The most popular counters are stone. People who move up from a laminate are usually looking for one kind in particular. “When you’re going to stone, there’s two front-runners: quartz and granite. The reason people choose granite is because it’s unique. You’re going to get a piece that your friend isn’t going to have. Your neighbor isn’t going to have. It’s yours,” says Kendall. “Quartz is popular because you don’t have to reseal it. Granite you do. Quartz, you put it in and wipe it clean.” For those looking for local and decadent, Vancouver Island marble is available, quarried outside Tahsis and in other Island locations by Matrix Marble & Stone. Marble is beautiful, heat-resistant and opulent; however, it must be sealed, scratches easily and can be stained. Forget sidewalks, A compromise is to have marble in one part of a kitchen, concrete counter like an island, and something more durable, like granite or tops come in many quartz, on the other surfaces. Victoria graphic designer styles, colours and Heather Koop decided on CaesarStone quartz counter finishes. tops when building her Fairfield home. The stunning hot orange — Tequila Sunrise — is a bright contrast up against her stainless steel and concrete kitchen furnishings. Other quartz products include the popular Silestone. “Quartz is the most dent-resistant thing you can think of. It’s a little bit lighter weight than marble, a little more environmentally friendly and you have a lot more flexibility in how to seal joints, so you can put two large pieces together and essentially have a seamless fit,” says Koop. “I love the fact that it’s hard as nails. Because of its composition, it never gets terribly cold or incredibly hot. It’s a wonderful, warm counter top.” The pages of a modern home magazine like Dwell show other popular trends such as concrete composite. But forget the idea of sidewalks next to your sink: concrete counter tops come in many styles, colours and finishes. One local company, Szolyd (pronounced “solid”), manufactures concrete counters using recycled glass bottles instead of gravel. The product, called G-Roc, blends environmentally friendly practices with good design to create a stunning surface that blends the uniqueness of granite with the durability of concrete. At his office and manufacturing plant, Szolyd president Nolan Mayrhofer shows samples of the various types of G-Roc: some are bright white with blue and green glass, others are more neutral and subdued, such as browns and
National Award Winning - Custom Home Builder
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Architectural Digest Feature May 2009 Project of the Year – Care Awards 2007
Radius
The Griffith
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Best Heritage Project – Care Awards 2009
Best Single-Detached home – National SAM Award 2008 Project of the Year – Care Awards 2008
“Building Victoria’s Finest Homes” Mike Miller • 250-883-5579
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