Hand-selecting marble in Italy
The Journey of a Bespoke Marble Dining Table
There are few materials that command attention quite like marble. Its surface captures movement, depth and light in a way that feels both natural and impossibly refined. Yet, behind every beautifully veined table or sculptural surface lies a journey that begins long before it reaches our studio.
At Design by UBER, we believe that to truly appreciate a material, you must first understand its origin. That’s why, when a client commissions a bespoke dining table within a room scheme, our process often leads us beyond our Cheshire studio — across continents — in search of the perfect slab of stone.
This Journey Begins in Italy
Our recent travels took our key project designers along with our trusted Cheshire craftspeople, deep into the mountains of northern Italy, to the world-renowned marble quarries of Carrara. The experience is awe-inspiring. Towering white peaks, carved over centuries. The sound of stone being cut echoes through the valleys — a timeless rhythm that connects centuries of craftsmanship.
Every Unique Slab of Marble is Personal
In the incredible Verona headquarters and showroom of Cereser we hand-selected marble for a bespoke dining table of our own design. Each slab told its own story — subtle shifts of tone, the flow of veining, the delicate play between opacity and translucence. The process is as much about instinct as it is about expertise; knowing what will translate from raw material to refined form is a skill honed over decades.
Selecting is to Connect With Nature
Selecting marble in person allows us to appreciate its scale, texture and personality in a way that no photograph or sample ever could. We see the character of the stone — the direction of its veins, the warmth of its undertones, the way light dances across its polished surface. These details influence everything: from the orientation of the table to the choice of edge detailing and base design.
Marble Design Defined by Detail
For the last two commissions, our clients sought tables that felt both sculptural and personal — something that would make a quiet yet confident statement. Each very different in execution but with similar values.
The first example here is a soft-edged rectangle shape. Hand-sourced white based Calacatta Gris marble a rare colourway sought after for its silver veining on a creamy white background.
Shark Nose Edging Option
Due to the three-meter length of the 10 seater dining table, we opted for a book matched the marble. Book matching is when you take 2 consecutive slices from the same slab containing near-identical veining and then flip one horizontal and meet at the edge so they look like a mirror.
We then enhanced this into a unique design of our making by inlaying a brass inner frame-line of approx. 10mm as an inlay. In addition we created a rectangular centre piece using cold, liquid applied metal also in aged brass. For the edging we had many options both traditional and some fantastic contemporary choices. Our client opted for a layered marble to create a very deep ‘shark nose’ design that ads thickness and soft inner angle that falls away internally.
The Second Client's Design Called for a Mid-Toned Marvel
As well as unique oval base designed with bronze base edge detailing and manufactured in smoked grey oak, our design called for the marble edging profile to be carved into that distinct ‘shark nose’ design profile directly from the single marble piece.
The design was born from collaboration — inspired by the client’s appreciation for tactile texture and bold architectural detailing. It transforms the table from a beautiful surface into a piece of art, revealing the precision of craftsmanship possible only when working with material of such quality.
This edge detailing is not merely aesthetic. It symbolises the balance we seek in every bespoke piece: the meeting of raw natural beauty and refined human touch.
Global Sourcing: Beyond Italy
While Italy remains the beating heart of marble craftsmanship, our sourcing journeys extend far beyond Europe. Each region of the world has its own natural palette — a geological fingerprint that defines its most precious stones.
In Spain, we find the deep burgundy richness of Rosso Levanto and the golden warmth of Crema Marfil. Turkey offers extraordinary blues, like the prized Azul Macaubas, with its swirling mineral patterns that bring a contemporary vibrancy to stone. In South America, we seek out striking green-based marbles and semi-precious stones, prized for their rarity and depth of colour.
Each quarry visit is an education in geology, artistry and patience. The relationship between the natural landscape and the human hand is at the heart of what we do. It’s a dialogue — between designer and nature, between our client’s vision and the world’s most beautiful materials.
From Slab to Sculpture
Once selected, the chosen slab begins its transformation. Every surface is carefully cut, book-matched and finished to reveal the natural symmetry within the stone. The veining — unpredictable and organic — becomes part of the design narrative.
Our in-house designers and artisans collaborate closely to craft a piece that feels both contemporary and timeless. The table’s proportions, the balance of mass and lightness, and every tactile edge detail are tailored to complement the client’s space and style. Whether paired with bronzed metal bases, sculptural pedestals or minimalist plinths, each design celebrates the individuality of the stone itself.
Precision craftsmanship ensures that the marble’s natural artistry is preserved, not overpowered. Every joint, every polish, every subtle curve speaks to our obsession with detail — the hallmark of a Design by UBER creation.
A Table Worth Travelling For
To us, a dining table is more than furniture — it’s a sculpture in use. Each bespoke piece is shaped through collaboration between client, designer and nature, its story beginning in the world’s finest quarries. At Design by UBER, true luxury lies in that connection — between material and maker, between origin and home.
Our clients often tell us that knowing the story behind their table — the quarry it came from, the journey it took to reach their home — adds another layer of meaning. It becomes not just an object of beauty, but a lasting testament to craftsmanship and discovery.
