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Not loving my new counters :/

4 years ago

This is more of a vent since it’s not like I’m going to redo the brand new counters. I’m just disappointed. I thought I’d love it and it’s just okay.



Purchased a home a few months ago and knew right away I wanted to replace the dark gray granite with something much lighter. Decided to go with LG Lumina as it has faint warm gray and amber veining which I thought would work with my warm gray and tan tile.


Due to the existing granite backsplash I abandoned my original plan of a tile backsplash in favor of keeping it simple with quartz. I figured tile might be too busy and they would have to repaid the drywall to install tile so it was cheaper and easier with the quartz.


Waited a few months for it to come in and I’m underwhelmed. This was one of the more expensive quartz options at HD so I think that adds to my disappointment. The stark contrast between the dark, nearly black java cabinets and the whiter than expected quartz is jarring to me. I know once the faucet, range and otr microwave go in, along with a few accessories, it will likely look better.


Entire house was also just painted SW shoji white with bright white trim/doors, so repainting is out.

So I’m not sure there’s anything to be done. Hopefully it will grow on me, at the moment it feels like a costly mistake.


Before





Comments (34)

  • 4 years ago

    I think it looks great. There are often posts on this forum similar to yours in which the homeowner isn’t happy with the new installation. A lot of that is simply the newness, and a lot of it is that the appliances, faucet and accessories are not in. Relax.

  • 4 years ago

    It's nice. It just feels sterile right now. Get your junk in there.

  • 4 years ago

    pendant lights are nice and special. Get some equally nice polished nickel hardware on the cabs and a splurge on the faucet and you might start to appreciate the change. you have to layer onto the simplified lighter look. I think its a winner.

  • 4 years ago

    Agreed. Looks great!!!!

    When you have the time, budget and patience you can do something with the backsplash to add some oomph. But for now your accents will add that!
    Add some pretty flowers, plants, tea kettle, candles, cutting board, salt shaders, bowls...

  • 4 years ago

    It looks terrific! And your pendants are really great too. Congrats on your new house!

  • 4 years ago

    I like it.

  • PRO
    4 years ago

    It's fine.

  • 4 years ago

    Looks pretty

  • 4 years ago

    I think you’ll be okay - give yourself a moment. Change is hard sometimes, even when you know you want it. Once the other things are finished I’m betting you’ll love it. 👍🏻

  • 4 years ago

    I like the change to the lighter counters. Once you put your personal items on your counters, it will look lived in. Your kitchen is lovely.

  • 4 years ago

    I agree that it looks great!
    I know the feeling of waiting for months, and then it’s not what you’ve been picturing that whole time. It can be very disappointing. Give yourself a few weeks with all of your stuff in there before you really judge it.

  • 4 years ago

    I'm another one who thinks this is going to be absolutely fabulous. I do "see" sterile, right now. But you'll be adding your finishing touches, colors, decorations, rugs, etc - and it's going to look beautiful when it's done.


    Don't doubt yourself - you're doing just fine. It's also not done yet! :)

  • 4 years ago

    Very nice, post pictures after everything is complete. Good luck

  • 4 years ago

    Take a look at this kitchen.

    https://youtu.be/fvOlC81OMcg

  • 4 years ago

    I really like it! A wonderful improvement. In addition to adding back your "stuff", have you considered pulls/knobs? I am one who really appreciates how the right pulls (especially pulls) dress up a kitchen. You could choose a shiny chrome-like pull or a brass. Either way, it would really dress it up. You'll be very happy with your counter choice in the long run.

  • 4 years ago

    The problem is the floors. That is the disconnect. At some point will you be able change them?

  • 4 years ago

    The floors look very different in each photo. I see them as quite neutral, and they dont bother me at all.

  • 4 years ago

    It looks beautiful! It’ll take a couple of weeks to adjust to the drastic change. Once you add accessories, it’ll look even better!

  • 4 years ago

    Ugh, this particular type of disappointment really does hurt. You spend so much time and energy, trying to visualize the outcome, and then sometimes it’s underwhelming. I agree that time will help. I think this situation arises more often when the renovation is partial— some elements are new and some old. The old stuff often looks so much worse next to the new, and it so difficult design-wise to seamlessly blend old and new so that it looks intentional. On top of that, your expectations may have been built on examples of that counter that weren’t working with a floor like yours.

  • PRO
    4 years ago

    Looks good, like the contrast with cabinets.

  • PRO
    4 years ago

    Do your floor tiles look different because of the type of lighting? If so, perhaps, change bulb K to cooler (4000k) to better match countertop.



  • 4 years ago

    It's fine, it's a quiet choice. Those pendants are pretty! Accessories will make a big difference :)

  • 4 years ago

    Mdin: I had a yellowish cast to my kitchen lighting and changed out the bulb to “daylight” bulbs and the transform was amazing. I now have white light! It imroved the look of my kitchen immensely too.

  • 4 years ago

    Paint your cabinets white.

  • PRO
    4 years ago

    @kculbers, yes, while I "knew" there were differences between warm, soft, and daylight bulbs, I really "learned" it when I redid my kitchen with white cabinets & white countertops (will never do that again - whites too often do not play well together), but changing the bulbs K helped (I even have one 5000K).😊

  • 4 years ago

    Looks great. Your rug isn’t modern and that is what is making it look imbalanced. Be thankful. You improved your kitchen beautifully.

  • 4 years ago

    Same for me. We switched all to 4000K as is so often recommended here. It was a bit jarring at first, but now everyone loves it.

  • PRO
    4 years ago

    Actually, I really love the new look, unless it looks very different in person. The white counters are great with the rich, dark cabinets. They are clean, sleek, and modern, yet very classic at the same time. From the photos, it looks like you made an excellent design choice, and I would say you've also increased your home's value. I think you just need time to adjust to the change. I hope in time that you'll love the new look. It's really a lovely improvement.

  • 4 years ago

    Love the look! I bet you are feeling underwhelmed coz of the stark change to your eyes. Give it a few days and it will all come together. What counters are those? i love them.

  • 4 years ago

    The OP has never returned to this thread since her initial post, and has apparently left the building.

  • 4 years ago

    I agree with a lot of comments to add accessories, appliances, and change color of light bulbs to daylight will make it bright and complete. You might consider bringing in some colors to match the flooring such as brushed brass/gold accents in accessories. If it were me, even though it is trendy right now, I would do the pulls, in brushed brass/gold color to bring the tan/brown color in floors upward. If trends/styles change or you change flooring in a few years, drawer/door pulls are easy to change out. The kitchen looks beautiful and you did a great job picking out the countertops.

  • 4 years ago

    Paint the rest of your island the same color as your cabinets. It seems as thought the kitchen is approached from this angle and the difference in color is jarring. It’s catching your eye and is distracting from the beauty of your gorgeous new kitchen.

  • 4 years ago

    I can’t seem to edit my previous post on my phone… autocorrect changed though to thought. Hope my comment still made sense.