I like the crystal idea. So sparkly and bright!

What about fur? No sealing or scrubbing. Hides crumbs, really well.

If I was born in 67, does that mean I am pre-menopausal ? I can only hope !!! My husband and I are almost home free ... no accidental kiddos yet. I am praying for meopausal to start asap.

A space - age polymer.

My bet is rolled metal (16 guage stainless steel or copper). Home depot recently started offering this in my area. It is pretty darn good looking, is durable, and not outrageously expensive. My second guess is marble, concrete, or tile. I am not a huge fan of stone because it has a bad habit of absorbing things and cracking when someone isn't thinking and decides to sit on the edge of it. Concrete is becoming more popular because it is durable, new mixes are less rigid, and aborb stresses and impacts, and it can be customized for color, texture, and design readily.

-klavier

Haha Marcolo. I was thinking something soft and padded could turn those vast islands into temporary dormitories.

The thing about the OP. I agree that it's okay to make controversial posts. It's the drive-by aspect and then disappearance. If you make a bold statement, have the guts to stick around and have an adult conversation.

First, the only granite that's cheaper than laminate is the squares of stuff down at Home Depot that you would maybe put into a rental house or a house you're about to sell. The really nice stuff is still plenty pricey.

I don't think granite's dead, though marble (I hate it personally -- looks like those butt-ugly lamps from my grandmother's living room -- sorry to those of you who adore it) and quartz are eclipsing it at the moment. I think granite's going to continue to sell strongly, however, because it offers a range of colors, whereas marble is always, well, white.

As for what's going to be the new hot item . . . for years kitchen items've been going up, up, up in price: Now stainless is almost expected, granite prices are accepted as normal, etc. I believe we've reached the tipping point. The economy's stagnant and not likely to return to its former heyday, and that means houses aren't selling like they used to. People aren't building more-more-more and aren't going all-out like they did in the not too distant past; we're all aware these days that houses can go "underwater", and real estate isn't a completely safe investment. As such, in the near future, I personally think we'll see trends come and go (mismatched cabinetry or arched faucets, for example), but I don't think we're going to see great strides in new products and higher-higher-higher prices -- new major products just don't seem to be on the horizon.

I think that swarovski crystals in clear resin will be the next hot thing. But only for those poor creatures that can't afford the diamond version and have to settle for the knockoff.

Oooh I would love a counter made of Swarovski crystals. I'm sure I could live with the poor woman's diamond ... even though it will be so embarrassing whenever the neighbors drop by.

Should I cover the granite on my island with fur? Then it would be warm and cuddly like a kitty.

No counters for us- we're going to squat down and use the floor.

Oh, I forgot to answer the OP question.

Recycled aluminum countertops ... 60% aluminum

http://renewedmaterials.com/products-polyester/colors.html#

How about that paper on a roll like at the drs office? Just rip it off when you are done and voila fresh and sterile counter.

I do like sparkly though and furry is cozy. Oh how to choose!

I was going to say laminate but Pal beat me to it. Honestly, I think the faux marble laminates are gorgeous--prettier that the quartz versions. Now if we can just get them to offer 4 different "slabs" so that you can do your kitchen with no repeats.

And it's about time we saw a resurgence in abstract patterns like boomerangs. Could someone put in a aqua and pink boomerang counter, pretty please?

>Could someone put in a aqua and pink boomerang counter, pretty please?

I'd do the aqua stars if I could find that pattern, but it would have to be with those 50's-modern sci fi stars that our old counter had, and preferably with the turquoise appliances.

BTW, wasn't oceangirl's last drive-by on this same topic?

This post was edited by writersblock on Thu, Jan 3, 13 at 19:23

Maybe she works for the furrier.

Most entertaining thread I've read in awhile, complete with a furrier theory.

She? I imagine a guy living in his mothers basement.

No one has mentioned leather, I don't think.

I only bathe my kitchens in the finest counters made of diamonds. My Rolls has platinum grilles and my vacuum is gold-plated. Your bourgeois definition of "outdated" is irrelevant.

debrak_2008

Should I cover the granite on my island with fur? Then it would be warm and cuddly like a kitty.

I LOL'd and then I LOL'd again!

I am hoping they just make something that looks like bread crumbs, drops of red wine, and peanut butter and jelly. Then I would never need to wipe them down again!

Sponge, I say sponge! Just cut on it as you like then use your trusty paper towels to wipe things up. Then, off to fondle drapes! Sorry Marcolo:)

This post was edited by oldbat2be on Thu, Jan 3, 13 at 21:18

I agree that fur is trendy right now, but the NEW up-and-coming trend is to only use fur on the perimeter counters; the island should be done in a contrasting sharkskin.

Even this may be a bit demode. Some avant-garde types are opting for sharkskin perimeters and an alligator skin island, but I find that is just a bit too precious.

I am tearing out my diamond counters as we speak. The diamonds are really hard on my knives and when the plumber was here last time, he threw his wrench on the counter and caused a chip in the resin in which one of the smaller diamonds ( under two carats) was embedded, the diamond flew out, and I stepped on it barefoot. An E.R. visit and three stitches later, I'm still limping. Going with ostrich and alligator this time. Softer and more colors available.

