The Beauty of Carrara Marbles

Carrara marbles are a favorite of the English home décor. It creates a magnificent appeal when strategically placed and paired well. However, there’s more to know about the marble than just this.

Formation and Design of Carrara

Carrara marbles are formed and quarried from northern Tuscany’s coast. The formations of marbles give them a distinct appearance distinguishing one from the other. Limestone deposits compacted under rocks and subject to changing pressure and temperature conditions, leads to the formations of marbles. The distinct color of the Carrara marble is because of negligible impurities in the soil. The veins which give this marble a unique look occur as a result of slight impurities which are present.

Available formats

The grading of this marble follows the order of the whitest to pale, with the whitest being the purest and pricier. MKW Surfaces has a great collection of Carrara marbles for worktops and other home décor formats in London.

Carrara marbles are available in tiles, blocks and sheets. While sculptors generally seek the purest of whites, architects look for the prominently veined ones for adding texture and dimension to their design.

Properties and Behavior

Carrara marble has been a popular choice amongst English interior designers and architects. Its use though has been majorly seen in monuments and statuary. Michelangelo carved the colossal statue of David using Carrara marble. While ease of chiseling was one of his prime reasons of choosing this marble, the veined grey-blue color imparts a classic and sophisticated look that’s unique amongst its pedigree.

While Carrara is naturally durable, it can chip and stain. The chipping pints are generally the veins, which are the weak points. Staining can occur with the use of acidic liquids such as lemon or tomato juice. Hence, it mostly needs to be sealed with a protective coating for longevity and to resist staining. Although when used in bathroom flooring, honed finishes are best and such coatings should be avoided as it make the surface slippery.

Using Carrara marble in interiors

Carrara marble is generally used in hotels and spas, often generously (floor-to-ceiling). However, designers and architects prefer selective use of this marble as they believe that at times, it may overwhelm the space. English interiors typically incorporate Carrara marble into their designs. Ornately carved fire spaces, grand staircases, kitchen worktops and bathroom floorings are some of the most popular places that designers like to use these marbles.

When used with contrasting contemporary marbles, wood, antique décor, soft muted finishes, brushed chrome and polished nickel, this marble looks striking and brings out a regal appeal in interiors. Book matched tiles or slabs can be used to create mirrored or repeated veining. Although expensive, book matched marbles can create a work of art in itself making your interiors completely unique.

How have you incorporated the Carrara marble in your interior designs? Share your thoughts and experiences with us below. For more information visit here http://www.mkwsurfaces.co.uk/products/marble/natural-marble/

About Author:

Maria Kairuz is responsible for the day-to-day-operations of MKW Surfaces as well as an avid fashion connoisseur and blogger.