Comparing the performance attributes of natural stone with manmade materials

Interior Design

Styles may change from season to season, but Mother Nature creates unique designs in natural stone that are historically innovative and always on trend. This is why natural stone remains a timeless and flexible option for many interior applications including countertops and flooring. The variety of natural stone available is also beautiful, durable, and versatile, offering endless possibilities for interiors.

Manmade materials often attempt to emulate or replicate these characteristics and qualities. It is essential to understand how natural stone compares to some of the manmade materials used for the same applications in order to select the most appropriate material. It is also important to know how the material chosen for an interior project will perform under a variety of circumstances, conditions, and uses. At the same time, knowing how the material impacts the environment will ensure that you are choosing the most sustainable material for the application.

Coastal Sand limestone. Photo courtesy of MSI.

Performance Matters

A material’s optimal performance is based on a combination of the attributes of the material itself, how the material is installed, and the conditions to which it is exposed. There are many different issues to consider for interior applications:

• How will the material react when it is exposed to heat and elevated temperatures? Some materials will scorch, while others may crack if they are heated too rapidly or unevenly.
• Can the material withstand exposure to chemicals without a visual change or performance degradation? Exposure to acids or alkali, quite common in kitchens, can potentially cause etching.
• How stain-resistant is the material? It is important that the material does not stain easily and that stains can be removed easily. Materials with lower absorption rates tend to be more stain-resistant. Using a sealer on more porous materials can lower their absorption rate, helping them to perform better and be more stain-resistant.
• Is the material slip-resistant? Slip-resistance is the level of traction needed for a walking surface to remain safe for those using it. The texture, porosity, surface treatments, and elements including water, dust, and a build-up of cleaning product residue can alter the slip resistance of the material. Slip resistance is impacted by the material’s texture and porosity, as well as any surface treatments used and elements it is exposed to

Performance attributes should be addressed no matter what material you are considering or what type of project you are working on. These factors play an even more important role in sustainability and in the long-term performance of the material. Let’s look at how natural stone compares to some manmade materials from the perspective of these performance objectives.

Saratoga soapstone. Photo courtesy of Stone Store.

Interior Applications for Natural Stone versus Manmade Materials

Countertops

The possibilities for countertops using natural stone are quite extensive. Granite, quartzite, marble, and soapstone are among the many options to consider for these hardworking elements in a kitchen or bath. Every natural stone slab connects directly to nature as a piece of Earth’s history. These stones are versatile, meaning they can be cut and finished into different shapes and patterns, and with various finishes, creating a cohesive aesthetic. There are typically more options for edging and surface textures available for natural stone than manmade surfaces. Because most stone is formed in nature through extreme heat and pressure, natural stone is inherently heat resistant. Granite and quartzite are also very durable and scratch resistant. Marble is particularly prized for its beautiful veining, although it may be susceptible to etching. Although soapstone can scratch easily, it can also be easily repaired. Some stones are porous which may cause the material to stain over time. Sealers are recommended for most applications.

In some cases, natural stone may cost more than manmade materials initially—but often, natural stone proves to be the most cost-effective choice due to its durability.  This is especially true because natural stone can also be refinished, repaired, restored, or recycled.  Stone also has a low embodied energy, an important consideration for sustainability requirements. This is because natural stone was created by the Earth and very little energy or additional resources are needed to quarry, fabricate, and finish it.

Manmade materials including engineered quartz, porcelain, sintered surface, acrylic/solid surface and cultured marble are also options for interior countertops.  These materials typically do not need to be sealed. The patterns and colors of manmade materials are usually consistent within the same dye lot. Acrylic/solid surfaces are repairable, but it is often expensive to do so. Most of these materials do not last as long as stone. Porcelain can be more expensive to purchase and is more expensive to fabricate than natural stone. It is also difficult to repair since the patterns are not full bodied. These materials are typically made in thinner formats which also reduces the edge selection options. This results in the edges not having the same texture and pattern as the surface. The synthetic components of engineered quartz can break down when exposed to UV light. Acrylic, engineered quartz, and cultured marble are not heat or UV resistant. Variation between batches of manufactured materials may cause installation or customer service issues.  Most of these materials also have a high embodied energy because they require a wide range of other materials and energy intensive processes to be manufactured.

Photo courtesy of Coldspring.

