Category: Home & Kitchen

Despite taking up only a small amount of kitchen space, the backsplash design has a significant impact on the appearance of your kitchen. Outdated backsplashes will make the entire space look dated. Kitchen backsplashes also contribute significantly to the functionality of your kitchen by protecting your walls from scuffs, stains, and flying food, all of which are common in this busy area.

Kitchen backsplash trends, like all kitchen styles, are constantly being reinvented with new styles. Fortunately, changing the backsplash does not require a significant investment. You might just decide that your outdated backsplash is due for a refresh, and another choice may just help your kitchen function better than ever.

Outdated Backsplashes

Outdated backsplashes are designs that have not aged well, either because they tie your home to a specific era or because they do not perform well. As with all trends, this list is based on the opinions of a select group of people. If you have a backsplash you love, keep and enjoy it, despite what any designer or real estate professional has to say.

Small Mosaic Tile

Small form tiles, also known as mosaic tiles, are a historical form of decorative art that enjoyed a brief period of popularity in backsplash kitchen design during the 1990s. Many of these kitchen backsplashes were used in kitchens designed after historic European kitchens and had the colorful and decorative appearance of old-world mosaic tiles. Others featured small, monochromatic tiles with a contemporary design.

This tile style has lost favor with many interior designers due to its overly busy patterns and colors, as well as the sheer number of grout lines that surround them. This tile style takes center stage, when it should be a supporting character in the kitchen design. The numerous grout lines make this tile style difficult to clean and maintain.

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Glass or Highly Reflective

Glass tiles or other highly reflective elements on a backsplash are not a good idea for a variety of reasons. The single most important reason is that they show every speck, smudge, or drop of food, making them difficult to keep clean. These surfaces also live up to their name and reflect well, which can make your kitchen design appear busy and cluttered. Homeowners today prefer backsplash designs that complement the overall design of their kitchen. This style, which was popular in contemporary kitchens, appears too flashy for today’s organic and practical aesthetic.

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Some Subway Tile

The outdatedness of subway tiles is controversial. On one hand, subway tile is a classic shape that first appeared as a modern tile in New York subways in the early 20th century and has been appearing in bathroom and kitchen design ever since. However, this tile shape has grown in popularity over the last two decades, resulting in oversaturation in the design atmosphere.

While many designers and homeowners are ready to move on to different tile shapes, others prefer the classic look. If you enjoy subway tile, consider using it in unconventional ways. Avoid white subway tile and the horizontal running bond pattern. Consider using brightly colored subway tile in patterns like vertical, basketweave, and herringbone.

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Cement Tile

Cement tiles, like encaustic tiles, can look stunning as a backsplash, but most people agree that they do not wear well in this application. Because cement is porous, these tiles can easily stain with food substances such as wine, sauce, or oil if not properly sealed. Sunlight can fade the color of these tiles, so they are not suitable for areas with direct sunlight. Cement tiles are also more susceptible to etching by vinegars, citrus products, and harsh cleaners.

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Low Backsplashes

Backsplashes are an excellent way to enhance the aesthetics of your kitchen, and using a low backsplash that only covers a portion of the wall is a missed opportunity. Many times, prospective homeowners see this option as a low-cost substitute for a comprehensive backsplash design.

These backsplash types also do not function well. The primary function of a backsplash is to protect the wall above the countertops. Low backsplashes are ineffective at preventing stains and splatters caused by water, oils, and other food debris on the wall. This backsplash design also lends to an unfinished or disjointed appearance in the kitchen.

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Pebble Tile

Pebble tile backsplashes have a look that mirrors the appearance of natural pebbles. These “tiles” are made by affixing tiny pebbles to a mesh surface, which facilitates an easier installation process. Pebble tile backsplashes were popular with rustic interior styles. Pebble backsplashes are an outmoded style owing to their heavy texture, which traps food and debris, making them difficult to keep clean. In addition, pebbled tiles have a busy appearance that contrasts with today’s simple and streamlined aesthetic.

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Themed Tile

Themed tiles are inherently less versatile than more generic tile styles and do not complement all countertop and cabinet color schemes. This makes them less appealing and more restrictive to potential buyers who do not share the previous owners’ style and color preferences. Themed tiles also tend to date quickly because they are closely associated with specific time periods and color preferences from different decades.

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Peel and Stick “Tile”

Peel and stick tiles, also known as self-adhesive tiles, are a quick and inexpensive option for backsplashes, but they may not be the best long-term solution. Peel and stick tiles are made of lightweight materials that will not withstand the wear and tear that backsplashes must endure. Most are not water-resistant, so they can deteriorate over time or with the constant wiping required by backsplashes.

