Scores of designers are incorporating sustainable elements into their work these days. Some are even using materials straight from Mother Earth herself. Bathroom designers, in particular, are taking an unusual turn by introducing sinks, tubs and toilets made of stone, granite, copper, bronze, iron – and even wood.

It’s an innovative idea and economically brilliant, because high-end materials, such as granite and gold, are considered the crème de la crème; they never go out of style. Stone and iron are incredibly sturdy and much heavier than the typical ceramic piece. With timeless, elegant and indestructible products now making their way into home and office bathrooms across the world – green design just became a lot more sophisticated.

Stone Forest
Santa Fe, N.M.-based Stone Forest is known for incorporating indoor/outdoor relationships into its home and garden collections to create “a deep sense of peace,” it says. For instance, the company’s Futuristic Floating Vanities mirror the outdoors in black granite and its Farmhouse Sinks in matte honed basalt modernize the country kitchen. Its Wave Pedestals “call to mind the fluidity of a soft spooling ribbon yet maintain their solid stone presence,” it describes.

“We are stretching the idea of what you can do with stone,” President Mike Zimber declares. “We are noticing a move towards the contemporary and we are using it to take this next step in the evolution of our company.” Stone Forest works with bronze, travertine, granite and basalt. Its stone products are hand-carved from single blocks of granite, marble, onyx and travertine that are obtained from quarries in Italy, Spain, Norway, Brazil and Pakistan. For more information, visit www.stoneforest.com.

Advent Design International
Advent Design International in Ridgewood, N.J., has introduced its Inspired Design Collection of hand-sculpted, solid stone soaking baths and basins. “Our discerning clientele demand unparalleled service, incredible quality and absolute exclusivity,” it states. “This collection was designed to address these demands by offering truly artistic pieces which don’t merely complete a bathroom, but instead become a showpiece for the entire home.”

Founder David Luster travels the world looking for stone quarries and skilled artisans who can carve the material into bathroom masterpieces. “One of the toughest challenges is finding just the right piece of stone,” he explains. “To custom-carve a stone bath, we have the stone mined from a quarry, and with a solid block weighing five to six tons, we begin the process of cutting and carving.” Usually, he adds, the pieces are customized to each client and to each piece of stone.

Advent sources products from South America, Europe and Asia. The surface finishes are either honed to create a non-reflective, smooth matte finish or polished to reveal a shiny, reflective finish. All are inspired by designs that fit the natural variation of color in a particular stone. For more information, visit www.adventstone.com.

Alchemy Glass & Light
Alchemy Glass & Light in Los Angeles is typically known for its kaleidoscope-colored glass sinks. But recently, artist Steve Weinstock has taken inspiration from ancient alchemists who believed that, under the proper astrological conditions, lead could be perfected into gold through a combination of fast heating and chemical processes.

Obviously, this is not possible. However, Weinstock uses precious metals and minerals that he experiments with through different temperature progressions, to create his one-of-a-kind designs. “Our sinks have a very old-world quality,” he explains. “I feel like I am throwing all of these different and yet individually precious materials into a pot and, while I have no control over their evolution, all properties come together for a completely unique work of art.”

Alchemy’s Prestige Series includes its hand chased cast bronze sink with a natural bronze patina. Weighing in at an impressive 57 pounds, it tolls like a bell when gently rapped with a knuckle, the company says. Its pure gold sink was created by permanently fusing 23 karat gold to low iron, crystal clear glass. The process was used to create its platinum sink, as well. Visit www.alchemyglass.com for more information.