20 FEBRUARY 2021
OBSESSIONS
WITH MANY OF US cooking and dining at home more often, the
surfaces we’re surrounded by have been drawn into sharper focus.
When it comes to countertops, ease of cleaning is absolutely essen-
tial, but durability and style shouldn’t fall to the wayside. Below,
our favorite trends in countertop design for the next time the heart
of your home needs a fresh look. —JOE HARPERSmarter Surfaces Set a fresh
new scene in your kitchen.
THE UPGRADE5231QUARTZITE
For those who prefer natural
stone, granite has always been
the more practical alternative to
posh-yet-porous marble. Now,
quartzite is all the rage for being
even more durable than granite.
Ta ke (5) Bajkal Crystal from
Brazil, available through Artistic
Tile: It’s veined like Calacatta
marble and doesn’t bear the
risk of staining or etching.CLEAN CUTS
The Corian Endura line of por-
celain countertops launched
this past fall, and the high-
performance material does not
promote the growth of bacteria,
mildew, or mold. Its industrial
(7) Urban Cement is one of
11 available colorways offered
in a satin sheen or textured
mineral finish.DARING DARKS
Blacks, grays, and metallics
bring stylish sophistication to
any kitchen. For its Dark col-
lection, quartz brand Caesar-
stone introduced (1) Oxidian*,
resembling rusty textured steel,
as well as Black Tempal, which
layers white across charcoal
black. Part of the new Avant-
Garde Series of Cosentino’s
ultra-durable Dekton material,
(2) Laurent is a striking dark
brown with gold veining.QUIET COLOR
The all-white kitchen—while
timeless—is getting a shake-up,
with muted tones and off-whites
adding warmth. (3) Malvern
quartz from Cambria has a
creamy vanilla hue with gray
accents for a touch of coziness,
while Artistic Tile’s (4) Blue
Calcite, sourced from Brazil,
evokes a serene lagoon.FEIGNED VEINING
As manufactured stone becomes
increasingly realistic-looking,
brands are boldly mimicking the
world’s most dramatic natural
minerals. Khalo, another debut
from Cosentino’s Avant-Garde
Series, is a shimmering mix of
black, gold, and espresso inspired
by Patagonia granite. The Eternal
Collection, part of Cosentino’s
Silestone line, released (6) Et
Dor, with gold veins that are
unique in every slab.KEEP IT CLEAN
Keeping your home
germ-free is more vital
than ever. Karen Williams,
owner of NYC design firm
St. Charles, recommends
smooth surfaces and plain
edging so bacteria can’t
build up in crevices.* Pricing is dependent on many variables, including location and
installation. Contact individual companies for guidance.