Is Granite Out of Style?

Granite countertops have long been a symbol of luxury and durability in home design. Yet, like all design elements, they are subject to the ebb and flow of trends and personal preferences. While some people adore the timeless appeal of gold, others find the understated elegance of silver more appealing. The same goes for gemstones: rubies may captivate some, while others are enchanted by the unique play of colors in opals. In furniture, the rich, classic look of oak appeals to many, while others prefer the lighter, more versatile maple.

Not all design choices have enduring appeal. Chances are, you’re not reading this blog post while wearing a French terry cloth tracksuit, sipping on a Tab soda, lounging in a lime green shag-carpeted conversation pit. Some things simply expire.

Is that the case with granite countertops? Are they behind the times? Or is comeback around the corner?

Drury Design’s Senior Designers weigh in:

Samantha Schoell

I honestly get this question a ton! Here are a few things I share with customers when they ask me about this:

-Granite is a natural stone which means you need to maintain it just like you would a marble or quartzite.

-Fact: For most of my remodeling projects, we’re ripping out the existing granite and replacing it with a quartz material.

-If you would like to use granite, we can do that – we’ll go to a slab yard to view slabs.

-The last kitchen I did with new granite tops was a little over a year ago. I quickly learned that almost no one carried what the client was looking for. We spent months searching and driving to about 25 places in order to find a granite that would work. Slab yards are using up the last of the granite they have. They’re all bringing in quartzite. 

Venetian Gold Granite – A Relic of the Past?

Alicia Saso

I think natural stone is always going to be popular, whether it be granite, marble or quartzite. For the last few years, quartzite has really been at the forefront of the stone industry – my clients want stunning, transparent slabs with bold patterns and unique colors.

-The popularity of various granite types changes constantly, like any other natural stone, and should still be considered for projects. There are a lot of new granites available that have more movement versus the tight, speckled pattern that was popular 10+ years ago. There are plenty of man-made quartz materials out there to choose from, but nothing beats a natural stone!

-Like most stone slabs, granite still needs to be sealed. It isn’t as delicate as marble and that’s a plus for families who really use their kitchens.

Gladys Schanstra

Granite isn’t popular today – mainly because today’s desirable colors, patterns and movement are what you’re more likely to see in quartzite and marble.

-Interestingly enough, about 20 years ago or more, the category of “quartzite” within natural stone didn’t exist. Instead, the natural stone category itself was called “granite” – that’s how dominant it was. When demand for the look of marble and its veining increased, along with the need for a more durable material that doesn’t etch as easily, quartzite was born! Quartzite is much more dense than marble and even as dense as some granite, in some cases.

-As technology improves and manufacturers keep developing new engineered products, granite may fall by the wayside. However, like fashion trends, things always find a way to make an eventual comeback.

Consider this:

 When most people think of granite, dark speckled tops are what come to mind. That type of granite has definitely lost its luster.

But, there are certainly lesser-known granite materials that should be considered for today’s projects. Here are some examples:

-River White:  50 shades of grey with lovely cream/white tones and marble-like movement

River White Granite

• Virginia Mist:  dark charcoal field with subtle white/pale grey movement

Virginia Mist Granite

Nevada Black: similar to Virginia Mist, with lighter grey field and stronger white veining

Nevada Black Granite

Azul Aran: A cool grey stone with some black and cream veining.  This is super versatile and works with white, grey, black, or even stained wood cabinetry

Azul Aran Granite

Limurean Blue/Limurean Green: Soft blue/green and black with hints of iridescent turquoise.

Limurean Blue Granite

Limurean Green Granite

Brown Antique: Warm chocolate tones with unique movement.

Brown Antique Granite

Blue Dunes: A dreamy blend of greys, taupe, and white with black veining makes this a super versatile stone.

Blue Dunes Granite

Sea  White: Similar movement to Blue Dunes, with stronger contrasting tones of charcoal, black and cream.

Sea White Granite

Costa Smeralda: Blue green tones with creamy veining and delicate overall movement.

Costa Smeralda Granite

Black Siren:   Black field with grey and subtle white linear movement.

Black Siren Granite

When it comes to granite, just remember to have an open mind. Granite is super durable and offers natural beauty that most quartz materials cannot rival. Let your designer guide you to unique stone options that can make your project sing.