Five tips for designing with veined surfaces.

Tip one: When choosing a veined stone, it’s important to first consider the overall application to optimise the direction and pattern of the veins. Generally speaking, a more dynamic, sweeping vein is better suited to large spaces, such as an extra-long kitchen benchtop, generous splashback, or walls. A more refined or classical vein tends to work better in smaller applications such as bathroom vanities.

Tip two: Consider your base colour palette when choosing a veined surface. For example, crisp whites and cool greys team beautifully with mid-grey veins with a milk-white marble-style background.

Tip three: Create a warmer ambience in homes with an extensive use of timber by choosing veined surfaces with creamy or ivory backdrop. Where wood is used in a more contemporary or industrial style, veined surfaces on a luminous white background are ideal, as are concrete-style surfaces.

Tip four: A rule of thumb when choosing stronger veins is to subdue other design elements and allow the veined surface to dominate the space. A minimalist design looks sensational with a deep, dynamic veining to create dramatic contrast and make a striking visual impact. However, this boils down to personal preference.

Tip five: When approaching vertical applications, take into account the vein weight and direction, such as for waterfall edges and elongated splashbacks. A strong, directional vein in a floor-to-ceiling wall application makes a powerful visual statement.