I just love the concrete bench top. There are not a lot of comments around about practicality though. What are you going for?

I like industrial but the domination of concrete and timber needs to be balanced For one the bench is too blocky almost looking like an open tomb. Balance with a natural stone (granite ?) bench top. Then the timber choice is gorgeous but there is too much Consider adding warmth and softness with Porters liquid copper and patina green as a feature wall decorated with tallish leafy plants The timber ceiling is good. Lightly coloured clear glass pendants over the kitchen bench will create an inviting atmosphere and finally brightly coloured stools to accent the space colours of red green etc With compliments Pat 4 Interior Design Canberra

Hi All, It sounds like tumeric and grease are the worst culprits for staining. We are looking to put the Cloudburst in our kitchen as our island and backsplash, but I'm very nervous. I love to cook and host. I also LOVE the look of this stone and would like to make it work if we can. Are there any bakers on this thread that have experience with these countertops? If you are rolling out dough or baking with greasy dough, how has that experience been? What if you get butter/oil on it? Any tips? Do you cover the counter before doing your baking etc.? I imagine beet juice would also be a nightmare?

Hi Rachel,a plain slab melamine door is hardly a profile. To me it reads as just a material selection. So yes, I think mixing the two door styles of shaker and slab is perfectly fine, it's a bit like thinking of the slab doors as background and shaker doors as feature. Especially if you select a matt finish. You could think of it in fashion terms as the shaker doors are your wow factor jacket or top, handles jewellery and the matt black slab a classic pair of denim jeans. Can look a lot more interesting than a full on pant suit:)