Welcome to Week 7 of the One Room Challenge – or I should probably say, Update 7 at this point – where we talk about our magnificent countertops from HanStone! With everything going on in the world right now, we were all given a two week extension to finish up our projects and because of the scale of our project, we took them! But if you’ve been following along on my Instagram stories, you’ll know that I’ll be sharing Update 7, Update 8 and the final reveal all within the next THREE DAYS! YAHOO! The end is near, friends!
If you haven’t read our previous updates, make sure to catch up before reading this one!
Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4| Week 5 | Week 6
We have wanted quartz countertops for a long time. My sister and parents were the first ones to introduce us to quartz when they put it in their homes a number of years ago. In our last home, we had selected granite from the builder, but we quickly learned that it was somewhat problematic in a kitchen setting. We found that it would stain easily and it chipped in a number of places. So we knew that when it came to renovating this kitchen, quartz was going to be our go-to option.
Today we are THRILLED to share with our insanely beautiful quartz countertops from our friends at HanStone Quartz. As their gorgeous new website so eloquently states, HanStone Quartz is “distinctly beautiful, naturally Canadian.” They are division of Hyundia L&C Canada located in London, Ontario and are the only quartz manufacturers in Ontario. HanStone is considered one of the best in class when it comes to quartz production, selecting only the best quartz and using locally sourced, raw materials to manufacture their slabs, which are available across North America.
HanStone Quartz countertops are made of 93% natural quartz and are non-porous (no sealing required), making the surfaces luxurious, durable and low maintenance. They are heat, scratch and stain resistant which makes them such a great choice for kitchens and bathrooms.
It’s interesting to note that quartz is actually one of the hardest components of natural granite. The only materials harder are diamonds, sapphires and topaz. It’s also one of the Earths most common mineral, making up 12% of the Earths crust. This is what makes using quartz a natural and eco-friendly choice!
When it comes to colour options for quartz, HanStone has 46 to choose from, including two different collections: Boutique & Unearthed. When I visited their showroom in Vaughan this past September (which is gorgeous), I was immediately drawn to the boutique collection. It had a mix of both a modern look with a vintage feel.
We ultimately decided on the colour Chantilly, which by its description is like fine lace – a modern classic with feathery charcoal veins against a crisp, white background. With our lower cabinets being blue, that charcoal colour (which ends up looking more blue in our space) matched perfectly!
As you can see, we had A LOT of countertop space to fill, so we ended up needing four slabs of the quartz, especially after we decided to do a waterfall on both sides of the island. Just as the word describes, a waterfall kitchen island is when the countertops cascade over the edge of the counters and drop down to the floors. This look is becoming more and more popular in the design world as kitchens have become more a gathering place for families therefore elevating these spaces to more sophisticated designs. It sets the islands apart as a focal point, almost like it’s a piece of fancy furniture on display!
I won’t lie, when the island was first installed, I couldn’t believe how insanely huge it was! Adding the waterfall on both ends, as well as a breakfast bar overhang, I was a little taken back by how grand it all felt. But the longer I’ve lived with the space, the more I’ve fallen in love with how it’s all coming together. And these countertops are absolutely a complete showstopper when you first walk in!
Our dream from the moment we bought this home was always to have a big space where our friends and family could gather around food. Now with this kitchen, specifically with this incredible island, we are one step closer to having it filled with those we love most, celebrating around food and drinks!
That’s it for today friends. Make sure to come back tomorrow to see our sink reveal and then Monday for our GRAND REVEAL! Eeeek! I can’t wait!
Love & Blessings,
Christine
Note: This post was sponsored by HanStone Canada where I have received product and/or compensation in exchange for my honest review. As always, the thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.
