“Inspiration can come from anywhere.” Those words are the backbone of Kudzu’s latest TV commercials. (If you haven’t seen these spots, by the way, here’s one you can check out…)

When it comes to what we do here at Kudzu, “inspiration” can mean actually (finally!) getting those pesky little household tasks on your to-do list done…

OR it can mean installing a new pond in your backyard after being so in awe of the “Water Lilies” painting at last weekend’s Monet exhibit…

Or, like the cool Oxford-shirt-wearing mom in Kudzu’s aforementioned TV spot, it can mean desperately wanting new countertops after seeing the cover of your child’s astronomy book. (Actually, “desperate” is probably not the right word for her.  Pensive. Daydreaming. Wishful. Those might work.) No, desperate is really on ME—I actually want those new countertops (desperately!), but not because of my son OR his book. (He’s 8 and doesn’t even take astronomy yet.)

I want new countertops because mine are 15 years old and NOT granite (or Silestone, slate, recycled glass, quartz or any other jazzy kind). Mine are 15 years old and white. Oh, and did I mention they’re LAMINATE? Sturdy, yes. Affordable—sure. But elegant? Eye-catching? (Stain-resistant?) Uh, not so much.  Not my 15-year old stuff, anyway. But laminate has come a long way, baby.

Take a look at these, courtesy of Formica…

(Yes, that IS laminate.)      

And so is this.

And so, remarkably, is this.

But getting back to other types of countertops– if you’re thinking about new ones (as I clearly have been), what follows is a little “inspiration” for your kitchen’s soul…

Glass.  A-MAY-zing. That’s all I have to say about these. Made from recycled glass—what’s not to like? These are from Thinkglass. They’re certainly gorgeous, but you couldn’t pair these with white cabinets (like mine) without making your kitchen look a bit… well, sterile. But they’re so beautiful and “peaceful-looking”– like having an ocean in your kitchen! Not to mention the fact that they’re eco-friendly. (Wait, wasn’t “A-MAY-zing” all I was going to say on the subject? Oops.)

Here’s a soapstone countertop with oiled finish, courtesy of Dorado Soapstone. Sleek. Elegant. Nice.

This is also soapstone with a more natural finish. Reminds me of a slate hearth. Good touch for a kitchen that leans more rustic…

Next up: Concrete countertops— one of the strongest materials around.  However, keep in mind that concrete isn’t stain-resistant because it’s so porous. Keep it sealed, though, and it can last for 20 years or  more.

Red quartz. How snazzy is this?  (This beauty was made by Caesarstone and installed in HGTV’s Green Home in 2010.)

Paperstone. That’s right—made from a composite material… basically recycled paper!  This example’s from Paperstone Products.

Copper countertops. Be careful with copper—it’s extremely vulnerable to scratches. So as long as you don’t use your countertop as a cutting board (like we do at our house– tsk, tsk), you should be okay.  You have to admit– copper’s unique. (We like unique.)

Wood. Yes – plain ol’ WOOD. These are NOT your mama’s butcher block countertops from the ‘70s. Stunning. Great for a kitchen island, if not your entire kitchen.

Of course I’d be remiss if I didn’t give a shout-out to world-famous Corian—still popular in many homes today, thanks to its durability and low maintenance…

And here’s another recycled countertop– this one’s by Cosentino. 75% of it is made from a variety of recycled materials such as broken mirrors, windshield glass, ceramics and more. It’s also non-porous and resistant to scratches and stains.

Finally, this post wouldn’t be complete without a look at some granite options. Granite’s still wildly popular in most areas of the country, despite the many, MANY other materials that are desperate to compete with it. (There’s that word again.)

While we’re on the topic of granite, here’s my beloved Uba Tuba—what my husband and I have been leaning towards for our renovation this spring. Our inspiration? Seeing this same countertop choice displayed in the home of our good friends. (Sometimes that’s all it takes.)  See the subtle flecks of silver and copper and gold embedded in the black stone?  Little flecks of heaven…

Uba tuba aside, I will say I’ve fallen a little bit in love with some of the recyclables out there (like that A-MAY-zing glass). Hmmm…

Feeling inspired? If new countertops are in your future, be sure to search on Kudzu for a reputable local dealer or installer. (And don’t forget to read the reviews!)