DESIGN
HARRI AALTO pioneered the use of waterjet technology for decorative architectural stone in 1988. Harri began his career in painting and sculpture. This basis in fine art has allowed Harri to push the limits of his floor designs past the previous expectations of the industry.
Harri developed a line of focal medallion designs that have since defined the look of a modern stone floor medallion. He then broke the limitations of self-contained medallions and borders by creating whole-floor concepts using medallions, borders, and accents to integrate the formal areas of the home. Such designs incorporate free-floating elements and open-ended borders, creating continuity throughout the open spaces of today’s luxury residences.
Harri’s ongoing study of classical forms and architecture has allowed him to continually grow the company’s archive of designs to keep up with the increasing demand of a higher-end clientele. Harri’s work can be seen in luxury properties in five continents.
ANNIE AALTO, daughter of Harri, continues the family tradition of decorative arts. Over the past 20 years, Annie has expanded upon Harri’s designs with an updated aesthetic suited to contemporary interior spaces.
Annie has worked with many of the nation’s top interior designers, and she understands the expectations of today’s fast-turnaround, high-level projects. Annie specializes in concept design, floor plan layout, stone color combinations and client communication to ensure every detail is met and all aesthetics are in keeping with the client’s space.
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 This last item may be a mood board, one of our collections, a historical reference, or a sketch.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 so that everyone feels comfortable moving forward with the process.
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.
