Yay or nay?

… having timber benchtops. Magdalena Roze, TV presenter and author, weighs in

The deal: My personal style is all about natural tones and textures and bringing the outdoors in. A timber bench is a beautiful way to add an organic touch.

The pros: I love the imperfections of things created by hand or nature, and timber offers such character in its grain, marks and textures. Each piece tells a story, just like the scratches and stains that cooking will inevitably bring. Like wine, it gets better with age and, if looked after properly, can last a lifetime.

The cons: If you’re after a perfect polished finish, timber is a bit of a no-no. It’s softer than other materials so it wears faster than a surface like marble or granite.

The verdict: It’s a yay! A timber benchtop has character, makes for a healthier cooking environment than plastic (my chef partner taught me to disinfect timber with salt!) and is sustainable. Magdalena’s first book, Happy & Whole, is out now ($39.99, Plum).