Would this countertop combination work?

16 years ago

I'm sure you're so sick of me posting about my countertop choices, but if you humor me once more I would greatly appreciate it. :)

I fell in love with quartz, but the $$ is too high for us to do the whole kitchen. I don't want granite nor solid surface. I was going to do all laminate again but I am having trouble finding something I like (and believe me, I have ordered tons of samples, included the Formica 180FX, which was too busy for me).

So I would like to hear if this combination would work: I would do Formica Basalt Slate on the perimeter and white or really light quartz on the island. I am not necessarily trying for a black and white kitchen, but I keep debating between light and dark countertops anyway, so I figure this combination gives me both.

Will the laminate and quartz look dumb? Is the contrast too much? Should I go with a slightly darker color for the island; i.e. something in the beige or grey family?

Formica Basalt Slate

{{!gwi}}

My appliances are white but I would like to replace them with stainless/black when they die (whenever that is). My sink is white and is staying. Will that look dumb with the black countertop too? The backsplash will eventually be replaced too, just not sure when.

Thanks again! Here's my current kitchen once more:

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Comments (7)

mom2sethc
16 years ago
Hello chocolatebunny!

My kitchen is similar to what you are considering, and I happen to like it very much! I have a black w/ white flecks (reads black)laminate on my perimeter counters and a corian (tan w/ flecks of orange/green) on my island. In the next year or 2 I plan to upgrade the counters, but I am planning on sticking with (black on the perimeter and something else on the island). Here are some pics of my kitchen.
chocolatebunny
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks mom2sethc! Your kitchen looks great! Your cabinets are a bit lighter than mine but I think the contrast looks really nice!

Here's a photo I found that has the opposite - light perimeter and dark island. (this photo is of solid surface but you can get the idea) Is this better since I have a white sink?

{{!gwi}}
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danielle84
16 years ago
Hi Chocolatebunny,
Personnaly I like the pale on the perimeters to go with your white sink and dark for your island.
Nevertheless, I do like mom2sethc's kitchen.
One way of knowing the best solution would be use photoshop on play with your colors. If you do not have that program just use markers on a photograph.
I wish you luck.
mom2sethc
16 years ago
Hi!

I also like the white perimeters with the dark island. I would agree, with the white sink you might be happier with the lighter counters on the perimeter.

Elaine
dianalo
16 years ago
I think the lighter perimeter and the darker island because there is veining in the "slate" and that looks nice on an island. It also leaves the light counter where there may be shadows and the dark where there is more light.
The white sink is no problem for me, but the I'd remove the white faucet to tone it down a notch.
chocolatebunny
Original Author
16 years ago
I do have a new faucet (Kohler Forte in brushed chrome) which will be installed once I figure out the countertops. So that is taken care of. :)

I did take Danielle84's suggestion and color photos of my kitchen and I prefer the white perimeter w/the black island, especially b/c of the white sink. I also took a bunch of sheet of black construction paper and covered the island top to give me an idea.

Will I drive myself crazy trying to keep a black countertop clean?
mom2sethc
16 years ago
Hi!

If you go with the black laminate that you show above, I can't imagine that it would be any harder to take care of then my black laminate. Mine is so easy to clean, it doesn't show dirt, it doesn't show fingerprints, it doesn't streak. In fact, I'm really in no hurry to upgrade my countertops because of the ease of care that my laminate requires.

Elaine