Tag: natural stone

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Bathrooms Design Interiors Addict Interviews

Family business thrives as natural stone’s more popular than ever

When Sandeep Rawal left India for Australia in 1995, he intended to study economics at university, but the universe had different plans. Alongside his studies he set up a company in Sydney called SNB Stone through which he started importing natural stone from India (a country renowned for the beauty of its granites).

Slabs of beautiful natural stone in the Sydney warehouse

Eventually Sandeep was so busy with the company that he began importing stone from Italy, Brazil, Greece and Turkey and gave up on his studies to pursue the business full time. This year SNB Stone celebrates an incredible 27 years in business.

Sandeep in an Italian quarry for Calacatta Oro marble

“With the help of a great team and family support, SNB Stone is now renowned in the market as pioneers in offering unique and quality natural stone and engineered porcelain slabs to architects, interior designers, stonemasons, builders, developers and homeowners,” says Sandeep’s wife Amrita Rawal who is a director at SNB Stone as well as a qualified interior designer.

She is involved in the day to day running of the business alongside Sandeep, and while it started off in Sydney, it now has showrooms in Brisbane and Melbourne too. Much to their delight, their two sons have started to get involved in the business alongside their university studies, bringing a fresh perspective.

Natural stone slabs

Long prized for its natural beauty, natural stone is timeless, durable and comes without the health concerns of its man-made counterparts. “Overall though, we’re finding stone is becoming more and more popular because people are attracted to its natural and long lasting qualities,” says Amrita who cites Carrara, Calacatta, Super White Dolomite and Chambord Grey as among the most popular stone choices.

Alexander and Co
SNB Stone featured in this project by Alexander & Co. Image: Anson Smart
SNB Stone Galaxy Silver marble features in this bathroom by Nathan Gornall Design
SNB Stone Galaxy Silver marble features in this bathroom by Nathan Gornall Design

Many of Australia’s top interior designers and architects choose their stone for impressive projects, meaning Sandeep and Amrita are often lucky enough to get to see the finished product in magazine spreads!

SNB Stone featured in this project by Alexander & Co. Image: Anson Smart

At $400-to-$2,000 per square metre, natural stone is obviously not within everyone’s reach which is why SNB Stone also sells a range of large porcelain slabs. “Strong and hard wearing, porcelain can look like natural stone but doesn’t carry the price tag. Porcelain slabs are a good option for people that want the look of marble with an affordable price range of $300 to $550 per square metre,” says Sandeep.

SNB’s porcelain range
Sandeep and Amrita Rawal with their two sons

And after almost 30 years in business, Sandeep is keen to stress how integral their employees have been to the business’ success. “Some of our staff have been with us for 15 years now and many for more than 10. All of them have contributed so much.”

Newcastle based Horton & Co. Design used SNB Stone's polished white granite in this kitchen
Newcastle based Horton & Co. Design used SNB Stone’s Namibian White granite in this kitchen

For more on SNB Stone

Marble interiors: David Hicks dishes on statement stone

While marble has been trending for what feels like years now, it’s mostly been limited to subtle grey and white…

How to care for stone benchtops and more

With more households incorporating the use of natural stone into their designs, from kitchens to bathrooms and everything in between,…
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Expert Tips Kitchens

How to care for stone benchtops and more

With more households incorporating the use of natural stone into their designs, from kitchens to bathrooms and everything in between, it’s important homeowners know how to care for it and keep it looking its best.

Photo: Derek Swalwell

You don’t have to walk the ancient streets of Rome to understand that natural stone is a very robust material. But to keep it looking beautiful in your home, you do need to look after it. Because no matter whether you use it for a kitchen benchtop or bathroom vanity, flooring, wall cladding or something else, your stone will be subject to regular physical contact and exposed to substances that could affect its appearance. 

Natural stone must be sealed

It’s crucial that any natural stone surface is sealed before use. This task is typically performed by the installer and, while it won’t make your surface impervious to marring or damage, it can protect the stone from most substances for a period of time, mitigating the risk of a permanent blemish.

