Stone is one of the most grounding and soothing elements in a house. It is also one of the most historic, with roots dating back to the earliest days of civilization. Over the centuries, its gravity, texture and earthiness have remained unparalleled, which is why the stone continues to play a leading role in interior design today. These characteristics are what inspired me to turn to stone to elevate key areas of our Malibu renovation.
Work with Stone of Eldorado— the iconic brand revered for its wide range of stone and brick veneer products — our plans include statement walls on the exterior of our modernized beach bungalow. The home’s serene minimalism will be balanced by the timeless aesthetic that only stone can provide. The result will be flowing beauty from the outside in. There are floor-to-ceiling windows and large glass doors throughout, so these exterior walls will almost feel like they’re part of the interior design. You will see them through the glass from all viewpoints.
A global inspiration
I sought to incorporate stone after being inspired by its prevalence in Spanish and Italian country homes and was impressed by the high quality and natural look of the Eldorado Stone collection. “We take samples from all corners of the world and follow a detailed and rigorous process to decide which materials have the greatest potential to add to our product portfolio,” explains Sarah Lograsso, director of portfolio management for Eldorado Stone.
The company’s artisans hand sort natural rocks, choosing stones of impeccable shape, size and detail. From there, they design special molds from which they create natural-looking manufactured stone pieces. They remind me of all the walls I’ve painted in country houses all over Europe.
In the details
Eldorado Stone and I share an affinity for perfection. This home is all about clean lines and simplicity of materials. It is therefore important that each element is carefully selected. From Eldorado’s vast collection, I lean towards Rubble of the countrya rough-faced stone reminiscent of simplistic European dwellings, either in the gray tones of Palermo or the neutral Bella.
I was drawn to the rustic edges, rich texture and natural color palettes of each, which are authentic attributes of the stone that Eldorado celebrates. “Stone is also very textured and tactile, giving it an added richness in terms of visual appeal,” says Lograsso.
Eldorado Stone and I share an affinity for perfection.
All together
The design-led stone exterior will provide a timeless touch juxtaposed with the home’s contemporary design, Scandinavian-inspired timber cladding and rustic corrugated iron roof. I see the mix of elements as unexpected but simple. Ultimately, the finished mix will be consistent with the coastal landscape and be a beautiful homage to an ancient aesthetic.
“We like to say that stone tells a story,” says Lograsso. “It’s one of the most prolific design materials on the planet, and has been for thousands of years.”
