Light & Marble: A Recipe for Grace
By ensconcing light behind marble, designers create an ethereal ambience in washrooms, writes Anurag Yadav.
Since ancient Rome, the use of marble in interior design has a long and chequered history. For centuries, it has been used to embellish right from iconic architectural marvels and to date, washrooms are pre-eminently decorated with marble floors, countertops and even walls and tiles.
Marble is a choice for luxurious design and the better quality and high-end variety is often more expensive than other solid surfaces. The investment in this stone as a surface has never been questioned due to its elegance and strength as well.
The Grace of Marble
Natural stone tends to have a remarkable depth of character and introduces a sure sign of the ruggedness of the outdoors but in a gentile style. That is the unique feature of this stone. The varieties of marble are too numerous to be enumerated but at the rarefied heights of high quality, no other stone possibly imparts an elegance that remotely matches marble.
However, there is a special thing with marble that makes it stand out from other surfaces. Few other stones have the propensity to allow light to be visible behind them with such grace as marble. Adding a light source behind it can completely transform the appearance and ambience of the surface. It adds a special wow factor to projects including backsplashes, wall features, room dividers, countertops, fireplace surrounds, vanity tops, tables, murals, decorative furniture, and wall coverings among others.
When milled to only a few millimetres in thickness and then suitably backlit, marble becomes delightfully translucent. The light further enhances the existing patterns and hues of the stone, further highlighting the natural grace of the material.
Backlit Splendour
Today, architects, designers and house owners especially appreciate the dramatic statement that comes about with concealed lights under marble surfaces. The light could be concealed right below the marble or even emanate from the edges – it all depends on the designer’s ideas. The special characteristics of marble are brought into sharp focus with such light effects.
While backlit panels can be used in several different environments ranging from entrance lobbies, dining rooms and even boardrooms or insides of elevators, their use in washrooms is still confined to designer interiors. And, that is well enough! Unless the design has a history and support of research, technical advancement and finesse, it only leads up to kitsch.
Washroom design rests majorly on the type of surfaces utilised in that space. It is not just about floors and walls but also countertops and even dividers that separate wet areas from the rest of the bath space. By combining the naturalness of marble and onyx with the elegance of contemporary design, a washroom can be transformed effectively into an oasis of luxury.
In such instances, a complete wall or floor of prebuilt marble, with designs etched and ingrained on it, turns an interesting option. With the availability of backlit walls, a new dimension can be added to the washroom’s design and overall ambience.
Luxurious and exclusive items such as inlaid backlit white onyx panels, sculptured marble panels, freestanding illuminated onyx basins, marble floor standing basins and marble countertop basins in stunning forms and shapes, with the option to customise further with an embossed design are now options that are being considered by designers for adding value to the bath space.
Backlit onyx stands out as the preferred choice for illuminating stone surfaces. Originating predominantly from Egypt, India, Mexico, Iran, Turkey, and Brazil, its unique translucent quality produces a striking interplay of light, shadow, and colour, delivering a powerful aesthetic impact.
When light permeates through onyx from behind, its inherent translucency elevates its appearance dramatically. The distinctive bands and veins inherent to this exquisite material are accentuated, particularly in installations like walls, lamps, and chandeliers. However, the enchanting effect of a backlit onyx countertop in a bathroom surpasses expectations, as the stone’s hues are intensified, fostering a surreal ambience within its surroundings.
Since there are onyxes with both uniform and particularly heterogeneous colours, with shades ranging from white, grey and black, to yellow, red, brown, and green, the possibilities of the applications of backlit onyx are unlimited.
The use of pure marble stone goes beyond the traditional concept in a washbasin with its special design, shape, thickness and minimal weight which is rare in stone-created products. Washbasins, created from exquisite marble can also be lit up and serve as the sole light before the mirror, thereby, lending a soft glow to the interior of the washroom. There can be varied designs and patterns. In fact, in washrooms, custom designs can be created for sheer walls and backlit for effect.
Maintenance Issues
The maintenance of a backlit marble wall is majorly dependent on the light used. LED illuminated walls, with little or no maintenance usually have an average life span of up to 50,000 hours.
The energy class varies from A+ to AAA. Since the assembly is mostly with an aluminium profile, that element assists in uniformly dissipating the light.
Therefore, for a backlight stone, it’s best to use a diffusion technique that creates an impressive look and doesn’t look patchy as far as the light effect is concerned. When only a portion of the backlit stone slab is variably illuminated than others, it looks patchy.
In other words, to enhance the ambience of any washroom interior, this backlighting is a simple and inexpensive way to create an aesthetic atmosphere that is elegant and classy. No wonder it’s getting more popular by the day.