Hey there! I‘m Lillie, a home renovation expert here to provide an in-depth look at the ever-popular Cambria Torquay quartz. If you‘re curious about Torquay‘s unique color and how to pair it in your home, you‘ve come to the right place. With over 15 years of experience in kitchen and bath design, I‘m going to walk you through everything you need to know about this elegant quartz.
What Exactly is Cambria Torquay?
Before we dive into the color, let me give you a quick rundown of what Torquay is. Cambria is one of the leading producers of engineered quartz surfaces. Torquay is one of Cambria‘s top-selling quartz colors. It features a light tan/mushroom base with thin white veining running through it.
Torquay falls into Cambria‘s Neutrals Collection, along with colors like Brittanicca and Langdon. It was designed to emulate the look of natural Italian marble.
Here are a few key stats on Torquay:
- Inspired by Italian Marble
- Matte finish
- Part of the Cambria Neutrals Collection
- Accounts for over 10% of Cambria sales
So in a nutshell, Torquay is Cambria‘s signature marble-look quartz known for its popularity and sophistication. Now let‘s explore the color that makes it so covetable.
Describing Torquay‘s Unique Color Blend
Precisely describing Torquay‘s color isn‘t the easiest task. It‘s essentially a warm, organic neutral that blends various shades of beige, tan, mushroom and greige.
Here are some of the common ways Torquay‘s color is described:
- Taupe
- Mushroom
- Weathered wood
- Desert sand
- Greige
- Softened stone
Torquay sits right at the intersection of gray, brown, and tan hues. This adaptable blend allows it to work in both cool and warm-toned spaces. The soft color palette exudes refinement.
According to Cambria, Torquay features a "rich, organic neutral base" with "delicately shimmering crystals and quartz."
Those tiny shimmering flecks help catch and reflect the light. This adds depth and dimension to the overall look.
To sum it up, Torquay can be best described as:
- A greige/taupe base color
- Delicate white quartz veining
- Soft, organic appearance
- Hints of shine and shimmer
Seeing Torquay‘s Color in Different Lighting
One thing that makes Torquay so unique is that its color profile changes slightly in different lighting conditions.
In daylight, the light tan and mushroom tones dominate. This gives it a warm, almost vintage look.
Under LED and fluorescent lights, the subtle grays come forward more, giving Torquay a trendy greige appearance.
In the evening under incandescent bulbs, the thin white veins take center stage, creating depth and contrast against the neutral background.
So Torquay transitions seamlessly from a daytime neutral to a dazzling quartz surface as soon as the sun goes down.
The color versatility means it looks right at home any time of day. This came across clearly when I saw Torquay samples in both natural and artificial light.
Popular Color Pairings with Torquay Quartz
One of Torquay‘s best qualities is its ability to complement a wide variety of color schemes. Here are some of my favorite ways to match Torquay quartz:
White + Torquay – Bright white cabinetry or walls make a gorgeous pairing with Torquay countertops. It creates a light, airy look.
Espresso + Torquay – Rich espresso cabinetry makes the cream tones in Torquay pop beautifully. Perfect for traditional kitchens.
Navy Blue + Torquay – Navy cabinets or accent walls contrast elegantly with Torquay. Great for a nautical vibe.
Black + Torquay – Matte black fixtures stand out boldly against the lighter quartz background. Adds drama.
Gray + Torquay – Cool-toned grays work in harmony with Torquay‘s greige tones. Gorgeous modern pairing.
Wood Tones + Torquay – Warm woods, from oak to bamboo, reflect Torquay‘s organic look. Lovely and natural.
Earth Tones + Torquay – Sand colors, terra cotta, light browns, and greens complement Torquay.
Metal + Torquay – Stainless steel as well as brass accents coordinate with Torquay‘s mineral styling.
With its adaptable neutral coloring, Torquay truly does work with anything. It provides the perfect supporting backdrop to add personality with cabinet colors, artwork, textiles and beyond.
The Benefits of Choosing Torquay Quartz
Aside from its adaptable beauty, Torquay quartz also offers fantastic practical benefits that make it an ideal choice for busy kitchens and baths:
Stain Resistance – The non-porous quartz resists stains from wine, oil, juice and more that can ruin other surfaces like marble.
Durability – Quartz offers exceptional durability, avoiding chips, cracks and scratches under heavy use.
Heat Tolerance – Torquay can withstand heat up to 300 degrees Fahrenheit, protecting it from hot pans.
Nonporous Surface – The dense surface resists moisture, preventing bacteria growth and permanent staining.
