2022 was a year full of ideas and new challenges. A year that once again confirmed the dedication of our entire team, highlighting the beauty of the projects we had the pleasure of taking part in. All projects were marked by the values that have always distinguished MGS Italy: attention to detail. From design to installation, each phase was followed with extreme care to ensure a result beyond expectations.

A sincere thank you for the trust you have placed in us and in our ideas. We are ready to start a new year, always attentive to all your needs and requests. 

In this article we wanted to go over the projects that have excited us, giving us the opportunity to express all our creative soul. Now we are ready for a new year! 

MGS Italy for W Rome: the charm of marble meets the beauty of the eternal city 

This story is about a collaboration that resulted in an important project: the W Rome. A project in which the real protagonists were the splendid marbles and the beauty of the Eternal City, Rome. Our participation was welcomed with great enthusiasm, giving us the opportunity to create innovative interior design finishes and to create unique and personalized furniture elements. 

The restoration work was aimed at creating 159 spacious hotel rooms, exceptional suites, spaces used for business events, two renowned restaurants, and a gymnasium and spa for body and mind care. 

That’s why W Rome’s exclusive location was the pretext to bring to life an exceptional interior design that blended perfectly with the exclusive exteriors of one of the city’s busiest. 

It was an honor for us to be an integral part of this wonderful story. 

Vite Nove: always supporting art 

Another project that has characterized our 2022 is Vite Nove, a fascinating art exhibition for which we had the opportunity to be among the sponsoring partners. MGS Italy has always supported all forms of art and artistic beauty. That is why we are really happy to have had the opportunity to sponsor such an expressive and elegantly nuanced event.  

The exhibition recalled Dante’s Vita Nova, enriched with a different meaning and nuance to the content connected to the love poetry of this literary masterpiece. 

An exposition based on the idea that every artist who intimately lives his or her Art as a predestined vocation, builds in his or her creative achievement a true other life. A life that runs parallel to his daily existence. A kind of ideal dimension in which it is possible to express a rebirth and a true inner renewal. 

A unique occasion in which we highlighted beauty in all its forms and expressions. 

MGS Italy for Vescovo Moro: the aroma of cuisine meets the elegance of marble

Another important project that has seen us as protagonists is Vescovo Moro, a restaurant known in Verona for its incredible culinary offer, a mix of local and international cuisine, but also home to various sommelier courses. 

We at MGS Italy had the pleasure and opportunity to put our creative soul into this project, helping to bring to life a unique, elegant and dreamy environment. We created the outdoor tables, the open spot of Irish Green in the tasting room and the backlit Onyx Ivory lettering with the side fountain of Fusion Wow in stratos design finish.

To enhance the beauty and uniqueness of the Bishop Moro Restaurant, we focused on certain aspects that could give elegance and sophistication to the whole environment, both outside and inside. That is why at first we decided to focus on making the open spot of Irish Green in the tasting room. 

Instead, in order to achieve a movement in interior design and architecture, it is essential that there be the ability to come up with new tools in the service of creativity. That is why in the Bishop Moro project we chose a precious and refined material: the Fusion Wow, a granite that lends itself to giving value to the most fascinating environments.

Finally, thanks to the presence of backlighting, each natural stone cladding presents itself not only as a focal point within the environment in which it is placed, but more importantly, as a source of novel and impactful visual effects that actively interact with the surrounding elements. 

2023: new projects, same values as always

The year 2022 was indeed a year full of excitement, and this was possible thanks to the trust that our customers placed in our projects. 

With the new year, we want to improve even more, coming to meet all kinds of requests. As always, MGS Italy makes flexibility one of its strengths, in order to be able to offer you services tailored to your ideas, following all the stages of the realization of a project involving the use of natural stone or placing ourselves as the interlocutor only for some stages of the concretization of your dreams. 

From the supply of material slabs only, to the design and realization of claddings, shower trays, kitchen tops, tables: MGS Italy is always at your side. 

Marble is one of the most popular materials in the field of interior design. Thanks to its unique characteristics, this natural stone can add a sense of elegance and sophistication to any room in the home. That’s why marble in furniture is definitely a winning choice to embellish your spaces. 

Polished, shiny, with distinctive veining and effects, solid and durable-this is what sets marble apart from all other materials. 

In this article, let’s take a closer look at how to employ this natural stone within furniture and some solutions from which to take inspiration.

All features of marble

The physical characteristics of marble make it particularly suitable for use in certain domestic settings, such as in the kitchen countertop or for the shower stall in the bathroom. Below we find some of its main characteristics:

• resists impact and abrasion; 
• lasts over time;
• it is shiny and aesthetically pleasing.

