1. TRY A RETRO LOOK WITH TERRAZZO
Terrazzo is a kitchen trend that is experiencing a style revival – and it’s easy to see why. This highly individual material, which has been around for centuries, offers a restrained retro look with classic 1930s overtones. A base of marble, granite, and quartz (along with cement or resin binders) is mixed with shells, marble, or glass chippings to create a statement, particulate surface. Terrazzo is poured into custom-made molds and then transported to your kitchen. The surface is polished to give a high gloss surface and then sealed to prevent staining (because of the high marble content) and to create heat resistance.
The result is a strong and beautiful surface. Each surface is completely bespoke – from your choice of marble and glass chip color, through to size and extras like an integrated backsplash and drainers. Material costs are low but intensive labor costs bump up the overall price to make this a luxury feature. ‘We have seen an increase in clients opting for terrazzo for their worktops, as it’s a great way of adding personality into the kitchen with a mix of colored stones,’ says Will Eaves, design and development director at British Standard by Plain English. ‘It’s durable and long-lasting but also very sustainable as it uses a lot of recycled materials such as offcut stone chips and glass fragments.’
2. EMBRACE WARM COLOR
‘Warmer, natural tones that induce a sense of well-being and calm into the home have seen a surge in popularity within kitchen design,’ says Charlotte Hues, retail manager at Cosentino. ‘This shift toward earthy tones, as opposed to the minimalist, clinical white homes that were previously popular can be incredibly powerful in conveying calm and tranquillity in a space.’ Sunlit Days – Silestone’s first Carbon Neutral collection produced using a minimum of 20% recycled raw materials – features a variety of colorways inspired by natural, warm, Mediterranean shades. Think clay red, meadow green, and sea blue, modern hues that tap into our need to connect with nature. This is also a great choice if you are looking to tap into the sustainable kitchen trend.
3. GO FOR CONCRETE CURVES
Curve appeal has never been so hot for the home – and sweeping, countertop edges will add a touchy-feely, ergonomic silhouette to your kitchen. This softer kitchen mood ties in with our love affair with natural materials and sophisticated pastels, as shown here in this kitchen with a curved, concrete-inspired worktop. ‘Curved countertop designs are having a resurgence in the kitchen,’ says Mor Krisher, Caesarstone’s head of design. ‘Beautifully organic, rounded edges immediately soften a space and bring feelings of calmness to the kitchen. These curved edges remind us of our natural surroundings, making us feel grounded and serene. Curves are inviting and are especially suited to family homes or those entertaining moments when guests can comfortably sit around the kitchen island.’
4. CREATE INTEREST WITH DETAILED EDGING
Elevate your countertop by adding detailed edging to your design. In this Georgian townhouse, the modern kitchen was relocated from its original position on the lower ground floor to the grand, formal reception room on the upper ground floor. The grand space – tall ceilings, ornate cornices and statement Regency windows – demanded an impressive yet classic design. This included a traditional paneled door front offset with gently ribbed detail on the island.
‘The triple, bull-nosed edging on the shelf and countertops offer a classy detail, picking up the ribbed theme on the island,’ says Magnus Nilsson, lead designer at Blakes London. ‘It was also incorporated into the gently curved edges on the island.’ To create such an intricate counter that oozes sophistication, a 20mm thick slab of marble is finished with a bullnose detail cut into the edge. The triple-stacked look is achieved with two more separate strips of stone – often offcuts of marble – also finished with a bullnose edge and then glued to the underside of the main surface. ‘This effect can only be achieved with a solid stone like marble or a quartz composite,’ adds Nilsson. ‘It doesn’t work on porcelains or man-made stones due to the natural veining that is required to achieve the effect.’
5. USE TWO DIFFERENT MATERIALS FOR THE SAME DESIGN
You don’t need to stick to one countertop material for your kitchen design. Combining two different materials, such as timber and quartz, or concrete and marble, creates a unique contrast in your room. Pairing two materials will also help to zone functions: a solid wood-topped island unit offers a modern rustic look while stainless steel or stone around a sink area creates a hardworking hub for preparation and washing up. Mixing and matching two countertops is a slick way to add texture and color to a neutral mood. In this kitchen by deVOL, a mix of bespoke aged copper on the island is offset with natural Arabescato Corchia marble on the perimeter cupboards. ‘A pale stone with dark swirls of veining throughout is a fantastic choice, especially paired with one of our matching fluted Tuscan farmhouse marble sinks,’ adds Zoë Parker, head of PR at deVOL Kitchens.
