In Newport, R.I., a newly completed 9,000-square-foot residence reframes marble as a living material rather than a museum finish—pairing lavish stone with tactile surfaces and family-ready detailing. The result is a house that showcases high-end material choices while aiming for everyday comfort, a balancing act that reflects shifting priorities in luxury home design today.
The project, led by Galen Kirby of HAAS Design and built by Horan Building Company, uses stone broadly and deliberately: not only for counters but as an architectural language that runs through fireplaces, openings, and window surrounds. That ambitious approach required careful material choices so the home would read as warm and usable rather than austere.
- Designer: Galen Kirby, HAAS Design
- Builder: Horan Building Company
- Location: Newport, Rhode Island
- Size: 8 bedrooms, 9.5 bathrooms; roughly 9,000 sq ft
- Key materials: marble, Marmorino plaster, warm woods, aged brass
Marble as the organizing idea
Instead of treating stone as an accent, the design team used it as a unifying element. In the kitchen the material extends beyond countertops into the range hood, the casing around openings, and window surrounds—so the stone reads like a continuous gesture that defines rooms as much as furnishings do.
In the living areas a veined marble fireplace becomes the visual anchor, while offcuts were repurposed into custom end tables—small moves that underline the house’s thoughtful execution and reduce material waste.
Making luxury liveable
To prevent the home from feeling cold, the team layered softer finishes—plasterwork, warm woods, aged brass details, and white shiplap—against the stone’s natural drama. The use of Marmorino plaster in the primary bath and selected powder rooms provides a quieter, tactile backdrop that lets the marble’s veining take center stage without overpowering everyday use.
The design also addressed practical demands: millwork and upholstery were specified to withstand children and daily wear while preserving a refined look. In short, the project treats durability as a design requirement, not an afterthought.
Rooms that steer the plan
The house is deliberately zoned to support family life. A flexible breakfast nook—furnished with rolling upholstered chairs rather than a built-in banquette—functions as a casual dining spot, homework station, and workspace, reflecting current client preferences for adaptable kitchen-adjacent spaces.
Nearby, a recessed wine display saves floor space and adds an understated moment of craft and surprise, while the third-floor lounge was designed as a private, light-filled retreat that frames ocean views and uses a subdued palette to enhance calm.
Standout interiors
Primary bathroom: The stone here is bookmatched to emphasize continuity across walls and the vanity, with a glass-framed shower that keeps the room feeling open and focused on material.
Powder room: A soft blue, Tadelakt-style plaster finish creates a cocooning effect—small-scale, but materially rich and considered.
Child’s room: What began as an oversized bedroom was reconfigured with a custom built-in headboard and integrated storage to create scaled zones for sleep and play.
Outdoor spaces as an extension
Landscaping by Patrick Sweeney anchors the property in a private, layered garden setting that includes native plantings, an orchard, and a vegetable plot. Outdoor furnishings and a restrained palette keep the focus on the site—grasses, hydrangeas and seasonal planting become the home’s living backdrop.
Design repetitions—like the blue used on outdoor showers and the front door—help knit the interior and exterior together, reinforcing a coherent visual story across the property.
Why this matters now
As expectations for high-end homes evolve, buyers are asking for both elevated materials and resilience—finishes that read as luxurious but endure real family life. This Newport project demonstrates a practical strategy: use premium materials widely, but pair them with softer, tactile elements and robust detailing so the house performs for everyday living.
That combination—material ambition plus thoughtful execution—offers a model for designers and homeowners who want the visual impact of stone without sacrificing warmth or function.
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A champion of quality and authenticity, Emily delves into Australian-made products and their impact on global markets. With a focus on sustainability, she helps readers understand why these goods are leading the trade world.
