For subtle I always recommend a pure white quartz. No visible aggregate, glass fleck or mirror. Clean and bright. Here is a sample of it installed.

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Lyra is one that I had liked too - but I saw some comments somewhere saying it was blue which I don't love. Maybe I should look again. Thank you!

@ladykatiekate I have only seen internet pictures. Hopefully someone else will chime in.

can you use Cambria?

I actually have the Silestone Eternal Serena (with NuBoost) and I've had zero issues w/it.

my kitchen is all black and white w/oak floors. have you considered this gray? or even the Charcoal option?

caesarstone pure white

or maybe Brittanica?

Thank you for these. I love the look of Weybourne as well as a few other Cambria designs but I am trying to stay within the Silestone price range. I had Serena on my list but we narrowed it down (I think) to only white/white based ones because the room is not the brightest.

the serena is a pale gray. lol. my kitchen has very little natural light and it's perfectly fine in there. there isn't a huge diff between it and white one w/a marble look. Do a white tile backsplash and proper lighting, and the light gray would be fine. I think white, on white on white can look too sterile. (like that pure white ceaserstone white i posted. )

Of the 3 you are now considering I like Helix the best.

I also have dark floors and a kitchen that receives no direct light after 12:30pm. White cabinets definitely help brighten the space, which is what we installed in the Fall. Installing proper lighting (both overhead and under the cabinets) will help too. Choosing a white countertop will certainly help brighten but it will look stark.

Within the Silestone options, I like the Eternal Statuario best. It's quiet and not too busy. It looks more authentic to me. Some of the others scream fake.

@megs1030 I am leaning towards Helix now as well; thanks for the info! We did add under cab lighting and the ceiling fixtures will be good.

@Design Girl My husband crossed statuario off the list bc of the long lines. Is it Blanco that you think seems fake? He prefers Blanco; I am leaning ftowards Helix. I am not trying to copy marble in any way, I just want a subtle look with white and gray.

If anyone has a clear photo of Helix on white cabinets, I'd love to see!

What is the price difference moving to a different brand? Will it be worth it to you over the many years it will be in your kitchen? Do you like something in a different brand better? My favorite is actually the LG Minuet. I've seen it installed and it's very pretty. I just find the other gray/black too jarring and busy.

I love Minuet. It seems soft and subtle. It's about $1500 more. I am so torn bc I have spent more than planned on pretty much everything so far. Oh now I'm going to be thinking about that!

@ladykatiekate -The Minuet is gorgeous. I'm sorry if I've made you think. Renovations always cost more than we think. I was just putting it out there as many times I ask myself how I feel about one thing vs. another. I also like to calculate my cost over time. If you don't have the extra money there is nothing to decide, you can't do it. If you do have the funds, you need to think about a $1500 splurge over the next 15 years. Will an extra $100 a year make you happier? Will you be mad if you don't go for it? Will you not care? Can you select a cheaper faucet, hardware, or save somewhere else that you won't notice? If's all a trade off and I wish you the best.

here's the helix.

Viatera minuet (not a huge diff between the two) but I like the Minuet a bit better (looks less 'wormy')

this minuet actually looks really nice w/the carrara marble subway tile

What about Viatera Cirrus? It's subtle

L to R Cirrus, Minuet. (large slab is London sky)

BTW, if you're going to be in the house for over 5 years, get what you like. what's another 1500 ??! lol

@Design Girl, @Beth H. :

Thank you both- I really appreciate it! This all helps. Lots of thinking to do... I'll post pics when it is finally done. :)

I'm with Beth - If you can afford it - get what makes your heart sing. You'll be in that kitchen for a long time.

what are you planning for the backsplash? (please, no 3x6 white subway ;)

and no 4" piece up the back either.

I cannot even think about back splash yet! But no, I do not want the large, shiny subway tiles. I did see some smaller ones that seemed nice. Well, are they even considered subway if they are very small rectangles with ever so slightly rough edges? They were a warm white, matte stone, not shiny, with a *very* subtle swirl in some areas- much subtler than any movement in Minuet.

Open to suggestions! The only thing I really want to do is black faucet, hardware, and fixtures, bc I think it helps blend with the dining room which it is open to.

Is a 4" piece up the back, meaning countertop flowing up the wall? No, not into that!

of course you should wait, but gather some samples now so you'll have them after install. If you look at Tilebar.com, you get 5 samples for $5. they have some great choice. i must have at least 40 of their samples

for the 'rough' ones, are you talking about a Zellige tile

or a mosaic, natural stone like these? (the first and 3rd one are a tumbled carrara or white marble. middle one is more of an off white (from Tilebar)

these are handmade ceramic called 'finger tiles'.

these would look nice w/your quartz too

or either of these

FWIW I'd be careful with the Zellige tile - Many people are terribly unhappy when they see it in person on the wall. It takes a certain kind of individual and a certain space to really pull it off. May other great choices out there.

What I was looking at was much more basic than most of those above. II do like those though I'll have to check out Tile Bar. The one sample I bought t Lowe's' description says Satori Bianco Dolomite -polished brick, marble look. They are small, not brick size and I guess they are pretty even and smoother than I remembered. It says it is for thinner grout lines.

OK not sure if anyone will see this but I have final info on HELIX and MINUET. I asked about seams. With Helix, there will be one seam, in the center of the counter behind the sink, I guess where the faucet is...? With Minuet they have to do 2 seams-also in the section of counter behind the sink, each seam will be behind each edge of the sink. Any thoughts on this? @Design Girl @Beth H. :

I love the Bedrosian's Cloe Tile (now sold at Lowe's). I think that's the bottom photo. I'm possibly choosing it over an Ann Sacks tile that is quadruple the price - and price isn't an issue. Google Image "Cloe Tile".

Hmm - I'm wondering why two seams in the Minuet - Do they not carry long enough slabs. I'd prefer one seam behind the sink, but it depends on your preference of seams and the look of the

slab.

@Woodhaven Renovations what is the name of the pure white quartz in the picture you posted? I am looking for something similar. Thank you!