PROCESS

At Aalto, we treat each project as a work of art guided by our client’s personal aesthetics. Each project we complete begins with a conversation. Some of our clients have a clear idea of what they’re looking for. Some simply have a favorite color.

We typically start with a floor plan or measurements; a color palette; and a basis for the style of the floor. This last item may be a mood board, one of our collections, a historical reference, or a sketch. From this conversation, we create a rough layout of the design, determining the density and scale of the design areas versus the field areas. With this information, we can put together a budget for the project.

Next, we create detailed renderings of the stone inlays for client approval. The line art we use to create these renderings also directs the waterjet machine when we cut the individual pieces of stone. This is the beauty of computer-aided design and manufacturing: The artist who draws your floor also draws the lines by which the stone sections are cut. This process gives fine details like inlaid leaves, vines, scrolls, and flora the elegance of a painting.

hand drawing of marble inlay floor pattern