Photo: Dave Kulesza

There are three different types of sealant: natural sealants, which penetrate the stone, allowing it to retain its natural colour, tone and texture; surface sealants, which form a coating that acts as a sacrificial layer over the surface of the stone; and topical sealants, essentially a more robust version of surface sealants and more commonly used in commercial settings.

Your final choice will depend on the kind of stone you’re installing, the application it’s being used for and your expectations about its appearance.

Regular cleaning and ongoing maintenance 

The cleaning requirements for natural stone are no more onerous than for any other surface material. However, because stone can be etched or marked by acidic and alkaline chemicals, you must use a pH-neutral cleaning product. These are readily available.

Photo: Tom Ferguson

You’ll also need to reseal your surface from time to time, as the original sealant will wear away, leaving your stone more vulnerable to damage. There’s no firm rule about how often this needs to be done, and the simplest approach is to do it when water no longer beads on the surface.

Some sealants can be reapplied on a DIY basis, and there are even stone cleansers that also contain sealant, which essentially top up your protection each time you clean. But getting it done professionally will guarantee the best result.

Dealing with spills, stains and other damage

If you spill something on your stone surface, it’s important to remove all trace of the offending substance as quickly as possible. If a stain or other mark is left behind, there will be a best-practice technique for minimising the damage. It could be a process of osmosis, for example, or exposure to UV light. The key is to be clear about the specific substance that caused the stain, and then to get advice from experts.

Photo: Ari Hatzis

And even when major damage has occurred, whether it’s a chip, a deep scratch or an oil spill that’s been left to absorb into the stone over a period of time, there’s no need to panic, because natural stone can be re-honed or resurfaced, returning it to its original pristine state!

But through all of this, remember that one of the most appealing aspects of using not just natural stone, but any natural material, is the unique beauty and character that comes with its patina – that is, the changes in appearance brought about by use, by your daily life. Managed within the above approach to care and maintenance, it brings authenticity and individuality, and is something to be celebrated. Much like those ancient stone surfaces in Rome!

-Phil Brenton is managing director of Artedomus, Australia’s leading supplier of unique, high quality stone, tiles, architectural surfaces, bathware and furniture for commercial and residential architectural projects.

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Expert Tips Interviews

The woman travelling in search of the world’s best stone

From being served goose tongue in frog’s blood(!) in Xiamen, China to being driven between quarries in Turkey at terrifying speeds on black ice, Angie Squires definitely has an interesting job.

Angie Squires Denizili Emek Quarry Turkey

As the chief stone sales and product manager for Beaumont Tiles, Angie is responsible for sourcing and importing beautiful natural stone to 100 plus stores nationwide. Travelling to outback quarries three-to-four times a year, she is constantly on the search for the world’s best and latest stone products to bring to Australian homes.

“At Beaumont we have a great knowledge of the type of colours, textures and veins that Australians love and that truly complement our lifestyle,” explains Angie. “Carrara marble from Italy is a favourite. Our limestones from Portugal and China have the most beautiful milky lustre. We know Australians really love a moody bathroom and our stunning Chinese basalts can be used throughout a room. And as for the pool and outdoor entertaining areas, we’ve got some stunning travertines from Turkey.”

Travertine
Travertine

Tasked with the job of making sure the stone quarries are using only the highest quality of machinery, for many supplies, Angie is the first women they’ve ever worked with! “I’m generally a confident and friendly person and although there can be an initial reluctance, it’s soon overcome. Being a women – and tall, blonde and knowledgeable – has in some ways made me quite memorable!”

Angie Squires India

However, dealing with the stone quarries isn’t the biggest hurdle, rather, it is the challenge of getting the products safely to Australia. “We do it very carefully by ship,” says Angie. “It’s a product Mother Nature has had a heavy hand in making and our goal is to treat it with kid gloves so it can be admired by us mere mortals for many years to come.”

