MARVA Blog

Kitchen Countertop Ideas Inspired by 2018 Design Trends

Kitchen Countertop Ideas Inspired by 2018 Design Trends

January 17, 2018

Ultraviolet, oceanic blue, organic materials, mixed period accents: just a few of the exciting new interior design trends in 2018! For lovers of color, mixed patterns, and bringing some old-world charm into a room, get ready to experiment and have fun this year.


Whatever trends you embrace, our stone partners – Antolini, Neolith, and Cambria™ – have designs for your surfaces that will complement your interior design style and add classic, nature-inspired beauty to your home.


Our Natural Stone Partners

Antolini Logo

For unaltered natural stones, such as granite and marble, Antolini Luigi & C is the top producer of quality natural stone. With more than 50 years in the natural stone industry, the Verona, Italy-based company is a worldwide distributor of natural stone, as well as a leader in technology, quality, and customer service. Antolini merges a respect for the history and story of each slab with an openness to outside-the-box thinking that allows the company to grow and advance with new technologies for the natural stone industry. That commitment to technology enables Antolini to offer the highest-quality stones that are perfected using their own exclusive methods.

Cambria™ Logo

Another natural surface option is Cambria™ Quartz, a surface made of 93% natural quartz, one of the hardest minerals on Earth, and 7% resin. All of the 140+ designs are perfected by Cambria™ and embrace the beauty of natural quartz, while enhancing the stone’s durability. Cambria™ products are harder than granite or marble, rated a 7 out of 10 on the Mohs scale, so their surfaces are unlikely to crack or scratch. And since the surfaces are nonporous, Cambria™ quartz doesn’t absorb liquids or food, which can cause staining and bacterial growth within the countertop, resulting in a more hygienic surface.

Neolith Logo

For the most durable, lightweight, maintenance-free surface on the market, Neolith Sintered Compact Surface offers an innovative solution for high-traffic areas. Created by TheSize, in Spain, Neolith products are made from three groups of elements: minerals from granite (quartz and feldspar) which provide the product with hardness and strength; minerals from glass and silica that provide chemical stability; and natural oxides that offer chromatic properties. All of Neolith’s sintered compact surfaces combine the very best natural raw material with state-of-the-art sintering technology, to create high-tech, durable slabs that are resistant to scratching, stains, extreme temperature changes, moisture, high traffic, chemicals, and UV rays.

Antolini, Cambria™, and Neolith have extensive design catalogs, offering a wealth of options to suit your aesthetics and complement today’s hottest design trends.


2018 Trend: Pantone’s Color of the year

Pantone Header

Pantone’s 2018 Color of the Year, Ultra Violet, is described by Pantone as “a dramatically provocative and thoughtful purple shade,” that “communicates originality, ingenuity, and visionary thinking that points us toward the future.” A shade that evokes galaxy imagery, Ultra Violet is a bright blue-toned purple that pairs perfectly with greys, blues, and greens inspired by nature. For Cambria™ selections, Ultra Violet looks serene and calming alongside greys like the Clareanne™ and Queen Anne™ designs, both of which feature linear threads of elegant white veining. Or, go for a bold but harmonious aesthetic by pairing the shade with Kelvingrove™ of Cambria™’s Coastal collection, with its earth tones of taupe, white and robin’s egg blue to create a bouquet of color. Another option is to pair it with the statement-making Annicca™ design from Cambria™’s Marble collection, which features a subtle but regal gold and purple sparkle in the grey veins of the white marble-like background.

Ultra Violet compliments the sweeping grey movement in Neolith’s classic Calacatta design, for a modern twist that incorporates the classic white marble. Or balance out the cool of Ultra Violet with a warm tone like Basalt Beige.

For an exotic color palette inspired by the rainforest, set Ultra Violet alongside Bamboo Green from Antolini’s natural stone catalog, or the jewel-like Galattica Blue granite to complete the galaxy effect.

