Interior Obsessions – Stone wall

When we look at finishes for our interior spaces, most thought goes to paint colors, perhaps wallpaper, maybe a wood finish. Stone is typically reserved for flooring and fireplaces. But a stone wall of any type can be a textural foil for all of our other furnishings. Of course, my preference is for stone walls that are part and parcel of the architecture, meaning that they begin outside and make small or large appearances in the interior spaces. You may luck out and find and older home with an actual stone wall. But remember that even the stone walls created in new homes today are standard framing with a stone veneer over the surface. An actual stone wall is cost-prohibitive to create, especially in larger areas. But you can use this gorgeous material even if you don’t have large stone walls as part of your architectural aesthetic. Just be sure that you spend a bit of time thinking about the termination points for your wall, or where the stone ends. Only end at a window if you can put the stone on the exterior surface as well. Your best bet may be between two perpendicular walls where the end condition disappears. If not, be sure to give some weight to the wall – a skinny 4″ stud wall covered in stone doesn’t look realistic, but one whose ends are thickened to 10-12″ looks right at home.

Stone finishes vary dramatically, from colors across the spectrum, to a wide array of sizes and textures. Thin pieces of dry-stacked stone come across very differently than large, perfectly-cut rectangular pieces. The first reads as a highly textured surface, while the latter can be a smooth background for other pieces. The amount of grout between pieces of stone can make a huge difference as well. Thin grout can make for a more homogeneous surface, while large grout breaks the stone up visually. Whether you add stone to a fireplace, interior dividing wall, or just at the end of a room, stone surfaces add a natural feel to the home environment.

(above) Irregular Stone Bed Wall

Stacked Fireplace + Random Shape Interior Partition

Barrel Vault

2-sided Fireplace + Skylit Bath Walls

Heavy Grouting with Modern Touches

Amy wrote this post. She is the designer and owner of FormFire Glassworks, where she creates modern lampwork glass beads and jewelry, and by day designs custom homes for a small firm in Southern California. You can follow her twitter @formfireglass.