Design and fabrication firm Madera has unveiled its latest showroom in Los Angeles, which was designed to showcase wood flooring and millwork products and has been captured in this exclusive video produced by Dezeen.
The West Coast hub, which is Madera‘s second showroom, is located in the Arts District of Los Angeles while its flagship showroom is in New York City.
The showroom features a selection of wood products ranging from the brand’s signature wide-plank Thrasher flooring to custom cabinetry and benches.
The space, which was converted from a former metal foundry into a showroom, aims to encourage clients to embrace wood and view it as an essential and natural element in design.
Madera’s made-to-order Thrasher cabinetry is displayed in a living room space
The entryway features bespoke Douglas fir tables and benches, while the living room space has made-to-order Thrasher cabinetry showcasing the various finishes the brand offers.
The kitchen displays a large custom island combining Madera’s Dogwood Ash and Travertine finishes, while a nearby conference room houses the brand’s Abechi Façade cladding in black.
The showroom kitchen features a custom island that combines Madera’s Dogwood Ash and Travertine finishes
Madera’s mission is to bring the natural beauty of wood into the spaces their clients inhabit to “redefine its place in the modern home”, according to the brand.
Its Los Angeles wood shop, where custom stair parts and millwork elements are produced, is located only a short distance from its showroom.
Madera’s showroom is located in the Arts District of Los Angeles
The brand recently launched its Seamless Wood Design system, which aims to ensure wooden products in an interior all complement each other.
The system was created to offer designers and homeowners a customisable option that enables them to retain the character of wood throughout an interior.
Partnership content
This video was produced by Dezeen for Madera as part of a partnership. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.
Light-filled spaces, neutral-toned furniture and a sculptural spiral staircase bring a hospitality feeling to this life sciences building in Chicago, designed by architecture studio Gensler and developer Sterling Bay.
The eight-storey 1229 W Concord Place building is located at the Lincoln Yards development, northwest of Downtown Chicago and beside the north branch of the Chicago River.
The building’s double-height lobby features comfy lounge areas
Intended to bring much-needed lab spaces to this part of the city, which has a growing scientific community, the building’s developer Sterling Bay hopes it will foster collaborative research and new medical breakthroughs.
“The new lab space will house world-class innovators and industry-leading companies that seek to develop groundbreaking medical solutions in Chicago and create a sense of community within their workplace,” said the project team.
A spiral staircase connects the lobby with the floor above
Gensler’s Chicago office worked with Sterling Bay’s in-house design studio on both the architecture and interiors, with a focus on natural light and “bright, airy, open spaces”.
The building is clad almost entirely in glass, which wraps around its curved corners, while terraces are cut into the side facing the river and the skyline.
Neutral-toned wood panelling and furniture create a hospitality-style aesthetic
In the double-height lobby, the stark white interiors are warmed by brass accents and soft, neutral-toned furniture.
Several seating areas comprising comfy sofas and accent chairs are arranged on large textured rugs, and dotted with planting.
The warm material palette continues in the elevator bank
Panels of vertical wooden louvres and shelving provide a backdrop to these lounges, creating a scene that looks more like a hotel lobby than a science centre.
A sculptural spiral staircase connecting the ground and first floors is loosely based on a DNA helix.
Open floor plans and dedicated conference rooms are filled with natural light
This feature provides another focal point in the lobby, which also doubles as a large meeting space and a reception area for events.
“With warm hospitality-inspired interiors, sophisticated communal spaces, and a robust amenity selection centred around wellness, the design provides future tenants the opportunity to conduct cutting-edge research in a space that prioritises the wellbeing of scientists,” Steph Geronimo Smothers, vice president of design at Sterling Bay, told Dezeen.
The amenities offered to tenants include a fitness centre, a cafe and conference spaces, while flexible floor plans allow tenants to customise their workspaces to suit their needs.
The building also features Circadian rhythm lighting, which mimics changing daylight conditions to improve mood and sleep cycles.
Staff can utilise the expansive terraces accessible from each of the building’s eight storeys
Staff are encouraged to spill out onto the large outdoor terraces, accessible from every floor, and make the most of the fresh air.
“1229 West Concord’s panoramic city views and expansive riverside terraces create a deep connection to nature, bringing in natural light and fresh air and pushing the boundaries of modern lab space to encourage blue-sky thinking and collaboration,” said Geronimo Smothers.
