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Original poster

If you were having a new worktop, what would you choose?

53 replies

CoolShoeshine · 02/04/2019 08:26

I’m struggling to decide upon a new stone worktop for my kitchen (painted grey shaker). My thought are:
Black granite - suits most types of kitchen and always looks nice but might make the room look dark, been around for years, have heard it shows smears.
White quartz/Corian etc - looks lovely and seems really popular at the moment but to me it looks quite cold.
Cream/beige - lols nice from the samples but on photos looks a bit meh. No wow factor?
Grey - also looks cold and bit dark
Please help me choose!

OP posts:

Thread gallery

pallisers · 03/04/2019 22:11

grownthroughwhatyougothrough, I think I have the same granite - or very similar. It is cream and various shades of grey with tiny specks of purple and tiny sparkly bits. I absolutely love it.

I went to a granite showroom and walked through all the granites/quartz slabs to pick it out. There are some amazing granites out there.

emsieb74 · 03/04/2019 22:21

We've just had a white bianco carrara quartz. It's got a slight grey marbling through it. Really pleased with it.

PhilipJennings · 03/04/2019 22:28

@SunnySellsShells I have the same one! Only mine arrived last Friday so I've had it less than a week!

OP, Silestone lagoon (obvs very popular with mumsnetters) is a light colour with grey marbling and goes well with greys - my kitchen is white and grey. It's lovely and bright (it looks white in sunshine) and so far I'm in love with it. The chaps who installed it tell me it won't need any re-sealing unlike other stone worktops and is very low maintenance. Here's a photo I took to show a friend.

If you were having a new worktop, what would you choose?

LeatherFace · 03/04/2019 22:34

Is Corina “clanky” like granite?

LeatherFace · 03/04/2019 22:34

Corian/Silestone should say

Chewbecca · 03/04/2019 22:39

I had black granite with sparkly flecks fitted in 2007 and it has been brilliant, no marks or smears, easy to clean & so hardy, I put anything on it. Only trouble is, it looks a little dated now so I would try to find similar in a different colour if I were choosing now (which I can’t justify doing as it is lasting so well!).

wonkylegs · 04/04/2019 09:16

This is our Silestone can't remember which one it is though (5yo) . Chose the tones to go with our oak cupboards so I'd probably go with something slightly different with grey.

4yearsnosleep · 04/04/2019 09:31

We're going for Riverwhite granite, it's gorgeous

4yearsnosleep · 04/04/2019 09:33

We're going to the stone merchant to choose a slab as we want one with a lot of swirls and pattern

Bluntness100 · 04/04/2019 09:36

I have black granite and love it.

I really don't understand people's comments on smears or water. I use method black granite cleaner and I've no issue. Spray on, wipe off with a micro fibre cloth, job done. As shiny as they day I bought it.

Water simply pools on the surface like droplets as it's sealed, and I simply wipe it off. No limescale, marks or anything.

I'd highly recommend it. My neighbour also has it, and she's also never had any issues that folks talk about on here.

All I can think is they use the wrong products or leave water just laying on it for hours on end until it dries.

jamtart30 · 04/04/2019 09:38

Grey quartz here.

CutesyUserName · 04/04/2019 09:54

I had a black granite with natural silvery flecks for 15 years, and had absolutely no problem keeping it shiny, greasy and streak free. It looked beautiful the entire time. I now have wooden worktops which I hate and are a complete pain in the arse. I'm going back to granite as soon as I can.

whenthewhistleblows · 04/04/2019 09:57

I bought a ‘busy’ granite despite reading that apparently it’s out of fashion as it hides the crumbs well so is good for slatterns such as myself.

Robinredface · 04/04/2019 11:53

We’ve just had quartz fitted in our new grey shaker kitchen. It’s a slightly cheaper alternative to the silestone lagoon I had my heart set on.

Seniorschoolmum · 04/04/2019 12:07

I’ve had granite & carera marble. They both stain with hot fat, no matter how well sealed. And marble scratches & chips.
I’ve got pale quartz composite at the mo which hasn’t scratched, chipped or stained so far - 4 years. It reflects lots of light too.

Corian is a bit “flat” in texture imo and doesn’t reflect much light.

squeezeoflemon · 04/04/2019 16:20

@Robinredface your kitchen looks beautiful! Is it a DIY Helmsley? Can I ask what colour it is?

Also, where did you get the worktop from?

Thank you!!

Robinredface · 04/04/2019 16:41

@squeezeoflemon it is indeed the Helmsley! Very pleased with it. The island is in a darker colour. We got the worktop from a local company called the marble workshop who I highly recommend, their equivalent quartz is pretty much the same as the lagoon and a lot cheaper.

Robinredface · 04/04/2019 16:42

The grey is their standard light grey

squeezeoflemon · 04/04/2019 16:45

Oh wow, gorgeous! we are looking at that exact same colour scheme-also with the brass hardware so amazing to see such a stunning example! I don't suppose you have any more pics?!

squeezeoflemon · 04/04/2019 16:46

@Robinredface while I'm at it, where did you get the hardware?! :-)

Robinredface · 04/04/2019 16:56

Thank you so much @squeezeoflemon I have a few more, apologies it’s obviously still a work in progress, and one of the pendant lights got smashed today 🤦‍♀️ The hardware is from Armac Martin. I blew the budget on those.