Tan Brown

When it is the right answer

Against oak, walnut, rattan or unlacquered brass, a true black reads as a hard interruption while Tan Brown picks up the warmth and sits with it. In practice it is specified most often for kitchens where the client asked for black, saw black against their own cabinet sample, and changed their mind.

The copper garnet is what makes the stone work, and also what makes it variable. Garnet density and the depth of the brown ground differ noticeably from block to block. Premium is selected for an even, well-distributed garnet on a consistent ground; Standard allows visible variation.

Finish, and how it behaves

Polished brings the garnet up to a copper glint, and is how the stone is almost always sold. Honed takes it towards a matte chocolate and loses much of that sparkle, which is either exactly the intention or a real disappointment, so look at both before deciding. Leathered sits between the two and hides marks best.

What to specify when you order

• The grade, with a note on how much garnet variation is acceptable
• Your cabinet or timber sample, so tone can be selected against it
• Thickness and edge profile
• Finish, seen in person if that is at all possible
• Whether the run must be sequenced from one block