The Rise of Textured Finishes in Stone Surfaces

know your stone
Written By Marco Fazio
Ombra di Caravaggio marble by stoneCIRCLE - photo Marco Joe Fazio
 

Natural stone has long been associated with sleek, polished elegance, but in recent years, there has been a growing shift towards rough, textured finishes. Tumbled, leathered, and hammered surfaces are becoming increasingly popular in residential and commercial projects, offering a more organic and tactile appeal than traditional honed and polished finishes.

 

Hammered finish for the side panels of this office desk in Ombra di Caravaggio marble

 

A Return to Natural Beauty

Design trends are shifting towards authenticity, and rough finishes enhance the natural characteristics of the stone. Rather than producing a highly reflective surface, these finishes celebrate the raw beauty of the material. The subtle textures add depth and visual interest while offering a softer, more inviting feel.

 

Popular Textured Finishes:

  • Tumbled – Achieved by tumbling stone in a drum with abrasives, this finish creates a weathered, timeworn appearance. It is frequently used for limestone, travertine, and marble, imparting a rustic charm ideal for floors, walls, and outdoor paving.

  • Leathered or Brushed – A relatively new finish, leathering involves brushing the stone to remove softer particles, resulting in a subtly textured surface that remains smooth yet matt. This finish is particularly popular for granite and quartzite countertops, as it enhances the stone’s natural colour while making it more resistant to fingerprints and water spots.

  • Hammered – Created by striking the surface with a high-impact tool, this finish imparts a rugged, handcrafted look. It is often employed in wall cladding and exterior flooring to add character and increase slip resistance.

 

Brushed finish for this kitchen worktops and wall cladding in Fusion Blue quartzite

 

Why Textured Finishes Are Gaining Popularity

  1. Aesthetic Appeal - Designers and homeowners appreciate the natural, earthy feel of rough finishes. These textures add warmth and character to interiors and complement contemporary, rustic, and industrial styles.

  2. Practical Benefits - Unlike highly polished surfaces, rough finishes are less prone to showing fingerprints, smudges, or etching from acidic substances, making them ideal for high-traffic areas such as kitchens and bathrooms.

  3. Improved Slip Resistance - Textured finishes offer better grip underfoot, making them a practical choice for flooring, particularly in wet areas like bathrooms, pool surrounds, and outdoor spaces.

  4. A Sustainable Choice - By necessitating less intensive polishing, rough finishes often reduce energy consumption during production, aligning with eco-conscious design trends.

 

stoneCIRCLE: Crafting Textured Perfection

At stoneCIRCLE, we combine cutting-edge CNC technology with traditional craftsmanship to create stunning, high-quality stone finishes. Whether you want a tumbled limestone floor, a leathered granite worktop, or a hammered stone feature wall, our expert masons guarantee precision and excellence in every project.

The trend towards rough finishes redefines how stone is used in modern design, balancing refined craftsmanship and raw, natural beauty. If you’re contemplating incorporating textured stone into your next project, explore our range of finishes and allow our team to assist you in creating a timeless, unique space.

 

Contact us today to discuss your project, or visit our showroom to see these finishes in person.

Marco Fazio

Marco Joe Fazio is CCO and director of photography at space+style™ by marco joe fazio Ltd, working in fashion, hospitality, food & drink, architecture and design.

Born and raised in Tuscany, Italy, Marco learned the rudiments of photography and the magic of the darkroom in his early school years. Thereafter, he worked in architecture, interior, and lighting design for two decades. During those years, Marco founded an award-winning architectural studio and managed a multidisciplinary design team, working mainly for fashion industry clients.

Since moving to London in 2008, Marco has been recognised as a Chartered Architect of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) while pursuing his dream of connecting the worlds of architecture, design, and fashion from the photographer's perspective.

After years of passionate dedication, hard work and professional achievements, he was awarded the Fellowship certification (FBIPP) by the British Institute of Professional Photography and won the Peter Grugeon Award for the Best Fellowship of the Year in 2016. Subsequently, he has been admitted as a member of the highly regarded Association of Photographers (AOP). 

Having achieved a stronghold in coordinated image and photography for the design and fashion world, Marco has taken his expertise into the hospitality market; luxury and boutique hotels, fine dining restaurants, and the drinks and beverage industry are all reaping benefits from his services.

Today, Marco is leading his agency in assignments in the hospitality, fashion, and design industries.

Creative photography, cinematography, coordinated images and brand marketing form the core of his services.

Thanks to more than a decade in the music industry, Marco has expendable knowledge in composition and sound engineering. That knowledge is a valuable asset in creating licensed soundtracks and magnetic sound designs for commercial productions.

Marco's passion and another branch of his business are mentoring and nurturing new visual arts talents. In 2016, he launched "telling [fashion] stories" – photography & set design workshops – and more recently, he has become a lecturer for the School of Art and Creative Industries at London South Bank University (LSBU).

The crossover between genres and industries is a peculiar and essential factor in his work, contributing to thinking outside the box and achieving a unique style rich in symbolism and content.

Next

Tech Meets Tradition