No do not hone that island stone. It will ruin its great appeal IMO.

The island is centered on window. I have two junction boxes centered on each window (they are level with each other. The center box is dead center from beam. It is about 2” higher than the other two. If I recall, island is about 10’ and those are 5’ wide windows

Another vote for - let it be, and enjoy. You've combined natural elements/colors & textures in a pleasing way. My only suggestion was to pick up on the ochre color in the island, repeating it elsewhere - but I see you've already done that (walls around the window). So - never mind!

Oops island is a hair over 9’. B/c I wanted ample 52” b/w it and fridge / wall counter.

Oh boy, that is tricky. Your saying you need 4 pendants then. But with 9’ island and 10’ of windows. Going to be off a bit. Btw, is that Fusion granite? It is stunning. I have always been drawn to that look in stone yards, but never been able to use it. Beautiful.

Yes it is fusion. Why would I need 4 pendants?

I haven't read the entire thread here but I think it looks fine. In your fourth photo the eye moves from the island top across the dark counter and up the wall. My understanding of design is a focal point or smaller focal points, using color and texture, that cause the eyes to travel.

I misinterpreted your description. When you said “i have two junction boxes centered on each window” i thought you meant 2 on each window for a total of 4. So, if you will only do 2, perfect for two larger pendants. I love the Fusion exotic granite. IMO some of the most gorgeous stone available. Do you like the idea of copper pendants? Or are you still leaning to the dropped wood piece?

I am liking the pendant with the copper cage and glass. I wonder if doing that in copper, ORB, or even a green patina copper? I’d have to put a cover plate over the center jbox to get the 2 pendants (which I am liking). The other lights in great room / foyer are ORB

I think right now I need to breathe, see the stone done, get the corner cabs white, and stop freaking out before the complete picture comes together more :)

Also, if I consider window covering, that can possibly be very simple and set backdrop for island (maybe white, wide slat, plantation shutters)? Or no coverings at all for that window?

I think you're just lacking confidence...and, from your photos, I can't for one second imagine why.

You're doing great. Keep going and stop asking for advice you don't need.

I'm here to cheer you on, though... :) (gets out pom poms)

If you do just two pendants, you need ones that are around 16” wide. The glass cage ones are too small unless you do 3. So for three go for at least 10-12” wide. You can do the balloon test when you get ready to shop in earnest. For window, I would wait. Get everything else done and then assess. My thought right now would be to avoid more white on the windows. Perhaps a pair of Roman shades in a color to match wall color. That would help tone down cool whites so things blend together nicely. No rush though on the window treatments.

• I want to move in with you or you can come to my house and design my kitchen ;) Yes, I like.

Beautiful job...open a bottle of wine.

Very beautiful! Just be happy in your lovely home. Cheers! :)

Looks good! Do you like it?

I believe plain white tile (subway or any other shape) would look much better with the island. I also agree with Patricia Colwell that it is very difficult to clean stacked stone. The grease and food splatters from the stove will be very difficult to remove from the stone.

You have done a very nice job.

The stone highlights the window beautifully and notice how the dark color makes the wall recede visually. Actually makes the room feel even bigger. Now i can do better mock ups of various pendants. Any favorites?

I really think you need beef because the smaller glass ones won’t stand ip to the visual weight of the stone. Keep that in mind.

Thanks. I still adjusting to it. It took a long time to find stone we liked for outside and fireplace. This one hit us as it reminded us of old stone walls on farms in the northeast. Then we learned it is Connecticut fieldstone :). I never anticipated using it for the kitchen (planned on a tile TBD when we picked the fusion). but it does bring the room together and carry flow of natural materials through the house. Same stone and black granite used on fireplace.

I like it a lot when I walk in door. And when I’m at the counter looking out window. It’s just sitting at the island when the full pattern of the fusion fights with it to me. And lighting/angle has a huge effect changing the look through day. (@flo. If you can see leathered fusion at stone yard, it is incredible - just not practical for a kitchen island IMO)

I agree lights need to have heft (or maybe bold color) to hold their own and bring focus to foreground. I think the stone all around does make room bigger by removing the splotchiness of stone in just the corner and painted walls, as well as accentuating high ceiling. The contrast is great.

Btw, cabinets and window trim get their final paint coat in a few weeks. If there is a time to change from white - it is now.

Well all righty then . Is it safe to say you love the kitchen, except for the island fusion granite not seeming like a good fit? If so why not just find a good home for it (Im sure you could get back a good bit of the cost - or save it for another project ), Then put the same black stone on the island as on the counters - let the Connecticut field stone wall be the star of the show. Theres no reason island HAS to be different from other counters. No point in taking everything else apart to try to make it fit in..... as lovely as it is, if it doesn't fit, it doesn't fit.