Actually, faux shagreen (sharkskin) was on a "trend watch" that I read just yesterday!

How about cork - we'll elevate it to counter height.

On second thought I like Pal's leather suggestion - but only red leather a la Christian Louboutin soles.

lol kitchendetective!

I love how most of these "hot choices" require maintenance, can be scratched or stained or in the case of cork..are porous. Thanks but I'll stay stuck where I am.

My house had granite when I moved in, I'll keep it, it is easy to keep clean, requires no maintenance and looks good. Not replacing it is also green.

The swarovski crystals in resin idea is genius. I would go NUTS for a sparkly crystal countertop. Like cutting on stars. You should create it - you'd make a fortune!

If you like sparkly countertops - have you seen Cambria Minera? It has clear crystals (though not nearly as nice as swarovski)in it and is very sparkly. We got a remnant made into a vanity top for our powder room and really like it. I think it would be too much for a whole kitchen though. The photo below doesn't capture the true sparkles in it. When we saw it in full sun at the granite yard it was almost blinding.

Here is a link that might be useful: Cambria Minera photo

There is no comedy show that beats the wags on the Garden Web.

Cork has some merit. It isn't actually porous in the sense of liquid moving through it, although it can breathe.

I think combining the cork idea with the paper-on-a-roll idea is just swell. Change it every few weeks when the knife cuts and stains become inconvenient.

kas

I'm holding out for countertops made of dishes. Just think how well it would hide the, well... you know! :)

I'm dying. This thread is so funny.

Kitchen detective-I hope your foot heals in time. I would be livid if something similar happened to me. My countertops are platinum, and I can't wait to get rid of them. I'll have to look into alligator, although I was also considering artificial turf for my breakfast station.

Im thinking of using the pages from a first edition of The Great Gatsby for my new backsplash. It will tie in with my Southern 'theme' and give me something to stare at while I'm making dinner.

Has no one else thought of using grass cloth as countertop material? It is a beautiful, renewable resource that can be enriched with vegetable-based dyes.

Plus, it adds dietary fiber to all the meals you prepare on the counters. I think we will see a shift from all these cold and impersonal materials, like stainless steel and granite, toward softer things like the grass cloth counters and custom upholstered appliances.

I saw a photo somewhere of a big craft table somebody had made out of kitchen cabinets. The top was plywood wrapped in patterned cloth, with a sheet of glass or Plexiglas on top. It looked great.

So if Bee is putting Plexiglas over her stone countertop, can the rest of us be far behind? Just think of the possibilities. You could change your countertop with the seasons. Vintage Christmas tablecloths! Tatami mats! Purple velvet! Somebody could make a fortune inventing snap-on Plexiglas edgings for it.

' although it can breathe '

hey - I don't want my counter top breathing back at me!

It's a counter! It's a pelvic exam table! It's two, two, two surfaces in one!!!

I think metallics will trending. They can add metal powders to the quartz resins and then polish or texture the surface. Would be stunning with clean, modern cabinetry. They can also do all types of antique patinas which would be gorgeous for more traditional or country kitchens. Also stainless can be done in patterns that don't show scratching. Think the swirl patterns of a David Smith steel sculpture. They can also treat the steel to change the color which would be all the way through the metal. These would also be practical, as well as stunning counters!

I'll try going up to the recycled plastic bag bin at the grocery store-grab a handful,cut them to size and duck tape them in...that'll be cheap and can be replaced when they wear out.

How about Line X or Rhino coated counters? Yes, currently used for pickup beds but No etching or staining on these counters, just hose 'em off! Think how popular they'd be for a "manly" kitchen like mudhouse's moodboard in 'keeping the golden oak'. Definitely would deserve another brewski (ala mudhouse).

Or, if you still want to put 550 degree pizza pans on your counter, how about titanium? Won't dent like SS, hardly even scratches, and soooo light weight on those carbon-fiber cabs!

This *is* a great thread, despite oceangirl's intentions!

cheers

Duct tape? although by now I'm sure it's been done to death.

justmakeit - you know they now make electrical or duct tape in patterns...camo, leopard print...you could really go crazy with it!

We might be misjudging oceangirl67. I just went back and looked at some of her old posts, and they're mostly pretty normal. I think sometimes she's trying to be humorously sarcastic (sardonic?), and the tone doesn't come across right in print.

In any case, I did enjoy this thread immensely. I think linelle's idea of having the paper-covered counter do double duty as an exam table is great! When you're not actually using the stirrups, you could hang your dishtowels in them.

I think you're all just wrong.
I'm tearing my kitchen out because dinner delivery is en vogue.

there.

I say carpet...no clanking dishes...just vacuum and spot clean with Resolve.

Sand.

Feathers.

whatever it is can you make it so kitties stay off?

I'm honestly surprised someone hasn't knit their countertop yet or at least made a "counter cozy"

Memory foam seems to be popular right now.

That Cambria minera looks like black pearl granite. I love it