As the saying goes in property, kitchens sell houses. As the very heart of the home’s activity hub, so many family memories are made around the kitchen bench, says property developer Obaid Naqebullah. When it comes to kitchen design, it’s often the selection of bench finishes that define the style elements of the cooking hub. From classic Italian marble, and endurable granite, to the emergence of crystalline silica and mineral composites from game changing brands like Caesarstone, Obaid Naqebullah says there have been many safe and stylish innovations in stone design.

When Caesarstone replaced its terrazzo tile factory in 1987, it was quartz surfaces for kitchen, bathroom and laundry countertops that it pursued as one of the latest trends in home design.

Caesarstone revolutionised stone design for home renovations, providing a more cost effective and maintenance free alternative to luxury marble. The company marketed four collections including Classico, Supernatural, Motivo and Concetto which went on to be sold in more than 50 countries around the world.

The evolution of stone design like the engineered products from Caesarstone have delivered modern kitchens that are beautiful and practical in equal measure – capturing the beauty of natural materials like marble but adding the durability of manufactured quartz which is resistant to cracks, scratches, and stains. Since Caesarstone quartz countertops are non-porous, they're also easy to clean – making them popular for busy families wanting to reduce their workload.

Since Australia enforced a ban on engineered stone containing crystalline silica from July 1 2024, Caesarstone has ensured customers that the surface remains safe in your home – emphasising that it is the fabrication process where stonemasons can be exposed to the fine crystalline silica particles that have posed the danger.

Obaid Naqebullah says new crystalline silica-free formulations are now being launched, which are said to retain the same functional performance of the current stone products. “Mineral surfaces are fast replacing the current materials, prized not just for their beauty and durability, but for their status as being crystalline silica free,” says Obaid, who says clients are embracing the shift towards stone finishes that are both safe and stylish.

Porcelain is another favored selection as part of the evolution of Caesarstone’s products, famed for its high heat structure and superior durability – allowing you to cut directly on the surface, or place a boiling pot on the benchtop without worry. 

Many of the Porcelain colours recreate the look of marble, with choices such as Circa, Snowdrift and Archetta replicating the calcite in natural marble, overlaying with delicate, smoky grey vein that seem to dissolve into the stone.