New House - Kitchen Completion

12 years ago

Good day,
New member to Houzz here - joined up after seeing such great pictures of what everyone else has been doing. My wife and I have purchased a new home and are looking at getting some work done to the kitchen. Specifically we are looking to replace the laminate countertops with granite/quartz, and putting three pendant lights over the island (already wired for three individual lights).

Specific questions/considerations:

1) What colour granite/quartz should we put in?

2) Should we try to make the current backsplash work (new counters will be thicker)? If so, any recommendations on a transition? If not, what backsplash would look good?

3) What pendant lights do you think we should go with over the island?

4) Bonus Q: Great room is vaulted with 12 foot ceilings. We are thinking of likely putting in a fan, any recommendations?

Any other ideas/advice would certainly be appreciated also.

Thank you so much in advance!

Chad

Featured Answer

User

12 years ago

The pictures show the backsplash as black in two and tan in one. Which is it? Is the floor as dark as the picture? It looks very nicely done. I'm not sure I'd rush to redo any of it.

My first thought is that new counters will likely mean a new sink, too, as granite and quartz use undermounts. Also, in order to carry the weight of either you'll probably have to add a plywood base which will mean a new backsplash for sure. A trend is a different top for islands than what's used on perimeter bases. Something to consider.

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Comments (10)

Chad
Original Author
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
We're thinking perhaps something like this as 3 pendants over the Island. I have seen some advise on spacing (making sure they are spaced so that you could fit a bit more than one light in between them so they don't look too cramped), but I was wondering if anyone would know if a 14" width x 25" height would look good, or if I should go with a 10.5" width by 20" height.
Chad
Original Author
12 years ago
For Countertops, we are thinking perhaps a white with grey throughout (like the photo). The backsplash is 'Glass Grey', so we want to make sure what we get matches.

We are also thinking of quartz, so interested in opinions if granite or quartz might look better. We could also go with a dark grey for the counters (second picture) to try and keep the same look as is currently there.

We welcome comments/suggestions!
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Chad
Original Author
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
For ceiling fans in great room, looking at these three. First and second are the same except one is bronze and the other is brushed silver.

All are 60" fans going in a 20' x 14' great room.
anapants
12 years ago
Would kind of a theme are you going for? Are you leaving the cabinets white?
Chad
Original Author
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
Hmmm, looking to make sure it looks good - is that a theme? It is a new build home which has a 'modern' feel (square oak posts in stairway, chunky modern handles, etc). I have attached a couple more pictures to show the 'feel'. Will gladly accept ideas of nice light fixtures to replace the builder's standard lighting in the bathroom too!

Yes, we are planning on leaving the cabinets and handles exactly as is. As it is brand new we don't plan on changing very much - only change a few key things (countertops and backsplash [if required]) and add in some others (lights, fans, etc).
Chad
Original Author
12 years ago
The backsplash is a 'glass grey', they are certainly not as dark as the first two pictures show. The hardwood is a 'red oak', and again quite dark but not as dark as the first two pictures would suggest.

We have already purchased a new sink and faucet - and yes, the new countertops will cause some havoc with the backsplash. I'm not sure if it will be better to put in a cut row of the same backsplash to the counters, to put in some sort of 'transition' backsplash, or to just redo the whole thing (not a preferred option!).

We have noticed the trend of different countertops, however I think we will likely just go with something consistent throughout.

Thanks for your thoughts!
Chad
Original Author
12 years ago
I think this picture captures the backsplash colours a little truer (they are very shiny so you can see how they look different depending on where the light is!). Forgive my 'stove hole inspection' pose.
User
12 years ago
Given what you posted, redo the backsplash entirely. Please don't use a narrow piece of the counter to fill in, it looks like a choppy afterthought. A clean option, depending on what you choose, is using the counter material as backsplash too. That can be very effective. Good luck and post pictures when you're done.
Chad thanked User
Chad
Original Author
12 years ago
I think I may have found my answer about the light sizes - here are two pictures (albeit crude ones) showing the difference between the light sizes. I believe they should be properly to scale (close anyway).