BEYOND TIMBER: THE FULL MATERIAL PALETTE
Living Ikon’s mixed media capability spans the full range of materials used in contemporary furniture design. We source, specify, and integrate these materials within our production network — giving buyers access to genuinely sophisticated multi-material product without the complexity of managing multiple suppliers.
METAL
Metal is the most commonly combined material in our portfolio — bringing structure, contrast, and an industrial or contemporary edge to timber-led designs.
We work with:
- Powder-coated steel (frames, legs, and structural elements in a full colour range)
- Raw and brushed steel (for industrial and transitional aesthetics)
- Brass and gold-tone finishes (for luxury and boutique applications)
- Black metal (a dominant contemporary direction — sharp contrast against timber and stone)
- Cast iron (for decorative elements and heavy-gauge structural components)
- Stainless steel (for applications requiring corrosion resistance)
Metal frames and legs are one of our highest-volume combined applications — dining tables, coffee tables, shelving, and bed frames all benefit from the contrast and structural precision that metal brings.
GLASS
Glass introduces light and lightness to furniture design — a material that physically opens space rather than filling it.
We work with:
- Clear tempered glass (table tops, shelving, and cabinet inserts)
- Tinted glass (bronze, grey, and black — for a moodier, premium aesthetic)
- Ribbed and reeded glass (a major contemporary trend — adds texture and modulates transparency)
- Frosted and etched glass (for privacy applications in cabinets and display pieces)
- Smoked glass (dark and sophisticated; pairs beautifully with Walnut and dark-stained timbers)
All glass elements are produced to tempered safety standards as standard.
MARBLE
Natural marble is one of the most powerful premium signals available in furniture design. A marble top — even on an otherwise timber-and-metal piece — repositions the product in the consumer’s mind and allows meaningful price point elevation.
We source and integrate:
- Carrara and white marble (clean, bright, timeless — the most widely recognised specification)
- Calacatta marble (bold veining; high visual impact; luxury positioning)
- Travertine (warm, textured, natural-feel; on-trend in organic interior directions)
- Nero Marquina (black marble; dramatic contrast; boutique and designer appeal)
- Grey and green marbles (emerging trend; for buyers ahead of the mainstream)
Marble sourcing is managed through our trusted supplier network, with full traceability. We advise on slab selection, edge profiles, and thickness specifications appropriate to each application.
TERRAZZO
Terrazzo — aggregate chips set in cement or resin — has returned strongly to the design mainstream and continues to grow in commercial appeal. Its texture, variety, and artisan quality give it a visual story that plain stone cannot offer.
We produce terrazzo elements in:
- Classic chip patterns (black and white; warm neutrals; bold coloured aggregates)
- Custom chip selections and background colours to match brand specifications
- Cast tops, shelves, and decorative inserts
Terrazzo works particularly well in occasional furniture, coffee tables, and outdoor-adjacent pieces.
WOVEN FINISHES
Rattan, cane, seagrass, abaca, and other natural woven materials introduce warmth, texture, and craft quality to furniture design. Their resurgence in contemporary interiors — particularly in coastal, Japandi, and organic design directions — has made woven detailing one of the most commercially relevant elements in our portfolio.
We integrate woven elements in:
- Chair backs and seat panels
- Cabinet fronts and sideboard panels
- Bed head inserts
- Side table and occasional furniture bases
We source natural and synthetic woven materials, with synthetic options offering UV and moisture resistance for outdoor-adjacent applications.
LEATHER
Leather detailing and upholstery adds tactile luxury and premium positioning to timber-framed furniture.
We work with:
- Full leather upholstery (dining chairs, occasional seating, benches)
- Leather panel inserts (drawer fronts, cabinet faces, and decorative detailing)
- PU leather (for buyers seeking the aesthetic at accessible price points)
- Boucle and performance fabrics (paired with timber and metal frames in contemporary seating)
The greatest value we bring in mixed media is knowing what works — commercially, structurally, and visually. We advise on material combinations that are production-feasible, market-appropriate, and priced correctly for the intended retail position.
Our most commercially proven combinations:
- Timber + black metal (contemporary dining and occasional)
- Timber + marble (premium dining and living)
- Timber + woven (coastal and organic aesthetics)
- Timber + glass (display, shelving, and case goods)
- Timber + terrazzo (occasional and artisan-positioned product)
