Happy Christmas

Happy Christmas 

& 

Best Wishes for the New Year 

from all at DWS

Glasgow Christmas Market

If you haven't already visited, then for all our Scottish customers (and those willing to travel!) I can recommend this year's Glasgow Christmas market. If you are keen to get that 'Christmassy' feeling then this is the place to go. With the smells and sounds of Christmas in the air you can't fail to capture it.  There's a selection of fresh, homemade meals and drinks from gourmet burgers to Dutch pancakes and some of the Christmas staples like hot ginger punch or a warming hot chocolate.

You have a couple of days left to sample some of these lovely treats or pick up a last minute gift from the charming artisan stalls. 

This year's Glasgow Christmas Market will open until 23 December and is once again located in St Enoch Square.

Christmas Market Opening Hours

Monday to Wednesday     10am - 8pm
Thursday to Saturday      10am - 9pm
Sunday                         10am - 6pm

If you don't make it to the market or even if you do, make your next stop George Square to see the wonderful tree, Nativity scene and Christmas lights. Have a go on the carousel and giant helter skelter and dust off your ice skates for a whizz round the wintry ice rink.

NEW YEAR SALE

NEW YEAR SALE STARTS NOW!

70% OFF ON SELECTED KITCHEN WORKTOPS

Corian® Apollo® Magna, Apollo® Quartz, Siletone® & Zodiaq Quartz

Get in early to benefit from our massive New Year discounts and treat yourself to a new kitchen worktop for 2014!

* While Stocks Last
* Call experienced team now on 0845 600 5512
* email info@dws-uk.com
* Nationwide Installation Service
* Nationwide Delivery Service

Advent

Advent is the next season to come round in this year's fast progressing calendar. This period from the 1st December to Christmas Eve signifies the preparation of the celebration of the coming of Jesus.  Usually advent will involve chocolate calendars and lighting candles and will almost certainly mean a turning of people's thoughts and plans towards the Christmas period. Christmas shopping, work nights out, family gatherings and of course the decorations.  It's always an exciting time of year when December comes and we can feel it's officially ok to start the festivities. Of course we can't avoid the shops looking festive a lot sooner than this!

Thanksgiving Day

Across the pond in the United States yesterday, Thanksgiving Day was celebrated. A chance for Americans to give thanks for the blessing of the harvest and of the preceding year.

Prayers of thanks and special thanksgiving ceremonies are common among almost all religions after harvests and at other times.The Thanksgiving holiday's history in North America is rooted in English traditions dating from the Protestant Reformation. It also has aspects of a harvest festival, even though the harvest in New England occurs well before the late-November date on which the modern Thanksgiving holiday is celebrated.

On a more modern note, we hear of people giving thanks for what they have in their lives.  It seems such a shame and an irony that we then read in the press of the events of Black Friday, taking place today. The name seems very apt as there's a dark side to this American tradition, which has now crept into UK high streets. "Black Friday" is a commercial invention referring to the post celebration sales in which American stores offer massive reductions on goods. This comes just in time for the Christmas shopping period therefore can lead to some rather zealous behaviour! We read of spending frenzies, unmanageable crowds, chaos, injuries and even deaths as a result of this obsession with having more and more material possessions.

It seems such a shame that one day we can be counting our blessings for what we have then the next day going to any lengths to get our hands on the that reduced price flat screen TV or mobile phone...you get the idea! A celebration of giving thanks for what we've been blessed with has been turned into an exercise of getting more!

Sometimes we forget what we're celebrating and the actual celebrations become our focus.  

Pretty placemats

Everyone wants to go the extra mile to make their house look festive at Christmas and what's more festive than dressing your dining table accordingly. There are stunning ranges of crockery and table decorations in the shops at the moment from the major department stores and supermarkets to small home boutiques.

I particularly like the Scandenavian look with the red and white prints, snowflakes and reindeer, for a bit of fun.

There's also the luxury look, using golds and glitter.

The possibiities are endless when it comes to what you can use or even make when decorating your table. Candles, glitter, baubles, foliage, even fake snow can be used for that winter wonderland look. Why not get crafty and make simple but effective napkin holders using a bunch of cinnamon sticks or a stunning centre piece using gold and red Christmas tree baubles presented in a pretty glass or ceramic bowl. 

