When Melanie Leakey began thinking of what her dream kitchen would look like, bringing nature indoors and capturing the essence of shinrin-yoku – the Japanese art of forest bathing – was a priority. One of the newest additions to the CRL Quartz collection, Cristallo Azure, helped the team from Milestone Ecodesign fulfil the quite specific brief. The quartz surface, teamed with green paint for a feature wall, bamboo flooring and stone-effect Eco2 cabinets, helps transform the wrap-around extension on the back of a 1960s semi-detached house in the suburbs of Bradford into a zen-like space. “I wanted a really natural look and felt the azure blue would mimic a lake next to the trees, and it worked perfectly,” explains Melanie. CRL Quartz Cristallo Azure work surface, Blue Quartz worktop Cristallo Azure creates a zen-like atmosphere that is striking When Melanie Leakey began thinking of what her dream kitchen would look like, bringing nature indoors and capturing the essence of shinrin-yoku – the Japanese art of forest bathing – was a priority. One of the newest additions to the CRL Quartz collection, Cristallo Azure, helped the team from Milestone Ecodesign fulfil the quite specific brief. The quartz surface, teamed with green paint for a feature wall, bamboo flooring and stone-effect Eco2 cabinets, helps transform the wrap-around extension on the back of a 1960s semi-detached house in the suburbs of Bradford into a zen-like space. “I wanted a really natural look and felt the azure blue would mimic a lake next to the trees, and it worked perfectly,” explains Melanie. CRL Quartz Cristallo Azure kitchen worktop Installed by Select Solid Surfaces in Keighley, Cristallo Azure makes a stunning visual impression, while the durability of the quartz material ensures it will stay looking beautiful with minimal maintenance. The striking intensity of the sea-green colour makes it the perfect choice for this project, where it contrasts so well with the nature-inspired décor around it. “Everyone has either worktops on the black/white/grey spectrum or beige – we wanted to be a little different!” Melanie admits. Entering the newly created space from the existing house, the dining area accommodates a large glass-top table and seating, with bi-fold doors beyond leading out to the patio. To the right of the dining area lies the kitchen, with a long bank of tall units for storage on the rear wall and a kitchen island as a centrepiece. Complete with hob, sink and bar stools and topped with Cristallo Azure surfaces it is this furniture that turns the room into the multi-functional space Melanie was hoping for. “The new kitchen looks out onto our south-facing garden, so we wanted to have a kitchen island that incorporated the hob and sink so we could make the most of the views,” emphasises Melanie. “I also think it’s rude to talk to someone with your back to them because you’re stirring something on the hob!” “We wanted a really social space where we could entertain guests without having to excuse yourself because you need to focus on making a meal, so wanted a couple of bar stools for the island so guests/family could take a seat and talk to the chef whilst they make dinner.” CRL Quartz is the ideal surface for such a multi-functional kitchen area. A practical alternative to natural materials yet with all the beauty that the marble look brings to the kitchen, engineered quartz stone such as Cristallo Azure is scratch, heat and stain resistant and never needs to be sealed. “The island is one of the aspects we are most pleased with. It does exactly what we wanted it to do, and it looks fabulous whilst it does it.” The chosen décor is a brave step away from the often-seen neutral tones of modern kitchen design, but there’s no doubt that the finished space is everything that Melanie and her family hoped for from the new space. As she concludes: “I think it is a combination of the use of natural materials and colours that work so harmoniously together, plus the fact that the kitchen is designed around the home chef – everything you need is either straight in front of you or only a few steps away. Plus, the use of the cabinets means everything can be tidied away leaving us with a clean, streamlined kitchen.”

Oppenheimer is an explosion of color. Greys, whites, and silvers meet a deep and inviting blue to create a pop of personality in this Brazilian quartzite. Sparkling, striking, beautiful, and bold, Oppenheimer will bring life to any space. It looks great as kitchen and bathroom countertops, bathtubs, and sinks. Quartzite is resistant to scratching, staining, and fading, and the beauty is unmatched. Countertop research starts here, First get a estimate so you can plan your budget, Before calling around and waiting on unreliable companies to give you a quote, Get estimates from Multiple local CSA verified companies. https://countertopstores.com/get-started-estimate

Modern waterfall design kitchen island, countertops and full height backsplash by Armina Stone Pittsburgh.

Model Thin Live/Work Townhouse Model thin can also apply to space plans. This coastal Newport live/work townhouse had a very narrow profile and it created some layout challenges for the homeowner. Her partner is a gourmet chef and entertains often so he wanted the island to host cocktail making events with friends in easy conversation distance while he worked his kitchen magic. We used blue macabus quartzite for the counters and the client is in love with the finished product!

