Choosing countertops was one of the biggest decisions we made during the renovation of the IDCO Lake House. They are a big expense and one of the most-touched surface in the home, so getting them right feels really important! I am drawn to natural stone, and it was a big part of my initial inspiration for the Lake House kitchen, but something about it gave me pause. We have honed marble in our Austin kitchen and I love it, but part of our long-term goal for the lake house is make it available to friends and family and possibly renters, so we wanted a material that would be easy to care for and super durable.

Revisit the lake house reveals:

Entryway +  Dining Room + Kitchen + Primary Bedroom + Living Room + Exterior + Bunk Room

 

 

Why Choose Quartz?

Until I started shopping, I didn’t fully understand what a ‘quartz countertop’ was. Quartz is a broad term that encompasses many counters that are engineered using the natural raw mineral, quartz, transforming it into a super-durable surface. The result is a dense, nonporous material that is harder and stronger than natural stone. Since it is nonporous, it doesn’t host bacteria or mildew and it’s impervious to stains. It’s also heat- and scratch-resistant, which makes it easy to use and clean and virtually maintenance-free.

I looked at dozens of samples from several vendors before settling on Casaerstone’s Arabetto 5171. We chose 3cm slabs (we used three total) to give it some visual weight, and wrapped the backsplash up the wall and topped it with a single open shelf. The backsplash made the Caesarstone a textural focal-point of the kitchen, which I love. And the single shelf is on-trend but still feels really classic.

 

 

How it’s working for us

We just celebrated our one-year anniversary with the lake house. Of course, the finished kitchen hasn’t been in use for quite that long, but it’s still gotten tons of action, especially now that we are into summer entertaining mode. The Caesarstone is a dream! We just use common-sense cleaning methods like wiping any wet stains as soon as possible and using a little soap and water on anything stubborn. I love that I don’t have to explain a complicated routine to our guests or worry if I am not the one doing the washing-up. Even with many different folks in the kitchen, they still look as lovely as the day they were installed. 

I’m so, so happy we decided to remove most of the upper cabinetry and run the same material up the wall as a backsplash. Not only does it reflect light so nicely (a bonus since we have black cabinetry!), it’s easier to care for than a tile backsplash with grout lines, and is much more wipeable than a painted surface.

 

 

Besides their easy clean-up, I love the Caesarstone countertop’s polished look within this space.

 

 

 

SHOP THE LAKE HOUSE KITCHEN

 

Bar Stools: Serena & Lily

Lighting: Hudson Valley Lighting

Floating Shelf Brackets: Etsy

Floating Shelf: Custom DIY

Wall Color: Greek Villa SW 7551

Lower Cabinets Color: Tricorn Black SW 6258

Drawer Pulls: Rejuvenation

Countertops: Caesarstone Arabetto 5171

Faucet: Perrin & Rowe

Stove: Verona 36” Freestanding Electric Range (matte black)

Vent: Verona 34″ Convertible Range Hood Insert

Dishwasher: Verona 24″ Built-in Dishwasher

Refrigerator: Verona French Door Refrigerator

Woven Glasses: Jenni Kayne (code IDCO15 to save 15%)

Leather Vase: Amber Interiors (code Anastasia15 to save 15%)

Vintage Art: Etsy

Styling Books: Sunday Suppers + COI + Bread is Gold

HVAC Vent Covers: Stella Air

Bamboo Roman Shade: Amazon

Floors: Palka Signature by Flooret (code IDCO33 for 33% off samples)

 

For more IDCO Lake House content, have a look at these posts:

• Paint Colors at the IDCO Lake House
• Rug Selection in the IDCO Lake House
• Why We Chose Flooret LVP
• My Lake House Serena & Lily Reviews
• The Exterior Design Plan
• The Entry Design Plan
• The Kitchen Design Plan
• The Living Room Design Plan

 

Photography: Madeline Harper for IDCO Studio