As I said in my previous post, despite having my heart set on stained butcher block counter tops, I was starting to fall out of love with the idea because of the horror stories I was reading about their maintenance. With high-maintenance slate flooring already installed, I asked if I was setting myself up for more heartbreak?
I knew you guys would come through with your own experiences and recommendations and I am so grateful to have such a supportive community here on Swoon Worthy – you guys rock my world. I’m still not entirely sure – opinion is definitely divided. Who knew that counter tops could be such a contentious topic?
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Anyway, both Meera and Hollie recommended I give Quartz consideration. I have to admit, it’s not something I’d even thought about. I don’t really care for the look of Granite despite it’s wild popularity here in the UK – from what I’d seen, it was always far too busy and patterned for me and I thought Quartz was just utilised when a homeowner wanted the look of Granite… so why would I?
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Oh how wrong I was! There are loads and loads of people out there who have used Quartz because there are designs out there that resemble – not just Granite – but even better, Marble. And I do love me a marble kitchen. But – and this is the good part – they are far far less maintenance than either Marble or Granite. Or butcher block for that matter. Install it once and you’re pretty much done.
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The reason for this is because Marble and Granite are softer materials and as such, more porous. They allow bacteria and liquids to absorb into them which is why they need regular sealing. Quartz is one of the hardest materials on earth, only diamonds being stronger. It’s highly resistant to staining, scratching and heat. So liquids can’t permeate and bacteria can’t thrive on them. Oooh.
This also means I could actually consider an undermount sink (something I’d dismissed because of the qualities of a wood worktop).
| Caeserstone Misty Cararra (is it just me or does that sound like a porn name?) |
I spent most of Saturday researching. While I found loads of information on their cost in the US, I found almost nothing about their cost in the UK (I found one site offering them installed for Β£800 and had one online quote for well over Β£3000 – eh?). So I might be setting myself up for heartbreak again if I find they are too expensive. But this post is called “Kitchen Dreamin'” for a reason. So we’re going to explore the idea anyway and see where it leads!
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I had a little bit of a fear of using such a light worktop with the slate flooring. After all, the reason I wanted to use butcher block was because it added a warmth to the kitchen that I felt was missing currently. However, the consideration of adding brass accents to my kitchen could definitely take care of that.
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I mean look at the image below – does this look cold to you?? Ok, the fireplace helps but all that brass! I’ve loved this kitchen for quite a while now… Notice the kickboards under the cupboards too – goodness, I need a lie down.
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It wouldn’t actually be too expensive for me to swap out the hardware as I don’t have loads of cabinets. I get a lot of love on my current pendants but I’m thinking about either spray painting them gold to start with and then eventually replacing them with something a little more grand (read that: expensive) in the future when I have the cashola (because the cost of the worktops with installation could wipe out the budget).
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I’m also thinking that a beautiful brass kitchen tap might work too…
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And here’s why I’m actually reconsidering so many of my initial choices…
When Wayne and I moved into this house, we said we’d stay for 5 years max. We would do up the house and then sell on after that to something larger that needed more work. But we’ve been talking it through lately. And we’re nearly 3 years into this house which means 2 more years before we sell.
But BUT BUT… here’s the thing:
We love this house. We love the area. We love our little street that’s right near town and within walking distance to plenty of amenities and local pubs. We love the fact that despite living so close to the town, our back garden is crazy quiet. Our neighbours that we ‘share’ the semi with are fantastic. The house is plenty big enough for two. Why would we leave now?
Well, we’ve realised something. We don’t really want to leave. Not yet anyway.
So we’re giving it another 5 years.
What does this mean?
This means getting it right. This means a little more investment. This means doing the house up for ourselves and the heck with what’s popular in the UK (within reason, we’re not adding a swimming pool – and to be fair, everyone tells me it’s very ‘American’ anyway). This means making sure fixtures and finishes are exactly what we want, not just a ‘this will do for now’ mentality. And god, there is SO MUCH more to do.