What makes marble in furniture a perfect choice for one’s home is the special light effect it gives to surfaces, which in this way appear almost reflective. The veining and color change depending on the origin and type of the marble itself. The ranges of colors that marble can offer range from white-the classic example is the well-known Carrara marble-to colors such as pink, red, and black, which are particularly suitable for adding an unmistakable touch of elegance to a room. 

Marble in furniture: how to use it 

Marble is used extensively in building construction-especially for stairs and floors-and in private home furnishings-especially for kitchen countertops and in the bathroom. 

To get a full picture of its possible uses in furniture, marble can be used in:

• floors;
• bathroom countertops;
• tables; 
• wall coverings; 
• kitchen backsplashes;
• baseboards;
• kitchen countertops;
• objects, such as fountains, fireplaces, vases, or outdoor furniture. 

Marble in furniture: the best solutions for your home

As we have seen, marble represents a perfect choice if your goal is to embellish the rooms of your home and give a touch of elegance to your home. Let’s now take a look at some solutions you can take inspiration from when decorating your spaces. 

Marble stairs for interiors: for a modern and essential look

In recent years, the style that is gaining a lot of popularity is the minimalist style. Minimalist decor tends to put the spotlight on “basic” elements that are decorated and constructed from durable and particularly sought-after materials.

Due to its typical veining, marble is a hard and elegant stone. In addition, its different textures and colorations allow this material to adapt to so many uses. One of them is precisely marble stairs for interiors. 

This represents a refined and elegant idea that can attract attention in an environment that relies heavily on the concept of minimalism. Linear furniture can be juxtaposed with modern indoor marble stairs. In addition, as marble is a very hard and durable material, stairs do not easily get damaged over time, ensuring a mesmerizing and impactful visual result.

Marble kitchen countertops: the perfect combination of practicality and elegance 

Choosing a kitchen countertop made of marble means combining both aesthetic features of beauty and elegance, as well as purely functional components such as practicality and durability-essential features when it comes to a kitchen countertop! 

Moreover, marble is a particularly versatile material that can easily adapt to furnishing complements that belong to different genres and styles of furniture. Never forgetting its elegance and ability to embellish any space.

That’s why a marble kitchen countertop turns out to be a better choice than other materials available on the market today. However, there are natural materials such as granite and quartzite that are very durable and do not react to food acids. If you want to choose a marble countertop, good practice would be to use specific treatments that protect the marble surface from corrosion for the life of the countertop. 

In any case, marble kitchen countertops are a winning choice in many respects, but they require careful maintenance and attention in use. 

Marble floors: for a modern and minimal style 

Marble floors are increasingly being used inside homes, mainly due to the natural luster and royalty that only this natural stone is able to give to any room. Marble floors are mainly appreciated for reinforcing the decorating style of spaces, giving a touch of elegance and reinventing the rooms in which they are placed.

In fact, marble floors are used both in environments marked by a classic style and within more contemporary and modern settings. Whatever the style, marble always offers an elegant and minimal aesthetic impact, making it perfect in any type of space.

Marble has always been one of the most widely used materials for outdoor flooring and wall cladding. Thanks to its versatility, marble outdoor wall coverings satisfy any taste, from the most classic to the most modern or whimsical, and turn any wall or paving into a true work of art.

Whether it is a courtyard, a driveway or a garden, every outdoor space must be taken care of down to the last detail, both functionally and aesthetically. In fact, with the use of marble, it is possible to range between numerous types of colors and shades. Nothing will ever compare to the elegant and striking effect that marble floors and walls give. 

The extraordinary properties of this natural stone not only offer a sought-after aesthetic, but are able to meet the most pretentious demands for durability over time and minimal water or moisture absorption.

Opting for marble flooring or cladding is the perfect choice if you want to make your home’s outdoor space unique and original.

Marble: synonymous with prestige for outdoor flooring and cladding 

Increasingly in demand and appreciated, marble embodies timeless elegance and beauty. This natural stone is perfectly suited to every style of decor and environment. It also lends itself to cladding any surface, offering a majestic and refined effect. 

Marble cladding is synonymous with prestige and quality. For this reason, it is suitable for cladding in both indoor and outdoor environments. It is particularly valued for its ability to uniquely reflect light, for its strength and durability over time, never losing its beauty and refinement.

This is why choosing marble for outdoor flooring and wall cladding is a conscious choice.

Marble flooring and cladding for exteriors: all the advantages 

Choosing marble for outdoor flooring and wall cladding brings with it a whole range of important advantages that are hard to find in other materials. 