6. INTRODUCE VIBRANCY WITH LAVA-STONE BRIGHTS
Try something different with a lava-stone countertop. This natural stone is made from blocks of volcanic lava rock – a solidified magma, or lava that has erupted from a volcano. Countertop slabs are cut from lava blocks and coated with an enamel glaze of any color and then placed in a kiln – the result is a smooth, super durable finish. ‘Sometimes, durability and beauty are at odds with one another,’ says Emily Flaxman, owner and principal designer at Flax Interiors.
‘Some of the most beautiful materials are also the most delicate and aren’t the right fit in a bustling and busy home kitchen. In this colorful kitchen project, we sought the best of durability and beauty for a kitchen that is the hub of the home. I brought a pop of color into my client’s kitchen with a slab of bright teal lava-stone on her island. It’s a great choice for kitchen countertops as it’s extremely durable, non-porous, and resistant to heat and cold. It’s also available in a wide range of fun colors. The teal brings a joyful happiness and statement piece to what would have been an otherwise neutral kitchen.’ The enamel may develop a distinctive crackled finish called ‘crazing’ as the slabs cool – but this is a unique, signature look to lava-stone. ‘The glazing process is where there is endless potential for custom colors and creative designs,’ adds Flaxman. ‘It also improves the durability of the countertop by making it impervious to heat.’
7. LET IT FLOW WITH A WATERFALL EDGE
Achieve a luxe, elegant mood for your kitchen counter with a waterfall edge that flows down the side of a unit, to create a striking, one-piece silhouette. ‘The right surface offers a sense of elegance, even in a busy family household,’ explains Jon Stanley, vice president of marketing at Caesarstone. ‘Consider a marble-look ‘waterfall’ edge – a striking island feature where the kitchen countertop continues at a 90-degree angle, flowing to the floor, creating a seamless continuation of the quartz or porcelain surface. You will need to choose a material carefully as you want the entire design to look like it’s made from one continuous slab.’
8. GLOW WITH COPPER COUNTERTOPS
The warm glow of a copper counter is hard to resist – particularly in a modern rustic kitchen that marries a palette of feel-good natural materials. Copper not only exudes a tactile warmth, but it also offers so many practical plus points for the busy, family kitchen too. ‘Copper is shiny and has an incredibly fluid, ever-changing patina,’ adds Helen Parker, creative director of deVOL Kitchens. ‘It looks rare and precious and turns out to have amazing antibacterial properties which makes it even more desirable. What a special product it has turned out to be – so glamorously chic and a little bohemian with the power to kill pathogens in minutes.’
At deVOL, copper surfaces are made to order to ensure a completely sealed unit. They are fabricated from 1.5mm thick copper wrapped around a water-resistant MDF substrate to limit denting and hand-welded or soldered at the corners. ‘We also offer an option with integral copper sinks and create a very distinctive draining section using a tactile arrangement of tiny, raised domes from hammering the underside of the copper,’ adds Parker. ‘Copper has a long history of being used for countertops and has amazing, inherent antibacterial properties, although we do not recommend food preparation directly on the copper as it can taint the taste of food – we also recommend you don’t cut directly onto copper as it is soft and will scratch.’
9. MAKE A STATEMENT WITH A BESPOKE DESIGN
Make the counter the star of the kitchen with an incredible bespoke design. ‘Designed in collaboration with Lara Bohinc of Bohinc Studio, the island top is made from a selection of Italian marbles tessellated together and bordered by a brass edge trim,’ explains Charlie Smallbone, founder of Ledbury Studio. ‘There’s no doubt that it’s a work of art in its own right.’ Although marble is one of the softer natural stones, it is still a durable material that can last a lifetime with proper care. Smallbone suggests regularly sealing the surface and immediately cleaning any spills, particularly red wine or anything acidic. ‘The surface will also develop knocks and small scratches, but this adds personality and patina that reflects its long life in your kitchen,’ he adds.
10. PICK OUT A VERSATILE PORCELAIN
If you thought porcelain was just for plates and bowls, it’s time for a rethink. Porcelain is now a top choice for kitchen counters – and for many reasons. ‘Thanks to its durability, easy maintenance and hygiene, porcelain is fast becoming the go-to material of choice for countertops,’ says Raquel Dominguez, retail senior area manager at Laminam. ‘Its supreme versatility means it can be used for multiple applications, both indoors and out. Indoors, it is ideal for kitchen countertops, but can also be used to create a seamless look by matching it on floors, cladding, furniture, or even sinks. What’s more, there are many ways to utilize porcelain outside too, including flooring, wall cladding, or even as part of an outdoor kitchen thanks to its weather resistance.’
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Source: Kitchen countertop trends: 10 standout surfaces for 2023 | (homesandgardens.com), BY LARA SARGENT | PUBLISHED JUNE 11, 2023