Heart of stone — Local Paddo

Heart of stoneRenovating your kitchen? Your bench tops will be one of the biggest aesthetic choices you’ll make. Critical to both the overall look of your space and to the daily functionality of the hub of your home, making the right choice is the best starting point to a kitchen renovation.

Whether your kitchen is used for tea and takeaway or you’ve got culinary ambitions rivalling MasterChef, there are great options across natural materials to suit your space.

Marble is my material of choice for its infinite beauty and individuality. Being a natural material, no two blocks are alike and the way stone develops a patina over time is something that feels like an integral part of the story of you in your home.

Some shy away from marble due to its reputation for being high maintenance and difficult, but there really are so many different options from the selection process to care and restoration.

Marble is a metamorphic rock that has been recrystallised under intense heat or pressure — the many variations we see are the result of the stone’s origin and surrounding environment. Classic Carrara stones in white and soft greys have been the most popular choice for kitchens for some time, but I’m starting to see more of a shift to the warmth of golds, tans and toasted browns.

Another natural stone option is dolomite. With all the good looks of a classic grey and white marble, dolomite is a quartz-based stone that is more durable and less porous, making it less likely to stain or etch. It’s a great alternative to a classic marble. I love this stone for its dramatic appearance, with neutral monochromatic colouring.

For those not convinced by marble’s natural good looks, or the truly honest who confess that their OCD cannot cope with a mark staring them in the face every day on their bench top, all hope is not lost. Resealing or wet sanding by a professional marble restoration company can do wonders for protecting and removing existing stains.

I personally swear by a baking soda paste left on overnight for getting rid of stains. I have a lot of marble in my life, but also messy humans whom I love. We have all learned to coexist.

The kitchen should be a place for creating beautiful memories over food with friends and family. Don’t miss out on creating a beautiful space for fear of a spill here and there — it’s all part of your history.