Are you using that same quartz on your island? Any reservations about that?

I see what you see , ..BUT , if you can paint the white cabinets a dark gray or black ....it could be rather interesting ...depending on how much you really hate it and if you want to spend the funds ....? The more I look at it ...I would rather work with the abstract pattern ...and have a good laugh fixing your initial " mistake " by making a dramatic change in the color of the cabinet .....to me, the cabinets should have been plain ...but if you paint them dark that pattern will disappear and you will make your backsplash the big news which , could be dramatic and wonderful !

Hmm, I too would paint the cabinets ...a grey color ...

You didn’t get Calcutta

Who would paint thousands of dollars worth of new cabinets? Please don’t even consider that.

Sometimes the backsplash is the hardest to get right. Please consider to removing.

I'm thinking it might not look as bad when the counters and range hood are installed. And you add a few items on the counter. If you can't live with it though I would remove it. Don't paint the cabinets to cover up a mistake.

I certainly wouldn't paint new cabinets a color you never wanted just because of this quartz. It's not going to look any better. You see tree roots like we all do. They matched the lines, so it's not the installation, it's the faux stone product. I certainly wouldn't use black tiles as the backsplash. That's not going to make things better, and an interesting pattern is just going to read busy with that crazy quartz. I don't know where you are located, but waterfall edges are rarely used anymore unless in super modern and sleek spaces (which this doesn't seem to be based on cabinet choice.) If it were me, I'd pick another quartz option without crazy veining and select a complimentary backsplash. You are NEVER not going to see those tree roots.

Dear lord no to painting the cabinets. Full stop and post all of the remaining finishes that are going in. I still ask if the quartz is going on the island and will you be happy with that? Maybe you made a mistake with counters as well as backsplash - since they are the same. If you can live with that as counters then definitely take off the backsplash - continue with the counters but wait on a new backsplash. There is absolutely no reason to rush that decision. However, if you hate this material as your backsplash and it is going in on all your counters then you have a bigger fish to fry so to speak.....

It looks as if you are planning a chimney hood? If you go to plan B with the hood, add a cabinet, and remove the side splashes, maybe it will look better. I added the quartz on the island, in case that's also happening:

“The builder has installed our chosen calacatta quartz on the counter and backsplash.”

So let’s see an image of it all together.

I think @mama goose_gw zn6OH is on to something. You can work with what you’ve got. The side splashes should come down, or at least be trimmed to end where the upper cabinets end. It’s easy enough for us to say, “pull it down.” We didn’t pay for it. Even the least expensive quartz is an investment. But your space is in process. Maybe you should wait to see it completed before you make changes.

Replacing this with black subway tile in a herringbone layout is a terrible idea. Terrible. You are looking for something that is the exact opposite of this - I get it, but just as I would say, wait until your counters are in before you choose a bs, I am now saying, wait until your counters are revealed and your range hood is in before you make changes here.

eam unfortunately it's just as easy for us to recommend spending more money to fix what's there by keeping it. The issue is the material. I think I would take issue with it even if it was just used on the island. This is a lesson learned through the school of hard knocks - always always always view your slabs. And if you can't then best to pick something plain / tried and true. You will only continue to spend more money on labor (not to mention the risk of damaging things) if you go ahead and complete the kitchen. Once that hood is installed and the appliances are in you will have to remove them and reinstall them if you end up choosing to replace the backsplash. The only way that backsplash has a chance IMO is if you replace the counters with something solid. And the only way the counters have a chance is if you replace the backsplash. The issue is the material you are fighting to work with. Edited to add - this looks like the cheaper quartz version of Calacatta - so LiveWire's earlier comment about scorching is also still a concern.

M Jordana - was this the look you were going for? The quartz material you ended up with is more 'heavy handed' and 'clunky' with the veining. So, is it worth saving in any shape or form?

Calacatta Classique™ · More Info

@thinkdesignlive, that’s not attractive either. I think @User is right, quartz is just not the right substrate for this application. Natural stone is the better choice, but honestly, even laminate is better than quartz for this application.

