Is there any reason after 15 months using Corian that you would not consider that again only in a different colour. Personally I love it, it is so easy to maintain and I wouldn't have anything else.

I was reading the suggestions about painting the island cabinets. Are they actually a paint finish now? Your photo looks as though they could be thermofoil or vinyl coated in which case they might not be paintable.

Good call on the soapstone being a bit high maintenance. We have had customers use soapstone on two occasions and both have found that it marks easily and the oiling is tedious.

Funny! When I first glimpsed at the picture, I fell in love with the counters! Lol
However, the color may not be true to the photo. I agree about the valance and my first inclination is to give the cabinetry more character. And perhaps add a raised eating bar to the island.

I'll be brave embraceeveryday, we will probably be howled down, but I think the colour is really nice too, such a change from all the granite and marble and I know from personal experience that Corian is an excellent wearing product. Ceasarstone is the bench du jour here and I am over it, it is everywhere - but then I like to be different and it isn't my kitchen.

I rather like the green too, and It would be a lot cheaper to just change out the island to a top notch material and change the floor than to do it all at once.

Then you can live with it for awhile in its new state and with a proper ledge for the stools, and save up for the rest if you decide that is not enough of a change to make the color bearable for you. That money could go for better ventilation, or picking a nicer floor tile, fixing the bathroom or a new room of carpet,or go toward a nice vacation or camp for the kids.

Very interesting. Your quartzite seems to look and behave just like carrara marble. If it etches with acid, there is nothing you can do to protect it. It's because when stones have a high content of lime, the acid dissolves the lime. Sealant will protect from stains very well for a year to 15 months, but the etching only goes away with refinishing. I have used a lot of honed carrara marble in kitchens and I also have it in my home. It is really beautiful and still looking good after 15 years, but I have it re-sealed and re-honed every year. Good luck!!!

Thanks for the info on quartzite - I reluctantly removed it from my list of options. Actually the existing green Corian is not so horrible, but we need to change out the floor anyway and it just seems time for an update. We got a good deal on the house and were able to carve out a budget for the kitchen changes. I like the idea of donating the green Corian -- it is in pretty nice shape and it wears beautifully. I just prefer a natural surface if I can find one thats durable enough. My latest idea is a wood top for the island and honed black granite for the perimeter. I had never considered wood before, but my research is telling me it holds up well in a kitchen with proper finish, and it is natural, warm and beautiful. I would love to hear any experiences with wood. I'm thinking Walnut plank style, not butcher block.

cmottesen - consider bamboo for a wood top. Latest trend here and apparently VERY hardy. Looks nice too. Don't know about price over there, not too cheap here.

Hi C. I did a really neat island at my brothers cottage. We used hemlock on the island top. It's like a table top on two s/s saw horses that allow it to go from table top to counter height to bar height. Anyway, my point is it gets a lot of use and abuse and it looks great. It doesn't have a really polished flat surface thought it's a bit textured and natural with a stain and mat urethane finish. They do use a cutting board for chopping etc. but it's stood up well. Check out your wood options as they are some beautiful woods. Walnut is lovely, as is the hemlock, cherry, bamboo, etc. I love that option and it warms up the white of the cabinets.

@Toro-Lombardo Design: what is involved with honing an entire marble countertop in place? Is it a chemical or mechanical process? Thanks.

@embraceeveryday, victorianbungalow and olldroo: I don't think it's the color as much as the material. It's that early Corian that looks "plastic-y". Some people like it, but a lot of people just can't live with the "man-made" look.

When I did my kitchen almost 20 years ago now, there were only about 5 colors and 1 pattern in Corian. I opted to do a perimeter of p.lam. (yes, *gasp*!) and an island of granite. I edged all the counters in a wood ogee edge for 3 reasons 1. I liked it 2. It avoided the p.lam. ugly edge and 3. It was less costly than a granite ogee. I think they have stood the test of time well. I don't have a great photo of the counters themselves (and I'd have to clean to take one lol) so here is the best I can do.

wow....I just read all the comments! Wood was my idea too, and it's nice to see you are considering it. I think it will give the kitchen a warmer, more natural look, and will probably help blending with your other decor. How about a nice reclaimed medium tone wood.....and maybe paint the cabinets under it a slightly darker than your walls shade.....or maybe pale grey/blue or grey/green? We have wood counters in our kitchen and I like the look and feel of them. Ours have glossy marine clear urethane....which, I do not recommend....but ours someone did themselves...not too well.
Eclectic Kitchen design by

