Fantasy Brown is a very popular stone countertop material. Interestingly, it does not fall into a simple stone category, so it goes by a variety of names. Some distributors call it Fantasy Brown Marble, while others call it Fantasy Brown Granite. Finally, to muddy the waters even more, it is often called Fantasy Brown Quartzite.
What is Fantasy Brown Quartzite?
So what is this mysterious stone? Fantasy Brown is a lovely natural stone, that is known for its diagonal movement, swirls, and veins. It strikes the perfect balance between interesting movement and over-the-top busyness.
Like marble, it contains calcium carbonate, and has a similar color palette of cream, white, tan, brown, light grey, and dark grey. While there is a variety of colors from one slab to another, most come in a more tan and grey color palette. Some slabs can be quite dark with shades of charcoal to light grey, while others can be fairly subtle with shades of cream, white, and light tans.
Is Fantasy Brown a Marble or Quartzite?
This is a tricky one. It’s both and it’s neither. Depending on the chemical composition of the individual slab, it may have similar qualities to marble (softer, easier to stain and scratch), or the tougher qualities of quartzite. To make things more confusing, it’s often labelled as Fantasy Brown Granite; but it’s definitely not a granite.
While it’s often called Fantasy Brown Marble, it really is closest to a quartzite.
Why Is Fantasy Brown Quartzite the Perfect Countertop Choice?
Now that you know a little bit about Fantasy Brown, let’s get down to why it’s such a good choice.
The Versatility of Fantasy Brown Quartzite
Because Fantasy Brown Quartzite has a warm palette of creams, tans, and warm greys, it’s incredibly versatile design-wise. The colors form a very neutral palette, and it can be used in everything from a modern style kitchen, to a transitional style, or a traditional style. It really all depends on what you want and what you pair it with.
For a modern style kitchen, pair this stone with slab style cabinet doors in a dark wood stain or black cabinets. For a more traditional approach, pair it with white or cream colored Shaker cabinets. Finally, get a transitional style with charcoal, warm grey, blue, or warm green (sage) cabinets.
A Fantasy Brown slab should be the star of the kitchen. Keep backsplashes simple, like a basic subway tile, in order for the countertop to shine. Avoid busy mosaics, glass, stone, or intricate shapes or patterns because they will compete for attention. This doesn’t mean that the backsplash has to be plain white. There are some really gorgeous blues and greens that can be a great complement to this stone.
The Beauty of Fantasy Brown Quartzite
Do we really need to say anything here? Just look at that slab!
The warm tones are a refreshing contrast to the sterile white kitchens that are so popular right now. The browns, creams and greys are subtle and soothing, and add a hint of color without going overboard.
Fantasy Brown Quartzite would make an amazing kitchen island countertop. Imagine pairing it with navy blue cabinets. Sweet.
The surface of Fantasy Brown Quartzite can be finished in several different ways to alter its appearance. A polished surface accentuates the natural colors and movement in the stone. Honed surfaces are much softer and more subtle. A honed surface can also effectively “hide” scratches and etching – they are still there, just not as easy to see. Finally, a leathered surface provides even more “hiding” characteristics. Just be sure to keep a leathered surface sealed to avoid staining.
The Durability of Fantasy Brown Quartzite
As mentioned earlier, Fantasy Brown is not quite a quartzite and not quite a marble. It is often labeled as a soft quartzite – meaning it has some of the strength, but it can still etch and stain. With proper care and maintenance, this stone can be a great choice. Especially for the family kitchen.
The surface finish can also play an important role in keeping the countertop looking good. A leathered finish will hide a multitude of sins – from spilled wine to a lime wedge left on the counter. Conversely, enjoy the glass of wine, and learn to love the patina created from living with this beautiful stone.
The Ease of Care of Fantasy Brown Quartzite
While it’s not effortless with zero care and maintenance like a quartz countertop, Fantasy Brown Quartzite is relatively easy to care for. Especially when compared to something like a marble countertop. With a good sealant, using trivets and cutting boards, and cleaning up spills and messes, Fantasy Brown Quartzite can look spectacular for years to come.
The Timelessness of Fantasy Brown Quartzite
While often called a granite, this stone is not your mother’s granite. Rather than the flecky-ness of a traditional granite like Santa Ceceila, Fantasy Brown is all about the veining and movement. That veining invokes the timelessness of marble.
There’s nothing trendy here, like 70’s Avocado Green and Harvest Gold. It won’t be out of style in five years. Or cause you to look back and wonder, “What was I thinking??” Installing Fantasy Brown Quartzite countertops could possibly be the last kitchen remodel you’ll have to do. If you’ve been through a kitchen remodel, you know how good that idea sounds.
Are new countertops on your To-Do list? Be sure to check out our FREE Countertop Costs Calculator. The calculator can help you determine how many square feet of countertop you need, and which countertop materials will fit your budget. It’s a great tool to use before you head off to shop for counters.
There’s a reason Fantasy Brown Quartzite has become so popular lately. When its few drawbacks are weighed against its numerous benefits, and its beauty, it’s a winner.
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