Introduction
Located in the lavish landscape of Melbourne’s Toorak sits a family home made of marble. The architecture of this generously sized house capitalises on the beautiful views of the city. Driven by the desire to create a strong street presence, the home made of marble boasts four levels. With purposely pared back materials, the home allows the intensely rich marble to speak for itself. Inspired by restrained natural colours and materials, the marble chosen in partnership with Artedomus is featured throughout the whole house, including the façade and interior design.
Being taken along the house tour of Grange Road Residence, you are transported to another location. The home made of marble is, at its core, a complete illustration of scale, light and proportion. Working with a European design inspiration, much of the interior design is furnished from Italian imported furniture pieces. A grand staircase, complete with polished plaster balustrade centres the internal architecture of the marble home; the four storeys gave the space the opportunity for light to travel down from a skylight.
Inspired by techniques used for thousands of years, the marble and stone supplied by Artedomus is vital to completing the home. It feeds into the balance between warm and cold, fine-tuned by the veins and tonality of each individual slab of marble. Whilst the exterior and architecture of the home is based on warmer tones, the interior design is based around a cooler palette. A hero piece within the home, breaking up the larger spaced rooms, is the custom-built Wyrie Table from the Artedomus New Volumes range, designed by industrial designer Nick Rennie. The marble has a unique quality to it, giving each element character and breathing life into the internal spaces.
The house tour of the marble home exposes how contrasting light and shadow can add a layer of richness to any interior and exterior space, especially as the light picks up intricate detailing of the marble pieces and bringing with it surprising and innovative depth.
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Architecture by Conrad Architects.
Interior Design by Lauren Tarrant Design.
Marble, Stone, Bathware and Tiles Supplied by Artedomus.
Filmed and Edited by Cheer Squad Film Co.
Production by The Local Project.
#MarbleHome #InteriorDesign #HouseTour
Content
The project is in Toorak in Melbourne, it's a suburb of generous houses, of generous landscape, of generous space.
The site, originally contained a duplex.
It was 40 or 50 years old and well past its use by date.
The brief for the project centred around the creation of a generous family home and really capitalising on the spectacular views of the city.
The form of the building was driven by a desire to create a strong street presence and that led us to create two separate forms., To, really craft the proportions of the forms.
There's a rhythm to the movement through the house.
Through, the gatehouse one enters a private garden and then, due to the importance of the view, we wanted to give that feeling of stepping up to a lookout.
So we purposefully raised the ground floor.
Above.
Your eye is then drawn through a corridor past the staircase in the kitchen, out to a terrace, an infinity edge, swimming pool, and then across to the view.
You would have no idea when entering the front of the house, what to expect, as you walk through the doors.
I like to design homes based on how I like to live.
My life, not only is this home great for entertaining, and it's really special to have people over.
It is also wonderful for my family and I.
This house has been designed as an upside down house where the bedrooms are actually below the living area, which creates a calmness looking outside to greenery.
I like to go with a natural colour palette, to really draw your eye to the outlook and the view, and works very well with the European feel that I wanted for this project.
There's a two-story fall across the site, and so within that the house is actually four stories in height; basement, level, bedroom, level, main living level and then another entertaining and study area on the top floor.
Given.
The house is four stories.
It gave us a really great opportunity to add a spectacular staircase.
And, also the opportunity to use it for the practical function of drawing light from a skylight at the top right down through the centre of the house.
The polished plaster on the balustrade and the walls around the stair, really enhanced and add a glisten and reflection to the light as it moves down through the stairs.
The material palette is purposefully, pared back.
Our architecture is always about restraint and clarity.
We're, really interested in the aspects of architecture that have been around for thousands of years.
The natural result of that was using stone.
We really wanted a stone where we could fine tune the colours between warm and cold, and from our past experience with Artedomus, we knew that they could deliver on this., The design.
Brief came about for this project when Lauren contacted us, along with Paul, looking for a feature stone for the whole house;, the facade, the interior, and that's where we started looking at different options and selections.
The main stone, that's Grigio, Orsola.
We supply in lots of different finishes.
This house has been done in a custom finish of acid-etch, so you know it's got that beautiful leathery texture and when you etch it, it really showcases that beautiful colour throughout it.
We wanted the front facade to have a warmth.
So we were able to work with Artedomus to select slabs that had more rust veining through them.
As, the stone wraps through into the interior.
There was a desire for a cooler palette.
Artedomus were amazing to work with to personalize the space and choose the perfect stone for each room.
They were very patient with me and we looked at many options to finally choose the special pieces around the house.
The next main featured stone in the house is the Vagli marble from Italy, and that is just a selection of beautiful white marble with lovely purples, greens, pink tones and veins.
The.
Next stone is another feature stone.
That's used all throughout the house.
This beautiful stone called the Dedalus.
It's a marble that you can't really find, from our understanding that quarry is closed.
