You may know the kind of worktop you prefer, but what do your buyers want? Ginetta Vedrickas talks to surface specialists about the latest trends that offer lasting results.
Königstone is known for its high-quality stone products, with collections of quartz, ceramic and natural stone surfaces, with a wide range of finishes to suit all styles and budgets. But in the last year, it has spotted a trend.
Königstone’s marketing manager, Joanne Bull, said: “We have found that homeowners are moving towards more earthy and neutral tones, in a step away from the minimalist white kitchen that has remained popular for many years.”
Worktops, such as The KönigQuartz Dakota surface, are increasingly sought after, offering the warmth and character of natural granite, with clouds of white and warm greys swirling over the surface.
“Among the ripples and swirls of neutral tones, there is also a subtle shimmer. With the appearance of a natural stone, this surface complements both modern and traditional kitchens.”
Bull finds that, as worktops often make up a large percentage of a kitchen’s visual area, choosing a surface such as stone, which is high on people’s wishlists, is a good idea.
She continued: “As well as providing a high-end finish, the fabrication of a stone worktop allows for a large combination of features, such as edge profiles and drainer grooves, plus you can incorporate the latest gadgets, including pop-up sockets, wireless charging stations and wine chillers.”
Housebuilders often select quartz surfaces for their lower price point, range of styles, and durability, adds Bull: “Our most popular quartz surfaces used in multiple-plot sites tend to be fairly neutral, with subtle details such as Cotton Star, a white surface with micro mirror chip, and Bianco Toscana, which features fine grey veining on a white background.”
She’s spotted many kitchen designs that create a comforting and inviting space, choosing warm shades for cabinetry and accessorising with luxurious gold and copper-toned taps and cupboard handles.
“A sophisticated surface to perfectly fit this look is Königstone’s Calacatta Oro, a Calacatta marble-inspired design with striking grey veins that feature beautiful gold accents.”
Königstone prides itself on offering marketing support to housebuilders and provides sample stands and brochures for show homes. Its nationwide sales team offers expert advice on material capabilities and design features, and it works with exclusive fabricator Midland Stone Centre, which offers nationwide coverage and has great experience with multiple plot developments so understands the time constraints and need for an efficient service. The fabricator is particularly useful for top-end housebuilders, as it offers the latest advancements including stone-clad sinks, premium joints and bespoke stone-clad furniture for media units or feature islands.
Part of Königstone’s Athena Collection, Icarus, a quartzite-inspired design, reimagines the limits of what can be achieved with engineered stone, explains Bull: “Quartz surfaces mimicking natural stone continue to be popular and, with advanced technology, there are now very realistic replicas available.”
The Athena Collection contains five quartz surfaces, including Icarus, that use the latest techniques in print technology to create a visual depth rarely seen in engineered stone. All designs have a classical soft leather finish, which replicates the look and feel of natural stone, and are available book-matched in a slab size of 3200mm x 1600mm x 20mm. Bridging the gap between ceramic and quartz surfaces, this collection replicates the intricate details and defined veining of natural stone.
Bull added: “Athena, the goddess of war, could not be dominated by any other god or goddess and so it was fitting for this collection of striking and domineering designs to be named after her.”
Sure to make an impact in any show home, the new collection features distinctive printed patterns and designs inspired by ancient Greek myth characters including Zeus, Apollo, Midas, Icarus and Ares. Apollo is a dark grey surface with white dominant veins, while the other finishes are lighter in design with an array of differently coloured veins and patterns.
Neolith takes its current inspiration from the Earth’s great natural landscapes and the precious materials found on it. Its latest products, Calacatta Roma and Cappadocia Sunset, “fuse elegance and timeless beauty,” says the worktop specialist. Inspired by nature’s wonders and the style exuded by classical architecture, the new models are part of The New Classtone and Fusion collections, which interpret marble and natural stone. The collections are equipped with Neolith’s unique NeolEAT technology, which helps prevent the proliferation of bacteria on surfaces used as countertops or that are in contact with food.
