Countertop Questions

There are so many choices out there when it comes to selecting countertops for a kitchen or bathroom.  Probably the most popular is granite.  In slab or tile granite is always a great look and available in such a variety of colors and patterns.

The designer and client can also consider other natural stones like marble, soapstone, limestone, travertine.  Let's not forget the manufactured stone and recycled countertops and concrete!  Of course there is also stainless steel,butcher block, wood tops and laminates, but I'm talking stone and stone-like products here.  There are so many quartz like materials out there.  Here are a few names that might come up: silestone, corian, zodiaq, caesarstone, paperstone, hanstone, fireslate and cambria.  I guess I should also put in cultured marble, but I'm not a huge fan.

So I want to hear from you! What are your favorite stones or materials to use on countertops?  Anything ever let you down, post install?  Anything knock your sock off?

Image and design by Rebecca Ward

Design: Sacramento

Today's Sacramento spotlight is on Planet Granite.
When you have a limited budget or  a small area that you need a slab of stone, check our Planet Granite.  This is the place to go for remnants when you don't need a whole slab.  They have an incredible amount of inventory that is quite fluid so chances are the have what you need, or will have it soon.  Their website is really easy to search through by color or name and once you see a piece you like, you can call them to put it on hold or pay for it right then!  If I'm going to suggest to a client to buy a remnant this way I usually find what I like at one of my local stone showrooms to see it in person, and then search for it on the site.  They show pictures of each piece they have available in the selection you want so you can get a piece with the "character" you like and fits your need.

 This is a a piece of Costa Esmeralda that I'm searching for for a current client.  Unfortunately this piece isn't long enough for the vanity, but I'll keep looking!

Images from Planet Granite