I know, I know, I can’t make up my mind on this one. The worktops are the one thing in my kitchen that I’ve changed my mind about so many times, it’s almost bordering on ridiculous. We actually started the kitchen renovation 1 1/2 years ago and it’s still not done – and part of that is because I’m so indecisive about worktop materials.
I started off 3 years ago now wanting stained butcherblock… and then hearing far too many horror stories about how difficult they are to maintain, I got very cold feet. This was magnified by the fact that I ignored the horror stories about natural slate flooring and put them in anyway and now I regret the decision because guess what? They are really hard to maintain. So butcherblock was crossed off the list.
Then, I started to consider quartz. And it seemed like a really good option because it would give us something that was virtually maintenance free. So I did a shitload of research, I started getting samples and then… I dunno. I decided as nice as they were, it wasn’t really my dream option – I couldn’t get the grain and movement of marble out of my head (something that Quartz just didn’t capture).
And spending that kind of money for something that WASN’T my dream option? It just seemed silly. I simply couldn’t find a quartz that truly looked like this… (GAH!)
Yes, that’s Christine Dovey of Bijou and Boheme‘s kitchen. With ridiculous amounts of gorgeous marble everywhere. And probably one of my favourite kitchens of all time.
Except that I can’t get marble. If I thought that butcherblock was a bad option because of it’s high-maintenance, marble was never going to work. I had to get it out of my head.
And then I kept seeing this stuff popping up all over US blogs…
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Looks nice, no? Looks like Calcutta Marble, right?
Well, it’s actually Formica – the crappy laminate I wanted to get rid of in my own kitchen! Except this stuff – well, it’s essentially a high-res picture of Calcutta Marble created into a laminate surface that actually wraps around the edge. Fabulous!! Could I find it in this country? Hell no!! Couldn’t find anyone that carried it. Because, well, that would be too easy!
So I returned to my searching…
I actually started considering this too for a while…
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That would be Quartzite (not to be confused with Quartz, they are different materials). Looks amazing, doesn’t it? Really easy to maintain too. Yeah, after lots and lots of research, I also found out it’s incredibly difficult to find in the UK and absolutely CRAZY expensive (more than real Marble, more than Granite, more than Quartz). Hmmm. Maybe not, then.
I’m running out of options here.
Except that I’m not really… turns out they’ve just introduced the Formica option to the UK market! Whoop whoop! Seems it pays to be indecisive and virtually take forever to make decisions… It’s very hard wearing, virtually maintenance free and it’s CHEAP. Like stupid cheap. Like it’d cost us less than Β£300 for our worktops.
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My only issue with it? I got a sample and it has a bit of a weird shiny patterned surface… why why why?? Normal marble wouldn’t have that, right? But look how pretty it looks in the kitchen above! I’m still torn – I was actually willing to spend a lot more on countertops (just not as much as Quartzite) but this seems to give me everything I want and it’s really completely UNDER my budget.
I should just go for it, no? Isn’t it pretty? Would it be a cop out to get laminate countertops when they look THIS good? If this isn’t my forever home, isn’t it okay to get an option that gives me as close as possible the look I want right now (even if it does have a weird patterned shiny surface)? Or should I be holding out for something that doesn’t even exist? :-/
I did want to share one thing though that I DID manage to make a decision on… and that’s my cupboard hardware.
I haven’t yet installed them but they are shiny and brassy and have a bit of a Chinoiserie vibe, no? Alas, the screws for the current handles aren’t in the same place as these so there will be a bit of filling and touching up that need to be done so stay tuned for their debut… ;)
In the meantime, I’d love to hear your thoughts on the worktops and help me just make a freaking decision already! ;)
We had the same nightmare picking a work top. I also wanted the butcher's block worktop but had heard the same thing as you, and since I'm a bit of a fuss-pot, I knew I wouldn't cope very well with marks and stains. We then thought about marble, but since this isn't our forever home, we couldn't justify the cost. My kitchen gets fitted next week and in the end we choose a high
i wanted corian for my kitchen but ended up with the formica option. it really has come along a long way since the old stuff. The edges are nicely squared off. You can't beat it on price and performance
I think you should go for it! And it does look super beautiful on that example picture. After all, I don't think worktops ever look the same after a little bit of usage, no matter how durable they claim to be. And with your own cupboards and ornaments, who knows, it might add something you really love :)<br />
We had Formica in our last kitchen and it was great. It's a classic, retro choice, don't forget :-) To be honest for under Β£300 I'd just whack it in, and if you don't like it in six months, just whack it out again!