Flooring

Natural stones including granite, travertine, limestone, marble, and slate are good options for flooring.  Again, one of the main performance aspects of using natural stone in this manner is its incredible durability. Design options abound with more edge treatments, surface texture, and color than most manmade materials. Most textures are slip-resistant and most natural stones are also UV resistant. Natural stone also comes in a variety of thicknesses and is easy to care for once properly protected.  They will also maintain their color and patina nicely over time if maintained properly.  In some cases, natural stone will cost less than porcelain or concrete imitations.

There are a few other issues to consider. Polished finishes may require a topical treatment to increase the slip resistance. Marble, limestone, and travertine can etch when exposed to acidic substances. Stones that have higher absorption rates will need to be sealed. Once again, the low embodied energy of natural stone makes it a great option for meeting sustainability goals. As previously mentioned, natural stone’s long life cycle makes it a very cost-effective choice.

Porcelain, ceramic, concrete, and terrazzo and plastic-based materials such as laminate and vinyl are among the most popular manmade flooring materials. A few of the pros of using these materials include the durability of ceramic and porcelain. Additionally, ceramic, porcelain, and vinyl are easy to care for. There are usage ratings available for specific applications, which helps make it easier to select the right option for the use you are considering. Terrazzo is a creative material because of the custom options available in production. Laminates are generally inexpensive while porcelain is more expensive than ceramic and other popular flooring materials.

There are a number of cons to using these materials. Porcelain is a heavy and unforgiving material, so specialized equipment is needed to cut it. The density of porcelain often requires that sub-floors and supports are strong enough to withstand the extra weight. These issues can also add to the cost of installation.  Most manmade materials are only manufactured in thinner formats and the edges do not have the same texture or pattern as the surface. Their patterns and sizing are limited and they typically cannot be refinished. Porcelain and ceramic are susceptible to chipping and laminates and vinyl can be easily scratched or indented. Laminate and vinyl also require adhesives that off gas, and laminates are not moisture resistant.  There will be variances across color between batches or lots of the materials. Many of the petroleum-based materials contain chemicals that are toxic, including those marked as Red List chemicals. These products also have high embodied energy, which creates a negative impact on the environment.

Galaxy Grey granite. Photo courtesy of Artistic Tile.

Natural Stone and Sustainability

Natural stone has demonstrated considerable durability in local and regional environments and applications. In many cases, these have lasted for hundreds of years, even millennia. Most of the manmade materials have not been around long enough to demonstrate that level of performance. The qualities of longevity and durability have proven that natural stone is a great choice for also meeting green building goals. The initial material and installation costs are off-set by the long life expectancy and the low maintenance requirements. Little to no cleaning or chemicals are required to maintain the material and as mentioned, natural stone can also be refinished, repaired, restored, or recycled. Natural stone is 100% natural stone. Engineered quartz, concrete, and porcelain require many different materials including chemicals to be manufactured and many of them are not recyclable.

So, as Oscar Wilde once said: “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness.” Choose natural stone and you will be contributing to the long legacy of great, high-performing, sustainable projects in the world.

Danby marble. Photo courtesy of Stoneshop.

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All photos courtesy of Ashley Goldman.

Hi! I’m Ashley, I’m a type-A homebody fixing up my historic home in San Diego, CA. My old house renovation is chronicled on my blog The Gold Hive. I’ve been slowly renovating my kitchen to create a new space fit for a modern family in an old home. While it’s taken me years to decide on the layout and cabinetry color, there was always one thing that was certain. Marble countertops.

It’s been a year since installing our dream marble counters. So, I’m reflecting on the experience of living with the natural stone. We’ve had many coffee spills, oil splatters, and citrus squeezes, so how is it holding up? I’ll tell ya!

First, let’s back up and go over why I chose marble. I elaborate on my entire thought process in this blog post, but in summary:

1. Our historic house deserved a classic material in keeping with its old age.
2. We wanted a work surface that had the visual movement and the physical texture of a natural stone rather than a manmade material.
3. We required a countertop that was ethically sourced, so we found a quarry that prioritizes worker safety, land reclamation, and required little transportation (learn more here).
4. We desired a material that would be timeless rather than trendy.

After browsing hundreds of stone slabs, I decided on Imperial Danby for its warm coloring, a honed finish for its ability to hide etches, and Vermont Quarries for the ethical sourcing of the stone. It couldn’t be a more perfect fit for our goals! I share more about the quarry and even link to an incredible tour of their facility here.

