Countertops That Pop

My clients are always asking me if they should use more than one countertop material in their kitchen design. Well, I always choose to color outside the lines.

ISLAND USING THREE DIFFERENT COUNTERTOP MATERIAL

I say, “absolutely”, why not make a wow moment? This particular kitchen is showing black Soapstone at the sink level, a perfect material to prep on. The seating area is distressed walnut adding warmth to the social gathering spot. The serving area is Pyrolave, lava stone, creating a splash of color and the perfect serving counter.

Puttick Kitchen B — Designs by Patricia Davis Brown Designs, LLC.

RAISED COUNTERTOP FOR SEATING AT ISLAND

Puttick Kitchen C — Designs by Patricia Davis Brown Designs, LLC.

BAR STOOL HEIGHT SEATING

Puttick Kitchen D — Designs by Patricia Davis Brown Designs, LLC.

VIEW FROM WORKSPACE

Raising the seating height is your opportunity to change material. This also gives emphasis to the shape of the seating area.

GA000079 — Designs by Patricia Davis Brown Designs, LLC.

HALF MOON CHERRY COUNTERTOP AT SEATING

Designs by Patricia Davis Brown Designs, LLC.

CRESENT-SHAPED CHERRY COUNTERTOP AT RAISED SEATING

Sea Quay Kitchen 4 — Designs by Patricia Davis Brown Designs, LLC.

The asymmetric shape adds importance to the countertop.

JENKINS SW View LG — Designs by Patricia Davis Brown Designs, LLC.

ASYMMETRICAL COUNTERTOP

When changing countertop materials at the same level it is important to transition the materials correctly. To do this you must increase the thickness of one of the materials allowing the other material to butt into a flat transition.

JENKINS Corner — Designs by Patricia Davis Brown Designs, LLC.

WENGE AND MAPLE END GRAIN BUTCHER BLOCK TRANSITIONING INTO SOAPSTONE

The butcher block has a 1/2 bevel around the top of the block and above the top of the Soapstone. It is always recommended that you use a professional when having different materials transitioning into one another. This is not a job for the do it yourselfer.

JENKINS SE View — Designs by Patricia Davis Brown Designs, LLC.

LAYERED LAVASTONE COUNTERTOP AT SEATING

This application has to be engineered to cantilever out from the countertop that it is layered onto by using embedded steel plates. Again, I want to stress the importance of involving a professional for this application.

Jerome 005 — Designs by Patricia Davis Brown Designs, LLC.

SIDE VIEW OF TWO MATERIALS TRANSITIONING INTO EACH OTHER

Jerome 001 — Designs by Patricia Davis Brown Designs, LLC.

VIEW LOOKING DOWN AT TWO DIFFERENT MATERIALS TOGETHER

I think using different materials in the same kitchen not only makes an interesting design but can be very useful to the different tasks being performed on them.

About the Author: Patricia Davis Brown

Patricia, like her blog, is not a one-dimensional designer, which is evident in her accolades of 17 national design awards. Over a 38-year career in the industry, she has carved a niche in several areas of design. Licensed in interior design and certified in kitchen and bath design, she offers a full menu of design services ranging from whole house interior design, kitchen and bath design, lighting design, full remodels, commercial design and universal (ADA) design. Patricia is a sought-after speaker in the industry and has been published in many publications as seen on her interior design firm’s website, https://www.patriciadavisbrowndesigns.com/. She writes for such publications as QuinStreetinc, Relaxed Remodeler, and eHow.com talent offering design tips.