WK Quantum Quartz

Kitchen Design Trends From WK Quantum Quartz

Kitchen design trends

If you are thinking of renovating your dull and dated kitchen there is no doubt you will be thinking of which popular trends and styles are going to suit you best. Minimalist and earthy stone are two kitchen design trends that are not only popular but easy, affordable and will stand the test of time.

Benchtops

The colour and material you choose for your kitchen benchtops is essential. The kitchen benchtops will need to fit in with the design style that you have in mind but will also need to be versatile enough so as not to date. Neutral coloured materials such as whites and greys, as well as natural stone products such as granite are a favourite as they blend in well with surrounding furnishings, will stand the test of time and will create an earthy feel in a kitchen. 

Lighting

When it comes to kitchen lighting there are three main types: ambient, feature and task. Ambient lighting in a kitchen does exactly as the name suggests – creates a certain ambience and can complement the colouring in your kitchen. LED lighting (Light Emitting Diode) is a great choice to include in your kitchen renovation. Not only do they create a stylish ambience when fitted under shelves, but they are eco-friendly and look great when paired with a natural stone benchtop.

Flooring

A great way to update your kitchen flooring is by using stone tiles, whether that is with part of the WK Natural Stone tiles or WK Quantum Quartz. They are durable, easy to keep clean and look great with any design style. A successful kitchen fit-out that is both minimalist and earthy will not be complete without stone flooring.

For more information about natural stone benchtops, surfaces and flooring contact WK Quantum Quartz on 02 8999 3712.

WK Quantum Quartz: Choosing a Colour Scheme For Your Kitchen

Contemporary kitchen spaces have been transformed from being dull, out of the way rooms that were only ever used for food preparation to multifunctional cooking, eating and social areas for the whole family to enjoy.

When designing your kitchen it is important to pick the right colour scheme that will not only complement your kitchen, but will blend in with the rest of the house as well.

Style

When choosing a particular kitchen style, use inspiration from other furnishings in your house as well as the personality of your family as a whole. If the rest of your house has been decorated in contemporary furnishings, an antique Victorian style kitchen is going to stick out like a sore thumb. For contemporary homes, a kitchen style that is sleek, seamless and trendy is going to work best. 

Tone

Dominant areas in a kitchen such as the cupboards, the floor and benchtops can set the entire tone of a kitchen so it is important to consider what feeling your colour choice is going to achieve. If you choose a white or natural palette for these areas the tone is going to feel earthy, warm and calm.

A dark or striking palette such as black or red is going to create a feeling of prestige and elegance. Natural stone benchtops such as granite, limestone and marble are excellent choices as they come in a large variety of colours to match your chosen palette.       

Maintenance

The colour scheme of a kitchen can also affect the amount of cleaning that will need to be done as some colours will naturally show more dirt than others and some kitchen materials are more difficult to keep clean. Families with young children are advised to choose a benchtop material such as Quantum Quartz as it is extremely durable, comes in a variety of colours and is easy to maintain.

For more information about natural stone benchtops and surfaces, contact WK Quantum Quartz on 02 8999 3712.

From the Quarry to Your Kitchen - WK Quantum Quartz Have Found This Interesting Video

This video from the Discovery Channel discusses how granite is formed and eventually taken from the quarry all the way to your kitchen. First, blocks of granite are carved from a quarry and cut down into smaller slabs. These slabs are then polished and shipped to wholesalers and fabricators around the world who will shape them to specification and install them in your kitchen.

Natural stone comes straight from the earth and, depending on the variety, will come from one of three different types of rock – igneous, sedimentary or metamorphic. Granite is formed from igneous rock, which means that it is created from melted rock, or magma, that cools and solidifies over millions of years. This process creates large crystals giving the granite its beautiful, varied colour, patterns and texture.

For more information about natural stone surface and benchtop varieties such as granite, contact WK Quantum Quartz  on 02 8999 3712.

Can't Choose Between Natural Stone and Engineered Stone Benchtops? WK Quantum Quartz Has you Covered

Both natural and engineered stone look great throughout any building or home, but when deciding which one is best for your current project, it is helpful to know the main differences between the two.

Engineered stone

Engineered stone is a man-made, resin-based, quartz material that contains between 91 and 97 Engineered stone is highly impervious and does not harbor bacteria, making it easy to maintain. Engineered stone is harder than plastic and has a stain resistant surface; however it can scratch if it is not cared for properly and it cannot be used outdoors. (Engineered stone is not suitable for exterior application). Generally, engineered stone is considered more dense, resilient and durable than natural stone, and because it is man-made, it can be mixed in accordance with a variety of colour pallets and specifications, making it a popular choice among designers.

Natural stone

Natural stone is sourced straight from the earth in mines and quarries around the world. It can be used both indoors and outdoors and no two pieces of natural stone are the same. Marble, granite, onyx, sandstone, limestone and travertine are popular varieties that provide an ageless, elegant style, and a heavy duty surface that can last a lifetime. Natural stone adds real value to your property. It is also extremely adaptable to a variety of room designs if you are currently renovating.

Both engineered and natural stone have their benefits, and the suitability of either will depend entirely on your project, needs and desires. For more information about natural stone and engineered benchtops and surfaces, contact WK Quantum Quartz on 02 8999 3712.

How to Use Natural Stone Outdoors, With WK Quantum Quartz

From Stone Henge to the Pyramids of Egypt, natural stone has been used to build some of the world’s most iconic structures. The fact that these structures are still standing today is a testament to the durability and versatility of natural stone.

Natural stone is a great option for the home both in and outdoors and, particularly outdoors, there are so many ways to use it to add real value to your property. Buyers today have a real desire for low-maintenance and natural materials inside and outside the home so granite, bluestone and travertine are great choices for materials to use outside. Just some ideas for putting natural stone to use include outdoor kitchens, pavers for walkways or driveways, retaining walls or surrounding swimming pools.

The denser the stone and the darker its colour, the hotter the surface will become in the sun. Therefore, stone varieties used for outdoor areas like pools should be light in colour to protect bare feet from hot temperatures and textured to prevent slipping on the wet surface.

Natural stone doesn’t have to be used exclusively to cover large areas; some other ideas could include tops for outdoor sitting benches or outdoor tables, even something small like a fireplace can give a simple cement courtyard an elegant makeover for a very reasonable price.

For more information about which natural stone surfaces are best suited to your outdoor needs, contact WK Quantum Quartz on 02 8999 3712.