I went with a 2cm thick stone and didn’t add any thickness with an apron. I also added a backsplash with curvy cutouts and a small shelf to create something extra special. I adore the unique shapes yet the simplicity and timelessness of the marble. You can learn more about the design process here.

Once the slabs were installed, I immediately got to sealing the marble to prevent stains. I outlined the entire DIY process here.

Now, this is where marble gets a bad rap. Stains! Marble is indeed a porous material so it can take in penetrating liquids and stain. Think red wine, marinara sauce, coffee, turmeric. These things can indeed leave a serious mark on natural stones. But they can be prevented (and even reversed!)

So how have my countertops done with stains? I kid you not, they haven’t stained at all. I mean it! I worried about staining when a coffee ring went un-wiped for 12 hours, when the marinara sauce spilled, and when the berry kombucha bottle exploded. But not a single one of those incidents left a stain.

This is all thanks to the top-notch sealer that I used. I’m constantly impressed by the lack of stains!

The only discoloration in the stone is by the sink at the seam where the fabricators joined the two slabs. Water tends to pool in this high-use area and the seam started to yellow. However, this discoloration is easily reversed with a DIY poultice solution of baking soda and water (or hydrogen peroxide). See how to apply a poultice here.

Let’s take a brief intermission to admire the stone. Holy cow! I can’t get over the veining in this particular slab. The browns and greys are so lovely and add such warmth and character.

While stains are basically nonexistent in our countertops, there is a significant amount of etching. Etching occurs when acids like lemon juice dull the surface of the stone. These blemishes are only noticeable from certain angles as light hits the stone. See the photo above where the marble looks perfectly pristine, then compare it to the photo below.

That’s the same slab from a different angle. Do you see those faint marks near the sink? Those are etch marks. They are super common and nearly impossible blemishes to avoid. Etches bother some people, but I prefer to look at them as a natural patina on a natural stone. If folks love marble but don’t like etches, I recommend getting a honed finish rather than polished as the matte finish hides the etches best. And, for those really afraid of etches, there’s good news – it can be reversed! I’ll show you below.

First, here are more photos of the etches in my countertops.

They’re subtle, right?

This section of countertops takes the biggest beating. We do all of our meal prep here, pile dirty dishes here, and clean baby bottles here. This slab of counters has the most etches, but you only see them when the lighting hits them just right. Notice how they disappear in the shadows?

I’ve come to embrace the etches as the character of the stone. They demonstrate that our kitchen is a place of activity rather than an unused showroom. They are reminders of meals made and shared in our home. They’re gentle marks of history.

But, I understand that even the most sentimental person may not want to see etches in their precious counters. So the good news is the etches can be removed!

The etches disappeared with a couple of minutes of rubbing an etch remover product into the dulled mark. It’s a truly magical transformation.

I used the etch remover last year when I had a hard time seeing my freshly installed marble get its first blemish. But since then, I’ve let the etches pile up. Maybe one day I’ll buff the entire counter with the etch remover to start fresh. But more likely, I’ll let the stone naturally age and patina with wear.

Another worry folks have is staining from cooking oil by the stove. But frankly, I forgot all about this concern until I sat down to write this post. There are no stains or marks from stovetop cooking! Sure, we get some oil splatter on the backsplash, but it wipes right up.

That’s about it!

We used to be really sensitive around our counters, but now we don’t treat them so delicately. Sure, we try not to squeeze lemons directly onto the stone, we wipe up spills, and we’d never cut directly on them. But we don’t baby them beyond that. We simply keep them clean with a plant-based acid-free cleaner or dish soap and water.

So, would we install marble counters again? Absolutely! We love them and can’t imagine any other work surface material. I’ll happily be rolling out pie dough on this marble for many many more years.

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Kat Coleman, owner and principal of Long Beach, California-based Topkat Design Group, had a client who loved Carrara marble and wanted her entire bathroom to feature natural stone: main bathroom floor, shower floors, and walls with a decorative feature wall behind a claw-foot tub. “We are talking Ritz-Carlton style,” Coleman says.

Carrara marble. Photo courtesy of Kat Coleman, Topkat Design Group.

Coleman’s client was concerned the natural stone would be too high maintenance and possibly cost prohibitive. To try to meet her client’s aesthetic, Coleman searched for alternatives, but they were unsatisfied since those options just didn’t look or feel like the real thing.

