Kitchen help

8 years ago

Will be replacing the counters and backsplash, but keeping wood on the island. Please advise on what type, and color for each. House is a laid back style. Want something easy to keep clean, no fingerprints, etc. Also would a farm sink be advised. We will probably be staying in this house at least 5 more years. Do not want a trendy look.

I have gone round and round on whether to go with black granite leathered finish or shitake caesarstone. I like the look of both. Please do not advise on the lighting.

Please help!

Featured Answer

Danielle Paul

8 years ago

Hi Kath. We are almost done with our kitchen remodel and we used Ceasarstone Shitake. We wanted a clean, light (but not white) neutral counter. We also use the kitchen and make messes while we do! ; ) wiping up spills hasn’t been an issue so far. From a distance, Shitake reads like a solid color. When you are close up, you can see the subtle limestone look. This also helps disguise watermarks, fingerprints, etc. I will try to post in progress photos so you can see it with lights off and on (although phone camera colors aren’t the best). Let me know if you’d like any more shots.
Good luck!

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Comments (17)

Suki Mom
8 years ago
We have black granite countertops and they show every streak and crumb. Your choice of shiitake caesarstone would be much more forgiving and seems like it would go nicely with your kitchen.
Kath
Original Author
8 years ago
Thank you for the responce!
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sheloveslayouts
8 years ago
Why do you want to change your current countertops? What do you like/not like about them?
Kath
Original Author
8 years ago
They are laminate, and we are raising the breakfast counter to counter height.
sheloveslayouts
8 years ago
Have you used a kitchen with stone? I ask because I put quartz in our last house and ended up really disliking it; its noisy and cold and not as "bulletproof" as people portray it to be. We installed butcher block in our current home, but if I wasnt being frugal I would have chosen Corian.
Kath
Original Author
8 years ago
...and my husband just retired, so he will now be the carpenter raising the breakfast counters and building a coffee bar in our breakfast area. He put in a gas line and put in a new $$$ gas oven and replaced the hood. The pictures shows where the old backsplash ended, and will need to be replaced.
Kath
Original Author
8 years ago
Hi benjesbride,

Do you like shitake caesarstone, with white subway backsplash, with this hand painted tile behind the oven, and what do you think of a farrmsink, too trendy?

Many Thanks for your advise. I use to draw floor plans too!
sheloveslayouts
8 years ago
I sometimes have decorating opinions, but I am not good at decorating. I'd love to draw up a new layout for your kitchen, though :-)

If you have an eye on resale, I'd skip the accent tile behind the oven. I don't see that tile having mass appeal in five years.
felizlady
8 years ago
You seem to need some additional counter workspace, so maybe a counter-height breakfast bar would be useful, but have you ever spent half an hour sitting on a barstool? I find it very uncomfortable but can sometimes manage it if there is a sturdy place to put my feet. I certainly prefer a real table and normal chairs for family meals.
Kath thanked felizlady
Katherine
8 years ago
Kitchen - East Brisbane · More Info
Kath thanked Katherine
Kath
Original Author
8 years ago
Love the look, what are your counters made of?
Kath
Original Author
8 years ago
Hi Danielle Thank you so much for the pictures, would love to see more. Did you have these installed by a contractor or a big box store?
dsgts
8 years ago
I love the wood on your island. I also really like Shitake quartz. However, I wonder how the two will look together. If you can get a couple of Shitake samples, you might be able to determine if you will like the outcome.

This could be a really stupid idea (others will let me know). However, if you like the Shitake quartz but the color clashes with the island top, would it be possible to sand and stain the wood to get a color that is more compatible with the quartz?
Kath thanked dsgts
Kath
Original Author
8 years ago
We have ordered a sample of shitake and Bianca driftwood Caesarstone. My husband made the island from walnut and we sealed with waterlox, do we do not plan to change the color. Thank you so much for your input!
dsgts
8 years ago
Kath,

Shitake quartz should be a lovely choice with walnut. Colors can be so different as we view them on our individual monitors. I used walnut with Victoria Falls quartzite and am very happy with the combination.

I imagine your kitchen will be beautiful. Please post pictures when your project is completed.
Kath thanked dsgts
Danielle Paul
8 years ago
Kath: We worked with a GC who ordered the countertops. GC also oversaw the fabrication and installation which was done by reputable local company. You have to look for the only seam. They made sure it was smartly located.

As you see, we used off white color for our cabinetry and we opted for a 3x12 subway from The Tile Shop called splendors cream laid in running 1/3 offset pattern. It has some nice color variation and texture. After grout and with under cabinet lights, we love it! You would likely want a different color with your white cabinets.