This btw is my main decorating problem - being able to put aside things I love when they don't fit in. Heck I cant even choose a color for walls cos choosing one thing means I have to set aside another.

Marc, how's it looking? Did you finish it up? Happy with it?

Fantastic kitchen. Truly a work of art!

Well, I’ve taken a bit of a break from it. My GF came back from a trip. She didn’t like the idea of stone backsplash, but loves it. She says “absolutely loves it.” I think lights will help. At the end of the day, she loves her kitchen and I love mine. Otie loves whichever one is giving him treats :)

I’ll post more pics when lights are in and final cabinet coat is done and hardware is in (Planning simple stainless bar pulls)

Still need to decide on island lighting.

Thanks
Marc

All good news. Hey, I noticed a tree/shrub in the backyard that looks like a type that grows around here and it is poisonous to pets. Just check that out. The one with large leafs and kind of cut out shape? I forget the name of the darn thing. Hate for Otie to fall sick!

It is called a "Castor Bean" grows fast and has that shape leaf. Just check it out.

Thanks Flo. They are all fruit. From left to right in pic is Asian pear, apple, and fig. I want to try to espalier train them.

Ok great. Happy to hear.
Hope I didn’t alarm you but just had to mention. Enjoy your great patio a and yard!

I was afraid it will be too much going on as I read the beginning of the thread but the final result looks very nice. Just make sure you always have appropriate lighting. Let us know how is the maintenance of the stone.

Otie is the bomb.

Gorgeous kitchen and even more wonderful that the GF loves it. My husband and I may be borrowing some of your ideas. The combinations you used in this kitchen are beautiful!

Great Job!

I think it looks fantastic. I initially thought I wouldn't do that stone with the island stone, thought it would be fighting eachother, but it seems to really work. I love that stone

For those following, here is an update with upper and lower cabinet lighting (2700K led which warms the stone nicely - photos don’t show it well). Yes the stools need to go and need new couches. A couple of doors and drawers out for touch ups.

Will try to take daylight pics tomorrow and start a new thread for pendants.

Some morning pics. Not bright daylight, but anyway

Really nice. Are you still going to do some pendants over island? That island stone is stunning!

Hi Flo, Yes - that is still the plan - I just started a new thread to separate the discussion: Here is a link https://www.houzz.com/discussions/island-pendant-lights-dsvw-vd~5348005

It looks great!

Absolutely beautiful! I read through the whole post :) I would not add any pendants over the island. My eyes go right to the gorgeous windows. Pendants will add unnecessary details...between your counter top and the back splash I would not anything that fights for attention. Your kitchen is wonderful!

I agree with lucky...don't gild the lily here...

I like your place without pendants, but since this is something you want to consider, here are a few ideas....

Love this one Circa Lighting just came out with. Could be just right. Not too big, down light, black chain for easy drop length. Make sure you don’t hang too high.

Loving Flo's rec!!

I think it looks beautiful, but I’m a sucker for texture and natural elements. If you love it, keep it, it’s a beautiful design! I’d love stacked stone in my kitchen as well, but the cleaning seems daunting.

Hi Everyone,

Just wanted to check back in after a year with the stone. It has really grown on me as a feature I love.

Cleaning has not been bad. Actually some pasta sauce dumped on wall behind cooktop and it was ok to clean with a scrub brush and water (cleaned right when it happened). Elsewhere, it has been fine after initial clean and seal. Just vacuumed it once with a brush tip.

I also want to thank everyone for their opinions, advice, kind words, and - most of all - the encouragement! As a mostly DIYer, I always wanted to design and build a home. This was my first whole-home-reno, and I learned a lot and the encouragement provided by many, including y’all, really helped my confidence.

I am very proud to say that the home was entered in NARI Meta / CoTY for whole-home-reno and it won for local-chapter and Southwest region.

Thanks again everyone & do not fear stacked stone backsplashes!

Congratulations!! You did an amazing job and overcame several bumps on the road to this great award and recognition. Enjoy!!

Wow! I just love this kitchen, marcaevans. You did a great job. It’s perfect!

Frankly, I think you have way too much going on. Nothing is cohesive. The cabinets are linear and modern, the backsplash is rustic, there are 2 different counters and 2 different cabinet colors. The white is too stark against all the dark earthy tones. You may love all you have picked individually, but putting them all together in one space doesn’t work. First step is to replace the stacked stone with a craftsman style ceramic tile, picking up a light tone from the island top.

Looks great what a great space!!!

Hey mountie - the first step is to read the whole thread, realize that the OP has completed the project, won an award, and try to be nice if you disagree with his choices.

OP - you have some serious DIY skills. Congrats on the completion and the award!

Mountie, this is a completed project after much hard work....

I hope you're not suggesting that the OP rip stuff out now? If not, what is the point of your criticism? Show us YOUR house...We'll let you know what we think.