Since ancient times, the stone is used as the mainMaterial for construction and decoration. How to choose it correctly? Are there benefits to his artificial colleague? With what to combine such decor? Answers to these and other questions - in our article The technological leap of recent times has led to the appearance of new building and finishing materials. Despite this, the stone is still one of the most popular types of decoration of living spaces, moving into the category of fashionable interior "chips". Below we will talk about the features of material selection, current trends and original ideas for using natural and artificial stone in the interior. 
Nature versus technology. Who will win?
Along with natural, it is widely usednow an artificial stone. In terms of its properties, it is identical to its brother, and in some even surpasses it. So, it has a significantly lower weight, which during the construction of, say, a country house allows you to avoid laying an additional foundation, and in a city apartment eliminates the need to obtain permission from the relevant authorities. Artificial stone should be used for kitchen work surfaces (stove or, say, sinks), since it is difficult to remove drops of frozen fat and dirt from natural stone. In this case, the recently popular Corian will become an excellent alternative: it is practical, easy to care for, environmentally friendly and has a long service life. In addition, it is a beautiful and easy-to-process material. By the way, modern technologies allow imitating any kind of natural stone. 
Designer's favorite
The stone, thanks to its enormous potential, has becomeone of the favorite materials of designers. The interior always comes out alive with him. Despite the seeming inconspicuousness, he always focuses attention, taking on the role of the dominant decorative element. For example, granite, marble, quartz or their imitation are perfect for a classic living room of neutral colors. This solution will give the house additional solidity and reliability. As you know, the texture of the stone can be varied: from smooth and polished (for marble) to corrugated, with protrusions (for limestone and slate). Preserving its majesty and inviolability, the stone brings a natural element to the interior, evoking the beauty of mountain landscapes and serene tranquility. The scope of its application in the interior is very extensive: it is floor decoration, wall and column cladding, decorative panels in the living room, made up of different fragments, as well as bathroom sinks and bowls. By the way, the stone will help to disguise technical communications, turning, for example, a trivial ventilation duct into an exquisite element of the interior. 
Stone is a versatile material, howeverit should be used with care when decorating a living space. Since, as a rule, it plays a dominant role in the interior, it will best "take root" in calm, neutral rooms. If there is a bright detail in the interior, for example, a fragment of a wall of a saturated color, then the stone visually "dissolves" (although, on the contrary, there may be a feeling of excessive congestion). At the same time, it perfectly combines with other natural elements, including wood, and even with a picturesque view from the window. In other words, stone is indispensable for styles such as eco-minimalism, country and classic. 
Wood and stone - a perfect combination
Let's dwell on the choice of color solutions.So, light and warm shades of stone are recommended to be chosen for northern and dark rooms: this will add light and “warm” the atmosphere, and the space itself will become cozier and more harmonious. In this case, warm colors and natural wood furniture will be an ideal complement. The rooms facing south are dominated by bright sunlight, which allows the use of dark and cold stone tones in the decor. This material brings an element of brutality to the interior. Therefore, in order not to destroy the sophistication of the interior image, it is worth abandoning such experiments for those who prefer the elegant romance of Rococo or the soft nature of Provence. 
In the end, arm yourself in several ways. For example, the gloomy tone of dark gray, greenish and earthy rock rocks can spoil the impression even from the brightest room, so it is worth only removing a fragment of the wall (which adds an interesting contrast), and the rest can be painted or wallpapered. At the same time, light and close to the gray color of the stone should be combined with a warm range of shades - from beige to golden brown. 
