With new technologies and stone selections from so many different fabricators, options are nearly endless for what can be done with countertops. Countertops have gone so far beyond standard horizontal surfaces and now, with new fabrication techniques, stone can be applied vertically and even used as a backsplash.
The team at Authentic Kitchen & Design in Milford said counters are one of their favorite finishes to select for any space as they can be used to brighten up a room, add a contrast or pop of color and soften or add a texture. In addition to easier installation, Authentic Kitchen & Design’s Dave Nickerson said “nobody wants to deal with extra maintenance,” so a large number of customers are going the countertop-route since they are much easier to upkeep. With counters, grease, for example, will not have to be scrubbed out of grout lines, and there will be no discoloration of the grout.
A Quartz countertop is the team’s highest recommendation for kitchens due to its broad, innovative and timeless design palettes, as well as its ability to withstand scratches, stains and heat. Dekton is an upcoming selection favorite for many bars or outdoor kitchens since it’s not only highly-resistant, but it is heated up to extremely high temperatures, allowing for functional use next to a grill that releases high heat. Granite is another very common selection as each individual slab comes with its own unique section of the stone. And, despite the fact that wood counters do require a bit of maintenance, they can last just as long as stone, leaving you with a beautiful, natural and unique top.
“When it comes to guiding a customer on countertop styles, it all depends on their needs and wants,” Nickerson said. “A cook, for example, requires function where someone who entertains and hosts may be looking more for aesthetics.”
Authentic Kitchen & Design’s process is simple. The team knows that adding or changing countertops can feel like an overwhelming and exhausting process, so they help clients simplify the complicated. From vanities to a folding surface to your entire kitchen, they want to provide a simple, low-stress process to achieve beautiful, high-quality products and design, all while meeting clients’ visions and simultaneously keeping within budget.
“We don’t want to just sell a countertop,” Nickerson explained. “Instead, we want a relationship with the customer and help them as much or as little as we can. Everybody is treated the same way whether the job is big or small.”