Sunday, 9 October 2022 | 13.8°C Dublin

Premium subscribers enjoy unlimited access to all articles. But there's more: discover your full benefits now.

I nteriors trends may come and go but this timeless and beautiful material is here to stay

Murcell dining table in oak and marble, £3,595, sohohome.com

'Anjo' stripe round marble and wood serving board, €42, Oliver Bonas

Marble nested side tables, €50 for set of two, Penneys/Primark

Fleet Coffee Table Fantasy Brown Marble , €1,195, Sohohome.com

Marble Disk Table, €,1150, geridesigns.ie

Many years ago, on a summer trip to Marbella, I came home with more than I had bargained for… a vintage marble coffee table that is so heavy I can barely move it. Several months later, after I had almost forgotten about it, the coffee table arrived on my doorstep, and it’s still one of my favourite things. It is utterly sophisticated, cool, and despite its grand age, contemporary. I think that has as much to do with the fact that it is marble as it has to do with its mid-century design.

M arble is expensive, but it is also practically indestructible and timeless. Even if you do somehow damage it (some marble can be porous and so spills can cause a problem), it manages to retain its beauty.

'Anjo' stripe round marble and wood serving board, €42, Oliver Bonas

People think marble is cold in a room, but it doesn’t have to be, especially when you consider some of the beautiful pink and peach hues it comes in, not to mention that it’s a great material for conducting underfloor heat.

My favourite way to use marble is to have a statement piece and build a room around that, whether it’s a fireplace, a coffee table or a bath, a large piece of marble furniture is always going to become a focal point in a room. If you’re buying a stand-alone piece, think of an object’s functionality. A coffee table or console table is a classic piece that you will use forever. You can pick up marble-topped cabinets and sideboards at auction.

Marble is always beautiful and versatile for floors, particularly in hallways, kitchens and bathrooms. If you have a tiny bathroom, look into decorating it completely in marble — it might not be as expensive as you think. If you have a huge bathroom and an equally large budget, try some of the amazing oversized polished marble tiles that are now available in the most dramatic shades of blues and greens. Italian Tile & Stone (tiles.ie) has spectacular options.

Marble nested side tables, €50 for set of two, Penneys/Primark

For something completely individual, select your own piece of marble, perhaps for a kitchen island countertop, from somewhere like Marble & Granite in Dublin (marblegranite.ie).

If your budget doesn’t stretch to a large piece, remember you can find beautiful marble objets at local auctions and salvage yards for exceptional value. Marble picture frames, candle holders, bookends, or a simple bust or piece of sculpture always bring a sense of luxury and sophistication to any room. Even something as utilitarian as a marble pestle and mortar or a cheeseplate can spark joy!

Get the best home, property and gardening stories straight to your inbox every Saturday

Enter email address This field is required Sign Up

A Mediahuis Website © Independent.ie