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Sintered stone is a mix of minerals formed into a slab through sintering – a process of compacting and heating. Unlike Quartz, sintered stone contains no binders or resins.

Sintered stone is considered a synthetic material, but its ingredients are natural and may include granite minerals, clay, natural oxides, and glass minerals.

Sintered Stone Uses

You might be seeing sintered stone pop up in more kitchens, but sintering dates back over 25,000 years ago, when people used this method to create bricks, ceramics, and other objects.

Today, sintered stone is one of the best materials for countertops, flooring, and dining tables. It’s heat-resistant, scratch-resistant, UV-resistant, and eco-friendly. It has an appearance similar to that of Quartz or porcelain and comes in many colors and varieties that mimic natural stone.

Sintered Stone Cleaning and Maintenance

Unlike other stone countertops, sintered stone doesn’t require a sealer. Clean it with a rag, soapy water, or your favorite Ph-neutral multipurpose cleaner. Sintered stone is unlikely to stain thanks to its low porosity, but you should still wipe away spills as soon as possible.

The Disadvantages of Sintered Stone

Before purchasing your first sintered stone counter or floor, there are a couple of disadvantages to consider:

• Many types of sintered stone have veining that doesn’t run all the way through, so if you chip the counter’s edge, the pattern won’t match up.
• Sintered stone isn’t indestructible – if you hit the edge or middle of the counter with a sharp, heavy object, it can crack or chip.
• Few sintered stone manufacturers mean difficulty finding the product or a pattern you like.

Sintered Stone Cost

Sintered stone costs $60 – $120 per square foot, including material and installation. Sintered stone is not a DIY-friendly material. If you try to install it yourself, you’ll risk cracks or a broken slab.

Where to Buy Sintered Stone

You can find sintered stone slabs at most countertop and natural stone resellers. Some big box stores, like Lowes, even carry sintered stone bathroom counters. Dekton, Neolith, Lapitec, and Laminam are the most popular sintered stone brands.

Sintered Stone vs. Quartz

Sintered stone and Quartz are engineered stones with similar appearance and costs. Neither requires sealers, and both are water-resistant. A significant difference between the two is in the manufacturing process. To make quartz countertops, manufacturers use binders and toxic resins. Sintered stone requires heat and pressure only, making it a more eco-friendly product.

Sintered stone fares better with heat, while Quartz may damage if exposed to a pan at 150°F or more. On the other hand, Quartz is less likely to crack or chip since it contains resins.

Examples of Sintered Stone Countertops

Here’s a look at kitchens with sintered stone countertops.

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A Neolith Sintered Stone Kitchen Counter

The Neolith countertop on this kitchen island is white with light gray veining. It looks similar to marble or Quartz with a high sheen.

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Dekton Countertop and Waterfall Island

Dekton sintered stone covers this contemporary kitchen’s island, backsplash, and countertop. The stone has a natural, low-luster look and fits most design styles.

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Sintered Stone Counter and Backsplash

The designers chose white Neolith counters for this bright and airy kitchen. The light gray veining is thick, making a statement against the all-white cabinets and counters.

Arched doorways and a rooftop studio feature in the Y.27 House, which has been overhauled by architecture firm Estudio Estudio in a way that honours the historic building’s original character.

Located on a 195-square-metre site in Mexico City‘s Hipódromo Condesa neighbourhood, the project serves as a full-time residence for a client who is a social entrepreneur and collector of Mexican craftwork.

Originally built in the 1930s, the stucco-clad dwelling had endured years of neglect, said local firm Estudio Estudio.

The design team set out to revamp the home’s interior, aiming to restore its original charm while enhancing its functionality.

The project involved removing walls, reconfiguring the layout and making structural improvements, in addition to adding new finishes. Moreover, a small storage room on the roof was replaced with a 43-square-metre studio building.

“The main goal was to unveil the hidden architectural treasures beneath layers of past modifications, meticulously restoring them to their original state to reveal the essence of the time,” the team said.

“Architectural interventions aimed to preserve the authentic character of the house, rejuvenating ornamental elements while avoiding unnecessary embellishments.”

Rectangular in plan, the home has a mix of communal and private spaces spread across three levels. Curves and arches – many of them original – create a “harmonious flow”.

On the ground level, the layout “seamlessly integrates daily living requirements”. The front portion holds an entry hall, garage and office, while in the rear, one finds a kitchen, dining area, service rooms and a patio.

At the heart of the ground floor is an airy living room with a 5.9-metre-high ceiling. A tall shelving system with a metal-and-wood ladder acts as a focal point.

A gently curved, skylit staircase leads to the first floor, where the team placed a primary bedroom, two bedrooms and a family room.

Atop the building is the new studio, which was constructed using pine. In addition to the studio, the building contains an onsen room with a barn-style door.

The studio opens onto a terrace with terracotta flooring. Rainwater is collected on the roof and channelled to a reservoir below.

“The roof terrace serves as a space to gather but also works as a rainwater collector, where rain travels throughout the house into a water reservoir and filter system beneath the back patio,” the team said.

Throughout the home, the team used earthy materials and neutral colours. The lighting design – created in collaboration with lighting expert Luca Salas – is meant to balance “ambiance, functionality and aesthetics”.

Notable finishes include oak parquet flooring and closets faced with cotton-canvas. Oak was used for window frames, kitchen cabinets and other elements.

In the kitchen, the team took a sample of existing checkered tiles, made of pigmented concrete, to a local craftsman, who then replicated them.

