Marble, which is one of the indispensable materials of the design world with its durable structure and diversified characteristics, has been frequently encountered in furniture designs in recent years. In addition to its timeless and sustainable features, it continues to add meanings to designs that other materials can not offer, with its unique texture. Chris Duffy, Francesco Meda, Niccolò Garbati, Annysa LaMantia, are among the names that give an identity to furniture designs with marble. While Chris Duffy reinterprets the art of sculpture in his furniture designs, Francesco Meda blends aesthetics and function with simplicity. Niccolò Garbati reveals how marble turns into functional objects, on the other hand Annysa LaMantia highlights the unique texture of marble. We have compiled for you furniture designs that have become a part of our daily lives, from table to stool, from armchair to bookcase and coffee table, shaped with marble material.
Civilization
“Civilization”, designed by Chris Duffy, is a sculptural collection of tables in which ancient temple and monument landscapes are handcarved into a single block of marble with traditional techniques. The designer modeled the “Civilization” collection from the AlKazneh Temple in Petra, Jordan, the Qasr-al-Farid tomb in Mada’in Saleh, Saudi Arabia, and the Kailasa Temple in the Ellora Caves in Maharashtra, India. Using the art of sculpture, one of the oldest art forms and working with traditional materials, tools and techniques, he aimed to create a design where these incredible structures are reinterpreted in modern furniture. Each table consists of a marble base and an oval glass tabletop, carved from individual blocks of various colors, carefully selected by the stonemasons. While the marble was shaped with chisels and hammers, special chisels were used for smaller, detailed strokes and precision files. Sandpaper and emery cloths were used to smooth and polish the stone. The collection aims to create works that will be permanent for future civilizations while respecting the history of architecture.
Pigreco
Designed by Francesco Meda, “Pigreco” is a stool collection designed with marble. Inspired by the letter Pi in the Greek alphabet, the designer transformed this characteristic letter, which he reinterpreted, into a tangible and functional object with Pigreco. The iconic design, which has a familiar, elegant and powerful sculptural silhouette, stands out as an aesthetic complement that can be used in all indoor and outdoor environments in living spaces or public spaces thanks to the solid structure of marble.
Re-Charge
Signed by Italian designer Niccolò Garbati, “Re-Charge” is a sitting unit designed with a special marble on a white background, thick and strong in places, with warm tones of yellow and orange veining. In addition to sitting and resting functions, the design has a wireless technology hidden inside the armrests, which allows charging mobile phones by working with induction. Niccolò Garbati’s design, which combines marble with technology, is mounted by interlocking two parallel surfaces that make up the floor and seat.
Exigo
Niccolò Garbati, who frequently prefers natural stone in his designs, this time appears with his library collection named “Exigo”, which means “need” in Latin. Designed to optimize small spaces or respond to the need to decorate large volumes, the library consists of 3 materials with very different textures; marble dividers, iron shelves and sliding plexi covers. Modulated with three geometric shapes of different sizes, L, C and T, Exigo has a minimal and elegant design.
Vitality
“Vitality”, a coffee table collection that uses marble together with brass material and draws attention with its organic form, bears the signature of Annysa LaMantia. Vitality is designed with wavy lines inspired by the endless variety, continuity and fluidity offered by the veins of marble. The contrast created by the brass legs with marble, which offers a stylish and elegant appearance, highlights the plain and unique texture of natural stone.
