Counter Proposals A Blending of Different Surfaces Depends on Use, Not Just Look or Cost

ddonovan@@dailyherald.com

Kathy and Steve Kunzweiler have five. Different surfaces on countertops in their Palatine kitchen, that is.

A mixing of countertops - say two colors of granite, or wood on the island and granite on the perimeter - is seen in more and more in kitchens today.

But sometimes homeowners choose different surfaces for functional reasons, not just for aesthetics or cost.

An obvious example is the 4-inch thick butcher block that tops the Kunzweilers' island.

"My husband does a lot of cooking," said Kathy of Steve Kunzweiler, who also is president of Cabinets Plus in Palatine.

"He can take things out of the oven and put it on the butcher block. It doesn't burn. If he ruins it, he can always sand it down."

The couple also chops on the island, which is close to the sink. Maintenance includes frequent oiling.

Butcher block also played a starring role in the recent expansion of the showroom at Abruzzo Kitchens in Schaumburg.

In a large working kitchen display, a wide and thick distressed maple butcher block lines three sides of the island. Light granite surrounds the sink.

"It's a softer area for people to sit there," said Steven Abruzzo, president. "And it shows how we can mix two different materials. It's almost like sitting at a wood table at home, but you're sitting around an island.

"The granite is for working. You could chop on the butcher block if you wanted to."

Many people say they want to copy this kitchen in their homes, he said.

The design also demonstrates another kitchen trend - placing the main sink in the island so the host or hostess can prepare food while facing guests.

In a smaller vignette featuring a cottage look, one of the two islands is a round butcher block set on a wrought-iron stand. The top is small pieces of teak laminated together so a cook uses the strong end grain when doing any kind of chopping. The price is $3,000.

The Kunzweilers' kitchen was built five years ago in what was the living room of the home. Now it's open and bright with lots of creamy cabinets.

Besides the butcher block, the home also includes:

- A wine bar set perpendicular to the kitchen in dark granite, which Kathy Kunzweiler likes for entertaining.

- Across the hallway is her large desk, which has a stained woodwork surface.

Raised a bit on either side are painted wood surfaces.

"It's a different look," she said. "But there's a rule in the house - don't throw keys on the painted wood. It's a nice effect - two different colors."

- The perimeter countertop in the kitchen is dark green Corian.

"I wanted all granite, but Corian was much more affordable when we did this," Kathy Kunzweiler said.

She finds Corian very tough and cleans it with Soft Scrub.

Dave Kunzweiler, a vice president with Cabinets Plus, said matte finishes in Corian are easiest to maintain.

In many upscale kitchens, the countertop choice is often granite or quartz - a man-made granite.

Homeowners have many other countertop options that range in styles, materials and colors. These include:

Stainless steel

A contemporary vignette at the Abruzzo showroom demonstrates a piece from NEFF, a cabinet company based in Canada.

This is two stainless steel sinks set in a stainless steel countertop. It costs about $2,500 plus the faucet, compared with $700 for a good stainless steel sink, Abruzzo said.

Stainless steel is considered hygienic, easy to clean and durable.

It also is one of the few kitchen countertops where the sink can be built as part of the countertop with no seams.

However, Abruzzo said homeowners have to be aware that it does scratch. Easily.

Dave Kunzweiler said while stainless is a contemporary look, most of his customers favor traditional.

Also in the metal category. copper works for areas like wet bars, said Robert Vaughan, a designer with Expo Design Center in Downers Grove.

"As it becomes wet and oxidizes over time, the look is great for a country feel," he said.

Homeowners who don't like their materials to change can use copper in a backsplash or on top of a kitchen hood.

Granite

Granite comes in different finishes, and the traditional polished or shiny look is not as popular as it has been.

People looking for a warmer, softer-appearing countertop might choose a matte, which can be called honed or flamed.

Abruzzo said a new look is antiqued granite, which is not smooth to the touch. He compares the look to leather.

Sealers are so good these days that stone works well for countertops, Abruzzo said.

And if stone does get stained with red wine or other substances, there is a cleaner available to draw the color out.

Other stone

Abruzzo shows limestone in a butler's pantry in his showroom, but says he would not recommend this porous stone for a countertop that would be used every day.

Soapstone is also softer, and most people oil it frequently to remove scratches.

Marble is a traditional stone preferred by bakers because it stays cool and keeps dough from sticking.

A special baker's counter is often set lower to facilitate rolling.

However, David Kunzweiler and Abruzzo both think granite would probably work as well, and it's harder and less likely to stain.

Abruzzo used white carrera marble on some countertops in the showroom. But he said a honed finish is more forgiving than polished. Acid, such as orange juice, can remove the polish and ruin the look.

Others

Abruzzo recommends homeowners installing a furniture-style top of cherry, walnut or exotic wood on their kitchen islands use a distressed finish for an "Old World look."

Concrete countertops seem to be fading in popularity, Kunzweiler and Abruzzo agree.

Concrete is porous and breakable and stones are available that give similar looks, Abruzzo said.

Recycled materials including glass and paper are being spurred by the green movement.

Corian is not used as much in upscale kitchens these days, but it is repairable and one of the few materials where the sink can be made without joints between the sink and the countertop.

Quartz is a generic name for ground-up stone with resin added. It costs about the same as granite, but considered more durable and is available in colors not found in nature.

Vaughan said it works well on a wine bar because even spilled red wine won't stain it.

Compare prices

Here are some price comparisons for countertop materials collected by Cabinets Plus Inc. of Palatine.

All are costs per square foot, including installation.

- Wood: $36 and up

- Solid surface (like Corian): $50 to $85

- Natural stone: $50 to $100

- Quartz or engineered stone (such as Silestone, Zodiaq, CaesarStone, Cambria): $75 to $95.

- Stainless steel: $120 to $160

- Concrete: $80 to $120

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