skip to main content

***Counter tops

7 years ago

Anyone recently changed or added new counter tops you love now that it is in? Decision time is rapidly approaching for me. A material that:

needs little to no care;
lighter rather than darker in color;
more contemporary/transitional in style;
manmade, recycled material or natural stone?

Featured Answer

greenwoodframed

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

I posted this morning in the white macauba thread, but I love our white macauba quartzite. Quarzite comes in a bunch of colors/patterns and white macuaba specifically comes in a bunch of cuts and varieties. It's durable, beautiful and easy to maintain (thus far!) The cost was between granite and marble, though closer to the marble side. Given the varying colors/cuts, I'd be surprised if you didn't find something you liked. I will say, however, that it can be somewhat hard to find depending on where you live, so you may have to search around for a bit. It took us 8 trips to the yard to find the exact lot we liked!

Some pics:

The island is the largest and I think most visually interesting single piece

www.greenwoodframed.com

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (9)

mtnfever (9b AZ/HZ 11)
7 years ago
try looking at the many threads here on the sintered porcelain large format "tiles" like Neolith and Dekton. Manmade, modern look (and cheaper!) with thinner non-mitered edge, sounds like pretty easy care (I'm getting samples to torture myself but avatarwalt has posted pics of Neolith testing with red wine, turmeric etc), and lots of light colors.
Vi Truvian thanked mtnfever (9b AZ/HZ 11)
Related Discussions
Spectrum Quartz counter tops
Q
Comments (149)
We ended up going with Pristine, and it's absolutely beautiful. It's been a year, and it looks brand new, no stains or issues. I love it even more than expected. My husband is thrilled and the whole room looks elevated. We used BM Simply White for the cabinets and SuperCore oak natural for the floors. Check my profile for pics in progress (old floors, tho). We've chosen Satori venatino marble subway tiles for the backslash and all these whites are compatible-- no issues with warm/cool undertones fighting. I'll be sealing the marble on all 6 sizes via a dunk in 511 sealer. Can't wait to see it finished-- the marble could've been risky against a marble-look quartz, but it looks absolutely perfect and gorgeous together.
...See More
what’s the best counter top for an outdoor kitchen?
Q
Comments (3)
I’ve heard Granite is the best option. We are building a house in Florida with an outdoor kitchen and our builder says Granite is the way to go. Also, I’ve been told by many sources, neighbors and even appliance salespeople, those very expensive icemakers are almost guaranteed to break within a year. We originally wanted with an outdoor icemaker, now we decided against it.
...See More
30" Counter Top Gas CookTop Suggestion
Q
Comments (1)
Well-rated: Samsung NA30N7755TS, Lowes, HD
...See More
A question for the 'rebels' who have Super White Dolomite Counter Tops
Q
Comments (25)
@drwass I can't answer about why some etches and why some doesn't. It was a comment someone else wrote that stopped me in my tracks. The observation that marble, in all its etching and staining beauty, has been in place for hundreds of years across the world and the imperfections are part of its unique beauty. I thought about that. We have solid bronze hardware and it's a 'living finish'. I love that, knowing that over time, the touch of our hands, the hands of loved ones and friends, new and old, will have left a mark of time, and laughs and dinners and sourdough baking, fall stews, card game suppers....all a testament to LIVING, life, love, laughter, friends and family. I see my gorgeous and stunning super white the same. it may etch or eventually stain but if it does, I'll see it as a mark of how well we lived and loved. The same as those laugh lines and crinkles on my face.
...See More
PRO
Anglophilia
7 years ago
White Corian cannot be beat for a countertop. It can be sanded if something really horrible happens to it, it develops a lovely patina over time, and it is a classic. I've had mine for 32 years now - reused it with my recent kitchen remodel. It is making a major comeback in VERY high end, contemporary homes as it can be formed in some pretty amazing shapes, and is being used more and more. Look at it in Julia Reed's gorgeous kitchen in her former Greek Revival New Orleans Garden District house. For those who don't know Julia Reed, she's been an editor at Vogue, and editor at Garden and Gun, written innumerable books and is just about the chicest woman out there and an amazing cook.

