Located in the Poet’s Corner neighborhood of Pleasant Hill, California this rustic-yet-organic-look home exemplifies combining elegance with utility by using contrasting countertop and backsplash materials.
In the kitchen, for example, luxurious Calacatta White Marble countertops are combined with non-porous Noir Soapstone on the workhorse island. Designed by Tiana Graff of Reliez Valley Builders, this project is a study in the unexpected.
Step inside to see an unexpected combination of surface materials…
White marble & soapstone meld into a sensuous kitchen
Traditionally desirable Calacatta Marble adds resale value and luxury to any home. But the addition of a Soapstone island brings the look to a more comfortable and accepting design, turning the kitchen into a casual feeling gathering place that truly makes this room the heart of the home. Soapstone countertops can effortlessly handle cooking preparations, forgiving acids like vinegar, lemon, and the cook’s glass of red wine!
elevated design. increased functionality.
Mixing materials offers high contrast and visual interest while still staying true to the rustic cabin-esque style of the home. Tiana Graff used dark cabinets above and below white marble countertops and then contrasted that look with an island of dark soapstone capping light oak cabinetry. It’s that mix n’ match symmetry that adds contrast yet compliments the overall look & feel of the home.
ceramic tile and soapstone: the durable duo
Tiana Graff boldly used ceramic tile and soapstone along with light wood cabinetry, showcasing how these two materials can beautifully connect to create a contrasted but unified design.
Light and dark colors are continued throughout the home, including in the bathrooms and laundry room, to create a cohesive look while staying true to the home’s elevated rustic style.
How to Make Mixing Materials Work for You
Think of it as creating your own Mood Board: You can forget traditional decorating rules – artisans and professional decorators are!
Using multiple surfaces can work well. Use contrasting colors and complimenting ones, too. Consider utilizing backsplash tiles to tie together two different surfaces, rough and smooth. Juxtapose dark and light, shiny and dull, and more…into a pleasingly cohesive final design.
Don’t limit yourself. But do keep functionality in mind: combine porous surfaces with functional options for practicality as well as to add richness and depth.
Explore. Have fun. And, in the end, enjoy!
