Kitchen Islands and breakfast bars have become an increasingly important aspect of kitchen designs in recent years. They are a perfect way to add extra functionality and storage space to your kitchen. Not only do they extend your worktop space, but also provide an area to entertain guests. As skilled craftsmen in granite, marble and quartz stone, our team can help build a kitchen island or breakfast bar to your exact requirements and design tastes – creating an ideal centrepiece to your home.

THINGS TO CONSIDER

As with any aspect of your kitchen design, it’s important to consider a number of factors before making the final decisions. At Marble Supreme, our skilled team of experts are on hand to help you through every step of the process, no matter the question. But here’s a few things to consider for now:

PLANNING YOUR ISLANDS FUNCTION

No matter the kitchen design, it’s important to consider the primary purpose of your kitchen island or breakfast bar. Will it be an area for preparing food, an additional area to seat and entertain guests, or provide much needed extra storage space for cupboards and appliances? At Marble Supreme, we’re here to help you with this decision-making process and guide you through the best uses of your kitchen space to best suit your needs and space.

CONSIDER SPACE & HEIGHT

With any kitchen design, the use of space needs to be planned. If you are looking to house a kitchen island and breakfast bar in your kitchen, then it’s important to allow enough room to manoeuvre between the floor areas surrounding the kitchen island or breakfast bar. Moreover, don’t forget to look at the height of your breakfast bar. If are looking to have bar stools then a height of around 36 – 42 inches would be recommended. At Marble Supreme, we’re happy to help answer any questions you may have about planning your kitchen island and breakfast bars. Simply get in touch with one of our expert team today and see how we can help!

AFTERCARE SERVICE

As Bristol’s leading supplier of quartz, marble and granite worktops, we not only produce perfectly crafted, luxury kitchen worktops but also provide the best in after-care service in the area. We will provide you with our leading stone care products to keep your worktops looking as good as new for many years to come.

If you would like any further advice on our range of granite, marble or quartz stone and kitchen worktops then get in touch with one of our friendly, expert team today on 0117 332 5869 or email info@marblesupreme.com

Engineered stone is one of the most popular materials for kitchen worktops around the world. In recent years it’s seen a surge in demand as its beautiful appearance and durable nature lends itself as the perfect surface. Quartz kitchen worktops are becoming more and more sought after and there are a number of different types to suit everyone.

At Marble Supreme, we stock four popular quartz brands, in particular, Classic Quartz, Caeserstone and Silestone. We stock these brands because they each offer something different. But choosing a brand isn’t always easy. With so many different brands available, each offering different colours and patterns, we understand that it can get confusing. So, in no particular order, we’ve broken down the top ten quartz brands!

Caesarstone

Known as the “original” quartz company, Caesarstone was founded in 1987. Since then it’s grown to provide its stunning quartz stone to over 50 countries across the world. The stone is both practical and attractive. It’s used domestically for worktops and floors as well as commercially in museums and offices. Find out more about our Caesarstone offerings here. 

Classic Quartz

Classic Quartz boasts an extremely varied range of colours and patterns. Classic Quartz Stone can be made into numerous shapes, making it a desirable alternative to natural stone in homes and businesses. We have a number of Caesarstone swatches that can be viewed here, alternatively book an appointment to visit our workshop. 

Compaq 

Compaq stone has an exceptional aesthetic appeal, as well as being particularly resistant to wear. It’s ideal for areas with high-traffic because of how hard it is. In fact, Compaq is manufactured to be tougher than natural quartz, so it’s performance is much greater. It’s available in a wide range of thicknesses and finishes. 

Unistone

Unistone is one of the newest brands in the stone world. It’s engineered using the well-known Breton-technology. As a quartz compound, it’s extremely hard-wearing and is available in a wide combination of colours. 

Silestone

Silestone provides virtually unlimited possibilities in terms of applications. It’s perfect for kitchen worktops, bathroom vanity tops, tabletops, floors and even shelving. View the Silestone we offer here. 

Cambria

Cambria is a high-end quartz brand, usually only available from specialists. As a luxury engineered-stone brand, it’s coveted for its beauty and dedication to environmental sustainability.

Technistone

Technistone is a premium product that’s wonderful for commercial, industrial and private residences. Consisting of 93% natural quartz and granite minerals it can be easily blended with a variety of coloured pigments and resin. 

