STELLAR WORKTOPS

Now that the kitchen units have been fitted, project pace is hotting up making it trickier to co-ordinate everything such as gas connections, plumbing and wiring. 

The new worktops unexpectedly arrived with only a day’s notice but look stunning.  

Worktops fitted

As this is the last kitchen I’m ever planning to buy then I’ve pushed the boat out and gone for a long lasting Silestone quartz worktop also supplied by Covers of Chichester.  Silestone is a hybrid surface of premium minerals, quartz and recycled materials blended together to provide a worktop that is resistant to stains, scratches or high impacts.

 

Silestone quartz - Stellar Night

The worktop is 30 mm thick in a design called Stellar Night, beautiful glossy black with glittering specs (stars) that spangle when the sunlight catches them.  Not that we’re getting much sunlight at the moment (squelch, squelch) but when we do our worktops will look like a glittering galactic disco ball.  Perfect!  Everyone knows the best parties are always in the kitchen.

 

Ready to party

Unlike standard laminate worktops, quartz ones have to be templated and fitted by professionals.  They will create the right gaps for sinks, hobs or pipes so no risk of accidentally cutting the wrong sized hole for your fixtures.  If you buy your worktops from a company like Covers then the cost of templating/fitting is included in the price. 

 

Holes cut to accommodate gas hob

New sink looks fabulous 

Quartz worktops are not cheap.  Even with staff discount, these still set me back almost £1,500.  I can’t imagine what the bill would have been for a larger kitchen at the standard price but be prepared to sacrifice an arm, leg and probably several fingers/toes too if you want these.  However, these worktops are likely to be around longer than I am so well worth the money.

 

Nicely rounded corners so you don't catch yourself

Once cut to size, the worktops are then glued into position on top of the kitchen base units.  Weighing a ton, these worktops are going nowhere so I’m not sure how you would fare if you ever decided to change your units for those of a different colour.  Probably something to bear in mind when future proofing your kitchen, select units and worktops that will age well, remain fashionable and provide value adding if you sell your property.

 

A classic look that should stand the test of time

The overall effect with the grey units and oak doors is lovely although it’ll be interesting to see how much more visible dust or crumbs will be on this type of surface.