As Seen In: Homes & Gardens — Why I'm Over Quartz Countertops (And What I Want to See Instead)
I was recently quoted in Homes & Gardens for their piece, "What Trends Are Interior Designers Already Sick of Seeing In 2026?" — and I have to say, I meant every word.
You can read the full article here.
The Quote That Started It All
When writer Eleanor Richardson asked me what trend I'm tired of, my answer came immediately: quartz countertops.
I called it our generation's laminate — and I stand by that. Quartz took over kitchens in the last decade because it checks every practical box: it's durable, easy to clean, and does a convincing impression of marble. I understand the appeal. But somewhere along the way, it became the default, the safe choice, the thing everyone does without really thinking about it.
And that's exactly the problem.
What I Actually Want to See
Nothing compares to the touch, feel, and weight of a natural stone countertop. Marble, limestone, soapstone — these materials have a presence that quartz simply cannot replicate, no matter how good the technology gets.
I know what you're thinking: but it stains. But it etches. But I have kids.
Here's where I pull out my favorite example: Italy.
In Italian kitchens, honed marble is everywhere. Families cook in them, kids eat in them, red wine gets spilled in them. And nobody panics. The Italians don't fuss over keeping their stone perfectly pristine — they value the patina it acquires over time. Every mark, every ring, every subtle change in the surface is evidence of a life well-lived in that kitchen. That worn quality IS the beauty.
That philosophy is what I want to bring into the homes I design here.
A Note on the Formal Living Room (Yes, I Said That Too)
The article also picked up another opinion of mine that I feel just as strongly about: formal living rooms that nobody uses.
You know the ones. The room at the front of the house with the perfect sofa, the matching club chairs, the coffee table book artfully placed. The room the kids aren't allowed in. The room where nothing actually happens.
It drives me crazy. These are often the largest, most beautifully appointed rooms in a home — and they sit there unused like a museum exhibit.
My challenge to clients: rethink the room entirely. What if it became a Mahjong parlor? A music room with a piano and a drum kit? A reading lounge with game tables and flexible seating? Spaces should serve the people living in them, not the other way around.
The Bigger Picture
Both of these opinions point to the same underlying belief I bring to every project: design should feel lived-in, not performed.
The homes I love most are the ones with character — a marble countertop that's been around long enough to have a story, a living room that actually gets used. Perfection is overrated. Patina is the goal.
If you're thinking about a renovation and want to talk through material choices or how to make your spaces work harder for you, I'd love to connect.
Read the full Homes & Gardens feature here
Kelsey Peterson is the principal of Style and Space, an interior design studio based in New York.