New Backsplash

The best backsplash trends right now are those with an organic and natural aesthetic, as well as those that are functional and easy to maintain.

Single Slab Natural Stone

Single slab natural stone backsplashes consist of a continuous slab of stone that covers the entire wall surface. These have a sophisticated and elegant appearance that enhances the overall style of the kitchen. Designers are covering the walls with stones such as quartzite, marble, and soapstone, which all have beautiful veining and colors. This style simplifies the appearance of the kitchen by eliminating grout lines and creating a seamless surface. You can opt to contrast the countertop with a complementary stone or match the countertop’s surface.

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Quartz

Quartz is becoming a highly popular material for countertops, and homeowners are extending their love to quartz backsplashes. Similar to single slab natural stones, quartz backsplashes create a seamless surface because they have no grout lines and because of their uniform appearance. Unlike natural stone, quartz is an engineered product with a consistent color and pattern. It is available in a wide range of colors and patterns, offering flexibility to homeowners and designers. It is also an easy surface to maintain, resistant to heat and moisture, and easy to keep clean.

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Handcrafted Tiles

Handcrafted tiles, such as zellige and cloe tiles, have gained popularity in recent years for use in bathrooms and kitchen backsplashes. These tiles are slightly irregular in color and shape, making them appealing to people who want their kitchen to be unique. They also give kitchens the warmth and authenticity that people want in their homes. These tiles are available in a variety of colors and shapes, allowing homeowners to personalize their backsplash appearance to match their personalities and kitchen styles.

The handmade tile backsplash trend is not without its detractors. They point out that many handmade tile types, like zellige, have a varied shape and create problematic edges that can chip and make it difficult to keep the backsplash clean.

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Wood Paneling

Wood paneled backsplashes have been around since kitchens were first organized, but as other styles evolved, the popularity of wood paneling fluctuated. Homeowners are “rediscovering” wood paneling as a viable and appealing backsplash option. It is inexpensive, and it adds warmth and character to your kitchen.

There are numerous wood paneling styles that work well for backsplashes, and homeowners can customize the look and color of the backsplash to suit their kitchen design and lifestyle. Bare or untreated wood is not an ideal backsplash material. To ensure longevity and ease of maintenance, wood should be sealed or painted.

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Geometric Tiles

Geometric backsplash tiles, like hexagons and herringbone, remain popular for kitchen backsplashes. These tiles add a unique and interesting look to your backsplash while remaining simple and streamlined enough for a modern kitchen. Some designers prefer geometric tiles made of natural stone, such as marble and slate, for the most organic and classic backsplash look. To add some variety to your kitchen, consider a geometric tile in a new color, such as deep green or blue.

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Extended Backsplashes

Extending backsplashes like tile to the ceiling is a popular trend in 2024 and beyond. This option creates visual continuity throughout the kitchen, making the space feel larger and more integrated. Extended backsplashes also give the space a more luxurious appearance because the homeowner did not cut corners with a low backsplash.

This style is particularly effective with materials that make a statement or add texture, such as marble tiles, a striking stone slab, or wood paneling. This backsplash style is not only beautiful, but also functional. Extending the tile, wood paneling, or stone slab to the ceiling provides additional protection for a larger section of the wall.

Mexican architect María José Gutiérrez has placed a series of round, pine-clad cabins connected by suspended bridges onto a vineyard in Mexico to serve as vacation rentals.

Located in Valle de Guadalupe, Ensenada on the Baja Peninsula, Zeuhary Hospedaje Campestre includes a community lounge and four vacation rental cabins.

“Beyond creating spaces we aim to create experiences, where nature and human beings integrate and recognize each other,” María José Gutiérrez, who leads Mexican studio Arqos Arquitectura Arte Y Diseño, told Dezeen.

“The architecture and interior design were focused on connecting with the environment and maintaining harmony with it.”

Completed in June 2022, the 250 square metres (2,690 square feet) of built area is divided into five 40-square metre (430-square foot) structures that look outward to the surrounding wine region.

The ground floor of each cabin is divided orthogonally, splitting off a portion for a partially covered exterior porch that leads into the sleeping space through a glass sliding door.

The interiors were sectioned into a bathroom along one side, a central bedroom and a kitchenette tucked behind the headboard wall.

“In the furniture and interior decoration, we used organic materials from the region and different areas of the country, earth tones and grey contrasts, crafts, natural fibers, textiles, local wood and stone, recognizing Mexican handicraft talent and tradition,” the studio said.

