Talie Jane Interiors®

Granite has long reigned supreme in the world of kitchen countertops. It has become synonymous with quality and luxury and something home buyers have actively sought out. In fact, there was a time when granite was the only word you’d hear from home owners fantasizing about their dream kitchens. (1) It’s not surprising given the classic elegance and good resale value of granite. Until now, it turns out. Designers are turning to another material for kitchen countertops: quartz.

According to the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), the popularity of quartz is on the rise, particularly within the last five years, while interest in granite has declined. Elle Décor author Rachel Swalin shared the results of a 2016 Design Trends Survey, which has been tracking trends in kitchen and bath design every year since 2010. She writes, “In 2010, 73% of responding members reported using quartz in their kitchen projects. By 2015, that number rose 16 points to 89%, with 67% expecting to do more projects involving quartz in 2016.” (1)

Leathered surfaces offer a different, more sophisticated look and feel. And from a practical point of view, can also be lower maintenance – fingerprints, watermarks and crumbs are less conspicuous on a leathered surface than on a shiny, polished one. Leathered finishes emphasize the natural beauty of the stone, and work well with traditional and modern interiors. Leather finishes are most commonly seen on darker granites. (6)

The process of leathering granite, which features diamond-tipped brushes that move across the surface of the stone’s surface, makes the stone more stain resistant.

Granite

Granite

Quartz

Quartz

Quartzite

Quartzite

What do you think…Quartz, Quartzite or Granite?

Sources:

(1) http://www.elledecor.com/design-decorate/room-ideas/a9083701/quartz-countertops/
(2) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quartz
(3) http://www.minerals.net/mineral/quartz.aspx
(4) https://www.countertopguides.com/guides/quartz-vs-quartzite-countertops.html
(5) https://countertopinvestigator.com/quartzite-guide/
(6) http://www.pacificshorestones.com/stone-trends-polished-honed-or-leathered-finish/

Other Resources:

https://www.stoneworld.com/articles/88267-quartz-and-white-marble-remain-growing-trends-of-kitchen-design

https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/28872832/list/kitchen-counters-quartzite-offers-strength-and-beauty

https://deavita.net/leathered-granite-countertops-kitchen-countertops.html