Wood and Stone: Natural Materials and their Place in Our Homes

Though we tend to think of them as static, immovable things, the materials that go to make our furniture and finishes in our home are in a sense just as dynamic as any element of our homes. Woods look different in different lights, change with oils, varnishes and paints, and of course have their own natural variations of texture and colour. Stone, similarly, has its own fascinating array of characteristics, especially when we consider a stone in its wet and dry appearance. In this article, we’ll take a look at just a few examples and try to get an understanding of the beauty of that which makes up the structure of our homes.


In drying, wood changes colour in drying though changes in a series of chemicals which are deposited in the grain. Normally, heartwood tends to have a higher amount of these chemical deposits, and therefore is more dramatic in its colouration, providing reds and dusky browns. We need only think of the difference between rosewood and maple to realize that a veritable rainbow of colours exists within the range of materials available to us in choosing furniture and finishings.


If you really want to get to grips with the true, unstained colour of a type of wood, linseed oil can be used (or requested to be used) as an alternative to traditional methods of treatment. Unlike stains and varnishes, it soaks into the recesses and pores of the wood itself to treat and bring out the natural characteristics of the grain. This is perfect for bedroom furniture and cabinets in that you get a unique colouration and texture to your room simply unobtainable through other means. It also gives less-expensive woods an added richness and splendour – the natural boasts of red pine are likely to be better than an unconvincing dark wood stain or varnish.


Stone, too, has its beauty as a material used in the home. As more and more people are opting for the sociability and comfort of the fitted kitchen and dining room, stone kitchen worktops are becoming increasingly more desirable, and for good reason. Stone worktops are well-disposed to the work of a kitchen, hard-wearing, and look stunning. The virtues of each are easy to ennumerate: granite, by far one of the most popular, is one of the cheaper options, but is durable and has a pleasing smoothness to it. Marble and limestone surfaces are considered on the whole more elegant, but are simply unbeatable for the wow-factor and their traditional look. By far one of the most interesting types is slate. Often overlooked, slate is by far the most characterful and interesting stone surface, and against a backdrop of chrome fittings, has an incredibly modern look. This is what seems to be so satisfying about stone as a material; it anchors the appearance of the kitchen between modernity and the classic.

This is just a short introduction aimed at getting people interested in the materials that play such a part in our homes. If you’re thinking of a kitchen makeover or a new fitted kitchen, ask your consultant about the range of materials available, and their various benefits.