“The chukum finish on the interior walls gives an organic texture and helps keep the interiors cool in summer, while the exterior coating of recycled pine wood allows the cabins to be thermally insulated in both winter and summer for greater energy efficiency.”

The cabins are all rotated to face a particular northern or eastern view without compromising privacy for the occupants.

A small planted garden protected by a grey wall rings a quarter of each plan, terminated by a private in-ground jacuzzi, connected to the cabin by a wooden deck with planks that align with the vertical cladding boards as if the facade radiates down the wall and along the ground.

Up a delicate metal spiral staircase with wooden treads, the round plan becomes a rooftop terrace complete with a rope net set into the roof of the porch like an integrated hammock.

A free-swinging wooden bridge with rope netting guard rails is suspended from the roof of each cabin and leads to the roof of the common area, allowing guests to congregate in a central location.

“The circular floor plan of the cabins, together with their transition spaces such as the hanging bridges, wooden paths and spiral staircases generate fluid and dynamic routes which allow us to reconnect with ourselves and awaken our inner child through play and movement,” the studio said.

In addition to the material selection that responds thermally to the environment, the design works to preserve what little water the agricultural region has, reusing grey water for the irrigation of the vineyards.

Other cabins recently completed in Mexico include a house deconstructed and separated for glamping within a forest in Nuevo León by S-AR and a brutalist cube-shaped holiday home tucked into a pine forest in Alférez by Ludwig Godefroy.

The photography is by Jonatan Ruvalcaba Maciel unless otherwise stated. 

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Project credits:

Architect: María José Gutiérrez
Engineering and construction: Specialized Urban Services

Even though it has plumbing pipes and drain pipes taking up space, the big open cabinet under the kitchen sink is a convenient and attractive storage area. Not for some things.

Do not store anything dangerous under the kitchen sink. Or anything that can be ruined by water. Moisture of any kind–leaks, condensation, or humidity–enables mold growth. Moisture and food stored under the sink also attract insect pests.

Store the following items in another location.

1. Hazardous Chemicals and Flammable Products

Not only are most chemical cleaning products poisonous, many of them are flammable. Bleach can combust spontaneously. Other cleaning products act as an accelerant in case of fire. Many sink cabinets are close to kitchen ranges.

Things like rubbing alcohol, solvents, and some aerosols like spray silicone lube have it all. Flammable, explosive, and poisonous. They should never be stored under the sink.

2. Food

Storing food like potatoes and onions under the sink for convenience may seem like a good idea. It isn’t. Many houses have heat ducts under the cabinet–making them very warm. Produce will not last as long.

Insects like roaches are attracted to food and moisture under the sink. If mold is present, it will grow on vegetables. Cleaning supplies may leak or drip onto food.

3. Electrical Appliances

Storing electrical appliances where they might get wet is a bad idea. High humidity in the cabinet can corrode connections and components. Even battery-operated appliances can be affected by corrosion. Contacts corrode and batteries can swell and become useless or split.

4. Pet Food

Pet food can get wet from leaks or just absorb moisture from humid air. Mold grows on wet pet food. Hazardous chemicals can leak into it. Your pet may start spending time underfoot in front of the sink because that is where the food comes from.

5. Cookware and Utensils

Anything you cook with or eat off of should not spend time under the sink. Mold, chemicals, water stains, or insects may get on or in them. Making extra work to clean them before use.

6. Paper Products

Under the sink is a poor location for anything that can be ruined by water or moisture. Paper towels, tissues, paper bags, cardboard, cookbooks, and owner’s manuals can all be ruined by water, moisture, mold, and insects.

7. Items Dangerous To Children

Things like dishwasher pods attract children who tend to explore by taste. Keep anything poisonous out of this cabinet and others that children can access. Child safety locks work if used consistently.

8. Mold

Mold grows in dust if moisture is added. Water gets under the sink from small plumbing leaks, condensation, water seeping under the sink lips, and splashes. Mold starts growing in less than 48 hours. If it is undetected, it spreads fast and becomes a messy cleaning job.

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Items That Should Be Stored Under the Sink

If you are left wondering what can be stored under the sink, here is a short list.

• Garbage can.
• Compost bin. Warm moist air is beneficial.
• Recycling bin.
• Garbage bags. Large and small.
• Non-toxic cleaners. Like dish soap and vinegar.
• Cleaning supplies. Rubber gloves, small brushes, and scrubbers.

