I love to design kitchens - it might be my favorite room to remodel! I love to cook myself, so helping my clients create the perfect room for creating meals for their families is so much fun. One of the biggest workhorses in any kitchen would be the countertops. they have to stand up to hot pans, wine glasses, spills, cuts from knives, and more. So here are my 3 favorite counter materials:

1. Marble

There’s nothing more stunning or luxurious than marble. The natural veining and colors are absolutely beautiful, and can be found in so many colors. Since it’s a natural stone, it can chip, crack, and scratch. But using a sealer when it is installed can make this a fabulously hardy counter material. There’s a reason why pastry chefs love it - and I do, too!

2. Quartzite

If you love the look of marble, but not the expense, quartzite is an amazing choice! But let’s be clear, this is not quartz. Quartzite starts out as sandstone, and then the spaces between the sandstone are filled in with quartz and then it’s all fused together with heat and pressure. The result is a super-hard counter that stands up to EVERYTHING.

3. Wood

I can hear you saying “Wait, what?! WOOD?!” Yes, wood. Wood can be treated to stand up to most anything, and I love the patina that it gets over the years from the wear and tear. Unlike stone counters, wood looks more beautiful as it ages, and it can be stunning in a kitchen. If you seal them before installation, they also hold up incredibly well to water and are naturally antibacterial. That’s a winner for me!

And in the kitchen above, I used 2 of my faves - stone and wood! For a client who loves to bake, this is the best of both worlds!

What are your favorite countertop materials? Let me know in the comments section below!

Warmly,

Beth