Carrara Marble's Timeless Appeal: Designers Revive Classic Stone for Modern Spaces

Carrara marble, a material revered since antiquity, is experiencing a significant resurgence in contemporary design. While vibrant, colorful stones have recently captured attention, the classic black-and-white palette of marble is proving its enduring allure. Designers are rediscovering its power to create both bold statements and timeless elegance, integrating it into a variety of modern interiors.

Key Takeaways

• Black-and-white marble, including Carrara, offers a powerful high-contrast aesthetic that remains eternally captivating.
• Designers are reinterpreting traditional patterns like checkerboards with contemporary twists, using varied shapes and sizes.
• The material's versatility allows it to be used in everything from flooring and vanities to accent walls.
• Engineered materials are also drawing inspiration from classic marble looks, offering durable alternatives.

The Enduring Power of Black and White

For centuries, black and white marble has been a cornerstone of architectural and interior design, from ancient Roman structures to the floors of Pompeii. Today, designers like Lyndsey Belle Tyler of ABC Stone note that while bold, colorful marbles are used for dramatic effect, the fundamental appeal of black and white remains. "It's endlessly captivating, and it can be big and bold too," Tyler explains, referencing its use in ancient Greek geometric patterns.

Modern Interpretations of a Classic

Contemporary designers are breathing new life into traditional marble applications. Claudia Afshar, an interior designer based in Los Angeles, has moved beyond the classic checkerboard. She recently created a striking bathroom floor using two different sizes of rectangular tiles made from Mercury black and Oriental white marble, offering a timeless yet more dynamic look. This approach demonstrates how classic materials can be adapted for a modern sensibility.

Versatility and Inspiration

The high-contrast nature of black and white marble creates a powerful visual impact. As Tyler puts it, "white is the absence of all color, and black is the presence of all color. So together you get something powerful." This inherent strength makes it suitable for a wide range of applications. Morris Adjmi, a New York-based architect, frequently uses white marble vanities against black-tiled walls or incorporates white marble mosaic floors bordered by black marble patterns. He also notes the subtle variations in natural stone, where white can have gray undertones and black can lean towards brown, which can be harmonized with other elements like wood or concrete for a fresher feel.

Beyond Natural Stone

The appeal of classic marble patterns has also influenced the development of engineered solid surface materials. Claudia Afshar's Ukiyo collection for Cosentino, for instance, includes deep charcoal and Calacatta-inspired white hues. Similarly, Cambria's executive vice president of design, Summer Kath, highlights dramatic quartz slabs like Bentley, which feature a white background with black lines, as perennial favorites. Kath draws a parallel to fashion, where black and white pieces are timeless staples that can be styled in numerous ways, making them ideal for kitchens and other spaces.

A Foundation for Design

Ultimately, the enduring appeal of black and white marble lies in its fundamental nature. Morris Adjmi describes it as "good and evil, chiaroscuro," representing essential aspects of human experience. Whether used to create a formal, modernist, or relaxed ambiance, this classic combination transcends fleeting trends, offering a design foundation that is both sophisticated and eternally relevant.

Sources

• Is Carrara Marble Making a Comeback?, ELLE Decor.
• Is Plain Old Carrara Marble Making a Comeback? Designers Say Yes, Yahoo.