Counter Intelligence

Picture this: The Christmas tree is all aglow in the corner of the living room. You’re curled up on the couch with a mug of eggnog as you watch your kids organize the presents under the tree. The timer for the oven beeps, and you walk into the kitchen to pull out your Christmas Eve ham. The aroma fills the room as you set it on your freshly installed kitchen countertops.

Indeed, this modern-day Norman Rockwell-ian scene can be yours in just a few weeks.

According to Viewpoint Design and Installation owners John and Melissa Ried, a perfect way to freshen up your kitchen is to simply change the countertops — particularly if you’re still happy with your cabinets. This option saves time, money and avoids some of the hassle associated with a complete kitchen renovation. And it takes less time than you might think.

“It’s a three-week process,” John Ried said. “We come and make the template and we’re back in one to two weeks with new countertops. During that fabrication period and within days of the new countertop arriving, we’ll disconnect your kitchen sink plumbing and electrical (if needed). We’ll then remove the old and install the new; typically — the same day — before re-installing your plumbing and any electrical (if needed).

“You can give the area a whole new look at a fraction of the cost and time,” John Ried said.

And yes, if you act before Nov. 14, you can have new countertops by Christmas.

TYPES OF COUNTERTOPS

If you haven’t been in the countertop market lately, quite a bit has changed — both in aesthetics and materials. After granite serving as the preferred countertop material in the late1990s and early 2000s, quartz has emerged as the market leader in the past 10-plus years. Other materials — including quartzite, marble and even wood — also have become more popular in recent years. All come with their own styles and strengths, and Viewpoint Design and Installation certainly can help find the perfect material for your needs.

QUARTZ

Beloved for its durability and ease of maintenance, quartz has leapfrogged granite as the most popular material, John Ried said. Moreover, quartz costs have come down considerably since it was introduced, and manufacturers also are able to replicate the look of granite much more convincingly.

“It can have thick or thin veining, waves and sparkles,” John Ried said. “Quite an array of offering — especially when you factor in color and patterns available.”

QUARTZITE

Quartzite is a completely natural stone, which gives it a more unique, one-of-one look. It is a little more expensive and brittle, John Ried said, but because it is natural, it is also a closer match to granite.

Quartzite also requires a little more maintenance, so buyers need to be prepared to take care of it, he says.

GRANITE

Granite is still a popular option for countertops. Prized for its durability, versatility and uniqueness, granite is heat-, scratch- and stain-resistant but not stain-proof. Granite also is easy to clean and can last a lifetime.

MARBLE

The most luxurious countertop option is marble. A marble countertop makes a statement with its unmatched beauty. However, be prepared for ongoing maintenance and care.

“If you spill a little wine or turmeric on it and don’t clean it up, it will stain,” John Ried said.

BUTCHER BLOCK

An emerging popular option is a reimagining of the old butcher-block countertops.

“There’s been a resurrection of this look, bringing it to the modern day with some gorgeous woods from places like Africa or Eastern Europe,” John Ried said.

Many customers opt to use this material for a portion of the counters as an accent piece. It’s durable, rustic and adds warmth to your kitchen’s aesthetic.

John and Melissa Ried opened Viewpoint Design and Installation in 2021, bringing decades of experience in the Interior Furnishings industry to Winter Garden.

Viewpoint seeks to offer homeowners a better option between the chaos of a big-box DIY store or paying a premium to hire a high-end custom design firm.

Instead, Viewpoint focuses on value — combining the benefits of a custom design and installation experience for each and every client — no matter their budget.

Through Viewpoint’s Concierge Complete service, customers can expect stellar customer service and expertise throughout their entire project. Furthermore, every customer has access to his or her project via Viewpoint’s project management software, including scheduling, daily logs from each days worth of work, photos and intra-messaging — all at your fingertips 24/7.

And, no project is too or big or too small for Viewpoint.

For a free in-home consultation, visit chooseviewpoint.com.