Daylesford Organic, a growing chain of organic food store/cafés in the UK. Their stores are filled with simple clean contemporary lines and soothing earth tones that are perfect fit for their brand of organic living. The technique used to achieve marble look is called marbling faux finish and it consists of applying the grains with paint (with rug or brush) then brushing with dry and wide brush for smooth colour mixing. The top finish is transparent high gloss glaze to give the polished- marble-look-like appearance. An alternative of this faux finish is called Venetian plaster technique achieved by application of primer, Venetian plaster, coloured Venetian plaster, stucco and wax. Actually these are basic techniques which pattern can vary in many different ways, as it is the final effect.

Dolder Grand Hotel by Speirs and Major Associates

The relevant area named Aqua Zone depicts exceptional indoor stonework. The walls covered with ashlar patterns from sedimentary type of stone are in perfect synergy with the water basin in solid stone and the wooden floor. The massive area covered with stone evokes coolness, yet tranquility. Looking at the relevant design there is no way that it can be improved because it is grandiosely superb. Even the organic shapes of the pool and wall’s curves are in harmony with the natural materials. Being a zone for relaxation is its best purpose and its appropriate hotel location is even more profitable because of the numerous people that could experience its beauty.

Dolder Grand Hotel bathroom

The upper image shows a splendid combination of white and black marble. This complete coverage of stone makes the bathroom looks impressive, sophisticated and luxury. However, marble is delicate to clean and very easily stainable with alcohol (it looses its sheen) to be used largely in bathrooms. Moreover, it requires a professional polish treatment yearly, which makes it a very high maintenance, stone material. But the most important disagreement of mine is the quantity of marble used in this single bathroom. Considering the fact that marble is natural material and requires a complicated processing, a full coverage of walls and floor with it is far not sustainable. Either to be wasted for full wall coverage, marble itself is unique enough to be used as garnishment and/or decoration.

Club Lounge on Schiphol Airport, The Netherlands

A really good design for a public lounge area can be seen on the picture above. Creativeness is the word that come in mind when looking at the details and sustainability when looking at the materials. A closer look at the back wall shows that it is made of reconstitute stone which is cheaper and nature-friendly solution. Nevertheless, the overall appearance is stylish and chic. The gray stone melange wall creates a solidness as background to the light hanging chairs. Added, the stone facing and the bamboo sticks work so well together to create contrast with the futuristic furniture, as the contrast between old and new, past and future, so the result is balance. Last but not least, the floor lights with their gliding light accentuate the texture and reveal its presence on maximum.