Neolith’s UK senior sales manager, Ross Stewart, said: “Globally, Neolith has a very clear position as the architectural surface of choice, and this is a reputation we very much intend to grow in the UK. In 2024, the UK A&D industry will see a steep increase in engagement from us, and through the specification of our surfaces on a number of large projects as the benefits of working with Neolith become wider spread.”
Like all Neolith’s surfaces, the new models consist of a natural composition. Made with a selection of natural raw materials, they are 100% recyclable, and do not contain added quartz to their formulation, says Stewart: “They are characterised by their exclusive design, functionality and durability, and by having superior technical properties.”
An ode to natural craftmanship, inspired by ancient Rome, Neolith Calacatta Roma pays homage to Italian Carrara marble, combining classic elegance with modern sophistication: “Its ochre and grey veins stand out against the white background, providing sobriety and distinction. It is an ideal choice for spaces that require a touch of luxury and refinement, while maintaining durability and functionality.”
In the growing landscape of the UK’s housebuilding sector, Neolith describes itself as “a pioneer in redefining worktops, flooring, and wall cladding with our innovative sintered stone solutions”. Stewart says that its commitment to staying abreast of the latest trends ensures that housebuilders “have access to a diverse range of designs, from timeless classics to cutting-edge styles that seamlessly integrate into contemporary architectural visions”.
“Whether it’s the allure of marble-inspired surfaces or the industrial chic of a concrete look, Neolith offers products that not only meet but exceed the expectations of housebuilders.”
Beyond aesthetics, sustainability lies at the core of its ethos, thanks to its focus on eco-conscious manufacturing processes and the use of natural raw materials. Its surfaces boast exceptional durability and performance, but also contribute to a greener future, using natural raw materials with up to 98% recycled materials in some products.
Collaboration is key to its success in the housebuilding sector, says Stewart: “By partnering with visionary housebuilders, we have brought to life numerous landmark projects that showcase the seamless integration of style and sustainability. From bespoke solutions tailored to specific project requirements to collaborations on award-winning sustainable housing developments, Neolith continues to push the boundaries of innovation, empowering housebuilders to create spaces that captivate and endure.”
Choosing a reliable supplier is key to any successful project and Caesarstone has been at the forefront of the premium engineered stone market since 1987. With nearly four decades of industry leadership, the company’s aim is to continue to set the standard for design and material innovation within the contemporary interiors sector, and this spring sees the launch of a new collection, Time, featuring 10 beautiful designs across its new mineral surface and porcelain offering.
Edward Smith, managing director of Caesarstone UK and ROI, said: “Mineral surfaces, in particular, comprise a unique blend of quartz, feldspar, and advanced materials, including a higher proportion of recycled elements.”
Developed with its expertise and cutting-edge technology, these Caesarstone surfaces offer extreme resistance, durability, aesthetics, and versatility, says Smith. In line with its desire to lead the industry, Smith says that it is leveraging its expertise to transition designs from quartz to a low-silica alternative that delivers a more advanced and sustainable solution, while adhering to the most demanding of international quality standards.
“Each surface in our Time collection exemplifies Caesarstone’s design ethos, blending diverse inspirations with meticulous craftsmanship from our award-winning design team. The result is a collection that meets the demands of contemporary living while satisfying the sustainability and aesthetic preferences of the most discerning customers,” says Smith.
Smith offers this advice to housebuilders: “It’s crucial to conduct thorough research into the materials they’re choosing. This involves verifying whether the products
come with appropriate information such as Safety Data Sheets (SDS), Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) credentials, and relevant certifications.”
On Caesarstone’s own credentials, he says: “As a business, we also believe that part of our commitment to sustainability involves being entirely transparent in our efforts. To that effect, we recently released our first ESG Progress Report for 2021-2022, providing a comprehensive overview of our sustainable evolution since our first ESG Report in 2020.”
