The Stone Age

While reverting to the Stone Age may not sound like a smart idea for kitchen and bath designers, it does have its perks – especially when creating unique countertop and island applications.

So says Douglas Miller, owner and designer for New York, NY-based Fossil Interior, who explains: "I am seeing a move toward a more neutral, organic coloration. Beige and limestone are perfect for what I am seeing as contemporary trends, and I think that people have developed a unique appreciation of stone."

As a result, other materials, such as solid surface, laminate and engineered stone are emulating the natural look of stone – and creating a slew of new design options.

Kenneth Brown, a Los Angeles, CA-based interior designer and host of HGTV's reDesign, adds: "Countertop design is so much about personalization because of the large availability of design products to the masses."

Lori Jo Krengel, CKD, CBD, for St. Paul, MN-based Kitchens by Krengel, agrees: "In terms of countertop materials, there is a general demand from the high-end sector to have something unique – something that the average consumer would not want, or [could] not afford. This is why we have seen a demand for the honed, brushed and flamed finishes on granite."

"Design themes that attract the eye and make a statement are certainly being explored, such as inlays, colors and metallics that allow designers the full range of expression," adds Graham Pohl, principal for Lexington, KY-based Pohl Rosa Pohl.

Miller, whose company designs freshwater limestone slabs imbedded with fossils, agrees: "People don't want the same thing as their neighbors. In the case of the fossil stone, there are several ways to make that unique; you can use very old, large fossil contents, you can use lots of small fossils or light and dark stones."

He continues: "What we see is the stone having a very organic sense to it, but, at the same, time feeling very contemporary. You can take something that looks like it just came out of the ground and use it in a contemporary setting."

To that end, Brown notes that products such as lava stone are growing in popularity "because people love the punch of color [as well as the fact] that it has a back story to it."

He adds that there is also a product called Syndecrete, which is a solid surfacing material (a pre-cast lightweight concrete material), that serves as an alternative to limited or nonrenewable natural materials, such as wood and stone.

In addition, manufacturers are now capable of creating any color for concrete that may be requested, which Brown believes will further open up design options.

"If you want to match the concrete to your china pattern, and that color is a peach cobbler, it can be customized to that color, to your specifications," he says.

"People are willing to take the risk of staining to create a more subtle, lighter tone and softer look than the shiny marble. That is why I think we are seeing the demand for the honed finishes on granite," Krengel continues

Brown adds: "It's why we moved into doing soapstone, and honing the black granite. [It creates] a different look."

"There is also a lot of mixing of materials within the same kitchen, such as acrylic, granite and stainless steel," offers Kate Heyhoe, executive editor for Wimberley, TX-based Global Gourmet.

Mary Kathryn Calonje, ASID, NKBA, of Atlanta, GA-based Design Galleria, agrees, citing a recent project she finished that combines wood and stone.

"The client wanted the island to be inviting and, in her words, say 'come into my kitchen,'" she says. "All of the [distressed Black Walnut] countertops are very natural and neutral, and on the perimeter, the limestone tops blend beautifully as another natural element."

She continues: "The thickness of the wood countertop balances perfectly with the heavily molded cabinet doors and overall large scale of the cabinetry elements."

Brown notes that he also equates the island to a built-in piece of furniture that helps define a space and allows people to have fun with their design.