The team at global architecture firm Gensler‘s Los Angeles office has redesigned a floor of its workspace with a hospitality approach, as a pilot for the remaining spaces.

The Gensler LA team’s renovated its space to give it more of the “warmth and comfort” that its staff became used to during its time working from home.

The studio’s return to the office post-pandemic came seven years into a 15-year lease of its spaces in Downtown Los Angeles, the firm had converted from an empty bank building in 2011 then expanded to two floors in an adjacent, connected structure.

With a growing workforce and a desire to rethink the layout, functionality and appearance of the office, a group of the studio’s “next generation” of designers and strategists led an effort to redesign the interiors of the third floor.

“The look and feel of our space, though contemporary, lacked the warmth and comfort of the hospitality touches we integrate for our clients’ workspaces and that we had become accustomed to while working from home,” Gensler senior strategist Sarah Koos told Dezeen.

“Coupled with the changing nature of hybrid work, the space necessitated a transformation that would support a renewed sense of a work-lifestyle.”

The group spent a year listening and learning from surveys, workshops and feedback sessions in which each of the 500-plus employees was able to have a say about their future work environment.

Many team members had been highly mobile even before hybrid working became popular, so the previous dedicated desk system seemed redundant.

“Working from home for two years effectively rewired peoples’ expectations of their work environments, a sterile, single-use corporate office no longer spoke to the warmth, variety, and comfort they were afforded in their own homes,” said Koos.

They therefore set about redesigning the offices with a focus on flexibility, communal work areas and presentation spaces.

“Rather than confine our designers to a desk or a conference room, we developed a kit-of-parts inclusive of typical sit-stand workstations, communal tables, focus pods, booths, material layout islands, and more,” said Gensler senior designer Kirk Bairian.

“Gensler is built on a studio system which is critical to our design culture, and each studio was able to use this kit-of-parts to customise their space to reflect the specific ways in which they work.”

A warm, hospitality-forward aesthetic that mirrors the “informal but elevated, casual but curated” essence of Los Angeles was chosen.

Materials including maple plywood, blackened metal and subtle textiles provide a backdrop for more colourful additions in the form of ever-changing pin-up display boards, styled shelving, artwork by local students and books from local creative businesses.

Lounge-style furniture and jewel-toned textiles are placed in the co-working areas to evoke a hotel lobby or coffee shop vibe.

Several of Gensler’s furniture and fixture collaborations were also introduced, among them the communal tables and open shelcves from a product line created with Fantoni and custom focus pods from a partnership with Tangram’s Studio Other.

Since the project completed in 2023, the data from badges suggest that employee office attendance has increased by 35 per cent for the studios located in the renovated pilot space, according to the firm.

“Studios in the new space shared that they felt that working in the renovated space made them more productive, enabled more effective collaboration, and overall, greatly improved their in-office experience,” the team added.

Gensler is the world’s largest architecture firm and has locations 53 locations globally. Its European head offices in Wapping, London, was longlisted in the business building category of Dezeen Awards 2020.

In 2022, co-CEO Andy Cohen told Dezeen in an exclusive interview that architecture should abandon “top-down” management to improve working conditions.

A pantry is meant for handy food storage. Too many people clutter them up with unnecessary items that spoil, attract pests, might be dangerous, or just waste space.

Keeping some things out of the pantry is often just common sense. Others may come as a bit of a surprise.

• Safety. Spoiled food. Easy access for children.
• Clutter. Waste of space. Outdated food not used in a timely manner.
• Cost. Wasted food thrown out.

12 Things To Keep Out Of the Pantry

Attractive pantries are pleasant to look at. Easy to access, useful, and safe are even better.

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Medicine

Pantries are usually easy to access for everyone in the house. Storing any type of medication where children can get to it is dangerous. This includes prescriptions, over-the-counter products, and even food supplements and vitamins.

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Meat

Storing fresh meat anywhere but in the refrigerator or freezer leads to spoilage, waste, and possibly sickness. Even vacuum-packed and cured meat–like salami–needs to move to the refrigerator after opening. It is a good habit to never store any meat products in the pantry.

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Eggs and Dairy

Eggs and dairy products last much longer in the refrigerator. Milk, cream, butter, and cheese spoil, get rancid, or moldy quickly if stored in the pantry.

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Perishable Produce and Fruit

Root vegetables such as potatoes, onions, garlic, and rutabagas keep well in cool dark places but insects might become a problem. Pantries with doors and floor space work well. Most other produce lasts much longer in the refrigerator. Some fruit can be stored in the pantry but may attract fruit flies and other pests. When in doubt, keep anything that goes bad quickly out of the pantry.