The glass-wrapped building overlooks the Chicago River and the city skyline beyond
Saturated greens and blues contrast pale pink sheets and playful flower details at Hôtel de la Boétie in Paris, which Swedish designer Beata Heuman created to be “a bit like a stage set”.
Set in a 19th-century building, the 40-room hotel in Paris’ 8th arrondissement was designed with Heuman‘s signature colourful interior style.
Beata Heuman’s Dodo Egg Light hangs in a lounge area at Hôtel de la Boétie
While it was a renovation of an existing hotel, the designer was able to make large changes to the interior as the building had been altered numerous times since it was completed.
“The building didn’t have any original features left and has been re-configured over the years,” Heuman told Dezeen. “We spun off the simplicity of the bones that were there, working with strong, simple ideas.”
The hotel’s reception area has a warm red colour
Guests are met by a reception room with a vibrant, bright-red nook for the front-of-house staff and two lamps designed like winding red-and-yellow flowers. A dark-blue leather seat complements the room.
Next to the reception area, Heuman created an all-silver lounge that was designed to have a theatrical feel and is brightened by an orange velvet sofa and a forest-green coffee table.
Guests can relax in a silver lounge area
The colour palette was very deliberately chosen by Heuman, who thought about the wider impact it would have on the space.
“It’s about contrast and balance,” the designer said. “When you work with rich colours my instinct is to off-set that using simpler materials around it to complement and enhance.”
Woven headboards create striking centrepieces in the bedrooms
The bedrooms have a saturated colour scheme, with lower-level floors that feature dark blue walls, which change to shades of brown on the ascending floors.
The two top levels have pale, airy blue hues, with classic French cast-iron balconies providing views of central Paris from the top floor.
A grassy green carpet was used throughout the hotel to create a vibrant contrast to the blue and brown hues.
The bathrooms feature pale pastel colours
Some bedrooms have been decorated with oversized headboards that were woven as rugs and then upholstered, creating an unusual and eye-catching centrepiece.
These were informed by the inlaid marble floor of the Medici Chapel in Florence and sit above the solid-ash beds, which have been made with pale-pink satin sheets that add to the vibrant feel of the room.
In the bathrooms, Heuman used pale blue and green pastel hues juxtaposed with pink towels to give the rooms a luxurious retro feel, while checkerboard-patterned tiles in yellow and green add a fun touch.
bedrooms on the lower levels have dark-blue walls
The designer also used her own products to decorate the hotel, including her Dodo Egg Light – an egg-shaped light with green fittings designed to resemble planet leaves.
This decorates one of the ground floor lounge areas, which also features posters for art exhibitions by artists Pablo Picasso and Paul Klee.
The designer used mainly natural materials for the hotel, including wood and brass.
“The solid ash furniture used in all the rooms have a humble quality which anchors the more theatrical elements of the schemes such as the headboards, ensuring the expression stays true to the nature of the building,” she said.
Heuman aimed to use natural materials throughout the space
Heuman also created the branding for the hotel, which was made for French hotel group Touriste.
“A hotel is about having an experience for a day or two, which means that we have been able to explore a concept and a mood to a greater extent,” Heuman said.
“We can treat it a bit like a stage set, which is not the approach I would take when it comes to someone’s home.”
Flower lamps decorate the reception area
The project fulfilled a long-time dream for the designer, who had previously never designed a hotel and works more on private home interiors.
“I’ve been wanting to do a hotel for ages and it has been a fantastic experience,” Heuman said. “I am drawn to the theatrical, although that is often not appropriate for a residential setting.”
“A hotel is an experience for a few nights, therefore you can exaggerate and do more of a ‘look’,” she added. “In a residential project the design is centred around the personal preferences of an individual client.”
It’s no secret that we all age. And that’s okay! But as we grow older, our homes should adapt to our changing needs if we want the option to remain in our homes as our physical needs change. One of the most crucial areas of change to address is the kitchen, our central hub for daily tasks. Whether you are planning ahead for your golden years, or just looking to accommodate the needs of older family members, remodeling your kitchen with accessibility in mind is a smart investment.
A 19th-century farmhouse hidden away in the mountains of Ibiza has been converted into a hotel, where guests stay inside earthy, minimalist suites with interiors conceived by creative director Carlota Sarda Caralps.
The remote Aguamadera resort opened earlier this year and was designed as “a secluded hideaway home” with a focus on nature, wellness and food.
