Why Bespoke Marble Fireplaces Are Making a Comeback
Posted on 29th July 2022 at 16:32
Why Bespoke Marble Fireplaces Are Making a Comeback
Bespoke marble fireplaces are coveted features in many homes. They’re a step-up from a brick fireplace, allowing your living room to ooze effortless elegance and style. With a range of colours and surround styles available, matching your fireplace to your decor has never been simpler.
Combine that with how many of us have turned to home improvements over the last couple of years, it’s no surprise bespoke marble fireplaces are making a comeback. Continue reading as we explore everything you need to know about these luxe statement pieces, from styling to cleaning marble fireplaces.
What Is Marble?
Before we go any further, let’s cover what marble is. Marble is a natural stone formed below the Earth’s surface under intense heat and pressure. Mineral deposits are caught in the stone, which is what causes the distinctive veining. It’s this veining which makes each slab unique, giving you an exclusive feature for your home.
Why Is Marble Used for Fireplaces?
Historically, marble was used for fireplaces because of its beauty, functionality, and as a sign of your social status. Marble was, and still is, an expensive stone. People would install it in their homes not just for its practicality, but also as a symbol of their wealth.
Over the years, marble has become a timeless addition to any room. From worktops to decorative lamps, we love coasting the marble fashion trends and finding new ways to display it in our homes.
A marble fireplace remains the ultimate way to create a striking focal point to design the rest of the room around. Along with its beauty and iconic status, marble has a range of other properties that make it a top choice for a fireplace. Let’s cover these in more detail below.
Different Colours and Finishes
Bespoke marble fireplaces are made to fit perfectly in your home, from the size and shape to the colour and finish. Whether you want clean, contemporary lines for a modern home or ornate carvings with a classic feel, there’s a style for every occasion.
As marble is naturally formed, each piece is unique with ripples and veining creating its distinctive look. You can choose from a range of colours, from crisp whites with flashes of silver to jet blacks, greens, and even pinks.
Each slab can have a matte-honed finish for a natural look or a polished finish for a high-shine appearance. Honed marble doesn’t show scratches as much, so it’s a good choice for high-use areas.
Marble Withstands Heat
Marble is a heat-proof and durable material that isn’t considered combustible, so you don’t need to worry about spitting embers starting a fire. In fact, a marble fireplace is one design feature that’s certain to withstand the test of time. With some basic care, marble will likely outlast your home without requiring any major repair.
Due to its high-thermal mass, marble retains heat. This means your fireplace will radiate heat and warmth for a good while after the fire’s gone out, and certainly for longer than many other materials. But don’t worry! The marble surround stays cool to the touch since it’s a natural insulator, releasing stored heat slowly as temperatures cool down.
Versatile Designs
With such versatile designs, bespoke marble fireplaces suit any style of room, from historic settings to minimalist modern vibes.
For a touch of old-world opulence, you can have your bespoke marble fireplace carved into an ornate design. This style doesn't have to be saved for period houses, though, as they look striking in modern homes too. Let your mantel do the talking and keep other details in the room pared back.
Another option is to match your hearth and mantle to the veining of the marble for an elegantly chic finish. If you’ve got white marble with luxe gold veining, try adding a honey-coloured hearth to bring out the natural warmth of the stone.
With such distinctive marble available around the world, you really can choose any style, colour, and design to create a bespoke feature for your home.
Simple Maintenance
Maintaining and cleaning marble fireplaces is a concern for some people. The porous nature does mean it’s liable to staining if spills are left unattended, but marble is a tough stone that’s relatively simple to care for.
At Granite Unlimited, our expert stonemason is on hand to recommend the most suitable marble for your particular project. Getting the right slab makes it much easier to care for in the long run.
A clean, damp cloth is usually sufficient to wipe up spills and clean your marble. You may choose to use a sealing product to protect your marble further. Find out more about marble maintenance in our expert guide.
Marble Lasts
Bespoke marble fireplaces are certainly a long-term investment. It may cost more to install one than a brick fireplace, but it has a certain degree of permanence. You don’t change your fireplace every year or two like you might the colour of your walls. Instead, it’s designed to last for years to come.
Choosing this durable stone is a great way to create an exceptional feature in your living room that will stay looking as good as the day you installed it. Marble is a reliable material for areas with high temperatures, which is vital when you want your focal point to keep the high standards of your room.
Cleaning Marble Fireplaces
Marble is a porous stone, which means it does require some maintenance to keep it looking its best. Implementing a simple yet regular cleaning routine and keeping on top of spills will take care of most of the upkeep.
In some cases, cleaning marble fireplaces alone won’t prevent staining from soot and moisture. In this instance, we’d recommend applying a sealant or polish to assist the natural water-repellent characteristics of the stone. It also helps to restore the shine on polished bespoke marble fireplaces.
Of course, ensure you don’t drag any heavy or sharp objects across the surface, as this could lead to scuffs and scratches.
Bespoke Marble Fireplaces by Granite Unlimited
With so many benefits of marble fireplaces, it’s easy to see why they’re making a comeback. The marble fashion trends may have changed over the years, but it’s a stone that will always bring a touch of timeless elegance to any room.
Our stone products are often favoured by anyone wanting to bring some luxury into their home, and what better way to do this than by installing a new marble fireplace? With over 30 years of experience, our master stonemason is on hand to create a design from scratch or simply replace an old fireplace.
Contact us today for more information on how we can help you.
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