Ashlee Simpson Ross may be mostly associated with her early aughts music, but if there's anything this past weekend has taught us, it's that the singer has a timeless quality about her. Having just celebrated the 20th anniversary of her 2004 album, Autobiography, the Pieces of Me singer proved that her hits stand the test of time with a celebratory performance (her first in years).
It turns out that this classic sensibility translates to her home. Having teamed up with Kempa Home, interiors are clearly a significant part of her life, and this is apparent from a photo on her Instagram page showcasing her large marble fireplace.
Marble is, without a doubt, a timeless trend. Its luxe appearance and versatility make it a fixture in rooms from the kitchen to the bathroom or, as Simpson Ross shows, the living space.
'Marble has long been considered one of the most beautiful materials thanks to its striking natural veins and flexibility of use,' says Paul Dore, kitchen expert and director at County Stone Ltd. 'You’ll often find marble in some of the most famous buildings in the world, on floors and walls, and of course, it has been used to create some of the most iconic sculptures for centuries, so exudes an air of timeless beauty. This historic beauty has drawn people to marble for hundreds of years. Therefore, it’s little wonder that marble is still one of the most popular choices.'
According to experts, the way we decorate with marble in the home has changed; whereas it was predominantly used as an accent in the past, we are seeing grander uses of the material today.
'In the past, you saw marble being used in subtle ways, such as fireplace inlays, console countertops, or tiles in a bathroom,' says Olma Fuentes, founder at Deni + Dove Interiors. 'But now, homeowners have become more bold with how they display marble in the home and you're seeing entire bathrooms, walls, fireplaces, and large furniture pieces that are made of marble. It's definitely an intriguing showstopper that people can't get enough of.'
However, one aspect of marble to be mindful of is its care requirements.
'As with all natural materials, marble is porous due to its open pores,' Dore explains. 'However, unlike all natural stones, marble is a soft stone, so it is more prone to staining. This means that care needs to be taken with it.'
While this primarily applies to marble surfaces, such as floors and countertops, be mindful of a marble fireplace in terms of scratches.
Dore continues, 'It’s also worth noting that marble surfaces will scratch and wear, particularly in areas of heavy use, such as around the edges. It is also vulnerable to cracks and chips, which can look unsightly.'
Dore offers an alternative for anyone wanting to achieve a comparable appearance to marble, but reduce risk of staining or chipping.
'Quartzite is probably the most similar to marble in that it is a wholly natural stone and comes in very similar colors,' he says. 'Quartzite is a metamorphic rock that originated as sandstone and has been converted into quartzite through Earth’s heat and pressure over time. This makes it much more durable than granite.'
Allow candles to be enhanced by these magnificent alabaster marble holders.
Made of natural Arabescato white marble, this trivet adds elegance to any dinner table.
Utilizing marble as material for a fireplace certainly makes a statement; however, for those looking to incorporate this precious stone on a smaller scale, we suggest a marble coffee table, marble lamp, or even marble coasters as subtle accents.
