Memories of past travels and intense experiences come to life: the Tuscan landscapes of Italy, which radiate an aura of historical significance; richly decorated Moorish palaces in Andalusian Granada; memories of cool white marble benches in the glistening Greek sun... Nature, with its infinite variation of stones, has given mankind a gift that has lost none of its timeless beauty to this day. In conversation with Walter Alberti, founder and CEO of Real-Stein AG, impressive worlds of design, form, colour and structure, of sublimity and durability of the natural stone material emerge.
Real-Stein as the leading Swiss supplier of selected natural stones from all regions around the globe proves its philosophy and its claim to the highest quality and uniqueness with its projects, which it has realised in the past with renowned designers and architects. There are endless possibilities to create spaces in which individual concepts and ideas can be implemented without compromise. No colour that would not be provided in nature. Breathtaking patterns of unimaginable peculiarity evoke associations with snake skin, wood grain or pebbles. Shimmering mother-of-pearl gloss gives some stones a three-dimensionality and depth that turn spaces into temples. Translucent qualities convey tenderness and fragility yet are strong and consistent. They give an idea of eternity. Or clear structures, soft tones, soft optics are chosen in order to immerse the designed environment in a classical elegance that is restrained and at the same time creates an aura of sublimity. Expectations of modernity and striking styles are also fully met. Natural stone is a material that participates in all designs and shapes, even provokes work with it, stimulates creativity and doesn’t leave you in peace until the work is completed. Numerous production techniques and surface treatments open up perspectives and transform spaces into walk-in sculptures. Generousness and an optimum of virtuosity speak for themselves. Looking back over a long period, it can be seen that the use of natural stone in interior architecture and design is not short-term, modernist hype, but a trend that continues in the long term and points to the future. Of course, there is also a need for further developments and new approaches, such as the combination of natural stone and wood. All these aspects are covered by the aspiration that Real-Stein has committed itself to. It is constantly expanding and refining its portfolio, so that very special projects and realisations can continue to be expected.
The poetry of the stones and their durability have always fascinated people. Their charisma and special feel make them ideal materials especially for people who want to live out their own style and are not interested in short-term fashion trends. Your individual ideas and demands on the workmanship can be implemented in an unprecedented way. Walter Alberti of Real-Stein therefore also speaks of a tailor-made suit that is specially tailored to the customer. For each client the suitable raw materials can be found, which express their own feelings and views perfectly. Materialising emotions is an attractive task for every designer and natural stone is an excellent partner because it is so versatile and delivers high-quality results. Surface designs, floor coverings, wall coverings, covers in kitchens and bathrooms, spas and living rooms are designed. Showers, washbasins and wash stands can be beautifully formed in natural stone. But pieces of furniture and accessories can also be made from this material – often as one-off items – and offer exclusive extras. The result is charming jewels or splendid furnishings full of harmony and expression, in which the enchanting goddesses Venus and Aphrodite would certainly like to linger. The effect is sculptural and effortless, but the realisation is extremely complex and requires precise planning. Refined details such as backlit walls or drawer elements, but also entire staircases, columns and room-high versions can be realised. The classic ideal of beauty is continued in a new way.
The trends presented by internationally renowned and admired designers such as Carlo Colombo, John Pawson, Piero Lissoni and Zanotti at the latest design fairs are proof that the enthusiasm for natural stone continues and even increases. The game with surfaces and textures is always topical and always new. As almost anything can be produced from natural stone, there are no limits to creativity and innovation. In addition, mechanical innovations in stone processing and new types of hard stone such as Lumix or Taj Mahal with their outstanding properties (hardness, acid resistance, similarity to marble) offer new possibilities for making extreme ideologies and wishes a reality. As a supplier of natural stone, Real-Stein AG sees itself as being under an obligation here and naturally makes these innovations available. The attentive observation of the market with its current trends and developments as well as the cooperation with excellent designers is an essential part of a professional product development for you. But of course the design icons such as the white Carrara marble will remain in the range alongside the new additions. Because outstanding quality is the central criterion for everyone who wants to work with natural stone. The value and technical versatility of the stones touches both the interior designer and the person who is allowed to use the realised creations. For this reason, globally active brands such as Boffi, Antonio Lupi and Salvatori, for whom Real-Stein has implemented a new showroom, are driving the natural stone trend forward and point the way to future developments. The attractiveness of stone as a natural product ensures a continuous acceptance that points beyond the moment. Anyone who has ever been lucky enough to experience carefully designed rooms made of natural stone can feel why Real-Stein burns with such passion and intensity for this theme and does not cease to enrich the world with its products and discoveries. The result is a timeless statement that has been a source of beauty since ancient times.
