When choosing solid surfaces for residential builds, many customers are looking for surfaces that are sustainably produced and reflect some aspect of the natural world. This ranges from surfaces such as natural stone through to high-pressure laminates that look and feel like wood or stone.

There is also a growing preference for unique and premium materials, that not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of the home but also offer functional advantages. In terms of visual appeal, curved and textured solid surfaces are in hot demand. When it comes to selecting products, some homeowners are looking for silica-free surfaces due to growing health concerns in Australia around silicosis.

Al la naturale

Cosentino says it has noticed that in residential settings natural stones such as granite and quartzite are gaining popularity for kitchens and bathrooms – materials that are known for their durability, unique colours and veining patterns which add a touch of personality and originality to homes.

Cosentino’s Sensa features select granites and quartzites from Brazil and India treated with a revolutionary stain protection treatment called SenGuard, patterned by Cosentino. The low-maintenance product is designed for kitchen and bathroom applications, ensuring better resistance to stains, and scratches and maintaining its original colour over time.

Cosentino also manufactures Dekton, a high-performance ultracompact stone. Dekton is carbon neutral cradle to grave which is unique in the category. Dekton is used for both indoor and outdoor surfaces. Its polyvalence makes it suitable for any application, even in the most demanding conditions such as facades or floors. It is abrasion, scratch, and impact resistant as well as water, stain, extreme temperature and fire resistant.

Dekton and Sensa by Cosentino were used throughout the Woolooware Residence, a designer home in New South Wales, Australia. The home features neutral earth tones, sweeping curves and natural materials to create a warm and inviting atmosphere and functional solutions that make everyday life easier. At a nearby Cosentino city showroom, the homeowners were able to choose their favourite colours, including Dekton Liquid Shell, Dekton Rem, Sensa Taj Mahal and Dekton Helena.

The first, Dekton Liquid Shell is an off-white shade, with creamy tones that vary in surface gloss according to the colours that make up the pattern. It was used for the worktop and front of the outdoor kitchen. Meanwhile, Dekton Rem was chosen for the worktop and island of the indoor kitchen, as well as for the front and charming arched shelf.

Dekton Rem is a subtly cracked stone that, like all Dekton surfaces, is resistant to scratches, abrasion, acids, and stains. All this makes it both a sophisticated and extremely low-maintenance solution for a space as exposed to dirt and high temperatures as the kitchen.

Sensa was then used for the fireplace surround as the natural stone makes it a top pick for high temperatures. Finally, Dekton Helena takes centre stage in the en-suite bathroom. This colour strikes a balance between white and grey tones, enriched with delicate veins that mimic the depth of the natural onyx stone, bringing elegance to the space.

Caesarstone has also seen more customers wanting natural stone, slate, pebbles and marble with a texture or patina preferred over solid, homogeneous surfaces.

Caesarstone says it recommends its Porcelain surfaces which are ethically produced from natural raw materials, including clay, feldspar, and oxides.

Caesarstone’s new range of porcelain contains numerous surfaces inspired by marble, natural stone, slate and even cement. Unlike natural stone, porcelain never requires sealing. Caesarstone Porcelain is available in honed and ultra-rough finishes. Suppliers of natural stone, Lithic, say they are seeing homeowners selecting bolder choices and experimenting with colour, custom sizes, and finishes, and even grout colouring.

Image: Caesarstone Porcelain

Lithic offers natural stone in marble, limestone, travertine, granite, basalt, and sandstone. Their product range incorporates a spectrum of colours, sizes, and finishes. They also offer stone that is customised to fit their client’s specific needs, whether that be tailored sizing, finishes, or a stone not within their main range.

“When a customer comes to us with a stone they have connected with, we have the technical skill and knowledge to ensure that on top of an amazing aesthetic choice, they are also getting a product that will work for them exactly how and where they need it to”. Executive Director of Lithic Australia, Bronwyn Spencer says.

Lithic Australia worked closely with BRONXX Construction group, Vic Lake Architects, and Mia Lake Interiors on providing solid surfaces for SOUL Cronulla, an award-winning set of 12 luxury apartments. SOUL Cronulla used Lithic’s Esinti marble and Elamite limestone throughout the build in several innovative ways.

At the entrance of the building is a large Esinti marble feature with an inbuilt fountain whilst in sitting areas, custom cut Esinti was used to create beautiful bench seating. Outside, the landscaping utilises anti-slip diamond scratch Elamite that transitions inside to a honed format to establish formality.

Sans silica

While some homeowners love natural stone, others want a product reflecting the beauty of natural stone without the added cost. This is what Nover offers with their Evostone Solid Surface, an acrylic-based product that is 100% silica free.

Evostone Solid Surfaces have been silica free since the business was first founded. This allows joiners and cabinet makers to manufacture and install Evostone benchtops risk free.

Evostone slabs come pre-finished and install-ready in sizes designed for optimum usage. Evostone can easily be cut or trimmed with no expensive machinery required making it suitable for all cabinetmakers or DIY without the need for external contractors. It’s durable with colour all the way through the 20mm thick pre-finished slabs allowing for scratches or marks to be easily polished and removed.

