Chances are good that you have never put the words “kitchen countertop” and “exotic” in the same sentence but as you are about to discover, options available today make it possible to have an exotic kitchen countertop. Sure, you could still choose the more traditional materials such as granite, engineered stone, laminate, ceramic tile, and wood or butcher block, but in the past 10 years, new options have been developed for the distinguished homeowner who simply wants something different.
The great thing about the exotic types of kitchen countertops now available is that they can complement virtually any style home or kitchen décor. In other words, whether your kitchen is designed with a Tuscany theme, a contemporary style, or a traditional look, the same countertop material could be used in many cases. The options listed below will probably surprise you but to gain a good understanding of how they look, we encourage you to research photographs online so you can see for yourself just how remarkable kitchen countertops can look.
Keep in mind that exotic kitchen countertops are not cheap. In fact, they can be quite expensive but if the budget allows, these suggestions provide something new, different, and definitely not cookie-cutter! You can be sure with the new kitchen countertops installed you would become the envy of all your neighbors.
Concrete
You probably do not think of concrete as being exotic but when the right design elements are used, this material creates a rich, sophisticated, and one-of-a-kind look that will blow you away. The great thing about concrete is that not only does it offer something exotic it is an excellent choice if your countertop configuration, shape, or size is unique. In fact, it is common for contractors to cast the countertops on site.
As mentioned, concrete is an expensive choice in that it is a custom job but in return for the financial investment, you would have a surfaced that is scratch and heat resistant, a low porous material when the right additives are added, and a decorative finish that is breathtaking. If left natural, concrete countertops are ideal for contemporary kitchens but because this material can be color tinted, incredible designs and patterns can be created.
In fact, several years ago, one home builder discovered that when everyday substances were used along with tinting, an entirely new look could be created. This man actually crumbled up bags of potato chips, allowing them to sit overnight on the floor so the concrete would become stained from the grease. However, once he added in gold, copper, and rust with just a touch of black, the floor was truly a masterpiece. Therefore, choose a highly qualified contractor to see what kind of exotic look can be achieved for your countertops.
Soapstone
Typically, this material is found in historic homes but with people realizing the elegant and exotic look it produces, it has quickly become a popular choice for the more modern home too. In most cases, soapstone is dark with a smooth surface but today, it comes in a much broader range of colors, as well as textures. Even so, most soapstone countertops are made of rich, luxurious colors that enhance the entire room. The only consideration is that this material must be applied with mineral oil on a regular basis to keep it from cracking.
Fossil Countertops
The last option for exotic kitchen countertops we wanted to mention is known as “fossil” countertops. Exactly as the name states this type of countertop has actual fossils embedded in the material. Because of this, you can be sure that no other person would have the identical design and probably not even this type of countertop. Just imagine having a kitchen countertop that has actually 50-million year-old-fossils embedded. Not only does this look gorgeous, but it also makes a great conversation piece.
As you can imagine, the cost of fossil countertops is very expensive but if you can afford it, well worth the price. The great thing about fossil countertops is that you could choose the type of fossil based on the kitchen design. Some of the more popular choices include small turtles and fish. Obviously, only specialty companies produce countertops of this type but most use much the same process.
For fossil kitchen countertops, the first step would be for suitable stone to be found in quarries. The quarries that companies use contain fossil sediments found in freshwater lakes around the country although those in Wyoming seem to offer the best selection and highest quality. From there, the stone is extracted from the ground and examined for fossil quality and quantity, as well as the sturdiness of the stone and coloration. If acceptable, craftsman go through a painstaking process of creating kitchen countertops, as well as floors, paintings, tables, murals, bathroom/kitchen sinks, and more.
