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Sarah Sherman Samuel’s favorite part of any project, hands down, is specifying the stone. “Oftentimes I will design an entire room around the perfect slab,” she says. The designer loves hanging out at the stone yard so much, she teamed up with Aria Stone Gallery to curate a collection of her 12 favorites, which makes choosing kitchen countertops, shower walls, and everything in between extremely easy for the rest of us from here on out.
Given Samuel often plans a single space around a slab, she curated the collection based on varieties that she thinks could easily be the starting point for a project. First, she focused on narrowing down her go-to hues: “I wanted some green, rust tones, a blush, and creamy ivories,” shares Samuel. She was also looking for balance between ones that have a consistent pattern and others with dramatic shapes and unusual veining. “I often gravitate towards stones that show large blocks of aggregate so there are a good amount of those in the collection,” she says. One of those patterned marbles, Red Passion, is Samuel’s absolute favorite of the group.
Want to design a room around a bold stone à la Samuel but not sure where to start? Ahead, in her own words, the designer shares where she’d use four of the standout slabs.
Calacatta Fantastico Arni
For those looking for something special but still classic, I’d select this stone. It has a traditional gray-colored veining but it’s paired with a deep creamy shade of ivory that makes it warm. The veining has such great energy, like it’s dancing across the slab. I’d love to see a bathroom clad from top to bottom in this one.
Vert de Estours
This subtle green stone is unique in color but also its delicate veining. I’m dying to use this in a kitchen paired with wood cabinets.
Red Passion
This deep burgundy stone has my heart. I’m planning to use this in my SSS Atelier furniture line and I’d also love to see it as a chunky sink in a powder bath.
Dark Emperador
I just used this as a wainscot all around the walls in a primary bathroom as well as the countertop and backsplash. It feels so luxurious.