Okite

Okite is composed of a mix of natural quartz particles and a polymer resin, that’s becoming an increasingly popular choice for modern kitchen worktops. Claimed to be five times stronger than granite, it’s a tough stone with a luxury feel. 

Corian Quartz

Formerly known as Zodiaq, Corian Quartz comes in a range of 50+ colours and patterns. It’s a popular choice for those looking for a solid-surface. It’s a popular choice among architects and interior designers. 

Santa Margarita Quartz 

With a colour range inspired by the brand’s roots in Italy, the Santa Margarita Quartz line is a more high-end brand. The brand offers both standard and jumbo sizes of their slabs.

The ten brands above offer countless stunning colour and pattern options for your quartz worktops. Each brand has its own style and price-point. If you’re interested in finding out more about the brands we stock, take a look at our quartz page, dedicated to the brands we offer. Or have a read of our other blogs! 

If you’re considering updating your kitchen, get in touch with our team!

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Quartz worktops don’t come cheap, but they’re well worth the price. There are lots of other potential countertop materials out there like laminate which can be more economical if you are looking for something short term. If you want to elevate your kitchen and boost the value and desirability of your home then you should definitely consider quartz for your worktop upgrades.

Durability of Quartz

Quartz is renowned for its durability and resistance to scratches. This means a quartz countertop will need replacing very infrequently. An Italian company created quartz countertops in 1963 with the aim of taking an extremely abundant material (quartz) and engineering it to be stronger than stone.

A material’s hardness is measured on the Mohs scale which is a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest and 10 being the hardest. Quartz countertops come in at a 7 which is harder than granite which is a 6.

Quartz is extremely durable, but it is not indestructible and it is possible to chip or scratch, however, with average daily use this is extremely unlikely.

How easy is it to maintain quartz worktops?

Quartz benefits from looking as luxurious as granite and marble but with the added bonus of being less porous so it is extremely easy to keep clean and bacteria-free. Generally, all that is needed to keep quartz counters looking their best is wiping them down with soapy water. For more stubborn stains we recommend creating your own quartz cleaning solution. This is simply a half and half of water and 91% isopropyl. This should go in a spray bottle and be sprayed onto the stain and left for five minutes before being wiped off with a microfibre cloth.

What does quartz look like? 

Quartz is an impressive material to have in your home, it has a luxurious look and feel. Quartz worktops are also a very easy to incorporate into your kitchen or bathroom as quartz comes in such a wide variety of colours and patterns from natural, neutral creams and greys, to eye-catching reds and greens.
If you are looking for an attractive stone with a lot of colour options that’s easy to maintain and will last you over a decade then quartz is definitely worth considering for your home. Speak to one of our experts at Marble Supreme if you have any questions about quartz or other stone for your home or business.

Granite is an extremely popular material for kitchen worktops. It is a classic and luxurious stone to use in the home. It benefits from being exceptionally strong (6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale) and very difficult to chip through everyday wear and tear. However, there are also a number of granite alternatives, which are worth finding out about before you make any final decisions.

Granite is also a very hygienic material for the kitchen; although it is quite porous in its raw form, once it is polished and sealed this is no longer the case. Cleaning is incredibly easy; you will only need water and mild soap to keep your granite countertop looking its best and remaining clean and safe for your family.

Though granite is especially useful and well suited to kitchen worktops, if you are in the process of redesigning your kitchen you will want to consider all your options and make an educated decision. At Marble Supreme, we are master craftsmen with over 65 years of industry experience, so if you have any questions don’t hesitate to get in touch. Here are some alternative materials to the hugely popular granite which you may not have considered yet.

Marble for Kitchen Worktops

Marble is a natural stone like granite that can often be found in kitchens. It is slightly softer than granite so if you are worried about chips and scratches granite may be better. However, it should be noted that even though it is softer than granite it is still stone, and can therefore still withstand a lot.

Both granite and marble are natural with completely unique patterning in every slab, so in terms of aesthetic, it is completely down to your preference. Marble does tend to have more regular and large patterns, such as veining throughout the material which is a more desirable look. It is good to view as many different slabs of marble and granite as you can so you can decide what you prefer. A good way to do this is to book a visit to our showroom.

In terms of maintenance, marble requires slightly more maintenance than granite. The composition of marble includes calcium carbonate which means it is more likely to get stained by acidic spills, these should be cleaned up promptly to prevent permanent discolouration.

