Countertops act as kitchen’s main dish
With so many choices t o si f t through, picking out a kitchen countertop can be overwhelming. Whether it’s pattern, sheen, colour, durability, cost or a smattering of all the elements driving the choice, the final look can set the tone for a home’s overall design esthetic. In the culinary centre, the countertop plays as a backdrop to the main show of life that takes place every day, setting the colour palette and the vibe in the kitchen and often beyond into the dining room and great room, especially if the main floor is an open- concept design.
The architectural clean edges of a countertop, when paired with an array of textures and patterns such as glass, stone, copper or stainless steel, can create a scheme that reads interesting and inviting. In addition to material choices, design accoutrements like edging ( think cascading waterfall), and thickness ( a fourinch slab creates a powerful image) can change the look instantly.
Here’s the lowdown on some popular materials courtesy of two savvy designers:
GRANITE
A popular choice for good reason, granite comes in a range of colours and pattern variations in both polished and matte finishes. It is one of the most durable materials, resisting heat, acid, stains and scratches and is excellent for both indoor and outdoor use.
“There are certain t ypes of granite that will trend in certain cycles, but granite will always be timeless as it is a natural product,” says Barb Kelly, designer at Albi Homes in Alberta. She suggests keeping pattern minimal if there is high variation in the wall or backsplash tile so “they don’t compete or look too busy.”
QUARTZ
A man- made take on granite, quartz sings with options from a broad range of colour choices to selections that emulate the look of marble and travertine. Although slightly less heat resistant than granite, quartz resonates with all of the same great qualities. The real benefit lies in esthetics. “It has a much cleaner look in the solid colours. It is also possible to get a crisp white that does not exist in the natural stones,” says Kelly.
MARBLE, TRAVERTINE AND LIMESTONE
Classic and elegant, these materials are best suited for bathroom countertops due to the softer qualities of the stone — acid will etch the finish. Travertine is very porous, so when finished with a sealer the look of the stone can change considerably. Consider limestone, a stone crafted from fossilization, to create a unique feature surface.
CONCRETE
“Concrete offers beautiful and endless possibilities for colour and texture and it can be poured on-site to fit any space ,” says Brenda Gould of Lifestyle Homes, also in Alberta. The downside is price and maintenance. “It’s pricey and needs to be sealed, then resealed every one to three years.”
DEKTON
A relatively new material that is turning heads, Dekton is comprised of a fusion of glass, porcelain and quartz, creating a product with superlative heat and UV resistance, density and hardness.
BUTCHER’S BLOCK
This choice creates a warm and rustic ambience but does require ongoing maintenance. Used in conjunction with stone, i t can create a great contrast.
LAMINATE
Perfect for laundry rooms and secondary bath selections, laminate countertops offer the added bonus of cost- effectiveness. “They are a great opportunity to add colour and fun pattern,” says Kelly, adding that creating a luxurious look is also a snap by simply changing up the edge profile.
There are certain types of granite that will trend in certain cycles, but granite will always be timeless as it is a natural product.