How to give hickory cabinets a modern counter and backsplash?

8 years ago

We're upgrading our countertops to quartz or similar. Our cabinets are light hickory, floors are bamboo and walls are a khaki color. We'll put the same counter on the bar top.

We like a clean modern look but are struggling with the right color counter and backsplash. We initially thought grey but didn't know if it would tie in, then tan but it seemed to blend in and disappear. Now we're considering white but that leaves a backsplash conundrum. Any ideas on counter color and backsplash.

Featured Answer

jhmarie

8 years ago

Hickory cabinets have movement because of the wood variation and grain. Your backsplash should be very simple or understated. A backsplash with movement will look too busy.

The mosaics are too busy with the hickory - also, mosaics are the most common backsplash taken down shortly after going up. What looks pretty on a 12 x 12 sheet is overwhelming when it surrounds you on all sides. This is probably why they are not as popular as before and I rarely see them in new design pics. Sometimes with white cabinets in a beach setting I will see an understated or colorful - shades of blue or green - mosaic. Otherwise, they seem to be fading. The two mosaics you are looking at also do not work with the warm toned cabinets the are too "cool" toned.

A light quartz with some warm tones is a good look. Mousemudget used Torquay which is lovely. I used LG White Pearl. Another thought is black. Soapstone or a soapstone looking quartz would be pretty.

Here is mine - the style is not modern, but the counter / backsplash and farm sink are flexible style wise. I am sure someone will chime in with some simple but more modern backsplash choices - or consider the subway tile in a larger tile.

https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~93784356

https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~57088087

The sink is a Kohler Whitehaven "short apron" farm sink which can be installed on a standard sink base cabinet. There is also a "tall apron" style, so be sure to check out the "short apron" to see if you like it.

Here is soapstone - a nice choice with hickory:

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Comments (10)

PRO
Carol Jean
8 years ago
This is quartz. Torquay and a marble black splash I was trying to modernize my kitchen as best I could
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Morgan Louisville
8 years ago
Hi, you can do something like this maybe
PRO
JAN MOYER
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
I wouldn't change a top until I considered an appliance layout change, What's on the other side of the range? It appears as a hallway.

Post more photos, or draw the layout. From here, it looks like the loss of 36 inches in opening and a reversal of range ( with venting ) and fridge ( counter depth!! ) would make more sense, and well before a top change. It seems money wasted on a very undesirable appliance layout
gcnettl
8 years ago
I really like Formica countertops, not every home needs laminate. You can put a cherry wood edge and put a chamfer profile. Then coat the cherry with shellac. Very inexpensive and easy diy. See the pic I post. For backslash I like a brick with oak cabinets for a more rustic look.
PRO
Sina Sadeddin Architectural Design
8 years ago
I agree the layout seems a little odd, but if it works for you that's great. I think a pure white quartz would look the best. Hickory has a lot fo movement. Go simple for the backsplash too, like subway tile, no mosaic.
acm
8 years ago
White counter simple backsplash. Lovely. (The speckled example posted by christimorgan14 would also work, as it has no large movement, just texture.)
maureennich
Original Author
8 years ago
Thank you all for the help! White with a simple subway tile backsplash would give us the look were after. Mousemudgett would you mind sharing what your backsplash is? It's a great look.
m_gabriel
8 years ago
Have you seen Curava - quartz with recycled glass. We have Curava Savaii in our kitchen with similar colored cabinets and it's beautiful and modern and bright. I also just found a glass subway tile that picks up the pale green glass without being TOO green. See [thread [(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/backsplash-help-please-with-curava-savai-countertop-dsvw-vd~4953086)from a couple of days ago.
Beth H. :
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Maureen,,,,those are beveled carrara 3x6 subway tiles.

Have you thought about doing a leathered finish on Jet Mist or Virginia Mist granite? looks great w/hickory. Almost looks like soapstone, which is another classic w/hickory.

this is a honed virginia mist granite

Leathered Magma Gold granite

or some quartz options
Calacatta Nuvo