I didn't know formica made that option – i say go for it! It looks great and will give you as close to the look you want without spending the earth. Besides, everyone will be busy staring at your AMAZING hardware anyway. :)
OOh – interesting! I'm still hoping to try and tackle our kitchen next year and always figured the worktop was something not to scrimp on, whereas cheapo cupboards (within reason) were a little more acceptable. We currently have (decades-old, stained, scratched and discoloured) white Formica in our kitchen and it stains like a bugger, not to mention the fact that as it's just a veneer you
I have had solid oak worktops for over 3 years and they look even more gorgeous than the day we fitted them…treated them with 4 coats of Danish Oil initially…maintenance is a coat of Danish oil every 12 months or so, takes no more than 30 mins! I don't put anything hot straight on them but I think that goes for whatever worktop you choose.
I used to have really thick butcher's block worktops in my former house and absolutely loved it. The whole kitchen was white though, so it gave it a bit of warmth. Yeah, the marble option would be great and very much you, but that Formica alternative looks really good (who'd have thought) and – as you rightfully mentioned – would be the sensible option in a home that you might not stay in
Yes, formica looks great in the photos. But if you don't like the real thing, that's a lot of counter space you'll be staring at.
I agree with Alice, it is cheap enough that you could put it in, and if you don't like it, it really isn't going to hurt too much to change it a bit later. Another thought I had though, is to try it out in a smaller space first. How is your laundry? Could redoing your laundry bench in this be a viable sample space? Bonus of this is you get a pretty laundry makeover too!!! I have a huge
Oh how I wish I had a laundry/utility room! Alas, we don't have anything like that ;) Whatcha see is whatcha get ;) But it's a good suggestion regardless! xx
Oh, man, I am the worst at making decisions when there are so many options and nothing is quite perfect. <br /><br />I have natural marble in my kitchen on the perimeter cabinets and walnut on the island. I'm still very happy with those decisions. The marble has dings and scratches and places where the polished finish has been etched by acidic substances. I'm a perfectionist, but I knew
Go with what you're going to be happy with. Something that will make you smile each time you enter the room. I originally thought I needed to replace the formica/laminate in my kitchen since that is what everyone did. But then I realized that the design worked well in my kitchen and that I actually liked the way it looked. So it's staying for now. (13 years later!)
Absolutely love this, did you go for it in the end?! Also where is it from please as I am looking for exactly this!
Thanks
Not yet!! Ha! I know, how long can one kitchen remodel actually take? Apparently the answer is indefinitely. *bangs head on wall repeatedly*
It is something I am still considering however – I found it here but I think there are other suppliers of it as well – https://www.kitchens4diy.com/laminate-worktops-stone (See the Prima 3460 option).
Hope that helps!
xxx
Oh my god, exact same dilemma here!!! That texture on the prima marble is weird right?! Enough to put me off sadly… maybe. B&Q do have a nice smooth version of this marble style laminate, it’s cheap and looks nice enough, has good reviews, but unfortunately it only comes in 3m lengths and we need 4m, I’m not sure I want a join as it might end up looking bad (but as its so cheap I guess could easily be replaced when needed).
So in conclusion – I feel your pain! Hope the B&Q suggestion gives you good for thought :) Good luck!
Hi Jo, Oh I didn’t realise that B&Q now had an option although I did see on Homebase’s site that they do! So it looks like things are finally moving over here (this post was written a few years ago so those weren’t options then!) for knock off versions of marble and I was definitely planning a trip to Homebase to check it out. So looks like I’ll add B&Q to the list – wonder if its the same one?! We only need the 3m length so it may work out! I’m hoping the finish is better too because that weird texture has put me off purchasing it so far. But thank you – this is the year it finally gets done so it’s time to see what’s out there! xx