Remodeling seems to be the buzz word these days. You want to do a remodel, but you’re not sure where to start. Maybe you have a picture, or maybe you want something completely different from anything you’ve have seen before! Usually, the biggest question is, “How do you start?”
This is where a designer can help make decisions and find direction.
Right now, I’m working on a super fun project where the kitchen is pretty, but there’s not a lot of “wow” factor. My client wants to update their cooking space and make it fresh without breaking the bank or taking too long. We have decided to change the island, paint the perimeter cabinets, and leave the perimeter countertops. By changing the island countertops, we can add the “wow” factor to the space.
Countertops are like a printed fabric where colors can be brought out to make things look amazing. Also, knowing how the countertop will be used tells you the best type of stone to use in that area. Marble is very beautiful, but it can be a little softer and can stain without proper sealing and cleaning.
Granite is a very hard stone, with finish options like polished, honed, and leathered. These really add depth and texture to the stone, while also providing a new look. Granite is made naturally, and it’s impossible to predict the colors and patterns. Quartz and quartzite are the newer countertops on the scene, and they're making a big splash. These are man-made products that allow for control of the color. If you’re looking for a white countertop with just one other color, especially if you want the gray and white look, this is the way to go. Quartz is a very hard stone that is easy to clean and looks amazing. The only downside is that the seams can be harder to hide because they are solid in color.
The newest player in the game is porcelain. The colors are more dramatic than quartz, and as a man-made product, it’s very durable. This is a thinner material, so it costs less that quartz. However, fabrication is more expensive because of finishing the edge. Other options for a countertop include soapstone, butcher block, Silestone, Corian, and concrete.
After you select your countertops, you’ll move on to the cabinet color, door style, backsplash tile and pattern, lighting, cabinet hardware, and so on. There are a lot of decisions to make when doing a remodel and pulling your look together. This is where using a designer is a necessity. Also, if you can’t agree on the look with the other people you live with, a designer can bridge the gap and save you from an argument! They are worth their weight in gold.