Interiors with facing stone in decoration

Gusevsky Andrey Anatolyevich

Far gone from stone caves, but the call of the ancestors remained

Is it necessary to look for the difference between natural and artificial stone, when modern technology has allowed to obtain exact copies of the shapes and textures of surfaces? The interior design with facing stone allows comparisons in finishes using natural materials from photo and video clips.

The choice of designers in favor of artificial stone

Why interior design with facing stone has become so popular:

• If we talk about durability, then natural stone out of competition, but what can you be sure of by stopping your choice on artificial products?
• The use of stone materials for decoration has always existed, but until recently, it was still an expensive pleasure. The price of the issue was not so much because of the cost of the stone, because it is not a fact that only expensive breeds were used, but rather in the high cost of the work, before surface design.
  Therefore, it has long been the use of natural stone for cladding internal and external walls, symbolized the solidity, respectability and reliability of such homeowners.
• Our happiness is that we are contemporaries when the technologies and production of finishing and building materials are perfected and automated, which significantly reduces their cost and increases consumer attractiveness.
• A huge selection of imitations appeared on the construction market, about some we can say - successful, about others - not very, but the decorative facing stone in the interior has long proved its worth.
• The first imitation can be attributed to ceramic tiles "under the stone", then porcelain tiles, as more durable and reliable.
• Tiles made of natural stone, have not lost their relevance and are in demand, but not all.

Attention: Not only the high cost limits the use of natural stone in the cladding, but also its heavy weight and delivery problems.

• Natural facing stones include onyx, granite, marble, limestone, sandstone, slate. A natural stone can fascinate and bring to the interior with a facing stone the colors of ancient buildings or the mysterious caves of our distant ancestors.
  It symbolizes eternity and beauty, but is rarely used for several reasons. The problems are associated with heavy installation, then not every wall can withstand the weight of the cladding, so natural stone has found application on small surfaces of columns, fireplaces, podiums in winter gardens.

The decorative stone was a blessing

Facing stone in the interior of apartments is used both for interior work and for exterior decoration of buildings:

• Aristocracy and antiquity, a fabulous castle of the Middle Ages is what you can get by using artificial decorative stone in decoration.
• The combination with solid furniture, a fireplace and massive oak doors, stone lining of the interior will make the dwelling royal mansions.
• This does not mean that it cannot be used in the decoration of office premises.
• Environmental friendliness of the material is the quality that determined its use for decoration of living rooms, kitchens, hallways and loggias.
• Durability, and such a facing will help to forget about cosmetic repairs for a long time.
• Reasonable cost and facing stone the interior of the apartment will not hit hard on finances and the family’s wallet.
• Beautiful overflows and shades, a variety of colors and textures, excellent imitation and conveyed individuality of each breed, different sizes, ensuring that the product will definitely find a product to your liking.
• Easy material installation and minimum maintenance.
• The interior with stone cladding is considered antistatic and does not attract, does not collect dust. Removal of possible contaminants is done with a dry or damp cloth.
• Stone decorations turn small defects and flaws into virtues, convenience and beauty. For example, the corners of the walls decorated with stone appear as graceful columns and completely change the perception of the room as a whole.
• The original design and the interior of the facing stone can and will become the main decoration of the premises.
• Often there is no need to decorate the entire wall with stone. It harmonizes perfectly and looks in combination with wallpaper, Venetian plaster, wood, metal.

The interior of the premises and the stone in it

Loggia as an additional room

So:

• An excellent alternative to natural or natural stone is stone facing for interior or fake diamond.
• Do not be afraid of the word “artificial”, as the decorative facing stone contains cement, various fillers in the form of expanded clay, pumice, perlite and dyes.
• The weight of the decorative stone is 1.5-2 times lighter than the mass of natural materials, and the difference with granite will be even greater and is within 3-4 times.

Attention: Correctly calculated and installed lighting sources emphasize the relief and beauty of the decorative stone due to the play of light and shadow, as in a theater.

• Where most often you can observe the interior with a facing stone in the decoration? Probably on fireplaces, with both natural and artificial material being used.
  If the conversation concerns a real, heavy, solid wood fireplace, then a natural stone is chosen without options. It is able to withstand any temperature and maintain the durability of the finish.
  Portals for a gas or electric fireplace are often decorated with decorative stone, and this does not mean worse.
• Facing stone in the interior of the apartment makes the fireplaces expensive in appearance, solid and stylish. It bears a reminder of the massive, solid fireplaces of luxurious old castles or resembles cozy village houses with a small hearth, smoky stone in the finish and tasty, juicy meat on a spit.
• Living room, hall, bedroom, kitchen, where whole walls can be tiled with stone. Such caves are not to everyone's taste, then preference is given to arranging interiors from facing stone in parts and to zoning the space.