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Cleaning Supplies

Cleaning supplies or hazardous items like batteries, dishwasher pods, and paint products should never be stored in pantries. It is too easy for children and even some adults to mistake them for food.

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Pet Food

Storing pet food in the pantry has too many bad outcomes–especially if it is open. Even in airtight containers, it attracts pests–roaches seem to really like it. The smell of pet food easily transfers to human food. Someone–usually children–can mistake it for food people eat.

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Food In Opened Packages

Once a package of anything is opened, move it out of the pantry to avoid attracting bugs or having it spill. If something like rice or pasta must be kept in the pantry, transfer whatever remains into airtight plastic or glass containers.

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Expired Food

Food past its “best before” date just takes up valuable space. It is not going to be eaten for safety or taste reasons. Rotate stored items and eat the oldest to save money or donate it to a food bank so someone gets some use out of it.

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Opened Cans, Bottles, or Jars

Many product packages state, “Refrigerate after opening.” It makes sense to follow directions but sometimes it is just too easy to toss something on a pantry shelf. These products spoil much faster in the pantry. They can make people sick, attract bugs, and eventually be thrown out.

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Whole Grain Flour and Sugar

Whole grain flour should be kept in the refrigerator because it will spoil quicker in the pantry. Sugar and white flour are OK in the pantry. Storing them in airtight containers extends their lifespan, preserves taste, and keeps bugs at bay.

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Towels, Dishcloths, or Linen

Fabric that is rarely used like placemats, extra dishcloths, towels, or rags attract moths. There are such things as pantry moths that lay eggs in open food. Eggs hatch into larvae (small worms) that infest food as they eat and grow.

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Non-Food Items

Most pantries are designed and used for food. Cluttering them up with seldom-used kitchen appliances, cookbooks, owners manuals, tools, lightbulbs, etc. is counter-productive. It creates less space for food storage and makes things harder to find.

Pantries are usually located close to the kitchen for convenience. Filling it up with excess food items because things were on sale or you prefer to be stocked up reduces the pantry’s usefulness. Excess items should be stored in spare rooms, closets, or basements in waterproof and pest-proof plastic containers. Food can be moved into the pantry as required.

Local architecture studio Bench Architecture has topped a Brooklyn brewery with a pizzeria and bar outfitted in a “colourfully tactile palette” including a wall of aqua-blue tile.

In East Williamsburg, Lala’s Brooklyn Apizza shop is located above the Grimm Artisanal Ales brewery – a converted automobile shop that opened in 2018 and was also designed by Brooklyn-based Bench Architecture.

The second-floor pizzeria consists of a large open space flanked on either side by a pizza kitchen and terracotta-clad bar, while a series of bi-fold doors lead out onto a rooftop terrace.

“A colourfully tactile palette was used to frame two poles of the space,” the studio said.

The space sits on top of a converted autobody shop The space sits on top of a converted autobody shop

At one end of the interior space, a pizza oven is surrounded by light green Portuguese tile, while a white mosaic tile was used to clad the oven itself.  A bar counter topped with moonstone and wrapped in corrugated wood frames the oven, with a small service window lined with the same moonstone placed to the side.

Across the space, a service bar was wrapped in fluted terracotta tiles and topped with a dark grey Mexican Cantera stone counter.

A wall of aqua-blue concrete tile sits behind the bar, extending along the space and outside onto the terrace.

Magenta-pink curtains line the back wall and a wood-slatted ceiling connects these two bars, which the studio refers to as “nodes”. The two countertops were designed to have contrasting materiality.

“These ‘rough’ and ‘polished’ nodes are unified by a curved wood-slat ceiling and magenta curtain which accent primary surfaces as well as soften the acoustics of the space,” said the studio.

An angled mirror was placed above the curtain and spans its width to visually connect the interior space to the terrace, according to the studio.

Outside, the terrace is flanked on both sides by walls of light pink and blue tile, with a Cantera stone floor covering the entirety of the space.

Simple wooden picnic tables populate both the interior dining area and outdoor space, with shelving and a rack of firewood dispersed around them.

Bench Architecture expanded upon similar themes it used for the brewery and taproom on the ground floor below, which opened in 2018.

Similar red-hued curtains line the space and a corrugated metal-clad bar was placed along the building’s front windows to provide space for brewery production.

A series of pendants hang from the ceiling, which marks an original mezzanine design for the space.

“A grid of hanging pendant lights create a ‘ceiling’ to the space, which outlines the extent of the original mezzanine design for the room, which was superseded by the rooftop extension,” said the studio.

