The use of natural stone in interior decoration. Artificial stone in the interior

Wood, stone, brick, clay are traditional materials for the construction of residential buildings. Having migrated from the exterior to the interior, they are also used for interior decoration premises. Thanks to development technological processes, creating all kinds of shades, sizes and textures for decoration, artificial stone in the interior has become a favorite technique of decorators, and various masonry structures have become strong accents that make the living space individual. The use of an artificial analogue of natural stone allows you to maintain the interior of the house in a wide variety of styles, from Empire style, as an imitation of ancient Greek, to any variations of modern minimalism.

Types of artificial stone

According to the tasks that need to be solved using finishing made of artificial stone material, the following varieties are used:

Features that provide benefits

Unlike natural stone, its artificial version has significant advantages:

• Weighs less, which means it can be attached to lighter structures;
• Requires low glue consumption;
• There is a wide range of sizes and color palettes, which makes it easier to choose options for your intended interior.

When finishing surfaces with artificial stone material important element The grout has an additional decorative function. According to color ratio it can:

• maintain the basic tone;
• be lighter than the main tone;
• be darker than the main tone.

The width of the joint filled with grout is determined according to the dimensions of the stone fragments and varies from 3 to 15 mm.

Stone decor in the interior

Types and color options of artificial stone are used inside different rooms of the house. Concrete decorative stone in the interior of the living room is used to decorate walls and large vertical surfaces. The larger the space for masonry, the larger the stone fragments, the more advantageous the final result looks.

The fashion for openings trimmed with small pieces of brick is a thing of the past. Today, following the style means using large amounts of artificial stone.

However, we should not forget that even chaos is subject to the laws of harmony. Therefore, before performing the work, it is necessary to make a sketch, lay out the stone on a horizontal surface and accurately transfer it to the object to be decorated.

Hallway: “cave age” or modernity

Inside this room, it is worth using decorative stone in the interior when decorating walls, laying it on one or several surfaces, or when decorating a large space entrance area, place free-standing boulders and cobblestones that will ideally support the ethno or minimalist style.

Another interesting, but time-consuming technique is to install shallow channels at the base of the floor. These channels are filled with artificial “pebbles” or laid out with decorative stones like cobblestones or pavement.

White bedroom in stone: peace, comfort and healthy sleep

The ideal tone of stone in a bedroom interior is white, milky, echoing light textile designs, forged parts painted with light colors, and patina on light-colored furniture.

On one of the walls of a rustic or Scandinavian-style bedroom, you can install one that is suitable in size and decorate it with decorative stone masonry.

Stone decor in extreme conditions: kitchen and bathroom

Using artificial stone to decorate the walls of rooms with high humidity or sudden fluctuations temperature regime(bathroom and kitchen) requires a special approach and some precautions.

Although artificial stone has higher strength and performance characteristics compared to natural types of granite or marble, it is still susceptible to the destructive effects of water, high temperatures, hot steam.

Therefore, if the desire to have a wall made of artificial brick in the kitchen is great, then it is better not to place it next to the stove, so as not to waste time removing grease stains, or to treat it with special protective compounds (varnishes, water repellents).

As the most durable and reliable material, stone has been used for construction, probably since the appearance of the first people on Earth. Made from it Egyptian pyramids, Great Chinese Wall, megalithic structures of the Mayan civilization, ancient temples and medieval fortresses.

Just a hundred years ago stone houses Only wealthy owners could afford it - the rest were content with clay and wooden huts. Even now, despite the huge variety of building materials, the use of natural sandstone, granite, and marble in the interior is a sign of elitism.

However, imitations natural stone they look no worse, but they are more affordable, easier to process, and sometimes have better resistance to changes in humidity, temperature, mechanical stress. More details about this type of finishing and methods of its application will be discussed in this article.

What is decorative stone?

Artificial stone has an external resemblance to natural stone, but it is not extracted from the ground, but is made manually or industrially. The methods are similar to each other - the solution is poured into a mold (silicone, plastic, metal), dried, sometimes heat treated (firing), coated with various impregnations or glazes.