Countdown to Christmas

Order your kitchen worktops now to have them installed in time for cooking the Christmas dinner! Create a magical look this Christmas with a worktop from the Discount Worktop Store to wow your friends and family.

We offer great discounts on Corian, quartz, granite, Zodiaq, Apollo and solid surface worktops, with hundreds of gorgeous colours to choose from.

Firework Code

The sound of fireworks have filled the air this weekend. Despite the bad weather there were still plenty of spectacular displays to behold. The downside of the 5th of November celebrations however are the 

numerous accidents that occur involving fireworks.  

Below is a list of firework safety dos and don'ts which will help to keep the sparkle in your night!

1. Plan your firework display to make it safe and enjoyable.
2. Keep fireworks in a closed box and use them one at a time.
3. Read and follow the instructions on each firework using a torch if necessary.
4. Light the firework at arm's length with a taper and stand well back.
5. Keep naked flames, including cigarettes, away from fireworks.
6. Never return to a firework once it has been lit.
7. Don't put fireworks in pockets and never throw them.
8. Direct any rocket fireworks well away from spectators.
9. Never use paraffin or petrol on a bonfire.
10. Make sure that the fire is out and surroundings are made safe before leaving.

For your enjoyment, if you'd rather stay out of the cold, the video below shows the biggest firework display of all time (Guinness World Records 2012). This took place in the much warmer climes of Kuwait.

 

Halloween's coming

Love it or hate it, Halloween is hard to avoid with the shops awash with spooky items. However you choose to celebrate 31st October, there is one tradition that will generally precede all festivities. The self-carved Jack o'lantern is something of a Halloween custom, but how will you make yours stand out from the crowd? Here are our top 10 tips for giving your pumpkin a touch of magic...

1. Choose your pumpkin wisely 

The lines on the skin could be a witch's wrinkles while a misshapen squash could provide a distinctly different canvas.

2. Use a template to perfect your spooky design 

Create your own or find inspiration from the many websites dedicated to pumpkin styling. Secure your chosen design to the front of your pumpkin and carefully trace the image by poking holes along the lines. Once finished remove the template and gently carve. Voilà!

3. Create some eerie shadows by carving another pattern into the back of your pumpkin

Place next to a wall, light from the inside and watch your design come to life.

4. Put some flame-retardant coloured tissue paper just behind the front face of your pumpkin to create a coloured filter 

Make sure you're lighting your pumpkin with a torch rather than a naked flame though!

5. Try shaving parts of your pumpkin rather than cutting all the way through 

This will give your design a two-tone effect and add depth.

6. Use everyday items from around the house to bring your pumpkin to life 

Create a face from nuts and bolts, use white reflective tape as bandages or simply chop off the top and add flowers for your own spooky vase!

7. Painting your pumpkin can work wonderfully, especially if you want to keep little hands away from sharp objects 

They'll also look great in the daytime. Either paint on a design or use to add accents to an already carved squash.

8. Shun the traditional orange pumpkin for a ghoulish green variety... or why not try your hand at transforming a watermelon?

The process is the same but it will certainly make your neighbours look twice!

9. Make your pumpkin shine from the inside out

Use multicoloured Christmas lights to add a new dimension to simple styles or try a red bicycle light, set to flash, for a really sinister touch.

10. Funny faces and ghoulish grins not your thing?

Try making simple shapes like stars or creatures with cookie cutters or use an apple corer or drill bits to add polka dots for a more grown-up pumpkin.

Don't forget to use the inside of your pumpkin to create delicious dishes!

Credits: Adapted from BBC GoodFood article

DWS baby!

The DWS team welcomed a new baby last week! Naomi Amelia was born on Friday 20th September and all at DWS are delighted with her arrival.

Rain, rain, don't go away

With the recent weather forecasts of gale force winds and heavy rain, the following statement may start to become more and more familiar as September continues..."Mum, it's raining outside again and I've nothing to do. I'm bored.”

Bad weather can put a damper on anyone’s plans, especially kids, but on the bright side, rainy days provide children with the opportunity to discover new skills and get creative. Here are some fun and interactive rainy day activities for kids, courtesy of Asda magazine, designed to inspire learning and discovery.

