Penny Bonda

Don't Quarry, Be Happy

Stone is a depleting resource. Our marble, granite and limestone supply may not disappear any time soon, but future generations are going to confront a diminishing supply of Ubatuba, Absolute Black (horrors!), or even the ubiquitous White Carrara.

There are stone substitutes that are gaining popularity, especially for use as countertops: PaperStone made with 100-percent FSC-certified, post-consumer, recycled paper; IceStone, made primarily from recycled glass; Syndecrete, a cement-based composite containing fly ash and post-industrial fiber waste. Good choices all.

Sometimes, however, only the real thing will do. Elegant, historically styled, hand-carved, and hand-crafted fireplace mantles, range hoods, and architectural accents cry out for authentic stone; yet, traditionally produced, their production will deplete a valuable natural resource.

François & Co., an Atlanta-based fabricator, has found a way to create an environmentally friendly product without sacrificing luxury, style, or beauty. Antique-looking Scagliola Stone has the look and feel of quarry stone; however, it is actually a blend made from crushed travertine, limestone, or marble, which allows nearly identical replicas of timeless French designs to be made without disturbing diminishing rock quarries.

The crushed stone fragments come from demolition and manufacturing waste streams. They are formed into a thick clay base, mixed with color, and pressed into painstakingly detailed molds. In addition to the eco-friendly Scagliola Stone, François & Co. also offers a collection of hand-carved mantelpieces made with reclaimed limestone salvaged from the rubble of demolished French estates.

François & Co., from the very first day of their operation, says a company representative, has been dedicated to producing the highest level of product while having as little negative impact on the earth as possible. A number of green showcase homes have featured its products including “Eco-Manor,” the entirely green private residence of Ted Turner’s daughter in Atlanta.

Posted by Penny Bonda on January 16, 2009 | Comments (11)