Sfrido Estate is not just a natural stone brand; it is a movement redefining the role of stone in contemporary design. Rooted in the belief that every fragment of material holds value, the company transforms what is often considered waste into rare, sustainable, and exclusive products. “Everything natural deserves respect,” states Giacomo Canali, CEO of Sfrido Estate. The name itself reflects this ethos—’Sfrido’ means remnants, the offcuts of material left after transformation, while ‘Estate’ represents the company’s legacy of over 50 years in working with natural stone.
Sfrido Estate fosters advocacy for natural stone, engaging clients and designers in a dialogue that promotes both appreciation and innovation. “We collaborate with designers who see opportunities where others see waste, transforming forgotten materials into something extraordinary,” Canali adds. With a commitment to reducing waste and embracing the beauty of imperfection, the company collaborates with designers who share this vision. Each partnership begins with a visit to their Carrara factory, where creatives handpick materials from a treasure trove of remnants, breathing new life into forgotten stones.
One such collaboration led to the creation of Marmo Bolli, a striking coffee table designed by Cara \ Davide. “Marmo Bolli was born from our fascination with material perception,” they explain. The table juxtaposes two seemingly opposing elements: the refined elegance of marble and the industrial texture of rubber flooring commonly found in Milan’s metro stations. By applying the distinctive ‘bolli’ pattern to the smooth Bardiglio marble, the designers challenge traditional notions of how stone should look and feel. “We wanted to disrupt conventional marble perception by introducing an unexpected texture,” they add.
The result is an object that is both familiar and disruptive, playing with contrast in a way that makes it instantly recognizable yet unconventional. The deep gray Bardiglio marble, sourced from Carrara, was a deliberate choice—not just for its local provenance, but for its visual harmony with the dark industrial flooring that inspired the design. “Bardiglio carries the rebellious spirit of its territory, making it the perfect fit for this unorthodox piece,” the designers note.
Achieving the ‘bolli’ effect on marble was no small feat. The designers experimented with multiple techniques to create the raised pattern without compromising the stone’s integrity. After extensive trials, they landed on a method that balanced aesthetics with production feasibility. A transparent coating was then applied, enhancing durability while diffusing light in a way that mimics the softness of industrial rubber. “This unexpected play of light and texture adds another dimension to the table’s visual identity,” they explain.
Unlike many design processes, Marmo Bolli didn’t start with elaborate sketches. “When you juxtapose two such familiar materials, the final image naturally forms in the mind,” the designers share. The focus was not on intricate form development but rather on achieving the right balance between texture, scale, and practicality. The final iteration maintains a minimalist structure that allows the material contrast to take center stage.
Marmo Bolli embodies the essence of Sfrido Estate—where tradition meets transformation, and design becomes a vehicle for redefining how we perceive and interact with stone. Through innovation and collaboration, the brand continues to push boundaries, shaping new traditions for a conscious and contemporary design landscape.