1. For the Designer: Decorate an apron 

Cooking in the kitchen can be messy. It doesn't have to be though, with a custom-designed apron intended to not only keep children’s clothes clean, but also to keep them stirring in style. They can sketch out their own pattern using their favourite colours.

2. For the Artist: Make a placemat 

Kids can create their own personalised placemats from a variety of household items such as paper, magazines, recipes and pictures of their favourite foods. Encourage kids to write their names, draw pictures or customise their creations however they like. Afterwards, these original pieces can be laminated to serve as the perfect place settings.

3. For the Writer: Construct a menu 

Thinking of ideas for wholesome meals no longer has to feel like a chore. If your children are picky eaters, why not let them decide what to eat for dinner? In addition to compiling a list of great mains and side dishes, kids can make it even more fun by adding colours and drawing pictures of the food on the menu. 

4. For the Budding Chef: Create new recipes 

Children are adventurous by nature. Let their creative side show in the kitchen with new recipe ideas that will expand their horizons. Thinking of new flavour combinations, pairings and innovative dishes not only serves as a great learning experience, but is a great chance to socialise and interact with other children.

Selling Houses

I love 'Sarah Beeny's Selling Houses' which gives tips on how best to show off your house for selling.  

Sarah Beeny describes the programme on her Channel 4 Scrapbook page..."I'm helping homeowners battle it out to sell their properties, by giving them the unique chance to look around each other's homes for inspiration. They then have a week and £1000 to make changes and attract a buyer." 

What I have noticed through catching up on the programme on 4oD is that kitchens are so important to buyers today and it's becoming more of a lifestyle must to have the right kitchen.  A popular demand is the dining kitchen which suits today's modern family/social life. What is a true necessity though is that buyers can see that a kitchen is well finished and they won't have to do a lot to it to bring it up to standard on moving in to a new property. 

A really common way to spruce up a kitchen without spending a fortune is to replace worktops and  perhaps cupboard doors to give the room a whole new style or colour scheme. Providing the layout of the kitchen works well, you don't need to buy a new kitchen as the existing carcases are the perfect blank canvas for these additions. 

Add to this a paint job and some quick styling and you've just given your once tired and 'lived-in' kitchen a new lease of life, for a fraction of the cost of a new one.

As Sarah always says, it may seem silly spending money on a property you're moving out of but a small budget can go a long way to increasing your house or flat's saleability.

All the leaves are brown (soon!!)

Autumn is just around the corner and there's definitely that distinctive nip in the air.  Who can complain though with the amazing summer we had!?  I actually quite like Autumn with it's bright, crisp, chilly days and getting the cosy clothes out.

I've selected three yummy Autumn recipes which will make the coming season all the better.

Cheesy autumn mushrooms

Ingredients
• 4 large field mushrooms
• 100g gorgonzola or other blue cheese, crumbled
• 25g walnuts, toasted and roughly chopped
• 4 thyme sprigs
• knob butter, cut into small pieces
• rocket leaves, to serve
Method
1. Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Arrange the mushrooms on a baking tray. Scatter over the cheese, walnuts, thyme sprigs and butter. You can do up to this stage a day in advance.
2. Pop in the oven and cook for 10 mins until the cheese is melted and the mushrooms are softened. Arrange some rocket leaves on plates and place the mushrooms on top.


Autumn vegetable soup with cheesy toasts

Ingredients
• 1 leek, chopped quite small
• 2 carrots, chopped quite small
• 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
• 1 potato, chopped quite small
• 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh rosemary
• ½ tsp sugar
• 410g can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 3 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
• 2 x 400g cans chopped Italian tomatoes
• 425ml/¾ pint vegetable stock
For the toasts
• 8 slices of baguette, cut on the diagonal
• 1 garlic clove, cut in half
• 50g edam, finely grated
Method
1. Put the vegetables into a large saucepan with the garlic, rosemary, stock and sugar. Season well, stir, bring to a simmer and cover. Cook gently for 15 minutes or until the vegetables are just tender.
2. Preheat the grill to high. Whizz the tomatoes in a food processor or blender until smooth, then tip into the vegetables with the chickpeas and parsley. Gently heat through, stirring now and then.
3. For the toasts: rub both sides of the bread with the garlic. Grill on one side until golden, turn the bread over, cover with edam and grill until it’s bubbling. Serve at once with the piping hot soup.