A 19th-century farmhouse has been converted into a boutique hotel
The brainchild of Pacha Group co-founder Iria Urgell and hospitality entrepreneur Pablo Fernández-Valdés, the hotel was designed under the creative direction of Sarda Caralps.
Positioned atop a hill near the beach resort of Cala Llonga, the finca – or farmhouse – and its outbuildings constructed in 1888 were converted to accommodate seven guest rooms and four suites.
The pink flowers of a large bougainvillea tree contrast the whitewashed building
The renovated whitewashed structures sit among 27 acres of pine forests, olive groves and terraced agricultural land, from which much of the produce used in the hotel’s restaurant is sourced.
The name Aguamadera is derived from the Spanish words for water and wood, in a nod to the fact that the hotel hopes to promote healing through nature in its rural setting.
A covered porch features built-in seating for lounging
This translates into the design through the use of natural materials like clay plaster walls, wooden furniture, linen textiles and jute carpets.
Simplicity reigns throughout the resort. The textured plasterwork forms organically shaped surfaces and the cement floors complement the neutral palette.
Small pendant lights hang from the exposed ceiling beams in the casual dining area
The main building is minimally decorated with locally crafted furniture, objects and a rotating series of works by Ibizan artists.
“Our venue serves as a vessel between artists and guests,” said the operators.
“Aguamadera presents pieces of art for a limited time only where paintings, sculptures, environmental art and rare objects are integrated within the hotel experience.”
Furniture, objects and works by local artists and artisans are displayed throughout
Towards the back is the restaurant, where the kitchen and its wood-fired oven are completely open to the casual dining area.
Small pendant lights suspended from the exposed wooden ceiling beams softly illuminate the tables, which are set with tableware by British artisan and artist Sarah Jerath.
The old farmhouse accommodates seven guest rooms
“Cosy, easy-going and fresh, the space allows you to explore the valley from within with sunset views,” the team said.
“In the essence of the winter season, a colossal fireplace evokes nostalgic charm.”
The rooms have a monastic quality and are furnished with only the essentials
Spread over two floors, the guest rooms in the farmhouse have a monastic quality, with the earth-toned furnishings and decor elements reduced to only what’s necessary.
Larger multi-room suites are located in corrals – the outbuildings that formerly housed livestock – and have the same visual language as the other spaces.
Cushioned loungers surround the swimming pool, which overlooks the valley beyond
“Rustic wood finishes, built-in furniture, quality materials and soft textures are highlighted through sculptural silhouettes, the cornerstone of our design,” said the team.
Across the site, several terraces facing the surrounding valleys offer outdoor spaces for guests to eat, drink and relax.
A covered porch is lined with built-in seats for lounging and is further shaded by a bougainvillaea tree, whose pink flowers starkly contrast the building’s white walls.
The pool terrace below features chunky cushioned loungers placed on terracotta tiles and is wrapped by a low dry-stone wall.
The hotel’s larger suites are housed in the outbuildings formerly used for livestock
Sunset is best enjoyed from cushions and mats placed under a huge tree on the opposite side of the building to the pool, where a large al fresco dining area is also located.
Details include hollow bricks with patterned faces embedded into the walls, which glow softly at night to help guests navigate around the site.
The suites have their own outdoor areas
Aguamadera hosts a variety of activities for guests and the local community, from exhibitions and workshops to wellness offerings such as sound meditations, rituals and ceremonies.
Ibiza is renowned the world over as a party destination but visitors are beginning to appreciate its natural beauty and rural charm, too.
Multiple terraces wrapped by dry-stone walls can be used by guests
The historic port city of Eivissa has also seen a recent renaissance, with locations from international groups The Standard and Experimental both opening within the past couple of years.
The photography is by Lekuona Studio. The main image is by Mateo Sánchez Garcia De La Cruz.
On average, quartz countertops cost $4,500, including installation. Most projects will be in the $1,500 to $5,500 range, but higher-end installations cost over $10,000. You should expect to pay between $50 and $200 per square foot,including labor and materials.
Quartz countertops are incredibly durable, highly resistant to scratches and stains, and come in various colors and finishes, making them very attractive to homeowners looking to power up their kitchen or bathroom.
Factors That Affect Quartz Countertop Costs
The main factor determining how much quartz countertops cost to install is the size and quality of the quartz countertop itself.