Quartz or Granite For Kitchen Worktops

Quartz is another kitchen worktop alternative to granite. Quartz is even stronger and more durable than granite, in hardness it is second only to precious stones. Quartz for kitchen worktops, unlike granite and marble, is not natural. The quartz used in worktops comprises around 93% quartz and 7% resin. 

The fact the quartz is man-made means that there are more options in terms of colour for quartz which is great if you need to colour match to fit your interior. However, these colours and patterns are artificial, and will therefore not be like the unique natural beauty which can be found from marble or granite.

The best way to choose a material for your kitchen worktops is to see the options for yourself. They all have their pros and cons, and the decision is a personal one. Even so, our expert craftsmen can help you every step of the way and offer advice based on your own needs. Get in contact today or visit our workshop to find out more.

If you’re remodelling your kitchen then the top kitchen trends of 2022 will be a great way to get inspired. With a prevalence of bold colour choices, sustainable materials and the rise of the “smart kitchen” it’s an exciting time to remodel your kitchen as the possibilities are endless and there’s something to suit anyone.

Minimalist kitchens

Minimalist kitchens have been a favourite for many years now, which doesn’t seem to be changing anytime soon. Sleek, clutter-free kitchens with no-fuss design are a go-to in many homes. Minimalist doesn’t have to be sterile, a few choice decorations can easily add personality to your clean and elegant kitchen. 

Not only do minimalist kitchens look clean, but they are also easy to keep hygienic. For minimalist kitchens, you can expect to see airy all-white rooms and a focus on beautiful high-quality materials like marble, granite and quartz.

Marble

Marble is set to make a comeback this year. It has always been a luxurious and eye-catching material but has lost popularity in recent years to materials like quartz with an abundance of colour options. The simplicity and uniqueness of marble will be coming back to many homes this year. With each piece being completely natural and one of a kind, it’s an exciting centrepiece for your home. 

Marble can last a long time when fitted by professionals, if you’re considering marble for your kitchen project make sure to get in touch with master craftsmen like the team at Marble Supreme to get your dream kitchen. Richly veined marble countertops will be a big kitchen trend this year and create a beautiful contrast with bold kitchen units.

Kitchen office

With the shift to home working for a number of people looking to be long term, people are looking at creating long-term solutions to home working. A kitchen is the ideal spot for an office and designers have caught onto this and have created useful kitchen/office units. Units that can be concealed for general kitchen usage,  can also be brought out for the work-day in a number of seconds. When remodelling there are also layouts that can be chosen that allow a home office to be out of the way, but still an enjoyable place to work from.

Bold kitchen units

If a white minimalist kitchen isn’t for you, then there’s plenty of scope to get experimental with your unit colours. Burgundy and forest green are extremely popular and pair well with marble and gold finishes, but also brighter colours and other earth tones will make more of an appearance this year.

Sustainable kitchens

Sustainability is becoming more and more important, and anything people can do to make their life more sustainable is often welcomed. There are lots of steps that can be taken to make your kitchen sustainable, from small measures like an efficient recycling bin to only buying energy-efficient appliances.

Statement lighting

In the excitement of getting a new kitchen fitted, the lighting can become a bit of an afterthought. But, after all the time and energy spent creating your dream kitchen, it has now become accepted that lighting is also extremely important. This has caused an increase in interesting and arty lighting which can set your kitchen apart. In 2022 the need for practical lighting is well understood, but there’s no reason that practical can’t also look good. When creating your new kitchen make sure to browse all the different lighting options on offer to make sure you find the perfect light for you.

Smart appliances

Like most things, kitchen appliances are getting smarter and smarter with improvements in technology. Every year we see new groundbreaking energy and labour-saving devices on the market and 2022 will be no exception. From fridges that order your shopping to smart taps and ovens that cook recipes for you, the futuristic possibilities for your new kitchen are endless.

Dining Booths

Combining the dining room and kitchen is nothing new, but if you have a smaller kitchen, or just want to make the best use of your space then a dining booth is great for you. The dining booth gained popularity in 2021 and is set to keep increasing in popularity for its practical and efficient use of space.

Gold finishes

Metallic finishes in the kitchen have been popular over the years, with silver, copper and brass in recent years. 2022 however, is the year for gold finishes. These luxury metallic finishes are set to compete with the usual stainless steel finishes that are more common in homes across the country. These gold finishes look amazing when paired with marble and bold units, especially with dark colours like forest green and navy.