Plum & almond crumble slice

Ingredients
• 250g pack butter (this must be very cold)
• 225g caster sugar
• 300g ground almonds
• 140g plain flour, plus 25g/1oz
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp baking powder
• approx 6 plums, stoned and cut into sixths
• 50g flaked almonds
Method
1. Heat oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. Butter and line a 20 x 30cm baking tin with baking paper. Put the butter, sugar and ground almonds into a food processor, then pulse until the mixture resembles very rough breadcrumbs. Spoon out half the mix into a bowl and set aside.
2. Add 140g flour into the mix in the processor and whizz until it just forms a dough. Tip into the tin and press down with the back of a spoon. Bake for 15-20 mins until golden. Leave to cool for 10 mins.
3. To make the filling, put the remaining butter and the sugar and almond mix back into the processor, saving a few tbsp for the topping. Add the eggs, the 25g flour, cinnamon and baking powder and whizz to a soft batter. Spread over the base.
4. Top with the plum pieces and a little extra caster sugar and cinnamon. Bake for 20 mins, then sprinkle with the remaining crumble mix and flaked almonds. Cook for another 20 mins or until golden. Leave to cool in the tin before slicing.

BBC GoodFood magazine

Introducing...

DWS are very pleased to be adding another product to the website this week.  Maia is a beautiful solid surface worktop that is designed to be fitted by customers, kitchen fitters, builders etc. In other words, it's one of our 'DIY' products that comes in prefabricated sizes.

Check out the benefits of this stylish range below and you can see swatches of the contemporary colours available at this link http://www.maiaworksurfaces.co.uk/colours/

"Maia Worksurfaces is a stylish and durable range of solid surface kithchen worktops supplied by DWS. Seamless joins and a silky smooth finish make Maia’s designer worksurfaces a luxurious addition to your home.

Maia Care

Maia solid surface kitchen worktops come with a ten-year guarantee*, and are supported by the FIRA Gold Award for product excellence – this is testimony to the fact we only use the most superior materials, and our products are constantly tested to ensure they are manufactured to the highest possible standards.
*Guarantee covers manufacturing, not installation.

Maia solid surface worktops have been developed to be used in the domestic environment – particularly the kitchen. Although no ‘special’ maintenance is needed we recommend the following is adhered to, as prevention is always better than cure.

Routine Cleaning

Maia solid surface kitchen worktops do not require any specialist cleaning regimes – most dirt and light residue will easily wipe away with a damp cloth and soapy water. The worksurface should then be rinsed with clean water and wiped dry. Persistent marks can be removed by using a mild-abrasive cleaner, but harsh scouring powders should be avoided. If in doubt, consult our care and maintenance guide.

Heat

Maia solid surface kitchen worktop surfaces will withstand heat better than many alternative surface materials. However, all hot pots, pans and other heat generating devices should always be placed upon a trivet or worktop protector rods, to prevent extreme heat having prolonged and direct contact with the surface. Boiling water and cooking splashes do not harm the surface

Staining

Maia solid surface kitchen worktops, unlike marble and granite, will resist most household chemicals including alcohol and cosmetics however, some chemicals and strong dyes can cause damage and discolouration. If spillage occurs wipe off immediately and rinse area thoroughly.

Minor Scratching

Kitchen utensils and crockery (particularly the unglazed bases) can sometimes cause scratches that will be particularly evident on darker colours. The surface can be damaged by scratching or cutting with knives, so the use of a cutting board is essential. Don’t worry though, any minor scratches can easily be removed using a red abrasive pad and other items from the care kit, please refer to the care and maintenance guide.

Maia Care Kit

To help maintain your Maia solid surface kitchen worktop, a Care Kit is available from DWS. This kit contains all that you need to make minor repairs to the surface and a special polish that helps to maintain, protect and build up a lustre particularly on darker colours.

