Today’s quartz countertop styles beautifully mimic the natural swirls of marble and the natural-looking variegation of granite while being nearly indestructible. Unlike marble and granite, Vadara Quartz countertops stand up to stains– including acidic ones like wine and cola. Quartz is far more scratch and chip resistant than other surfaces, too. Quartz countertops are so popular that many kitchen designers barely display marble or granite anymore.
Though marble, granite, and quartz are among the most popular kitchen countertops today, quartz countertops are the clear leader offering visual appeal, durability, and practicality.
Marble Countertops Pros and Cons
There is no doubt that marble is beautiful, but it requires a good deal of maintenance to keep it looking that way year after year. Compared to other countertop materials, it is relatively soft, which means it etches and stains easily. It also naturally develops a patina, or change in color due to oxidation, over time. As a friendly alternative, many quartz countertops are made to realistically reproduce the look of marble. There are some reasons why people still choose marble: 1) It can be sealed to prevent stains for years or even decades, 2) Honed marble has a matte finish which shows fewer signs of wear and tear than polished marble, 3) Marble is one of the most heat-resistant surfaces, making it a popular choice for kitchens, and 4) Each slab is completely unique in depth, pattern, and variety of color, so no two kitchens will ever be exactly the same.
Granite Countertops Pros and Cons
Granite is a very hard surface and while it is unlikely to scratch, it will dull knife blades and so is not a good work surface. It resists heat, and with a proper sealer can resist stains reasonably well. However, granite is porous, and if not properly sealed wine, juice or oil can become impossible to remove. Worse, it can harbor bacteria. Finally, when hit by a heavy object, granite can chip or crack. All these factors make it an expensive material to work with, and thankfully, it is increasingly being replaced with quartz countertop styles.
Quartz Countertop Styles
Honed Quartz
The norm for decades has been shiny, glossy countertops. The new countertops, which are made of honed (sometimes also called leathered) rather than polished quartz, have a matte finish. Vadara’s Concreto Leather is an example of a honed quartz that gives off a softer, more natural feel than polished stone does. They evoke a relaxed, casual vibe while maintaining the durability of quartz. Some people prefer to place honed quartz under LED cabinet lighting to minimize the reflection of the bulbs.
Two-Tone Counters
A major design trend for 2019 is to double up on quartz countertop styles. Choose white quartz like Vadara’s Sereno Bianco for the perimeter of your kitchen and a darker or bolder pattern like Petra Grigio for the island countertop. The contrast is decidedly modern and adds built-in interest to your space.
Bold Dark Grey Quartz
When many people think of quartz countertops they picture gleaming white, but that’s not the only option. Consider dark gray quartz like Vadara’s Slate Grey. Dark quartz countertop styles can add considerable drama and atmosphere to your kitchen.
Rich Earth Tones
In 2019, mid-century modern melts into rustic as white and gray quartz countertop styles give way to warm earth tones. The more natural hues in Vadara’s Blanco Piedra and Ocean Sand create vibrant yet elegant spaces perfect for entertaining.
Relaxed Neutrals
The movement away from bright, bold hues and towards a softer, more relaxed palette is a common theme running throughout home decor trends in 2019. There is more focus on highlighting individual components using muted backgrounds. For example, you might find a beige countertop, in a color like Vadara’s Crema, against a colorful mosaic backsplash.
Vadara Quartz
Vadara quartz represents the finest quartz surfaces combining beauty, function, innovation, and value. All quartz countertop styles come with a lifetime warranty for both residential and commercial installations. Vadara’s nationwide network of authorized dealers makes their products easily accessible to consumers and designers from coast-to-coast. View the Vadara Style Gallery and search for your local dealer by zip code.