One of the least invasive, maximum benefit changes you can make to your kitchen is to change the countertops. In many cases, simply updating old countertops, coupled with new handles or pulls and a fresh coat of paint on the walls will breathe new life in a dated kitchen. Not so very long ago there were only a few choices when it came to countertops. Today there are so many choices, it’s no wonder you can get confused. So many times when designing a kitchen, I’m asked “what’s the best?” The truth is, you have a lot of choices and determining what is best begs a few more questions. Today we have natural stone choices like soapstone, granite, or marble. These materials once available to only the wealthy have become much more affordable and mainstream due in part to new mining and fabricating processes. I typically suggest natural stone in kitchens where my design depends on drama from the countertops. Although some granite choices have relatively consistent patterns, for designs that require a lot of what we call motion (large pattern inconsistencies), granite fits the bill. Other granites can have small flecks of iridescent color that show themselves in different light. Marble can also have beautiful veins of color. One of the most beautiful marble designs I’ve ever seen is in Ixonia at Designs in Marble on a back bar display, it boosts a rainbow of earth tones that resemble branches on a tree. Although natural countertops do require sealing at regular intervals, it is a relatively easy process and can be done by a novice “do it youselfer” Another great choice is quartz. Quartz tops are made from quartz crystal. Because the quartz must be separated from other minerals and then “manufactured” into slabs, one might consider this material a highbred in the “natural” material arena. Quartz countertops are extremely hard and do not require regular sealing. In designs where more pattern consistency is desired, Quartz is a great choice. Another choice, solid surface, offers endless design possibilities. This material is similar to the natural stone products in that it is a solid “slab of material but is man made from polymers. Solid surface tops like Corian (DuPont’s brand name) are available in solid colors, multi colored flecked, swirled and some even resemble metal. I find that solid surface works well in contemporary and light commercial designs. Solid surfaces require almost no maintenance past general cleaning. Scratches, scrapes and even burns can be repaired on site and repairs are virtually invisible. Another benefit to solid surface is installations are seamless because it is actually chemically melted together on site. Typically this material falls in the middle of the price category.

Now the old familiar friend, Laminate. Most of us remember this by one of it’s brand names, Formica. Laminate tops are typically the least expensive. I remember the old 50s Boomerang tops that were present in so many small cafes and diners. These tops have come a long way! Today “high definition” laminate can mimic the look of granite at a third of the cost. There are so many applications for laminates, that design applications are almost endless.

Newer to the market are the ‘green friendly” materials. Paper stone, concrete, and recycled glass materials contain post consumer products making them not only environmentally friendly, but offer very unique design elements. Another possibility in the “recycled” arena, are “novelty” countertops, those made from materials like old barn beams, structural steel elements or slabs of wood. Although you will need to consider health and safety concerns with these types of materials, they can make bold design statements.

In the end, there is a myriad of possibilities when choosing countertops. With a little investigation and help from a design professional you can be sure the choice you make will enhance your kitchen design and serve you well for years to come.

I know I closed out my last post promising to have a discussion on various countertop materials but I ran into something extremely interesting at the Milwaukee NARI Home Improvement Show taking place this weekend at State Fair Park. It’s the Meltwater Project! While I’m not a big fan of the whole global warming theory, I do appreciate good stewardship when it comes to mother earth. While setting up our display,at the show, I was able to walkthrough this high-tech prototype of this “carbon neutral” home and spoke with Greg Adamec from Milwaukee Millwork. Greg serves as President of the Milwaukee NARI Foundation and is also on the show committee. Greg was instrumental in procuring The Meltwater Project’s show appearance. So what is it? Greg explained that Meltwater was designed and built for a world competition of “carbon neutral” homes, meaning that this structure sustains a living environment with little or no impact on the earth eco system. Greg explained that the solar collectors mounted to the roof not only produced enough electricity to sustain all the energy needs of the inhabitants, but surplus that could be sold back to the energy company. How cool is that? The roof is designed so that it directs rain water in to reservoirs that store it for later use in landscape watering and clothes washing. The home is heated and cooled through geo- thermal technology. As I walked through the home, Greg explained how all the materials used were “green friendly” like the bathroom floor and countertops that are made from recycled paper, the cabinets from a type of reed grass and wall treatments “wheat board”. Needless to say I was impressed.

Greg also told me that Meltwater took 20^th place in the world, impressive considering the scope of competition. Although it came with a price tag of over $400,000.00, I’m sure most of remember the cost of the first pocket calculator of digital watch. I can see a day when these “carbon neutral” homes are mainstream and affordable. To learn more about the Meltwater Project, go to www4.uwm.edu/uwm_sd09 or google meltwater project.—or google “meltwater project”  If you want to see it first hand, come to the Milwaukee NARI Home Improvement Show 10:00 – 9:00  Saturday 2/13 or Sunday 10:00 – 5:00 2/14

Growing up in southeast Wisconsin, I sometimes take our beautiful terrain of rolling hills and deep valleys for granted. A mere 25,000 years ago huge masses of glacial ice moved along our landscape moving earth, sand and stone, leaving us with the lakes, kettles and moraines we enjoy today. Unfortunately, that glacial movement also freed a silent foe…………..Radon. Many of the large stone formations that were moved and broken by the glaciers contained uranium. As that uranium decays in the soil radon gas is released.