Basalt
Basalt

With the stone Angie has sourced being used across Australia (from Hobart to Darwin) in both residential and commercial applications; versatile and noteworthy installations include Adelaide University, a prestigious Whale Beach home and a popular Sydney shopping centre.

Proof that natural stone can be used absolutely everywhere, Angie has a lot of tips for those considering using it in their homes. “Stone is just as friendly indoor as out, the trick is to choose the right stone and finish for your chosen area. Sandstone is best used underfoot outdoors due to its texture but is stunning indoors in niche spaces like a fireplace or feature wall. Granites come in black and greys, are economical and have quite an industrial feel. Basalts are stone chameleons where the finish will dictate its end appeal. And limestone is a softer and more muted stone that transcends all styles and seasons.”

Limestone
Limestone

For more information.

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Interviews

The man providing stone to Sydney’s most lavish interiors

Sake Restaurant

It’s hard to imagine someone who knows more about stone than Paul Nahon. As the director of Sydney’s WorldStone Solutions, he’s the go-to guy if you want anything from the finest Italian white marble to his personal favourite, Basaltina (and everything in between).

Paul
Paul

He’s worked with the likes of Hare + Klein and Greg Natale and imported the stone for such jobs as Canberra airport, Double Bay’s Sake restaurant (designed by Melissa Collison) and high-end homes. “Right now, we’re doing a house in North Sydney. It’s over six levels and has four-metre-high ceilings. It’s almost 1,500 square metres of stone — to put that in perspective a big house is around 500 square metres — they’ve gone large and extravagant! We also had a beautiful project in Cremorne that had a four-storey feature wall. The stone in itself was not exotic, but the size, the dimensions and the parameters were.”

Sake Restaurant
Purple veined marble at Sake Restaurant imported by Paul. Interior design by Melissa Collison. Image courtesy of the restaurant.

Savoy Marble and Bluestone
Savoy Marble and Bluestone

Favouring durable natural stone over its engineered counterparts (“You’ll get sick of the colour or your house before natural stone gets damaged!”), Paul provides high quality products sourced predominantly from Central Europe and China. “I have to admit if I had the choice, I’d sell you a product from Italy! I have a passion for Italy. I think the Italians’ industrial processes are amazing. They understand stone because they’ve been doing it for so long.”

Screen Shot 2015-03-19 at 1.26.30 pm
Limestone

Having been in the industry for 13 years, Paul is the perfect person to ask about the upcoming trends. “There is still a very strong grey, white, monotone, non-busy requirement. The muted colours are what sell. Some architects are asking for very different statement stones, but that’s more for an accent; say a feature wall or a splashback in the kitchen. Also very popular – and I myself am a big fan – is stone being mixed with other elements, so natural stone in conjunction with timber or porcelain.”

Bluestone HNA HK - 152 Hastings Pde - 16-10-2013_0284
Bluestone

Believing stone can be used anywhere in the home, Paul has seen it cover entire homes or just living areas, patios, swimming pools and driveways. And while he gets excited about seeing the finished product installed, for him, the real magic happens in the earlier stages. “It’s a really risky business the stone business, as you’re dealing with nature. What the earth gives you is what it gives you and when your orders get quarried and delivered, there’s nothing I can do about it or you can do about it. You’re relying on a certain element of good fortune and then you’re relying on your suppliers. There are big risks, but that said, huge rewards.”

For more information.

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Design Outdoor & Exteriors RENO ADDICT

Using stone in your home: 5 options and how to maintain them

Aussies have well and truly discovered the beauty and durability of natural stone and it’s now being seen everywhere from the bathroom to the balcony. But with so many options on the market, the process of choosing the right stone for your home can be a little daunting.

Screen Shot 2015-02-17 at 7.58.25 am

So we have founder and owner of Prestige Surfaces, Matt Nash, here to advise. Being raised to appreciate the care required in cleaning natural and manmade surfaces by his father and grandfather — each of whom had small cleaning businesses — in 2010, he decided to open up his own company. Specialising in cleaning, sealing and protecting precious stone materials, Prestige Surfaces have a range of high-profile clients including chef Shannon Bennett from Vue de Monde, and The Block. 