Number of Slabs or Amount of Material
A slab is a flat piece of engineered quartz, 5×10 feet or around 50 square feet. Uncut slabs cost $50 to $100 per square foot. That means an average slab costs $2,500 to $5,000. Depending on the size of your intended countertop, you may need to buy more than one slab.
Quartz Grade
The grade is determined by the slab’s thickness, color hues, and percentage of quartz minerals and resin. Higher-grade quartz is more durable and aesthetically pleasing. Lower-grade quartz is still viable for many homeowners, but you may have to compromise on long-term durability and appearance.
There are three quartz grades:
First choice: Top-quality quartz with the most vibrant colors and smoothest finishes. It costs from $80 to well over $100 per square foot.
Commercial: It costs $65 to $75 per square foot. This is the most common type of quartz in the market and in homes.
Second choice: This type of quartz has more veining, has less vibrant colors, and has the most resin. It costs $50 to $65 per square foot.
Labor
Professional contractors charge around $10 to $30 per square foot. That means an average uncut quartz slab costs $500 to $1,500 per square foot to install.
Adding slab and installation costs, the project will be in the $3,000 to $6,500 range.
Extra services like leveling or cutouts for fixtures and appliances increase the price and are charged separately.
Finish
The quartz’s finish alters its appearance. The three quartz finishes are:
Honed or matte quartz: Honed quartz has a low-sheen surface due to being thoroughly smoothed out, making it good at hiding smears. Not all quartz slabs can get a honed finish.
Sueded: Sueded quartz results from adding polyacrylic to the quartz mixture. The matte-like surface is more textured than honed quartz, feeling like velvet.
Polished: The polished, high-sheen surface results from using fine abrasives. This finish is more reflective and looks glossier than the rest.
Colors and Style
Quartz costs also depend on the color of the slab. These are some of the most popular colors on the market right now:
Jet Black: This is a low-maintenance and versatile alternative for homeowners who want a sleek look with minimal long-term effort. It costs $57 to $67 per square foot.
Atlantic Salt: Atlantic Salt is a light gray, peppered with whites, browns, and blacks. It costs $55 to $65 per square foot.
Calacatta Venice: This warm white quartz with subtle broad veining replicates the sought-after look of Italian marble. It costs $65 per square foot or more.
Rugged Concrete: This is a solid gray quartz with some white patches. It’s an industrial-inspired design with a rough matte surface finish. It costs $75 to $85 per square foot.
Edge Treatment Type
Edge treatments modify the slab’s edge to make it less pointy (safer) and more visually appealing. Edge treatments cost $5 to $60 per linear foot. That means the edge work for an average uncut slab is between $150 and $3,600, depending on its perimeter and whether you round the top and bottom edges.
Since they vary significantly in cost, consider your countertop’s size and which treatment you want or need to avoid spending too much.
Edge treatment
Description
Cost per linear foot
Eased
Slightly round edges
$5 to $30
Straight
Very slight rounding at the top and bottom
$10 to $30
Half Bullnose
Only the top side is slightly curved
$10 to $30
Full Bullnose
The top and bottom sides are rounded
$10 to $45
Bevel
The top and bottom edges have a 45-degree straight cut
$20 to $45
Double Bullnose
Two stacked bullnose-rounded edges
$30 to $60
Ogee
An S-shaped cut on the upper edge
$30 – $60
Dupont
Features a 90-degree angle at the top that works its way down into a quarter-round at the bottom
$30 – $60
Add-Ons
In addition to edge treatments, you may want your contractor to give corners a custom shape or seam two slabs together. Add-ons can cost up to a few hundred extra dollars.
Additional Quartz Countertops Cost Factors to Consider
The following are some extra costs some homeowners incur during the installation process.
Leveling the Cabinetry – Quartz countertops installed on uneven surfaces deteriorate faster and may crack. Leveling the cabinetry that will hold the countertop’s weight is part of the basic installation. Contractors may charge you more if the surface is uneven and they have to install more shims than usual between the floor and the cabinetry or use additional leveling methods.
Removal of Old Countertops – In case of remodelings, you’ll need to replace your current countertop with a new one. Removing a previous countertop costs $5 to $15 per square foot.
Cutouts – Quartz cutouts are openings and holes that accommodate fixtures, sinks, cooktops, faucets, and other items. Cutouts help integrate the countertop into your home. These cutouts require special equipment and cost extra. Each cutout costs around $25 to $110, depending on the size.