Depending on the composition of the raw materials, the product can be concrete, ceramic, gypsum, acrylic, or polyester. There is also the so-called liquid stone in the form of an unhardened mixture, as well as flexible - a kind of stone veneer in rolls or sheets.

For external work, frost-resistant slabs are used, with minimal porosity and rougher in appearance. The interior uses lightweight, thin elements. Their environmental friendliness largely depends on the binder and fillers.

Thus, cement, sand, gypsum and clay are not inferior to natural stone, freely allowing air and moisture to pass through, but acrylic resins are safe only at low temperatures - placing them near a fireplace, oven and other heating appliances is not recommended. If already at +30°C a synthetic countertop, bathtub or sink exudes bad smell, it is better to avoid purchasing them, since this is often a sign of low-quality ingredients that are toxic to health.

Features of application

In one form or another, decorative stone can be seen anywhere: they decorate houses, apartments, offices, cafes, train stations and administrative buildings. In dry rooms, relief artificial sandstone, shell rock, cobblestone, slate are more common, and in humid and crowded rooms - smooth “polished” granite, marble, glazed brick tiles.

In the first case, the stone gives the interior a cozy and warm look, in the second - it resembles a seashore with its rounded pebbles, as well as turned boulders. From a practical point of view, this also makes sense, because a glossy surface is much easier to clean, while a matte surface becomes unsightly when exposed to water and steam.

Decorative stone in the living room interior

The energy of a stone, even a decorative one, brings into the house a feeling of some stability, tranquility and peace. Perhaps, on a subconscious level, it is associated with the reliable walls of a fortress protecting from enemies or the constancy of one’s home.

This material is indispensable when facing an existing fireplace, since it best transfers the heat of the flame to the surrounding space. In apartments where it is not possible to arrange such romantic heating, electric imitations or simply niches with candles are often installed. In this case, both the portal itself and the wall can be lined with stone - completely or partially.

Sometimes stone is simply used to create interior accents, for example, to frame corners, arches, ledges, and columns. Along with such a noble addition, it is worth using soft, natural shades, wood and leather textures, natural fabrics and furs, and soft yellowish-white light. Green plants, especially climbing ones, look incredibly beautiful against the background of stone.

Imitation of sandstone cuts and raw granite is ideal for decorating a country-style living room or chalet. Plaster and light marble will help reproduce the classic atmosphere, but in a loft and minimalism, stone tiles imitating brick will be most appropriate.

Decorative stone in the kitchen interior

The kitchen is exactly the place where stone cladding looks most natural. Firstly, it reminds us of real hearths and stoves, in which it has long been customary to cook food and bake bread. Secondly, this is the most fire-resistant finishing option.

Countertops made of artificial stone have confidently won everyone’s love thanks to their perfectly smooth surface, on which no traces of a knife or hot utensils remain. In addition, they are very aesthetically pleasing - the unique pattern of polished stone creates the impression of luxury. Polymer sinks, window sills, and bar counters have the same advantages.

In general, when choosing decorative stone for the kitchen, it is advisable to choose products with high density, coated with glaze or varnish, since porous products (for example, concrete-sand) can accumulate moisture, dirt and odors. The tiles that will be used to cover the apron must be non-staining, easy to clean and not melt when heated.

Decorative stone in the bedroom interior

When combined with other natural finishes, stonework can help create a relaxed atmosphere in the bedroom. country house or a spacious loft. If you choose natural colors and embossed texture, it will fit well into a Mediterranean, rustic, ethnic interior. As an addition, beams on the ceiling are suitable, rough wooden furniture, linen textiles, as well as fluffy carpets on the floor.

It is better to avoid glossy imitations of stone in the bedroom - they look a little cold and can cause unsettling feelings. It is advisable to highlight sections of walls with stone cladding so that the room does not turn into a gloomy crypt.

Lamps stylized as antique metal lanterns, torches or kerosene lamps will look especially impressive.

Decorative stone in the interior of a nursery

Artificial stone can be a real boon for some design ideas for decorating a children's room. With it, ordinary walls can easily turn into the tower of a fairy-tale castle, a mysterious cave, a salt dungeon or an underwater kingdom.

