Best of the Week: 40 Marble Marvels From Around the Globe
From floor-to-ceiling marble bathrooms to splashbacks with sensational veins, here's a gallery of marble marvels
Vanessa Walker
20 March 2021
Houzz Australia & New Zealand Editor-in-Chief
Are you thinking of including a marble feature in your home? If so, be prepared to be inspired. From the popular marbles such as Cararra, Calacatta and Statuario, to Nero Marquina and other exotic-to-Australia types, and from great slabs of marble to tiles (and marble-look alternatives), here is a quarry’s worth of images that show myriad ways this wonderful natural product has been used across the globe. Note: Where we could confirm the type of marble, we have noted it in the text.
1. Location: Perth, WA
Why we love it: The veining in the marble is sensational, and adds an element of luxury to the more rustic/low-maintenance aspects of the kitchen.
Why we love it: The veining in the marble is sensational, and adds an element of luxury to the more rustic/low-maintenance aspects of the kitchen.
2. Location: Singapore
Why we love it: Marble-look surfaces feature throughout this property, giving the apartment a funky retro air – not a look commonly associated with white marble. It’s one for the books.
Redesigning your home? Find an interior designer near you for an expertly curated scheme
Why we love it: Marble-look surfaces feature throughout this property, giving the apartment a funky retro air – not a look commonly associated with white marble. It’s one for the books.
Redesigning your home? Find an interior designer near you for an expertly curated scheme
3. Location: Sydney, NSW
Why we love it: Marble is so well employed in this splashback, especially as it acts as a contrast to the black joinery surrounding it. Again, it is an easy way to add a layer of sophistication to almost any scheme.
Why we love it: Marble is so well employed in this splashback, especially as it acts as a contrast to the black joinery surrounding it. Again, it is an easy way to add a layer of sophistication to almost any scheme.
4. Location: Austin, USA
Why we love it: Marble, marble, everywhere… This would just be a stunning bathroom to walk into, let alone to use. The way the timber pops out from the patterning is something to be admired. A brilliantly executed interior.
Why we love it: Marble, marble, everywhere… This would just be a stunning bathroom to walk into, let alone to use. The way the timber pops out from the patterning is something to be admired. A brilliantly executed interior.
5. Location: San Francisco, USA
Why we love it: Using marble with restraint also works well. This marble-tiled floor, paired with high ceilings, gives the room gravitas.
Why we love it: Using marble with restraint also works well. This marble-tiled floor, paired with high ceilings, gives the room gravitas.
6. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Why we love it: The repetition of white marble-clad volumes emphasises the luxury of this relatively small kitchen area. A great example of using this material to raise the stature of a space.
Why we love it: The repetition of white marble-clad volumes emphasises the luxury of this relatively small kitchen area. A great example of using this material to raise the stature of a space.
7. Location: Sydney, NSW
Why we love it: Just stand back and take it in. We love the invitation to admire this stunning space, and the way the marble panels are used solely on the outside of the island bench tone down the ‘look at me’ aspect just enough.
Why we love it: Just stand back and take it in. We love the invitation to admire this stunning space, and the way the marble panels are used solely on the outside of the island bench tone down the ‘look at me’ aspect just enough.
8. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Why we love it: We can’t say it enough… the veins maketh the marble, especially so in this Statuario marble benchtop and splashback.
Why we love it: We can’t say it enough… the veins maketh the marble, especially so in this Statuario marble benchtop and splashback.
10. Location: London, UK
Why we love it: Marble isn’t all light and beauty. Sometimes it adds a darkly dramatic element just where it’s needed.
Why we love it: Marble isn’t all light and beauty. Sometimes it adds a darkly dramatic element just where it’s needed.
11. Location: Los Angeles, USA
Why we love it: Case in point.
Why we love it: Case in point.
12. Location: New York, USA
Why we love it: This is a great example of how black marble can elevate a room from ordinary to extraordinary.
Why we love it: This is a great example of how black marble can elevate a room from ordinary to extraordinary.
13. Location: London, UK
Why we love it: The Statuario marble island bench is the hero of the renovation in this Grade II (heritage) listed Regency house, the ‘furniture’ element anchoring the kitchen and providing a proportional contrast to the tall Georgian windows.