That said, the bs will be less noticeable when the counters are revealed. The OP has spent thousands on this material. It has already been installed on the counters. Unless she is able to replace all of this, including the counters and island, she is going to be living with at least some of it for a while.

“it's just as easy for us to recommend spending more money to fix what's there by keeping it.”

So what are you advocating? There is nothing about waiting to see the bs with the counters uncovered that will cost her anything.

With a metal hood and stove plus sink etc it really may look okay. Wait and then decide. The only think I would change now is the quartz on the side walls. Take down the side walls.

I am advocating that the material not be used at all. I don't take it lightly that thousands would be lost if all is replaced. But is spending (potentially) thousands to 'make it work' any better in the long run? Edited to add that we do not know their budget or what they are willing to do - the whole post is about wether or not this is 'wrong and hideous' and the majority are saying that yes it is.

Like the song says “ Ain’t nothin like the real thing baby!” ..;)!

Read upthread that 'I'm already making my mind up to ask them to rip it out and just install black tile (subway in some interesting pattern - chevron?). Likely i'll keep the counter top and waterfall edge island. there's nothing like spending more money to fix :-( '

I just can not imagine a scenario where at LEAST the back wall is redone entirely both bs and counter IF you can live with this as a waterfall island. You can justify this as a 'unique' island accent but I don't think you can justify it as originally intended (and I used that inspiration pic above to actually demonstrate that it is way too much use of quartz). But the big question is - why not ask the builder what would happen if they put the brakes on the island install? Why spend all that time installing this as a waterfall island when potentially there can be some cost savings to apply that labor to a re selection?

You were probably hoping for this - yes?

Pezzullo Custom Home · More Info

But you don't have the subtlety of that particular quartz. So, here are a few scenarios- first being a new backsplash (but no way no how would I suggest black for your quartz):

Island Forward Modern Kitchen · More Info

OR, new entire back wall (your new perimeter counter could be any range of white to match cabinets, to greige to charcoal grey to black depending on your floor finish):

Contemporary Kitchen · More Info

New darker counter but keep the backsplash (I'd loose the side wings in yours for sure):

Residence - Calacatta Belleza · More Info

Or a new solid white counter that matches your cabinets (again, loose the side wings entirely):

Wahroonga Project by Dan Kitchens · More Info

Your particular quartz is nowhere near the subtlety of any of these though. So sorry you are going through this.

@thinkdesignlive YES. See my update in my initial comment. I posted additional 3 pictures. Picture of the sample and then a picture from the install from 2 different areas. Do you notice anything? Do you think they both look like the sample?

Final comment. From a budget perspective - the last 2 images will hit your wallet the least. Especially if you can pick a remnant. But I sound like a broken record - can you live with this material as your island?

K

First make sure you were sent exactly what you ordered ,and not a knock off.
The company you ordered from May work with you and remnants are usually available.
If you have to live with it ,find ways to break up the space with herbs and a colorful tray to corral kitchen necessities.
Your hardware and stainless appliances may help the overall look too.

Jordana, I just looked at the new photos. I think the problem with this quartz is that the border of the veins is too perfect, like it has eyeliner delineating and highlighting it. The better looking marble-look quartzes have a more smudged appearance and the veins are more feathered, for a more subtle and softer look.

Unfortunately the sample showed you one of the slightly better vein sections, but not something you would know without seeing a whole slab.

I have to say that I could NOT live with that. It is pretty representative of your sample. It's just that you didn't see the whole slab. IMO it is a very poor and cheap looking material and I would not want that in my kitchen for the time I was in this home. It is going to bother you each and every time you look at it. Again, I would replace it with something much more subtle and NOT waterfall the island. Sometimes it's just better to learn the hard lessons, fix them and move on.

I didn't read through the thread as I know you are in good hands but in case it wasn't mentioned that if you are going with a gas range ,make sure that you are some how protecting the quartz behind the range if you have high BTU's. I've seen on here some major fails with quartz being used in that area. I heard that quartz is only heat resistant to 150 degrees as any higher it could damage the resin so this may be something you want to look into if you are unaware.

