STONE ART
Marquina, Negro Abanilla, Alcantara Black and Black Emperador. This was also true of the engineered and sintered stone producers. Of course, where there is black, there is usually white. White marble has long been the mainstay of stone shows as it is the preferred material of so many architects, interior designers, developers and home owners. So it was little surprise to see strong displays of Bianco Carrara, Calacatta, Thassos, Volakas and other white marbles. But when it came to white, it is clear that not all whites are equal, with several producers billing themselves as home to the purest, whitest stones. Frankly, some of these stones are so pure and brilliant, that it is hard to make the case for specifying them in place of a pure white composite alternative. Perhaps the best presentation of white stones was Mermeren’s Sivec display, which showed the subtle graduations of whiteness within one branded range (http://www. mermeren.com). The whiteness of Bianco Sivec marble, its homogenous form, and the micro-granular structure – as well as the worldwide scarcity of snow white marble – makes this an in-demand stone, specified for major high end projects including hotels, commercial buildings, and luxury villas. When it comes to white Calacatta marble, Turkey was again to the fore. Ermer (http://www.calacatta-marble. com) was one supplier among many to catch the eye. It provides online stock checking; a great sales tool for this in-demand, rare commodity. Dramatic granites provided some of the show’s most impressive displays. Jyothi Granite (http:// www.jyothiexports.com) deserves a mention. This Indian operation processes a variety of colours including Black Pearl, Black Galaxy, Absolute Black, Steel Grey, Shikori Brown, Colonial White, River White and Colonial Gold. The company’s stand really capitalised on a portfolio of 18 varieties of granites, which offer great colours, quality and finish.
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Alveo (top) is designed by Raffaello Galiotto in collaboration with Industrie using Verde Picasso by Ca’D’Oro. The shaped and organic aspect of the Alveo centrepiece is achieved through numerically controlled machining using a diamond disc.