Residential Project Spotlight: Weaving Real Photos on MCM Big Slab Boards

When Sarah and Mark decided to build their forever home in the quiet suburbs of Portland, they had a clear vision: a space that felt both rooted in nature and gently futuristic, where every material told a story. "We didn't want a house that looked like it came out of a catalog," Sarah recalls, sitting on a sunlit couch in their now-finished living room. "We wanted textures that made you pause—something you could run your hand over and think, 'This is intentional.'" That search led them to MCM's diverse lineup of materials, where they discovered a world of possibilities: from the starry veining of travertine slabs to the tactile warmth of woven panels. What followed was a journey of blending these elements into a home that feels less like a structure and more like a living, breathing reflection of their lives. Today, we're stepping inside their space to explore how MCM Big Slab Boards, paired with unexpected textures like weaving and fair-faced concrete, turned their vision into reality.

The Living Room: Where Travertine Meets the Night Sky

The first thing you notice when entering Sarah and Mark's home is the living room wall—a sweeping expanse of MCM Big Slab Boards in travertine (starry blue) . The slabs, each measuring 4 feet by 8 feet, stretch from floor to ceiling, their surface dotted with tiny, iridescent flecks that catch the light like distant stars. "We'd been toying with the idea of a feature wall, but nothing felt right until we saw the starry blue travertine sample," Mark says, gesturing to a corner where afternoon sunlight streams through a skylight, turning the stone into a canvas of shifting blues and silvers. "It's not just a wall—it's a conversation starter. Guests will stand there, squinting, trying to figure out if those 'stars' are real or painted."

What makes the MCM Big Slab Boards stand out here is their flexibility. Traditional stone slabs can be heavy and brittle, but MCM's version is engineered to be lightweight, making installation a breeze even for a wall of this scale. "Our contractor was shocked when he lifted one," Sarah laughs. "He kept saying, 'This can't be real stone—it's too easy to handle.'" But easy installation didn't mean sacrificing durability. Six months in, the slabs show no signs of wear, even with their two young kids occasionally leaning against them or the family dog nuzzling the baseboards. "We tested a sample in our garage first," Mark admits. "We spilled coffee on it, scrubbed it with a brush—nothing stuck. That sealed the deal."

To balance the drama of the starry blue wall, the couple paired it with fair-faced concrete for the fireplace surround. The raw, unpolished texture of the concrete—with its subtle pits and variations in tone—grounds the space, preventing the travertine from feeling too ethereal. "We wanted contrast," Sarah explains. "The concrete is like the earth, and the travertine is the sky. Together, they feel balanced, like day and night." The fireplace itself is a simple, rectangular structure, but the fair-faced concrete gives it a quiet authority. When lit, the flames dance against the stone, casting shadows that make the starry blue travertine's flecks glow even brighter. "On rainy nights, we'll light a fire, turn off the lights, and just stare at that wall," Mark says. "It's like having a planetarium in our living room."

"The MCM Big Slab Boards in starry blue travertine aren't just decorative—they're emotional. On tough days, I'll sit here and trace the veins with my finger, and suddenly the world feels a little bigger, a little calmer." — Sarah

The Dining Area: Weaving Warmth into the Space

Adjacent to the living room, the dining area takes a softer turn, thanks to MCM's weaving (khaki) panels. Hung above a long, reclaimed wood table, the woven panels—made from a blend of natural fibers and synthetic threads for durability—add a tactile, almost cozy dimension to the room. "We wanted the dining area to feel intimate, like a little nook where we could gather with friends," Sarah says, running her hand over the woven surface. "The texture here is everything. It's soft, but not fragile—you can brush against it without worrying about snags."

The weaving panels come in a subtle khaki hue, which complements the warm tones of the travertine in the living room without matching it exactly. "We didn't want the whole house to feel monochromatic," Mark explains. "The khaki has these little hints of green and beige that tie into the plants we have around the house, making the space feel more connected to nature." The panels are mounted on a slim wooden frame, giving them a floating effect against the wall. At night, recessed LED lights behind the frame cast a soft glow, turning the weaving into a luminous backdrop for dinner parties. "We hosted Thanksgiving here last month, and everyone kept commenting on how 'warm' the room felt," Sarah says. "It wasn't just the food or the company—it was the light through the weaving. It felt like being wrapped in a blanket."

