I believe this bench top is by Halifax Vogel and is known as crea style AR + gloss finish the colour name is everest. I can't be 100% as your image is not clear close up, but I'm almost 100. I will say, from experience in kitchen fit outs, 1000s actually, complementing a dating bench top won't save money, they have to remove the existing top to join the new section regardless, this is time and money on site,often dearer than just removing it and measuring for a new modern decor. Go with a new bench too selection, so it is worth your effort extending your kitchen, invest in a new top and treat it as an investment. If you don't and the end result is not great you risk losing money on this kitchen.

Understand that "Corian" is only one particular brand of acrylic benchtop, like as with reconstituted stone and laminate material, people often refer to it by the name of the most popular brand name, but their are always different levels and tiers of quality across an array of different companies that manufacture this type of bench top material. We regularly utilise and specific acrylic bench top material on our projects such as below. It's the most seamless and malleable bench top material from a design point of view than any of the other options available. Most of our higher end projects choose to go with it and for good reason, and we've never had an issue with it. Any defects can be relatively easily repaired, the success of which is not so much in regards to the quality of the material, but rather the contractors who work with and install it. So if anyone's had issues it can typically be pegged back to a workmanship or fitting issue, or potentially on a rare occasion if there's an actual defect with the material/product it should be replaced properly/completely rather than just patched up. www.pauldistefanodesign.com

Hi Carolyn, That's correct - marble is very porous and needs to be sealed every 12 months. Nowadays, there's a huge range of reconstituted stone options that require much less upkeep, but will still add that level of sophistication and class to your Hampton's style kitchen that you're looking for. Give Lithostone Calacatta Gold some consideration - our clients are loving it at the moment! Below are some photos of a project still underway (bear with me on photo quality), but it may help as they've also opted for Hampton's style and have used Lithostone Calacatta Gold as there benchtop (and splashback). If you have some time, check out our project St Kilda Apartment #2 which uses the same benchtop colour/material - Lithostone Quartz Surfaces have some great shots, too. Hope this helps, good luck with your project! Kitchens by Matric

Hi! Number one is to make a space that makes YOU happy and works for YOUR family. Second - having sink or stove on the island means it is front and centre all the time, if cleanliness is something that worries you, then perhaps this isnt the best option. Third - I have seen bench top materials that mean a stove top can be seamlessly integrated underneath, this would solve the presentation issue as it would look like regular part of the bench and be easier to clean than a regular stove top Fourth - What is the layout of your space? Is through the kitchen used as a walk way for little ones? I always recommend that the stove be where the least amount of foot traffic occurs, to the side and out of the way! Good luck