Seriously. I know it seems we’ve come a long way since we started our work on this house but the downstairs flooring still needs sanding and staining, all the carpeting through the house needs replacing, the hallway both downstairs and up is a project in and of itself, there’s still work to be done in the master bedroom, the guest bedroom needs to be redone completely, the bathroom needs a complete refit, the outside both front and back needs work. I think the next 5 years will find us plenty busy.
So I’ll ask again… is there anyone out there with experience on Quartz worktops? If you are from the UK, any idea how much I should expect to pay (the full size is 3.65 metres squared)? Or maybe you’ve added brass accents and love it? Or maybe you’ve got Quartz worktops and hate them? Or maybe you just want to share your own evolving experience with owning and investing in a home? It would be great to hear from you!
Well, am I smart or what?! Ha ha ha. I know what you mean about investing in your home based on how long you will live there and what you want to get out of it. We built our home, so everything is fresh and new, but five years later I'm ready to update some paint colors, lighting, etc. But I'm also fearful of doing anything too spunky, since the area where I live is very conservative. <br
I like your plan sister! I say do it up and do it right!! You will make it grand I know.
Ooooh, congrats on the staying put decision, exciting exciting. I am looking forward to seeing what else you have up your sleeve for the place… I'm a huge fan of marble-like quartz, awesome idea. Canee help with the pricing though sorry, no idea of the UK market. And a big fat YES to the brass.
Just to add my opinion, hope it doesn't put a spanner in the works! We have real wood worktops, we had a small bit of drainer before and now in our new kitchen we've gone for the same wood all over. We choses iroko wood as it's hardwood and doesn't need too much maintenance. It oils to a lovely warm shade which was perfect in our cold coloured kitchen. I did blog about the
C'est malin, now I will see any other counter top with quartz in my mind! Luckily I am not about to buy my own house, so I have time in front of me to try very hard to forget about it!<br />Lovely researches.
i think i already shared with you that we have quartz. it's easy to live with since there's no sealing or worries about staining, but it does have a uniform look so that is not for everyone. ours is silestone's ivory coast, a sandy cream which hides toast crumbs but i'm sure you're looking at whites. what a relief it must be to know you'll be staying longer than you
Hi <br /><br />I supply granite and quartz worktops and you should be paying around Β£1800 – Β£2600 for 3.65sqm of quartz installed with sink cut outs etc. <br />Β£1800 for the cheaper non branded quartz and up to Β£2600 better known brands such as Ceasarstone and Silestone.<br /><br />Thanks<br /><br />Ryan<br /><br />www.henderstone.co.uk
I'm a little confused. Quartz would be quarried stone (like marble) but Cretestone would be reconstituted, or at least manufactured, some sort of synthetic? We have a new kitchen in our future. Have been in this built for us house 6 years – and – life happens. When we sell we'll move to the False Bay house, and renovate.
BTW if you click the Delete Forever box, you can get rid of that string of – this comment has been removed by the author.<br /><br />This comment is just FYI
Lovely white kitchens, ooh yes! I'm glad you're considering quartz :). It is an investment worktop, for a kitchen you're going to have for a long time. Good thing you're staying put – your home is uber-fabulous, I wouldn't want to ever leave if I were you! <br /><br />Quartz doesn't come cheap (I would be wary of the Β£800 quote!!) and I have found that lighter quartz is a
We have quartz and it's been WONDERFUL. I wouldn't choose the same color again, but I'd absolutely choose the same material. I can't see a single scratch or imperfection and I am NOT easy on them. Hope that helps? Just a smidge?
I liked reading the post for its simple and straight language. I am going to start kitchen remodeling in a few days, and I have thought of replacing the older worktop with a mistral worktop.
Interesting read, it's always a struggle to decide whether you want to leave a place you love or not! Hope you come to some sort of decision which works for you!
Your house without any doubt does look very pretty, calm and refreshing. I haven't been a quartz fan but the way you described it sounds appealing and OH yea I got a feeling I should try once. <br />No matter what but I'm gonna change my sink to black and get that golden taps for sure. Kimberly darling thanks for sharing this although feeling sorry because I couldn't help you with