Bench Architecture is a Brooklyn-based architecture studio founded by David Bench in 2020 that specializes in residential, retail and event spaces.

Other interior projects recently completed in the Williamsburg area include a residential loft that doubles as a performance space and a Kith store featuring a brick silo at its centre.

The photography is by Nicholas Venezia

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Project credits:

Architecture and interiors: Bench Architecture
Construction manager: Bench Architecture
MEP: ABS Engineering
Structural: Becker

Bathroom remodels can be an exciting journey to venture out on. Whether it’s wanting to improve functionality or design, or even increasing the value of your home, bathroom remodels are an opportunity to liven up such a vital piece of your home. But you might be curious…what should you know before you start? Today, we’ll be going through some of the most important tips to consider before you begin a bathroom remodel. 

Design for Accessibility: Many people will say that no two homes are alike and when it comes to a bathroom remodel, it’s no different! As a homeowner, take a moment to think broadly about what you want out of this experience: what are my needs and preferences…what will check all my boxes…how do I make this space work for me? At the end of the day, you shouldn’t consider designing a bathroom around a current trend, but instead what will make your life easier. Consider the importance of accessibility and functionality. Are there any elements you can include in your design that will bring this space to the next level? 

Make niches for toiletries: And while we talk about designing for your personalized accessibility, this next tip is a great segway. Consider making niches for toiletries in your shower. Among the functional benefits like having a dedicated space to keep your assorted and, oftentimes, long forgotten shampoos, conditioners, and facial cleansers, speaking in terms of design, niches offer an opportunity to create depth in your shower, break up tile designs, and create a functional, modern look and feel. 

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Kitchen countertop styles change over time, as do all trends. Enjoy the countertop material you have if you are satisfied with it and it works well in your kitchen. However, some people believe that using a new material would improve the appearance and functionality of their kitchen. In this exploration, we will explain the most popular countertop materials so that you can make an informed decision for your kitchen and budget.

Kitchen countertops play a vital role in the look and function of a kitchen. Kitchen countertop materials, like all interior design trends, become outdated, often due to overuse, but also because designers are constantly looking for new materials to use.

Outdated Kitchen Countertop Trends

Design preferences change all the time, so because interior design is a moving target, you should use the materials you prefer in your kitchen. But if you are thinking about updating, check out some of these ideas to get a sense of the direction of kitchen countertop design.

Tile Countertops

Tiles became popular as a countertop material in the mid-twentieth century and remained so in kitchens into the 1970s and 1980s. Many homeowners loved tile countertops because they were a relatively inexpensive material that could be customized to match the style of the kitchen. Yet, tile and the subsequent grout lines were never ideally suited to kitchen countertops. The grout was prone to staining and discoloration, and the uneven surface collected food and dirt. Tiles are also less durable than modern countertop materials because they chip and crack easily, and the grout lines wear down over time.

Laminate Countertops

Laminate countertops were once a popular and affordable kitchen countertop option, but their popularity has declined in recent years. Laminate countertops attempt to mimic the appearance of natural materials, but the designs are limited and appear artificial. Laminate is also subject to chipping, scratching, and burning. Once the damage is done, the entire surface must be replaced to be repaired. Moisture can cause the laminate to swell and warp, which is common because the seams and edges are prone to water penetration. This type of countertop can also reduce your resale value, as many homebuyers prefer more upscale options than laminate.

Waterfall Edges

The waterfall edge, which extends the countertop material vertically down either side of the island, has become a popular and widely adopted style over the last decade. This style, once the pinnacle of sophistication and luxury, has become an outdated trend due to overexposure and a lack of utility.

As with many trends, the more people who do it, the more others seek out alternative options. Designers are moving back to traditional slab countertops that sit atop cabinet style islands. The waterfall style is unsuitable for the practical kitchens that people desire today because it does not allow storage on the cabinet sides, limiting the fixture’s available storage and utility.

Granite Countertops

Granite countertops were popular in the early 2000s for a very good reason. They are a natural stone, highly durable, and come in a gorgeous variety of patterns and colors, but this very popularity has led many kitchen designers to consider other kitchen countertop options. Granite countertops were popular in the early 2000s. Many homes adopted this same countertop type at the same time, and this has given some granite varieties a dated look.

Some people still want granite because it is cost effective and long-lasting. If you want to use granite in your kitchen, look for lighter and solid-colored options. The speckled brown and black varieties are the most outdated.