Here are what are the three main advantages:

• Durability: its great resistance to compression and abrasion tends to give this material an extremely long service life. As a confirmation of this characteristic, we can observe the vestiges of ancient cultures-such as the Roman and Greek ones-which have perfectly resisted the passage of time without ever losing charm and beauty; 
• Safety: marble is a natural stone that contains no harmful or toxic substances. A very important element when we talk about installing outdoor paving or cladding – for example, in gardens or terraces; 
• Perfect integration into natural environments: in the field of landscaping, the use of materials that are able to integrate perfectly with the surrounding environment is expected. Here is where outdoor marble manages to merge perfectly with its surroundings, becoming one with nature.

Marble flooring and cladding for exteriors: ideas and solutions

The exterior environment of a building or home constitutes a real calling card. Alone, the exterior can communicate an idea, a concept or an emotion, managing to capture the attention and the gaze of the observer. 

In fact, marble allows you to be able to play between glossy and matte effects, and between colors and shapes. In addition, thanks to its unmistakable veining, it is possible to beautify the outdoors with flooring and cladding that is not only durable, but also aesthetically original and eye-catching.

But choosing marble for outdoor paving and cladding is not just an aesthetic choice. Thanks to its great versatility, you can match marble with any style of home, from classic to modern. With this natural stone you can create harmonious decorations enriched with mesmerizing and elegant elements.

Here are some ideas and perfect solutions for your outdoor environments.

Biancone of Apricena 

One of the best solutions for enriching outdoor paving or marble cladding is Biancone marble from Apricena. This is a very versatile natural stone of limestone origin. To form striking pathways and walkways, it can also be used on turf. Biancone marble from Apricena offers claddings a rustic yet elegant look. Due to its Mediterranean characteristics and colors, this natural stone is especially recommended for modern gardens.

Carrara marble 

Carrara marble falls into the category of the finest marbles. Its pure beauty is characterized by its white background color, enriched by bright granules and light gray veins. For a clean environment of extraordinary elegance. 

Sicily’s Perlato Marble

Marble Perlato di Sicilia is characterized by its unmistakable ivory color, with flecks of calcite reminiscent of mother-of-pearl and shaded with more or less dark tones. The perfect choice for an original and eye-catching result. 

Green Alps Marble 

Verde Alpi marble is a uniform marble, quarried in Italy. It is a marble characterized by varying shades from dark green-almost tending to black-that can reach lighter areas of ochre color. It is used both outdoors and indoors, paying special attention to those areas with harsh climates. Perfect for cladding and flooring, carvings and turnings. 

Looking for the perfect solution for you? 

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If you have to furnish your home or are in the process of renovation, one of the choices to make is the type of table to buy. To make the environment elegant, modern and unique, the best solution is to choose a marble table. 

Deciding to buy a marble table means giving the room a detail that will absolutely make a difference. Wherever you want to place it – kitchen, living room, outdoor -, this piece of furniture will catch the eye, offering a touch of elegance to any environment. 

In this article we take a closer look at how to choose a marble table, analyzing the shapes and colors to choose from. 

Whatever your needs, a marble table is always the best choice.

Marble: the best choice for your environments 

Marble is a natural and highly prestigious material. It lends itself to use in homes when you want to give an elegant and unique touch to rooms. In fact, whether as a floor or wall covering, used as a top in kitchens or as a shower surface, marble is a fine choice for interior design.

The advantages in choosing this material lie in its natural, majestic and polished effect that lends an appearance of class and elegance. In addition, it is also a material that is resistant to scratches and bumps, so it is long-lasting.

Marble table: choosing the right shape

How to choose the shape of the marble table? The answer is: it depends! Not only on personal taste, but also on the space you have available. 

One of the most popular shapes is rectangular. In fact, for the same amount of space occupied, it allows more people to be seated than other shapes. Of course, the choice of rectangular marble table size depends on the number of people it has to accommodate. 

Let’s give some examples. 

If you need to seat six people, the rectangular table should be at least 120-130 cm in length. On the other hand, if you need to seat at least eight people, a 180 cm rectangular table should be your choice.

With a round marble table, you can create a relaxed, collected and convivial atmosphere. It also turns out to be less bulky than other solutions, thanks to the absence of edges and its special round shape, allowing smooth access from different positions. The round marble table is the perfect solution for those who have little space and want to play with a striking optical effect. In fact, a table of this shape makes much less impact on the eye due to its soft lines. Alternatively, you could opt for oval tables, where the marble proposal is spectacular.

If you have a small room and do not think a round table is the best choice for you, our advice is to choose a square table. For four people, the ideal size is at least 80-90 cm per side.

Finally, another very convenient alternative if you don’t have a lot of space but still want to have a marble table is to make it to measure. This way you can meet all your needs. In fact, marble is a very versatile material and can be easily adapted to different sizes, resulting in special and customized dimensions.

