To be timeless is to exist in a way that isn’t marked by any specific trend or fad. To be timeless is to always be in style. To be timeless is to transcend decades or eras – it is classic.
Rooting the design of a home in timeless materials and applications will give you a great canvas. Of course, one choice that will transcend any style in the years to come if done right is natural stone!
Natural stone has been used to build some of those most remarkable structures throughout history. The Great Pyramids in Egypt, the Parthenon in Greece, and even the panels on the Empire State Building are all made from natural stone. These monuments of history prove that natural stone stands the test of time as a building material that serves both a structural and stylistic purpose.
Like anything, natural stone has trends within itself. Look at design trends at just over the last 50 years; in the 1970s orangey, red tones reigned supreme, and in the 80s and 90s, you may recall seeing darker brown tones and mosaic patterns. With the rise of Joanna Gaines and the farmhouse style in the 2010s, a more random-shaped look like our Heritage Blends or Siena style stone became popular with an overgrout mortar, resulting in an effortless look. Everything comes back around eventually, and as someone on the cusp of 30, I am learning that even things from my childhood are coming back into style! My point is that some styles can date a space while others seem to act as a neutral backdrop to carry you through many decades.
How to Achieve a Timeless Natural Stone Look
Here are a few key ways to ensure you have picked a timeless stone installation.
First, embrace clean lines with an Ashlar pattern. Horizontal masonry, typically in a 2 to 1 pattern, has stood the test of time.
Next, keep the color pallet neutral by sticking with creams, whites, and grays – nothing too extreme in any one direction. Right now, we are seeing a surge of gray, but picking a blend of stone that isn’t just gray will add some dimension that will help transition your space into the next design era that comes along.
The clean lines and neutral color combination will seamlessly blend old and new styles. This will allow a room with a vintage oriental rug, a modern overstuffed sofa, and the hand-me-down leather chair from your parents fit seamlessly into one space. Organic materials like wood and stone also create a feeling of wellness, rooting it back to nature which we associate with a fresh feeling.
So once again, when picking out stone for your space, remember to keep the color pallet neutral with any pops of color falling into an earth tone category. The stone isn’t something you will be changing every couple of years. By keeping it neutral, you can instead find more affordable ways like changing accent pillows and throw blankets to switch up the aesthetic of your space, keeping it trendy and of the time.
Meghan Kraft
Stone Design Consultant
Buechel Stone Design Center – Kohler, WI