[houzz=]

@Carolyn C - thanks for the feedback on wood countertop. I do not plan to prepare food directly on mine either. I'll use a cutting board. @Kathryn P - You are correct that I have 1990s era Corian that is quite plasticy looking. I see you have similar green color in your kitchen, and it looks lovely. I just have too much of it in mine right now! The wood edge on your counters was a great idea! @nomad- I LOVE the idea of reclaimed wood but don't know where to begin. I've heard of using old Pennsylvania barn siding, which would add some lovely character since I live in PA right next to an old barn (turned into residence). More research for me!

Aren't all portions of hemlock poisonous? If an animal chews it I think you will have big trouble. Most dogs can't reach a countertop so little danger there but I would never use it for cabinets for that reason.

The hemlock tree and the parsley like poisonous plant "poison hemlock" are actually not related. Other name for poison hemlock is "Conium maculatum" Their names are only related because they smell similar...

I love quartz, and think the colour Braemar would be lovely ( http://www.cambriacanada.com/en/our-collection/design-palette/Braemar/) on the white, with maybe Darlington ( http://www.cambriacanada.com/en/our-collection/design-palette/Darlington/) or New Quay ( http://www.cambriacanada.com/en/our-collection/design-palette/New-Quay/) on the island?

Cambria doesn't need to be sealed, ever. The only thing you do have to worry about is citrus etching it. But citrus should be avoided on all counter tops anyway!!!

Might I also suggest a cusion-step vinyl on the floor? Great for dogs and kids spilling (no seams!) and softer underfoot.

Hard to avoid all citrus in the kitchen. Spills happen.

I use citrus to clean my butcher block counters... I have spilled on granite tops never a problem. I would be more worried about oil and pizza boxes... What we usually do is ask our counter top supplier to take the sink cut out portion of the counter top and make it into a "cutting board/hot plate". That way customers can have a piece to experiment with a bit to see what might stain or scratch it. I usually tell them to leave it beside the stove for a while, to set hot things on to see if it burns or marks. Don't use it to cut on however, as it will ruin your knives.

I just ripped out all my engineered wood floors in the kitchen after 9 short years. It scratches, fades, and if its engineered wood, can only be sanded once or twice. In our case, once! Bottom line - dont put wood in the kitchen if you really live in your kitchen and have kids or dogs or both. Around the dishwasher, it looks worn... And by all means, don't put it in the bathroom.. Believe me, boys don't aim straight in the middle of the night, or anytime, for that matter.

Oh my gosh I hear you on wood in the bathroom. I already have it, and I cannot get the "little boy smell" out of the wood!!! I want to rip the hardwood out of the bathroom and replace with tile. However, in my previous home I had the same issues with my boys and the tile (probably grout was the culprit in absorbing the odor). I am hoping they grow out of their bad aim soon!! I just found a perfect hardwood match for my kitchen (matches to adjoining room). I love the idea of the same flooring throughout the downstairs but wood in the kitchen always seemed weird to me. I know it's trendy right now though. Everyone seems to have it.

I'm going to attach a picture of my kitchen floor now. And here is my comment - I like IT more than my wood, Nuff said. Right? Wood in kitchen is almost as bad as bathroom. It might match but don't even think about it. I spent money refinishing it once and the entire floor lasted shy of 9 years (original then refinished). It looked old exactly where you would think.... and the other issue is...rugs. The rugs allowed on wood floors are slippery on the floor. You can't have a rubber back. Seriously, I wish someone had told me before. I'm going to add one more picture of the happiest day of my remodeling life so you get my drift

I just read some of the discussion about counter tops and thought I would add my "real life" perspective. I have granite on my island and Caesar stone on white next to my sink since 2007. The granite looks new still but the Caesar stone is YELLOWING near the sink. I'm going to add a photo so those in this discussion see it first hand. It's subtle but there. Over time, it will need to be replaced and much sooner than we expected considering all the hype about its durability compared to marble and granite!!! If you love granite, go for it. Mine is still perfect.

Wow, calikym, that is too bad, but good to know. I usually like a "softer" material next to the sink - I personally don't like the very hard properties of granite where wet glasses, etc. might be more easily broken. BUT, I will make sure to talk to my clients about the Caesarstone. Any amount of money - but especially THAT amount of money - should purchase a product that will last!!!!

