This are my LAST Shaker pics for awhile, I promise. Here's another great idea, however. In the Shaker kitchen (on the ground floor of the house), they used pieces of stone and marble to create a burn proof, cool and super tough floor that could withstand cooking for dozens and dozens of people a day. It's beautiful.
Small pieces of scrap stone and marble are cheap and often unsellable by stoneyards. Why not collect up a number of pieces of really nice stone or marble and have them cut so that they can fit together like a patchwork quilt in your kitchen?
The differing shapes and colors will add a tremendous rustic feeling and unique style to what can be a very uniform space.
Sara and I both loved the idea of doing something like this in our own kitchen one day. Do you like the idea?
PS Want something super cheap and easier to implement? Go to Home Depot and buy their marble tiles and take off the shiny finish. See instructions for that idea here.
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
Marble would ruin my knees, but it's TOTALLY beautiful.
view clampers's profile
I love this concept; it is very beautiful and rustic. It would give any home a centuries old feel. The third picture looks like someone took a black marker to the grout line, awful.
view highlander403's profile
Yes, Highlander, I don't know what that is, but it's in another area, near the workrooms and shops. It's probably added later and is some sort of attempt at caulking or the removal of caulking...
view Maxwell's profile
I love this so very much. Minus the weird grout lines though.
view mjr's profile
I stayed at a house in Port of Spain, Trinidad that had beautiful stone floors in the kitchen. Spongy mats were needed in all work areas because standing on the bare stone was very painful for legs, knees, hips, and backs. I think this would be true for tile, concrete, any material didn't have some "give."
view maipop's profile
Love it. Totally beautiful. Perhaps that black is lead?
view michpc's profile
It is beautiful, but how do you efficiently keep it clean? seems like decades of breadcrumbs would accumulate in those seams.
view teeze's profile
Yes, beautiful, but hell on the hips, knees, and back; I've discovered that the hard way in our new house. I'm going to have to cover up that lovely stone with rubber mats so that I don't wake up sore the next morning after I cook.
view STH's profile
In addition to being horrible for your back/knees, t's also probably pretty slippery. Maybe it's a better idea for a less hard-working area of the house, or bathroom?
view erica's profile
It's beautiful, but my first thought was what a PITA to clean!
view Emily G.'s profile