So to find that and find such beautiful slabs was really special and she's used it as a real highlight piece in making the basin in the powder room and the beautiful Den, Holm, sculpture, downstairs.
I believe it's also used in some shelving in the wine cellar, which is really beautiful and really celebrates how special that stone, is.
And.
Lastly, there was some Japanese mosaics that have been used in the spa area that are lovely.
And.
Another really hero piece is the custom Wyrie Table from the New Volumes range designed by Nick Rennie.
It was customized in size and in the natural stone, Selenis.
We, particularly love natural materials that have this inherent character and life and quality to them, materials that invite people towards them and that you want to touch and feel.
I really wanted this property to transport.
You to another location, I've chosen, most of my furniture from Italy to work with the stone.
Because.
The interiors are very large open spaces.
We had to break up the room, so I've chosen.
The theme of tube LED lighting.
You can see this going through sconces around the house.
The jewel of the house is the gorgeous Baxter chandelier hanging over the dining table.
And.
When we approach light in a house, it's not just about maximising natural light everywhere, but it's about creating contrast, and it's that experience of the contrast that adds to the richness.
The light is really key to bringing up the intricate detail in the stone.
So depending where you stand and how you move around the house.
The stone takes on a slightly different character.
I'm, most proud of the transition through the house, the experience of entering the house from the street moving through the central access, experiencing the staircase, and then that termination on the spectacular view of the city.
And at Artedomus, we're so privileged to work with such creatives.
That design such beautiful spaces.
You had an architect and a designer that really understood the materials, understood their limitations, the variations in them, and so when it came down to the end result, everyone was so happy.
If.
I had to summarise the house I'd say it's: a pure expression of scale proportion and light.
FAQs
Can you build a home out of marble? ›
Out of all the natural rocks, granite and marble are the most heat and fire-resistant. In modern construction, marble is mostly used to build houses and construct buildings, especially in regions with high temperatures.
What is the history of marble construction? ›The history of marble quarries goes back to the 3th century BC in Greece, the 7th century in Turkey (Anatolia), and the 1st century in Italy. We can see historical monuments, sculptures, temples, mosques made from marble. Marble is a stone that occurred as a result of the metamorphic transformation of carbonate stones.
How many years does it take for marble to form? ›Marble takes hundreds of years to form and is found among the oldest parts of the Earth's crust.
What building is made out of marble? ›Marble is used throughout the U.S. Capitol Building, the congressional office buildings, and many other government and commercial buildings for its beauty, durability and relative ease of carving. It forms exterior surfaces and such interior elements as floors, walls, columns and stairways.
Who first used marble in architecture? ›The construction of the Temple of Olympia, the Theseum, and portions of the Parthenon in ancient Greece is where marble was first used. Though it also plays a vital structural role in the Taj Mahal, the Romans and Greeks were the civilizations that employed marble the most frequently.
When was marble first used in construction? ›In classical Greece (approximately fifth century BC), the use of white marble was reserved for public stately buildings and temples.
What was marble originally called? ›In geology, the term marble refers to metamorphosed limestone, but its use in stonemasonry more broadly encompasses unmetamorphosed limestone.
What are 3 facts about marble? ›- Marble is a Greek word that refers to the shining and sparkling physical appearance of the stone.
- Marble is a metamorphic stone. ...
- Marble is composed of calcite, aragonite and dolomite crystals.
- Marble is highly porous in nature.
Even better, marble hardens over time; whatever is hewn out of this incredible rock lasts therefore into perpetuity. Marble's metamorphism continues therefore above ground, even after it has been quarried and not just as a result of the whims of sculptors and stonemasons.
How long do marble floors last? ›Marble floors can literally last a lifetime. On average, a marble floor will last 25 years or more, with proper care, cleaning, and regular maintenance.
Why is marble important? ›
Marbles are used principally for buildings and monuments, interior decoration, statuary, table tops, and novelties. Colour and appearance are their most important qualities.
Why is marble important in interior design? ›When used in stairs, columns and walls, marble gives rooms new brightness, elegance and giving the illusion of greater spaciousness. In the classic versions we find it enhanced in large book-matches, it can cover even larger sizes in the modular interpretation of the material.
Where is marble found? ›Modern marble production is dominated by four countries that mine around half of the world's marble: Italy, China, India and Spain. Other countries, including Turkey, Greece and the United States, also have marble quarries.
What was marble before? ›Marble is metamorphosed limestone. Limestone is a sedimentary rock that is composed of the mineral calcite.
Where was the first marble found? ›Historians believe that marbles started with cave people playing with small rounded pebbles or balls of natural clay. Clay balls have been found in the tombs of Egypt, in Native American burial grounds and in the ancient Aztec pyramids.
What is the history of marble floors? ›Prior to the use of natural stone, Grecian structures were made of wood. But the Greeks and Romans recognized the durability of natural stone and especially the beauty of marble. As methods for procuring marble improved and the costs and time reduced, marble began to appear within the homes of the Greeks and Romans.
