Advice on how to save on counter tops?
Nancy Moore Ziller
7 years ago
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acm
7 years agoThe main way to save money is to get remnants at the stone yard -- the piece or pieces left over when somebody with a big kitchen finishes with their slab. However, if you have a lot of counter yourself, you might or might not be able to get enough this way, or at least enough that matches decently.
There are some very nice-looking laminates now, which imitate the look of stone, have smooth corners, and all the benefits of durability of your mother's Formica. Not as cheap as in mom's day, but usually still cheaper than stone.
Contemporary Kitchen · More InfoNancy Moore Ziller thanked acmRelated Discussions
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Comments (5)Hi there, we always specify a lacquered finish for our oak worktops as the finish is significantly more durable than an oiled wooden worktop. If for example you split some red wine, even if it was left for an amount of time, it would easily wipe clean from a lacquered surface. Whereas with the oiled surface, it would likely damage it. The same goes for grease which is the biggest culprit of stained wooden worktops - things like meat juices as you mention above, will absorb into an oiled worktop. As with any worktop, even granite, placing hot pans or ovenware directly onto the surface of the worktop will cause some level of damage, typically leaving a scorch mark. Laquered oak worktops can withstand things like cups and mugs of hot drinks where the heat is raised slightly from the surface. Lastly, we use specialist lacquer for our worktops which give a beautiful sheen, but not a shine. So often you see wooden worktops ruined with a shiny uneven lacquer. Ours are applied in layers and cut back to ensure a even, smooth finish. If you need any further advice feel free to give us a call....See MoreKitchen reworking to install a dishwasher-advice needed
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Comments (12)Hi Mary, Not sure how this layout cam about but it's a strange one. I would love to see pictures of all those doors in the middle! If the other rooms have already been refurbished and you don't want to do anything with them... So to try and fix the remaining part of the house. I would demolish the current bathroom and bring it to the front of the "corridor". Behind that I would use the remaining part of the "corridor" as a utility/laundry room. I would also, at least fix the door to the under stair cupboard. Finally I would square of the kitchen with a small extension and open it up to the garden with bi fold doors and french doors on your dining room. The result would be a much more spacious kitchen with island and seating as well as lots of storage compared to your current kitchen, and a great indoor/outdoor dining space via your dining room. You would also have a dedicated laundry room and a bathroom where you don't need to walk through a kitchen to get to it! If, however, you would like to consider a bigger project then, in addition to the above, I would recommend getting rid of the strange door arrangement in the middle of the house by combing the kitchen and dining room to create a large open plan space. Having a architect or designer onboard is not expensive but can in fact save you from making costly mistakes and having to redo work!...See MoreNancy Moore Ziller
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agoNancy Moore Ziller
7 years ago
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