Marble table: color choice

One of the special features of marble is that it offers different colorations, which depend on its mineral impurities. For this reason, it will not be difficult to find a marble table that is more in line with the whole style of the house. 

When choosing your marble table, color represents one of the features that you should definitely dwell on carefully. Depending on your personal taste and the style you want to give the room, you will have to make different decisions. For their elegance and brightness, the most esteemed colors are white and black. 

White marble table

White marble easily adapts to modern decor styles-such as industrial or minimal-as well as classic decor styles such as country, vintage, and rustic. White marble is therefore very versatile and particularly refined. 

One example is white Carrara marble, the finest of the existing varieties of white marble. It has the characteristic veining that is typical of this natural material, although the background is expressly white.  

The choice of white marble is perfect for those who want to give a bright effect to the environment. 

Black marble table 

The black marble dining table is a very elegant choice. One of the most popular types is Marquinia marble, especially for its white veining and elegance. It easily adapts to any environment and provides an effect of solidity and unmistakable beauty. 

Colored marble tables

A more original choice is marble in colors other than black and white, such as red, yellow, brown, green, pink or blue. Colored marble tables can give the room not only elegance, but above all a special rarity.

If you want to add a unique touch to your environment, the marble table is the perfect choice. Discover our materioteca.

The marble shower tray represents an object of desire for those who like to experience it as a spa. An environment that over the years has no longer been conceived as an end in itself, but as a personal space that should welcome and give moments of pure relaxation. If you want to have such an effect, a marble shower tray is ideal. 

Emotion and connection with nature, timeless beauty, elegance and luxury: all characteristics that only a material like marble can offer.  

All this without neglecting the practical function that a good shower tray must fulfill: brightness, non-slip surface, heat resistance, and total impermeability. But again, these characteristics can be found precisely in marble, a natural stone that has always been used to make bathroom wall tiles. Moreover, it is a material that can harmonize perfectly both within contemporary and more classic environments, adapting to every style and personal taste. 

Because choosing a marble shower tray means not only giving your bathroom décor an aura of charm and elegance, but also establishing a deep connection with yourself.

Find out how to choose the right marble shower tray, which are the best coverings and the latest design trends.

Marble shower: best solutions 

If we dwell on the latest trends in bathroom furniture, we can see the shower being the absolute protagonist of this environment. A protagonist above all on an aesthetic level, but without ever losing its functionality.

First of all, whatever the decor of your bathroom, the shower must always be a practical object, akin to the style chosen for this environment and perfectly harmonized and inserted within the space. When choosing a shower tray, the first feature to consider is therefore that of practicality, perfectly optimized in space and akin to the style chosen for the decor. In this sense, the marble shower tray has no equal. 

Using marble for one’s shower tray means creating a feeling of luxury and well-being within one’s bathroom, but without neglecting that feature of practicality that must always be present. 

Harmony, elegance and naturalness: this is what a marble shower tray offers. 

Walk-in shower or shower with box? 

If you have to design a new shower, the first choice you have to make is between an open walk-in or a boxed shower. Let’s take a closer look at them to understand features and differences. 

The open shower-also referred to as a walk-in shower-has no doors and the only existing bulkhead is located on the opposite side from the wall on which the showerhead is usually placed. This solution represents a modern and very eye-catching version of the shower, and it acquires a sense of elegance and luxury especially if it is made using noble materials such as marble. In this case, a walk-in shower solution makes the space even more airy and bright.

For those who like an enclosed and collected shower, the best choice is to make a shower enclosure, usually transparent and made of glass. Even then, the marble shower tray will be fully enhanced, giving a sense of well-being to the whole bathroom. 

So, better open or boxed shower? 

It is a totally personal choice and in both cases it turns out to be contemporary, practical and able to enhance the elegance and beauty typical of a marble shower tray. 

Marble shower tray: which coverings to choose 

The marble shower tray makes every bathroom unique. It also fits perfectly with any style, thanks to its shades and types.

Let’s take a closer look at some examples. 

Verona red marble is visually very impactful, but never showy.  It is ideal in vintage or traditional bathrooms, to decorate in an elegant way, with bright or delicate tones and harmonious shades. It also pairs perfectly with wallpaper with pendant elements or with white ceramic. 

For more eclectic bathrooms, you might decide to opt for travertine marble, which is characterized by a warm, neutral coloring ranging from soft beige to walnut. An example is Travertino Osso, which can make your bathroom an exclusive environment by creating magnificent and refined atmospheres. 

