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A Fresh Look With Granite
I am an architectural design writer who often focuses on how environment can affect behavior. Before consulting privately, I received my MA in writing and ran a design boutique in Los Angeles.
I am an architectural design writer who often focuses on how environment... More »
You can't argue with the sheer awesomeness of granite as a kitchen countertop material (the easy clean-up, convenience of cutting right on the counter, that hot pot sitting without a holder!). Yes granite is robust and sleek and can give that finishing touch to make a kitchen truly unique.
But granite can easily look from that 90's period when the material exploded into popularity for domestic settings. So how to keep the look modern and fresh for kitchen use today--and onto tomorrow?
KEEP A UNIFIED COLOR. Let a white granite contribute to your white kitchen for a streamlined subtle look.
GO WITH A NEW PATTERN. Move on from that speckled pebbly look of granite, and take notes from the photos below on either smooth and even monochromatic looks, to bold new patterns.
CREATE A CONTRAST. Take notes from the photos here on the beautiful unexpected effect of black granite against a lighter background, or a white countertop with black cabinet finish. Bold and beautiful.
EMBRACE THE ROUGH. Granite is, after all, hewn from the earth. Think in terms of different edging and even unfinished granite (see below) to use granite in a new way.
But granite can easily look from that 90's period when the material exploded into popularity for domestic settings. So how to keep the look modern and fresh for kitchen use today--and onto tomorrow?
KEEP A UNIFIED COLOR. Let a white granite contribute to your white kitchen for a streamlined subtle look.
GO WITH A NEW PATTERN. Move on from that speckled pebbly look of granite, and take notes from the photos below on either smooth and even monochromatic looks, to bold new patterns.
CREATE A CONTRAST. Take notes from the photos here on the beautiful unexpected effect of black granite against a lighter background, or a white countertop with black cabinet finish. Bold and beautiful.
EMBRACE THE ROUGH. Granite is, after all, hewn from the earth. Think in terms of different edging and even unfinished granite (see below) to use granite in a new way.
| The granite in this pleasant kitchen offers a new pattern and ties in with the stove backsplash (which nicely balances the understated smaller tiling). The dark swirls ties in the the dark wood. |
| Another view of the kitchen and how the granite helps it integrate into the entire space. |
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The white throughout helps to give a fresh look to this lighter granite. Light and lofty--check out the ceiling height.
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| The inverted finish of this island gives an unexpected touch to this kitchen, and the white in the island helps the main countertops to stand out pleasantly. |
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| Pared down streamlined details around this swirled skinny bar give it a bold, frivolous-free finish. |
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| Beautiful and very current, the bold finish beneath this nice granite offers some finesse with the curvature on the end bookshelves. |
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A dark and sleek, this bold move for granite countertops is a central beauty in this great and individual space. Many specific details (lighting, wall color, etc) work wonderfully together to a great whole.
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| Yes, dark granite with this cabinet finish AND that fabulous farmhouse sink mix modern with classic into a cohesive--and very fresh--finished effect. |
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Even in such a sturdy structure as granite: it's all in the details.
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Black finish on this island (above beautifully finished floors) gives this white fresh granite the appearance of floating.
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Sleek and beautiful to balance this traditional kitchen. The granite enhances rather than distracts from the overall look.
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| No speckles here: this granite is sleek and smooth even in its pattern. |
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As a contrast, look at how unexpectedly beautiful unfinished granite looks.
Comments
Becky Harris Great ideabook! I'm a huge fan of black honed granite for bathroom counter tops.
3 years ago · Like
Capstone Marble and Granite / Boston Thanks for using the pictures from Capstone Marble and Granite! I am glad that you liked it! Soraya Abreu
3 years ago · Like
jan boeckmann I have black honed granite for my bathroom counter and I love it! I was afraid that it might show water marks or soap but it has never been a problem;)
3 years ago · Like
Teri Turan I can't figure out what is going on for the edge treatment on the black galaxy top. I have never seen anything like it and would like to pass it on to my fabricator.
3 years ago · Like
pvgail I must say that I am soooo tired of granite as a kitchen surface. With all that swirly pattern I can never see the dirt!! I'm currently building a home on the water and looked at many different kitchen surfaces before deciding on a quartz/stone composite. The pros? Far tougher than granite, never needs resurfacing, never stains, fabulous (sophisticated) colors. Cons? Much more expensive than granite - but what better place to spend your money??? It's where we live...
3 years ago · Like
Carolyn Zone9alady I'm not a fan of granite but if I had to have it, it would be either light colored or a bold striking pattern. The black and dark colors are too overdone and look boring to me.
3 years ago · Like
InterDesign Studio The texture of the carved Granite sink bowl contrasts with the slick reflective stainless vanity ledge. 
3 years ago · Like
InterDesign Studio The Van Gogh polished granite island countertop is like a piece of art. 
3 years ago · Like
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jaredbybee We chose something similar for our kitchen 
3 years ago · Like
Curtis Hunt The raw granite sink, I wonder how it wears? If you sealed it, would it ruin the look of the raw finish? If you did not seal it would the granite be ruined? Love the sink.
3 years ago · Like
Roopa Rajesh excellent ideas, they look lovely & elegant.
3 years ago · Like
pandamac i'm remodeling an old kitchen from a house built in the 70's...i found the most amazing granite today called, "Azul Mascarello"...i had never seen it before. It's not the mascarello above as it has blues, beige, moss greens and spots of vibrant red. I want it but wonder if I'll tire of it. It's gorgeous though!! This coming from someone that had baltic brown granite for 12 years! I'm pairing it w/biscuit color cabs and warm beige versaille trav floors...I also have an antique brick fireplace in the open family room...Any thoughts?
3 years ago · Like
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arikay I love the granite counter top shown in "No speckles here". Does anyone know the name? I think granite is still the best counter surface. We have had polished black granite in our kitchen for 20 years and a going to change it to a lighter/brownish/beige color. It is so beautiful, classic and is indestructible! We have never even re-sealed it and we cut on it, place hot pans, etc. and it just keeps looking beautiful.
2 years ago · Like
vicb47 We are building a new house. We have chosen granite for our kitchen and bathrooms. Our floor is acacia and our cabinets will be natural alder (we have stainless steel applicances). We are thinking of using a dark (maybe ubatuba) in the kitchen so it will tie in with the black in the applicances and our black fire place and tv and a lighter (venitian gold) in our bathroom. Our living room and kitchen are all-in-one open area. I've been told by sales people that the dark counter will show water spots and fingerprints which has me really nervous. Any thoughts on dark counters and also evisioning the entire look - I'm not really good and visualizing. HELP! Thanks.
15 months ago · Like
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lexinarlington in our condo, we wanted all the perks of granite without that glossy ultra-polished finish (it just always feels too "new" looking for me in an older house). plus we wanted a spill-forgiving surface that wouldn't show every stain and crumb. so i found a granite slab i loved and asked them to "hone" it for me, resulting in a satiny smooth, gorgeous detailed but matte finish that hid everything and went with the age of the house. sadly we sold the place, but i'd do it again in a heartbeat. (it was NOT a rough, untreated surface like the sink above)
3 months ago · Like
jacksonbeth We are thinking of choosing this granite to go in our kitchen. Can anyone look at this and tell me what the name of it may be? 
3 weeks ago · Like
Ideabook updated on Sept. 25, 2010.
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