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ah | of the times
A number of years ago
I spent the equivalent
of an ounce of gold on
a new kitchen counter-
top.

{t replaced a shabby, worn
and scratched old surface the
color of light dirt. A few
months later the price of
gold soared to an all-time
high, and I looked at my new
countertop with great regret
and hindsight. 1 had
exchanged the precious metal
for a plastic surface; its pold-
en yellow color a daily
reminder of my folly.

Ifonly f had waited, the
ounce of gold might have
bought granite or marble.

When plastic laminates —-
we also know them by their
brand names of Formica,
Arborite, Wilsonart or

Nevamar — first came on the.

market, they seemed the ideal
solution for kitchen and
bathroom countertops. Their
surface can take quite a beat-
ing before it gives in to
burns, discoloration and
harsh chemicals.

Photo submitted

CERAMIC tile (above) and glazed terra cotta tlies make great countertens if you can live with the noise and
the fact that the grout will eventually become unsightly.

As the. name implies, plos- :

tic laminate consists of a vari-
ety of layers that are glued
together and baked ro form a
hard and resistant sheet. It is
the printed surface below the
protective top layer that
accounts for the vast variety
of pattern and color.

Twa factors differentiate
the plastic surface from the
real thing it often simulates:

the warmth and'slight texture

tell you that that the surface
is a photographic reproduc-
tion of granite or marble,
brushed aluminum, or cop-

er; and the other difference
ies in che edge and corner
treatment. If the countertop
is installed over an existing
plywood counter, edges are
butted together and glued;
dirt just loves to sit in the
grooves this creates, and the
seams have a tendency to
come apart, especially in the
humid atmosphere of a
kitchen, /

The better solution is to
wrap the laminate around a
bullnose edge which is
rounded, like the nose of a
bull.

Resiwews
RESTONIC

No shortage of options when it comes to countertops

Stone in its many different
forms has had a few million
year’s to achieve its currest
form and color. It has a reas-
suring and permanent quality.
A highly polished surface

- brings sut an elegant lustre
. and sheen, but there is beau-
ty too in the patina created
by long use, rather like that
of well worn leather or
wood,

The cool and smooth sur-
face is a pleasure to touch;
edges and corners represent
no seam-splitting problems.
Few surfaces look as proud
and everlasting than a slab of
granite in elegant black or
with multi-colored hues of
swirls, sprinkles, or copper
flecks. Against a backdrop of
smoked mirror it seems to go
on forever.

Ina modern kitchen,

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granite backsplashes can look
wonderful when the edges
are left unpolished, with that
rough and broken look of
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However, all good things
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HOME FURNISHINGS J

1075 Roosevelt Crescent |
North Vancouver
(2 blocks behind Avalon Hotel)
Open Daily Fri. 9-9; Sun 12-4

Fyre

-. 24) Lonsdale AV@. ae mange
RT UT ENE uM 40%,

granite and marble it is the
cost factor, and the noise fac-
tor, Pockets need to be deep
because an ounce of gold will
pay only fora very small
countertop, and breakable
items must be put down with

a gentle touch.

Slate also falls into the
category of natural stone. It
is mostly used in the form ef
tile and comes in many colors
including black, and some-
times with embedded fossils;

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it can be polished smooth or
left uneven. Unless protected
with a layer of polyurethane,
slate’s brittle surface will chip
or break more easily than
granite or marble.

Ceramic tile and glazed
terra cotta tiles make great
countertops if you can live
with the noise and the fact
that the grout will eventually
become unsightly, Their wide
variety of color, texture and
printed or handpainted pat-
terns makes them very attrac-
tive.

Tiles are available in sizes
ranging from one square {cot
down to one square inch or
triangles. This gives you ar
opportunity to create unique
geometric patterns; in fact
you can play for hours and
days designing your very own
artwork. Handmade tiles
come in the most gorgeous
and vibrant colors — truly
irresistible. Do an acid test
before you buy them for a
countertop; some may discol-
or from vinegar and lenion
juice. ;

This brief introduction to
countertops by no means
covers the entire range of
choices. As with all other
materials, only research and
legwork will tell you what is
the best and most economical
choice for your household.

Edith Saatkamp is an inte-
rior designer who practices
and teackes residential design
on the North Shore. t

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