Hi Charmean, sorry to hijack this thread. Can you help me select a countertop colour for this kitchen? I am having a tough time choosing the right colour granite.

Hi ninoandpoonam. No problem. Nice job so far...couple questions first. What is the flooring? What color paint is on the white cabinets? What color (general, blues,green etc.) would you like to paint the walls? What is your backsplash material? Will your appliances be SS? Looks like a farm sink, white or SS? Finally, where are you located? Slab availability may differ by location. Thanks. Charmean

Thanks Charmean,

The flooring is porcelain in a crema marfil type of colour. The walls were probably going to be a creamy beige/brown colour. The appliances are SS and so is the farm sink. The backsplash will probably a tumbled/rustic cream marble. We are located in Toronto and there are about 500 granite importers close by.

Hi again. Here is what I suggest. There is a granite called Bianco Romano. This granite comes pretty close to the look of a white marble, which is always gorgeous but not practical for a kitchen. It has great cream and gray/beige hues with nice movement. It will work with many different backsplashes and definitely your flooring and cabinet color. Please keep me posted and let me know how it works out. Charmean Neithart
You can follow me here...
http://www.houzz.com/pro/cninteriors/__public

Hi Charmean, I am wondering if you could recommend some backsplash tile to go with the following counters. I have narrowed the counters down to the following:
Pearl White (as in your picture, if I am able to find it)
Caesarstone in Pebble
Caesarstone in Shitake

I really like mottled look of the above Caesarstones - reminds me of colored poured concrete.

Also, I do want to keep a more "classic" look ... doing white shaker cabinets, maple floors in sort of a mocha (mid-tone brown) color.

Lastly, I am redoing my fireplace which can be seen from my kitchen (my place is tiny) and would like to some suggestions for the tile surround and hearth that might compliment my kitchen.

Thank you for your feedback!

Hi Blackchamois. I really love all those choices, especially the Shitake Caesartsone. It's such a perfect color. Have I seen a picture of your kitchen so far? I would love to see some pics, that would be helpful. I think the kitchen posted toward the top of this thread is not yours. Right? Would love to see some details. If it is shaker door style and white, then it can handle a little detail in the backsplash. Let's say you go with the Shitake. I think a "classic" look would be calacutta in a 2x4, have a look...
http://www.akdo.com/products_detail.asp?pid=795&catid=58&mcatid=11
I would suggest this slightly smaller tile size in order to contrast the even coloring of the Shitake.Small size tile gives more texture. I do not like marble on kitchen countertops, but a backsplash is okay. Another product I like is the glass line from AKDO. http://www.akdo.com/products_detail_coll.asp?pid=4913&collid=110&subcollid=
This is more of a monochromatic look, but the glass would look sleek against the Shitake. Can you post some pics so I can see everything that is going on...thanks. C.

Hi Charmean,

You are correct, the pictures above are not my kitchen. At this time mine is just an empty shell. They have just gutted everything so it is truly a blank slate. I am trying to get the majority of my materials selected (or at least have some combinations identified in advance) so that the installation can go quickly.

What I do know at this time: white Shaker cabinets, SS appliances and sink, chrome faucet, maple flooring, probably brushed chrome cabinet hardware (not sure if this will be too much will all the SS?). In terms of paint color for the walls, almost all of the available "wall" is backsplash and will be tiled vs. painted.

I will post some pics as soon as I have more to show. In the meantime I will definitely check out the tile you suggested! Love the idea of the calacutta 2x4!

Thank you so much!

Ok got it. Please do keep me posted. Also, take a look at Revere Pewter by Benjamin Moore for the walls. This would look great with the shitake and calacutta 2x4. Talk soon. Charmean

Hi Charmean, Popping back in in hopes you can give me a some additional guidance. I have 3 dilemmas that I am trying to solve for:

1) Unless I can get my cabinet guy to do a more toned down white, I may be stuck with very bright white cabinets. Does this mean that all the trim work in the rest of the condo (windows, baseboards, fireplace, linen closet cabinets, etc.) be the same bright white? Or can I do something softer, say a winter white? If so, any that you could recommend?