Featured Designs

Clareanne – Cambria™ Marble Collection - Full Slab

Clareanne – Cambria™ Marble Collection - Full Slab

Queen Anne – Cambria™ Marble Collection - Full Slab

Queen Anne – Cambria™ Marble Collection - Full Slab

Kelvingrove – Cambria™ Coastal Collection - Full Slab

Kelvingrove – Cambria™ Coastal Collection - Full Slab

Annicca – Cambria™ Marble Collection - Full Slab

Annicca – Cambria™ Marble Collection - Full Slab

Bamboo Green VC – Granite - Full Slab

Bamboo Green VC – Granite - Full Slab

Galattica Blue – Granite - Full Slab

Galattica Blue – Granite - Full Slab


2018 Trend: Moderns mixed with classics

Modern Trends Header

Rejecting the almost sterile aesthetic created by brand-new everything, latest design trends mix period pieces with contemporary accents and fixtures, to create a space that has character without feeling dated. Look for functional pieces to embrace the modern – like smart refrigerators in the kitchen and roomy showers with luxurious showerheads in the bathroom – while design staples add a bit of charm from past generations. From retro-chic stools along the breakfast bar in the kitchen, to claw-foot tubs and antique mirrors in the bathroom, there are plenty of ways to bring classic style to your home without sacrificing modern function and convenience.

An easy way to bring old-world glamour to any space is to incorporate white marble. Historical architecture including the Parthenon in Athens, Greece, the Taj Mahal in India, and the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C. are all constructed using marble, and are all regarded as some of the most stunning buildings and structures in the world. This classically beautiful stone has withstood the test of time to become a hallmark of beauty and luxury.

Among the classic Italian whites, there are two dominant styles: Carrara and Calacatta.

Carrara Marble

Carrarra marble, generally the most budget-friendly option, has more fine veining, lending more grey and silver undertones to the entire stone. With less dramatic variation in the different segments, Carrara generally has a more uniform appearance, although you can often find slabs with more dramatic veins.

Calacatta Marble

Calacatta marble, meanwhile, is characterized by large, broad veins and big movement. This style is more dramatic and luxurious, perfect for a fireplace surround or statement kitchen island. Because of the variation, Calacatta marble is best showcased in large applications.

As we’ve discussed in previous blogs, marble can be used in a variety of applications, but may require a bit more maintenance than other stones. MARVA’s design consultants can guide you toward the best marble selection for your project, if you are looking for the unaltered purity of a straight-from-the-earth stone. For a lower-maintenance alternative, both Cambria™ and Neolith offer marble-like designs that can get the look without the upkeep. Ella™, Torquay™, and Brittanicca™ are all among Cambria™’s most popular designs for their interpretation of white marble, with veining ranging from the subtle to the bold to capture the to-die-for elegance of white marble, but with the durability that defines Cambria™ quartz surfaces.

Neolith, meanwhile, offers their Blanco Carrara and Calacatta designs that faithfully mimic the look of the classic marble styles. Each design embodies the beauty of white marble, down to the perfect recreation of each style’s marbling patterns, but with the signature lightweight nature and durability created by the Sintering Technology that Neolith offers.

Featured Designs

White Carrara – Marble - Full Slab

White Carrara – Marble - Full Slab

Calacatta OMG – Marble - Full Slab

Calacatta OMG – Marble - Full Slab

Ella Cambria™ Marble Collection - Full Slab

Ella Cambria™ Marble Collection - Full Slab

Torquay – Cambria™ Marble Collection - Full Slab

Torquay – Cambria™ Marble Collection - Full Slab

Blanco Carrara – Neolith Classtone Collection - Full Slab

Blanco Carrara – Neolith Classtone Collection - Full Slab

Calacatta C01 – Neolith Classtone Collection - Full Slab

Calacatta C01 – Neolith Classtone Collection - Full Slab


2018 Trend: Organic Accent

Organic Header

Indoor plants, natural wood furniture, blooming herb gardens on the windowsill – small elements of the outdoors brought to the interior of the home can make a space feel airy, fresh, and spa-like, which is a welcome retreat for busy modern life! There’s no better way to embrace the trend of organic accent pieces than by using natural stone as a focal point – on countertops, fireplace surrounds, flooring, or accent walls! For that unaltered, perfectly-imperfect look, designs with dramatic veining and variance among the slab demonstrates that it was made by nature rather than by hand. For this effect, embrace natural stone in all its forms – from the earthy brown tones of Amarone granite to the unpredictable veining of Wiskon granite. Homeowners are sometimes concerned that the natural variance in tones from one slab of natural stone to the next, or even within the stone, will keep their design from looking uniform. Instead of fussing over trying to match every bit of your stone, embrace a bit of nature’s chaos by letting that shift take center stage as a testament to the natural beauty in imperfection.

Similarly, opt for white marble with the express intention of letting the bits of wear and damage tell a story with your stone. Some homeowners prefer to think of their countertops like a trusty pair of blue jeans, where each fray and scuff only shows how well-loved their go-to pair of jeans have been.

