From Fashion to Stone: A New Perspective
April Graves, with a robust background in fashion, discovered an unexpected passion for natural stone. She explores this passion after graduating from Seattle Pacific University and Central Saint Martins. Her career led her from Burberry to Aria Stone Gallery, where she is now partner and COO. Her journey began at a Dallas gallery event, where she encountered the awe-inspiring stone slabs that would later define her career, transforming her view of stone into an art form.
For a fresh take on art’s evolving boundaries, Fumiaki Aono’s transformed furniture showcases how discarded items become surreal narratives, akin to Graves’ visionary stone use.
Revealing the Identity of Stone
Joining the gallery in 2014 and becoming a partner in 2020, Graves crafted a sourcing philosophy labeled “buying wild.” She shares her experience with materials, honed her attention to detail, aiming for stones with character and artistry, drawing parallels between fashion and stone design.
Transformative Stone Design
Graves emphasizes the importance of seeing stone in person to fully appreciate its movement and potential. At Aria Stone Gallery, the philosophy is about challenging norms with exceptional stones, encouraging designers to push their creative boundaries. She introduces new ways to appreciate and utilize these natural materials.
Similarly, Studio City’s Obsidian House also employs natural materials in architecture, much like Graves’ transformative use of stone at Aria.
The Beauty of Remnants
Current trends excite Graves, as offcuts and remnants find new purposes in design. She illustrates how these materials create continuity within a space, transforming traditional uses of natural stone into smaller, custom details that personalize and enrich interiors.
Presenting Rosso Melograno
The gallery now features Rosso Melograno, a distinctive burgundy marble from Italy. Graves reveals that while it carries red undertones, it reads more as an earthy brown. This subtle quality fits seamlessly into contemporary designs while providing warmth and richness.
Unveiling a Vision for the Future
Luxury is evolving towards authenticity and craftsmanship. Graves foresees natural stone becoming an intentional design component, moving beyond mere aesthetics to embody originality and narrative. She unveils this shift as a reflection of a broader appreciation for materials with genuine character.
A Call to Designers
Graves urges designers to view natural stone as more than just a material. She explains that each slab tells a story—a unique design element that adds personality and depth to spaces. At Aria, the belief is that stone should anchor and inspire, elevating it to the status of art.
You can learn more about Aria Stone Gallery at Aria Stone Gallery.
Source: design-milk.com
Frequently asked questions
What inspired April Graves to focus on natural stone?
April Graves discovered an unexpected passion for natural stone after graduating from Seattle Pacific University and Central Saint Martins and attending a Dallas gallery event where she encountered awe-inspiring stone slabs.
What is April Graves’ sourcing philosophy at Aria Stone Gallery?
April Graves crafted a sourcing philosophy labeled ‘buying wild,’ focusing on stones with character and artistry, and drawing parallels between fashion and stone design.
How does the Aria Stone Gallery philosophy challenge norms?
At Aria Stone Gallery, the philosophy challenges norms by showcasing exceptional stones that encourage designers to push their creative boundaries and introduce new ways to appreciate and utilize natural materials.