Polishing – Polishing your quartz countertop costs $4 to $6 per square foot and gives it a nice, shiny look. Quartz countertops are non-porous and don’t require sealing.
Quartz Countertops Costs: DIY vs. Hiring a Professional
Quartz countertops are nota DIY-friendly home improvement project. Quartz slabs are extremely heavy, and even parts of a slab can be hard to manipulate without multiple people. You also need specialized cutout equipment; any significant mistake means starting over with a new slab. For these reasons, we don’t recommend installing quartz countertops yourself.
That said, if you are experienced in quartz countertop installation, an uncut slab costs $2,500 to $5,000. You’ll also need to buy all the necessary materials and rent equipment for the cutouts. This could save you installation costs anywhere between $1,500 to $4,000.
Promotion: Bentley Motors’ first Bentley-branded residential tower will include a vehicle lift that allows residents to seamlessly travel from the road up to their homes without exiting their cars.
Bentley Motors’ first Bentley-branded residential tower in Miami will include a vehicle lift
Standing 61 stories high, the 749-foot building will be completed in 2027 and aims to be an iconic figure on Miami’s Sunny Isles Beach coastline.
The brand says that the building will have a focus on indoor-outdoor living spaces exemplified by its cylindrical form and floor-to-ceiling windows, which are designed to ensure each of the residences enjoys uninterrupted views of the Atlantic Ocean and the intracoastal waterways.
The vehicle lift will allow residents to travel from the road up to their homes inside their cars
Bentley’s design language is integrated throughout the design. For instance, Bentley’s signature diamond motif – a shape used across all of the brand’s products and cars – is echoed in everything from the meticulous diamond-shaped glass facade panels that are carefully angled to create the natural light refraction, to the elegant diamond-shaped tiles adorning the floor of the lobby.
Built to suit the needs of luxury car owners, each residence boasts an in-unit multi-car garage with storage for up to four cars per home, with convenient access to a state-of-the-art patented car elevator nestled in the core of the building.
Bentley’s signature diamond motif is echoed in the design
Named the “Dezervator” after Bentley’s partner Dezer Development, this innovative lift will allow residents to travel directly up to their residences inside their cars.
An RFID sticker placed in residents’ cars will be automatically scanned on arrival into the building. This triggers a sophisticated lighting system to guide the driver to the correct Dezervator to reach their own floor.
The technology recognises this ID and takes them directly to their residence, without the driver having to step out of their vehicle or press a button.
The building will have a focus on indoor-outdoor living spaces
Each lift features a hydraulic system that gently secures a car by its tyres to smoothly bring it on top of a robotic shuttle system, which in turn transports a car up or down to the correct story. The lower floors of the elevator shaft are enclosed by glass, granting passengers a full panoramic view of the shared spaces of the building.
Each of the Bentley Residences will additionally feature an oversized private balcony, a swimming pool, sauna and an outdoor shower. The building’s amenities will include a gym, spa, pet spa, whisky bar, a resident-only restaurant, wellness centre and cinema.
All homes will include a private swimming pool
Designed in accordance with the Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC) certification to ensure maximum protection of the local environment and its wildlife, the tower’s architectural design incorporates environmentally safe building materials and reduced coastal lighting, safeguarding the habitat of endangered sea turtles.
The interiors of Bentley Residences will be made from sustainably sourced, natural materials and finishes such as wood, leather and glass, thoughtfully curated to create a calming colour palette that reflects the residence’s coastal surroundings.
The building is scheduled to be completed in 2027
In the lobby space, structural pillars are veined with wood that has been ingrained with copper dust to add a subtle, metallic finish. This technique was used in Bentley’s concept car, the EXP 100 GT.
In order to appeal to a luxury consumer, the design team, led by Chris Cooke, head of design collaborations at Bentley, ensured that the residences were designed with the same unwavering dedication to detail found in every Bentley car.
Prospective buyers have the opportunity to explore a full-size 6,000-square-foot replica unit luxuriously appointed by Bentley Home within the on-site beachfront sales gallery
“One of the biggest achievements when we design a car, is to have a whole group of designers working together, but to make it look like it came from one person’s hand,” said head of design collaborations at Bentley, Chris Cooke
“We have the same exciting challenge with Bentley Residences Miami but on a 61-storey scale.”