The reality is genuine natural stone, like Carrara marble, cannot be mimicked. Coleman knew it was her job to educate her client and remind her that marble has been used for centuries. Many commercial settings use marble throughout high-traffic areas and hotel bathrooms successfully, and the sealers on the market have improved substantially over the last decade. She convinced her client that Carrara marble was the best choice for her bathroom.

“This was close to 10 years ago and her bathroom still looks like new,” Coleman adds.

Sealers and Grout for Natural Stone

Whether going for a polished, honed, or leathered finish, choosing the proper sealer and maintaining the sealing process is probably the most important thing clients need to consider when using natural stone in their spaces, according to Coleman.

“Some softer stones such as marble are more prone to possibly show wear over time, although I have a few past clients who have all-Carrara marble bathrooms that still look pristine after many years,” she says.

One trend she’s noticing is that clients seem to want as thin a grout line as possible. Selecting a stone with a straight edge versus a slight bevel is best to achieve this. She reminds clients that stone is a natural material so there needs be some tolerance. What some clients may view as imperfections in natural stone, Coleman calls “character.” “Nature is perfectly imperfect,” she reminds clients.

Fresh and New Natural Stone Finish Trends

Coleman finds that most clients still think a polished finish is their only option. It’s often their designers, who are well-versed in what’s happening in their industry and what’s available, who turn them on to other options or educate them on what they may actually be looking at when they present inspirational images.

Premium Absolute Black granite with natural finish. Photo courtesy of Kat Coleman, Topkat Design Group.

She admits polished countertops are the norm in the United States, but matte-type surfaces seem to be having a moment in the natural stone space right now. “I have the occasional client mention a desire for a honed (or leathered/suede) countertop but usually it’s me, as the designer, making the recommendation in the design,” she says.

Manufacturers are constantly creating new options in finishes, which is exciting for Coleman and her clients. She’s recently learned of a brushed countertop surface finish. “This surface has a matte look with a brushed texture,” she explains. While she’s not yet had the chance to install this finish in one of her projects, she admits she’s intrigued and looking forward to doing more research to learn the pros and cons of using it in one of her designs.

A finish she does love to use for kitchen countertops is honed. Honed is the original matte-type surface. In bathrooms, she enjoys mixing honed and polished stone. For example, she’s combined honed floors and niches in a shower with polished stone walls.

Leathered finish on stone has been around for some time and Coleman says it has a sexy but classic look and feel that men seem to like.

Updating Natural Stone Countertops

For those who want to refresh or update spaces like a kitchen and keep their existing cabinetry, one option is having them restored to a different finish. “A perfect example would be if you had the popular polished black granite countertops that were all the rage around the early 2000s,” says Coleman. “You can have a fabricator put a honed finish on these, replace the backsplash, and you would have a completely different and more current look!”

Choosing Natural Stone for Its Beauty, Strength, and Longevity

There are many reasons why clients choose natural stone for their projects and there is something to be said about the beauty of the real material versus something that looks like stone. Coleman knew her client from 10 years ago wanted marble and while she could have settled for a non-marble look-alike, the reality is she wouldn’t have been happy. Instead, advising her client on how to care for her marble means her client was able to include the stone she wanted in her bathroom and is still happy a decade later. Nothing beats the real thing.

Polished White Macaubus quartzite. Photo courtesy of Kat Coleman, Topkat Design Group.

While marble remains a favorite among her clients, Coleman has been installing more quartzite lately. She appreciates that quartzite is harder than granite and can sometimes even be non-porous, although she highly recommends testing the porosity level if that feature is important to a client. White quartzites have the look of marble with the durability of granite, she says, which makes them attractive to clients.

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Photos courtesy of Studio Stratton; Photography by Martin Mann Photography.

Homeowners looking for ways to update their kitchens are not always looking for a gut rehab job. With more natural stone options available on the market, and with recent advancements in sealing technology, choosing to install natural stone in busy household kitchens is an easier decision than ever.

“It’s very easy to change out countertops and backsplashes to give the kitchen a fresher look,” says Lance Stratton, president of Studio Stratton, a Southern California-based luxury kitchen and bath design firm.

“The look and color of a natural stone is paramount,” says Stratton. If the client doesn’t need to worry about whether the material will withstand normal wear and tear, the selection comes down to look, color and finish and available slab size.

Stratton and his firm tend to specify natural stone on most of their jobs. While he has five stone countertops on display in his showroom, he and his team typically accompany their clients to specific slab yards that they work with.