Why we love it: The Statuario marble island bench is the hero of the renovation in this Grade II (heritage) listed Regency house, the ‘furniture’ element anchoring the kitchen and providing a proportional contrast to the tall Georgian windows.
14. Location: London, UK
Why we love it: Imagine this bathroom with plain white walls. The inclusion of marble lifts it into another realm.
Why we love it: Imagine this bathroom with plain white walls. The inclusion of marble lifts it into another realm.
15. Location: Spain
Why we love it: Marble can break out of the ‘simple and sophisticated’ cliche. Here it’s paired with lively patterned tiles to beautiful effect
Why we love it: Marble can break out of the ‘simple and sophisticated’ cliche. Here it’s paired with lively patterned tiles to beautiful effect
16. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Why we love it: The interesting but not overwhelming marble tiles are the ultimate backdrop for the organic-shaped bath. Shape and material working harmoniously.
Why we love it: The interesting but not overwhelming marble tiles are the ultimate backdrop for the organic-shaped bath. Shape and material working harmoniously.
17. Location: London, UK
Why we love it: We love how marble isn’t the standout material here, but provides the link between the dark upper cabinetry and textured cladding on the base cabinets. A lovely and interesting combination.
Why we love it: We love how marble isn’t the standout material here, but provides the link between the dark upper cabinetry and textured cladding on the base cabinets. A lovely and interesting combination.
18. Location: Italy
Why we love it: The black Marquina marble is an incredibly striking feature in this kitchen, adding a dynamic element to a very restrained scheme.
Why we love it: The black Marquina marble is an incredibly striking feature in this kitchen, adding a dynamic element to a very restrained scheme.
19. Location: Leicestershire, UK
Why we love it: Understated marble teamed with dark blue-grey cabinetry. Gold.
Why we love it: Understated marble teamed with dark blue-grey cabinetry. Gold.
20. Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Why we love it: These tiles lift the energy of this Swedish powder room no end.
Why we love it: These tiles lift the energy of this Swedish powder room no end.
21. Location: London, UK
Why we love it: But there’s no need to stick to slab or large-format tiles. Whether they’re marble or marble-look, tiles are a beautifully modern way to integrate marble into an interior.
Browse more beautiful bathrooms
Why we love it: But there’s no need to stick to slab or large-format tiles. Whether they’re marble or marble-look, tiles are a beautifully modern way to integrate marble into an interior.
Browse more beautiful bathrooms
22. Location: Moscow, Russia
Why we love it: Who doesn’t love a five-star hotel-style bathroom? Marble is key when going for that high-brow look.
Why we love it: Who doesn’t love a five-star hotel-style bathroom? Marble is key when going for that high-brow look.
23. Location: Moscow, Russia
Why we love it: And here’s an old-school five-star hotel-style bathroom that would work beautifully in a period property.
Why we love it: And here’s an old-school five-star hotel-style bathroom that would work beautifully in a period property.
24. Location: Bristol, UK
Why we love it: The Arabescato Corchia marble benchtop looks sensational with the Farrow & Ball ‘Hague Blue’ joinery and the Majadas tile splashback from Bert & May. A great combo.
Why we love it: The Arabescato Corchia marble benchtop looks sensational with the Farrow & Ball ‘Hague Blue’ joinery and the Majadas tile splashback from Bert & May. A great combo.
25. Location: Malmo, Sweden
Why we love it: There are times when a touch is enough; especially when there’s another fabulous feature in a room, in this case, the parquetry flooring.
Why we love it: There are times when a touch is enough; especially when there’s another fabulous feature in a room, in this case, the parquetry flooring.
26. Location: Vancouver, Canada
Why we love it: Because this family has created an enchanted oasis in their bathroom, using material and veining to the best effect. 10 out of 10.
Why we love it: Because this family has created an enchanted oasis in their bathroom, using material and veining to the best effect. 10 out of 10.
27. Location: Toronto, Canada
Why we love it: Floral wallpaper and marble is not a pairing you see often. We love the different approach taken here.