Exactly. And we are neat people (never leave dishes in sink at night or after my meal) and also use recommended products everywhere. We are also careful to not cut on it since a knife will leave marks on the man made stone but not on granite, even though the store selling the manmade stone said it was practically indestructible. I guess we need to apply common sense to this - granite (and other natural products) have withstood the true test of time and we don't need to be a genius to accept this as the likely truth.

@Kathrin Peltier Design
The refinishing is done in place and by hand by firms who specialize in marble and stone care. They use very fine wet sandpaper. Then they apply a solvent to get rid of the old sealant and finally apply the new sealant. The whole process takes several hours and the counters have to stay dry for 24 hours.

Thank you, Toro-Lombardo. Could I ask you about how much this costs? I realize that prices will probably vary quite a bit, but it sounds like it might be a fairly expensive process?

What about a cork floor for the kitchen? It is soft on the feet, warm, natural and hardwearing. And will tone in with the hardwood floors.

@calikym -- the idea of caesar stone yellowing is frightening considering its cost. I would call the company and ask for someone to look at it. They are selling quartz as indestructible. At the very least, they should have an explanation for what is happening. It certainly shouldn't yellow. I think they should replace it, but businesses do not guarantee products as they should. I googled and found one mention of yellowing white quartz in sun. That is just not acceptable.

I think granite is overdone in the extreme. I have solid surface in something that looks like spotted milk glass and I absolutely love it. The only drawback from my point of view is that it can't take pot heat.

If the person who sold it to you won't warranty it, you might want to contact Caesarstone directly. I'm sure they don't want negative publicity :-)

The place is out of business...but I will pursue this. We spent more on our fake stone than granite, and that is saying something since the granite was also the priciest.

Here are a few inspirational photos... A few of these have wood floors, but tile would look just as great.

Hi cmotteson,
I don't know where you are in PA, but I googled reclaimed wood countertop pennsylvania, and saw a few interesting sites: glumber.com is in Germantown. elmwoodreclaimedtimber.com is in MO, but they ship. antiquewoodworks.com. and greenecoservices.com for PA has a listing of providers if you can find a carpenter. I'll send a photo if I can.... :)

check out elmwood......photo reference 111, 112, 113

Good luck Calikym.

@nomadkath - Thanks for the info. I like the elmwood photos you reference. I'll have to investigate the idea further.

I strongly suggest that you get and study book by Johnny Grey 'The art of kitchen design' - you will find lots of answers and ideas there - by someone who not only designs by uses kitchen and realy understands problems 'keen cooks' are facing; did you thik about having two surfaces on your counter - end grain chopping block & something else..? and as for the floors, my dream solution for the kitchen would be combination of wood and tiles - where wood forms square 'frames' around tiles - I don't know how to copy it in this comment - but look for kitchens by Crisp Architects (they have been on Houzz recently) - and you will find the one with 'combination' floor..Long ago I read that in Spain they use to do floors like this but instead of big tiles they would fit terracota ones size of ordinary brick - but the point was that each frame had different arrangement of tiles in it - which was very amuzing for owners children who played there... Best luck with making your choice!

@Ljiljana - thanks for the suggestions. I have reviewed Crisp Architects work and I love their style. I don't know if I have the budget for some of these things, but I love picking up different ideas from people!

For your countertops, quartz tends to be lower maintenance than granite and it has a much more unified look to it.

I'd recommend thinking about linoleum for the flooring - most people like yourself do want wood or tile but linoleum is hard-wearing, lower cost and actually kind to the environment. I've got a bit more info here: http://www.remodelormove.com/articles/what-are-the-benefits-of-linoleum-flooring

Good comments, too bad someone is helping me pick my stuff! Love the 'rendered pics' for all the different looks! I did maple biscotti (cream) cabinets, they look white here but not really...country oak floors and Golden Thunder granite (they say it's the most versitile)...I love the combo so far...am looking for ideas on blacksplashs, lighting, etc. Good luck!

@Remodelormove-I really haven't considered linoleum. It still has a 1970's feel to me, but I know it's come a long way!

