This stone fireplace and gold mirror combo is the most beautiful part of Martha Stewart's 'tiny apartment' – it's modeled on an Italian-style home

When Martha Stewart was designing her 'tiny' apartment, she had one muse in mind: 'I asked that it be made to look like the mother-in-law's apartment in the back of the palazzo, it turned out very well,' the lifestyle guru shared via Instagram. 'When I dress for an evening out, I always like to snap a photo.'

We can understand why it's Martha's favorite spot to show off her OOTD (or evening, more correctly). This corner is a masterclass in decorating with gold in a way that doesn't feel overpowering.

The terracotta, marble-style floor tiles add a luxe texture to the space, while the high ceiling and ornate crown molding emphasize the Italian aesthetic. Most notable, however, is the stone fireplace and gold mirror combo, which looks beautiful enough to come from a museum.

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The gold mirror is a stand-alone feature in its own right, but as experts explain, Martha's stone fireplace shouldn't go unnoticed. '

‘Fireplaces can anchor a space and provide context for the look and feel of a home. Not only do they offer a focal point in any room, but they also add personality, detail, and a feeling of establishment. This is why it’s important to consider all your options before deciding [when looking to buy],' comments Owen Pacey, a fireplace expert from Renaissance London.

According to Owen, natural stone serves as a ‘character builder' for your home, and a glance at Martha's living space only emphasizes this further. He adds that ‘the natural imperfections and inconsistencies in each fireplace will bring an intrinsic uniqueness to your home.’

'Sprawling veins of Carrara marble forge their own distinct pathways and nebulous fossils found in jet-black Kilkenny limestone are dotted in one-of-a-kind constellations,' he says.

The most powerful way to introduce natural stone into the home for an authentic, warm effect is to consider it a supplement, or a way to enhance the ‘bones’ of your home. ‘But that’s not to say it should take a back seat in the design scheme,’ he cautions.

'The very fact that each jamb, mantel, or corbel made from natural stone is so individual, it elevates each fireplace to the status of a work of art.’ Looking at Martha's set up, we're certainly not going to argue with that.