Equally refined is the yellow Siena Extra marble, particularly eye-catching and bright. Perfect for decorating with style and creating unique and striking effects: the true star of your bathroom.

Finally, a striking choice is marble with a marked veining and good contrast. One of these is definitely Calacatta marble, to create an effect with a strong scenic and decorating character. One example is Calacatta Cielo, a marble characterized by patterning variation and unique color. The swirling veining is accentuated by light and dark tones of gray and charcoal. Calacatta Cielo marble is a distinctly contemporary combination of textures and tones, perfectly in tune with modern bathroom design concepts. 

Latest marble shower tray design trends

The latest trends point to walk-in shower solutions with ultra flat shower trays to create an open space bathroom by combining practicality and elegance. The Ultra Flat shower tray has a very small thickness, almost equal to the floor level. Therefore, it is able to offer an aesthetic effect identical to flush-floor solutions.

In terms of shape, the latest design trends focus on rectangular shower trays-perfect for very spacious bathrooms-and square ones-suitable for small spaces, thus abandoning curved lines and rounding.

Glazing is mostly transparent and very large, where tempered glass is confirmed as the preferred choice. 

Choosing the right marble shower liner and tray is a very important choice, both functionally and aesthetically. That is why it is important to rely on an expert who can advise you on the solutions that best suit your personal taste and the space available.

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Imagine immersing yourself in a unique atmosphere as you savor the scents of local food expertly combined with what the international culinary world has to offer. Imagine now that you are in a place where these scents are combined with the elegance that only natural stone can bestow.

All this has a name: Vescovo Moro.

A restaurant known in Verona for its incredible culinary offerings, a mix of local and international cuisine, located near the center, but also home to various sommelier courses. MGS Italy was pleased to put its creative soul into this project, helping to create a unique, elegant and dreamy environment. What we achieved are the outdoor tables, the open spot of Irish Green in the tasting room, and the backlit Onyx Ivory lettering with the side fountain of Fusion Wow in stratos design finish.

When the scent of cooking meets the elegance of marble.

Vescovo Moro from our point of view

To enhance the Vescovo Moro Restaurant, we focused on certain aspects that could give elegance and sophistication to the entire environment, both outside and inside.

Open stain of Irish Green marble 

At first we focused on the creation of the open stain of Irish Green in the tasting room. 

Open stain marble is used to refer to a technique of both working and laying a marble floor or wall covering. It is a very special type of processing, whereby the veins of the marble slabs are able to create a pattern together. The result is absolutely unique emerite geometries. 

In this type of processing, the slabs of a single block of marble are opened and placed side by side just as if they were the pages of a book. In this way a harmonious, large-scale design is created. In order to be able to achieve an organic and impactful effect, when working with open-spot marble it is advisable to use large segments, which allow the entire grain to be laid. This is why in open-spot processing it is not possible to use all of marble, but it is necessary to choose particularly veined or oriented stones. Only in this way is it possible to achieve a mirror-like pattern with bold, defined tones.

That is why in this case we chose Irish Green marble. This is a marble characterized by the uneven coloring, which magnifies the green tones and with shades degrading from dark to light. Moreover, due to the presence of some veins tending to white and others of a translucent apple color, Irish Green is a unique material in the world. 

During the Renaissance, this stone was used by architects to flood the splendid palaces they adorned with magnificent works with the hues of forests and fields. Thanks to its variegated veining, Irish Green makes it possible to create unusual geometries, making each project unique and unrepeatable, just as in the case of the Vescovo Moro restaurant. 

Waterfall in Fusion Wow in Stratos finish design

To create movement in interior design and architecture, it is essential that there subsists the ability to propose new tools in the service of creativity. That is why in this project we have chosen a precious and refined material: it is Fusion Wow, a granite that lends itself to adding value to the most fascinating environments.

The Stratos Design finish was achieved through the use of two different technologies: Sandblasting and Hydro finish, with vertical movement of the machine so as to make the grooves.

In particular, sandblasting is a special finish that tends to enhance the natural appearance of the stone. The treatment is carried out through a high-pressure sand jet that makes the surface matte and rough without changing its flatness. On the other hand, Hydro finish is a high-pressure water jet that scratches the stone and gives this very textured effect.

Ivory Onyx backlit panel with the restaurant’s logo.

Turkish Onyx represents the layering of minerals over the centuries within thin channels of color with white, brown and beige tones. In addition, the more pronounced presence of a few veins of walnut color allows for unique open-spot workings. Very elegant and backlit, Onyx is a uniform color material with some golden hues, perfect for exclusive elegant interiors.

Backlit quartz countertops for the base of umbrellas

Thanks to the presence of backlighting, each natural stone cladding presents itself not only as a focal point within the environment in which it is placed, but more importantly a source of novel and impactful visual effects that actively interact with the surrounding elements. 