My Parents built a house in 1957. They had a cool Linoleum put down, my Mother had the kitchen floor polished and waxed every few months. The floor looked great for just about 42 years, in the last year of its service the floor started to wear down and started to crackle a little in the breakfast room. Not bad for having five kids, then grandchildren and numerous dogs trample on it for so many years. My Mother still misses that floor! 8-). I have no idea if you need to wax the new ones, probably not I'm guessing. I'd think it be my next kitchen floor......P.S I may be mistaken but the seventies flooring you may be thinking of is the vinyl flooring.

Of course they were only suggestions & ideas - and that is whole point of all of us communicating with you (from different parts of the world :_)) ...I had copied many great ideas and managed to find people who did things inexpensively for me - or just made some things myself taking other people’s ideas as the starting point. To me it is much more fun that way than just dishing up huge amounts of money and having it done...I truly put my mind and heart in it....and then enjoy it so much more!!
Check my comment on “How to Plan Your Kitchen Storage for Maximum Efficiency”...you will see what I mean.

Can you explain the pictures above regarding the wood flooring please? What happened to the floor?

Wow - you seem to be the room of the day! I wanted to share this after reading some of the comments:

While we do NOT have little kids, I entertain a lot, have a HUGE Argentian Mastiff - who lives in the house, a cat, I garden and our french doors go right out onto the deck - so there is a LOT of in and out, and YES - we have wooden floors in the kitchen.

IF you are in the kitchen a lot - wooden floors are MUCH easier on the back and feet. And, my house if very old, and has original heart pine, and I put prefinished OAK in the kitchen because it was on sale, and the original floors in the kitchen could not be saved. BUT you can MATCH the other floors - there are a lot of flooring places wihich will do this, and you can ask for repurposed wood - and then you can just have the finish matched. Wa-la!

We are in the process of chosing what materials we want in our kitchen - which will be a redo of a house which is 116 years old. I looked at soapstone - but very expensive - but was a material in victorian homes AND it absorbs light - as I have a wall of windows - without curtains as they start way above where regular windows are now - I wanted the soapstone because it DOES ABSORB the light. If you want a bright kitchen YOU should consider this before chosing soapstone? Yes?

I have recently been to home depot - looking at counter materials and they have a entire new line of WOOD surface materials for countertops. I THINK you might be impressed. Check it out.

Also: please check out VanDykes.com - I like the idea of you painting your island a darker color - even love the red idea - but you can purchase the legs and corbels from this vendor. They have EVERYTHING you can think of, from lights to hinges. If you extend the counter on the island and add some legs it would add some very interestng architectural detail to your room.
They also sell all of the matching hardware you can dream of.

Please keep us posted. But do check out the wooden countertops at Home Depot, and personally I like the idea of the black and white angled flooring AND there IS a new UNDERpinning for tile floors that is both waterproof and mositure proof - which is laid down under the tile. It might make it a little softer and warmer if this is what you choose.

Let us know :-)

for flooring there are tiles that look like wood that are just wonderful. gives you a look of wood without the upkeep and providing you do an adequate border it would look great.

I have kashmir white on my island, and I LOVE it! We chose a slab with some big black blotches on it. The people at the stone place said they would normally be considered a flaw, but that's what we thought made it interesting. We have contrasting perimeter countertops (honed black granite) and I LOVE the contrast.

As for wood floors in the kitchen, I would never have anything else. I'm in my 3rd house with wooden floors in the kitchen, and nothing beats it for warmth, and comfort under foot. I have a lovely mat at my sink, and have never had any problems with the floor. I've had tile and stone floors in kitchens, and they were lovely, but SO hard on my feet and joints.

In the first pic, you can see my island and kitchen; the second pic shows a close up of the kashmir white in our butler's pantry.

keep us posted on what you do!

hey cmotteson, you've had so many comments......just wondering what you are thinking about it all...? ....so many options

I would leave the island white. White is classic, in a few years you might regret the painting of the island. Soapstone is a classic compliment to the white. Consider a wood top on the island. Check out Craftart or Boos. A walnut finish on the island top would be beautiful. A stainless top on the island would also look great. Painting the island would create too much diversion, better to keep it simple and classic. As for the floor, not sure what you have in adjacent areas but I prefer the contrast of wood or cork, both more forgiving if you drop something and easier on the feet and back then tile when working any amount of time in the kitchen.

I think you are wise to avoid any high maintenance materials. Yes, hardwood, soapstone, marble, etc. are gorgeous, but I agree that they aren't suited to your life style right now. Love the idea of a red island. Are the cabinets thermofoil?