Kitchen designers are accustomed to creating cutting-edge spaces, but when it comes to countertop designs, they tend to take the idea quite literally. Indeed, everything from the edge treatment, material selection and color to the shape, size and functional properties must be examined in order to ensure the right “fit,” whether the client’s desire is a durable, bacteria-resistant island top or a fossil stone countertop with maximum “wow” power.

But while countertops are key to creating visual impact in the kitchen, Bonnie Hufnagel, CKD for Ridgewood, NJ-based Ulrich, asserts that kitchen designers should always revert to “form follows function” when embarking on a countertop project.

“A busy couple with several children will place different demands on the counter surface than retired Baby Boomers who eat out several times a week, for instance. Therefore, designers must know the environment in which the countertop will be installed in order to make the best choices,” she says.

Elizabeth Spengler, ASID, president and CEO of Oro Valley, AZ-based Dorado Designs, agrees: “Appropriate materials and ergonomics that address specific function are paramount [to any successful countertop design].”

This is equally true when topping off an island. Spengler explains: “Islands are continuing to develop as the location to gather for family meals and for entertaining guests. Multi-level islands are also becoming a trend due to the growing size of islands in today’s kitchens, and the multiple tasks that they are used for.” This often means the countertop will be more complex, with multiple surfaces chosen to facilitate a variety of tasks. Successfully integrating multiple materials into the space without creating a disjointed feeling can be challenging, particularly in smaller spaces.

And there’s no one “right” choice for this, designers agree. “Since there is no completely impervious product in the world, clients must be educated on the pros and cons of any selection they may make so they can choose intelligently,” Hufnagel states.

Once the functional concerns have been addressed, then it’s time to address the aesthetics. That could mean mixing and matching materials for an eclectic feel, choosing a dramatic color or selecting an unusual material to personalize the space.

Douglas Miller, president of Fossil Interior in New York, NY, a design firm that creates and installs customized countertops and vanity tops with authentic fossil stone embedded with fish fossils, fauna and pre-historic life, states: “For us, the first objective is selecting the right stone color. We’re looking for a color that will work with the other colors in the room. Then, we focus on the fossil positioning. Since the fossils are naturally occurring in the stone, we need to find slabs that contain fossils in locations that enhance the shape of the countertop or island and avoid the sink cutouts and faucetry.”

Other designers will look to make a design statement with lava stone, concrete or some other material that lends itself to customization.

“By customizing just a few things on any particular job a designer can make the customer feel that they have a one-of-a-kind kitchen that was designed especially for them,” says Michelle Diebolt, designer/manager for La Harpe, KS-based Kitchens & More.

Au Naturel

In the age of “green,” consumers often request natural materials to punch up their countertop designs, according to designers interviewed by KBDN. But it’s not just about the environment.

Hufnagel explains: “Regardless of color or pattern, natural stone has a soothing quality to it, both visually and to the touch.” As a result, she notes that “granite and marble remain strong, with detailing of corners and edge treatments to convey traditional, transitional, and modern themes.”

Dan Whalen, assistant sales manager for Distinctive Design in Ormond Beach FL, adds: “We’re also seeing a higher demand for exotic wood counters now that granite is becoming so common.”

But while “au naturel” remains en vogue, there are plenty of variations on that theme. One of these variations involves using polished stones rather than the more common honed ones to create a more modern vibe. However, she warns that it’s important to first look at the space in terms of overall lighting before making the surfacing decision.

“Polished material on a horizontal surface can be harshly reflective if the sun hits it most of the day. On the other hand, the beauty in a matte finish can get ‘lost’ if the work area does not get good light throughout the day,” Hufnagel explains.

Cheryl Hamilton-Gray, CKD, of Carlsbad, CA-based Hamilton-Gray Design is another designer who likes the variety of options that come with using natural stone: “Granite, marble and limestone all fit into the trend of having more natural-looking finishes such as honed, sand blasted and flamed.”

It all comes down to the feeling one is looking to evoke, Hufnagel believes. For instance, she notes that both planked wood and butcher block counters add a great deal of warmth to a kitchen, while stainless steel gives a more modern, professional feel to the space.

“When designing countertops, the trick is to not limit your designs to materials that have always been used,” Spengler says, noting that her firm regularly works with new countertop products to give her designs a unique flair. “One of our favorite products is Pyrolave from France. It is made from quarried lava rock, and then an edge detail is applied, and it is glazed and fired in any color you want,” she says.

Miller notes that the fossil stone he uses is popular because it’s not only a natural material, but because it creates designs that are totally custom. “We recently completed a project for a residential client in Canada who wanted the fossil stone to be used on all kitchen surfaces. They used the stone on their countertops, island tops, and all of the backsplashes. This was a great project in that we used many different types of fossils. Some areas used smaller, more subtle, fossils and other areas used larger, bolder fossils.” The end result, he notes, was truly one of a kind.