Enhance the natural characteristics of your stone by opting for a leathered finish. This design option, which is gaining popularity, allows people to experience the stone by touch as much as by appearance, as the surface’s movement mimics the veining of the stone. It also inspires a greater appreciation for the stone, telling the story of how it was formed and how it looked before it was quarried.

Cambria™ quartz surfaces, meanwhile, which have been perfected by man-made innovation, still capture the best of nature in their designs, taking inspiration from Mother Nature and marrying the best that the natural world offers with enhanced durability so that the design always looks pristine. The popular Berwyn™ design embraces dense and earthy shades of creams, grays, and taupes, and was inspired by the peaks and ridges of the rugged mountain range in the northeast of Wales. Cambria™ also offers the one-of-a-kind Moraine Edge profile, which is hand-finished into a rough cut, as though the stone was chiseled straight from the mountain and brought directly to your home.

Similarly, Neolith offers the Classtone line, featuring designs that mimic the look of several natural stone options but with Neolith’s durability and versatility. The Onyx design embraces the glow and warmth of its signature stone, but whereas natural onyx can be easily scratched or marred by acids, harsh cleansers or knives, Neolith’s interpretation is scratch-proof, waterproof, and stain-proof, opening new opportunities for its application. Another popular selection, the Strata Argentum design, embraces the light greys and fine, horizontal veining of silver travertine marble, and is even finished with Neolith’s Riverwashed finish to replicate the original texture of the stone in its purest state.

Featured Designs

Amarone – Granite - Full Slab

Amarone – Granite - Full Slab

Wiskon – Granite - Full Slab

Wiskon – Granite - Full Slab

Berwyn - Cambria™ Waterstone Collection – Full Slab

Berwyn - Cambria™ Waterstone Collection – Full Slab


2018 Trend: Cozy and Inviting

Cozy and Inviting Header

Whereas “open floorplan” has been an HGTV buzzphrase for ages, many homeowners are rediscovering the perks of small, snug areas in a home and looking for ways to create hidden burrows that invite closeness. Makeshift room dividers, reading nooks, and task-specific spaces help to provide an aura of privacy and comfort within these micro-areas. Create a craft nook in the space next to a staircase opening, or set aside a designated corner as a mini-library.

To create this inviting atmosphere, think warm. Soft lighting, tactile surfaces and dressed-down décor make these areas enticing. The tan and beige tones of Fantasy Brown Soft Quartzite impart a not-too-white warmth that can seamlessly match with stained wood flooring or countertops and suit the coziness of a private retreat. For Neolith designs, golden tones like Marfil, with custard-like creamy tone inspired by Ivory Silk marble, create an inviting glow in your favorite nook, with an added bonus of never having to worry about stains from a spilled glass of wine or mug of coffee. And Cambria™, as if anticipating the coming need for cozy designs, recently introduced two new variations on their popular white marble designs: the coppery Brittanicca Gold™ and the off-white Brittanicca Warm™.

For your surfaces, opt for a satiny matte finish to encourage touch and don’t look as intimidating as glossy polish sometimes can. With perfect timing, Cambria™ recently expanded its Cambria™ Matte finish option to its entire catalog of 140+ designs for a casual twist on any quartz surface. Neolith also offers two variations on a matte finish, aptly named Satin and Silk, for a tactile finish that is either completely flat (satin) or semi-matte (silk) while easy to clean.  Similarly, most natural stone designs offered by MARVA can be honed to the homeowner’s preferred finish, from flat matte to a subtle shine.

Featured Designs

Fantasy Brown – Soft Quartzite - Full Slab

Fantasy Brown – Soft Quartzite - Full Slab

Marfil – Neolith Classtone Collection - Full Slab

Marfil – Neolith Classtone Collection - Full Slab

Brittanicca Warm – Cambria™ Marble Collection - Full Slab

Brittanicca Warm – Cambria™ Marble Collection - Full Slab

Brittanicca Gold – Cambria™ Marble Collection - Full Slab

Brittanicca Gold – Cambria™ Marble Collection - Full Slab

The best part about any home is that it is unique to those who live in it. Trends may offer a common thread of design elements, but every house will be tailored to the comfort and satisfaction of its inhabitants. Whether you want to paint an entire room with the trendy Color of the Year, or embrace trends in small doses, MARVA’s design consultants can help you find the perfect stone surface to complete your vision.


Explore Your Options with MARVA's Products

To explore your options for the many design options that MARVA offers, view our product section here.

If you are requiring samples for a Homeowner or for a Commercial Project, please submit your requests here.

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