2) Although still a consideration, I am unsure that I will be able to go with the Caesarstone Shitake counters, mainly for budget reasons. Any recommendations for a granite that would look good with white cabinets and warm/med brown wood floors – maybe something in the oatmeal color family – tans/grays, and on the “quiet” side in terms of movement? I was looking at possibly Bianco Romano. What are your thoughts and any others to consider?

3) I am also redoing my fireplace (mantle, tile surround, and hearth). My kitchen opens up to the family room and the fireplace is in fairly close proximity. Someone cautioned me against introducing any additional materials and suggested I stay close to the materials that will be used in the kitchen for the counters and backsplash. What are your thoughts?

Am I going about this all backward? Ay! So many decisions!

I did upload a sketch of the layout. Not sure if this is helpful at all. Thanks so much!

Hi Charmean, Popping back in in hopes you can give me a some additional guidance. I have 3 dilemmas that I am trying to solve for:

1) Unless I can get my cabinet guy to do a more toned down white, I may be stuck with very bright white cabinets. Does this mean that all the trim work in the rest of the condo (windows, baseboards, fireplace, linen closet cabinets, etc.) be the same bright white? Or can I do something softer, say a winter white? If so, any that you could recommend?

2) Although still a consideration, I am unsure that I will be able to go with the Caesarstone Shitake counters, mainly for budget reasons. Any recommendations for a granite that would look good with white cabinets and warm/med brown wood floors – maybe something in the oatmeal color family – tans/grays, and on the “quiet” side in terms of movement? I was looking at possibly Bianco Romano. What are your thoughts and any others to consider?

3) I am also redoing my fireplace (mantle, tile surround, and hearth). My kitchen opens up to the family room and the fireplace is in fairly close proximity. Someone cautioned me against introducing any additional materials and suggested I stay close to the materials that will be used in the kitchen for the counters and backsplash. What are your thoughts?

Am I going about this all backward? Ay! So many decisions!

I did upload a sketch of the layout. Not sure if this is helpful at all. Thanks so much!

HI Blackchamois. On question #1, it's okay if you do a more mellow white in other spaces of your condo. If you have crown in your kitchen, paint it the same color as the cabinets. A nice white I like is called White Dove OC-17, a very pure white and a pinch milkier than bright white. On question #2, before I even finished reading the question I was thinking Bianco Ramano. I suggest this granite a lot with white cabinets, it works great and you are on the right track there. On question #3, I actually do not agree with the sentiment you heard regarding material being the same. Think of it this way...if you saw a gorgeous rug in a room and thought, "wow, that looks very unique and special" would you still feel that way if you saw the same rug in the next room? Sometimes repeating materials can diminish the effect of the primary space, in your case, the kitchen. I would suggest finding something cohesive to the kitchen, but different. It is a different space with a different function. Layout looks great. Hope that helps. Charmean

Also, here is Bianco Ramano installed...

Thank you for the info Charmean. And makes sense re: #3.

I plan to visit some slab yards this week/weekend. I think you had mentioned one in an earlier post ... Stonemart (N Hollywood)?

Yes, Stonemart is in North Hollywood.
13425 Sherman Way
North Hollywood, CA
http://www.stonemart.com/
Ask for Kim

Hi Charmean, Regarding the paint for the trim work you said "it's okay if you do a more mellow white in other spaces of your condo. If you have crown in your kitchen, paint it the same color as the cabinets." My question is for the kitchen ceiling paint, is it okay to do White Dove there too if that is what all my other trim(ceilings, baseboards, doors, etc,) will be?" The crown in the kitchen will match the cabs which as I mentioned is a brighter white. Elsewhere the kitchen cabs will not touch any of the trim work but I had forgotten about the kitchen ceiling. What should I do there? Thanks!

Hi blackchamois.
Yes, that's fine. Use flat paint on the ceiling. Hope the project is almost done. Charmean