This is why one of the most innovative technologies in the field of contemporary architecture is precisely the use of backlit marble. Light is placed in panels that are mounted behind thin marble or onyx slabs, which can take advantage of the translucent properties typical of these materials. The result is a striking and magical atmosphere enhanced by the beauty and colors of these precious natural stones.

All the marbles and stones used were selected by Antolini, the main supplier of our natural stones.

Slate is a natural stone widely used in numerous fields, from art to design, from construction to architecture.  

It is a clastic sedimentary rock that belongs to the mudstone family. It is classified as semi-hard or soft, comes in a leaden-blackish color, and represents a wide variety of calcareous-clay schists that are easy to work, waterproof, and particularly resistant to weathering.

In this article we will take a closer look at this natural stone, discovering its characteristics and how it is used. 

An overview

Slate is a type of metamorphic rock that results from the progressive sedimentation of a very fine silt originating from the fragmentation of reliefs. It is characterized by great resistance to weathering and is easily divided into slabs, even very thin ones. It is thought that in the beginning slate was used about two thousand two hundred years ago within the Tigullio area of Liguria, between the town of Lavagna and the Fontanabuona Valley. 

The use of slate as a roofing material dates back to ancient times, but it was widely used in the medieval and then the Renaissance periods. The first deposits that were intensively exploited from the 12th century onward were those in Recco and Uscio, in the Fontanabuona Valley. 

Other deposits are found in the Camonica Valley (Lombardy) and in the Cuneo area (Piedmont). In more recent times, this metamorphic rock has had a strong revival in furniture, interior finishing and embellishment, as well as in architectural use for the restoration of historic buildings.

Slate: properties 

Slate is characterized by a very pronounced fixity. This particular property makes it easy to split slate with a simple blade-a technique commonly called “splitting”-and into parallel planes. The individual slabs are uniform and very even, and are characterized by very high elasticity and flexural strength. 

Once cured, slate tends to retain low absorption values. Combined with the material’s decidedly low porosity, this property aids its protection from frost attack. This is why slate is excellently used as a roof covering! 

Another characteristic is the excellent fire resistance, which comes from the very low coefficient of dilatability of this material, making them almost non-deformable. In addition, the good impact resistance makes slate slabs very suitable for making paving slabs, lambrines, floors and baseboards.

Slate: colors and nuances 

Slate gives its name to its namesake color, characterized by a shade of gray with light blue highlights. One of its most beautiful features are the shades, mostly gray and more or less pronounced, due to the composition of the soil from which it is mined. If, on the other hand, it is mined in the black version, slate is used to make the famous slates. 

Since it is a versatile, elegant and timelessly beautiful color, it is widely used in interior design for both floor and wall designs. It also goes very well with shades such as brown, sand, ivory, red, orange and turquoise.

How to use slate 

Traditionally, slate is used for: 

• roof coverings;
• stair steps’ covering; 
• doorways;
• indoor and outdoor flooring;
• school blackboards. 

It also has mechanical properties such that it is the ideal billiard table top. From its origins, since it was invented by the Egyptians, billiards possessed a wooden top. It was only during 1826 that a London manufacturer tried to replace the oak table-which was as much as 10 cm thick-with a 5 cm slab of slate, improving its strength, elasticity and weight. Especially from the 1950s onward, it is billiards that is the main use of slate, fostering its widespread use in America as well.  

Thanks to the technological development of companies in the industry, for the past few decades, slate has also entered the world of homeware and interior design, with benches, table tops, shelves and various types of objects. Moreover, in addition to expanding processing possibilities, technological development has enabled slate to reach levels of commercial competitiveness that were previously almost impossible with entirely manual processing.

Salte: places of discovery 

Slate is widespread in northern Italy. It has been mined in Liguria for many centuries, historically in the coastal area between Chiavari and Lavagna. In more recent times, quarries in Fontanabuona and Recco, all located near the province of Genoa, have also begun to be exploited.

A different but very similar type of shale, but improperly called slate, can be found as roofing stone within alpine areas, particularly those in the Camonica valley in Lombardy and the Cuneo area in Piedmont.

Having suppressed the railroad yard formerly dedicated to slate and present at the Lavagna (Liguria) station, this material is transported solely by truck, even over long distances.

Discover our materioteca.

Since time immemorial, natural stones have been used to build, and especially to enhance, different types of environments, from public ones–such as temples–to private ones such as one’s home. With the passage of time, man has understood the specificities and peculiarities of each material, choosing the most suitable one depending on the desired function.

Here is where quartz and quartzite appear among these materials.  

