Marble and Granite's Blog

"Functionality first is the European way." This is what kitchen designer and director of bulthaup Denver William Landeros advises readers in a recent article about how to achieve a European style kitchen by CH&L magazine. Bulthaup is a world-renowned German kitchen manufacturer famous for innovative designs that marry minimalist aesthetics with incredible efficiency and precision. In other words, bulthaup is the archetype of modern European kitchen design.

To achieve your own sleek, European-inspired kitchen design, Landeros recommends quartz countertops like Caesarstone. The leading brand in premium quartz surfaces, Caesarstone countertops are not only highly functional, but they also offer a chic, minimalist aesthetic. And on top of this, Caesarstone quartz countertops are made of natural materials, a fundamental element of European design. 

Owner and lead designer at Exquisite Kitchen Design, Mikal Otten additionally advises to keep it contemporary. Think clean, horizontal lines and crisp contrasts. For sleek European kitchen designs, Otten likes juxtaposing cold stone floors with warm woods, for instance.

Finally, avoid clutter at all costs. Keep your Caesarstone countertops or Caesarstone floors clear of any unnecessary items. A true European style kitchen feels is perfectly organized with everything in its right place. As a result, European kitchens feel clean, spacious, airy and wide-open.  

To find out which appliances and accessories will complement your Caesarstone countertops for a kitchen that looks and functions like a luxury European style kitchen, see what other advise Landeros and Mikal provide in the CH&L article online. 

To start designing your own modern kitchen inspired by luxurious European design, browse our Caesarstone countertops and other quartz surfaces in theMarble and Granite product listings online. Or, pick out your Caesarstone quartz surfaces by visiting one of our Marble and Granite showrooms in Westwood, Massachusetts or Milford, Connecticut. 

Photo by Counteredge LLC

On your search for the perfect granite countertops, while aesthetic is probably the most important decision, the price is definitely something to watch for. Many variations including everything from the quality of the granite to the that of the manufacturer can influence the final cost.

Pricing granite countertops can be pinned down to two key factors: time and materials.

Time, being of the utmost importance in determining an efficient cost, can be divided into three stages. The first stage of the project would be to take all of the necessary measurements. This includes allowing space for sink areas, and unfortunately a more complex kitchen can mean more consumption of time. One element to consider is the time it takes for the installers to travel to the site and get all of the details cleared up. It's crucial that the most details about the kitchen or other area of installation be known to both the manufacturers and installation personnel, ensuring the most time-efficient path.

Another process in time-saving is amount of time it takes for the granite to be manufactured. This varies depending on how elaborate the cutting is. If the granite edge is curved this can take more time to carve, while straight edges are much simpler to cut. The sink is also plays a huge part in saving time; under mount sinks require finishing, and this can be a lot of work if faucet holes need to be drilled, backsplashes require electric cut-outs and drains still need to be put in.

The final stage involves the actual delivery of the product and the following installation. The distance from the job site, assistance needed to carry the materials in and the setting of countertops and sinks can hugely modify the price.

The cost of the materials depends on both the price of the individual slabs and the number of slabs required. The amount of slabs can be easily determined once the sizes are chosen. Either ask the fabricator or find prices on marbleandgranite.com. Large variations in price could be pinned down to different materials, vast veining or coloration differences or staining.

The most important decision you can make when it comes to pricing granite countertops is the one that works best for you, and Marble and Granite can be the answer you need when looking for a quality and cost-efficient kitchen makeover. Visit us at marbleandgranite.com for easy pricing and any information regarding your countertop needs.