Whether a by-product of the banning of engineered stone in July 2024, or the fact that the properties of natural stone stands it apart from other surfaces, it has been a go-to surface for benchtops in Australian homes for decades. Continuing a stone benchtop down the sides to create a waterfall kitchen island is a design feature that is still very much on trend, particularly in high-end and contemporary kitchen design, though it’s important to soften the look with other design elements, as seen in the striking kitchen design created by interior designer Swee Lim, below.