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Cathedral of Inspiration
February 20, 2010
Tile Stone Journal - Cathedral of Inspiration
When Lapicida relocated to its spectacular new showroom in November 2007 it was perhaps the boldest statement of intent by a UK stone specialist. Billed as the largest of its kind in Europe, it combines timeless architecture with contemporary design. Stunning displays illustrate graphically how to achieve sophistication and practicality for the very best in luxury living.
Everything about this cathedral to design speaks quality; from the high quality music that wafts around the well conceived car park, to the stunning object d’art that dress the vaulted display case; this is a space that inspires and excites. The pure lines of the Mediterranean style swimming pool, sumptuous bathrooms and a chic apartment - complete with a powerful, state-of-the-art AV system - accentuate the luxurious quality of the stone and inspires visitors to create the home of their dreams. It is also designed as a venue for interior designers and architects to discuss and reunite their ideas.
Complimentary meeting rooms give designer and client the space required to compare samples and share ideas. The vision of Jason Cherrington, Lapicida uses selected quarries around the world to offer some of the finest stone nature has to offer.
Alongside superb calibrated floor tiles and wall coverings, consumers will find luxury endmatched feature walls, incredibly rare basins carved from exotic translucent stone blocks, travagant marble and onyx, and much more besides. “Only the most beautiful stone ever makes it back to our showroom, explains the company’s high quality website. “.We go to great lengths to source truly first-class products. Often, only stone originating from one particular seam in a specific quarry will ever be given the Lapicida seal of approval, when several may be available. Our ontinual quest for perfection allows us to source an extensive range of products, quite unlike anything else that is available.” This is no idle boast.
Alongside an extremely extensive range of stone, Lapicida also highlight the subtle textures that can be achieved by treating its stone portfolio with a wide range of surface finishes. Tumbled, polished, smooth and distressed effects are all in evidence. The company philosophy is to carefully select the finish of each stone to enhance, rather than change, the finished product. Quality and attention to detail defines Lapicida’s corporate ethos. Take one outstanding example. The hi-tech warehouse is fitted with underfloor heating throughout, drying out the stone to ensure that it is in premium condition and ready for installation. In addition, every single tile is hand checked in and out of the warehouse, minimising breakages and ensuring onsistency.
The company stores up to 900,000 sq-ft of stone in this 17,000 sq-ft warehouse. The aim is to ensure that availability, and continuity of supply, is, wherever possible, ensured, “We understand how frustrating it is when something holds up your home improvement project. That is why we sell all products from stock. Orders are picked and prepared immediately, giving our ustomers peace of mind.”
Lapicida’s portfolio is impressive. It spans limestone, where Lapicida concentrates on white or almost white stones that are hard-wearing enough for use in high traffic areas at home or in the office. Travertine is another popular stone. The company emphasises that travertine is a natural stone which has pitted holes and troughs in its surface. It uses these characteristics to create a more rustic, natural and period look.
Lapicida also offers a range of slate, sourcing this grained, metamorphic rock from Cornwall and Wales as well as far afield as Brazil. With its natural durability and heat absorption, Lapicida emphasises slate’s suitability for kitchens and bathrooms. The company’s marble portfolio is particularly impressive: seen at its best in some of the uber-luxurious bathroom sets. Lapicida specialises in bookmatching large marble slabs to create the wow-factor within any home. Sandstone is another staple, with Lapicida offering a range of colours such as tan, brown, yellow, red, grey and white. As befits a Knaresborough-based operation, Lapicida is a proponent of Yorkshire sandstone for external applications, offering a sawn-edge finish that ensures a modern, crisp look.
TSJ is privileged to visit a wide range of showrooms across the globe: the finest of their kind. Few, if any, can match what Lapicida has achieved in Knaresborough. It is, quite simple, an inspiring space: a cathedral to aspiration and one of the finest retail locations in the world.
Editor
Stone Tile Journal - June 2009
