Accenting with Stone
by Tommy Smith

Have you ever walked into a home or business and found yourself staring at the tantalizing design of a well placed stone feature? The intricate, natural designs are created through thousands of years in the making, providing you with endless journeys to take while admiring the accent piece.

Personally, I love the integration of stonework within the interior design world and I find myself always looking for new and creative ways to bring nature into my living spaces. If you are looking for a one of a kind look and feel to your home, then consider the benefits and luxury of indoor stone solutions.

There are several ways to maximize your budget and impact when working with stone. One of the easiest and cheapest ways to get away with a beautiful design on a budget is to focus on an accent wall. You can spice up your kitchen by creating your back splash using standard wall blocks. These stones are often used in outside gardening and can be relatively cheap, providing you with a great option for decorating your kitchen.

What about dressing up your bedroom? If you have a nice bedroom set but are missing a head board causing your room to feel incomplete, then try accenting a portion of your wall to create a stone head board. With so many stone options, you can find the perfect size, style and natural design you need to meet nearly all your bedroom decorations and colors.

If you are more of a traditional decorator and enjoy the primal design of old log cabins and bold fireplaces, then check out your local stone provider and ask about their rustic collection. By using large rocks that are typically reserved for sturdy stone fences, you can create a rustic environment that is guaranteed to wow your visitors.

Stone design is becoming more and more popular in the interior design space, and with so many options available, you don’t have to spend a copious amount of money trying to buy top end stone when you can find alternatives that work just as well. One piece of advice is that if you are looking to accent a single wall, or a portion of a wall, ask about damaged palates. By purchasing partially damaged palates, you can get a huge discount on your purchase, while still having plenty of pristine material to create your accent piece.

As many know, stone durability is one of the longest lasting investments that you can make, and if you shop smart, you can find the right stone style, size, and designs to create a unique room or living space while knowing that your investment will be standing strong for years to come.

There are many other benefits to using stone as a design element besides durability. Stone surfaces are easy to maintain, repair, and replace. If you find that your mortar is starting to age and begin to crack, a simple repair can quickly replace the old mortar and bring back your original glory. Cleaning can also be fairly easy as most people find that stone areas don’t gather as much dust as other surfaces. In addition, stones help retain the temperature in your home acclimating to your interior temperature and helping to reduce your utility bills.

With so many enjoying the creative and original designs that natural stone brings to one’s home, there is no doubt that this design element will be around for a long time. I am always fascinated by any interior stone design I come across and find myself inspired by nature and the world every time I see a great integration of the natural element in a home.