The tower has been designed by Bentley in collaboration with Sieger Suarez Architects and Dezer Development
“In reality, each element has been considered, understood and designed by the Bentley Design Team, by our partners at Dezer Development and by Sieger Suarez Architects, but the overall effect is seamless,” Cooke added.
“We have applied the same attention to detail that goes into our cars into this very building.”
Bentley Residences also includes an oceanfront gym as one of its distinguished features
For example, Bentley’s design DNA is subtly woven into communal amenities, epitomised in such as the cinema, which is designed to mimic the concept of a Bentley car interior.
“A cosseting sofa wraps around the back of the rear three walls, embracing residents in the space,” said Cooke.
The whisky bar will reference the matrix grille of Bentley’s cars and feature a bar suspended from the ceiling to appear weightless and floating.
The tower contains 216 luxury homes
While the building completion is slated for 2027, potential buyers can view a full-size 6,000-square-foot replica residence, lavishly appointed by Bentley Home, within the on-site beachfront sales gallery.
The sales gallery can be found at 18325 Collins Ave, Sunny Isles Beach, FL 33160.
To learn more about the development visit Bentley Residencies Miami’s website.
Partnership content
This article was written by Dezeen as part of a partnership with Bentley. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.
Canadian studio Amanda Hamilton Interior Design has used bold colour-blocking and neon lighting to give this Calgary chicken shop a “1990s meets Memphis” feel.
Strip Joint Chicken in the city’s East Village neighbourhood is a fast-casual restaurant that serves “chicken fingers with a twist”.
A dark entrance vestibule sets the tone for Strip Joint Chicken’s dining space beyond
The brand is fun, playful and cheeky, so the interiors of its 2,200-square-foot (204-square-metre) space needed to reflect this.
Working with a return client, Amanda Hamilton Interior Design leant fully into the “offbeat” concept, creating an elevated interpretation of a seedy bar or nightclub that founder Amanda Hamilton described as “1990s meets Memphis“.
A trio of colourful stripes is used to guide customers to the ordering area, and also spells out the brand’s name on the wall
“At times subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) design elements take a nod (or a big ol’ bow) playing to the restaurant’s name,” said the designer. “In a market saturated with options for fast casual, standing out was key.”
The main entrance vestibule is painted midnight blue and illuminated by vertical bands of neon lighting that connect wall-to-wall across the ceiling. This immersive passageway sets the tone for the main dining area, which is similarly lit with neon.
Tangles of fluorescent-blue neon tubes are suspended above the service counter
Tangled fluorescent-blue tubes are positioned above the bar and service counter, while pink and yellow glow from LED strips within large colour-blocked arches that accommodate built-in seating for a row of dining tables.
“Coloured lighting is used extensively to feature architectural details, enhance volumetric space, ground the bar and highlight seating areas,” Hamilton said.
LED strips illuminate colour-blocked arched niches, which accommodate bench seating
Part of a larger retail space that was divided into four units, the chicken shop is accessible from both sides of the building.
Therefore, close attention was paid to the flow of people through the space, and wayfinding tools were implemented to assist both dine-in and take-out customers.
The arched niches provide space for dine-in guests to enjoy their chicken out the way of take-out customers
A trio of thin, coloured stripes are inlaid across floors to guide hungry patrons to the ordering area.
The same triple-line motif spells out the brand’s name in large letters across a wall, above a pink scallop-topped bench accompanied by small tables and terrazzo stools.
Custom-designed feathery wallpaper adorns the back of the central arch and inside the “tender neutral” bathrooms, which are tucked behind bright pink doors.
For guests wishing to stay longer, a private dining area named the Hens Den is obscured from view by gauzy drapery.
Custom feathery wallpaper adorns the bathroom interiors
This monochromatic room features a brass pole in the centre of its dining table, around which a lazy susan for sharing food rotates.
“As an extension of the space, the predominately custom furniture is equal parts playful and sculptural, creating a conversation-worthy addition to the space,” Hamilton said.
Located behind bright pink doors, the bathrooms are designated as “tender neutral”
The designer founded her eponymous studio in Calgary, where she’s based, and also operates a second location out of Vancouver.
A trend for bright psychedelia in hospitality and entertainment spaces has been gaining pace recently, with other examples found in Seattle’s Supernova nightclub and the Resonant Head music venue in Oklahoma City.
A high-end kitchen remodel doesn’t have to break the bank. With careful planning, smart choices, and the right remodeling company, you can have the kitchen of your dreams without draining your savings account.
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.
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.
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.
