A wide variety of materials are available for home renovations. One popular option is natural stone. Being so versatile, it can feature in numerous ways around the home, both inside and outside. Here are several possibilities.
Slabs
In a kitchen, a granite or marble countertop creates a stunning focal point in the space. You'll have a wide variety of colours and patterns to select from. Black, white, blue, pink and green are just some of the possible hues. Stone brings a beautiful elemental feel indoors, with its shifting veining and marbling. No two slabs exactly replicate each other. You can install a benchtop with striking decorative and distinctive patterning, or you can go with a slab with a subtle and more uniform patina.
Being so sturdy and durable, this substance typically lasts a lifetime. You just need to protect it with the proper sealing routine and take care to wipe spills promptly to avoid staining. Your natural stone supplier can advise you on which varieties are the toughest and which need more attention.
Pavers
Natural stone in the form of pavers provides another opportunity to incorporate stone around your home. Install stone pavers as flooring for your patio, pool deck, walkway or drive. Add variety and interest to the surface with different shapes of pavers, such as square, rectangular or hexagonal. Consider your home's cladding and architecture when selecting the paver material and hue. If you want to create a more seamless transition between the indoors and outdoors, use the same stone for both areas.
The benefit of pavers is that you can combine the shapes to create different patterns. V-shaped herringbone designs imbue a sense of movement, while simple boardwalk configurations that mimic brickwork are ideal for enlarging cramped areas. To create the vintage feel of a country garden, create a walkway of basketweave pavers: pairs of pavers set at right angles.
Stone, in general, creates ideal outdoor surfaces as it doesn't heat up as much as concrete under the hot sun. Rock also absorbs a degree of moisture—though this capacity varies between types—which prevents water from simply pooling on the top and creating a slipping hazard.
Boulders
You can use stone in a more natural form by placing decorative boulders around the garden. Choose a sunlit patch which will highlight the texture and hues with the rock. Select interesting shapes and vary their size; choose one dominant stone and several supporting ones. Flatish forms can provide natural seating, on which you can chat with friends and family, or meditatively enjoy the nearby foliage and flowers.
Contact a natural stone supplier for more information and ideas.