Stephen Alberts

Creating a vintage-inspired kitchen or bathroom doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice modern conveniences. 

With the right design choices, you can combine the beauty of vintage aesthetics with the durability and functionality of modern countertop materials like stone. Here are six ways to achieve a vintage look using modern stone countertops.

1. Opt for Soft, Muted Tones

Vintage-style kitchens often feature soft, muted tones that create a warm, inviting atmosphere. When choosing modern stone countertops, look for colors that evoke a sense of nostalgia, such as soft whites, gentle creams, and pale grays. 

These subtle shades are reminiscent of old-world charm and can easily be paired with vintage-inspired cabinetry and fixtures. Opting for muted tones helps create a harmonious blend between the past and present.

2. Use Honed or Leathered Finishes

To capture the essence of a vintage look, consider opting for honed or leathered finishes on your stone countertops. These finishes offer a matte or slightly textured surface, reminiscent of aged, time-worn materials. 

A honed finish has a smooth, soft look without the high gloss of polished stone, while a leathered finish adds a subtle texture. Both options can add an old-world feel to modern countertops, making them look more rustic and timeless.

3. Incorporate Rounded Edge Profiles

Edge profiles play an important role in defining the overall aesthetic of your countertops. For a vintage-inspired look, consider choosing rounded or softened edges, such as bullnose or ogee. 

These curving profiles were popular in the early to mid-20th century and can help recreate the soft, flowing lines often seen in vintage kitchens. The rounded edges add a sense of warmth and classic style, blending seamlessly with other vintage elements in the room.

4. Select Marble or Marble-Look Stone

Marble has long been associated with timeless elegance and vintage luxury. Its natural veining and soft hues evoke the grandeur of classic kitchens from decades past. While natural marble is an excellent choice, modern engineered stone options can offer a similar look with added durability and resistance to stains. 

Choosing marble or marble-look countertops allows you to achieve that vintage charm while benefiting from the practicality of modern materials.

5. Pair with Retro Backsplashes

One way to highlight the vintage appeal of your stone countertops is by pairing them with a retro-inspired backsplash. Subway tiles, geometric patterns, or mosaic tiles in soft, classic colors can bring a vintage vibe to your kitchen or bathroom. 

The combination of a timeless stone countertop with a nostalgic backsplash creates a cohesive look that embraces vintage design without compromising modern functionality.

6. Highlight Natural Veining

Natural veining in stone countertops, such as granite or quartzite, can add character and depth to your space. In vintage-inspired designs, these veins can evoke the look of well-worn, aged surfaces that have stood the test of time. 

By choosing stone with prominent, elegant veining, you can emphasize the organic beauty of the material while creating a sense of history in your kitchen or bathroom. The veining adds texture and visual interest, contributing to the overall vintage aesthetic.

Transform Your Kitchen with a Vintage Look

Achieving a vintage look in your kitchen or bathroom is possible with the right stone countertops and design choices. 

From muted tones and honed finishes to retro backsplashes and timeless edge profiles, you can create a space that combines old-world charm with modern practicality. Contact KG Stevens for a free quote for your vintage-inspired countertop project!

Stone countertops offer a timeless look and exceptional durability to any kitchen or bathroom. Customizing your stone surfaces can elevate your space’s overall design, turning standard countertops into personal expressions of style and luxury. 

Here are 10 creative ways to personalize your stone countertops with custom designs.

1. Incorporate Unique Edge Profiles

The edge profile of your countertop can significantly impact the overall look and feel of your space. Moving away from standard edges such as straight or beveled, you can consider more decorative edges like ogee, waterfall, or bullnose. These intricate edge designs add a sophisticated, polished touch to the countertop, giving it a custom look that reflects your style, whether classic or modern.

2. Add Inlays for a Decorative Touch

Inlays are a unique way to introduce pattern or texture into your countertop design. By incorporating materials like metal, glass, or even contrasting stone, you can create intricate borders, shapes, or geometric designs that enhance the artistic appeal of the countertop. This technique adds a layer of visual interest, making your countertops stand out as true works of art.

3. Choose Two-Tone Countertops

If you want to create an eye-catching centerpiece, using two different types of stone for your countertops can achieve a beautiful visual contrast. Pairing light stone with darker accents, or mixing different textures like polished and honed finishes, creates a striking, custom look. This approach works especially well for kitchen islands, where the contrast makes the countertop a focal point.

4. Opt for Waterfall Countertops

A waterfall edge is an increasingly popular design where the countertop material continues down the sides of the island or cabinetry, forming a sleek, continuous flow. This design highlights the natural beauty of the stone and adds a sense of modern luxury to any kitchen. The flowing, seamless look draws attention to the unique veining of the stone, giving it an architectural appeal.

5. Use Engraving for Personalization

Engraving can add a personal touch to your countertops. Whether it’s an intricate pattern, a family emblem, or a meaningful quote, engraving adds character while maintaining the elegance of your stone surface.