Beneath the weaving panels, the floor transitions from hardwood to wood grain board —another MCM material that adds depth to the space. The wood grain here is subtle, with a matte finish that mimics the look of aged oak without the maintenance. "We have a dog and kids, so real hardwood was out of the question," Mark says. "But MCM's wood grain board is scratch-resistant and waterproof. We've already had a juice spill and a muddy paw incident, and you can't even tell." The boards run in a herringbone pattern, adding visual interest without overwhelming the room. "It's the little details," Sarah adds. "The way the wood grain lines up with the weave of the panels—you don't notice it at first, but it makes the whole area feel cohesive."

The Kitchen: Fair-Faced Concrete and the Art of Practicality

If the living room is the home's "wow" factor, the kitchen is its workhorse—and Sarah and Mark wanted materials that could keep up with their busy lives. "I cook every night, and Mark grills on weekends, so the kitchen needed to be both beautiful and bulletproof," Sarah says, opening a drawer to reveal a collection of cast-iron pans. The solution? Fair-faced concrete countertops paired with MCM's linear travertine (claybank) backsplash.

The fair-faced concrete countertops are a revelation. Unlike polished concrete, which can feel cold and industrial, the fair-faced version has a slightly rough texture that warms it up. "It's like touching a smooth river stone," Sarah says, pressing her palm against the surface. "And it's surprisingly easy to clean. A little soap and water, and stains wipe right off." The countertops extend into a breakfast bar, where the couple often eats quick meals or helps their kids with homework. "We were worried about scratches from laptops or cereal bowls, but so far, nothing has left a mark," Mark notes. "It's held up better than the granite countertops we had in our last house."

Above the countertops, the linear travertine (claybank) backsplash adds a soft, earthy contrast. The tiles are long and narrow, laid in a vertical pattern that draws the eye upward, making the kitchen feel taller. "Claybank is such a versatile color," Sarah says. "It's a warm beige with hints of terracotta, which ties into the wood grain board in the dining area and the starry blue travertine in the living room." The travertine here has a honed finish, which means it's smooth but not shiny—perfect for hiding water spots. "I used to hate cleaning backsplashes because you could see every ｄｒｏｐ," she admits. "But with this travertine, it's a non-issue."

One of the kitchen's most unexpected elements is the foamed aluminium alloy board (vintage silver) used for the range hood. The material, with its muted metallic sheen, adds a touch of industrial chic without feeling out of place. "We wanted something that would stand out but not clash," Mark explains. "The vintage silver has this aged look, like it's been part of the house for decades. It balances the modernity of the concrete and the warmth of the travertine." The foamed aluminium is also lightweight, which was crucial for the overhead installation. "Our contractor said it was lighter than drywall," Mark laughs. "He kept checking the specs to make sure it was strong enough, but it's held up perfectly."

The Bedroom: Weaving and the Language of Comfort

Upstairs, the master bedroom is a retreat—a space designed for relaxation, where the materials shift from bold to serene. Here, MCM's weaving (beige) panels take center stage, covering one wall behind the bed. "We wanted the bedroom to feel like a hotel suite, but cozier," Sarah says, pulling back the curtains to let in morning light. The beige weave is softer than the khaki version in the dining area, with a looser pattern that feels almost like a linen sheet. "It's the first thing I see when I wake up, and the last thing I see at night," she adds. "It's calming—like sleeping under a cloud."

The bed itself is framed by lunar peak silvery side tables—another MCM find that adds a touch of elegance without being fussy. The lunar peak silvery finish has a subtle metallic sheen, like moonlight on water, which pairs beautifully with the beige weaving. "We wanted something that felt a little luxurious but not over-the-top," Mark says, placing a book on one of the tables. "These tables are lightweight but sturdy, and the finish doesn't show fingerprints. Perfect for a bedroom, where you don't want to be cleaning all the time."

The floors in the bedroom are stream limestone (claybank) , a warm, earthy stone that feels cool underfoot in the summer and pairs well with area rugs in the winter. "We wanted something that felt natural, but not cold," Sarah explains. "The stream limestone has these soft, flowing veins that look like water ripples. It's like bringing a little bit of the outdoors in." The limestone is sealed, making it resistant to spills, but its matte finish gives it a organic, unprocessed look. "It doesn't shine, which is nice," Mark adds. "In the bedroom, you don't want a lot of glare—just soft, diffused light."

