Solid as a Rock

Solid as a Rock

By John Filippelli

These are the sentiments of fabricators and designers recently interviewed by Kitchen & Bath Design News, who relate that although the desire for a personalized environment is still high on clients' lists, having a countertop that is durable is just as vital.

As a result, notes Steve Serafen, general manager for Norwich, NY-based Precision Built Tops, LLC, countertop trends are constantly changing and, in some cases, moving in unconventional ways.

Sometimes this means heading off the beaten track by looking at more durable, less commonly used materials. For instance, Serafen notes, "In our shop, we are seeing a trend toward more unique materials such as soapstone and teak wood. I don't think these unique materials are for every fabricator out there. For the ones willing to go the extra mile, however, the end results are well worth it."

Joel Miller, principal of Brockton, MA-based Sterling-Miller Designs, Inc., agrees: "Solid surfaces may have some competition from natural and engineered stone in the kitchen, but what was once considered unconventional for Corian and other solid surfaces is now becoming more mainstream." As a result, getting a hipper, edgier look sometimes means considering something totally different.

Of course it's possible to get a new look with familiar materials, as innovations in manufacturing create more creative options. For instance, "Fabricators and manufacturers are increasingly trying to give solid surface materials a uniqueness to separate them from other countertop materials," says Gus Blum, president of Blum's Solid Surface Products, Inc. As a result, today's solid surface choices are a far cry from those of even a few years ago, with unusual designs, textures, inset materials and other variations that create new possibilities.

But, regardless of the types of materials clients choose, one thing is becoming abundantly clear: People want durable countertops they can rely on whether it be for entertaining guests or for everyday use.

On this and the following three pages, Kitchen & Bath Design News looks at recent examples of countertop fabrication projects that offer a glimpse toward the future of countertop design innovation without sacrificing that all-important function.

Home Sweet Home

When architect Graham Pohl of Lexington, KY-based POHL ROSA POHL architecture + design set out to install this striking kitchen counter, he knew that nothing but perfection would do especially considering that the project was for him and his wife.

He explains: "The kitchen is like a laboratory, requiring simple surfaces that can withstand a lot of abuse, but still clean up with ease." To do this, he designed "a counter that features crisp, orthogonal lines and hard surfaces." Specifically, Pohl chose an amoeba-shaped Lumicor top with imbedded beach grass, which he notes, "offers a highly organic form to relieve otherwise angular lines."

He explains: 'The bar top is designed to contrast with this [angular] aesthetic. It is also

the first thing you see as you enter the kitchen/ family room from the other parts of the house, so it really is the literal and figurative heart of the space, providing the place where people gather to talk and eat."

Handling the countertop fabrication and casework was John Leininger, president of Lexington, KY-based Leininger Cabinets and Woodworking, who offers: "The biggest challenge for me was to fluidly tie the three different countertop materials that Graham selected together so that they looked like they belonged where they were. Figuring out the order in which the granite top, stainless steel backsplashes and tile walls were to be installed was interesting."

He continues: "How dissimilar materials meet each other is tricky and almost always requires dead-on accuracy."