Category: Kitchens

Over the last 20 years, kitchen work surfaces have changed a lot. Gone now are the marble, granite and quartz effect synthetic worktops and in their place have come granite and quartz stone worktops, two very robust and hard stones perfect for any kitchen within the home.

Between the two, though, which is better? Well although they may appear similar to the eye, there are certain aspects of both which are better than the other.

Granite

Granite countertops are considered high-end and are incredibly fashionable within the US right now… the preferred choice for new home builders. This is down to a few reasons, however the combination of them looking fantastic under all light and being extremely easy to clean is a major buying factor.

The problem with granite worktops though is that they are not the most durable. While granite is a hard, heavy stone, it actually isn’t the most durable surface in the world. Typical scenarios where granite is susceptible to damage include placing a hot pan on the surface, dropping a large weight on a corner and scratching the surface under extreme stress. Unlike wood, which can be sanded down, granite can not be refurbished easily.

Quartz

Quartz countertops are not an earth-grown organic stone, and are in fact artificial. However, you wouldn’t think that from looking at it. Due to this, quartz is available in a huge variety of color and designs and sometimes can even be custom built.

A key advantage to quartz over granite is that it is a much more durable material due to quartz having an even amount of iron content across one slab so it is completely non-porous – making it ideal for cleanliness and maintenance. Like granite, quartz is an incredibly desirable work surface within the home.

Which is Better?

Granite is a natural stone whilst quartz is an engineered stone. For the purists, granite is going to be the clear choice just for status reasons, however the smart person would pick quartz due to it being a non-porous stone and it also being a lot more durable than granite thanks to it having an equal amount of iron content throughout the board.

Price wise, both granite and quartz are expensive. Many prefer the unique, natural designs of granite but others prefer the durability and clean look of quartz.  Essentially, you should make the best decision for you based on what’s more important. Re-sale wise, granite still holds a slight edge over quartz when it comes to increasing the value of your home but most buyers are completely happy with either surface.

In addition, regular sealing of a granite surface is recommended where quartz is not necessary so there is some maintenance involved. Otherwise, a granite surface can permanently stain or even attract odors where no amount of mothballs can get rid of the smell.

Overall fashion tends to change over time, so while granite may seem the most popular right now, it may not be next year. If it were me choosing a surface for my countertop right now, I would opt for a quartz surface based on its durability, low maintenance, and clean, consistent designs.

The interior décor industry has evolved significantly over the years. In fact, the notable impact of various mid-century design features along with the immense number of homes has led to the development of various types of property development solutions. In fact, to the 50s and 60s are largely regarded as the cornerstone of most property design activities. As a result, we nowadays have various options available for property development and for remodeling a kitchen. These include various types of materials, finishes, and supplies, which are available to help homeowners produce original retro looks in their properties.

Perhaps one of the most essential sections during any renovation project would have to be the kitchen. Gaining access to the appropriate resources to develop the proper appeal for your kitchen has never been this easy. By considering all the unique features of your home and working to highlight them, you can develop an all-inclusive look for the entire feel of your home. More so, keeping track of the reasons behind the initial home development will also be beneficial for your property development needs.

For those who have homes with decent mid-century homes with decent kitchens, it can be difficult introducing any upswings or even slight changes as well. The general school of thought is that you should not affect this aspect of your home, and this is attributed to various factors. This is especially true if you don’t want to compromise the resale value of the given property. That said, there are various other reasons as to why this might be the perfect approach for your family or even your lifestyle needs.

In some other instance, keeping your kitchen in the original condition can be associated with a functional trade-off for the same house. Similar to many modern interior décor enthusiasts, the preservationist perspective might incline you to make no changes to the property. Nevertheless, the choice is not always as simple as it might seek. In fact, for a significant portion of homeowners, functionality is an essential value of design, especially when it comes to day to day activities. Fortunately, there are several strategies, which can be used to develop a useful and contemporary design to your mid-century kitchen, regardless of the condition.
Therefore, when it comes to renovation, how does one maintain the originality of the property, while introducing upgrades that will address the needs of modern life?