An interesting effect can be achieved if you line the edges of photo wallpaper with a landscape with stone - the room will expand and gain perspective. You can also use imitation pebbles in children's decor: make beautiful mosaics and panels, frames for pictures or mirrors, paint them in the form of bugs and snails.

Decorative stone in the interior of the hallway and corridor

The hallway, decorated with decorative stone, is somewhat reminiscent of the cozy streets of ancient European cities. You can immediately feel the excellent taste of the owners of the house.

The masonry can decorate the walls entirely or in separate fragments, but in any case it will be an elegant design. Mirrors in wrought-iron frames, “street” lamps and benches, as well as a large clock with Roman numerals, like on town halls, will help to emphasize the beauty of the stone decoration in the corridor.

Decorative stone in the interior of a balcony and loggia

Decorating the walls with decorative stone is perfect for an insulated balcony or loggia and will give the interior a rich look. In these small areas you can create a cozy place for drinking tea, reading books, organizing a work corner or a mini-greenhouse.

The use of stone during the construction of various types of buildings has centuries-old traditions. The material was the main one and was used in construction in ancient civilizations (Rome, Greece, Egypt and even India). At first, stone blocks acted as the main parts of the structure, which bore the entire load. But after a while, dramatic changes occurred in the construction industry, as a result of which bricks, concrete and other materials appeared. But this does not mean that they have completely replaced natural stone. Minerals remain, but are used more as decorative element in the interior or exterior.

Main advantages

IN last years people began to value natural materials more. And this is very correct. After all, stones transmit positive energy to the home, which means they make living more comfortable.

Judging by quality, minerals cannot be compared with artificial materials. They are many times superior to them in all positions. For example, according to such characteristics as:

• reliability;
• durability;
• strength;
• environmental friendliness;
• beauty.

Attention! There is one disadvantage of minerals - and that is the price. If you are not afraid of such a disadvantage, but do not know how to find stone processors, then we will help you. We recommend contacting Amigostone. Here you can easily find a specialist who will help bring any idea to life.

Material selection

Finishing with natural stone is a fairly popular and widely used method of decorating a building. Variety of textures and textures decorative material makes it possible to transform the building beyond recognition. With the help of finishing you can even an old house improve and make it more modern. However, for this you need to choose the right material.

The types of natural stone are as follows:

• marble;
• granite;
• olomite;
• shell rock;
• limestone;
• travertine;
• sandstone.

All of them are popular to one degree or another. However, granite and marble are most widespread. Actually, this is precisely what can explain the high price of these materials. But the result is worth it. After all, after decorating an object with such wonderful rocks, it becomes more impressive, which is noticeable at first glance.

Natural stone: application

Many natural minerals become decorations for facade walls, fences, and fireplaces. Those who cannot afford full stone decoration choose a more budget option. They decorate only window or doorways, as well as certain places that I would like to focus on.

A stone such as travertine is widely used to decorate buildings in an antique style. This mineral has a porous structure, which is why the top layer must be covered with mastic. This is done in order to prevent possible cracking and significantly extend the period of use of travertine. And some species in appearance resemble aged tree bark, dotted with uneven cracks. Such materials are relevant in country or eco style.

As for shell rock and sandstone, they are very amenable to processing. The advantages of these materials also include their low price. Stones are very often used as a facing material for facades. The resulting finish adequately withstands the harshest climatic conditions and is characterized by high strength.

A very important and significant category is the production of countertops and other interior items from natural stone. A similar material is also used for flooring. In this case, it turns out stylish, effective and very interesting design premises. When entering a room with a “stone” floor, your eyes are drawn only to it. Whatever mineral is used for installation, such decor looks aesthetically pleasing and solid. This is an excellent option for interiors designed in a classic, Gothic or antique style. Although in modern designs The “stone” floor also finds its place. For example, styles such as art deco, constructivism, eclecticism, etc.

Source: website amigostone.ru

• 

  The use of natural stone for decorating exteriors...

• 
  

Today it is a very common way to create an exclusive, and at the same time comfortable, environment not only in office , but also in your home. Depending on the budget, this finishing can be done in completely different ways.

