The owners of a private residence located in the affluent community of Tammy Brook Estates in Cresskill, NJ, were seeking chic sophistication for the design of their new home. And they turned to a variety of natural stone products - among other materials - to carry out the design objective.

“The home is very traditional,” said Anna Marie Fanelli of Floor & Décor in Tenafly, NJ, which supplied the stone for the project. “It is like a Mediterranean-type of estate. He is in the jeans business, so style and chic was important to them.”

Various earth tones were chosen for stone materials that were used for vanities, countertops and mosaic details as well as some floor and wall tile. “They really appreciate stone,” said Fanelli. “One room just flows to another. The home suits them as a couple - conservative but stylish. We did work within a budget.”

 

A timeless look

An elegant spa-like atmosphere was created in the master bath with Crema Marfil and Rojo Alicante marble. Subtle changes in the finishes given to the stones bring texture and dimension to the space.

The floor features 18- x 18-inch Crema Marfil tiles with an antique and brushed finish - giving the edges of the tiles a more rustic look, according to Fanelli. The same material in a 12- x 12-inch format was placed on the lower portion of the walls in an offset pattern.

Mosaic bands of polished Rojo Alicante - measuring 3/8 x 5/8 inches - are displayed in the floor pattern as well as in the tub surround. Additionally, ½- x ½-inch mosaics, also with a polished finish, are used as accent dots in the floor.

“I watched them in the showroom and saw that they liked neutral tones,” said Fanelli, when explaining how the materials for the master bath were selected. “I picked a neutral field and then brought in the rust, which is a bolder color. It made a predominant detail in the band. It is an elegant space that is timeless.”

A decorative mosaic band is also featured just below the chair rail, which is made of polished Crema Marfil. The same marble with a polished finish was also employed for the tub deck and vanity - both with an ogee edge.

 

Combing materials

The theme of chic sophistication continues into the powder room, where the combination of Crema Marfil and Rojo Alicante marble was also employed. The floor consists of 12- x 12-inch honed Crema Marfil tiles accented by ½- x ½-inch polished Rojo Alicante inserts. The vanity was fabricated from polished Crema Marfil marble and features a double ogee edge.

The focal point of the powder room is a half wall made from polished Crema Marfil and a mosaic pattern called “Floral Field” - featuring Giallo Reale, Rojo Alicante and Verde Jade Medium marble. The mosaics form an interconnecting pattern that wraps around the lower portion of the space.

Moreover, the spacious 10,000-square-foot estate includes a living space for the homeowners’ parents. While the floor and walls of their bathroom are comprised of a stone-look porcelain, the material is complemented by a basket-weave border made from Crema Marfil and Ocean Green marble, which was quarried in China. Additionally, the Chinese marble creates the mosaic inlay of the mirror, which is then surrounded by a frame of Mexican travertine. A chair rail of the travertine was also used to cap the basket-weave band.

For the couple’s son’s bathroom, stone-look porcelain was also used for the floor and walls, but a decorative mosaic band of tumbled Noce, Botticino and green slate creates a point of interest in the space. “A granite vanity with a bullnose edge was chosen to make the bathroom more masculine,” said Fanelli. “The chair rail is 2- x 12-inch Walnut travertine.”

 

Creating continuity

Throughout the home’s many bathrooms, a continuity remains in the designs. Although different materials are featured from space to space, mosaics are prominent in each room. For two of the guest baths, decorative bands of mosaics on the walls and around the mirrors liven up the designs. While glass mosaics are used in one of the baths, the other is comprised of two formats of tumbled Desert Gold slate. The mosaics are ½- x ½-inch pieces, and a middle band is formed by 1- x 3-inch pieces. “We used sheet mosaics to create detail and keep the cost down,” said Fanelli.

Complementing the stone mosaics is a vanity made from honed Verde Laguna with an eased edge. In the guest bath with the glass mosaics, the mirror is framed in Mexican travertine and the vanity is made of Verde Marioka granite.

Moving to the kitchen, rich wood cabinetry and stainless steel appliances are combined with shades of beige stone and tile products to create a warm yet upscale kitchen space. The backsplash is comprised of Noce travertine with a brushed finish. The tiles are set in a diamond pattern and accented by 1- x 1-inch bronze metal pieces. Creating the focal point over the stove is a decorative mosaic medallion featuring a center of tumbled Botticino marble and outside edge of tumbled Jerusalem Gold marble. It is wrapped in 5/8- x 5/8-inch pieces of Chocolate Labrador marble. The varying marble mosaics are detailed with metallic tile.

Adding to the luxurious feel of the kitchen is a Kashmir granite countertop with an ogee edge. The sleek polished look of the material is very complementary to the design. The floor consists of 20- x 20-inch Pietre D’Assisi porcelain tiles that are staggered.

“This project took about a year to complete,” said Fanelli. “It took a good six months to select the material. We used different materials to create interest. They were so thrilled when it was finished.”