When homeowners have to select a white marble variety, Arabescato Marble is usually never the first option that comes to mind. In most cases, Calacatta and Carrara Marble remain in the limelight. It is quite surprising because Arabescato is a splendid form of white marble that awes onlookers with its distinct charm. Like Calacatta and Carrara Marble, Arabescato marble also hails from the Carrara region of Tuscany in Italy. Its rich grey veining and unique jagged patterns set it apart from all other variants of white marble. The grey streaks are large and prominent and overpower the white background. Thus, rather than a grey-on-white effect, the ultimate look is that of dreamy white islands scattered across a grey ocean.
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Why is Arabescato Marble better than Carrara and Calacatta Marble?
Before this discussion, it is important to note that no marble variety can be stated as superior or inferior to the other. Every natural stone possesses a unique set of pros and cons. Choosing marble flooring, worktops, or staircases is always dependent on a multitude of factors as per the homeowner’s needs and tastes. Even the highly emphasised aspect of visual appeal is a purely subjective opinion. Therefore, for certain spaces, decor schemes, and owner preferences, Arabescato marble is more suited. Similarly, for others, Carrara or Calacatta marble is the better option.
4 Interesting Reasons to Opt for Arabescato Marble
The rare Arabescato marble holds clear advantages over Carrara and Calacatta marble in certain areas. Here are four noteworthy reasons why homeowners can readily opt for this prized yet not hyped white marble variety:-
1. Completely Unique Look Favours Bookmatching– The ‘jagged island effect’ of the Arabescato marble is its biggest trademark. It is possibly the only white marble variety that looks more grey than white. With the bold patterns making an emphatic style statement, homeowners can display Arabescato as a masterpiece on feature walls, island worktops, splashbacks, kitchens, bathroom flooring, featured walls, and more. On the other hand, the Calacatta marble is bright white with relatively sparser streaks of light grey, dark grey, beige, and gold. While Calacatta marble certainly looks grander, Arabescato is better suited for book-matched applications. It involves cutting marble slabs from a single block and installing them parallel to create identical mirror images. Since natural forces ensure that no marble slab is identical to the other, book matching is the only man-made way to create similar-looking slabs. The bold and dense veining of Arabescato enables book matching easily.
2. Mid-Point between Calacatta and Carrara– In terms of eye-catching aesthetics, Arabescato stands mid-way between the subtle Carrara and the regal Calacatta. Carrara marble is known for its serene elegance and calm white background nestled by very fine grey veins. There is nothing flashy about the sublime Carrara. It can be easily used for large-scale installations without much thought. On the contrary, Calacatta is a visually-striking, bright white marble with sparse but bold stripes of grey, beige, and gold. It makes for a luxurious and powerful decor statement. With its unique aesthetics, Arabescato offers the best of both worlds- the calmness of Carrara and the vivaciousness of Calacatta.
3. Lesser Resin Treatment Required- Marble is formed when limestone is gradually metamorphosed into a hard, crystalline rock owing to intense, under-earth forces over hundreds of years. During this process, the amalgamation of various natural resins accords marble slabs with distinct veining patterns, none similar to one another. But this also increases the scope of natural imperfections in the structure of marble. Before installation, every marble slab should be resin-treated to eliminate these natural errors in the pattern. However, due to its somewhat homogenous pattern, the degree of resin treatment required for Arabescato marble is far lesser than that of Calacatta. The dense veining provides lesser scope for faults. Calacatta marble has a high degree of vacant white space, making it more prone to natural faults.
4. Moderate Pricing- Affordability is often a major issue, due to which homeowners choose Carrara over Calacatta marble. There is a lack of awareness that the majestic Arabescato is a surprisingly affordable option. Priced mid-way between Carrara and Calacatta, it is ideal for those who can afford Carrara for regular installation but require a few eye-catching slabs to highlight certain interior spaces, such as feature walls or fireplaces.
Conclusion
Home designing or renovation requires meticulous attention to detail. Most homeowners have limited time/resources and need to choose their materials wisely. Especially when it comes to selecting white marble worktops and flooring, the focus should be on deriving maximum value for money whilst ensuring that the functional and aesthetic requirements are met seamlessly. Whether it is Carrara, Arabescato, or Calacatta marble, the installation choice of every interior space should be led by a checklist of requirements, preferences, concerns, and budget.