Natural Stone Trends in Kitchens

Marble is still king when it comes to kitchens, and Stratton has noticed quartzite being requested more often due to its hardness. They also occasionally specify soapstone.

In three recent kitchen projects, Stratton and his team used Nacarado quartzite for the counters and Versailles Chiseled limestone on the floors. Another home used a stunning Mont Blanc quartzite on the countertops. For a third, he used Casablanca Super White marble.

Casablanca Super White marble

“Each of the homeowners of the three kitchens had different aesthetics and needs,” says Stratton, who worked with the homeowners to choose the stone mostly based on aesthetics and at that time the durability of the particular stone. He often recommends to homeowners to consider how a stone moves them. If it doesn’t move them, move on.

Speaking of movement, there seems to be a movement towards stones with a lot of pattern to them. Another trend Stratton is seeing is a desire to make a strong statement by using the same stone for both the countertop and the backsplash.

Choosing Between Quartzite and Engineered Quartz

“Quite often, clients are confused between quartz and quartzite,” Stratton admits. “When we can share some quartzite options that are about the same price as a manmade quartz, the choice is obvious. They’ll go with the quartzite.”

Mont Blanc quartzite

It’s hard to beat the beauty, texture and movement natural stone provides. “Natural stone has beauty and depth that enlivens any new kitchen or remodel,” Stratton adds. “It’s original and one-of-a-kind. So why go with a manmade product? Not every edge detail can be made with quartz, where you can with natural stone.”

Caring for Natural Stone in Kitchens

Homeowners are often concerned about using natural stone in a space that gets a lot of activity, such as a busy kitchen. They may worry about staining white marble with red wine or pasta sauce, for example. Stratton shares maintenance tips with his customers to help minimize these concerns.

“We always let clients know that natural stone will need to be sealed after install,” Stratton says. He notes some impregnating sealers on the market need to be applied twice at install but last for years after that process.

Sealing is typically completed by the fabricator after install. In heavy use areas, Stratton recommends resealing periodically.

Being diligent when spills happen and cleaning them up immediately means they don’t get absorbed and stain the stone. Stratton reminds clients that natural stone countertops are much easier to maintain than they think because they aren’t having to clean porous grout on a regular basis. A simple wipe down is usually all you need.

For example, Stratton notes that quartzite is just as durable as manmade materials and a regular wipe down is all you need. Marble, he admits, requires a little more attention and if you spill wine on marble, you should wipe that up before it has a chance to set.

What about natural stone flooring in a kitchen? “Limestone floors can also have an impregnating sealer applied,” Stratton says. “They just need to be cleaned with soft soap and water on a regular basis, to remove excess dirt.”

Nacarado quartzite + Versailles Chiseled limestone

Another option Stratton has found and has recommended to some clients is Italian-based Azerocare by Antolini.

“Azerocare is protected by an international patent,” says Stratton. “It’s a permanent treatment applied to polished marbles, onyxes, and soft quartzites [dolomitic marbles]. It gives full protection against etching and staining from lemon, red wine, coffee, tomato juice, vinegar, mustard, ketchup and oil, to name a few. It’s a permanent treatment that has been tested with the items above for at least 12 hours. It also has bacteriostatic treatment.”

At the end of the day, Stratton still reminds clients that any time wine, oils, or other items spill on natural stone, sealed or not, it should be wiped it up quickly. “Don’t leave overnight and expect the sealer to work,” he says.

There is an inherent beauty that comes with natural stone. While synthetic products might try to imitate its natural veining, they can’t compare.  Stratton also shares with clients there is a natural patina that occurs with age.

There are many reasons homeowners choose natural stone in their kitchens and with new technology and resources that allow for more stress-free living, they have more options than ever to create a space they love.

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Photos provided by Jan Neiges CMBKD; Photographed by: Virtuance.

Jan Neiges is a certified master kitchen and bath designer with the National Kitchen & Bath Association and principal of Colorado-based Jan Neiges CKD LLC. She has been helping her clients define and realize their visions for beautiful and functional high-use living spaces for over two decades. Neiges sees natural stone as a go-to material because “every piece is unique, especially if one selects the stones that have more colors, movements, and patterns.”

A client recently asked for a white-on-white-on-white kitchen but knew they needed some color in the space. Neiges encouraged her client to explore different natural stone showrooms to see if something might appeal to her and she fell in love with a white quartzite with gold veining for the island countertop.