Our commitment to customer service

When you choose Maia solid surface kitchen worktops you can feel safe in the knowledge that you are getting a proven, reliable product; a product that is truly at the forefront of worksurface technology.

Please do not use any polish other than that included in the Maia care kit on the the Maia worksurface as this will affect the appearance and may invalidate your warranty".

Information taken from http://www.maiaworksurfaces.co.uk/

Please contact us on 0845 600 5512 or email us direct at info@dws-uk.com for more details or to purchase Maia solid surface kitchen worktops at discounted prices.

All things vintage

Decor Ideas and Photos

The UK's love of all things vintage continues, from shabby chic furniture to wedding decor.  See the article below taken from http://www.kitchen-design-ideas.org/vintage-kitchen-cabinets.html on how to add that vintage look to your kitchen.

Vintage kitchen cabinets are made to be authentic restorations or reproductions of earlier styles. Purists appreciate the historical accuracy of vintage kitchens, as opposed to retro kitchens which are more nostalgic than historical.

For the aficionado, every detail must be in place: Vintage appliances, old-fashioned telephones, and period decor come together to accurately restore the kitchen designs of the past.

Older Is Better: Let's face it: Most old things were built to last. Vintage kitchen cabinets, for example, can survive a surprisingly long time. My grandparents' kitchen cabinets are original to the 1949 postwar house, and they show no signs of giving out even after decades of abuse by children, grandchildren, and now great grandchildren. Compare that to the cheap imported cabinets some folks buy that last less than 20 years, and you will see why newer is not always better.

Vintage Appliances: Many savvy homeowners go searching for authentic appliance relics that still run. Some manufacturers are reviving the past by re-creating large and small vintage kitchen appliances with modern features. Authentic-looking vintage refrigerators, blenders, toasters, ovens, and dishwashers have interesting designs that make today's modern appliances seem somewhat dull by comparison. Even vintage kitchen faucets are staging a comeback as homeowners fine-tune every detail toward reviving the times of yore.

Vintage Kitchen Decor: Go searching for collectibles and memorabilia of the past to dress up your vintage kitchen design. Hang an old fashioned telephone or classic clock on the wall, and if you have the space, be sure to look for vintage kitchen tables with polished chrome trim and bar stools. Old School can often be really cool.

Special Offers

70% OFF ON SELECTED KITCHEN WORKTOPS

Apollo® Magna, Apollo® Quartz, Siletone® & Zodiaq Quartz

* While Stocks Last
* Call us now on 0845 600 5512 or email info@dws-uk.com
* Nationwide Installation Service
* Nationwide Delivery Service

All that glitters...

When you're in the worktop business, it is hard not to spot certain materials and colours when out and about. You can see endless uses of certain materials, particularly solid surface like Corian and quartz, which are versatile enough to be used in commercial applications, such as hotel check-in desks, fast food restaurant counters and airport check-in desks, to name but a few. The most exciting thing is that you often see colours that most wouldn't be brave enough to use in their kitchen! For example, my local McDonald's has Corian 'festival' tables.  Lots of fun but we don't get many requests for it in a domestic setting!

Corian 'Festival'

On a recent shopping trip I noticed a stunning example of a quartz top used to quite a dramatic effect. The 360 Champagne & Cocktail Bar in Braehead has a long sweeping white quartz bar down either side of it. What caught my attention was the sparkly effect that the quartz had.  It certainly does it's job in attracting customers!

This particular quartz can be found in our Apollo Quartz range and is called 'Steel'. It's a white quartz with mirrored flecks, giving it that 'sparkly' fiinsh which catches the light and would brighten up any space. This range of quartz, made with man-made polymers, is non porous therefore making it extra hygienic and so perfect for both commercial and domestic use alike.

Call our sales team on 0845 600 5512 for your sample of Apollo Quartz Steel.

On your marks, get set, BAKE!

The Great British Bake-Off is back for a new series and has got off to a scrumptious start. Following the DWS blog article on 'Which kitchen worktop is best for me?', granite is actually the best choice for all you budding bakers (as lovely as the GBBO's hardwood worktops are!)

The naturally cool surface of granite is ideal for working with pastry and bread dough. This week's show saw the contestants baking bread recipes from breadsticks to the 'show stopping' breads of their choice. Here at DWS, with such a sweet tooth, we are looking forward to the pastry episode and all the sweet treats they will be baking. Below is a recipe for sweet short pastry to keep you going until then.