There is often confusion between these two natural stones, but in reality there are many differences between them. There are mainly two points of conjunction between the two materials: both are used in the same field and both consist of a very high percentage of quartz. 

In this article we will go into the characteristics, colors and differences between these two beautiful natural stones. 

Quartz: characteristics and types

Quartz is the second most widespread mineral in the world-occupying about 12 percent of the Earth’s entire crust-and is characterized by its ability to polarize, generating a potential difference when subjected to mechanical deformation, but at the same time it deforms elastically when subjected to an electrical voltage.

It originates mainly within acidic intrusive magmatic rocks-also known as sialic rocks-but it can also be found in abundance in sedimentary rocks. Its hardness is 7 on the Mohs scale. 

As the second most common mineral in the world, it can be found in nature in numerous varieties, which differ in mineralogical characteristics. In addition, quartz has different colors and shades of colors. 

Here are some examples of quartz types: 

• rock crystal;
• rose quartz;
• amethyst;
• citrine quartz;
• amethrine;
• chalcedony;
• agate.

Quartz and home decor: between beauty and well-being 

Thanks to its many properties, quartz is a stone that can be used in numerous areas, from home decoration to crystal therapy, from making jewelry and watches to making paintings. 

The reason that quartz is a particularly popular decorating element is that each individual type of this natural stone has specific properties that can restore important benefits to the body, spirit, and mind. 

There is now ample evidence that the atmosphere of a place can have effects on people’s mental and physical well-being. And here different types of quartz have the ability to significantly influence the energy present in an environment, creating health, well-being and harmony.

Quartzite: characteristics and types

Quartzite is an unfoliated metamorphic rock, mainly consisting of quartz. It is a material with a very ancient history, formed over millions of years.

Stressed by the glowing magma underlying the Earth’s crust, plates collide with each other, fold and create mountains that bury the sandstone. Under the effect of intense heat and pressure, the sand grains of which the sandstone is made melt and crystallize, joining with silica cement and giving rise to quartzite, a rock of great durability and strength. 

Since it is a natural stone, quartzite lends itself to various types of finishes and a variety of processes: striped, brushed, flamed, polished, honed. 

Quartzite is an extremely easy material to clean and maintain. It also has low absorption, so it is recommended for all rooms in the home. Finally, being particularly resistant to impact, quartzite is perfect for any space. 

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Natural stone has always been the material of choice for both furniture and construction. Today, however, it is the symbol of excellence and luxury. 

That is why it does not matter whether you have a rustic, contemporary, trendy or minimalist style home: furnishing the bathroom in natural stone is always a winning choice. On the other hand, natural stone is an elegant, very charming and valuable material. You can use it for bathtubs, washbasins and much more. 

If combined with care and attention, natural stone contributes to creating the typical spa atmosphere in your bathroom, both aesthetically and functionally.  

If you are looking for ideas and solutions for furnishing your bathroom in natural stone, in this article you will find hints and tips on how to do it best. 

Natural stone bathroom: timeless beauty

Natural stone embodies timeless beauty, solidity and great value. Its strengths include resistance to all fashions and trends, as well as great resistance to the wear and tear of time. 

Here are the most popular materials that can be classified as natural stone:

• marble;
• sandstones;
• slate;
• travertine;
• quartzite.

If you want to use natural stone in your bathroom and are looking for ideas and solutions to inspire you, just read on!

Natural stone bathroom: how to choose furniture and sanitary ware

If natural stone is used for cladding, no matter if for the walls or the floor, it becomes an integral part of the entire bathroom décor. This means that it must integrate perfectly with the style you have decided to adopt for this room. 

There are so many possible combinations. One idea could be to combine a stone countertop washbasin and an unfinished wooden counter. 

Another option could be to combine a plastic cabinet with a freestanding basin in grey stone. If, on the other hand, you like to be daring and are looking for something unique, you could choose for a marble floor-standing bathtub or a corner bathtub.

Stone bathroom: furnishing ideas 

Here is a series of ideas for furnishing your bathroom, perfect for making this the most relaxing and elegant room in the house. 

Washbasin

The washbasin can become the real focal point of the bathroom, using large blocks of natural stone that can become basins with hypnotic and sinuous shapes.

It will also be more resistant and durable than any other material.  

Shower tray

One of the most popular uses of natural stone in the bathroom is to use this precious material in the shower tray. 

To give the room a unique touch of elegance, our advice is to use a black marble, perhaps with a walk-in shower entrance. 

Bathtub 

The natural stone bathtub is also a real focal point for the bathroom. Elegant, durable and hard-wearing: there is something for every taste and style!

