The Wisdom of Investing in Quality - By: Harri Aalto,

When looking at a work of art, what spontaneously draws ooohhs and aahhs from within you? Uniqueness, quality and originality vibrating!

Quality resonates with the finest aspects of one’s being, creating a stabilizing effect on the emotions and leaving a fragrance of deep satisfaction. When designing the interior of a residence, hotel, or public area, a master designer will infuse the area with these qualities.

The foundation for all interior design decisions is the floor, followed by the walls. These areas are not just to be hidden by furniture and ornaments of various kinds – they are the essence of the entire atmosphere and deserve an unflinching priority in the eyes of those who view them. Furniture and ornaments can easily come and go – and will. Quality interior design of the floors stands alone, allowing one to emphasize that which has stability – lasting-power.

What creates uniqueness, originality and quality in a floor? Your best investment is marble – onyx – granite -- meticulously hand-assembled and crafted in a pattern created by a master designer. When the finest marbles, which come in thousands of gradations of colors, are enhanced with exotic stones, you have a masterpiece that transforms an ordinary building into a palace.

Marble and natural stone borders, again exquisitely designed, can surround a room or hallway on either the floor or the walls. They graciously resonate with every room they touch, always vibrating in tune with the surroundings, infusing the qualities of nature.

A master designer knows that investing in a marble entryway floor can create a melody of harmony, peace and joy to all who enter, transforming their moods, enlivening their joy and creativity. Yet, other areas also delight in natural stone floors. The bathroom! Without an equal when designed by a master, the bathroom floor beckons as an irresistible invitation to bathe in luxury. Here again, marble, onyx, and granite designed into a high-quality, yet affordable, medallion or pattern, are an investment in pure quality.

Dining areas display the beauty of natural stone floors in a useful, easy-to-care-for style. Whether in a private residence, a pizza parlor, or the grand ballroom in a hotel, when friends join together for dining or snacking they are influenced by a floor that reflects an atmosphere of excellence.

Originality, the uniqueness infused by a master designer, makes the difference in the end quality of any natural-stone floor. While modern-day use of water-jet technology makes cutting marble and onyx into tiny, precise patterns an efficient process, only a master designer can create the pattern that allows the water-jets to do their part. And, once cut, the thousands of tiny pieces need to be meticulously hand-placed by a human craftsperson. These two artists will never be replaced by a machine. Their talents create quality, natural-stone floors that have a unique beauty plus stability and lasting-power.

Investing in quality makes owners proud of their accomplishment, their decision to create an effect that will endure for decades to come, bringing beauty to the lives of all.

Harri Aalto is cofounder and Creative Director of Creative Edge Master Shop, a leader in the architectural design community. He designs all of the company's products, including its custom medallions and borders.

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