Elevate Your Home with Stone Veneer: 5 Perfect Places for Accent Walls

Pangaea Fieldstone
Pangaea accent wall

Elevate Your Home with Stone Veneer: 5 Perfect Places for Accent Walls

In the world of home construction and DIY, creating an accent wall isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about making a bold statement. These accent walls, also known as feature walls, are where craftsmanship meets character, and they’re more than just a visual interest; they’re a game-changer for your project.

While paint and wallpaper have their place, they can’t match the enduring value and impact of stone veneers and architectural tile. Accent walls not only elevate the aesthetics but also add substantial value to a property, and it’s simple to maintain, ensuring your home interiors remain a source of awe for decades.

Choosing the right spot for an accent wall might seem challenging, but often, the room itself provides strong cues. Here, we delve into five strategic settings perfect for your stone veneer accent wall.

Artepiso Orchid
Artepiso Orchid

1. First Impressions Matter

Remember, you don’t get a second chance to make a first impression. Stone veneer on a wall greets your guests and sets the tone for your entire space. It’s the introduction that demands attention and admiration.

The placement of the Artepiso Orchid wall tiles in the space above acts as a focal point for anyone who may walk through the front door. These playful tiles, like any framed art, are sure to get the conversation started and create a welcoming atmosphere as soon as guests enter the house.

Light and easy to install, Artepiso 3D architectural tile adheres to most surfaces with a simple and inexpensive installation. They can also be painted for an attention grabbing splash of color.

Beon Stone® Carbo Classic
Beon Stone® Carbo Classic
Pangaea Fieldstone Cambrian
Pangaea® Fieldstone Cambrian

2. Accentuate the Architecture

Craftsmen know that great rooms deserve great features. Stone veneer can turn ordinary walls into stunning showcases. Fireplaces, floating room dividers, and walls with architectural details become canvases for your creativity.

A masterful example of this approach can be achieved with Be.on Stone® Carbo Classic veneer panels. Rather than installing shelves in the cutout section of the kitchen shown above, a stone matching the style around the adjoining room was applied, with artwork placed over it. From this vantage point, it gives the appearance of a window that offers a peak at the stone wall continuing behind it.

Ready to accentuate your home walls with another quick renovation, then look no further than your dated fireplace. Building materials like thin stone veneer and Pangaea® Fieldstone Cambria, seen above, transform any drab fireplace wall or surround into the family’s room’s best feature. 
See more fireplace inspiration in our blog, 5 Interior Projects To Tackle This Winter with Stone Veneer.

Pangaea® New England Quarry Ledgestone
Artepiso Andes
Artepiso Andes

3. Chase the Light

Sometimes, all you need to find the perfect spot for your accent wall is to follow the light. Let the natural light be your guide, drawing visitors’ eyes to your masterpiece. However, be cautious with walls that get intense backlighting or the window views will overshadow the veneer.

When crafting the room with those captivating waterfront views in mind, practicality was key. The choice of Pangaea® New England Quarry Ledgestone veneer wasn’t just about aesthetics; it was a smart decision. It blends seamlessly with the elegant wood paneling on the ceiling, all while ensuring the natural light from those massive windows takes center stage.

For those of you who like to get creative with lighting, consider adding some excitement with Artepiso 3D architectural tiles, seen here in hexagonal Andes shapes. These tiles boast intricate grooves and peaks, creating a mesmerizing interplay of light and shadow. And if you want to kick it up a notch, apply a coat of vibrant, glossy paint to make them shine even brighter.

Cultured Stone Echo Ridge Country Ledgestone
Cultured Stone® Echo Ridge Country Ledgestone

4. Read the Room

Look at the room’s layout; it often reveals the ideal accent wall location. Is there a wall where all the furniture converges? Maybe one housing a fireplace or TV? That’s your focal point, and that’s where stone veneer shines.

Take a look at the arrangement of the above living room, featuring Cultured Stone’s® Echo Ridge Country Ledgestone veneer. Would a feature have made better sense anywhere else? Note how the veneer calls out to the stone visible through the window on the home’s exterior.

Winesburg Plank
Dutch Quality Winesburg Plank 4&6 

5. Beside Views

In the bedroom, the most impactful accent wall is typically the one behind the bed. It highlights the bed as the most important feature of the room (which it is), and with the right material choice, can look like an extension of the headboard itself. And when you’re laying in bed, the view of an accent wall straight ahead may not have the calming effect you need.

Take a look at the red and brown hues of the Cultured Stone® Winesburg Weathered Plank 4&6 veneer. This manufactured stone was molded to precisely replicate the grain and character of reclaimed barn wood; its artistry and craftsmanship are molded to replicate the warmth of reclaimed barn wood.

We Make It Easy!

Creating a statement with stone veneer has never been easier. six brands of natural and manufactured stone veneer products available in hundreds of colors, shapes and sizes, Instone is your partner in making your vision a reality. 