<http://www.elledecor.com/design-decorate/house-interiors/g254/greek-revival-interiors-julia-reed/?slide=7>;

I never have to worry about cleaning help using the wrong product on my Corian. My daughter also has it...in a house with a VERY ADHD, mess SAHH and two teenage boys. They would have totally destroyed anything else and it looks great after 8 years.
Vi Truvian thanked Anglophilia
dcward89
7 years ago
When we remodeled our kitchen in 2014 we went with Corian in their somewhat marble-ish pattern called Witch Hazel. I absolutely love it and it definitely ticks all the boxes of your wish list.
Vi Truvian thanked dcward89
m_gabriel
7 years ago
I don't have it in yet, but we are ordering Curava recycled glass countertops in the Savaii option.
Vi Truvian thanked m_gabriel
ravencajun Zone 8b TX
7 years ago
Love my Fantasy brown quartzite.

Still not complete but I love the colors of it.
ravencajun Zone 8b TX
7 years ago
Slab
Vi Truvian thanked ravencajun Zone 8b TX
jhmarie
7 years ago
I think the quartzites above are lovely. Some stones are advertised as a quartzite, but actually wear more like marble - so do your homework if you pick a quartzite. I recently had a quartz installed - pics in my "my pics" idea book.
Vi Truvian thanked jhmarie
practigal
7 years ago
Corian witch hazel.... But if I have it to do over again in this kitchen where there is one really long run on one wall, I would probably get Corian plain white that way there would be no visible seams in the plain white. Seams in Corian are visible only, they cannot be felt with your finger.
Vi Truvian thanked practigal

Related Stories

KITCHEN BACKSPLASHES 10 Top Backsplashes to Pair With Concrete Counters

By Becky Harris

Simplify your decision making with these ideas for materials that work well with concrete

KITCHEN COUNTERTOPS 10 Top Backsplashes to Pair With Soapstone Countertops

By Becky Harris

Simplify your decision-making process by checking out how these styles work with soapstone

KITCHEN COUNTERTOPS Kitchen Counters: Tile, the Choice for Affordable Durability

By Ivon Street Studio

DIYers and budget-minded remodelers often look to this countertop material, which can last for decades with the right maintenance

MOST POPULAR Your Guide to 15 Popular Kitchen Countertop Materials

By Vanessa Brunner

Get details and costs on top counter materials to help you narrow down the choices for your kitchen

KITCHEN COUNTERTOPS 10 Countertop Mashups for the Kitchen

By Katie Pegler

Contrast or complement textures, tones and more by using a mix of materials for countertops and island tops

KITCHEN COUNTERTOPS Kitchen Counters: Concrete, the Nearly Indestructible Option

By Ivon Street Studio

Infinitely customizable and with an amazingly long life span, concrete countertops are an excellent option for any kitchen

KITCHEN COUNTERTOPS Kitchen Countertops: Granite for Incredible Longevity

By Ivon Street Studio

This natural stone has been around for thousands of years, and it comes in myriad color options to match any kitchen

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen Counters: Stunning, Easy-Care Engineered Quartz

By Ivon Street Studio

There's a lot to like about this durable blend of quartz and resin for kitchen countertops, and the downsides are minimal

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen Counters: Stainless Steel, the Chefs' Choice

By Ivon Street Studio

Professional-grade strength and shining beauty unite in classic stainless steel countertops for the kitchen

KITCHEN BACKSPLASHES How to Choose a Backsplash for Your Granite Counters

By Becky Harris

If you’ve fallen for a gorgeous slab, pair it with a backsplash material that will show it at its best

Sponsored

More Discussions

kitchen design feedback

6

Does anyone have Medallion cabinets in Maple Biscotti?

7

Matt tiles - quality issues out of the box

12

help with kitchen design!!

1

MSI Quartz Anyone?

1