If you’re renovating or building in Australia and dreaming of a show-stopping kitchen, start with the stone. Everything else should follow it.Short answer: Natural stone varies a lot—between blocks, batches and even slabs. If you choose cabinetry, paint and tiles first, you’ll likely rework them later. Start with the actual slabs you’ll buy, then build your palette around them.Why stone comes first • Complexity: Natural stone = complex undertones and movement. Man-made = uniform. Natural stone s

Short answer: There’s no single “best” stone for every kitchen. Granite and quartzite are the most forgiving day-to-day. Marble and limestone are stunning but need gentler care. Dolomite sits in the middle. Porcelain is durable on paper but can chip; modern engineered surfaces again, are durable on paper but can bend and don't take heat well. Pick the look you love, then match care level to how you actually live.What matters most (in plain English) • Hardness (scratch/chip): How tough the surfac