Trends New Zealand Volume 34 No 5 | Page 85

The look of luxury The look of marble or granite takes your design to the next level – and Smartstone offers just that at an affordable price There are a number of options when choosing the benchtops in your kitchen, laundry or bath- room – but nothing makes a bigger impact than the look of richly veined stone. Importing natural stone such as marble from Italy will cost a small fortune, but there’s another way to achieve this luxury look that’s kinder to your bank account. Smartstone presents the ideal refined bench- top surface to lift any room in your home, says Smartstone NZ sales manager Doug Angove. “The names of our Smartstone options – such as Statuario Venato, Calacatta Blanco and Nero Astral – reflect the look of the veined patterning in these game-changing engineered surfaces.” Smartstone surfaces are created using the latest advanced technologies to achieve the most natural looking surfaces available in engineered stone. They’re composed of a minimum of 93% natural quartz – one of the hardest materials on the planet – with resins used as a binding agent, and pigments. And it’s this make-up that gives Smartstone such an advantage over stones such as marble or granite – boasting superior strength and durability, lower moisture absorption and a high resistance to heat, scratches and stains. Smartstone surfaces are offered in four price points – so there’s an option for every budget – and an array of 31 colours and several slab sizes. These surfaces also tick all the boxes in terms of superior hygiene and are fully compliant with the International Health and Safety Foundation standards as being safe for food environments. Established in 2002, Smartstone has a solid reputation for quality, sustainability and value and is specified by architects, interior designers and kitchen designers throughout Australasia. For further details, contact Smartstone NZ, phone 0800 255 556, email: info@smartstone. co.nz, or head online: www.smartstone.co.nz see more online: search 229121253 at Trendsideas.com Left: This eye-catching kitchen, by designer Kim Primrose, features Smartstone Bianco Molasa. The marble-look veined patterning in the island countertop is continued down the waterfall side to elegant effect. Above: Strategic grooves in the Bianco Molasa Smartstone benchtop creates effective, stylish drainage. Smartstone surfaces are offered in a variety of thicknesses to suite every designer’s and homeowner’s tastes. search | save | share at