Stainless Steel Countertops

Stainless steel countertops, once associated with industrial kitchens, also became popular in residential kitchens. Stainless steel countertops are an extremely practical choice; they are durable, anti-bacterial, and stain-resistant, but they lack the warmth that many homeowners want to create in their kitchen. The hard surface of these countertops can amplify noise in the kitchen, making them a bad choice for people who want a quiet home. They can also be difficult to keep clean from fingerprints, smudges, and watermarks.

Marble Countertops

Let’s be clear, marble countertops will always be a timeless and beautiful countertop for kitchens, but the broad love affair with marble countertops might be waning. This is not because marble is any less beautiful; it is only because modern families want more durable and cost-effective countertop options that are still gorgeous.

As much as everyone loves marble, it is a soft and porous natural stone. This can make it chip, crack, and stain more easily than other, more durable options. If you still love marble, and many people do, consider using it just for an island, where it won’t receive as much wear and tear, and use an alternate material on the other countertops that receive more action.

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Cool Countertop Materials To Take in Consideration

When choosing a countertop material, consider the cost, aesthetic preferences, and maintenance requirements to find one that meets your needs.

Quartz Countertops

Quartz countertops have grown in popularity in recent years, and it is understandable why. This is a synthetic countertop made from 90%-95% crushed natural stone mixed and molded with a strong resin. The combination of crushed stone and resin produces a strong surface that can withstand constant wear and tear, resists heat, and is simple to maintain.

Quartz comes in a wide range of colors and patterns, many of which resemble natural stone. The price of quartz varies, with some types being relatively inexpensive at around $50 per square foot and others being more expensive, up to $200 per square foot.

Quartzite Countertops

Quartzite is an authentic natural stone, similar to granite and marble, but because it is a metamorphic rock, it is harder than both. Quartzite has grown in popularity not only due to its dense nature but also because of its striking beauty.

Quartzite comes in a wide range of colors, each with intricate vein patterns that make the stone unique. The dense nature of the stone makes it extremely durable, heat resistant, and simple to maintain. Quartzite prices range from $80 per square foot at the low end to $220 per square foot for premium varieties.

Butcher Block Countertops

Practical and eco-friendly countertops are popular with the next generation of homeowners, and this is why many of them are turning to butcher block style countertops. Both wood and bamboo butcher block countertops are available. These have a warm and natural aesthetic that works well in kitchens, and they are cost-effective.

The average price for butcher block counters is between $50-$100 per square foot, depending on the thickness and type of wood. Bamboo countertops, similar to wood countertop varieties in terms of warmth and look, cost anywhere from $25-$100 per square foot for just the materials.

Soapstone Countertops

Soapstone has never had the widespread appeal of marble or granite, but it is a natural stone variety with many similarities. Soapstone’s color ranges from deep gray to black, with distinct white veining. Soapstone is highly heat and stain resistant, but it is more prone to scratching than marble, granite, or quartzite.

Many people still prefer soapstone because it is warmer and softer than other natural stones, and many scratches and nicks can be oiled away. Soapstone costs $70-$120 per square foot, including labor and materials.

Sintered Stone

Sintered stone countertops are a relatively new addition to the kitchen countertop category. This is an engineered surface made from a combination of natural materials such as quartz, feldspar, and porcelain. These are formed and compressed at extremely high temperatures. The result is a countertop material that is highly durable to scratches, stains, and nicks. It is also heat-resistant and can be kept clean with only water and soap.

Sintered stone has a highly uniform appearance, with little variation in color and texture across its surface. It is available in large slab sizes, which reduces the need for seams. Sintered stone is relatively inexpensive, costing $60-$100 per square foot, including installation.

Developer HUB and investor Bridges Fund Management have revealed plans to convert a 1950s office building in London into Cornerstone, a co-living residential scheme designed by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris.

Located on the edge of the Barbican estate, the Cornerstone project will draw from the iconic Barbican architecture to transform 45 Beech Street into 174 co-living residences along with street-level commercial spaces and amenities.

“Building on the success of our previous London projects with HUB, we are joining forces again to transform an underloved office building in the heart of the city,” Allford Hall Monaghan Morris (AHMM) director Hazel Joseph said.

AHMM’s proposal aims to re-use as much of the building’s existing structure and facade as possible, taking a “retrofit-first approach” to minimise the need for new building works.

The studio will also primarily work within the geometric parameters defined by the original envelope, while updating the rectilinear language to create uniform apertures for each co-living apartment.

Referencing the Barbican estate, a series of arched, double-height extrusions will be introduced across the crown of the building to house additional co-living apartments.