Below are Matt’s top five stone options for the home:

  1. BLUESTONE (BASALT)

Commonly found in facades and flooring, bluestone is one of Australia’s most popular choices. Once treated with premium grade breathable sealants, bluestone is elegant, durable, timeless and easy to clean. Always choose a sawn cut bluestone for external flooring and honed or polished for internal use. Never use sealants that claim to darken the colour because these products can cause irreversible damage to the stone.

  1. TRAVERTINE

A form of limestone, travertine is a natural, earthy stone, popular in paving or indoor flooring for its light colour and motley texture. Available in a variety of finishes, travertine is relatively easy to maintain after it has been treated with premium grade breathable sealants. Travertine will not usually withstand acids so may mark slightly if it is used in areas where food and beverages are prepared or consumed. Travertine is becoming increasingly popular in modern bathrooms.

Screen Shot 2015-02-17 at 7.55.49 am

  1. MARBLE

Many luxury homes include stunning marble features such as benches, bathrooms or flooring. Marble is not resistant to acids so yearly maintenance will ensure your marble surface has adequate protection.

  1. GRANITE

Best used for outdoor paving, granite is very hard-wearing and resistant to salt so is perfect for pool paving and coastal properties. Flamed granite is particularly popular outdoors. Inside, honed or polished granite can often be found in bench tops.

  1. SANDSTONE

A soft, sedimentary rock, sandstone is not resistant to salts and contact will cause it to break down. Quality sealants penetrate deep within the material and completely inhibit corrosion, so correctly treated, sandstone can be used around swimming pools and in coastal areas. Sandstone can be difficult to clean when used inside so is best used for outdoor paving and facades.

For more information visit Prestige Surfaces.

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Bathrooms Expert Tips Kitchens

A guide to using natural stone in your home

Tumbled marble used in a bathroom

By Dara Shashoua

My name is Dara Shashoua and I am addicted to stone. There. I said it. It’s true, I cannot think of a more exquisite surface to be used in your home. Truly. Every floor is unique; you are installing an actual piece of history on your floor or wall. With so many companies importing stone these days, the price and range that is on offer makes stone a lot more affordable so it can be enjoyed by many more people.

A chic bathroom using tumbled products
A chic bathroom using tumbled products

I started in the natural stone and tile industry 13 years ago, when 20x20cm tiles and decorative borders were the fashion for bathrooms; thankfully that has all changed, and quite quickly. I remember the first time we had travertine come into the showroom, I was in love! It was a beautiful cappuccino colour, featuring a beige base with taupe tones running through it. Soon afterwards we had marble, granite and finally, limestones, arrive in the showroom.

Continue reading “A guide to using natural stone in your home”

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Interiors Addict

OMG bathroom envy! Dara Shashoua is an interior designer specialising in bathrooms and the use of ti

OMG bathroom envy!

Dara Shashoua is an interior designer specialising in bathrooms and the use of tile and stone.

Like all the best designers, she’s passionate about what she does: “I am obsessed with bathrooms and natural stone, to the point where whenever I walk into a room I look at the floor then judge it. If I use a bathroom I redesign it in my head, I can’t help it,” she says.

“A bathroom is a haven to get away from the pressures of everyday life. These days I am getting more and more call for them to be like a day spa. On one of my last projects I even put a TV in front of the free standing bath!”

The beautiful bathroom pictured (for one of Dara’s clients in Sydney’s Balmain), was a great success, but when the client has friends over, their husbands don’t like them to use it in case they want their bathroom renovated too!

“This particular design challenge was to convert a previous living room into a personalised space for the client to escape from the onslaught of her corporate days,” says Dara, who owns Byzantine Design in Balmain.

It just makes you want to go and run a bath and light some candles right now doesn’t it?