Bold Marble & Stone

Good day, design friends! Peggi here. Happy late spring, midweek, early June. Ha. I hope this Wednesday finds you well-rested and ready for whatever comes your way. As the title suggests, I’ve got bold marble and stone on the docket. Adjectives like bold are so subjective; for our purposes today, I’m referring to colorful stone with ample pattern and movement. Examples include various marbles, onyx, travertine and jasper, but we won’t be having a geology lesson. This is strictly aesthetics! If the dreamy olive and mint bar situation above piques your interest, click through to feast your eyes on more dazzling natural beauty and read my tips for bringing a bit of (good) drama home.

Although certain varieties (Calacatta Viola) are definitely enjoying a moment, marble is timeless. Colorful stone has adorned lavish interiors for centuries. Versailles boasts a veritable quarry of red marble alone! Don’t live in a French palace? Same. While I adore these gloriously audacious spaces, I also do not have a king’s coffers. Plus, deciding on such a powerful (and permanent!) statement terrifies me. Bold marble accessories and furniture to the rescue!

Ogle this collection of treasures and keep reading for my favorites!
Click right on the images to be redirected to the source, or use the numbered links below to shop my finds.
01: red travertine sculpture // 02: green onyx pyramid // 03: pink marble fruit bowl // 04: carved green marble lamp // 05: zebra calcite coasters // 06: pink marble side table // 07: green onyx obelisk // 08: pink marble cake stand // 09: mixed stone tangram // 10: decorative marble bowl // 11: marble and chrome coffee table // 12: red jasper mortar and pestle // 13: marble soap dish // 14: red marble bowl // 15: brown marble bookends // 16: marble vanity tray // 17: vintage onyx cocktail table // 18: vintage marble vase // 19: green marble bowl // 20: marble lidded vessel
Oh boy. Gorgeous choices abound! If I hadn’t recently scored a pair of green alabaster lamps (eep!), #4 would surely be speeding my way. Sourcing a new lampshade is a snap! I dig #6 for adding a touch of modern graphic yum to a space…that no man nor mutt can topple! Number 11 fills my 70s slinky glamour-loving heart with glee. Rest your Negroni on that between sips! The most pizzazz for your pesos prize goes to #12. That hefty hunk would easily star in a kitchen counter vignette, but I’m tempted to stash the pestle and style the chunky bowl on a coffee table or built-in. What pieces are speaking to you?

In addition to its sublime appearance and literal earthy presence, bold marble decor offers other advantages over installed slabs. For the cautious decorator, a striking set of bookends or eye-catching obelisk might be just the right amount of daring. Those of us who favor variety will appreciate the flexibility smaller pieces allow. Try that onyx lamp in the living room, the library or on the buffet. A petite marble table suits virtually any space. To say nothing of the styling possibilities of a stone vessel or pedestal! Great expanses, though breath-taking, are not the only way to enjoy Mother Nature’s mineral artistry.

Speaking of artistry, can we pause to appreciate the absolute marble masterpiece above? I know. Not your everyday dressing room, but consider the floor. Isn’t it just a more opulent version of this?

From soothing soft green to riotous rust and all of the incredible variations in between, thus concludes our bold marble adventure. Are you as enchanted as I am? Do you also marvel at the endless array of natural materials? As always, I’m anxious to hear your thoughts. Drop me a line in the comments about your favorite image here. (I have a bet with myself.) Take care, friends. Until next time.