Why we love it: Floral wallpaper and marble is not a pairing you see often. We love the different approach taken here.
28. Location: Toronto, Canada
Why we love it: This is another great example of wallpaper and marble working together to benefit each other.
Why we love it: This is another great example of wallpaper and marble working together to benefit each other.
29. Location: Toronto, Canada
Why we love it: These tiles show just how adaptable marble can be. They make a beautiful feature of this wall, without overwhelming the small space.
Why we love it: These tiles show just how adaptable marble can be. They make a beautiful feature of this wall, without overwhelming the small space.
30. Location: Paris, France
Why we love it: Because clouds plus marble lift this room into a higher realm.
Why we love it: Because clouds plus marble lift this room into a higher realm.
31. Location: Toronto, Canada
Why we love it: This is such a modern interpretation of marble as a material, and one that would work equally well in a contemporary or period property. One for saving.
Why we love it: This is such a modern interpretation of marble as a material, and one that would work equally well in a contemporary or period property. One for saving.
32. Location: New York, USA
Why we love it: Because sometimes it pays to stand out from the crowd. Plus, for those with a long memory, we did say that green and brown marble would make a resurgence.
Why we love it: Because sometimes it pays to stand out from the crowd. Plus, for those with a long memory, we did say that green and brown marble would make a resurgence.
33. Location: Spain
Why we love it: Just wow.
Why we love it: Just wow.
34. Location: Vancouver, Canada
Why we love it: Another example of marble used generously, and how you need very few other materials in a room once you have this hero element onboard.
Why we love it: Another example of marble used generously, and how you need very few other materials in a room once you have this hero element onboard.
35. Location: Paris, France
Why we love it: Used in a feature wall, it allows a space to ‘breathe’ while providing a beautiful background feature. We love this application.
Why we love it: Used in a feature wall, it allows a space to ‘breathe’ while providing a beautiful background feature. We love this application.
36. Location: Montpellier, France
Why we love it: Same idea in a slightly subtler way. Marble is just a wonderful material to add gravitas to a scheme without making a big, bold statement.
Why we love it: Same idea in a slightly subtler way. Marble is just a wonderful material to add gravitas to a scheme without making a big, bold statement.
37. Location: London, UK
Why we love it: Against all the straight lines and symmetry in this bathroom, the veins in these Carrara marble tiles add an element that loosens up the space just enough.
Why we love it: Against all the straight lines and symmetry in this bathroom, the veins in these Carrara marble tiles add an element that loosens up the space just enough.
38. Location: Japan
Why we love it: Polished marble slabs laid floor-to-ceiling are a guaranteed way to give a room the royal treatment.
Why we love it: Polished marble slabs laid floor-to-ceiling are a guaranteed way to give a room the royal treatment.
39. Location: Madrid, Spain
Why we love it: Marble on marble. Not many have thought of it, but it looks sensational in this bathroom. We think this pairing could work well in Australian homes.
Why we love it: Marble on marble. Not many have thought of it, but it looks sensational in this bathroom. We think this pairing could work well in Australian homes.
40. Location: Sydney, NSW
Why we love it: Speaking of Australian homes, you can’t go wrong with one marble element paired with our national favourite: timber. It adds a luxurious element to a room without breaking the bank.
Your turn
Are you a fan of marble? Tell us how you’ve used it at home in the Comments section below. And if you enjoyed this story, don’t forget to like it, share it, save it and join the conversation.
More
Want more inspiration? Best of the Week: 30 Wonderful Window Treatments
Why we love it: Speaking of Australian homes, you can’t go wrong with one marble element paired with our national favourite: timber. It adds a luxurious element to a room without breaking the bank.
Your turn
Are you a fan of marble? Tell us how you’ve used it at home in the Comments section below. And if you enjoyed this story, don’t forget to like it, share it, save it and join the conversation.
More
Want more inspiration? Best of the Week: 30 Wonderful Window Treatments
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Looked the marble in my kitchen and laundry so much I am now putting to marble tiles in my three bathrooms. So classy and functional
None of them really excited me, too busy with patterns, less is more with me.
Loved 32...if you're going to marble then I say go all out with it and make a statement and bring in the colours you love!