The Italians continue to be fascinated by marble. This is what emerges from a survey conducted by the Milan-based research firm EMG Different, commissioned by Marmomac, the international fair concentrating on stone, design and technology.
Of the 2,000 subjects, all over 30 years of age, 60% expressed interest in this material, indicating that it is already a presence or a desire in their homes. Few expressed regret with respect to the choice of stone, and in any case in 64% of these cases no plans were indicated to replace stone with other materials. Marble is a classic that never goes out of style, it would appear, and analysis of the data shows that it is the material most often found in Italian homes, after ceramics and followed by wood/parquet, stoneware, earthenware, concrete and laminate.
“Beautiful, elegant, durable, luxurious, natural, but costly”: this is how Italians describe this natural material that is very widespread in our homes. Practically one out of two dwellings in Italy contains marble in its interiors, especially in the south and on the islands, where it is used in 62.4% of homes. Among the most common functional roles, the survey reported flooring (55% of the responses), kitchen and bathroom counters (42.4%), staircases (39%) and window sills (36.2%).
Marble is a particular favorite in the living area (50.1%), the bathroom (46.3%) and the kitchen (42.5%), and among those who possess it, 8 out of 10 still consider it to be the best choice. Its strong point is great versatility, though many of the people surveyed did complain about problems connected with wear, the delicate nature of the material, and the need for maintenance.
The outlook of architects and decorators with respect to marble remains ambiguous, however. Many recommend marble in their projects (30.6%), but there are also many (33.9%) who advise against its use, possibly because they lack knowledge about the material, or find it difficult to obtain proper information.
“The research reveals a gap between sector professionals and consumers, but it also indicates a path that can be followed,” says Giovanni Mantovani, the general director of Veronafiere. “What is needed is a coordinated strategy of communication at the level of the supply chain, in which Marmomac can act as a gathering point, providing companies, associations and professionals with all the tools necessary for fertile cooperation.”
This year, there will be four main projects for the fair in September, all with a focus on experimentation and business. There is the project of collaboration with Associazione per il Disegno Industriale (ADI), involving the creation of prototypes with a single slab, for greater sustainability and ease of transport, while the project coordinated by DDM, Brand&Stone, encourages the use of stone in the collections of major international design brands. Moreover, the program Marmomac Meets Academies calls on university-level students to analyze the relationship between stone materials and the rural or urban landscape. Marmomac will be held at Veronafiere from 27 to 30 September.
All photos courtesy Marmomac/Veronafiere
