I’ve spent a lot of time this week dreaming about the first place I’d like to visit post-pandemic. Through all my musings and mindless #wanderlust TikTok scrolling, I settled on Europe.
Right now, I’d be happy to start and finish the day with a cone of gelato, devouring bowls of cacio e pepe at every opportunity, and aimlessly roaming cobblestoned streets. Okay, so I’m obviously talking about Italy. Lockdown has clearly gnawed at my brain for some time, but I promise there is a point to this imaginary anecdote.
Rome Streetscape Image: Fineas Anton
The one thing that truly stopped me in my tracks as I was thinking about my dreamy Italian getaway was the cobblestones. “What I would give to roll my ankle on the cobbled streets of Rome right now,” I pondered (note: laughed).
This thought then led me through an extensive exploration of the abundance of natural stone in European streetscapes and architecture. But more than anything, it left me thinking, “why are we so scared to use natural stone in our homes here in Australia?”
Now, I’m not saying this statement speaks for everyone. But from my own experiences speaking with hundreds of you in our showroom over the years, I often found resistance whenever I presented natural stone as an option.
Cobblestone pavement in Riom-ès-Montagnes, France Image: Unsplash
For the most part, the instant reaction related to maintenance; and I totally understand why. Some people want to lead a maintenance-free life wherever possible. But the reality is, natural stone needs no more upkeep than a regular porcelain tile. Maybe just a little extra TLC here and there. You’ve just got to clean spills instantly to prevent staining, seal them every few years, and make sure everyone in your household follows suit. Simple!
I’ve always found this sentiment interesting. Because, when it comes to exterior applications, bluestone, travertine, and limestone are always front runners. You could argue these stones are exposed to much more than sticky toothpaste and pasta sauce sitting outside in the elements; but they are always selected for their durability. And there it is – the key word. Durability. Cobblestones were installed to withstand heavy traffic year-round and Melbourne CBD is covered in bluestone pavers for this same reason.
These stones are nature’s gift, and I’d love to see the conversations around natural stone shift from boring maintenance concerns to a deeper focus on its durability and inherent sustainability. We’ve just got to think like the Europeans and bring a little more romance around the notion of natural stone. Who’s with me?
Words: Alana Perin
Published: GT Magazine 18 September 2021