Customer service for housebuilder clients is paramount: “As part of our ongoing commitment to enhance the experience for our partners in the housebuilding sector, we recently appointed two additional national account managers for our housebuilder division. Our new appointments are integral to our customer-centric approach. With their expertise and knowledge, they will play a pivotal role in further strengthening our relationships with housebuilders, ensuring that they receive nothing short of exceptional support and satisfaction throughout their journey with us,” says Smith.
At the end of 2023, Caesarstone launched its revised Housebuilder range, a carefully curated selection of award-winning but competitively priced designs: “We are proud to offer a one-of-a-kind lifetime warranty across all residential applications, and this warranty continues across this range. The housebuilder sector is vitally important for us, and we are developing specific products and services that will help housebuilders sell homes, of which this new range is just one component.”
At CRL Stone, managing director Simon Boocock has noticed that surface trends currently follow two clear pathways: “On the one hand, there is a very real need for materials that offer peace of mind in terms of hygiene and ease of cleaning, particularly important since the pandemic, but always really a factor in the kitchen and bathroom regardless. Maintenance and durability are also very big factors here, worktops are always visible and often in use, so it makes sense that they should be both beautiful and functional.”
Made of natural materials, materials such as Inalco MDi are one of the most sustainable worktop options available, says Boocock, which he finds is a big selling point among today’s eco-conscious homeowners. “Moreover, MDi surfaces become the perfect synergy between innovation, design and sustainability.”
CRL Stone customers know that MDi’s selling points include the fact that it is water-, heat-, scratch- and stain-resistant, non-porous, UV-resistant and is highly durable. Inalco’s innovative production process, specifically designed to produce MDi, has enabled CRL Stone to create a more exclusive and personalised surface for each project, thanks to its environmental awareness, under demanding standards of sustainability, recycling, and energy efficiency. Inspired by the beauty of marble, yet suitable for the busiest of kitchens, Inalco MDi surface Larsen draws the eye with its bold patterning while exuding an elegance that enables the surface to integrate seamlessly into any setting.
“With full digital technology used throughout the manufacturing process, total control of the end design is ensured, with an amazing definition and a luxuriously smooth feel. Using 360° design, the inner core and outer surface are fully integrated to ensure visual continuity between the two.”
The Cristallo CRL Quartz collection, in on-demand marble-effect green, grey and blue, makes a strong visual impression, whether used for worktops, splashbacks or as an eye-catching feature wall, while the durability of the quartz material makes it suitable for high-impact areas, such as the kitchen.
At RAK Ceramics, sales and marketing director Ben Bryden explains that integrated hobs make the worktop more functional by creating a smooth, flat surface when they’re not in use, so there is extra space for food prep and other kitchen tasks. “Their seamless design means they blend right in, and, in the case of CookingRAK, are even invisible to the naked eye, playing into the trend for the hidden kitchen. Plus, they often come with touch controls and flexible cooking zones, making the kitchen more efficient and easier to work in.”
Integrating products into the worktop maximises space, offering a cleaner, more streamlined look, says Bryden: “This design approach eliminates clutter and creates a seamless surface, enhancing both aesthetics and functionality. Integrated products, like hobs, allow for easier cleaning and maintenance since there are fewer gaps for dirt to collect and provides more workspace, contributing to an efficient kitchen layout ideal for smaller spaces or open-plan multi-functional kitchens.”
The surface comes in six designs plus a variety of colours to match any decor, making it perfect for a busy kitchen. Heat-, stain-, and scratch-resistant, it stands up to everyday use, and any spills wipe away easily.
“This induction hob is cleverly hidden within the porcelain surface, letting your kitchen effortlessly shift from a place for meal prep to a space for social gatherings. This unique concealed induction system makes a stylish statement in any modern kitchen, combining high-performance RAK Ceramics porcelain slabs with advanced cooking technology for professional-grade results.”
