Ask Alix #2 - Splurge or save?

From our inbox:

Question

"Hi Alix,

Our renovation is well underway and we’ve suddenly hit a problem. We’ve just had costs back from our builder and the stone for our kitchen (that we’d fallen in love with) is way more expensive than we had thought. How do we know when it’s worth spending more — and when it’s not? We need to decide and provide instructions as to how we move forward next week!”

Thank you for your help.

Adrian and Jo, Bronte"

Answer

"Ah Adrian and Jo! Mid-build. Wheels in motion ... and suddenly the stone quote lands… and it’s a lot more than you expected.

First things first. This is incredibly common.

Stone frequently catches people out, because the slab price is only the beginning. Once you add fabrication, cut-outs, polishing, mitres and installation, the final number can feel wildly disconnected from that initial “per slab” cost.

Nothing has gone wrong. You’ve just reached a very familiar renovation moment.

So let’s talk about how to move forward without losing the look you love.

Step one: understand the true cost of stone

Stone is labour intensive. The beauty is in the detailing, and detailing costs money.

Edge profiles, waterfall ends, sink cut-outs, joins, polishing and installation all add up quickly. This is why stone often ends up costing far more than people anticipate once the full scope is priced.

Knowing this upfront doesn’t magically make it cheaper — but it does take the emotion out of the decision.

Step two: back yourself to splurge in the kitchen

If there is one space in the home where spending is justified, it’s the kitchen.

This is where daily life happens. Family time. Entertaining. Coffee rituals. Homework. Late-night chats. This space hard, and it’s absolutely central to the home.

So yes, this is absolutely a place where splurging on a beautiful stone you love can make sense. Not because it’s indulgent, but because it earns its keep.

Step three: edit the application, not the material

Where people get stuck is thinking the only options are all stone or no stone.

There’s a much smarter middle ground.

Ask yourself: where does the stone really need to shine?

Often, that’s benchtops and a key splashback. These are the hero elements, they're the surfaces you see, touch and experience most.

From there, you can support the design by re-selecting a high-quality porcelain for secondary areas. Porcelain is incredibly durable, more wallet-friendly, and ideal for the true workhorse zones of the kitchen. Done well, it won’t detract from the overall aesthetic at all. In fact, it often enhances it by letting the hero stone have its moment in the spotlight.

What might feel like a compromise is actually just really good design.

Step four: choose materials side by side

One practical tip I always recommend is viewing materials together, and don't settle for a small sample. Jump in the car and get yourself in front of full sized slabs.

A visit to Cav'Art followed by a stop next door at Studio Porcelain is a brilliant way to do this. Both have exceptional ranges, and seeing stone and porcelain side by side makes it far easier to create a combination that feels intentional and cohesive.

The takeaway

Be confident enough to splurge on the stone you love in such an important space, but be strategic about how much of it you use.

Pair it with a durable, more cost-effective porcelain where it makes sense. You’ll protect your budget, maintain the design integrity, and end up with a kitchen that feels considered rather than compromised.

Adrian and Jo, this isn’t about spending less. It’s about spending well.

Good luck - I'm confident that with a slight tweak to your plan you can get things back on track.

Alix"

If this feels familiar, you don’t need to navigate it alone.

A Design Review is a focused session where we help you prioritise, make confident material decisions, and move forward without second-guessing every line item.

Think clarity, not overwhelm.Confidence, not budget panic.

You can book a Design Review via this link