“The architectural approach has been carefully considered, responding sensitively to the much-loved Barbican context, completing the northern frontage of the estate,” Joseph said.

The arches will be partially set back from the building’s facade and lined with an asymmetric patchwork of glazed and tile panels underneath the curved overhangs.

At street level, warm red panel accents will contrast against the building’s neutral concrete finishes to highlight commercial and collective functions.

The scheme will integrate a public cafe, a co-working space and community-focused amenities at its lower levels to improve the public realm for those who live and work in the area.

“The existing structure of 45 Beech Street will be re-used and extended, creating a new residential community with shared amenities and breathing new life into the local streetscape,” Joseph explained.

According to HUB and Bridges Fund Management, AHMM’s proposal was developed in collaboration with the community – including Barbican residents – who were consulted through a series of workshops and events.

A website was also established to solicit viewpoints about the redevelopment, reiterating the design vision to establish a “vibrant community” that will adapt the original building and holistically contribute to the neighbourhood.

AHMM was established in 1989 by Simon Allford, Jonathan Hall, Paul Monaghan and Peter Morris in London. The studio has previously converted a 1930s block into New Scotland Yard’s headquarters in London and completed a mixed-use building in Southwark with interlocking flats.

Also adjacent to the Barbican estate, Diller Scofidio & Renfro’s proposal for a pyramidal music centre was recently scrapped when the City of London Corporation revealed its plans for a “major renewal” of the Barbican.

The images are courtesy of HUB and Bridges Fund Management.

New York studio Post Company has designed warm, wood-filled interiors for a boutique hotel in Aspen, Colorado, which offers a pared-back take on the Arts and Crafts style.

Mollie Aspen occupies a new timber-clad building designed by CCY Architects and developed and operated by HayMax in the mountain city’s downtown area.

Post Company was tasked with creating the interiors for the 68-room hotel, combining contemporary Scandinavian and Japanese design elements for a serene take on Rocky Mountain luxury.

“Mollie is designed for those with a natural curiosity and appreciation for connection and offers visitors a unique, welcoming respite in the bustling mountain town,” said the hotel’s team.

An abundance of wood can be found throughout the different spaces, with numerous varieties creating a layered effect of different colours and grain patterns.

The timber is crafted into elements like gridded wall and ceiling panels with built-in lighting, which evoke an Arts and Crafts aesthetic, as well as fluted counterfronts and a range of furniture pieces.

The majority of the materials used in Mollie’s construction were sourced from the Western United States to reduce waste, according to the team.

Meanwhile, other accents like earthen ceramics, hand-dyed textiles and sand-casted brass add to the cosy atmosphere.

“These materials are incorporated throughout the hotel to mimic the area’s rough-hewn mountains while large windows frame views of the surrounding landscape and bring an abundance of light into the hotel,” said the team.

The lobby lounge is designed as a cosy gathering space for guests and the public, with a large open fireplace providing a backdrop.

Chunky leather, velvet and boucle sofas and armchairs in a range of earthy hues form comfy conversation nooks.

At one end of the room, the black-topped bar spans the full width and is illuminated by a row of globe-shaped pendant lights suspended from thin brass bars.

A repeated geometric pattern across the pale counter front is also found on door panels leading to other hotel areas.

An all-day cafe at the opposite end of the lobby serves pastries and an assortment of beverages from a walnut-wrapped counter, and the restaurant

In the adjacent retail space, burl wood counters and displays with curved edges, some of which are topped with glass vitrines.

On the third floor is a roof terrace with a bar and a spa pool set to open in Spring 2024, while a fitness facility and flexible meeting space are located at ground level.

The guest rooms continue the soft, neutral palette in a more pared-back style.

Beige plaster walls, textured carpets and green-grey curtains complement the wood ceilings and built-in furniture, while black leather chairs add contrast.

Dark green stacked tiles that line the bathrooms match the spruce trees outside and freestanding tubs beside the windows allow guests to enjoy the view while soaking.

“Guests are left with a sense of Aspen’s cultural and recreational history, providing a lens to appreciate its contemporary personality and influence,” the team said.

Aspen is a renowned destination for winter sports and affluent vacationers, and CCY Architects has designed several private residences in and around the town – among them an extension to a Victorian house, a residence nestled in a grassy valley and a retreat that overlooks the dramatic mountainous scenery.

Formerly known as Studio Tack, Post Company’s previous hotel projects include the Anvil Hotel in Wyoming, The Sandman in California, and Scribner’s Catskill Lodge in New York.

The photography is by Nicole Franzen.