Sweet Shortcrust Pastry Recipe

Ingredients
200g plain flour 
2tbsp icing sugar 
125g unsalted butter, cold from the fridge 
About 3 tbsp very cold water from the tap 
Method
Set a sieve over a mixing bowl and put the flour and icing sugar into it. Sift them into the bowl by gently tapping the sieve with your hand (sifting not only gets rid of any lumps but it adds a bit of air, which helps make the pastry light).
Cut the butter into tiny cubes. Add to the bowl and toss around with a table knife so they become coated with flour. Now cut the butter, in the bowl, into even tinier pieces by cutting through the mixture at random.
When the butter is about the size of small peas, put both your hands into the bowl and pick up a little of the butter/flour mix with your fingers only. Rub the mixture between your fingers and thumbs so the butter is squashed into the flour, then drops back down into the bowl (rubbing in). Keep doing this for a few minutes, then give the bowl a little shake - you should see any lumps you've missed. When all the lumps of butter have disappeared it's ready for the next stage.
Add the cold water and stir everything together with the table knife. When the mixture has started to come together in clumps of dough, use your hands to gather up the whole lot into a ball. If there are dry crumbs at the bottom of the bowl and the dough won't stick together, sprinkle over a tsp of cold water and gently mix it in; if the dough sticks to your hands or the bowl, sprinkle over a tsp of flour and mix it in. The dough should feel firm - not sticky or wet or dry and hard. Flatten the dough into a disc about 5cm thick, then wrap it in clingfilm. Chill in the fridge for 15 minutes.
Sprinkle a little flour on the worktop, your hands and the rolling pin. Unwrap the pastry dough and set it in the middle of the worktop. Start rolling out the pastry in a forward and back motion, then side to side, sprinkling with a little more flour now and then to prevent it from sticking to the pin, until it is fairly round in shape and about 26cm in diameter. 


Taken from The Great British Bake-Off: Learn to Bake (BBC Books, £18.99)

Another benefit of granite is using it to actually bake on. Look at Jamie Oliver's idea below...




"What caught my interest was Jamie's suggestion to have a slab of granite in the oven to bake the pizza on. I found a company that sells and installs granite worktops. They sold me a small slab that fits my oven perfectly (throwaway from a major installation) for a very reasonable price.

I baked my first pizza on the granite slab yesterday. 

For a first try the result was quite fantastic! I made some focaccia (dough simply seasoned with olive oil and spices). It puffed up beautifully! I also made some Margarita using Jamie's tomato sauce recipe, mozzarella, basil leaves and olive oil - yummy! I have some work to do on perfecting the dough, but the granite slab idea is absolutely brilliant".
I'm off into contact the BBC about discounted granite worktops for next year's series!


HAPPY BAKING!

Which kitchen worktop is best for me?

The most popular luxury materials for kitchen worktops - granite, wood, composite/solid surface, quartz - have different advantages, so it's important to look at all the factors involved. Here's what you should consider before you buy.

Practicalities of kitchen worktops

* Think about practicalities, such as the maintenance of your worktop. If you have young children, a material that marks easily such as glass, is not ideal.

* If you like cooking, consider a heat-resistant material such as granite around your hob, so that you can move hot pans off the heat and onto the worktop.

* If hygiene is a concern, think about anti-bacterial materials, such as Corian or stainless steel. Remember that steel will scratch over time, creating a worn patina that some love, but if you want a pristine worktop, it might not be the right choice for you.

Hardwood

Best used: Food preparation and dining areas, for example, islands and breakfast bars. Iroko and teak are ideal for using around the sink as they have a high oil content and are water resistant.

Best look: Suits all kitchen styles. Can be incorporated into a contemporary scheme using glass or stainless steel to add a warm feel.

Upkeep: Wipe up spills instantly to prevent staining. Once established, seal with Danish or linseed oil quarterly to stop drying out. Scratches can be sanded out with fine wire wool

Sealing required: Hardwoods require an initial programme of sealing using oil (DWS hardwoord worktops all come pre-oiled) Apply a coat once a day for the first week, then once a week for the next month, then once a month for a year.

