I’m cleaning out my studio, getting rid of old samples and stuff I don’t use. I’m looking to downsize my studio next spring and really, we are so full of samples right now, we need room to breathe.
I’ve been in this space for over 6 ½ years, 7 at the end of February, and we’ve accumulated a lot of stuff. We have tons of fabric samples, tiles, catalogs (those really are not used anymore - we just go to online catalogs these days) and while I love my samples and having everything at my fingertips, styles have changed in that period of time. There are products and materials that I just never specify or select anymore and I’m getting rid of those.
Ahhhh, it feels sooooo good to unload and get lighter. I’m so tired of having so much stuff and overhead that is just dragging me down.
Here’s one of the top items we’re getting rid of.
Spotty Granite Samples
Not all granite samples, mind you, just spotty granite samples. I can never have too many solid color granite samples (well, maybe when I stop doing remodeling design), but for now, I’m NOT even getting rid of all my Uba Tuba samples…..even though most designers guffaw at the mention of that stone. (I’m composing an opinion post on that as I write this.)
But these....these spotty polished granites, will never be specified by me ever again, so out they go. I’ve had clients who were geologists who loved a stone countertop with lots of movement and busy character. For them, some of these stone slabs are like gold. However, these days, people are mostly looking for a softer, more marble-like look.
Kitchen Countertop Trends
We often use quartzite as a substitute for marble, as it has a density that is greater than granite and is super durable, but has a softer look. It’s quite expensive because it is more rare. Since it is very dense, it is harder for the fabricators to work with and will take more time to cut the job. Here are some of the projects where I’ve used quartzite. Taj Mahal and Macabus White are popular and I’m about to use Seapearl in a job and can’t wait to have it installed.
Macabus White Countertops - Kitchen Remodel, Carla Aston - Designer, Tori Aston - Photographer
Taj Mahal Countertops, Kitchen Remodel - Carla Aston, Designer / Tori Aston, Photographer
We also use quartz counters, as there are so many beautiful man-made products now out on the market. We used Caesarstone’s Pure White, 1411, in this project as a simple, solid look countertop. The visual interest in this project was really on the vertical aspects of the room, the tall fireplace wall and then the kitchen wall elevation, so we used a more interesting linear natural stone product there.
Kitchen Remodel - Designer: Carla Aston, Photographer: Tori Aston
I have used some granites in the past that have a speckled look, like in this project. These countertops of Kashmire White granite were installed over 8 years ago and still look timeless today. Why? Because we honed the finish. When you hone the slabs or buy them in a honed or leather finish, they become lighter in color, and the grain or speckled nature dulls and becomes less obvious. It has a matte appearance.
Kashmire White Granite in honed finish, Kitchen Remodel - Designer: Carla Aston, Photographer: Tori Aston
Kashmire White Granite in honed finish, Kitchen Remodel - Carla Aston, Designer
Back when we did this job, you could hardly find honed finishes, even in Houston, a port city. I knew I wanted a softer look and something not polished and I tramped all over this town looking for honed granite. We ended up getting these slabs honed locally, having a fabricator sandblast them for this project. I didn’t know then that honed finishes on natural stone would be the trend, but I did know the look we were after. Now, you can find all kinds of stone slabs in many different types of finishes, very readily available.
So, since we now have more choices out there for countertops that don’t have that spotty look, my samples are going bye-bye. :-)
Got some spotty granite you’d like to get rid of? Maybe you need a quick e-consult to give you a start toward your new look? This design service might be just what you need.