Carving out a stunning UAE success story

Dubai: The thought of marble in a home strikes up visions of large and very glamorous rooms, grand entrances and oversized pillars.

Though that may be true for a lucky few a local company is taking it to the next step and reshaping the natural stone for all homes and budgets.

Al Banna Marble's general manager Rasheed Hallak said they are putting a more artistic touch on traditional marble work.

"Most people think of marble just as a stone, or a tile on a floor but as you look around you can see that we can make vases, sculptures, railings, we can do almost anything a client wants," said Hallak.

The most prominent feature on display at the Ideal Home show is a hand-carved fountain inlayed with gold powder.

Inspired by the Taj Mahal, the fountain takes three months to complete and comes with a prices tag that matches its exuberance a cool Dh 18,000. "Already we have a customer with a house in Emirates Hills that has this in the entrance, but he wanted it built into the floor." The company has been in business in Dubai for 22 years and has over 5000 international and local clients including palaces, and some the more exclusive estates in around the UAE. Last year the company reported revenues of $5 million.

Not the first time exhibiting their work at an exhibition Hallak added they did very well at the Big Five show landing contracts ranging in price from Dh 500,000 to Dh 750,000.

He anticipates the Ideal Home show will do just as well for them.

"There are a lot of individuals in the Middle East market who are looking for something different for there homes, not only floors and walls," said Hallak.

"And they like the fact that our materials come from the best place in the world."

Imported from Spain, Italy, Iran, and Saudi Arabia the huge blocks are then carved into shape. Most of the company's work is done by hand however pieces like some fountain shapes can be machine carved.