Stone Countertops as Art

Posted on Jun 28, 2016 in Home Improvement, Kitchens & Baths, Newsletter Article

You want an upscale look for your kitchen, and the best way to get it is with stone countertops. The fine art look in granite comes from choosing an exotic slab for fabrication, which offers the beauty of a contiguous swirl or lighting-like pattern.

This abstract pattern is one of a kind and cannot be duplicated. Have the slab fabricated without a seam to showcase across a large countertop or island. The effect can be dazzling, yet there are other ways to enjoy the beauty of stone.

Engineered stone is about 93 percent quartz, which is then rounded out with epoxy, polymers, pebbles, shells, fossils, semi-precious stones and other materials. Unlike granite, which can stain if it’s not sealed and resealed periodically, engineered stone is completely non-porous. While granite is measured and cut to specifications, quartz is an engineered stone that is poured into a mold to fit the measurement. Since it’s man-made, it’s easy to match and arrives looking just like the sample in your hand.

To get basic colors and designs in quartz, visit your local home improvement store. For custom quartz, contact your local kitchen specialty store, an interior designer, or kitchen design specialist. They’ll have stunning palettes to choose from, from granite-like patterns to solid colors of all hues.

Consider marble for baking areas where you’ll need a cool surface to roll dough. Soapstone or slate also make beautiful countertops. You’ll have fewer color choices, but they both offer fabulous textures.

All stone is durable, so no matter which you choose, stone countertops in your kitchen will provide both beauty and value.

From Chuck Barry’s June 2016 Issue of the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Monthly Newsletter.

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