Glass & Stone

Have you ever wanted to liven up your home with more than just a fresh coat of paint? You can by transforming the surfaces in your kitchen and bathroom into a focal point with a statement-making stone or colorful tile. For advice on how to accomplish this, we asked Nancy Epstein, Founder and CEO of Artistic Tile, to share tips on choosing the best options for your kitchen and bath. We paired our favorites with some equally intriguing glassware.

Written & Photographed by Alison Engstrom

COMING SOON LAUREL TUMBLERS, available at comingsoonnewyork.com

RAINBOW ONYX POLISHED ONYX STONE SLAB ORIGIN Turkey DETAILS A mesmerizing stone with hints of peach, grey, gold and soft brown. It can be used for an interior wall, countertop or shower floor. Available at artistictile.com

"Your kitchen is the center of your home, where you’ll spend a lot of time with your family and entertaining guests. The surfaces in your kitchen will largely define how it feels, so select something that you love and reflects your personality. If you prefer countertops that always look brand new, select options that are easy to care for, like natural quartzites or exotic granites. There are many man-made imitations of natural options that are low maintenance.

Natural stone and marble make unique and stylish countertops that can complement the rest of your kitchen’s design language. These can be easily maintained with sealers and the occasional touch-up, but some people might value the natural aging, which can impart invaluable character and charm. Consider the white marble countertops so often seen in commercial bakeries. Years of daily use soften their appearance, giving them a worn-in, well-used look.

For your kitchen floors, keep in mind that these are some of the highest traffic areas of your home, so select materials that don’t easily show dirt. The busier it is, the less it will show. For those who love the look of wood, porcelain wood tiles will wear much better, but find unique options if you like that aesthetic. Solid, polished, and plain floors will show dirt more rapidly, whether you have light or dark flooring.

Backsplashes are another important focal point, and people often reserve this space for more decorative options, like color or patterns. It’s important to remember that for areas above stove tops, you’ll need something that can withstand high heat, like glass, stone mosaics or natural stone. We recommend taking whatever pattern or stone from the countertop edge all the way to the ceiling where possible to create a clean and modern look."

DINOSAUR DESIGNS LARGE RESIN ROCK CUP, available at dinosaurdesigns.com

BRECCIA DE VENDOME POLISHED MARBLE STONE SLAB ORIGIN France DETAILS This rare marble, which figures prominently in French architecture, including Versailles, contains a kaleidoscope of warm colors like burnished yellows, creamy whites and coppers—perfect for a kitchen countertop. Available at artistictile.com

"Your master bath is by far your most personal space, so it should be an environment that makes you feel your best, whether that means a spa-like aesthetic or a more expressive, Art Deco style. Powder rooms are lower traffic areas, and many people choose them as a place to push their design boundaries. They’re often used as vignettes, so you can select more delicate materials like a glass mosaic, for example, which generally is not recommended for floors but may be okay here. They’re also usually smaller than other spaces, so it makes more economic sense to choose a pattern you absolutely love. It might be a bit more expensive, but you’re not going to need nearly as much.

In showers, smaller mosaics are best for the floors because they provide excellent traction, look great and feel nice underfoot. Avoid using any type of mirror or metallic tile for shower walls as they can tarnish. Small mosaics also work very well for shower ceilings and niches.

The best natural stones for showers and wet areas in general are marble and limestone, when properly sealed. Bianco Carrara and Calacatta Gold marble are classic choices, elevating even the smallest spaces with a timeless, elegant look. Limestones can create a more subdued, earthy aesthetic. Ceramic and porcelain, especially stone-look porcelain, are also popular choices for shower walls."

ST. FRANK TUMBLER GLASS, available at stfrank.com

VERDE ALPI HONED STONE FIELD TILE ORIGIN Italy DETAILS The natural color variations of this stone result in a look reminiscent of snakeskin, with traces of deep green, black, and white. This type of stone has been revered since antiquity for its beauty and durability and can be incorporated on interior walls. Available at artistictile.com

SUGAHARA FACETED GLASS IN GREY, available at stillhousenyc.com

BOTANIC GREEN POLISHED QUARTZITE STONE SLAB

ORIGIN Brazil DETAILS A stone with vivid, crisscrossing streaks of red and green. It can be incorporated on walls, shower floors and countertops. Available at artistictile.com