Easy Maintenance – Torquay just needs mild soap, water and a soft cloth to keep it clean and beautiful.
Consistent Performance – Properly cared for, Torquay maintains its good-as-new look for over a decade.
10 Year Warranty – Cambria offers a 10 year commercial warranty when Torquay is registered.
With benefits like durability, stain resistance and easy care, it‘s simple to see why Torquay is such a highly coveted quartz for kitchens and baths that get heavy daily use.
Using Torquay in Kitchen Designs
Now that we‘ve covered the essentials, let‘s explore how Torquay can transform kitchen spaces with its versatility and beauty.
Contemporary Kitchens
One of the most popular uses for Torquay is in contemporary, modern kitchens. The lighter tones suit the clean, streamlined look beautifully.
Paired with glossy cabinets, stainless steel and bold backsplashes, Torquay adds an organic warmth while maintaining the sleek aesthetic.
Torquay quartz adds softness to a sleek modern kitchen. Source
Traditional Kitchens
While it suits contemporary spaces well, Torquay also aligns beautifully with traditional kitchen designs.
The muted tones and white veining emulate the look of premium Italian marble at a more affordable price point. Combined with ornamental moldings, glass-front cabinetry, and brass accents, Torquay creates an elegant and timeless look.
Torquay is right at home in traditional kitchen settings like this one. Source
Cottage Kitchens
For a cozy cottage kitchen, Torquay‘s light finish prevents the space from feeling too heavy or rustic.
Paired with painted shaker cabinets, ceramic tile backsplash, and antique bronze hardware, Torquay provides the perfect touch of stone without overwhelming the charming space.
Torquay aligns well with charming cottage kitchen designs like this one. Source
Farmhouse Kitchens
For today‘s popular farmhouse style kitchen, Torquay offers the ability to get an authentic stone look that‘s actually more durable and care-free.
Teamed with exposed wooden beams, glass-front cabinets, and distressed metal finishes, Torquay provides a refined farmhouse feel.
Cambria Torquay aligns perfectly with farmhouse kitchen design elements like exposed beams. Source
As you can see, Torquay‘s adaptable coloring allows it to work seamlessly in kitchens of nearly any style from contemporary to classic. It always strikes the perfect balance between light and dark, warm and cool, refined and organic.
Using Torquay to Create a Spa Bathroom
Aside from kitchens, Torquay also excels at creating a relaxing, spa-like bath space. Here are some tips:
Combine Torquay with marble mosaic tile – Matching Torquay with marble accents enhances the subtle luxury.
Use plenty of mirrors – Mirrors reflect light, opening up the space and showing off Torquay‘s shimmer.
Incorporate natural textures – Stone vessels, rattan baskets and linen towels enhance the organic vibe.
Add metallic accents – Brushed brass, chrome or nickel fixtures add a touch of shine.
Use lighting to set the mood – Dimmers, sconces and natural light create a soothing ambiance.
Keep walls light – Paint walls a light gray or neutral like Swisse Coffee to avoid feeling dark and cavelike.
Warm up the flooring – Hardwood, travertine stone or tiles with tan/brown hues complement Torquay.
By following these design strategies, you can easily transform a bathroom into a relaxing sanctuary with the help of Torquay quartz.
Torquay quartz helps create a tranquil, spa-like bathroom environment. Source
FAQs About Cambria Torquay Quartz
To wrap things up, here are answers to some of the most common questions about Torquay:
What finish does Torquay have?
Torquay features a velvety matte finish with just a hint of sheen when light hits it. This resembles natural stone.
What edge profiles can you get with Torquay?
Torquay can be fabricated with any edge style – from squared to chamfered to waterfall. This allows customization.
Can you use Torquay outdoors?
Torquay is designed for indoor use only. Long-term UV light exposure will cause fading and discoloration.
How does Torquay compare to marble?
While Torquay mimics marble‘s aesthetic, it offers much more durability, stain resistance and low maintenance than natural marble.
What thickness is Torquay available in?
Torquay comes in 2cm and 3cm slab thicknesses. 3cm is recommended for flooring or heavy duty kitchen use.
Does Torquay have special cleaning requirements?
Torquay just needs mild soap and water for routine cleaning. No special stone cleaners or sealers required.
I hope this guide has helped uncover everything you need to know about the enticing color and capabilities of Cambria Torquay quartz. It truly is a versatile and sophisticated neutral that works beautifully in both warm and cool toned spaces. If you have any other questions, don‘t hesitate to reach out! I‘m always happy to help with quartz or home renovation advice.