“The island countertop is the pièce de résistance,” Neiges says. “It’s such a large island and because everything was somewhat sterile and flat in shape, except for the island which is curved, I suggested that we go with something very fluid for the light fixtures hanging over the island.”

Neiges suggested a gold-tone faucet for the island to help accentuate the gold in the quartzite.  The result is a stunning white kitchen where the natural stone plays a starring role.

For Neiges, the act of discovery and finding out what is drawing the client to a particular piece of natural stone is part of the fun when working on a kitchen with a client.

Choosing Natural Stone for a Kitchen

Neiges often recommends clients visit showrooms with their designers because “there’s more to it than just pointing your finger and saying, ‘I like that’ when it comes to natural stone.”

Showrooms allow clients to see what’s available and possible. In the Denver area, Neiges recommends her clients visit one of the three major showrooms and prepares them in advance by telling them it’s like walking into Tiffany’s. It’s an exciting part of the process and one that opens up the possibilities of finding natural stone they might not have considered or seen before in other places or in magazine spreads.

Most natural stone showrooms have a template available to show the depth of a countertop dimension. “It could be five or six feet long and 26 inches wide and it could be made out of some kind of plastic or metal,” Neiges explains.

They then take the template and walk around with it, placing it in front of natural stone slab options so clients can see patterns, movement and how it might look next to other design elements they’ve selected such as the finish of a cabinet or paint color.

She’ll ask them questions to find out what they are seeing and what is standing out for them. Once they’ve found the stone they love, they’ll discuss any questions they might have about caring for the stone.

When someone wants natural stone, Neiges says, they’re usually looking for stone to be that “wow element” in their space. She tries to find the right natural stone based on how the family or homeowner will use it. “If this [stone] is really something that turns you on, and you really want to see it a lot, let’s find a vertical application for it,” suggests Neiges. Since vertical elements are the first things we see when we walk into a space, why not use natural stone there?

One homeowner wanted something spectacular for the wall behind their cooktop. They decided to make that area the focal point of the space—“Grand Central Station” of the kitchen. As a result, they were intentional with the rest of the kitchen design, choosing more subdued elements until they found the piece they were looking for.

The homeowner fell in love with Tempest Blue granite with a leathered finish from The Stone Collection, an “amazing granite with wild colors,” according to Neiges. They decided to use the stone both in the space above the cooktop and for the countertop itself. The busiest section of the slab was chosen for the area behind the cooktop because it would allow for easy cleanup (no grout) and would be fascinating to look at while they are cooking. They can now see and enjoy the beauty of the natural stone as soon as they walk into their kitchen.

When to Remodel vs. When to Refresh a Kitchen

Neiges works with many clients who are remodeling their entire kitchen. Her recommendation on whether to remodel or refresh a space by making minor changes differ based on a client’s short and long-term plans.

“If they’re going to live in their house for some time and they can’t stand their countertops and want to replace them with a natural stone and they know they’re likely going to remodel their kitchen at some point, I encourage them to wait to replace the countertop because it’s like putting lipstick on a pig,” she advises.

Part of the reason, she says, is because the stone will look gorgeous but the rest of the kitchen will look dated and when they go back to remodel the kitchen a few years later and the countertop may not fit the new cabinetry, the client will be upset because they’ll need to figure a work around and it won’t look the same.

“My attitude is to do your project from A to Z, don’t piecemeal it,” she recommends.

The only time she recommends replacing just the countertop or other minor spaces like a backsplash area is if the homeowner plans to sell within a year. Otherwise, “just save your money and wait,” she advises, and enjoy the process of finding things that will make your kitchen functional, enjoyable, and fun.

TAGS: trends design megy karydes inspire

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An earlier version of this article appeared in Building Stone Magazine.

From the start of their kitchen remodel, the owners of a palatial home in Weston, Massachusetts knew they wanted a countertop material that would become the showpiece of the living space.

Prior to the remodel, the kitchen was outdated and dark. It didn’t fully optimize the available space. Designer Erica Brady of Downsview Kitchens noted that although the previous layout was disjointed, “there were elements that we all loved and knew we wanted to keep, such as the built-in pizza oven.” With that in mind, changes were made to open up the space and make the area more functional for the family. “Our goal was to make all of that happen, while being respectful to the architecture and design aesthetic in other parts of the home.”

