Choosing white, green or pink stone for one room

Read the background before the vein.

Describe whether the stone reads warm, cool, light or dark at room distance. Then look at the contrast, density and direction of the pattern. A close-up can make a dramatic vein seem more dominant than it will be across the whole piece.

For white, green, pink, blue or dark stone, compare the actual sample beside the adjoining paint, timber, metal and upholstery. Keep a neutral reference in photographs if you are discussing options remotely.

Test scale and light.

Review the full slab or a complete-piece image as well as the sample. Place the material in the intended room lighting where possible. Compare the appearance at different times and from the main viewing positions.

A polished, honed or textured finish can change the way light is reflected. Ask for the actual intended finish instead of choosing only a colour name.

Give one element the lead.

Decide whether the stone should be the focal point or part of a quieter composition. Use the amount of exposed surface, neighbouring patterns and edge treatment to develop that choice.

Record the final sample, full-slab direction and adjoining finish references. If a substitution is needed later, compare it against the whole palette rather than a single screenshot.

Your checklist

Questions before the next step