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5 Interior Home Projects To Tackle This Winter with Stone Veneer

Panagaea indoor fireplace
Panagaea indoor fireplace

5 Interior Home Projects To Tackle This Winter with Stone Veneer

Stone can set the tone for your interior home makeovers. Whether you need a mancave makeover to host late-night card games, an elegant dining room redo to impress guests, or an elevated entertaining space to lift spirits during holiday gatherings, stone veneer is your MVP. Adding a touch of stone to your home bar, fireplace, or feature wall can take your home entertaining spaces to the next level.

Ready for some heavy-duty inspiration? Scroll down and let’s start planning out your ultimate sanctuary with these 5 home improvement projects with stone veneer.

Pangaea® Fieldstone Cambrian
Pangaea® Fieldstone Cambrian
Pangaea® Fieldstone Cambrian
Pangaea® Fieldstone Cambrian
Pangaea®Fieldstone Westcoast
Pangaea® Fieldstone Westcoast
Pangaea® Fieldstone Westcoast
Pangaea® Fieldstone Westcoast

1. Fireplace Makeovers Add The Drama 

Ramp up your fireplace game. Interior stone veneer doesn’t just add charm; it transforms a space. Imagine a floor-to-ceiling stack of stone veneer, framing a fireplace and capturing the feel of a time-honored estate.

The examples above feature Pangaea® Natural Stone products, offering a contrast in fireplace design styles thanks to a variety of available colors and patterns. For a bold look that makes the fireplace the star of the room, the last two images above feature Pangaea®’s Fieldstone Westcoast veneer. For a softer look, muted grays deliver a sophisticated, but understated impact, with Pangaea® Fieldstone Cambrian. No matter your home’s style, Pangaea has a look for you.  

Dutch Quality Winter Point
Dutch Quality Winter Point Drystack

2. Basement Renovations Rule On Game Day

When a home begins to feel crowded, the basement becomes the go-to space for entertaining. But hard choices await: which boxes to junk, what old gear to retire, and most crucially, which stone finish to choose.

Take this Illinois mancave makeover, where the homeowner transformed a standard basement into the ultimate entertainment hub for watching the games. The striking Dutch Quality Winter Point Dry Stack veneer sets the scene, perfectly framing the tv screen and inviting indoor fireplace. And that support beam, it integrates into the room design nicely thanks to the faux stone veneer, which mimics a natural stone pillar.

Cultured Stone® Arcadia Pro-Fit® Terrain™ Ledgestone. Interior Stone Veneer Accent Wall.
Cultured Stone® Arcadia Pro-Fit® Terrain™ Ledgestone

3. Game Rooms That Bring Big Fun 

With a ping pong table, dartboard, and a flat-screen mounted over Cultured Stone®’s Arcadia Pro-Fit Terrain Ledgestone, we give this home points for having the coolest game room in town. The Pro-Fit Terrain stone veneer has staggered depths and alternating rough/smooth finishes to add depth and balance and to show this isn’t just a game room; it’s where legends are made. 

4. A Historic Case for Stone in Wine Cellar

Archaeologists have found caves in Europe and Asia used by winemakers over 5,000 years ago. The ancient vintners knew that dark, subterranean confines were ideal for avoiding temperature swings that could ruin the fermentation process. The practice endured and gave rise to the temperature-controlled cellars that are still used to make and store wine today.

Instone honors this legacy with interior stone veneer that shout Old World gravitas. The above Beon Stone® Element Collection Carbo (left) panels and Cultured Stone® Palermo de Mare (right) veneer could be the right detail to add some traditional appeal.

Artepiso Cedar Wine on the bar
Artepiso Cedar Wine on the bar
Pangaea® Sierra Ridge Roman Castlestone
Pangaea® Sierra Ridge Roman Castlestone
Dutch Quality Sienna Drystack
Dutch Quality Sienna Drystack
Dutch Quality Sagewood Ledgestone
Dutch Quality Sagewood Ledgestone

5. Home Bars That Have It All 

What kind of vibe do you want for your personal bar? If you’re thinking bold and daring —  and maybe even a little funky — take a peek at the incomparable shapes and textures of Artepiso 3D architectural tiles, like the Artepiso’s Cedar pattern tiles shown on this wine bar. The light and ultra-customizable concrete tiles can be painted any color and adhere to most surfaces with a simple and inexpensive installation. 

Looking for a less modern material choice? Instone offers many material options for bars and wine cellars. The photos above showcase the multiple looks of stone veneer to create the perfect ambiance for entertaining. 

Stone Veneer At The Ready for Your Indoor Renovation Projects

Got a renovation on your mind? From igniting the spark of an idea to laying down the groundwork, we’re here to help you with fresh ideas, material options, or cost estimates for your entertaining space makeover. 

Instone carries six natural and manufactured stone veneer brands that offer hundreds of options for colors, shapes, sizes, and styles. Whatever your style – rustic, modern, or unique – we’ve got the goods. Hunting for something custom-made? Instone’s Fabrication and Design Services professionals are on standby, ready to assist.