6. Create Contrast with Different Finishes

Combining finishes like polished and honed adds texture and depth to your countertops. This mix creates visual and tactile contrast, enhancing specific areas like an island or backsplash while maintaining the overall beauty of the stone.

7. Add a Built-In Drainboard

A built-in drainboard, carved into the stone, adds both function and style to your kitchen. It channels water away from dishes while offering a sleek, seamless design, enhancing convenience without detracting from the countertop’s elegance.

8. Integrate a Stone Backsplash

Extending your countertop material up the wall creates a cohesive, luxurious look. Whether full-height or shorter, a stone backsplash ensures continuity between the countertop and wall, bringing elegance to your kitchen or bathroom.

9. Highlight Natural Veining

Stones with dramatic veining, such as marble or quartzite, create striking visual appeal. Carefully positioning the stone to highlight its natural veins makes your countertop a one-of-a-kind piece of art, offering a completely custom look.

10. Customize with Color Contrasts

Create contrast by pairing a light-colored countertop with dark cabinetry. This color contrast adds visual interest and can define different areas of your kitchen, such as islands or perimeter countertops, making the space feel more dynamic.

Transform Your Space with Custom Countertops

Customizing your stone countertops allows you to express your unique style while enhancing functionality. From custom edge profiles to striking inlays and finishes, your countertops can be personalized to fit your vision. 

Contact KG Stevens for a free quote. We’re here to help you create the perfect custom design for your home.

Everybody wants their kids to be safe, but every parent knows that children are naturally very curious and will stop at nothing to reach things you’ve tried to keep away. This is especially true in busy areas like the kitchen and bathroom, where countertops can pose various risks. 

These spaces are often bustling with activity and filled with items that can be hazardous to young children. By taking proactive steps to childproof your countertops, you can create a safer environment that allows your kids to explore and grow without unnecessary risks. 

Keep Sharp Objects Out of Reach

One of the most obvious dangers in the kitchen and bathroom is sharp objects, such as knives, scissors, and razors. These items should always be stored well out of reach of children. Consider using drawers with childproof locks or high shelves to store these potentially dangerous items. 

In the kitchen, countertop knife blocks should be placed at the back of the counter, away from the edge where small hands might reach. In the bathroom, store razors and scissors in medicine cabinets or locked drawers to prevent curious kids from accessing them.

Secure Heavy Appliances

Heavy kitchen appliances like blenders, mixers, and toasters can pose a significant risk if they are left too close to the edge of the countertop. A child could easily pull on a cord or knock over an appliance, leading to injury. 

To prevent this, keep these appliances pushed back against the wall and secure any loose cords. Additionally, consider installing anti-tip brackets for larger countertop appliances to prevent them from being pulled off the counter.

Use Edge and Corner Guards

Countertop edges and corners can be particularly hazardous for young children who are just learning to walk. Sharp edges can cause serious injuries if a child trips or falls into them. To mitigate this risk, consider using edge and corner guards on your countertops. 

These soft, cushioned guards can be easily applied to most surfaces and provide a protective barrier that reduces the impact of any accidents. 

Store Hazardous Chemicals Safely

Both kitchens and bathrooms are home to a variety of hazardous chemicals, from cleaning supplies to personal care products. These items should always be stored out of reach of children, preferably in locked cabinets or high shelves. 

Under-sink cabinets are a common storage spot for cleaning supplies, but they are also easily accessible to young children. Installing childproof locks on these cabinets is a simple and effective way to keep harmful chemicals out of little hands.

Install Childproof Locks on Drawers and Cabinets

Installing childproof locks on drawers and cabinets is a key step in ensuring countertop safety for kids. These locks prevent children from accessing potentially dangerous items stored in lower cabinets and drawers. 

There are various types of childproof locks available, including magnetic locks, adhesive locks, and sliding locks. Choose the type that best suits your cabinetry and ensure they are properly installed and regularly checked to maintain their effectiveness.

Keep Small Objects Out of Reach

Small objects, such as buttons, coins, and batteries, pose a choking hazard for young children. These items should never be left on countertops where a child could easily grab them. 

Make a habit of keeping countertops clear of small items, and regularly check the surfaces for any objects that could be within a child’s reach. In the bathroom, be mindful of small items like hairpins, earrings, and pill bottles that could be accidentally left on the counter.

Talk To Older Children About Safety

While physical barriers and child-proofing tools are essential for younger children, it’s also important to start educating older children about safety in the kitchen and bathroom. Teach them about the dangers of sharp objects, hot surfaces, and hazardous chemicals. 

Encourage them to always ask for help when using items that could be dangerous and to be mindful of their younger siblings. By instilling good habits early on, you can help prevent accidents and create a safer home environment.

Child Safety Starts At Home

Ensuring the safety of your countertops is crucial for creating a child-friendly home. Whether you’re looking to install new countertops or upgrade your current ones with safety in mind, KG Stevens can help. 

Contact us today for a free quote and let us assist you in designing a kitchen or bathroom that is both beautiful and safe for your family.