Durability: If hardwoods are properly sealed and maintained they will last for a long time, but don't use the worktop as a chopping board, or place hot pans directly onto the wood, as it can scorch.

Flexibility and fitting: Wood is very easy to cut, and is suitable for use in most situations

Composite/Solid Surface (Corian, Apollo Magna, Apollo Slab Tech, Apollo Solid Surface Quicktops & Maia)

Best used: A very practical and beautiful choice that can be used anywhere, including next to hobs and around the sink. 

Best look: Dramatic colours such as dark grey and blue look fabulous in modern and contemporary kitchens. If your room design is quite traditional, stick to neutrals such as cream. 

Upkeep: Wipe up spills to prevent marks. Keep clean with a soft, damp cloth and a mild detergent. 

Sealing required: No 

Durability: Composite is very tough and more durable than many natural stones. As the colour runs right the way through the material, any scratches can be sanded out. 

Flexibility and fitting: This worksurface can be thermoformed into different shapes without joints to create streamlined, seamless worktop runs. 

Granite

Best used: Any area of the kitchen, including around the sink and next to the hob or oven. A large expanse of glossy granite makes a striking island worktop

Best look: It's a luxury material that never falls out of fashion and suits traditional and modern styles. Choose from a classic polished finish, or a honed matt for a more contemporary look.

Upkeep: Very low maintenance. Clean using a damp cloth and a mild detergent

Sealing required: Granite requires an initial sealing, and then another about 10 years later

Durability: The best of all the natural materials, it can withstand high temperatures, is water resistant and impervious to most stains, but wine and citric acids must be cleaned up at once.

Flexibility and fitting: With advances in modern technology, granite can be cut into a variety of shapes and sizes, although it is very heavy to transport and difficult to manoeuvre. 

Corian

Best used: In wet areas. Perfect for a seamless integrated sink and worktop run.

Best look: Suits most schemes. Available in a variety of colours - choose bright hues for modern kitchens, white for architectural, and any pale shades for traditional rooms.

Upkeep: Low-maintenance. Clean with a soft cloth and mild detergent.

Sealing required: No

Durability: Stain and water resistant. Heat-resistant to 250°C, but best to use a trivet. As it is a solid surface material, scratches can be sanded out.

Flexibility and fitting: Can be formed into any shape without the need for ugly or unhygienic joints.

Quartz (Apollo Quartz, Zodiaq & Silestone)

Quartz Worktops are also one of the best alternatives to place in your dream kitchen. Since they are made from the combination of polymer resins and natural quartz, they are also called as 'engineered quartz.' They provide sturdy quality which is also easy to maintain.

Here are some reasons why you must chose engineered quartz instead of other work surfaces:

• Quartz offer uniform color thus you get consistent appearance and shade in what you are purchasing. They don't have discoloration in between sections that provide a consistent finish.

• They are maintenance-free. There is no need for regular cleaning as they are easy to maintain with just warm and soapy water. Quartz doesn't require special polishing and they are non-porous providing a stain-free surface. They have resistance against juices, wine, coffee, tea, food, and nail polish.

• They are versatile as they can also be used in installing other surfaces including wet bars, islands, desktops, tabletops, and backsplashes. They can also be used as vanities, floor, shower surrounds, tub and fireplace surrounds.

• They are superior in strength. Since they are added with resin, these components add extra durability to them. They are not easily chip, scratched and are scorch resistant.

• Surface offers non-porous characteristic which makes them less prone for bacteria hosting. They also prevent possible growth of mildew, bacteria and molds which also makes them a perfect material for bathroom surfaces. There are varieties ofkitchen worktops available in the market today. But quartz provides an amazing feature of sturdiness which makes them one of the most durable worktops these days. From many stone work surfaces, only diamonds, sapphire and topaz are harder than this semi-mineral worktop which makes them sustain the heavy impacts of daily activities. They are excellent investments that will make any gourmet space trendy and long lasting.

*please call 0845 600 5512 for Discount Worktop Store's competitive prices for these materials.

(Adapted from House to Home magazine article & Benefits of Quartz worktops- Sooper Articles)