Carrara Gioia Quartz
The countertops in our kitchen are one of the most asked-about elements from our remodel, so I wanted to share more about why we chose quartz and how we made our decision. Choosing countertops can be overwhelming, so I hope our process offers useful insight.
Early in the design stage we weighed many options: wood, marble, quartz, concrete, and combinations of materials. Because our kitchen gets intense sun at certain times of day, we ruled out wood due to concerns about fading and cracking and because it might read too dark in the space. We also eliminated concrete once we chose concrete-look porcelain floors, and decided against mixing materials because the kitchen is compact and a consistent, streamlined surface felt most cohesive.
I love the look of marble and have used it before in bathrooms. It develops a lovely patina with age, but it is also sensitive to stains and etching. We once had a memorable incident when a child left a red popsicle on the counter and it left a faint pink etch that never fully disappeared. I didn’t mind the mark, but my husband prefers a lower-maintenance surface, especially since he cooks with ingredients like beets that can stain or etch real marble.
Because we wanted fewer worries and easier care, we decided quartz was the right choice for this kitchen. We had quartz in our previous home and appreciated its durability and ease of maintenance. Quartz is an engineered stone that offers strength and consistency while still achieving beautiful, natural-looking patterns.
In our last house we used Caesarstone Organic White because it kept the countertops visually simple and didn’t compete with the lively grain of our hickory floors. For this home, with its concrete-look tile floors, I wanted a marble alternative that brought contrast and a softer, grayer palette—nothing too shiny, too stark, or too yellow. I was looking for a subtle, random veining rather than an obvious repeat pattern.
Finding the right quartz took time. Many slabs had patterns that looked too busy or colors that didn’t suit the home. We also needed a 2cm thickness so the countertops would fit neatly beneath the windows without modifying cabinet heights. I had previously favored thicker marble edges, but after researching and visualizing the space, I realized the thinner 2cm slabs would work beautifully and create the seamless look I wanted.
We almost gave up until our contractor suggested Carrara Gioia Quartz from Daltile. I hadn’t realized Daltile offered quartz, so we visited a warehouse to see the slabs in person. The Carrara Gioia option delivered the subtle veining and the grayer tone we wanted, and the 2cm slabs were available in stock, allowing us to pick the best pieces without a long wait.
My vision included a continuous run of counter around the corner of the kitchen, creating an uninterrupted expanse that makes the small kitchen feel larger and more functional. Even though the kitchen isn’t large, the seamless counters enhance the sense of space and provide practical workspace.
We’ve lived with the Carrara Gioia quartz for five months and remain very happy with the choice. The surface is easy to clean and maintain; we use a plant-based cleaner for routine care. The quartz provides the marble look we wanted with far less worry about etching or staining.
Are you looking for new countertops?
Have you tried quartz?
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