White marble countertops look like an absolute dream. But, if your kitchen is a high action place, hot pan scorches and red wine spills are common occurrences, then shying away from this gorgeous stone is only natural. We get you!
Marble is a porous material, every ounce of food spill seeps in and stains the countertop for eternity. So, if you have children in the house (who are invariably messy!) or you’re someone who entertains a lot- here are a few stunning, durable and low maintenance countertop ideas which will take your kitchen to a whole new level:
Images from Cosentino, Lapitec & Future Stone Works
Granite
For sleek, glossy or dark kitchen countertops, granite is a gorgeous option. It contrasts the more traditional bright white shade of marble stones and is also more durable, resistant to cracks, chips and scratches. But, unlike marble stones, it is stain-resistant, which means it does not require sealing, though there’s no harm in applying added protection.
Where to get it: German building company Future Stone Works provides a range of marble stone surfaces as well as granite from China, Brazil, India and Africa. It comes in a variety of blacks, greys and browns.
Quartz
This versatile material is all rage in countertops. It’s engineered stone – made from a mix of real stone and binders – highly durable and the true face of kitchen luxury in 2021. Throw pets, children or any weapon from your kitchen at it – quartz is scratch, stain, water and acid resistant! It comes in both veined and non-veined styles. From natural subtle hues to bold shades, whatever’s your taste, there’s sure to be a quartz hue for your home style.
Where to get it: North American design company Cosentino, has just launched a new series of Mediterranean colours in its Dekton series while its Salistone collection boasts high quality, 90% natural quartz processed with porcelain and glass.
Quartzite
Quartzite is a natural rock composed predominantly of an interlocking mosaic of quartz crystals. It’s heat-resistant plus harder than granite, making it a very durable alternative for young families. Though it’s still prone to cracks, it only requires sealing before use and re-sealing once or twice per year, to avoid stains from sinking into the stone.
Sintered Stone
This beautiful, ultra-durable and high-resistant mixture of heated mineral stones will have a quartz-fan making a run for their money. The material incorporates unique textures and patterns which goes beyond the standard stone-marbling for a more contemporary look. Think brown and grey veins or various shades of white to black – undoubtedly, it’s one of the hottest options out there.
Where to get it: Italian manufacturer Lapitec offers custom-made kitchen worktops that are made in multiple shades of white, black, brown, grey. Opt for a veined material for an elegant aesthetic to your space.
Photos courtesy of Cosentino, Lapitec & Future Stone Works