I am so excited that I am starting a new project with a client who wants me to help redesign her kitchen into a beautiful new white kitchen!

A white kitchen is my very favorite  kitchen design which I previously wrote about  here in my previous post,  Beautiful White Kitchens.   Since my husband is still giving me a hard time about painting over our maple cabinets, I will live out my fantasy through her kitchen for now.

So where to start?  In the kitchen, the most costly project will be the cabinets, which she has decided to keep and repaint, saving herself quite a bit of money.  The next choice should be the countertops because it  is also a large expense and has a large presence in the room. Let’s look at a few options(courtesy of BHG):

Laminate countertops are inexpensive, easy to clean, and available in the widest range of colors, textures, and patterns. You can even give laminate an upscale look with a sculpted edge treatment such as a classic ogee or sleek beveled edges.

Pros:
– Versatile and cost-effective counter choice
– Easy soap-and-water cleanup
– Resistant to heat, stains, and scratches

Cons:
– Susceptible to damage from sharp knives and hot pans
– Deep scratches are difficult to repair
– Cannot be repaired if scorched

Stone works for serious cooks because it’s durable, colorfast, and resists scorching. Plus, each piece is unique and boasts enduring good looks. The most popular choices include granite and marble. Though it’s the most expensive countertop material, you can cut the cost and add texture by using tiles instead of a single slab.

Pros:
– Hard and resistant to heat and scratches
– Easy to clean if sealed (although marble is susceptible to stains)

Cons:
– Well-constructed cabinetry needed to hold this heavy material
– Requires frequent resealing for porous stones such as marble or limestone
– Expensive

Solid-surfacing countertops mimic the look of granite, glass, or other stones and boast a softer, warmer feel. This low-maintenance material can also resist damage from heat, moisture, and fading.

Pros:
– Wide variety of colors and design possibilities
– Can be molded into sinks
– Nonporous and resists scorching
– Scratches and stains can be sanded and buffed out

Cons:
– It’s almost as expensive as real stone
– Can discolor if hot pots and pans are left in place
– Softer than stone so sharp knives can damage

Quartz-surfacing countertops are made of 93 percent crushed quartz blended with color pigments and plastic resins. Quartz- surfacing can stand in for stone without all the maintenance. Its nonporous surface requires no sealing.

Pros:
– Available in a larger range of colors than traditional stone countertops
– Resistant to heat, stains, and scratches
– Never needs to be refinished

Cons:
– It’s almost as expensive as real stone
– Not quite as natural-looking as real stone

Concrete: Don’t be afraid to move concrete indoors. Concrete is an extremely versatile countertop material. It can take on many different colors, shading, patterns, and sheens to suit any kitchen style. Concrete countertops can be poured in place or fabricated off-site and installed later.

Pros:
– Can be stained a variety of shades and fashioned to resemble various kinds of stone
– Heat- and scratch-resistant
– It’s an extremely durable material

Cons:
– Highly acidic liquids can damage the surface if it’s not cleaned immediately after spills
– Requires periodic sealing

Ceramic tile is a popular choice for kitchen countertops because it’s water- stain- and heat-resistant. Ceramic tiles also comes in variety of styles and colors and can easily mesh with traditional and contemporary styles.

Pros:
– Available in a wide variety of colors and styles
– Glazed ceramic tiles are extremely resistant to heat, scratches, and stains
– Easy to keep clean

Cons:
– Can be labor-intensive to install
– Grout can stain or collect food particles so grout lines require periodic cleaning, bleaching, sealing, or regrouting
– Tiles can crack or chip

Glass countertops are durable, versatile, and gaining popularity. Install just a clear top layer to match any color scheme or install two layers — a clear top layer and a textured bottom layer — to help mask scratches. Give a glass countertop added interest with a decorative edge.

Pros:
– Heat- and stain-resistant
– Easy to clean, just use a window cleaner
– Recycled-glass options are eco-friendly

Cons:
– Can chip or break with heavy impact and may scratch
– Requires frequent cleaning
– Could be better used as an accent countertop than as a work surface.

Wood: Although it’s uncommon to see wood countertops — besides butcher block — run throughout a kitchen, a wood-topped island or baking center is popular. Using wood countertops for these prep stations adds instant warmth and charm to a kitchen.

Pros:
– Can be made from reclaimed wood for an eco-friendly option
– Surface can be renewed by power sanding
– Long-lasting

Cons:
– Vulnerable to moisture and heat
– Some raw meat or high alkaline fruit and vegetables (e.g. beets, papaya) can cause stains after extended exposure
– Requires a food-friendly sealing that must be reapplied periodically
– Could be better used as an accent countertop than as a work surface

Stainless-steel countertops can be found in kitchens ranging from traditional to contemporary style. Stainless steel can complement any kitchen because it matches many common kitchen appliances. It’s perfect around cooktops and ranges where hot pots and pans often land.

Pros:
– Tough; impervious to stains and high temperatures
– Won’t oxidize and develop a patina like other metals
– Doesn’t need to be coated with a finish

Cons:
– Shows nicks and scratches; avoid scouring powders
– Needs a solid, firm underlayment or it will dent

So, those are a few good top choices for countertops.  I will keep you updated on which option for countertops my client has chosen.  I actually am going to post each step as we are redesigning the room and next time I will post before pictures so you can see the amazing transformation take place!  Comments or questions regarding countertops?  Do you love white kitchens?

If you want to make your home comfortable and happy, please call me at 401.765.6446 or email isredesign@cox.net

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