We picked our countertops this weekend! Matt’s parents babysat for the day while we went out to try and be productive
Arriving at our supplier, we had to sign in on a list outside and wait for our name to be called, as they were limiting the number of people inside of the showroom to 4. We waited outside for about 20 minutes, but we were appreciative of the caution and didn’t mind.
First, we were set loose in the slab yard. I equate wandering through aisles of granite with taking a trip to Target. Sure, I may know what I’m there for, but I’m still gonna want to look at everything in the store anyway.
Because granite. is. gorgeous.
I don’t care how slick the engineered products are now, nothing compares with what comes straight out of Mother Earth. I could easily spend an hour walking up and down the aisles of slabs and gazing at the beautiful patterns of natural stone.
We’re planning on granite counters in our master bath, but as we are still early on in those design plans, we’re not sure which granite will look right. So we found a few that we liked, took pictures so we wouldn’t forget, and filed them away for when we finish designing that room.
Next, we went back inside the showroom for the main focus of our visit -kitchen countertops.
Now, granite may be the long-time superstar of kitchen counters, but there’s another contender that has zoomed up the ranks in recent trends and, I daresay, has even passed up granite in popularity.
Quartz.
Are Quartz Countertops Natural?
Sorta. The tops are created by combining around 90% ground quartz (which is natural) with resins, polymers, and pigments, resulting in a remarkably durable surface that is even harder than granite.
What Are The Pros and Cons of Quartz?
PRO: Unlike granite, quartz is completely non-porous. Granite requires regular maintenance – sealing and conditioning – to keep it in tiptop shape. Quartz requires no such maintenance and is naturally resistant to stains, etching, and is easily disinfected, making it easier to keep your kitchen sanitary. No worries about lil’ buggies lurking in the tiny openings of a 100% natural stone counter.
PRO: If you like white counters, quartz is ya girl. Today’s trends are all about light and bright, and I keep seeing more and more white or almost-white counter tops. It’s really hard to find a white granite that isn’t heavily veined or speckled ( but don’t get me wrong, those are beautiful, too). But quartz manufacturers are bursting with choices for light and bright patterns.
CON: Quartz is not heat proof and can discolor from long exposures to high heat. This is because the heat can damage the polymers/resins used to manufacture the top. Just use trivets, don’t place oven-hot dishes directly on the counter, and you’ll be good to go.
CON: The cost. While you can find quartz that is in line with the price of some granite colors, in general, quartz will cost you more per square foot.
What Did We Choose?
We started pulling out samples and placing them side-by-side on a table so that we could compare. I knew I wanted an almost pure white counter with some light, natural-looking grey mottling. This is one area to exercise caution when choosing a quartz counter. Because the tops are engineered, sometimes the patterns can look less than natural. I’ve seen some incredibly beautiful quartz and also some that are really, really ugly.
At the same time I was looking through the tiny samples (seriously, who can envision what a whole kitchen of this stuff will look like from a lil’ bitty square?) I was Googling photos on my phone trying to find photos of full kitchens using those patterns.
Eventually, we settled on a Viatera quartz called Minuet. It’s a beautiful light top with just enough grey veining to add a little color and contrast to my white kitchen. The veining looks surprisingly natural for an engineered product.
If you want to see Minuet in a full kitchen, click here or here
The sales associate told us that Minuet is incredibly popular with locals, so much so that they actually had a remnant of a slab sitting in their warehouse, so we got to see a bigger hunk of it, which was really helpful!
I enjoy that the veining in Minuet is quite visible without being too bold. We’re planning a rather white kitchen, so I think the lovely veins in this pattern will offer some great dimensionality.
One decision done! Onward!
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Diane
Hello, I’m also thinking of using Minuet in my kitchen. Would you mind telling me what white paint you have used for your cabinets and or walls in your kitchen? Big decision!
Erin
Hi! I’m using Ben Moore’s Silver Chain on the walls and the cabinets are the “shaker white” style from a local cabinet place – Knox Rail Salvage. I didn’t end up using Minuet however… I changed my mind to HanStone Montauk because its undertones matched the whole vibe in my kitchen a bit better.