Space for the Young.

Stone Connection recently called for all young designers to compete in their #theshowroomchallenge, which asked SA’s talent to submit designs for their showroom in Kempton Park. Excitingly, a winner has been announced!

Meet Monique Brider – a 24 year-old designer from Benoni, who created the winning project!

“It was a great experience and we have received so many entries”, says Francesca Vallardi, Stone Connection’s GM. “It was a difficult decision; there is so much talent out there waiting for an occasion to shine!”

The challenge had the aim of rewarding a young designer at the early stage of their career as well as challenging young professionals to learn about stones and their uses.

Creating a harmonic environment merging different materials and learning about the characteristics of each is far more difficult in reality than it seems while studying.

Stone and quartz provide endless combinations of textures and finishes, but learning how to combine them in a space requires knowledge and experience. Stone Connection and Monique will work side by side in the building phase of the showroom to learn from each other.

Monique stated: “I am so excited to work with Stone Connection, and to turn my design into reality. I was inspired by what stones can do and the different focal points they can become in any space around us! It can turn an affordable kitchen into a piece of art. The new showroom will showcase that. This is a huge opportunity for me and my business and a big step forward to my goals”

The Stone Connection team will be following Monique’s journey on their social media platforms and this project will open a new avenue of communication with South Africa’s young designers: creating a network for them to access the millennial tradition of stonemasonry 3.0.

TO BE CONTINUED!

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Design exists at the intersection of art and science. Nowhere is this more evident than in the use of granite. A material that has been used for over four millennia. 

The celebrated 16th century Italian architect, Giorgio Vassari, observed that granite’s “hardness and solidity have nothing to fear from fire or sword, and time itself, that drives everything to ruin, not only has not destroyed them but has not even altered their colour.” 

Since then there have been major technological developments which have only further enhanced its potential. The stone is available in a wide variety of finishes: a smooth leathered, honed  sawn, brushed or brightly polished and waterjet finish. This is ideal for kitchen and bathroom interiors. 

Granite is also available in a rougher flamed, hammered or chiselled finish. This is perfect for exterior surfaces such as in pool cladding or outdoor areas. 

Although granite is most commonly thought of as black the stone is also available in a range of colour combinations: from brown, cream, or white and even red or green. This significantly increases the potential of granite for designers. 

Stone Connection offers a wide variety of granites, including the well renowned Nero Impala®, a unique trademark of black granite. Nero Impala® is quarried in South Africa and one of the most sought after materials in the world due to its high quality. 

When selecting a granite finish it is always best to sample the stone in person and physically experience the texture. Visit www.stoneconnection.co.za to view our wide range of granite offerings available in a variety of finishes or come to one of our 11 distribution centres across South Africa. 

The post The Four Thousand Year Secret Ingredient of Timeless Interior Design appeared first on Visi.