The advantages of using decorative stone in the interior of a residential or office space:

Decorative stone wall decoration studio apartment or studio has a number of advantages:

1. Immune to fungi and bacteria;
2. This type of finish is not susceptible to rotting;
3. The material is environmentally safe and does not contain any components harmful to humans;
4. Does not require special care. Can be cleaned by anyone detergent, not containing abrasive particles.

A wide selection of tint types, which you can see in the photo on the Internet, allows you to choose suitable options for any interior.

Basic rules for interior design using stone

When planning to decorate a one-room apartment with decorative stone with your own hands, you should adhere to certain rules.

It is important to remember the coexistence of stone and light. In an apartment or studios where such a design is planned, there must be excellent lighting, as can be seen in the photo. Thanks to it, it will be possible to emphasize the structural features of this material.

On a note! An insufficient amount of light will cause the space to be visually compressed, and this will only give the room a gloomy and gloomy look..

An excellent solution would be to complement the stone finishing with living plants. After all, decorative stone will look amazing on any natural landscape. That is why rooms with such decoration must be decorated with various plants.

Metal and glass are perfectly combined with stone decoration, this is clearly visible in the photo. Therefore, the design of rooms with a similar interior may involve metal surfaces, furniture, decor and interior items made of glass and metal.

It is important to remember that the stone needs space. If you use stone finishing in a small room, it will look even narrower. In general, it is not recommended to use this material in, as well as for finishing ceilings.

Advice! It is better to use it in living rooms, bedrooms or other spacious rooms. It is possible if it decorates certain parts of walls, rooms or ceilings.

• Following these simple rules will allow you to achieve the integrity and beauty of your interior using decorative stone.

What can be decorated with decorative stone?

Most often and most successfully, stone is used to decorate the hallway, line doorways, and are also successfully used for fireplace finishing or as original panels for walls . And they are almost never used to decorate ceilings.

The finishing area can be completely different - either a small piece or the entire wall. For example, if you finish doorways or arches in the room , taking into account the fact that the area to be finished will not be large, you can change appearance the interior is beyond recognition, this can be seen from numerous photos on the Internet.

Decorative stone cladding is used very often for fireplaces. Moreover, you can achieve the expected result even without brick cladding .

Important! One of the significant advantages of decorative stone is its ability to insulate a room. In addition, with such a solution you can decorate your apartment in any stylistic options -Gothic , , empire style and etc.

Where to begin?

Inside each of these points there are quite a lot of little things that cannot be discounted if you design the room yourself. It is thanks to small details that a complete picture of the interior is created.

How to choose a stone for finishing?

The first step is choosing a stone. The most budget options suggest using artificial stone. More often they give preference to one of the two most popular types:

1. decorative stone based on gypsum;
2. colored concrete.

These types of stones differ in physical properties.

• Artificial stones created from colored concrete are characterized by more durable structure . In addition, they have good resistance to moisture , which cannot be said about gypsum stones.
• But plaster options weigh half as much than analogues. This parameter is important because it affects the method of fastening and determines the durability of the apartment’s finishing. Cost of gypsum stones much lower .

On a note! Gypsum stones can be trimmed or decorated with any available materials, which cannot be said about analogues made of colored concrete, the processing of which is possible only with the use of a grinder.

These types of decorative stones are available in a very wide selection, which is clearly visible in the photo. This opens up the opportunity to match them to any design. To obtain not only a beautiful, but also a durable result, you need to take care of the coating for such a stone.

Advice! So that the hallway room does not lose out in space, but rather, on the contrary, gains somewhat, you can apply various drawings, hieroglyphs, even possible, to the walls.

More expensive options:

• Granite or quartzite finish. When designing with these types of stones, it should be taken into account that both of them have low water absorption and high resistance to stains, and also require a minimum of maintenance.

• Marble often used for cladding apartments or studios . Decorating walls with such stone hallway or living room will highlight the refined taste of the owner. General interior it will look expensive, elegant and noble.

• Travertine beats marble and granite in terms of thermal conductivity. In addition, this material has all the characteristics beneficial for wall decoration.