Evostone in Elements Monsoon was specified for an outdoor kitchen that was recently completed at a home in Melbourne. The kitchen, designed and constructed by My Alfresco Outdoor Kitchens Victoria, was set in an impressive outdoor space. Evostone Elements Monsoon was chosen for its ability to withstand harsh outdoor conditions while adding a touch of elegance to the space.

Austaron Surfaces also offers silica-free solid surfaces through their Staron Solid Surface, Mario Romano walls and recently launched Organoid Natural surface. The Staron Solid Surface is made from a safe natural mineral refined from bauxite and blended with pure acrylic resin. Staron can even be reclaimed to create other furniture items to be redesigned back into other areas of the project.

The Mario Romano walls, which are manufactured using Staron Solid Surface, are an excellent alternative to tiles as they don’t need grout and can be curved. Mario Romano Walls are created via a computer-generated design process to easily create stunning textures. Austaron Surfaces’ latest product, Organoid Natural Surfaces, can be used similarly to veneers and can be implemented into many areas within residential design.

Organoid Natural Surfaces are made of natural raw materials (hand-cut alpine-hay, rose petals, lavender stalks and many more). These are applied, partly by hand, on various backings (Natural Flax Fleece, Ecofleece papers, self-adhesive films, transparent films, etc.).

A gentle production process allows the surface to retain most of its natural properties, such as fragrance, feel and optics.

Staron Solid Surface and Mario Romano walls both feature in a beautiful coastal renovation on the Queensland Sunshine Coast where the homeowners wanted a kitchen with ‘wow factor’.

Staron Solid Surface in Supreme Morning Sky was specified to offer a hint of colour across all benchtops and Mario Romano Walls in Flame Design were clad to the island counter to revamp an existing joinery unit that was part of the original open-plan office area.

Timber time out

Polytec’s Woodmatt range, for example, was developed as an alternative to timber veneer, combining the best of natural timber with the most advanced technology. Polytec’s Woodmatt range has a subtle woodgrain embossed matt surface, which can be used in various applications and add an element of luxe to the space. Woodmatt can be used as wall features and wall panels, hidden storage, and access to rooms.

Designer and trend forecaster Marylou Cafaro says the range is a game changer for the surfaces industry and designers alike.

“It’s exceptional print quality, super matte surface finish, and tweaking of natural timbers with contemporary tones raises the bar for standard laminates and prefinished decorative board," she says.

The Australian made Woodmatt range can be used for a wide range of applications. It’s available in Laminate, Melamine, Thermolaminate, Steccawood decorative battens and Compact laminate, meaning Woodmatt can be used everywhere from benchtops and custom-made curved joinery to wall linings and Aluminium Framed doors in outdoor undercover alfresco areas.

Polytec Florentine Walnut Woodmatt has been used throughout the Doasis Project by SMUB Studio, an architecturally designed oasis-style home in the heart of Palm Beach, Queensland. The design adopts the modern nostalgia trend style for a familiar yet new feeling. It exudes a warm and homely feel, with a mid-century design style using the walnut combined with the warmth of the stone.

Image: Doasis Project / Polytec

Geaves Surface Solutions also recommends high-pressure laminates for solid surfaces in the home as they’ve seen a large shift from architects using materials from natural resources to sourcing alternatives such as high-pressure laminates that look and feel realistic.

Geaves high-pressure laminate range including plain colours, woods, and grains, with natural wood textures, anti-fingerprint, 13mm compact, magnetic, and metallic designs. The surfaces are strong, durable, and reliable with strong wear, impact, scratch, abrasion and stain resistance.

Leaving no trace

HVG Decorative Building Products also offers high-pressure laminates with their Wilsonart Traceless Collection trending right now. The smooth yet durable surface is impact and fingerprint resistant. Its unique technology ensures that finger marks are almost never seen, substantially reducing care and maintenance efforts. The smooth surface is also scratch and heat resistant. The Traceless collection covers a range of popular solid neutral colours in a matt finish.

Image: HVG

Traceless was specifed for magnificent kitchen in a beachside home in South Australia. Known as the Rhodes House, the beautiful residential project included a full kitchen renovation and Broadfeather Design was tasked with creating a space that was inviting, practical and inspiring. Functionality is an important aspect of any kitchen, so Broadfeather Design chose Wilsonart Traceless Black laminate for all the cabinetry, for its anti-fingerprint and anti-smudge benefits.

Traceless makes day-to-day life easy, not having to worry about fingerprint marks, particularly in high track areas opening and closing doors.

When it comes to picking solid surfaces for residential design, natural materials such as stone remain top choices. Homeowners are also leaning towards high performing surface solutions such as high-pressure laminates and acrylic-based products. There is also thought spared for the health of those installing the products with silica free options being sought.

Main image: SOUL Cronulla / Lithic Australia

Suppliers

Cosentino: https://www.architectureanddesign.com.au/suppliers/cosentino

Caesarstone: https://www.caesarstone.com.au/

Lithic: https://lithicaustralia.com.au/

Nover: https://www.architectureanddesign.com.au/Suppliers/Nover

Austaron Surfaces: https://austaronsurfaces.com/

Polytec: https://www.architectureanddesign.com.au/suppliers/polytec

Geaves: https://www.geaves.com.au/

HVG Decorative Building Products: https://hvgbuilding.com.au/