Hi I recognise that plan! Good to see you on another advice forum. Duropal make I think around 6 of their colours of laminate worktop upto 1200mm in depth. Really it all depends on where you are getting your kitchen from and their suppliers. For example if we are getting laminate worktop from a UK supplier then we get it from a 'cut and edge' worktop supplier, not just a 'blank' board supplier. A cut and edge worktop supplier will supply laminate worktop to a plan we provide, they will pre cut the masons mitre joints and profile all the edges. This is so much better than the fitter cutting blanks and gluing on laminate edges. I know from previous discussions on the other forum you were looking at Schuller kitchens, I assume this is not your choice now as you would not have these problems you are talking about with the laminate worktop, because Schuller have a huge range of laminate worktops, with lots of edge options and in all sizes! Anyway, ask your kitchen man about getting a price for the laminate worktop from a cut and edge specialist. CK

Granite and quartz can be purchased in hundreds of colours, which change in popularity on a regular basis. Like clothing, what is in fashion one season is out the next. Also it depends upon what type of kitchen customers choose i.e. traditional and shaker kitchens tend to go better with the classic granite colours, whereas many modern kitchens are erring towards industrial effect surfaces such as concrete. Whites, greys and earthy colours are always popular. What colours do you currently offer?

Look at Earthstone as a quartz alternative. It’s a 6mm solid surface wrapped around a chipboard core, so it has most of the advantages of a solid/quartz surface at a fraction of the price. It can be shaped and sanded, left matte (which is what I did) or polished to a high gloss. I’m really, really impressed with mine—cost around £1300 for two long lengths plus breakfast bar AND delivery to Northern Ireland. Looks like Worktops Express don’t do it anymore, but available elsewhere.

Hi Robert, four years on and I’ve still got the wooden worktop! Life got in the way with my husband’s ill health so everything has been put on the back burner for now. However, I did give the worktops a good sand and applied Osmo Top Oil and they do look better. Picture below of one bit of worktop. Sink still needs changing but I’ll get there! I will just say my friend has Corian worktop and upstand and she is very disappointed. It is softer than quartz and has been dented. It also holds onto watermarks and needs wiping down constantly. Marks can be ground out but it needs a professional to do this. I’m not saying don’t have it, but it’s not a cheap option and it’s not that tough. Go to Daisy England’s comments above as she has some great suggestions. She works or worked for a kitchen company and knows her stuff. Good luck! Please ignore the garden picture as the Houzz App keeps adding the odd irrelevant picture and no option to delete anymore!