There has never been so many options for creating your perfect kitchen. If you want to get the best from your kitchen when using luxury materials then you should make sure to work with expert craftsmen, like the team at Marble Supreme with over 65 years of experience in bespoke kitchen worktops design and installation.

Kitchens are not one-size-fits-all and everyone has individuals needs. So how do you create an accessible kitchen that suits your needs and is just as beautiful as it is practical?

1. Safety 

You may not know it, but kitchens are regarded as the most dangerous room in your home, with accidents more likely to occur there than anywhere else.

With the risk of slips, burns and cuts, kitchens pose a number of risks to its users.

These risks are even more serious when the kitchen design itself has not been made with accessibility in mind.

If you are disabled or part of a multi-generational household, you may find that the standard kitchen does not cater to everyone’s needs, which is why creating an accessible kitchen is so important.

When designing an accessible kitchen, the essential point to consider is of course the safety of the user while they’re in it.

Safety in your kitchen may feel like a given, but design and features are easily overlooked when it comes to creating an accessible space. These flaws can pose a serious risk to wheelchair users or those with disabilities.

What looks good does not always equal what is safe and functional, which is why it’s best to consult with your kitchen supplier about your specific needs to ensure your kitchen works for you.

Even simple changes such as opting for handles that are curved as opposed to ones with sharp edges can reduce the chances of injury. The depth of handles can also be adjusted so there is more space for a comfortable grip.

There are so many ways to tailor a kitchen to you, you can create your own safe space without compromising on the aesthetic.

2. Lower kitchen worktops 

One easy way to make kitchens accessible for wheelchair users is to drop the height of worktops and ensure there is adequate knee-space beneath countertops and tables. Whether you’d prefer to have all worktops lowered for ease of use or if you’d prefer a variation in heights, it’s a great way to adapt an existing kitchen if you’re not looking to start from scratch.

The average height of worktops in the UK is 90 cm which is too high for the majority of standard wheelchairs. To combat this, adjustable worktops have seen a rise in popularity for those that live in multi-generation and/or multi-ability households. Adjustable worktops can be pulled up or down to suit the needs of the user.

Playing with the different levels of your kitchen can work really well from a interior design perspective, making your kitchen look bigger and lighter as you create a multi-dimensional space.

3. Open-plan layout

Creating a kitchen that is comfortable to move around in is key, after all, you’re going to be spending a lot of time in it.

We’ve made guides to the pros and cons of well-known kitchen design layouts so if you’re unsure which will work for you we suggest you start there!

For accessibility, we’d recommend designs without dead-ends or large islands that restrict the space and create narrow pathways.

4. Room to move

Cooking and entertaining can take up a lot of space, as we’ve discussed in previous kitchen design blogs there is a danger of creating a ‘bottle-neck’ of traffic in your kitchen. This is essentially when you get stuck in one area because you cannot get past another person in the kitchen.

Ensuring that your measurements are right for you, and the space between worktops and/or islands are wide enough for you to go through can be a simple check that saves you from a lot of frustration in the long-term.

5. Storage placements 

The placement of storage options is key for all kitchens, and especially so if you need to keep surfaces and walkways clutter-free.

Ensuring that cupboards are reachable at multiple-levels is a simple yet effective way to make a kitchen accessible.

Choosing cupboards with doors that slide beneath or to the side gives you full accessibility without having to contort your body around an awkwardly placed door.

6. Smart Appliances 

Having smart appliances are a must-have for accessible kitchens, and there are plenty of accessories and appliances to consider.

A number of modern kitchen appliances come with features such as control through bluetooth which can really help with ease of use.

Mid-height ovens are also a staple for many homes of wheelchair users.

Consider building amenities that can be stowed away nicely and are installed flush to whatever surface they are on. This helps when it comes to cleaning your kitchen and keeping appliances stored safely.

7. Low-maintenance materials 

If you know you or someone in your household will struggle to clean any spillages right away, then the material you choose for your worktops is important.

Some of the most popular stone options for worktops,  such as Marble, are softer than others and are therefore prone to scratches, staining and other damage.

Other stone such as Granite or Quartz is much more durable and are the perfect choice for anyone who would prefer not to have a strict care routine. Granite and Quartz can withstand high-traffic and look stunning even with some wear and tear.

We hope our blog has helped you plan for your an accessible kitchen design! If you’d like to learn more about kitchen design why not explore more of our blog posts?