Six of the best: marble furniture and patterns are a key Autumn trend for London homes

Rocks, from limestone to marble, exhibit natural patterns that evoke the ancient history of the planet: the cooling and solidifying of the Earth’s crust over millions of years.   At the end of London Design Week, a huge, hewn and polished sink standing somewhat incongruously on the pavement in Brick Lane — part of a show to highlight design treasures from Norway — was made from granite 300 million years old.   This autumn, designers are borrowing these familiar patterns to create soft and timeless furnishings in misty mineral greys — or in bright, jazzy patterns with colours bolder than nature.   But of course, there is no substitute for a touch of the real thing, whether it’s a small box made of malachite or a majestic marble table top.