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My article appearing in Home Improvement magazine:

Countertop Quality Is Set in Stone
By Matt Jones

You wouldn’t wear two differently colored socks would you? Or don a striped shirt with plaid pants? Your home decorating should also be properly color-coordinated and pattern-balanced. So dress up your kitchen scheme with a countertop in a complementary color and pattern that displays well-intentioned elegance.

The countertop style you choose will coordinate the decorative elements of existing cabinets, floor surfaces, wall treatments, window coverings, appliances, furnishings, and accessories in a fresh visual balance. Think of the addition as the key piece in assembling a pretty jigsaw puzzle picture, and you’ll realize the decorating potential and impact of the perfect countertop for your purposes.

Count on granite
A beautiful countertop is the focal point of your kitchen’s decorative panorama. Formica or ceramic tile countertops are serviceable, but a natural stone granite surface offers superior durability along with dramatic colors and patterns.

Picture granite colors in tones of green, beige, black, peach, or brown. Imagine granite in variations of salt-and-pepper, veined, or grained patterns. These are just several decorating choices among dozens. You can easily see how distinctive granite countertops go with formal or informal decorating schemes as readily as soup and a spoon. Match such kitchen countertop colors and textures as emerald pearl with mahogany cabinets, sparkling sand with antiqued dining tables, and shimmering ebony with reflective black appliances. Also choose a granite countertop in color combinations such as peach-and-white speckles to go with displays of brightly-colored fruit bowls and flower vases or mocha-and-burgundy blends to complement the muted hues of rustic baskets and pottery.

Leaving no stone unturned
Locating and choosing the ideal granite for your countertop can be as stress-free as it is exciting. An important first step is to identify a reliable, quality professional source for granite selection and installation.

Kitchen dimensions and floor plan. Part of the preparation for a new countertop should include making a drawing of your kitchen floor plan. In your drawing, carefully cite your present kitchen countertop dimensions, measuring from corner to corner along the back walls. Also note the size and type of any window above your countertop. Account for an island’s dimensions. Depict the layout of a U-shaped or L-shaped cabinet arrangement. Note the presence of a slide-in range or flush-mount cook top. Depict the sink, noting if it is a corner-, under- or top-mount model. Finally, state your desire for a slab countertop with a 6”-high back splash or a tile countertop with wall tile applied at full height under your cabinets.

Room color scheme. Matching the look of your kitchen to the ideal countertop can be a drawn-out process. Bring samples of your decorating scheme to a granite supplier. Show the installer a cabinet door, section of flooring, or a fabric swatch, and together you can compare the materials to the actual granite colors and patterns.

Granite colors and patterns. While granite comes in myriad hues, shades, and intensities—pleasing many tastes—the two basic patterns are called “uniform” and “stone with movement.” The uniform or salt-and-pepper pattern may suit casual decor. The stone with movement or flowing veins design can enhance a dramatic look. Remember that a light color tends to make a kitchen look bigger while a dark one can add an intimate, cozy feel. Your natural stone granite countertop sets the tone.

Type and source of lighting. Make sure you account for both natural and artificial lighting in choosing your countertop as the amount, direction, and intensity of the room light will affect how you perceive the color of the stone. You want to make sure that any major light source “spotlights” the countertop as the star of your kitchen.

Slab or tiles. A granite slab offers a smooth, custom-cut look countertop (that’s easy to clean) while granite tiles (available in 12” squares) provide the surface with a decorative option of color-coordinated grout. A slab countertop, while often more expensive than tiles, is the preferred choice for installation of the longest countertops.

Installation time. In adding a new slab countertop, you’ll need to allow about two weeks for the complete job, which includes creating the template, fabricating the piece(s), and installing the stone. For custom cuts and edging or tiles, work with your installer to determine the extra labor and time.

Cost factors. Now comes the bottom line: cost. In figuring out the cost of your countertop work, get several separate estimates. Check with your supply and installation resources to obtain prices for material, fabrication, and installation. You need to understand all your options for the amount of granite you want to buy and the work you want to do. Imported granite (from Italy and Brazil) in various colors, patterns, and types may range from $5 to $190 per square-foot.

Taking your kitchen for “granite”
With the great beauty and durability of natural stone granite, versatile installations, and affordable options, there’s no reason to take your kitchen decorating scheme for granted. Replace and upgrade your current countertop to enhance the enduring quality and value of your home. You’ll also increase the every day enjoyment of your family and friends who appreciate the display of your personal decorating touch.

After all, coordinated style counts in everything from classy clothes to colorful countertops, so you’ll always want to put on your best.