What is the process of marble? ›When a regional area of limestone is heated, either at a place of convergence between two of the earth's plates or as a result of magma within the earth as a heat source, the calcite crystals within the limestone begin to grow and recrystallize. This metamorphic process is what turns the limestone into marble.
What is the properties of marble? ›Texture - granular. Grain size - medium grained; can see interlocking calcite crystals with the naked eye. Hardness - hard, although component mineral is soft (calcite is 3 on Moh's scale of hardness). Colour - variable - pure marble is white but marble exists in a wide variety of colours all the way through to black .
What is the shape of a marble? ›A marble is a small spherical object often made from glass, clay, steel, plastic, or agate. They vary in size, and most commonly are about 13 mm (1⁄2 in) in diameter. These toys can be used for a variety of games called marbles, as well being placed in marble runs or races, or created as a form of art.
What color is marble? ›Marble is usually a light-colored rock when it is formed from limestone with very few impurities. The marble that contains impurities such as clay minerals, iron oxides, or bituminous material can be bluish, gray, pink, yellow, or black in color.
What does marble symbolize in the Bible? ›
In Esther 1:6, pillars and a pavement of marble are features of the palace of Ahasuerus. In Song of Solomon 5:15, the various parts of the body of the "beloved" are likened to gold, beryl, ivory, sapphire, and marble. In Revelation 18:12, marble occurs in the list of the merchandise of Babylon.
What rock did marble come from? ›Limestone forms when shells, sand, and mud are deposited at the bottom of oceans and lakes and over time solidify into rock. Marble forms when sedimentary limestone is heated and squeezed by natural rock-forming processes so that the grains recrystallize.
How long does marble buildings last? ›Marble flooring may endure up to two decades with proper care and attention. The appropriate care and upkeep from a qualified marble cleaning company may extend the life of marble floorings.
How long do marble structures last? ›On average, a marble floor will last 25 years or more, with proper care, cleaning, and regular maintenance.
What is the problem with using marble as a building stone? ›When using thin marble, dark coloured cements can actually be seen through the marble and darken the appearance of the finished floor. Another problem with dark cements, most notably Portland type cements, is that alkalis and other salts may pass from the cement into the stone and can sometimes attack the marble.
Can walls be made of marble? ›While a lot of people go for paintings, textures, wall stickers, etc., an elegant and natural way to make your walls stand out is by incorporating marble. A marble wall can transform any space into a thing of beauty – be it your living room, bedroom, bathroom, or kitchen.
Does marble floor crack easily? ›Marble tiles are mostly durable and can withstand normal wear and tear. However, if you are supplied with poor quality marble, your marble floors will most likely crack and break with heavy traffic in no time. In some cases, the tiles already have hairline cracks before installation.
Is marble water proof? ›Cool, smooth to the touch and moisture-resistant, marble is an elegant, stylish material that's a natural choice for the bathroom. Use marble in flooring, wall cladding and even on sanitary ware items like baths and sinks. To all intents and purposes, marble is fully waterproof for the domestic bathroom.
Which marble is best for home? ›The Indian green marble is one of the most exported Indian house marble worldwide. High durability and sturdiness have made it a top choice for flooring, bathroom walls and tabletops.
Why is marble hard to maintain? ›1. Marble is a porous, high-maintenance surface. We could get into the geology of this, but the takeaway is that marble is vulnerable to staining agents (like wine, juice and oil) that seep deep into the rock.
Is marble hard to maintain? ›
Although marble is a beautiful and durable stone surface for kitchen countertops, it requires specific care for cleaning and maintenance. Marble is composed of calcium carbonate, which makes it susceptible to etching by any acid-based foods or cleaning products (including vinegar and lemon juice).
What are the weaknesses of marble? ›Marble is a calcareous stone and is susceptible to acid etching. It's generally soft so it may be easily scratched. All stone flooring needs a good amount of maintenance.
What causes damage to marble? ›Food and drink such as coffee, wine, fruit juices, soda, and tomato sauce are very acidic and can etch or dull the surface of marble as well as result in stains. Cleaning products can also etch or stain the surface of marble.
How thick is marble wall finish? ›Minimum thickness
In the past, it was necessary to work with thicknesses of at least 2 centimeters. However, at present we are able to calibrate the minimum thicknesses from 5 mm. to 20 mm, depending on the requirements of each application and design.
Which Materials Are the Best Substitutes for Marble? Although there are other products that can replicate the look of marble, such as cultured marble, three of the best alternatives you can find to marble are quartz, quartzite and granite.
Can you lay marble over wood? ›If it's a wood subfloor, you don't want seasonal changes in humidity to cause cracks as the floor picks up moisture and swells. This situation can be solved by making sure you install the marble tile on top of a crack-isolation membrane. It's also very important for the subfloor to be in the same plane.