The countertops would need to fit with the larger design of the room. Brady explained: “The palate for the cabinetry is neutral, with a quiet elegance. To complement that, we needed a rich stone to bring together the various materials, including wood, high-gloss lacquer, shiny metals, cool grays and white leather, and make sure that the space didn’t feel sterile. As soon as we saw the slabs of Calacatta Saturnia, we knew it was the perfect fit.”

Educating the Customer

Brady worked closely with the homeowners to select the countertop and backsplash material, quickly narrowing in on a Brazilian marble called Calacatta Saturnia, supplied by Marble and Granite, Inc. in Westwood, MA. “Honestly, it was such a quick decision because it was so right.”

While the homeowners initially expressed some concern about using a white marble in the kitchen, the team at Marble and Granite worked to answer their questions and make them feel comfortable with their decision. Brady notes that the company is great about educating clients, noting: “Marble is an investment, and it’s human nature to care for your investments. When a client chooses to use marble in their home, they must understand that—as well as believing that marble is like your favorite pair of jeans—it just gets better with age. Marble isn’t for everyone, and part of my job as a designer is to know my client well enough to steer them toward it, or away.”

The countertops were fabricated by United Marble Fabricators, a Natural Stone Institute Accredited company in Watertown, MA. President John Kilfoyle described the selected palette of materials as “a very raw combination of modern and industrial woods and metals,” and noted that all of the initial stone options were white marble. “Of all the options, Calacatta Saturnia was chosen to help convey a feeling of warmth in the crisp and striking kitchen. High-gloss, gray, lacquered cabinetry, rich ebony wood, brushed stainless metals, and Calacatta Saturnia marble coalesced into a clean, modern, dramatic kitchen that is perfectly suited for entertaining.”

Seven slabs were needed to complete the design of the gourmet kitchen. Brady and her client made a trip to the United Marble Fabricators shop to view the material before the cutting commenced.

Viewing the Slabs

Brady worked closely with Kilfoyle’s team to ensure that the slabs would be utilized in a way that put their beauty on full display. She explained that since the large backsplash was meant to be a focal point, the team began by selecting “the most beautiful section of the best slab” for that installation. “It’s important to prioritize,” she notes. “From there, we talked about parts of the slabs we wanted to avoid—imperfections, fissures, spots—and made sure they landed in places that would be inconspicuous, preferably a sink cutout.” Brady explained that this was very much a team effort between the design team and the fabricators. “United Marble Fabricators is experienced. They know their product very well, and I know what I want it to look like when it’s done. They help me understand my limitations, while keeping the client’s best interest in mind.”

The stove countertop was mitered to 6 inches thick and the center island and perimeter countertops were 2 inches thick. “This is an estate,” Kilfoyle noted. “The ceiling is over 10 feet high. It’s a powerful kitchen. The team was originally looking at 2-inch material, but they were trying to push the limit of how commanding they could make the kitchen look. The cooktop area is where the full-height backsplash was placed. There is a massive brushed stainless hood that is 6 ½ feet wide and double ovens. It’s the whole show. They wanted that one to be extra thick and the only way to do that was by mitering.”

The process of mitering involved beveling the edges of each marble slab at 45 degrees so they join to form a corner at a 90-degree angle. The aesthetic has steadily grown in popularity over the years in countertop production, specifically because of the clean, contemporary look it achieves.

Once the cabinetry was installed, United Marble Fabricators manually templated all areas. “A physical layout was conducted with the design team in our shop to discern the overall aesthetic of the kitchen and to highlight the best parts of the slab,” Kilfoyle explained. “Once these areas were determined, the kitchen was digitized and drawn in AutoCAD. Scaled high-resolution photographs were taken of each of the seven slabs. The photos were imported into the CAD drawings to create a photo-realistic layout of the entire kitchen, which helped to ensure that all mitered edges flowed correctly. The slabs were cut and mitered on a 5-axis bridge saw, the cutouts were completed on a CNC router, and the mitered kitchen was assembled using mitreForma clamps from Integra Adhesives.”

“The full-height backsplash is captured on all sides by cabinetry panels and the exhaust hood,” Kilfoyle went on to say. “The backsplash was fabricated at the same time as the countertops and was specially back cut and honed to minimize the chances of any damage to the surrounding elements during installation. The undersides of both islands are exposed at the seating areas. These areas are also mitered and fully polished underneath so that no visible area is dissimilar.”

