the composition of quartz work surfaces, nor set a minimum material performance standard for the quartz materials marketed and sold in the UK. SBID Accredited Industry Partner, Italian Luxury Surfaces expresses concerns over consumer safety and the importance of proper material certification as the Sales & Marketing Director, Phil Winter tells us more.
The quartz manufacturers who currently hold independent verification of their material quality, do so voluntarily or because consumer protection legislation in other markets demands it. There are three recognised dangers posed by untested & uncertified quartz materials. These are the potentially harmful levels of VOC emissions (Volatile Organic Compounds), the micro porosity that can make the surface difficult to clean or sanitise and most importantly, the surface finish leaching of toxic chemicals that can contaminate food.
The Risk of VOC
The VOC risk within quartz comes from the ‘resin’ element, the composition of which is often unknown, and it can vary hugely from manufacturer to manufacturer. Typically, the resin content when measured by weight, represents between 7% - 15% of the material. By volume, the resin proportion is much higher. Because VOC’s are volatile, these compounds vaporize and emit gasses, even long after the quartz has been formed and fabricated. Paint, for example, emits only half of its VOCs in the first year after application.
Marc Lallanilla, a sustainable living and green design expert, and Member of the Society of Environmental Journalists, summarized the issue in stark language in his recent article, ‘VOCs are linked to a range of health problems, including some very serious diseases. Benzene, for example, is one of several VOCs that's known to cause cancer. It's not suspected, it's known, beyond any doubt. Other health effects besides cancer include kidney damage, liver damage, damage to the central nervous system (including the brain), as well as minor complaints like headaches and eye, throat, and nose irritation’.
Consumer Misconception
An understandable misconception made by consumers, designers and interior architects alike is to assume that ‘country of origin’ or familiarity of a brand name provides a guarantee on a specific quartz material’s test and certification status. It does not. Fully certified quartz surfaces originate from all parts of the globe and worryingly, so do many currently uncertified and therefore potentially harmful quartz materials.
Thankfully, responsible counterparts within the kitchen industry are now starting to act, insisting that their sales and design teams are communicating the importance of only specifying independently tested and certified worktops to their customers. But many continue to place their customers at potential risk.
The only way to be 100% sure that your own quartz work surface is not placing the users at risk is to check if your quartz brand is certified for low VOC emissions by visiting www.greenguard.org. For material composition and food contact suitability, you can also check www.nsf.org.
Sadly, there are those within the kitchen industry who choose to hide behind the consumers’ ignorance of the very real health risks posed by poor quality quartz materials, with excuses such as, ‘no one has ever asked me for it’ when referring to material certifications or worse still ‘they won’t pay for it’, inferring that somehow a low price absolves the specifier from a professional duty of care towards their clients.
How are quartz surfaces certified?
When a surface is tested and certified by NSF International for food contact, they verify the composition of the material and they certify that the finish will not leach toxic chemicals that could contaminate food. Since quite literally anyone could mix their own blend of random materials, ‘bake it’ and sell it as ‘quartz’ in the UK.
Materials certified for specification in a ‘Food Zone’ are also evaluated for the temperature they can withstand before degradation occurs. High temperature resistance being an indicator of resin stability and therefore material quality and safety.
NSF’s testing is less stringent for materials designed to be specified and used in ‘Splash Zones’, where the focus is on durability, construction and clean-ability. Here micro porosity of quartz has practical issues as well as health risks. Materials with porosity are more susceptible to staining as the (relatively) open structure creates pockets that fluids can fill, discolouring the surface.
It would be incorrect to say that all untested and uncertified quartz materials are definitely dangerous. Until they are tested that is of course unknown. Equally, unless regulators insist that the quartz brand owners, importers and manufacturers submit their products to suitably qualified and independent agencies for testing, it is not possible to say with any certainty that they are 100% safe.
Verifying Certification Claims
Worryingly, the growing trend of unscrupulous manufacturers claiming certification they do not have has forced NSF to issue a warning on their website as they are “concerned about fraudulent downloading and manipulation of website text." Encouraging consumers to always confirm this information by obtaining accurate information, here.
No doubt there will be manufacturers and agents of other consumer product groups reading this article with a degree of disbelief. Most likely, reflecting on the rigorous R&D work and testing that they will have done. Quite rightly, they will be wondering how this vital element of a 21st century kitchen has escaped regulation!
Do the right thing, protect your family and clients by only using NSF 51 and GREENGUARD certified quartz.
About the Author
Phil Winter is the Sales & Marketing Director at Italian Luxury Surfaces, the sole UK Distributor of Stone Italiana. Previously, Phil has had the privilege of working with some of the most respected brands in the Kitchen & Interiors industry, such as Poggenpohl, bulthaup, Gaggenau and Bosch.
This article was written by Phil Winter, Sales & Marketing Director at Italian Luxury Surfaces.
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Matt Robb, Digital Media Executive at Stone Federation shares how 100 years of experience in the natural stone industry help them guide, support and inform design professionals when specifying stone for their projects. Keep scrolling to find out more about the SBID International Design Awards sponsor for the Healthcare & Wellness Design category.
What are the origins of your brand?
Stone Federation has existed in various guises for over a century. We have over 100 years’ experience in the natural stone industry with the longstanding goal of connecting specifiers with the very best materials and companies. There has always been a need for an independent body to champion natural stone and to promote best practice within the industry and in this way, the activity and aims of the Federation have stayed the same while the methods and markets have developed.
How do you work with interior designers?
Our work with interior designers is primarily focused around connecting them the best materials and companies for their project. We have a wealth of free design and technical resources to help design professionals take full advantage of the potential that natural stone provides. We also connect interior designers with the member companies who are best placed to service their specific requirements.
What value does your sector add to the interior design industry?
Natural stone has a rich history of providing interior designers with a wealth of options in both texture and colour. The natural stone sector has a high value for best practice and education and works hard to ensure that we provide specifiers with the right information for the materials they use.
How does your offering enhance an interior designer’s projects?
As the independent natural stone source point, we connect interior designers with a wealth of technical resources, stone sourcing guidance and opportunities to connect with suppliers.
What are the latest trends you’ve noticed in your client’s requests?
We’ve seen an encouraging increase in the number of specifiers placing a higher value on materials that deliver not only the required aesthetic but also the ethical and sustainable assurances that more and more clients are looking for.
Why did you want to become a sponsor for the SBID Awards?
SBID and Stone Federation have a strong working relationship built upon a mutual desire to promote best practice and education within the design and architectural sectors. There is a natural synergy between interior designers and the vast design potential that natural stone provides.
Sponsorship for the SBID International Design Awards 2020 is now open.
To find out more about becoming an SBID Awards sponsor next year click here or email [email protected]
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