Kitchen Renovation: countertops and new directions
Where we began…..
It always gets worse before it gets better……
Where we are today……
It’s been a long journey to get to the countertop phase of our renovation but the time has come and we are thrilled to be here.
I’ve had a very clear vision of how this kitchen would look for the last couple of years. I’ve spent a lot of time here and know the way my friends live. There has been lots of planning, forethought and evolution during that time but the vision has remained the same.
All countertops and back splashes would be of one material. Simple and dark, disappearing into the floors and existing stone walls. We found the “perfect” stone, honed ubatuba. Simple and dark but with enough depth and colour to be interesting. (photo below)
Our quotation came in and a few days later we were ready to approve and place our order.
Then the phone call came.
Every last piece of Ubatuba had been sold with no expected stock for a minimum of 6 months.
I don’t know many people who would wait six months for countertops and these clients were no exception.
We would have to go back to the stone merchant and reselect.
If you’ve ever been to a stone warehouse than you know there is a myriad of selection.
There are all sorts of stones, some you instantly dislike, some speak to your heart while others you are indifferent to.
We managed to find 3:
One would fit the vision perfectly but came with maintenance complications,
One stone would completely change the look and feel of the space,
The third pulled on my client’s heartstrings. It made me worry.
We had two days to decide on which stone to use and how it would effect the overall feeling of the space before my clients left for a month abroad.
We decided on all three. How’s that for a change of vision?
Stone #1: Soapstone. Soapstone is impervious to acids and scratches easily repaired. It used to be used in chemical labs because of this. The only issue with soapstone is it needs to be oiled. Oiled a LOT when new and less with time. Some people never do and the stone looks chalkier and dry but suits them. We wanted it to blend into the floor so that meant keeping the stone dark with oil.
The island is the centre of the room and the first thing you see as you descend the stairs to this garden level kitchen. We decided the island would be soapstone. It’s top and side dressed in stone to the floor would be easy to reach for oiling. As a bonus the sink could be made of the same material. My vision for a “disappearing” island would remain intact.
To clarify “disappearing” I mean the island was to have no visual attractions. It would blend into the floor and allowing the fireplace wall to be the “star”.
Stone#2: White Macaubus that I had fallen in love with. It’s colouration looks like old marble that could have been in this historical home originally. The cool part is it isn’t marble. It’s granite which means less maintenance and worry about staining and pitting (If the island was done in this they could even make a sink in it too)
Problem: my client was indifferent to it’s charms.
Solution: I knew if we found the “perfect” piece she’d love it too.
We had them move many, many slabs until…….
“It’s gorgeous” we both declared as the stone slab in front was removed!
You see the client had to LOVE the stone as it was to be another “star” of the kitchen.
An entire slab will be the back splash behind the cook top and with no upper cabinets you’ll see all of it. Countertop will be the same material.
The White Macaubus will be a gorgeous backdrop for our exhaust fan found through Modenus an online source for designers and the public.
White Macaubus below:
And last but certainly not least the stone my client fell in love with:
Stone:3 Verde Bamboo pictured above will be the countertop for our wine and coffee bars on the other side of the room and tucked under the stairs. (The stairs are also under renovation with new handrails, spindles and treads to be installed)
Verde Bamboo is stunning but visually busy and dramatic. I felt it would be too much for the island or back splash and would distract from the already stimulating room. I knew my client loved this stone so by keeping it separate from the kitchen proper it’s allowed to shine on its’ own.
Pictured above is the wine bar and auxiliary pantry with freezer drawers. The coffee bar is hidden behind the brick wall. I kept both coffee and wine bars at the base of the stairs for easy access to the entertaining levels above. Keeping these separate also allows for a traffic free cooking area. A wine bar area is also good as a snack centre for people with kids, juice packs and water replace wine bottles. (Not such a good deal for grownups but practical for keeping after schoolers from underfoot)
We went through several slabs to find a piece that was mostly the lovely hazy, wavy green my client adores. The piece pictured above only hints at the green but you can see how well it works with the floor.
So there you have it! It’s amazing how quickly your vision can alter. The important part to remember when renovating is to remain open to change. It’s often the choices you are forced to make that turn into the best. The clients and I are thrilled with this new direction and it all came about by turning a negative into a positive. Actually that’s one negative into three positives!
