A.S.T. Design Perspectives

Thursday, January 27, 2011

New Impressions of Stone

A simpler life is now being translated as a more natural life. In turn, the modern genre of architecture has evolved to marry clean lines and natural elements. The look is simple, without being severe—it reflects a move away from embellishment and toward the beauty found in daily life.

We’ll see clean form shaped by the celebration of natural materials.
A palette of natural colors like grey, beige and white will become a backdrop for signature pieces or measured use of color.
Clutter-free will be the norm. Clean modern fixtures will be combined with a mix of antiques, wood, natural fibers, chrome and glass.

Stone will be presented in more linear forms. Large-format stone pieces will become more popular.
Honed finishes will be used more often. We’ll see more urban monochromatic palettes come into play.
Expect to see more metallic minerals and graphic patterns in stone.

The White Aesthetic Of 2011

In the coming year, white will become the focal point rather than backdrop. This trend embodies a move away from exuberance and excess, and toward more simple and honest appearances. The result: clarity, grace and a sense of serenity in tumultuous times.

We’ll see more monochromatic, semi-plain decors with clean lines, no clutter and minimal structural effects.
Technology and hand-tooling will be used to add dimension and texture, generating depth and visual interest.
Homage will be paid to strong and classic interpretations of architecture, and not overly masculine or feminine.
Woods, if used, will be pale or dark, grainy and textured.

We’ll see a resurgence of classic white marble in the kitchen and bathroom, often featuring the European prefence for thicker, solid edges.
Stone will be present in various textures and face finishes for a tone-on-tone dimensional effect.
Classic polished stone materials will be tumbled for a new look.