Marble and Concrete Designs Ushering in a New Stone Age

This season’s chosen material is somewhere between a natural rock and a synthetic hard place

1 BRICK LAIR
Not just another brick in the wall, Philippe Malouin’s desk lamp repurposes the rough building material as a sturdy, perforated base that supports a height-adjustable strip light. $220, at Umbra

2 OPTICAL ILLUSION
Boewer’s Drift table plays with perspective. From certain angles, the Carrara marble piece’s heavy top appears to be supported by a single sheet of stone. $2675, at Lab Studio Design

3 ROCKY BOWL-BOA
Made from a mix of concrete, sand and fibreglass, Alessi’s moulded La Trama e L’Ordito centrepiece achieves a unique texture that mimics traditional basket-weaving techniques. Also available in red. $495, at Bergo Designs

4 SOFT ROCK
The smooth finish and rounded shape of EQ3’s Jonah light shows concrete’s more refined side. The 40-watt pendant hangs from a grey fabric cord with a maximum length of 150 centimetres. $100, at EQ3

5 READY TO RUMBLE
With its concrete base and lacquered fibreboard top, MDF Italia’s Rock table makes a solid anchor piece in any breakfast nook. Perfect for those hooked on Cocoa Pebbles cereal. From $2315, at Kiosk

6 PRECIOUS STONE
Dyed and polished to emphasize the concentric ring patterns found in cut agate, West Elm’s stoneware bookends are perfect for supporting long rows of rock star biographies. $20 ea, at West Elm

Originally published in our Spring 2015 issue as Rock Steady. Looking for even more marble? Read our roundup of five statue-esque designs done in natural stone.