Page 40 - Designing Ways 271
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WORKTOPS
































                   Kitchen & Bathroom Countertops


                                 by Stienie Greyling


                 ountertops have become more   woods will warm up spaces and give them
                 critical than ever as both   the desired organic feel, and countertops
           Can aesthetic and functional       are changing in response.
           component in  today’s  kitchens, with   Quartz has remained the most popular
           consumers increasingly willing to invest   kitchen countertop material for several
           in larger, multi-functional tops in an ever-  years and this trend is expected to continue
           widening array of materials, colours and   in 2023. This popularity is largely due to
           configurations.                    its durability which ensures quartz will
             Say goodbye to bold stone patterns and   withstand everyday wear and last a long time.
           dark granite.  As more dramatic colours
           and rich woods enter the kitchen, expect   Quartz countertops provide a variety of
           countertops to lighten the space.  Kitchen   durability benefits, including:
           palettes are moving toward earthy and   •   Stain resistant
           muted tones, much darker and richer   •   Scratch resistant
           than before.  The combination of strong   •   Impervious to heat       In addition, they are available in a wide
           dramatic colours mixed with light natural   •   Easy to care for     range of colours and patterns, ensuring
                                                                                that one can find an option that matches
                                                                                your style and complements the overall
                                                                                design of the kitchen.
                                                                                  While granite lags behind quartz and
                                                                                quartzite in popularity, it still remains a
                                                                                tried and true stone countertop option.
                                                                                Although it requires sealing, it is a highly
                                                                                durable and low-maintenance stone,
                                                                                making it ideal for kitchen countertops.
                                                                                It is resistant to stains, scratches, chips
                                                                                and heat.  One of the reasons for granite’s
                                                                                enduring popularity is its beauty.  It
                                                                                is  available  in  a  wide  range  of  colour
                                                                                patterns, ensuring that one can find an
                                                                                option that complements the kitchen.
                                                                                  While  tile  splashbacks  have
                                                                                traditionally been used to highlight
                                                                                kitchen countertops, a new trend has seen
                                                                                slab  splashbacks  chosen with  increasing




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