Test of time

Abode’s kitchen and bathroom expert, Nicky Claridge, discusses how resilient, low-maintenance surfaces are key to creating kitchens that will continue to look beautiful for years to come.

In modern homes, the kitchen is now in constant use, operating as not only the food preparation area but also as a dining space, office and entertaining zone – it really is the busy hub of a household.

Fortunately, there is now an amazing range of products designed to suit these conditions with no need to compromise on style. Recently I have been specifying Acrymatte from Sage Doors for clients who are looking for a matte finish on their cabinets. Acrymatte offers a super smooth surface that is highly durable and scratch resistant. The doors are made from an acrylic laminate pressed on to MDF that features a special hard coating – the surface is even resistant to fingerprints that most of the time will just evaporate off. A great choice if you’re looking for a sleek, smooth finish that’s family friendly.

There are so many options on the market for benchtop materials and each has their advantages and disadvantages but, in terms of strength and durability, I find it hard to go past Dekton from Consentino. The combination of exceptional resistance to stains, scratches, fire and heat makes this material highly resilient. In fact, it can be used for flooring, wall tiles and even surfaces in outdoor areas due to its built-in UV protection. Ultra-compact Dekton comes in a range of thicknesses and is offered in large-format slabs to cater for more ambitious designs. There’s a range of 40 colours across eight collections, so there are plenty of options to suit your individual style.

With such advanced technology available and a wide variety of products to choose from, it’s worth seeking expert advice so that when you build that dream kitchen you can relax and enjoy it in the knowledge that it will be long-lasting, durable and easy to care for.

Nicky Claridge
Kitchen and Bathroom Designer and Director of NC Design

021 240 9225 | ncdesign.co.nz