Trend Alert: Green and Brown Marble in Kitchens and Bathrooms
It may surprise you, but those in the know predict that green and brown marble are set for a comeback
Rebecca Gross
19 June 2017
Design writer and historian. I write about contemporary architecture and design, and I study cultural history through the lens of architecture, design and visual culture. I have a Masters in the History of Decorative Arts and Design from Parsons The New School for Design, New York. My latest book is called "Ornament is not a crime: Contemporary Interiors with a postmodern twist."
Design writer and historian. I write about contemporary architecture and design,... More
Green and brown marble: while these shades might not appeal to you right now, according to the trend forecasters at Milan Design Week, held earlier this year, it’s only a matter of time before your attitude changes. A dramatic – and, if we’re honest, rather surprising – alternative to the pale grey and neutral marbles that have dominated in recent years, green and brown marble are predicted to be the next big thing in kitchens and bathrooms.
“The 1970s Arts and Crafts movement is influencing design at the moment, as well as Art Deco, industrial and traditional elements. There are myriad styles coming together in different ways,” says interior designer Chloe Matters of TomMarkHenry.
Still shaking your head? Check in with us again in six to twelve months when the show-stopping natural materials have filtered through to your favourite design feeds, as well as local bathroom and kitchen showrooms, and then tell us how you feel. In the meantime, here’s a little background and some tips on using it in your home.
“The 1970s Arts and Crafts movement is influencing design at the moment, as well as Art Deco, industrial and traditional elements. There are myriad styles coming together in different ways,” says interior designer Chloe Matters of TomMarkHenry.
Still shaking your head? Check in with us again in six to twelve months when the show-stopping natural materials have filtered through to your favourite design feeds, as well as local bathroom and kitchen showrooms, and then tell us how you feel. In the meantime, here’s a little background and some tips on using it in your home.
Earthy Colour Palette
Natural tones of green and brown were all the rage in the 1970s, when they were seen as a visual backlash against the bright psychedelic colours of the ’60s. They represented a desire for warmth and calm in an era marked by the turmoil of the Vietnam War.
The autumnal colour palette also reflected the ‘back to nature’ movement of the ’70s and a revival of the late-19th century Arts and Crafts movement.
Natural tones of green and brown were all the rage in the 1970s, when they were seen as a visual backlash against the bright psychedelic colours of the ’60s. They represented a desire for warmth and calm in an era marked by the turmoil of the Vietnam War.
The autumnal colour palette also reflected the ‘back to nature’ movement of the ’70s and a revival of the late-19th century Arts and Crafts movement.
Fast forward to today and the palette is back in vogue. Thanks to our passion for timber and the rise of a more natural, tonal palette in interiors, brown is once again having a moment in the spotlight. Available in everything from tan and beige to deep, dark chocolate, it is a warm and cocooning colour that not only perfectly complements timber finishes, but has a calming effect.
Green has been on the rise for a few years now, with Pantone notably announcing ‘Greenery’ as their Colour of the Year 2017. However, where Pantone described its use as symbolic of new beginnings, when it comes to the use of marble in interiors, the colour is being embraced for its rich, varying tones rather than any inherent meaning.
As such, rather than vibrant grass greens and limes, we’re seeing marbles in earthy, emerald and minty greens.
How to work dark green into the kitchen
How to work dark green into the kitchen
Luxurious Materials
Often associated with classical sculpture and architecture, marble was also a popular material in French and American Art Deco in the 1920s and ’30s – a time when designers placed an emphasis on luxury materials and glossy surfaces. Today, it’s far easier to source than it used to be, and can be shaped into myriad forms thanks to new technologies.
Marble’s newfound popularity has a lot to do with consumer mindset, as growing numbers of us choose to invest in durable and timeless materials that have inherent value. As such, in the same way the earthy ’70s colour palette was a backlash to the saturated hues of the ’60s, the use of luxurious marble today is a backlash to the pared-back and understated style that emerged after the downturn in the economy a decade ago.
Often associated with classical sculpture and architecture, marble was also a popular material in French and American Art Deco in the 1920s and ’30s – a time when designers placed an emphasis on luxury materials and glossy surfaces. Today, it’s far easier to source than it used to be, and can be shaped into myriad forms thanks to new technologies.
Marble’s newfound popularity has a lot to do with consumer mindset, as growing numbers of us choose to invest in durable and timeless materials that have inherent value. As such, in the same way the earthy ’70s colour palette was a backlash to the saturated hues of the ’60s, the use of luxurious marble today is a backlash to the pared-back and understated style that emerged after the downturn in the economy a decade ago.
With its distinctive patterning, marble also brings the characteristics of nature inside the home, which can serve as a decorative feature in its own right.
