Pros: Also known as composite quartz, engineered quartz comes in a wide range of colors and textures with the general durability of real stone slabs, but with the ease of manufacturing and installation of a man-made product. As a result, engineered quartz isn’t as expensive as other natural stone countertops. Cons: On the other hand, customers can expect to see these qualities reflected in the price of engineered quartz, which can be on the higher end. Quartz also doesn’t handle extreme heat as well as granite does.

A solid brass cream jug by British designer Tom Dixon is the gold standard of creamers, whether or not you take milk with your tea.

Formstelle's Morph Kid chair is sleek in solid oak or American walnut, whether it is finished in blue, black, pink or a shade of gray.

Teema Mug by Iittala "I’m on a lifelong search to find a perfect mug," Hesser says. "This one appeals to me because of the matte color—it's very simple and easy to hold. I like that it can crossover between tea and coffee. If I were choosing colors, I’d stick with the gray and cream. When it comes to food and drink, I try to shy away from color because I think the food should provide the color."

From design studio Studiopepe, this marble mirror is a sophisticated tabletop mirror that is crafted from marble, brass, and mirror glass. The marble is substantial and is designed to stand up on a tabletop, counter, or desk. The mirror is designed to tilt up and down, and features one magnifying side.

Solid Spin Lamps by Johnana Tammsalu “This project is all about showing identity in a playful way,” says the Estonian designer. Created two years ago while studying in Madrid, Tammsalu’s Solid Spin lamps are a study in movement, the pattern of spinning, everyday objects such as shoes, or a set of keys frozen in ceramics. “The materials really decide for you,” she said of the process of creating (and avoiding objects with right angles). Her first solo exhibition can be found in the Design Factory show at the Farmiloe Building.

Here's the Culina paddle in solid walnut.

The Crest 1 Bottle Opener by Gregory Buntain and Ian Collings for Fort Standard is a sleek blonde brass way to escape the usual.

Solid Copper Cup, $21 From water to a Moscow Mule, this copper cup from Yield Design Co. is a cup that everyone will want to sip from. It is made from solid copper, and is naturally insulating—the perfect device for keeping cocktails cool.

All products made of Krion can be reprocessed and reused in the production cycle. In Lila and Nordic Blue.

A wall of colored Krion sample sheets.

Cleaning and maintaining Krion is easier than ever, thanks to seamless sections which prevent liquids from being absorbed.

Made of two-thirds natural minerals (ATH—Aluminum Trihydride) and a low percentage of high-percentage resins, the material is poreless, anti-bacterial, hard-wearing, 100% recyclable, highly resistant, and easy to repair and clean.

What exactly is Krion? Krion is a new-generation solid surface developed by SYSTEMPOOL that is warm to the touch and similar in appearance to natural stone.

The material is also very malleable, allowing for endless possibilities.

Even with heat applied directly to the surface using a blowtorch, the impermeable material resisted.

SYSTEMPOOL offers a wide range of colors and styles, including a white finish that stands out for its purity in comparison to other similar materials. Krion color tile samples in Yove, Light Grey, and Yellow.

Pivo Solid Brass Bottle Opener by Luke Smith-Wightman for Kaufmann Mercantile, $39 at kaufmann-mercantile.com Composed of a single piece of solid brass, this hefty utensil by British lighting designer Luke Smith-Wightman develops a unique patina over time.

Solid Con 2014—a conference promoting "software, hardware, everywhere"—arrives in San Francisco on May 21, 2014, and presents a range of speakers from Google, MIT, and more.

The Connecticut house also features another staircase by the front door. "The front stair has closed risers; it’s a continuous surface of ash," Gray says. "That’s because it’s the front stair and the main entry—we didn’t want to see through that stair. We wanted to have people go around it to get in the house."

Inspired by a Queen Anne–style piece, Douglas and Bec’s solid-ash Dressing table features brass pulls and feet, a mirror, and a jewelry tray concealed in one of its drawers.

From the Latin verb meaning, “to distinguish or resolve,” Cerno is an American industrial design and manufacturing company that specializes in innovative lighting fixtures, like the Macto Table Lamp. This distinctive lamp celebrates the natural beauty of walnut wood, as is exemplified in the solid wood base. The substantial nature of the base is contrasted with the verticality and thinness of the brushed aluminum arm. The arm can be moved to redirect light as needed, and the energy efficient LED lamp produces consistent warm light. When not illuminated, the Macto functions as a work of sculpture, giving the lamp an unexpected artful slant.

A solid wood exterior retains heat in the winter and keeps the house cool in summer.

Solidwool Chair Think of it as fibreglass from fleece, specifically those on the backs of sheep in the English countryside. Solidwool, developed by Devon designer Justin Floyd, turns the course material from one-and-a-half sheep into a smooth seat with untapped design potential.

Modern furniture brand Brush Factory was founded by Rosie Kovacs and Hayes Shanesy in 2009. Their lineup includes streamlined wood pieces, like this walnut dining table with a solid leg base.

Solid Wood Nailbrush from DWR, $20 (item no longer available)

PEG column by Nendo for Cappellini. This solid ash wood corner cupboard with a conical section and four molded shelves is an attractive addition to a bedroom, kitchen, or living room.

Bushakan's eyewear stand is carved from solid ash.

The knot-flecked staircase leading down to Bornstein's office gives serves as a solid core to the home's circulation.

The Cain Maple Bench 2 from Staach is comprised of clean lines and a simple silhouette. Available in many color finishes, the bench can be used in an entryway, as additional seating in a living room, or even at a dining room table.

Solid Patterns marble tables for Luce di Carrara. Photo by Scheltens & Abbenes.

The architects conceived the buildings as “solid bodies emerging from the ground.”

One of the biggest attractions at Dwell on Design, this solid wood shuffleboard table from Chandra brings pub-style entertainment into the comfort of home. The handcrafted table is comprised of ash wood that is assembled and hand-stained in Atlanta. The table features a leather gutter and a thick 1.5-inch solid hardwood butcher block playing surface that is finger-jointed and finished in a smooth, glossy polyurethane. This coating not only provides durability for the board, but also ensures that the pucks will slide true. Photo: Dwell on Design 2015, featuring designer Ravi Tiwari

S2 Solid by Patrick Jouin. Photo by Patrick Jouin.

From Seattle–based design duo Iacoli & McAllister, the Hex Bottle Opener is machined from a solid hex bar to create an accessory absent of unnecessary adornments. The brushed brass opener has a metallic look that has been matte finished for an unobtrusive look. An ideal gift for a beer drinker with excellent taste, the Hex Bottle Opener is an attractive enough bar accessory that it can be left out on a counter or bar.