Flooring 

For an elegant bathroom, there is nothing better than using natural stone to cover the floor. 

A tip? 

You can also decide on a small space, next to the shower or bathtub, reminiscent of the Zen philosophy.

One-piece slabs

For the cladding of your bathroom, you can also use whole slabs of natural stone, giving continuity to the whole room. Combined in this way, this effect must be studied to perfection, highlighting the contrasting veins or indulging in them. 

Total cladding 

The bathroom can also be completely clad in stone. An example would be where marble covers the walls and floor and is also used as a sanitary material. The aim is to have a continuity of the material used that is reminiscent of a small spa. 

If instead you want to intersperse the effect with another natural material, our advice is to choose wood.

Bathroom furniture: combinations with natural stone 

Natural stone bathroom furniture has the great boast of being able to perfectly combine the desire for refined aesthetics with the demands of practicality. Whatever your personal taste, you can choose natural or textured cladding to match the stone washbasin top or shower tray.

Other popular combinations include freestanding bathtubs and solid sinks.

In addition to its great visual impact, natural stone is very refined and pleasant to the touch.

Choosing finishes for your natural stone bathroom

When it comes to natural stone, there can be several finishes to choose from.

The split finish presents an uneven texture if you want to achieve a gibbous and irregular aesthetic result. Still preserving a characteristic natural effect, the bush-hammered finish provides a rough, speckled texture that can also be used with many marbles.

At the opposite end of the spectrum is the milled finish, the most commonly used solution to provide a vintage touch or a rustic character thanks to the striations on the surface.

Lightweight marble is a special composite material consisting of natural stone and Honeycomb – aluminum cells inside an impregnated glass fabric. Its composition makes it extremely versatile and without many limitations of use, especially compared to traditional marble.

Here, the beauty of marble becomes light and all the elegance and strength of marble remains intact, but with 70% less weight.

In this article we will take a closer look at its characteristics, the advantages it offers and how to use it.

What is lightened marble

Since weight is often a determining factor when choosing building materials – both in furniture and architecture – various techniques for lightening marble have been developed in recent years. One of these is the coupling of marble slabs with aluminum honeycomb panels. 

Lightened marble consists of a marble slab of very low or low thickness – down to a minimum of 3 mm – that is coupled with closed-cell supports or an aluminum structural support – derived from aeronautical technology. 

This particular composition is able to reduce the weight of the slab while maintaining – sometimes even increasing – the typical physical properties of marble: 

• greater resistance to compression and bending; 
• weight reduction of up to 70%

As the sheet reaches its minimum thickness, it becomes lighter and also more fragile. This is why it is coupled with a honeycomb panel. On the back of the sheet, a rigid honeycomb panel, generally made of aluminum – due to its lightness – is applied, which significantly increases the strength of the finished product.

Polypropylene panels also have a honeycomb structure and manage to maintain the same lightweight characteristics as aluminum. The advantage is that these are backlit.

In addition, polyurethane foams can have different densities, combining the characteristic of lightness with the possibility of creating panels with high thicknesses on which holes can subsequently be drilled for any fastening system. 

The characteristics of compressive strength, rigidity and lightness make lightweight marble particularly suitable for use in the naval and aeronautical sectors.

Lightweight marble: advantages

Thanks to its special characteristics, lightweight marble is a very versatile material that offers the possibility of using stone even in architectural contexts that require the use of lighter materials. Furthermore, such a pre-assembled material can facilitate its installation thanks to the presence of anchoring systems, hinges and holes. An example of this is the lightweight, thin marble slabs that have been used for the exterior cladding of buildings with large façades. 

Thanks to this technology, the weight of the marble monoliths is reduced by approximately 70 per cent. This has a considerable impact on several factors, both practical and economic: 

• easier assembly and transport, resulting in lower costs;  
• reduced risk of marble breaking during positioning due to easier handling; 
• possibility of using a less massive and much lighter support structure. This advantage makes it possible to install most products made of lightweight marble even on traditional furniture and tops – even on a glass top!

How to use lightweight marble 

With a few rare exceptions, lightweight marble can find the same uses as traditional marble.

Thanks to its flexibility, superior impact resistance, easy installation and lightness, lightweight marble panels are especially suitable for all those cases where weight reduction is an absolute priority. 

Lightened marble is mainly used in sectors that can justify the investment in such complex processing:

• Aeronautical sector;
• Lift cladding;
• Furniture cladding;
• Consoles;
• Tables
• Naval sector (yachts);
• Furniture cladding.

Today, lightened marble represents a solution that offers the particularity of the finest natural stones on surfaces that could not normally support their weight, without ever compromising marble’s typical characteristics of elegance and uniqueness.