s homeowners look to personalize
their home, countertop companies
continue to expand their portfolios
and push the line in design and
technology. Regardless of price point, home-
owners expect to be able to choose from a wide
portfolio of materials and designs.
"Like any other investment in their home,
homeowners are highly protective of the in-
vestments they make in their counters. Tey
want assurance the products they are install-
ing into their kitchen are going to withstand
the test of time, and not stain or scratch," says
Lorenzo Marquez, vice-president, marketing,
for Cosentino North America. "Tey also
want to be sure that it isn't going to require
constant upkeep or frequent maintenance."
BOLDER
Summer Kath, senior director of business de-
velopment for Cambria, notes that "trends
in natural stone countertops in the past fve
years have moved away from granite looks to
light and bright marbles and monochromatic.
Homeowners are loving the classic white looks
with natural veining and movement. Quartz
countertops have evolved rapidly in the past
fve years to answer these changing trends.
Fashion forward
Surfacing materials
ofer every design from
muted natural looks
to funky patterns, but
always put customer
needs frst
By Laurie Banyay
A
Laminate is moving onto
vertical surfaces, too, such
as Formica's Jonathan Adler-
designed Orange Lacquer
Linen pattern on this cabinetry.
40 May 2015 QR QualifiedRemodeler.com | ForResidentialPros.com
PRODUCT TRENDS: Surfaces