This style of flooring – called pisos de pasta – is very common in older homes in Mexico City and southwest Mexico, said Estudio Estudio.

Overall, the house is meant to balance historic elements with a contemporary lifestyle.

“This house proudly stands as a harmonious blend of past and present, inviting residents to embark on a captivating journey of refined and simple ways of living,” the team said.

Other projects in Mexico City’s Condesa district include a renovated house by Chloé Mason Gray that embraces its lack of natural light, and an apartment block covered in small, wooden squares that were inspired by vegetable crates.

The photography is by Zaickz Moz Studio.

Just because something isn’t trending doesn’t mean it doesn’t have value. In the ever-evolving world of home design and remodeling, trends come and go faster than seasons.  

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Dark kitchen cabinets have exploded in popularity, providing a stylish option for those who want to steer clear of traditional white.

Homeowners who’ve never had dark cabinetry might be intimidated by the backsplash choice. Since backsplashes influence the overall look of a kitchen, much consideration is needed. We’ve found 17 backsplash options for all dark cabinet colors and styles.

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1. Glossy Grey Subway Tile

Kitchens with dark cabinets and countertops can benefit from a lighter backsplash to soften the room. The cabinets pictured are navy/teal, the counter is black soapstone, and the backsplash is a 2.5″ by 8″ glossy ceramic tile in Bedrosians Cloe Gray. You can find a source list for this kitchen at Room for Tuesday.

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2. Marble Slab Backsplash

No matter the color of your dark cabinets, you can’t go wrong with a marble slab backsplash. If you have a kitchen with dark cabinets and marble or quartz countertops, continue your countertop material up the wall for continuity.

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3. Classic White Subway Tile

Classic white subway tile matches every cabinet color from light to dark. It also works well with most countertop choices. You can alter how your white subway tile backsplash looks by picking a complementary grout color or a high-sheen tile.

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4. A Geometric Patterned Tile

Add interest to your kitchen with a geometric patterned tile. The 3-D patterned tile in this example lends a mid-century modern look, but there are plenty of options to fit other design styles. Light patterned tile on dark cabinets makes the kitchen appear more bright and cheery.

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5. Large White Picket Fence Backsplash

Picket fence tile is making its rounds as a trendy backsplash option. Depending on the tile choice, this design can add texture and pattern. A light tile, like the one pictured, looks fresh and modern against dark cabinetry. For a more moody look, go with a darker hue.

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6. Stacked Stone Backsplash

Stacked stone is suitable for rustic, cabin, and traditional kitchens. It comes in many colors, sizes, and variations, so you can find an option to coordinate whether your cabinets are dark wood or black.

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7. A Light Textured Tile

A simple backsplash idea for dark kitchen cabinets and light countertops is to keep the backsplash tile a similar color to the countertop. You can go a shade or two lighter or darker, but the tile should have the same undertones as the counters. A pairing like this will give your kitchen a modern feel.

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8. Black Backsplash over Black Cabinets

A tone-on-tone cabinet and backsplash is a luxurious style. Pull this look off by breaking up the darkness with a light countertop. These designers chose black wood grain lower cabinets, a white marble counter, and a textured black tile for the backsplash.

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9. Counter to Ceiling Boho Tile

Give your kitchen life with a patterned tile that goes to the ceiling. The designers chose a sunburst tile for this modern farmhouse kitchen with dark gray cabinets. The boho style pattern adds interest without being overpowering.

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10. A Rustic Brown Backsplash

Some architectural styles, like authentic farmhouses or log cabins, benefit from more rustic backsplashes like this one. The warm mosaic stone tile complements the wooden log walls, while the black cabinets add contrast for a more modern element.

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11. Wavy White and Blue Tile

Aside from white, navy blue is one of the top kitchen cabinet colors of the year. Many backsplashes complement navy blue, including this wavy tile pattern. The blue shade in the tile matches the cabinets for a cohesive look.

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12. Neutral Greige Tile

Greige is a blend of gray and beige – it can pull more warm or cool depending on the ratio of colors. This greige backsplash tile is on the warmer side and works well against the cool blue cabinets and wood range hood. If you want a neutral backsplash that isn’t white, greige is a good choice.

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13. Shiplap and Quartz Backsplash

Thanks to Joanna Gaines, it’s hard to find a modern farmhouse without shiplap. If you love the look, consider bringing it to your kitchen. These designers continued quartz behind the stove as a splash guard and installed white shiplap planks everywhere else.

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14. A Brick Backsplash

An industrial-style kitchen with dark cabinets has a few backsplash options, including concrete tile, glossy tile, and brick. The brick in this kitchen adds interest and texture and coordinates with the warm wood floors. The designers added black cabinets, gray concrete counters, and metal stools to break up all the warm tones.

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15. Glossy Dark Blue Tile

An easy way to pick the perfect backsplash is to choose a tile a few shades darker than your cabinets. In this kitchen, the homeowners selected a medium blue for the cabinets and a dark blue for the tile. The combination creates a sophisticated look.

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16. A Punch of Pattern

The most common backsplash option for dark cabinets and light counters is to continue the countertop material up the wall. Mix it up if you want more interest, and add a patterned tile behind the stove or sink. Doing so allows you to experiment with your design without taking a big risk.

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17. Wood Tile Backsplash

Black and wood is a popular combination that can look modern or rustic, depending on the material choices. The designers of this contemporary-style kitchen installed sleek black cabinets with wood drawer pulls. They then incorporated the same wood tone with a tile backsplash.