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12 Ways to Add Beautiful Stone to Your Home
Rock Your House or Landscape With an Element From Nature
My husband and I live in a 1950 ranch-style home a few miles west of Madison, Wisconsin. When I'm not working, I like to do projects around my house, get out in my solo canoe or go camping, read design and psychology blogs and work on mixed media art.
My husband and I live in a 1950 ranch-style home a few miles west of Madison,... More »
When it comes to building materials, stone has been admired for its longevity and beauty since the oldest dates textbook history can reach. We all know that Egyptian pyramids have been around for many, many years, and although we have come a long way since building with stone blocks weighing as much as 15 tons, the use of stone is still going strong.
Many large-scale projects such as walls or columns have been replaced by the use of stone veneer because of its ease of installation. But when it comes to landscaping, real stone still takes the lead. There are few better ways to warm a space than through the use of beautiful, rich-colored rock, and the opportunities to do so are endless. Read ahead to see 12 great uses of nature's most rugged gift.
Many large-scale projects such as walls or columns have been replaced by the use of stone veneer because of its ease of installation. But when it comes to landscaping, real stone still takes the lead. There are few better ways to warm a space than through the use of beautiful, rich-colored rock, and the opportunities to do so are endless. Read ahead to see 12 great uses of nature's most rugged gift.
| Veneer stone. We'll start with the most common method seen in many homes today, which is veneer. I'm typically not a huge fan of veneer when it comes to any type of building material, but these gorgeous veneer stone columns changed that long-held thought in the blink of an eye. Being less labor intensive and easier on the wallet, this option is a growing trend for many homeowners, and I can certainly see why. It looks fantastic! |
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Fireplace. Fire and stone seem to live in perfect harmony, and using them in the same setting creates a warm, classic look. This is another example of veneer stone, and it looks just as good indoors as it does outdoors.
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| Patio. Stone under your feet will provide cool relief from the heat when placed in the shade and is a wonderful material to use when building a patio. The decorative arch on the wall makes for a great focal point as well. |
Stone path. A rugged stone path to lead you around the yard can be quite charming. The surrounding pebbles accent the large, flat stones nicely and look more tidy than stones laid directly into a lawn. A path like this would make for an excellent complement to a stone fire pit such as the one in the next photo.
Browse great garden paths
Browse great garden paths
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Fire pit. So maybe I'm just biased because I have a stone fire pit myself, but I'd have say that these types of fire pits wear the shiniest crown of them all when it comes to their charm and warm demeanor. This particular setup is quite an interesting shape and a fun alternative to the commonly seen round styles.
| Ledge. A nice addition to any fire pit or even a pond, ledges made of stone provide enough seating for all your friends and even look great when they're not in use. Something like this would make a nice place to set containers as well. |
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| Pool side. It only seems right to have stones and water in the same setting, and what better place to implement this than near the pool? The organic shape of the pool, combined with the rocks and greenery, make this landscape feel like almost like a swimming hole. |
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| Bathtub. Lending a much calmer vibe than your everyday tub, this spa-like retreat is sure to receive lots of attention after a long day at the office. If you don't want the upkeep that comes along with a pool, this might just be the next best thing. |
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Balanced stones. Although having an arrangement like this in your yard may win you a few "Hey look, Stonehenge!" comments, it's not something that you see every day. It would look pretty neat given the right setting, most likely in a large yard.
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| Kitchen island. It's not often that you see a kitchen island made of anything but wood or metal, so this stone island is a welcome change. The lighting under the countertop makes sure the stone doesn't go unnoticed. |
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Walls. Call me crazy for thinking about fall, but I can't help but to imagine how wonderful it would be to walk into a house like this after a long walk through the crisp, colorful leaves. This is another example of when veneer would come in handy, and shows how you may be able to add a wall treatment like this to your own place.
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Somewhere unexpected. These recessed stones snake their way across the bathroom floor and add a lot of character to the space. I don't think I've ever seen anything like it, and it's a fun way to add a bit of charm. This got me thinking: Where can you use stone where it's least expected?
Have you used stone in your own house or yard? We'd love to see your photos!
More: Browse photos of stone in home design
Have you used stone in your own house or yard? We'd love to see your photos!
More: Browse photos of stone in home design
Ideabook updated on Aug. 15, 2011.
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I attached one picture of old cobblestones,what you think ?
We have very large quantity of old cobblestones from old streets,french limestone,marble floors,..
For more info,please check out our web site : www.antiquematerial.eu
http://www.inukshukgallery.com/inukshuk.html
Marmarmish- I never realized that these balanced rocks had a name! Thanks for pointing that out, I'll be sure to visit that link in a little bit.
Ebeth- That bathroom looks fantastic! Be sure to post after shots when it's all finished. :)
can you tell me the style name of the Eldorado stone veneer you used? I also have an ugly painted brick fireplace and would love if it looked like yours :) if you get this message, feel free to email me directly at sweetmarguerite@comcast.net
Thanks~Saam