Check out this absolutely stunning Azul Macaubas quartzite! This client used the material on the island countertop and back splash. This material can be backlit meaning we install LED Panels behind the backsplash our countertops to make it light up! Our clients decided to back light the backsplash and WOW! The beautiful perimeters are done in a white quartz. Take notice in the island countertop as well, the client used a mitered edge giving the top depth and very modern detail. Of course, the pattern follows through with the edge as WE VEIN MATCH EVERYTHING! Love this look what do you think of this home?? Below is a quick tip for what to consider when choosing a countertop fabricator! Remember when shopping for countertops to not settle for less than perfect craftsmanship. A few tips: They should always vein match any material that has a pattern or veining. This should be followed through with any seams, mitered detail work, backsplash, and waterfall edges. You also want to make sure the seam lines are not super noticeable. Make sure your fabricator has the right tooling, equipment, craftsmen, and machinery to do the job right. Here at Pyramid we always make sure all of our tops are vein matched to the Pyramid standard! We buy very large material and try to not seam countertops if we don't have to. If we do have to seam a countertop we well-known for our impeccable seams. (Our owner created the leading seaming machine in the stone industry). Okay, enough about us... just be sure when you are choosing your countertop fabricator you ask these helpful questions. And of course, be sure to get a quote from Pyramid, The Countertop Professionals.

Labrodorita Quartzite by Allure Natural Stone

Mark Lohman

This spacious kitchen design in Yardley is a bright, open plan space bathed in natural light from the large windows, doors, and skylights. The white perimeter cabinets from Koch and Company are complemented by handmade subway tile and MSI Surfaces Calcatta Venice quartz countertop. The white color scheme is beautifully contrasted by blue island cabinetry with a bi-level countertop and barstool seating. The island also includes a Task Lighting angled power strip, a narrow wine refrigerator, and a white Blanco Siligranit apron front sink with a Riobel Edge faucet and chrome soap dispenser. The kitchen cabinets are accented by Top Knobs Lydia style pulls in chrome. Bosch stainless appliances feature throughout the kitchen, including a microwave drawer and a Bosch stainless chimney hood. Dark hardwood flooring from Meridian brings depth to the style. The natural lighting is complemented by pendant lights from Wage Lighting, undercabinet lighting, and upper glass front cabinets with in cabinet lighting.

Photos by Valerie Wilcox

"We would LOVE a FUNCTIONAL Blue and White kitchen please!" stated the clients who longed for a kitchen that the whole family can cook in. Kristin, our Senior Designer was only too happy to oblige. Using an inset cabinetry selected by the client, Kristin worked her magic. She created an expansive Blue island complete with a prep sink so "no more waiting in line to use the sink!" In addition, the cooktop was relocated from the island to provide additional prep and entertaining space. Plus, an intimate seating area was created. Of course, a beautiful shade of blue was selected for the island. On the perimeter of the kitchen, the refrigeration was separated to provide easy, quick access to the abundance of fresh vegetables needed for each meal, and were paneled to be pleasing to the eye. A speed oven and a convection oven are perfect for the wonderful baked breads, cakes, cookies and casseroles created by this family. A wine area took the place of a desk creating a drink station while entertaining. A beautiful quartzite with rich blue veins was painstakingly selected to tie in the entire space and a textured subway tile completed the look. Rhapsody in Blue= Family Harmony!

Designed by Terri Sears, Photography by Melissa M. Mills

Modern Traditional Kitchen for a lovely couple in the Bay Area. The Fieldstone and Forte paprika cherry cabinetry invite you into the kitchen and give warmth to the room. The Bainbridge door style used in this design is a beautiful traditional raised panel door with clean lines and details. The light natural tones from the polished porcelain floors by Emser Tile and the natural tones from the Havenwood chevron porcelain backsplash by MSI serve as a great accompaniment to the cabinetry. The pop in this kitchen comes from the stunning blue Cambria Skye countertop on the kitchen island and is a great complimentary color to the red tone radiating from the cherry cabinetry. The tall celings painted in Malibu Beige by Kelly Moore in this kitchen allow for a light an airy feel, and this feeling is felt even more by a mirrored backsplash in the Hutch area, as well as the diffused glass cabinet doors in the hutch and island cabinetry. Accents of polished chrome hardware from Top Knobs Hardware allow for a sparkle and shine in the kitchen that compliments the stainless steel appliances. All of these materials were found and designed in our wonderful showroom and were brought to reality here in this beautiful kitchen.