"The weaving panels in the bedroom were a risk, but they're my favorite part of the house. At the end of a long day, I'll sit on the bed and run my fingers over the weave, and all the stress just melts away. It's like the material itself has a calming energy." — Sarah

The Outdoor Patio: MCM's Durability Takes on the Elements

No forever home is complete without outdoor space, and Sarah and Mark wanted their patio to be an extension of the indoors. "We grill, host barbecues, and even eat outside in the fall," Mark says, stepping onto the patio, which is paved with MCM's boulder slab (vintage black) . The slabs are thick and rugged, with a weathered finish that looks like it's been there for decades—even though the house is only six months old. "We chose vintage black because it hides dirt and pollen, which is a must in Portland," he explains. "And the boulder slab is so tough. We've had furniture scraped across it, kids jumping on it, and it still looks brand new."

The patio walls are clad in gobi panel , a textured stone that mimics the look of desert rock. "We wanted the patio to feel like a little oasis, something that would stand up to rain and wind," Sarah says, touching the rough surface of the gobi panel. "The texture here is incredible—it's like running your hand over sandstone. And it's surprisingly lightweight, so installing it on the patio walls didn't require extra structural support." The gobi panels are a warm, terracotta color, which contrasts beautifully with the vintage black boulder slabs. "It's like the desert meeting the night sky," Mark jokes. "We're big on themes, I guess."

The Garage: Where Function Meets Style

Even the garage got the MCM treatment—though here, practicality was the top priority. "We use the garage for storage, parking, and even as a workshop sometimes," Mark says, opening the garage door to reveal walls clad in foamed aluminium alloy board (vintage gold) . The vintage gold finish has a rich, warm tone that elevates the space from "boring garage" to "utilitarian chic." "Why should the garage be an afterthought?" Sarah asks. "We spend time here, too—working on projects, storing holiday decorations. We wanted it to feel like part of the house."

The foamed aluminium alloy boards are lightweight, fire-resistant, and easy to clean—perfect for a garage. "We've already had oil spills and paint splatters, and a quick wipe with a cloth takes them right off," Mark says. "And the vintage gold finish doesn't fade, even with the garage door open all day. It still looks as good as the day it was installed." The boards are also sound-absorbent, which helps muffle the noise when Mark is using his power tools. "Sarah used to complain about the racket from the garage," he admits. "Now, she says she can barely hear me. Bonus points for that."

Putting It All Together: The MCM Difference

What ties Sarah and Mark's home together isn't just the materials themselves, but the way MCM's products are designed to work in harmony. From the starry blue travertine in the living room to the vintage gold aluminium in the garage, each material feels intentional, like a piece of a larger puzzle. "We didn't realize how much thought goes into MCM's lineup until we started choosing materials," Sarah says. "There's a consistency in quality and design that makes mixing and matching easy. You don't have to worry about colors clashing or textures feeling disjointed."

For Mark, the biggest surprise was how the materials evolved with the seasons. "In the winter, the starry blue travertine feels cozy and intimate, like a night sky you can curl up under," he says. "In the summer, when we open the windows, the fair-faced concrete and limestone stay cool, making the house feel fresh. These materials don't just look good—they adapt to how we live."

As we wrap up our tour, Sarah leads us back to the living room, where the afternoon light has shifted, turning the travertine (starry blue) wall into a mosaic of indigos and silvers. "This house isn't just a place to live," she says, smiling. "It's a reflection of who we are—busy, curious, and always looking for beauty in the everyday. MCM's materials helped us tell that story. They're not just building products—they're building blocks for a life well-lived."

Material Breakdown: The Stars of the Project

In the end, Sarah and Mark's home is a testament to the power of intentional material choices. By blending MCM's innovative products—from the otherworldly beauty of travertine (starry blue) to the practical charm of fair-faced concrete—they've created a space that's as functional as it is beautiful. "At the end of the day, a house is more than walls and a roof," Mark says. "It's the way the light hits a stone, the feel of a woven panel under your hand, the memories you make in between. MCM helped us turn those little moments into something extraordinary."