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White marble will forever go down as a classic in our books, but sometimes we want to push the design envelope. In our search for something new, we found ourselves gravitating toward colorful varieties of the timeless stone, like Arabescato Corchia (a gray with dense veining) and Calacatta Viola (a rich burgundy). But our latest discovery takes the cake: blue marble. Cobalt, sky, Yves Klein—there’s a whole family of bold blue marbles out there. We’ve noticed the vibrant stone hitting it big abroad, and now designers like Swiss architect Valerio Olgiati, who swathed Celine’s Miami flagship in Azul Cielo (a pale blue marble from Argentina), are bringing the trend stateside. But the mood-boosting material isn’t just for luxurious retail stores; it can look right at home in a kitchen or bathroom too. These five countertops are stone-cold winners:
The Ice Blue
Aelfie Oudghiri’s high-contrast kitchen introduces pops of color in the most unconventional ways: a navy-veined waterfall island and a cobalt-colored Vola faucet. Seamless cabinetry and matching white barstools blend right into the background, keeping extra fuss to a minimum so the stone can take center stage.
The Royal Blue
If you aren’t embarking on a full-on renovation, consider alternative locations to incorporate the material. “It was hard to find marble in this color,” Harry Nuriev, principal at Crosby Studios says of the striking slab in his former Brooklyn apartment. The designer discovered the stone in New Jersey and sat it on top of a bookshelf from his first furniture collection to create a makeshift dining table. “Royal blue is a strong color and, for me, this color speaks for itself,” he adds. Matching steel chairs (also his own creations) surround the custom piece.
The Lagoon Blue
With its luminous aquamarine veining, the green-blue marble bar at Bluestone Lane’s cafe in lower Manhattan resembles the crystal waters along Australia’s coast. Designer and Melbourne native Tali Roth accentuated the breezy feel of the stone with cane stools.
The Retro Blue
The principles of Feng Shui informed this ’70s-chic home by Flack Studio. The encased, L-shaped kitchen countertop, for instance, adheres to the rule that fire and water should not mix. It’s clear which element came out on top.
The Deep Blue
The most economical way to try this trend is to go small-scale. This tiny bathroom by Australian design studio Decus brings major drama with a deep blue stone sink wedged in between two walls, with an equally petite sunken ledge in the basin for flowers and soap. Bonus points for the marble sconces.
See more stories like this: 4 Cool Countertop Ideas That’ll Spark Your Next Kitchen Remodel A Crash Course in Choosing Kitchen Countertops 18 Stunning Wood Countertops to Warm Up Any Kitchen