Not Your Ordinary Kitchen Island

Having a granite counter top in a kitchen isn’t something that sounds too outlandish. Neither does marble.

New York studio Snarkitecture has decided to eschew traditional kitchen trends, taking design cues from nature and topography, with their series of kitchen islands inspired by glaciers, rivers and geysers. The project, entitled Altered State showcases kitchen islands crafted from Caesarstone quartz displaying water in its liquid, steam and ice states.

Ice Island features 37 layers of black Caesarstone with an ice orb in the centre acting as the pièce de résistance. The ice sphere is cooled from underneath and gradually melts upon contact. Water Island boasts a wave-like design, with 28 levels of grey Caesarstone around a built-in fountain. Water vapour emanates from a circular cavern in the aptly named Steam Island, and Play Island – the fourth installation – differs from the naturalistic designs of the previous three, seeking to mesh high-tech systems found in modern kitchens with the natural appeal.

You might not want to go the whole distance that Snarkitecture has done, but adding a well thought out concept or theme to your next reno could take your kitchen to the next level.