The Art of Fluidity: How to Blend Stones and Patterns

Your client wants a natural stone structure to liven up their exterior setting, but they want it to be unique. They want it to be eye-catching, enviable, and to perfectly express their design aesthetic. In this situation, creating a blended stone design is ideal. By strategically pairing various colors and textures of natural stone and then integrating multiple patterns, you can create a natural stone structure that is sure to be nothing short of spectacular.

From building stunning exterior walls to creating focal-point-worthy fireplaces, natural stone blending is an art that must be completed by a trained artistic eye. By blending together stone compositions and patterns, artisans can create stone structures that will be admired for generations. Some of the most famous buildings in the world use natural stone blending (think Yale University’s Old Campus and Harkness Tower or Leeds Castle in England), and you can bring this unforgettable beauty to your clients. The goal of stone blending is to create something that resembles a work of art. Don’t just be a builder; be a master builder.

Choosing the Right Stone

So, what are the best stones to use for a blended or pattern stone project? The options for natural building stone are vast, so your imagination is your only limitation. Based on the personal preferences of your client, you could create a more modern blend with combinations of Byram Black and Blue Ridge Dark, or if they prefer a more traditional appearance, a mix of Old Spruce Mountain and CT Split Fieldstone could look amazing.

After choosing the type of stone for the blended wall or fireplace, it is time to select the patterns you want them cut in. Natural stone lends itself to four distinct patterns: square cut, mosaic, strip cut, and ledge cut; however, not all stone can be cut into all of the patterns. Once you have the stones selected, you can strategically opt for a combination of multiple patterns for a truly unique combination that is sure to impress.

Selecting Complementary Colors & Textures

Whether aiming for a maximalist or a minimalist design, choosing the right color palette is just as important as choosing what stone to work with. The basic principles of interior design are at play when blending natural stones and patterns. What does that mean? It means it’s fine to tell your clients and customers to play with scale, shape, and color, just guide them to ensure the final stone selections complement each other. It’s even beneficial to suggest that they order a small amount of each color and pattern, that way the client can mix and match until the desired look is achieved.

Tracking the Choices

Once the final concentration of stone types and patterns is decided upon, take the extra step to put together a recipe of what was chosen. By writing this down, you will benefit the client and you as the architect, mason, or designer in the long run. If the stone blend ever needs to be matched for an addition to a home or building, the recipe can be referenced.

Architecture should be fluid and seamless, and if the mason just has to guess what combinations were used on the previous build, that will not be the case. In other words, if you don’t want a stone addition to look like an addition, then be sure the new stone is carefully matched to the rest of the building. The art of fluidity is not only about color, shape, and texture: It’s also about tricking the eye.

If you’re ready to get started with a blended stone and pattern project, make sure to reach out to Connecticut Stone to ensure you get the custom blend project you or your client envisioned.