New Ways to Use Marble in Interior Design

Marble is back in a big way, and designers are sharing the hottest trends for this timeless stone. Expect to see more bold veining, color choices and furniture pieces in 2023.

By: Meredith Rosenberg

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What's Old Is New Again

Marble has been a beloved material since ancient times, favored by the elite for its beauty and used to construct temples, statues and public buildings. One can even find streets paved in marble in places such as Athens, Greece. Though soft and porous, this stone has endured for centuries, as has its popularity. No longer limited to the wealthy, marble seems to be everywhere now, and it's no longer limited to bathrooms and kitchens. While the classic travertine look remains timeless, new trends are favoring bold veining, a greater variety of colors and even marble furniture.

Marble Used on Everything and Everywhere

"Marble in general is very on trend," notes Tanner Morgan, partner and designer of Morgan Madison Design. "As with the increasing focus on and appreciation for handmade, artisanal work, the focus on stone comes from a desire for authenticity, integrity and timelessness in the face of a culture that is often not," Tanner adds. In this kitchen, Tanner chose Calcatta Gold and went all in to make the space feel larger.

A Greater Variety of Marble Colors

"People were used to seeing marble only in white, black and beige colors," says Philip J. Consalvo, principal of PJCArchitecture. "Now that there are so many options in terms of design and colors, interest in using marble has grown exponentially."

Here, "This space was designed around the Pink Onyx stone that the client fell in love with for their daughters’ bathroom," Philip explains. "We had to find a way to make it work and found that designing it a bit more over-the-top complemented the bold stone and its natural veining... The rose gold hardware was also important in this 'more is more,' scenario, and yet it remains unfussy and quite sophisticated."

Bold, Maximalist Veining in Marble

"This powder room is pretty small, but we wanted it to be special," Philip says. "The true statement is the Calacatta Viola sink, and the rest of the room is neutral-toned with lightly textured glass to avoid overwhelming the space. The stone is a beautiful product and essentially a piece of art, so we wanted to give it the presence it deserves," he adds.

Philip goes on to observe, "Bold colors and busy veined marble are very much in these days, especially for modern apartments in urban cities. We’re noticing maximalism is governing residential design in 2023, and clients want their spaces to stand out with personality rather than blending in. While eclectic design isn't particularly new, it has been seen more and more with an evolving, less kitschy, more sophisticated style."

Green Marble Is Having a Resurgence

Concerning colors, "We’re seeing more red marbles come back in vogue," says Dan Mazzarini, principal and creative director of BHDM Design. "Violet Calcutta [aka Calacatta Viola] is a striking favorite, and the retro green marbles of the '90s are on their way back through furniture."

"Green marble also seems to be increasingly popular in both living rooms and bathrooms," says Stefan Bucur, founder of Rhythm of the Home. "Deep green marble is appreciated because it has a calming effect through its absorbing shade and it also works with modern as well as vintage furniture." Here, "Quality wooden flooring works wonders in living rooms with green marble and, as seen in the living room picture, we used a dark noble oak to add richness to the room and complement the shiny texture of the Verde Guatemala green marble."

Marble Furniture Is Becoming More Accessible

"We are starting to see marble slabs used in wetbars and furniture design as well," says Dan from BHDM. "It's a great material to harness that luxe look — even as a coffee table in your living room." Plus, it's easier than ever to decorate with marble. "Marble translates to elevated, or even expensive," Dan continues, "but with brands like Crate & Barrel and Pottery Barn using it in interesting ways, it’s become more accessible to people and across the board."

From: Veronica Solomon

Statement Marble Bathtubs Bring Luxe to the Bath

Morgante Wilson Architects finds that statement marble sinks and bathtubs are increasingly popular, including this custom soaking tub that was carved from a solid block of marble for a Chicago condo.

Think Beyond the Backsplash in Using Marble for Walls and Room Dividers

Marble is also turning up in less conventionally used ways, like this room divider Morgante Wilson Architects created from marble slabs. The side facing the dining area is a cocktail bar, while the kitchen-facing side features a custom coffee bar. The team matched the marble veining on both sides to make the cabinet look like one huge piece of marble.

Classic With a Twist

Here, Sahara Blanc Polished marble makes an unexpected appearance in a foyer nook.

As with all marble, "It’s important to consider that marble is a porous surface, which makes it more susceptible to staining," says Nandar Godoy-Dinneen, senior associate of PJCArchitecture. "We recommend resealing and polishing the material every six months to keep it looking its best."

Black Marble Is Having a Moment

Black marble is another traditional option that's enjoying new life, particularly ones with white veining such as Calacatta Black. Here, BHDM Design paired black paint with a strong black marble counter to create a moody, modern effect.

Travertine: The "Other" Marble

“Travertine has been used for centuries, and this year it's coming back with force," says Nandar. "While the creamy color of traditional travertine is still used, a splurge of new hues, from dark purple to peachy corals, has been governing the space in 2023. It is used with sophistication and grandiosity, from entry foyer floors, walls and spa-like bathrooms to exterior terraces and pools."

Though travertine looks like marble and both stones are a type of limestone, the former is considered more durable and less expensive than marble. However, as with marble, there is a variety of colors and types to choose from.

From: Maria Toczylowski

Marble Wallpaper Is a Less Costly Alternative

As marble remains an expensive material, opting for a marble wallpaper mural is a more accessible version and is being used more frequently everywhere from walk-in closets to nurseries. "We have seen an increase in demand for these wallpapers as new demographics are becoming more and more interested in interior design," says Max Lord of WallpaperMural.com. This way nobody has to feel left out of the marble trend.

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