The sample vs the install is not the same quartz material. It’s very clear in the picture of the side splash. Where two different materials have been installed. No middle vein in the sample and the sample also has variations of the size of vein.
Installed is a very thin vein with consistent size. Definitely not what you picked - make them replace it.

Studio Q - Wish it was that easy (and hope it is) but realistically there will not be a leg to stand on with this. I agree with what Design Girl said - a full slab view would have prevented your disappointment. You could plead and beg and say ‘this isn’t what I expected’ and if they work with you - wonderful. Do not wait one minute more - first thing tomorrow you need to speak to everyone involved about your dismay. See where the cards fall. Good luck!

M Jordana, this pic was posted on another thread, as an island example, but I was struck by the similarity to your quartz, although the color appears to be softer:

I see your Update #2 in your original post - so what is the builder saying at this point?

I can see the difference, but honestly, they are both fairly similar and look extremely fake to me. I don't think the one you actually selected is going to have a much different appearance. If given the opportunity, I'd select something more subtle.

I agree with Design Girl and since the whole slab won't be seen, you could easily end up with that "branches" look still.

Tract builders have the reputation for buying everything as cheap as possible. Do they have a showroom? See if the sample indicates a manufacturer. If your backsplash came from a different manufacturer, that would be important to know: bait and switch, if you will.

I couldn't live with that backsplash, but I've never understood the appeal of plastic fake marble.

There are NOT 2 different stones using the same number. It’s the same quartz pattern. These aren’t printed, where each is the same. They are poured. Each will be different from any other. And you get big variations. That picture just showcases the potential variability of the slab that you may get. And did get.

ProSource Memphis I disagree . You will not get that variation from a man made material. They will be fairly consistent slab to slab. These are two completely different slabs with different vein patterns. That’s one of the benefits of quartz is it’s consistency of pattern slab to slab.

Who knows - Daltile's website lists only one Calacatta in it's One Quartz Nature Series and the number is NQ06 - However, the website may not be up to date.

M Jordana, I do see a difference in your newly posted pics, but honestly, I don't think the other one would be much of an improvement anyway, especially as a backsplash. Just my opinion.

I looked, too, on the Dal Tile web-site and didn't find that number nor any quartz that was listed just as Calcutta nor any quartz that looked like yours. I did find this porcelain on their site that I thought looked similar though not the same number.

Elemental Selection - Panoramic Porcelain Surfaces · More Info

@tedbixby1981 - Daltile's website is really bad. I did find it in the "nature" collection after I scrolled to see all the options. NQ06 - and see what looks to be the OP's material.

@mama goose_gw zn6OH any chance you can manipulate the my picture with the other slab?

Another reason I’d never use these manufactured slabs. They’re so unrealistic to me. Sorry you have to deal with this. Hope it turns out well and you’re satisfied in the end.

Oh dear, they are both really unattractive. I'd never choose either of them. The high def laminates look better than that.

Not an appropriate material for backsplash behind a range or cooktop. You aren’t even supposed to cook with a crockpot without a cutting board under it. Why do people think they can use this as backsplash?

i would cut my losses, pull it off and tile.

You must be beside yourself. Is there a way to just use tile as backsplash instead? I had a contractor wanting to do the same and run the quartz along the wall. I thought about it for a split second, but changed my mind for fear something would go wrong. I hope you’re able to resolve this.

Please - again, what did the builder say at this point? Are they standing behind the product installed or do you have a chance to reselect?

@thinkdesignlive waiting to hear back from the builder.

fingers crossed!

What are you asking the builder to do?

If you really like that look and don’t want marble because it’s soft, and is high maintenance, Dekton makes various very realistic marble designs. And Dekton is super super durable...can chop a knife on it and can even set it on fire and nothing happens to it. Just FYI if you want to stick w this look

Calcutta GOLD seems to have a much softer grain and look ,ore like white marble to me with more subtle streaks. It is different from Calcutta. Is it possible you ordered "Calcutta" but wanted Calcutta gold? https://www.homedepot.com/p/Silestone-4-in-x-8-in-Quartz-Countertop-Sample-in-Calacatta-Gold-SS-Q0760/304885353

Thank goodness you had it removed- I would have been so upset for you!!! The white will be great and more modern- please add photo