Al Fresco and Natural Stone, Perfect Together
What started as a trend during the rise of staycations spawned by the Great Recession, outdoor kitchens continue to pop up in backyards across America, especially where weather tends to be more moderate. From cooktops and kitchen counter space to full sinks and pizza ovens, Americans are loving the idea of bringing the indoors out.
A common design thread in many of these al fresco kitchens is natural stone and tile, tying together elements with elegance and style, and lending durability to deal with Mother Nature year after year.
As featured in the summer issue of Stone Advisory Magazine, the winner of the prestigious 2015 Chrysalis National Award for Outdoor Living was a backyard retreat in Beverly Hills, CA designed by ARCH — Interiors, that features natural stone throughout. The Costa Esmeralda granite countertop with an oversized bullnose edge, detailed with a mosaic jade marble at the base is stunning—especially at night with the under-counter lighting.
Designers agree that granite countertops can be your best bet for outdoor kitchens. Each slab is original, they not very vulnerable to scratching and granite should not fade in the sun. Plus, your granite can be polished to a shine or honed to a matte finish—whatever works best with your design. It is worth noting that a lot of granite slabs these days are resined at the factory to give them additional strength, but the resins in the stone could be vulnerable to UV rays, so they may not do well in outdoor kitchens. That’s why it’s important to work with a reputable, knowledgeable fabricator and/or installer.
Elite Outdoor Kitchens in Orlando, FL has been busy installing fully-appointed outdoor kitchens that offer added convenience by allowing for storage; no more running in and out of the house. As for design appeal, Elite believes it’s all about natural stone.
"We prefer to use natural stone opposed to man made,” says Elite’s John Digioia. “The cost is relatively the same, but the look of natural stone, like quartzite and multicolored slate, really can't be matched.”