How to perform zoning

The interior of the apartments with facing stone and not just stone, but under the "brickwork" is used to create styles of English, American country, Provence. Characteristic is that decorative brick in the interior it can imitate both aged and new stone.
The selection of one zone is performed by decorating a wall or some area:

• Stone lining in the interior is used to highlight the wall near the TV, or the wall at the head of the bed in the bedroom.
• Interior arches in modern apartments, decorated with decorative stone, are not uncommon and a museum relic. Arches are stylized as the entrance to the cave, castle, grotto, the most advanced ones are not afraid of unusual decisions and you can see the dragon's open mouth at the entrance to the children's room.
  The openings look very impressive, especially with chipped stone. The design is identical to the opening knocked out in a rock or the entrance to an old castle lounging in pebbles, the room is visually complicated, becomes multifaceted and is perceived with reverence.
• A variety of interiors with facing stone can be obtained in such a small space as a kitchen. The basis is one of the solutions for the design project.
• You can veneer all the walls of the kitchen, but be sure to leave at least a niche that symbolizes the hearth in which the stove is placed.
• Designate stone trim facing the interior only a certain area in the kitchen.
• Lay out the kitchen “apron” with a decorative stone and add a couple of “strokes” to the nearby walls for balance.

Benefits and limitations of stone kitchen

Thin panels are used for an apron

Facing stone in the interior is used to decorate the kitchen wall directly above the work area or, more simply, an apron is formed.
Along with the benefits of a kitchen apron, there are a number of limitations:

• The advantages include a set of color palettes and decor imitation of natural stone.
• The surface of the artificial stone has no pores, is resistant to dirt and grease, does not absorb moisture. The surface is easy to clean, does not deform from moisture and temperature changes, characteristic of a room where a lot of food is being prepared. Artificial stone is a bad home for fungi and bacteria.
• Facing stone in the interior with an apron and a smooth transition without seams to the countertop allows you to get a smooth, even, monolithic surface without joints, fasteners and overlays.
• The valuable property of artificial stone can be attributed to the ease of restoration, the apron does not need to be changed, if there are small scratches, they can be sanded.
• The apron and countertop are complemented by a kitchen sink, window sill, bar counter of the same material. The stylish and harmonious interior of the kitchen is emphasized by the perfect match of colors and textures.

Attention: It is not necessary to make the countertop and apron in the same color and from the same material, an effective move gives the contrast of colors and textures.

• The instruction of experts recommends when choosing a polishing stop on a half-gloss. Dark colors with a matte finish may look a little dull.
  A glossy surface requires frequent wiping, because dirt and fingerprints are more visible on its surface.

Facing stone interior is limited to designers in the decoration of the kitchen.
So:

• The kitchen should be sufficient and not less than 10-12 m², otherwise the decorative stone will serve not as decoration, but as a clutter.
• The use of decorative stone implies appropriate furniture, giving the kitchen a holistic look.
• Shod products and natural wood are perfectly combined with a decorative stone.
• A decorative stone of warm tones over a large area of ​​decoration gives the room a “coldness” and the feeling of comfort disappears.

Some tips

So:

• The facing stone for the interior does not like bright light, in order to get a real nook, dim lighting is created.
• It should not be forgotten that the work surface should be well lit so that the cooking process is as comfortable as possible. Rescues lighting installed directly above a specific work area.
• Decorative stone harmonizes perfectly and blends with green.
• Interiors with facing stone are complemented by weaving and ampelous plants in chic, outdoor flowerpots placed against the walls.
• Clay jugs, ornate candlesticks, metal shelves belong to that decor, which harmonizes perfectly with the decorative stone.
• Do-it-yourself glue fastens the stone to the surface with tile glue, but the tile is lighter than stone, and therefore it is recommended to add PVA to the glue solution.
• Decorative stone has angular and radial elements, which allows you to finish the ledges, columns and openings, but you can do without them.Small stones stacked with “jointing”, that is, there are gaps between them, filled with special grout, replace corner elements.
• Themed natural interiors with sea and rocks, the use of fancy versions of decorative stone with fragments of coral and interspersed shells are harmonious and inseparable in our perception. Such a stone is appropriate in wall decoration with a niche and a built-in large aquarium.
• Lightweight decorative stone can also be used for facing elements of built-in furniture. The outside of the kitchen or bar counter is faced with a smooth stone, and the desired effect is created.
• Facing complex structures of niches, protrusions, podiums, which need effective design, and interesting visual illusions are produced.
• By the way, decorative stone is used for lining the walls of loggias, it is not afraid of low temperatures, but water-repellents will help protect it from moisture, which increases the reliability of the finish.

The use of artificial stone in the interior of the mass. Although the peak of fashion falls on the hi-tech, modern or art deco styles, the decoration of rooms with decorative stone does not lose its popularity and relevance.
The era of mysteries and romance, the atmosphere of antiquity and pacification, comfort and luxury will never lose its significance.