For a large project of 300 exclusive villas' on a tropical location we were asked to offer a variety of innovating solutions in natural stone. Besides the more classic solutions like paving and wall cladding in bookmatch we presented some highly exclusive eyecatchers in natural stone. Together with our supplier of semi-precious and gemstones we offered a bathtub made of Blue Agate.

Historically Blue Agate was placed in water and boiled. After drinking the water it should dispel sickness. Besides the healing aspects it is said to have properties like, calming and balancing energy. True or not true, one thing is for sure; a bath like this is a pearl in any bathroom. For the people who do not like blue we can offer this also in White Quartz, Black Petrified Wood and Tiger Eye Gold. For the price of a modest car it can be yours too!

Please click on more for more images and info about the solutions we offered for this project..  

During Stone Week 2016 a large number of new materials were being presented in the impressive Stone Gallery of Antolini in Verona, Italy. Some of these materials I saw already at the natural stone fair of Verona in September 2015 but it is always nice to see all the latest materials nicely presented together. Antolini is based on the number of various materials on stock the biggest natural stone supplier in the world. They also have the best natural stone showrooms and when you visit them you get a clear understanding of the infinite possibilities and beauty of natural stone. I personally regret that the Stone Gallery is lately only accessible when accompanied by a sales person. It is one of the best places to get inspired for a new project or to look for a certain color or structure in a material and I rather do that by myself or just with my client. For this article I selected the following materials to bring under your attention:

The semi-precious products are without a doubt the most exclusive natural stone products on the market. Top Granito is supplying these precious materials more and more lately. So often actually, that we decided to create a new product page on our website named luxury. According to us, the main reason for this increase is the fact that even the rich and famous do not want to pay too much for exclusivity and our main supplier gives us the possibility to order the exact sizes we need. Basically there is no material loss and this makes all the difference. The quality however, is outstanding and is among the best available worldwide. This is not only the quality of the actual semi-precious and gemstones but also the quality of the slab production. On top of that we are able to deliver big size slabs (max.315x180cm) and there is even a unique outdoor collection available which is guaranteed from -20 to +90 Celsius and ...........

Everybody knows the material Porphyry as the little cube stones used in historical centers as paving on squares and streets. The material is indeed very strong, frost resistant and very suitable for outside use, but here I would like to point out the unexpected possibilities for interior design.

Top Granito is together with our partner for Porphyry and other volcanic stones always looking to find new and wider ways of the use of stone, valuing its variety and its infinite possibilities of the use together with other materials such as wood and steel.

Before I start with the possibilities for interior design, first in short its origin and some characteristics of the material. The Italian porphyry is originated from the province Trento in North Italy. The material has been quarried for many, many centuries and has become a symbol of ancient building culture. The material is if we look at the strength, frost resistance and water absorption comparable with granite, so very strong and durable.