There’s an honesty to natural stone that’s hard to look past. Part of the allure is its inherent character — each piece entirely individual. From dramatic veining to shadowy depth and warm crystalline features, it is arguably one of the most versatile and defining materials used in the home.
Sourced from the finest global suppliers, CDK Stone’s offering is one of the most expansive and diverse in New Zealand, with a plethora of unique and sought-after pieces that span a diverse collection of premium natural stones. Here, we delve into three very different projects, each of which artfully utilises stone to define the character of its space.
Mid-Century Hues
This extensive renovation by Annika Rowson, with Woodsmith Building Co, transformed what was once a dark, traditional galley kitchen into an inviting, warm and tactile space. Annika’s vision unfolded with a decidedly mid-century aesthetic — the hero, a striking slab of rainbow quartzite from CDK Stone. “We opted for warm veneer cabinetry, and landed on the rainbow quartzite for the island. The colour and texture of it was quite unique; it was something we hadn’t seen before. What I love about it are the warmer tones and the pinks, it’s unusual to see this in a quartzite. The softness of it really fitted the space.”
The waterfall island is lined with Japanese mosaics — another nod to the mid-century aesthetic that unfolds throughout this welcoming kitchen. The offcut of the rainbow quartzite was used to create a splashback in the coffee/drinks area, allowing its organic beauty to be appreciated in both horizontal and vertical applications.
“Working with natural stone, I’m always struck by how individual and organic it is. It’s a process to find the right piece, but that’s why we love working with CDK Stone. Often, we go for a viewing with a particular product in mind and land on something totally different. It’s a great process for us and our clients.
“Once it’s installed, every time you look at a piece of natural stone you see new parts of it. It has a real depth; it’s much more than a one-dimensional surface. In this project, people walk in and are drawn to it, they put their hands on it. It’s a lovely conversation starter.”
This Rainbow Honed Brazilian Quartzite, part of CDK Stone’s Exotic Range, is unique in the New Zealand market. Testing the boundaries of design with its distinctive warm orange base, deep rich red/pink and brown hues throughout, and pops of navy veining, it’s a statement in itself.
Intimate Sanctuary
Designer Leanne Larking of quattro: :uno speaks of natural stone as a cornerstone of much of her work. “It’s a material that can be so unforgiving, but when it is done well it’s just so incredibly refined; there’s a beautiful timelessness to it.
“I love working with it because there is so much you can do. There are so many ways you can create a beautifully understated sculptural piece.”
In this project, natural stone was used throughout, moving from a Pietra Grey limestone in the kitchen to the softer, cool-toned New Savior Turkish limestone in the bathrooms and powder room, the latter pictured here. “We wanted to create a sense of moodiness; an intimate space for guests as the powder room is internal. New Savior limestone from CDK Stone was used extensively in the other bathrooms on the floors and walls, so we continued the same material in the powder room but utilised it in a different way to create a floating vanity. Lighting was designed to be intrinsic, and to help accentuate the floating aspect of the stone vanity. It’s beautiful in its simplicity.”
Turkish New Savior Honed Limestone is one of CDK Stone’s most popular choices for bathrooms. It has a luxuriously smooth matte texture, and is the perfect choice for creating a sensual, sanctuary-like space.
Sculptural Centrepiece
In their Taupō new build, interior designer Kathrine McDonald’s clients wanted a beautiful, pared-back kitchen, with a feature island.
“We had a beautiful grey rendered wall and marbled oak flooring from Forté, which were lovely soft elements. When we found this slab at CDK Stone, the clients just loved it. Even though it’s grey, it’s a warmer grey, and, with the white tones coming through, it fits perfectly with the other materials.”
The kitchen was an expansive space that lent itself to a long island, and Kathrine made the most of it with a sculptural piece, carved away at one end to create a peninsula seating area.
“I felt that if we had a singular block of stone it would have closed that space up a bit; the fact you can see through the peninsula creates lightness proportionally and visually — and allows for the family of four to enjoy a more social, casual dining experience sitting across from each other.
“The kitchen is at the top of the stairs, and, as you come up, you slowly start to see the stone. It’s just jaw-dropping: the movement, the variation, the veining. Natural stone is a beautiful material; it’s like a piece of art. When you go to CDK Stone, it’s like looking at a huge canvas of possibilities.”
As Kathrine sees it, choosing the right slab is akin to selecting art.
“When you see it, you know it’s the one. CDK has some beautiful slabs; going to the showroom, you often find the real feature pieces.”
Brazilian Super White Honed Dolomite is a classic material. It works seamlessly with many design styles; at once pared back and a definitive statement. It has a light grey base with pink undertones, and beautiful darker grey veining — there’s a purity to its organic softness.
See the full CDK Stone range.
