From Remnants to Revelations: The Making of a Built-In

This story begins with a spark of inspiration: five remaining remnants of exquisite Arabescatto marble, left over from the design of the client’s kitchen. These fragments were far too precious (and expensive) to be overlooked or discarded. The challenge was to create a design maximizing the use of the material in both quantity, and quality.

Quarried from the illustrious mountains of Carrara, Italy, Arabescatto marble is among the rarest and most sought-after treasures in the world of natural stone. This extraordinary material is a symphony of contrasts, where pristine white tones meet dramatic veining in hues of deep gray. Its name, derived from the Italian word "arabesco," meaning "arabesque," speaks to its intricate, flowing patterns that seem almost alive, almost intentional, as though capturing the spirited motion of a painter's brush exuberantly crossing canvas.

Detail of an “Arabesque” Ceiling in Umayyad Mosque, Damascus

To preserve the marble’s distinctiveness, separation from the bedecked kitchen was necessary. Placing the same stone in a separate area ensured both designs remained special in their own right. When I recommended its use for a built-in within the office (an area down a long hallway, across the house relative to the kitchen) the idea resonated with my clients who gave me the go ahead.

The location was set, the design process commenced.

Inspired by the client’s preference for minimalistic, and monolithic forms, and a desire to create something bold and inspiring, we envisioned a piece that felt as though it belonged in the pages of an editorial.

Lately, I’ve been captivated by a design philosophy I’ve coined "miraculous design." This approach plays with perception, creating elements that seem to defy logic—like delicate supports bearing the weight of thick, heavy shelves or structures that appear to float, their means of support concealed.

For this built-in, I wanted to evoke that same sense of wonder. We designed large, chunky shelves that seemed to rest delicately on custom metal brackets. However, the true support system was ingeniously hidden within the wall. This "miraculous" effect transformed the built-in into a statement piece-a harmonious blend of boldness, elegance, and a touch of magic.

Concept Development

Once the concept for the built-in was established; chunky shelves “supported” by metal brackets from ceiling to floor, with a lower credenza for use as storage- we dove into the design phase.

To ensure the design was just right, we developed four iterations of the same built in; ranging from six feet to seven feet wide, playing with two, three, or four upper shelves, as well as playing with credenza heights. Each version revealed slightly different proportions and scales.

Ultimately, we decided to maximize the width of the built in at seven feet. We felt the narrower width accentuated too much the verticality, and made the space feel narrow. The wider proportion allowed the built-in to feel like an architectural element, fully integrated into the space.

Regarding the shelf quantity, we found 2 shelves felt disconnected from the ceiling and credenza, and four shelves seemed to eliminate the drama (we also might want to place large art within the credenza and lower shelf one day), so three shelves was the chosen number. They allowed the room to breathe but also played up the drama of floating stone.

This was enough to then define how these remnants would be cut. The cut sheet was meticulously prepared to ensure all veining continued into each opposing piece, celebrate the most beautiful parts of the stone in the most prominent areas, to allow the portions of the stone with most flaws to be concealed, and for seams of multiple pieces to be concealed by perfectly placed pattern. I believe the top of the top shelf is composed of about five pieces because (a) we had no choice and (b) no one will ever see it. Doing this allowed my client to work within their existing stone and not pay many thousands for another half slab.

The final design includes three substantial upper shelves, perfectly balanced above a low and narrow credenza at the base. From floor to ceiling, custom-fabricated metal brackets would appear to support the stone, subtly hinting at the miraculous design philosophy. Yet, these brackets would be only semi-structural—the true support system was hidden within the wall.

Execution and Collaboration

Bringing this design to life was no small feat, and required a team of experts. The communication and coordination between myself, the stone fabricator, and the metal fabricator were key to ensuring every detail was executed flawlessly. Contract drawings meticulously illustrated how each piece of marble was to be cut, specifying exact dimensions for the credenza, and the shelves.

These drawings also outlined fabrication of the metal brackets; pipes paired with plates affixed to each set of ends, with concealed welding, and a custom powder coating to closely match the finish of the louvred ceiling. We first created a prototype for review, and then once received, approved the production of the rest (we actually saved some money by incorporating the prototype into the scheme, thereby eliminating the production of one additional element).

In order to be considerate of tolerances, the uppermost brackets were not welded to their plates on one end to allow cutting in height if necessary on site.

On installation day, the room buzzed with activity and precision. Watching the team install such heavy and complex pieces with ease felt almost surreal. It was a logistical dance requiring absolute focus and expertise. Seeing them hoist and position the chunky marble shelves gave me newfound faith in humanity’s engineering prowess. If these installers were this efficient with my built-in, I thought, it’s no wonder the pyramids exist.

Every detail had to align perfectly. The brackets, fabricated to millimeter precision, had to seamlessly integrate with the marble’s veining and edges. Each shelf and credenza component was carefully mounted, blending strength and subtlety to achieve the miraculous effect we had envisioned.

Final Reveal

When the last piece was in place, the built-in transformed the office into a space of understated grandeur. The shelves appeared to float effortlessly, their bold presence amplified by the delicate interplay of metal and marble. The contrast between the chunky shelves and the slender brackets created an almost magical tension—an illusion of impossibility that captured the essence of "miraculous design."

The client’s reaction made every challenge worth it. This built-in was more than just functional; it was a work of art, an enduring testament to the power of design to inspire and elevate. For me, it was a reminder of why I do what I do—crafting pieces that tell stories, spark curiosity, and transform spaces into something extraordinary.

This project, from inception to installation, stands as a shining example of how creativity, collaboration, and meticulous attention to detail can turn the ordinary into the extraordinary. It’s a journey I’m proud to share, and one I hope inspires others to imagine the possibilities of design.