Whether you’re a mason, contractor,  or DIY weekend warrior, let us connect you with an Instone products dealer in your area. Contact us today!

Looking for more interior inspiration, follow us on Pinterest and Instagram.

Explore the Wonderful World of Accent Walls

Explore the Wonderful World of Accent Walls

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Shannon Hart is the senior interior designer for Minneapolis, Minnesota-based Studio Grey. The studio specializes in creating notable commercial and residential environments using interior design, furniture, fixture and lighting specifications, and coordination of graphic design elements. Shannon shared her thoughts on the ways feature walls enhance spaces, things to keep in mind when planning them, and which Instone materials might be the perfect fit for your project. 

No one wants a 0/10 from Room Rater. When staff meetings, client presentations and practically every other aspect of our work lives life migrated to Zoom two years ago, it created a sudden demand for backdrops that looked stylish and professional. Studio Grey received its share of inquiries.

“The requests came in to add some layering, so you’re not just a floating head with a blank wall behind you,” said Shannon Hart, the studio’s senior interior designer. “In those instances, depending on budget, we typically recommend installing a stone wall behind you – something textural but neutral. You want to avoid a lot of red paint or a crazy wall if you want people to focus on what you’re saying.”

Like virtual meetings and many other pandemic-spurred trends, the accent wall is here to stay. Accent walls, also called feature walls, have a separate look than the other walls in a room, creating a visual departure that can bring a space to life. 

Artepiso Cedar available from Instone.

“We use accent walls as a way to create rhythm but also to break up a space. In a room with white or simple walls, you can use color, wood, stone, or graphic patterns to add extra texture and layers,” Hart said. “It gives your eye a place to focus on and adds intrigue to the space.”

Pangaea® Westcoast available from Instone adds the WOW factor on this fireplace and accent wall. 

Instone offers a variety of options for accent walls, such as its Pangaea® natural stone veneers and Artepiso 3D concrete tiles. Pangaea’s thin stone tiles are striking, easy to install and available in seven natural colors. With dozens of shapes and textures to choose from, Artepiso tiles are versatile, can be painted in solid colors or patterns of your choice, and reflect light in stimulating ways.

Artepiso Cedar available from Instone. Photo from the Instone headquarters. 

The When and Where of Accent Walls

An accent wall can be used in virtually any kind of space, Hart said. When considering one for your home or office, she said a good first step is to think about what the flow of the space is and where the highest impact would be. If people walk by a wall every day without glancing in its direction, it may not be the best outlet for your creative energy. 

Know your budget before deciding what materials to use and whether you’d like to cover the full wall or just a section, Hart said. It also helps to think ahead about your long-term goals for the design. Paint or wallpaper accent walls are simple, inexpensive and can be switched easily down the line, while stone arrangements can last and maintain their beauty for many years.

“Consider how long you want to be in the space and how often you’re willing to switch it out. If it’s something that’s bricked in, that’s got mortar behind it, that’s a more intensive install. If I were to recommend a stone, I’d say lean toward something neutral that won’t age itself if it has a specific style to it,” Hart said, adding that Pangaea’s natural black, grey and white stones are excellent options. 

As an alternative to the stone, Hart said many of Artepiso’s 3D tiles can be used to project a fun and kinetic environment – perfect for a tech office or modern commercial spaces, for example. Some of its more natural shapes, like the half-circle Amazons, would be great choices for a home accent wall.

“Geometric shapes are very energetic, if you will, so I think they might be best in a more lively setting,” Hart said. “You can keep the natural shapes for your own soothing spaces if that’s what you prefer.” 

Artepiso Andes available from Instone.

Building Accent Walls Around Existing Features

Hart said there’s no reason why you can’t create accent walls around existing features like windows and fireplaces. Removing old mantels and dressing up the fireplace with new materials can make a huge impact on the room in a cost-effective way. However, she cautions that the variety of materials used should be minimized to avoid the wall looking chaotic, especially if you plan on adding accessories such as artwork and framed photos. 

Geometric accent wall. Design by Studio Grey and photographer Spacecrafting.

Some of her favorite uses of accent walls were in Studio Grey’s design in the commons areas of the Trademark Apartments, a student-centered complex located near the University of Minnesota campus. Mosaic tiles from a local manufacturer were used to add dressing and color in a mailbox wall area that was functional but not pretty. The project employed plenty of natural features, like an accent wall in the lobby with faux moss panels planted between wooden columns that gives the feel like you’ve entered a forest.

Geometric accent wall. Design by Studio Grey and photographer Spacecrafting.

For a society that spends so much of its time in built environments, Hart said you can’t go wrong by bringing a bit of the outdoors indoors. 

“There’s a reason Mid-Century Modern is so popular right now. There’s a lot of natural, soothing shapes and materials in there, so lean into that and lean into that we’re people on a green earth and share our nature. We all need a little soothing in the times we’re in,” she said