Counter Intelligence

When it comes to fabricating countertops that enhance an overall kitchen and bath design, many kitchen and bath designers are finding it to be a seamless experience.

In fact, according to designers and fabricators interviewed by Kitchen & Bath Design News, many countertops that are currently being fabricated and installed are highlighting a “less is more” approach, often eschewing the tiny details, such as seams, in order to capture their “dream theme.”

But, that’s not to say that clients aren’t still clamoring for personalized touches.

Indeed, multiple inlays and edge profiling are still key components to a truly eye-catching countertop, as is the combining of multiple materials such as solid surface, concrete, glass and wood.

To add a bit of texture to countertop projects – and spice up an overall kitchen or bath design – designers and fabricators might also look toward multiple color-seam kits, or stained concrete, for instance.

But, most importantly, kitchen and bath design professionals are finding that in order to truly “wow” their clients, the end result needs to combine style and substance.

As a result, notes Jane Skeeter, CEO of Chatsworth, CA-based Ultraglas, Inc., today’s trends also include a call for scratch-, heat- and stain-resistant materials.

Curtis Turner, v.p. of Catoosa, OK-based Hudson Surfaces, adds that designers should be prepared to start seeing these types of trends in the bath as well.

“With kitchens evolving through the mixing of various countertop materials in the same space, the bath vanity tops will see a movement away from cultured marble in the coming years,” he predicts. “Solid surface and 2cm granite will likely gain much of the surface area for vanity tops. At some point the bath will follow the kitchen trend and begin mixing more surface and finish products.”

Skeeter already sees this happening, noting that glass is not only growing in popularity, but opening up almost limitless options in terms of fashion and function.

On this and the following pages, Kitchen & Bath Design News looks at recent projects that offer a glimpse of some of the hottest trends in the world of countertop fabrication.

Twice as Nice
Asked to create a kitchen island design that would complement the addition of nearly double the square footage in this kitchen remodel, designer Roger Shollmier and fabricator Greg Strange knew exactly what to do: Make it twice as nice.

The homeowners wanted a large kitchen that would function as both a kitchen proper and family room, with a wall of windows for natural light.

To accommodate this, Shollmier, owner of Tulsa, OK-based Kitchen Ideas, strove to create a sophisticated kitchen, with separate food prep areas and room for everyone to gather – even during food preparation.

Shollmier suggested an oversized island that would provide space for family members and friends to gather, without interfering with the food preparation areas.

Turner, who worked with this design team, explains: “The homeowners selected Mystera solid surface for the island and one countertop – but they did not want a seam in the center of the island top.”

Therefore, both Shollmier and Strange, along with Turner, built the island top around a 4'-wide by 10'-long sheet of Mystera Sierra, with an inlay of Mystera’s Ash as well as another inlay of Sierra. Complementing this look is a border of Mystera Ash with an edge profile.

To fill out the space, the island was drawn to 6'6" wide and 10'6" long, with an additional 2' for a wood prep surface at the end of the island.

The sheer size of the island presented various challenges for the team, Turner points out.

“Fabricating the massive island top off-site at the fabricator’s shop and getting a proper fit with the multiple inlays was definitely a challenge,” he says. “Seaming the completed island together had to be done quickly before the adhesives set up, requiring three mechanics and two different colored seam kits working simultaneously.”