When it comes to remodeling a mid-century kitchen, which is still in its `pristine condition`, implementing an informed approach can be highly beneficial. In fact, exercising caution and implementing the necessary changes may be the most suitable approach for your needs.

Additionally, you may also need to replace any obsolete or outdated appliances. Who would blame you wanting to replace an energy consuming cooker, for a modern and much more efficient brand? Changing the cheap laminate countertops for appealing countertops could go a long way in improving your food preparation procedures? So if it is within your means, then why not proceed with the process?

Introducing minor cosmetic changes to your kitchen is a good approach for producing a significant aesthetic impact. We have an assortment of building materials that are available, which were not initially available in the mid-century times. The resources available today are nowadays of higher quality and environmentally friendly as well. In retrospect, you may want to double check your opinions before you rip out a mahogany cabinet from your kitchen. Nevertheless, if the cabinets are made using particle board materials and are starting to age, then going for a new option might be a feasible approach.

If you are only trying to introduce small adjustments to your kitchen, consider introducing a complimentary backlash that comes with a mid-century color style. This can be an excellent and hassle-free way to introduce a fresh feel to your property, and without compromising the integrity of the kitchen. The introduction of a unique art painting or carving to the mid-century look can be an excellent addition to the kitchen.

If there is one aspect of owning a house with a mid-century kitchen that even a professional makeover can’t fix, it is a small kitchen. In fact, working with a small and inefficient kitchen can be an immense challenge that compromises your life. The layouts of most kitchens that were built in the mid-century era don’t always compliment our modern day lifestyles.
It’s no secret that the traditional kitchen designs are not suitable for the needs of a modern-day lifestyle. Even the most aesthetically appealing and pristine mid-century modern home on the market, can attract a small market value if it does not have sufficient room.

In the 1950s and 1960S, the kitchens were only developed on functionalities and not for social purposes. The kitchen was meant to be an innocuous aspect of the home. As a result, most of the mid-century kitchens were only meant for functionality and as a service area. Most of these kitchens often are tucked behind walls, have compromised designs and more.

On the contrary, the modern kitchens incorporate designs that demonstrate the ever-changing perspectives towards the role of the kitchen in the home today. The conventional home views the kitchen as a social place and as a cooking place as well. It’s a place where the family can get together after a long day, and connect while sharing a meal. Unfortunately, it might not always be the best idea to adjust the original design of the home to gain additional space.

This is the same situation in my 1963 house. Broadly speaking, the home is ideal for our functional needs, but only with one major exception. The kitchen has a unique gallery design, but it does not provide sufficient room for more than one person.

When buying our mid-century home, we aware that a 1990s kitchen might not go well with the overall aesthetic appeal of the house. As a result, we determined that is was reasonable to get the kitchen replaced as soon as possible. During the planning stage, which we were discussed before, it would have been much more reasonable to alter the original structure of the home to make it more functional. After all, aside from the kitchen, the entire home is still in pristine condition and who are we to interfere with a perfectly functional design?

This is a choice, that I always remind myself of because my husband and I jolt for space each morning as we try to get around the cramped kitchen space. Not to forget our toddler who bangs on the cupboards below, to make up for a super cramped up kitchen space. When we first commissioned the building of this house, the kitchen was not designed with space in mind. However, since we live within the space, the kitchen still does. Therefore, my decision on adjusting the structure of the kitchen has earned.

Another common challenge that the mid-century property owner faces, including me, is that we typically have homes that have experienced various upswings over the years. As a result, the property does not often have any of the originality from the initial appearance. If this is the case and you feel you need to conduct a renovation procedure, then consider yourself lucky. Metaphorically speaking, this is the same instance as starting with a blank slate, and the sky is the limit. The choice you decide to take on for your home building projects will have a notable impact on the value of your property.

Consider implementing an informed approach whenever you want to upgrade your kitchen. This includes using an approach that does not compromise the original aesthetic appeal of your property. Choosing a design that incorporates the era in which your property was built does not come with challenges such as becoming outdated. In fact, people will walk into your kitchen and appreciate the unique and original design in many ways. Heck, it might even skyrocket the market value of your property as well.