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SCRATCHING THE SURFACE OF KITCHEN AND BATHROOM TRENDS
he materials used for kitchen and bathroom surfaces have a tremendous impact on the design of the space overall, both visually and practically. Now more than ever before, comfort and luxury are at the heart of kitchen and bathroom design. These are rooms that need to be as big on practical benefits as they are on style. The kitchen is a multi-functional space at the heart of our homes, while the bathroom is a homespa, a place of sanctuary and escapism, and it is the surfaces chosen for these two areas that will have the biggest impact. Surfaces such as worktops, countertops, walls and floors are all highly visible. This means that from an aesthetic viewpoint, the style and colours chosen really do matter. The kitchen and bathroom are also hightraffic areas, of course, so practicalities are just as important. Materials that are easy to wipe clean and can withstand high temperatures and spillages must prevail. For work surfaces in the kitchen, heat and stain resistance are of extreme
Surfaces have a big role to play in the overall look and feel of a space. In the kitchen and bathroom, in particular, practical considerations need to be made while also bearing in mind the visual impact of such visible fixtures as worktops, countertops, splashbacks and even flooring. Here, Simon Boocock, Managing Director of C. R. Laurence of Europe, takes us through the key trends in surfaces to look out for. C. R. LAURENCE OF EUROPE
FC&A – APRIL – 2021
22
importance, which accounts in large part for the growing popularity of materials, including quartz and ceramic. Extremely hard-wearing, these materials are non-porous, stain-, scratch-, heat- and shock-resistant and also very strong and simple to care for, making them ideal for kitchens. Quartz and ceramic can be chosen in a wide range of colours and patterns, as the CRL Quartz and Ceralsio collections from CRL Stone demonstrate, making these materials an extremely flexible option for kitchen design in contemporary and classicallystyled properties alike. From a style viewpoint, large slabs can be used to create astonishing vertical surfaces on kitchen walls and offer endless possibilities for floors and countertops, visually expanding spaces with fewer design interruptions. Visual appeal is one of the main drivers for the popularity of marble-inspired patterns in the kitchen. The elegance of marble accounts for much of its appeal, yet the material itself is not overly suited to the kitchen environment due to its high-maintenance needs. Alternatives such as ceramic
