Selecting worktops for your new handmade kitchen can be challenging. The material needs to be durable and complementary to the overall design of your kitchen. And if sustainability is important to your household, selecting a material for your kitchen worktop with eco-friendly credentials is also a consideration.
Thankfully, we work with our clients when designing their bespoke kitchens at Papilio. So we can guide them to ensure that their new handmade kitchen will have a greener footprint and make less of an impact on the planet. The good news is that many recycled and sustainable materials are perfect for kitchen worktops that look good and last in a busy kitchen environment.
Richlite – Frome Kitchen in Somerset
Richlite is a fantastic, manufactured material made from paper. It is engineered from partially recycled paper and phenolic resin. Developed over seventy years, it has evolved into a premium, nontoxic surface material used by aerospace, extreme sports, marine, food prep and the architecture and design community.
As a result, it is durable, versatile, and looks modern and velvety. As a result, it is ideal in a traditional or contemporary kitchen.
We used Richlite in our Richlite Kitchen project. The kitchen island’s work surface was made from a single sheet of Richlite. The 3mm profile created a refined detail cut with extreme precision that only master cabinet makers like ours can achieve.
Stainless Steel – Contemporary Kitchen in Somerset
The beauty of stainless steel is that it can be recycled an infinite number of times. In addition, it doesn’t need to go through rigorous manufacturing stages, so less fuel is consumed in production.
We used stainless steel in our handmade kitchen design because it is hardwearing, stylish and low maintenance. In addition, it is almost always made from recycled stainless steel, making it eco-friendly.
We used stainless steel in our Contemporary Kitchen project. We designed the sink run worksurfaces using bespoke fabrication in stainless steel, which included a seamless sink and integrated splashback. The sustainable approach also utilised birch-faced ply for the island furniture complimenting the black aluminium window frames and reclaimed hexagonal terracotta floor tiles.
Copper – Mid-Century Kitchen in Somerset
Copper is a wonderful metal ideal for prolonged use in the kitchen. It is naturally antimicrobial, easily recyclable, and creates a stunning finish that changes with time.
Copper was featured in our Mid-Century Kitchen project. The kitchen boasts two kitchen islands, one of which is designated as the food preparation and entertaining area with a row of stools to perch, perfect for informal breakfasts and sharing a bottle of wine. This island has an industrial feel with a metal framework and black cabinetry. Clad in untreated copper, which will patina naturally over time, creating a unique worktop.
Corian – Chef’s Kitchen in Somerset
Corian is another manufactured, solid, non-porous surface material ideal for kitchen countertops. Created by DuPont, it is virtually impossible to stain and requires no maintenance. A sustainable choice for many bespoke kitchens, it meets or exceeds current emissions guidelines for Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs) and is GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified®. In addition, it is nontoxic and nonallergenic to humans and is free of heavy metals. The bonus of Corian is that it looks fantastic and is utilised by many designers and architects.
We used Corian in our Chef’s Kitchen project. The contemporary kitchen was designed and built for the chef of the house. It features a series of island units to increase the functional space in the room and storage. The island cabinets were cloaked in DuPont™ Corian® with up-stands to hide any clutter from the rest of the living environment, and subtly integrated appliances stay true to the sleek minimal design.