In addition, marble has shaken off its reputation as something of a status symbol. Instead it is being appreciated for its natural beauty and fast becoming a powerful force in contemporary design.
In addition, marble has shaken off its reputation as something of a status symbol. Instead it is being appreciated for its natural beauty and fast becoming a powerful force in contemporary design.
How They’re Being Used
Bathroom floor
This bathroom features brown marble floor tiles teamed with lighter Calacatta wall tiles and benchtop, and the effect is classic and timeless. “The marble-on-marble look is pure luxury,” says interior designer Lisa Santamaria of Santamaria Design. “The floor tiles anchor the room and the benchtops work beautifully with the dark brown timber vanity and marble floor.”
Lisa advises that dark brown shades of marble work best when used generously; “Don’t be afraid to use more of the darker tones. The statement it creates will pay off.”
Bathroom floor
This bathroom features brown marble floor tiles teamed with lighter Calacatta wall tiles and benchtop, and the effect is classic and timeless. “The marble-on-marble look is pure luxury,” says interior designer Lisa Santamaria of Santamaria Design. “The floor tiles anchor the room and the benchtops work beautifully with the dark brown timber vanity and marble floor.”
Lisa advises that dark brown shades of marble work best when used generously; “Don’t be afraid to use more of the darker tones. The statement it creates will pay off.”
Kitchen bench
Emerald green marble proved to be a hit at the Milan Furniture Fair. It’s a hardwearing material, which makes it ideal for kitchen benches and islands. Here, it takes a contemporary postmodern turn paired with vibrant turquoise that picks up the bluish tones in the emerald.
Find stone and benchtop suppliers in your area
Emerald green marble proved to be a hit at the Milan Furniture Fair. It’s a hardwearing material, which makes it ideal for kitchen benches and islands. Here, it takes a contemporary postmodern turn paired with vibrant turquoise that picks up the bluish tones in the emerald.
Find stone and benchtop suppliers in your area
This elegant and modern kitchen has a Light Emperador marble benchtop. The pale brown marble features swirls of cream, beige and brown that bring a light texture to the space.
It is paired with white cabinetry, while charcoal granite bar backing anchors the marble.
Polished Dark Emperador marble with a square edge glistens in this kitchen. The deep, dark brown marble has some neutral-toned and white patterning, and has been matched with rich brown joinery so that the marble remains the star of the show.
Going for modern and timeless rather than sleek and seamless, this kitchen plays with a more tonal colour palette. It has a bronze Armani marble island bench with flecks of white, and a light-toned Calacatta Gold Smartstone marble splashback with swirls of brown. This repetition and harmony of colour ties the individual elements of the kitchen together.
Read about show-stopping island units
Read about show-stopping island units
Splashback
The splashbacks are the real standouts in these kitchens. Above, a light marble with grey-green veining is used for the splashback and bench, with the cabinetry emphasising its green tones. Here, a marble splashback with white and gold veining has been paired with white to create a striking contrast.
The splashbacks are the real standouts in these kitchens. Above, a light marble with grey-green veining is used for the splashback and bench, with the cabinetry emphasising its green tones. Here, a marble splashback with white and gold veining has been paired with white to create a striking contrast.
Cabinetry
Here, the cabinetry adjoining the kitchen island is clad in dark brown marble tiles. Used in combination with timber and white joinery, the effect is classic, warm and tonal.
Here, the cabinetry adjoining the kitchen island is clad in dark brown marble tiles. Used in combination with timber and white joinery, the effect is classic, warm and tonal.
Feature wall
Not ready to commit to brown or green or to invest in a large slab of marble? Then choose a style with flecks of one of these colours instead. This feature wall is composed of Calacatta Gold marble hexagon tiles with shades of brown and gold veining. “The play on shape is a refreshing change to traditional-shaped tiles, and hexagons in marble have become a new classic,” Santamaria says. “To simplify your scheme, team them with a plainer tile for the back wall so the marble is the hero of the room.”
Tell us
Do you think you’re likely to be swayed? Tell us in the Comments below if you can see yourself using green or brown marble in your next kitchen or bathroom project.
More
Browse more kitchens with bold colours
Not ready to commit to brown or green or to invest in a large slab of marble? Then choose a style with flecks of one of these colours instead. This feature wall is composed of Calacatta Gold marble hexagon tiles with shades of brown and gold veining. “The play on shape is a refreshing change to traditional-shaped tiles, and hexagons in marble have become a new classic,” Santamaria says. “To simplify your scheme, team them with a plainer tile for the back wall so the marble is the hero of the room.”
Tell us
Do you think you’re likely to be swayed? Tell us in the Comments below if you can see yourself using green or brown marble in your next kitchen or bathroom project.
More
Browse more kitchens with bold colours
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Love how these fabulous natural stones are being paired with lots of white to freshen the look up a bit from the 70s version.