Natural Stone needs no introduction. Dating back to the origins of humanity itself, the use of stone in building, design and architecture has been an ongoing practice to this day. Each stone offers different properties and applications, but on a more aesthetic level, the difference we often look for is the colour and vein patterns of the slab.

Whilst Natural Stone will never go out of 'style', there is a pendulum swing in what's trending or popular with each coming year. The last few years have shown a strong preference for 'classic' stones like Carrara, Travertine and Calacatta. These options paired beautifully with the neutral minimalist wave that we were seeing throughout the pandemic. This was a time when as a society we were looking for comfort and stability, and the stone choices in design reflected this.

Now that we are in a post-pandemic world, we're reaching for saturated colours and bold patterns. We're seeing a sense of fun being injected back into our lives and this is reflected through every industry including fashion, architecture and design. With this, there's a movement towards bold stones. We're seeing this in-studio and online as consumers and designers alike are stepping out of their comfort zone and opting for a statement stone to use throughout their home.

Explore our picks for standout bathrooms below.

Emma Chamberlain's Los Angeles home by Proem Studio blew up the internet and for good reason. Their use of the spectacular Honey Onyx in the primary bathroom fits Emma's brief of creating a warm and welcoming space.

Smac Studio is no stranger to feature stone. Their use of Calacatta Vagli Rosato in this pink ensuite is a dream. Paired perfectly with the soft pink venetian plaster and aged brass tapware.

Woollahra House by Decus is just one of their projects which has memorable stone. We can't look past the heavenly Crema Violet Onyx which envelops the tub and nib wall one of this homes spectacular bathrooms.

Published in the 2020 July/August edition of Vogue Living, Flack Studios Melbourne project is a masterclass in natural stone.

Bold stone has become a synonym with Greg Natale who strikes the perfect balance of timeless opulence in his projects.

In what is the epitome of luxury, Rob Mills Architecture & Interiors took 30 Anderson to another level. With views of the Botanic Gardens, the property celebrates light, space and sculptural design whilst being connected to nature. The layering of stones in the primary bathroom is both simple and spectacular at the same time.

Biasol created a haven of inspiration in their own design studio, Officina Biasol. A rich palette flows throughout the space, with a statement wall-to-wall stone vanity in the main bathroom.

Jane Hallworth took on the design of Los Angelos home of Sean Rad and Lizzie Grover Rad with her usual approach of storytelling and intense collaboration. “You can’t make a house like this without clients who are willing to take risks and break a few rules, clients committed to living with beautiful things they truly appreciate and understand,” Hallworth says (Architectural Digest, 2021).

The primary bath is clad in slabs of Breccia Capraia marble - with the bathtub carved from one single block of stone.

Dusk House by Madeleine Blanchfield Architects "embraces light and dark, play and rest and indulgence and restraint." (EST Living, 2022). The green Lavazza Honed Stone works beautifully with the dusty green walls.

Lilac Linen by Sally Caroline is "expresses itself in tactile layers and a level of restraint that allows the curation of dusky colours, noble materials and beautiful objects to sing in perfect harmony." The home carries Calacatta Viola marble throughout, encapsulating both the fresh seaside ambience of the Mornington Peninsula.

Sandra Weingort balances masculine with feminine in this project where she explores a bold stone paired with black detail in the tapware and mirrors, textured wallpaper and copper details.

Truth be told, this is barely scratching the surface when it comes to sensational projects with natural stone. We love seeing the movement towards bolder colours and finishes moving into 2023. A slab of stone tells a story for years to come in any home, it's a pleasure to be a part of that process in incorporating this timeless material into design.