Working Together

Both Kilfoyle and Brady credit teamwork for the success of the kitchen remodel, which received the Kitchen of the Year award at the 2016 Natural Stone Institute Pinnacle Awards. “The installation of the kitchen was a collaborative effort by all trades working to beat a holiday deadline,” said Kilfoyle. “Our installers worked inside of a fully occupied home alongside many other trades, including millworkers, painters, home automation, and flooring contractors to complete the project.”

Fabrication and installation of the marble countertops and backsplash were completed in a span of two weeks. “In a contemporary space like this one, flaws tend to stand out even more,” said Brady. “United Marble Fabricators has great attention to detail, and they reworked a few areas because they felt it wasn’t up to their standards. I have to say, the space speaks for itself. If it looks easy, it’s because it wasn’t.”

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Natural stone plays a prominent role in many kitchen remodels. Here are three questions to consider when choosing a stone for your kitchen project.

1. How Will the Stone Perform?

Photo by Leslie Schartz for Scott Simpson Design + Build

When considering natural stone for a kitchen project, Tom “TK” Kenny, partner at

Scott Simpson Design + Build, an integrated design/build firm specializing in new home construction, historic renovations, and eco-conscious green building projects in the Chicagoland area feels the most important question to ask is about the porosity of the natural stone you want to use.  “It is important to know this as it will dictate how easy the stone will be to maintain,” says Kenny.

Anna Gibson, AKBD, owner and chief designer of AKG Design Studio, a firm that provides curated kitchen and bathroom design services for the DC metro area, agrees that it’s important to know how a stone will perform. She recommends marble for bakers, since it is an ideal surface for rolling out dough. For busy families, she often recommends they consider natural stone such as granite or quartzite for its durability and low maintenance. “We had a client whose dog tends to jump on the counters,” Gibson said. “We went with quartzite.”

Buddy Ontra, owner of Ontra Stone in Bridgeport, Connecticut, always educates his customers on their stone. He created a document that provides maintenance instructions for the stone, covering everything from wear expectations to “do’s and don’ts” for the material to ensure that they understand how the stone will perform and how best to care for it. Be sure to talk to your fabricator about any cleaning, maintenance, and sealing questions you may have about your stone.

2. How Durable is the Stone?

Photo by Leslie Schwartz for Scott Simpson Design + Build

Another important thing to consider is the stone’s durability. The type of natural stone you choose in a kitchen will dictate how you live in the space, says Kenny. He often recommends quartzite because it has many of the features homeowners want –it’s beautiful, but its durability also makes it relatively low maintenance.

“Quartzite is durable and easy to clean but also as beautiful as other more porous stones like marble,” he says.

Some homeowners may think the fact that they use their kitchens and are hard on their countertops mean that they shouldn’t choose natural stone. Our experts recommend not underestimating the durability of real stone. Kenny notes: “A natural stone offers depth that a synthetic material, no matter how well-made, can never mimic.” In addition to the durability of the material, Kenny appreciates that the craftsmanship of the quarrier, fabricator, and installer can shine through the material: “You can see the labor of love from someone who toiled over it to somehow make it even more beautiful.” That isn’t possible with a synthetic product.

3. How Thick is the Natural Stone Slab & What Type of Finish Is Preferred?

Photo by Ontra Stone Concepts – Search home design pictures

Finally, in addition to the density and strength of the stone you should consider the thickness of the slab, Kenny advises. “We can miter the stone to make it look thicker but it should still be a consideration if you want to avoid this additional labor,” he adds.

People should also think about what type of finish they prefer. Kenny is noticing many of his homeowner clients gravitating toward a leathered finish, which he says adds texture. Honed or leathered finishes are also growing in popularity for light colored stones because they tend to disguise etch marks.

Natural Stone As Art

Photo by Ontra Stone Concepts – More home design ideas

In the end, many people are drawn to natural stone because it is unique and one of a kind. No slab is like the other which means you will always have a one-of-a-kind kitchen.

 “Natural stone is like looking at art: you always find something else to look at, another detail that you may have missed when you wiped it down after breakfast,” says Gibson.

Kenny agrees. “No two pieces are alike,” he adds. “Some of the stones have explosions of color where you can almost see the violence of the creation, like when the volcano erupted. Yet sometimes that creation is a patient one that happened over millions of years of tectonic pressure.”

TAGS:  selecting countertop kitchen educate megy karydes

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