This classic French limestone luxury home sets the bar high.
Monarch Stone International collaborated with one of the finest builders and architects on this luxury home in Orange County CA. The features included an exterior fully cladded in French limestone, as well as French limestone balconies, corbels, a massive entry door surround – with incredibly detailed hand carved roses inside and out, interior staircase, dimensional elements and flooring. After an extensive stone review and selection process, including several trips to France with both the client and architect, three French limestone’s – Lanvignes Dore, Lanvignes Clair and St Croix Balzac, were chosen.
Our company arranged for inspections of the stone and mock-ups at the French quarry, attended by both the client and architect/interior designer. These reviews were essential to managing the quality and the color selection. We supplied the stone as well as supervised the stone process; communication with the quarry, French supplier, transportation from France to California, and assisted in the installation of the massive front door entry. The result was nothing short of spectacular! For more images visit our French Limestone web page.
Why French limestone? You’ll find French limestone provides a wide range of colors, variety of finishes and durability!
Color Options: nothing compares to the variety of color options found with French limestone! Click here for an example of just some of the French limestone colors available including variations of white, tan, cream, yellow, gray and black. Just a few examples of beautiful colors can be found in French stones; Limeyrat, Dalle de France, Lanvignes, Giverny, Dalle de Bourgogne, Balzac and Beaumanière to name a few. Keep in mind that names given to French Limestone can be confusing. In every situation, it’s important for custom orders to be clearly identified and then managed with the quarry to control the selection process and variations that will affect color range.
Density: French limestone is known as having some of the hardest stones, making it very suitable in freeze/thaw conditions. In general, the density of rock is measured by a scale which factors the packing structure, molecular arrangements and composition then assigns a number. Limestone ranges from 2.3 to 2.7 on the ‘density scale’. This is range found in most building stones and is comparable to marble and granite – in fact only basalt is harder. French limestone’s hardness is classified generally as semi-hard, medium-hard and some of the hardest; Villebois, Comblanchien and St. Martin.
Finishes: A wide variety of floor and architectural stone finishes are available. For floor tiles, the quarried blocks of stone go through a process of machine calibration and then cut to sizes such as: 12” x 12”, 16” x 16”, 18” x 18”, or to your custom specifications. Then each tile proceeds to its final finish, with options such as: polished, honed, acid washed, brushed, flamed and more. The edges of the tiles can be treated as well; straight edge, chiseled, chipped, brushed or shot blasted and yes, even more.
Natural French limestone for architectural specifications, veneer or flooring is a classic choice and an investment that can last a lifetime! Working with a stone expert who has firsthand knowledge and direct communication with French quarries is key to a successful outcome. Visit our French Limestone Project gallery and Flooring gallery for photos of just some of the beautiful French Limestone we can provide and give us a call today!
Project credits:
General Contractor: RDM General Contractors
Architect/Designer: Palmer Designs
Stone Management: Monarch Stone International