Kitchen island worktops with wow factor

[TallTony]

Morning all,

The next project is the kitchen, and plan is simply the classic combo of gloss white units with grey quartz worktops and oak flooring. Colour is going to be added with the tiles plus adding detail such as oak internals to the open wall cupboards etc, just to ensure its not too bland a room yet is comfortable and warm.

It’s a large open-plan room and a kitchen island takes centre-stage at the kitchen end. Currently that island is same gloss white units and worktop, and I am wondering if I should change that worktop for something spectacular. With kitchen places closed I am struggling to find much inspiration from the internet, can anyone make some suggestions?

Kitchen designer I am using could only suggest Zebrano wood, looks okay but not convinced from their catalogue.

[TallTony]

Harry Flashman said:

Depends entirely on the look you want. Zebrano is lovely, I still have it in my flat from a refurb 10 years ago and it looks great. Like all wood, needs a bit of maintenance.

But I love genuine stone. A proper slab of patterened stone is a natural work of art. We will put it into our new house one day. I miss this granite slab from the old place. I wanted marble, but it is a bit problematic from a staining point of view sonot really practical.

You can get something made from Caesarstone or similar, but I really like natural stone.

93 kitchen island by baconrashers, on Flickr

Harry Flashman - I saw your original thread when it was live but couldn't quite remember your user name to re-find. This pic stuck in my mind as exactly what I wanted when the refurb started, indeed a natural work of art.

[TallTony]

Where did you get the stainless steel from? I like that idea as it ties in with sink plus the details on oven/job/hood.

I agree that wood is a pain to live with, that’s why I am reluctant to go for zebrano. I know My wife will never put a hot pan down but I will and she will say “I told you so”. And that will be that.

[TallTony]

Harry Flashman said:

In fact, I am going to do exactly this. Our island is 3m x 90cm. I am going to do the "working side" in a 3m x 60cm slab of interesting stone, and match it to a natural wood 3m x 30cm, waney edged strip.

Thanks thread, for the massive spend. Thanks a lot.

Ha, you’re welcome! Just make sure you share the photos 🙂

[TallTony]

Harry Flashman said:

We've just committed to do some woodburning stoves. My lockdown home improvement bill is going to be ludicrous.

Yep, thanks again Tony. And will do!!

To be fair, a Morgan Aero8 is on my wishlist due to your antics so lets call it evens.

Back on topic, resin worktops is something I will explore more. It would just be simply wood only, no leaves etc, I think the gloss finish would reflect light nicely as its the one area of the room which is less well-lit.

I contemplated stainless steel, looks great, however the good wife vetod it on the basis that it reminds her of school canteens.