Studio KO's design for the Maison Lazare flagship on Rue Saint-Honoré is a study in material contrast. The concept pairs Nero Marquina floors — deep, almost liquid black — with Calacatta Oro feature walls to create what the brand calls a visual signature of opposition: darkness anchoring the space while light defines its boundaries.
Nero Marquina originates from the Basque Country quarries near Markina, Spain. It is among the blackest marbles commercially available, with its intense color resulting from high organic carbon content deposited in shallow Jurassic seas approximately 160 million years ago. We selected blocks with minimal white veining for the flooring application, ensuring the dark planes would read as continuous reflective surfaces.
The Calacatta Oro was sourced from the Carrara basin in Tuscany, specifically from the Torano quarry where the prized golden veining is most consistent. Each slab was book-matched in pairs and numbered for installation against opposing walls, creating mirrored vein patterns that give the boutique a sense of ceremonial symmetry. The contrast between the two marbles required the team to manage two entirely separate quality processes simultaneously.
The floor installation involved a traditional lime-sand mortar bed — a technique rarely used in contemporary retail fit-outs but specified by Studio KO for its superior acoustic damping and historical authenticity. The 2-centimeter Nero Marquina tiles were laid in a staggered pattern across 340 square meters, with expansion joints discreetly placed along lighting coves.
Since opening, the boutique's stone surfaces have become a backdrop for Maison Lazare's seasonal collections, with photographers noting how the Nero Marquina floors absorb light at different rates depending on the finish — the honed areas read as matte velvet while the polished sections reflect gallery-style highlights.
Stone is the only material that makes a brand feel permanent.
— Studio KO