Software
Houzz Logo Print
coley_weisbrod

Installed quartz countertops look nothing like sample

4 years ago

I just recently had quartz countertops installed in my new house. This is my first time building and picking out countertops, so I relied a lot on the design specialist at the building supply store to help guide me through the process. I selected caeserstone rugged concrete finish based on the sample in the store. I have a picture of the sample next to my floor and cabinet samples. Countertops were installed 2 days ago and they look nothing like the sample! I am in tears! They have blotchy yellowish spots that make them look dirty, Almost like salt spots or hard water stains. I called the manufacturer, the fabricator, and the store that sold it to me and they all say that it looks as it should. The design specialists actually told .e that I should have looked online to see finished prodects made with this finish.....well I definitely would have had I been told that there was such a gallery!! Any advice would be greatly appreciated on where to go from here.

Comments (20)

  • 4 years ago



  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    Sample I based my decision off of


  • 4 years ago



  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    Oh my. I am so sorry you didn't get what you were expecting. If you only looked at a small sample I can see where the disconnect came from. You'll know for next time to go see the full slabs as they will show how it truly looks. As I see it, you have two options at this point. Either pay to replace with something else or keep them and try to learn to love them. We'd need to see what else is in the space and surrounding spaces to suggest ways to downplay the current counters.

  • 4 years ago





  • 4 years ago

    We see this a lot. People don't have the experience necessary to get what they want. They just don't do a kitchen build/remodel very often. It turns into a learning experience. Inspect every component in person. The actual piece. Not a picture or a description or what they always do. No work goes forward without your OK. Colors, patterns of stone, seams, sheen of finish. You'll get what you want only by checking everything before it's fabricated and installed.

    My display isn't showing yellow blotches. And that could be a good thing. If you've got LED lighting the 'yellowness' can be changed by changing bulbs to a higher Kelvin temperature number. 3500 instead of 2700K for example. The higher you go, the bluer the white light is.

  • 4 years ago

    You didn't look at the slab did you? You purchased from a small sample, when an actual slab will look much differently when you see the larger piece. What you have is a slab of Caesarstone Rugged Concrete which you didn't look at, and sign off on.

    It's yours.



  • 4 years ago

    Nicole - I feel for you. I had to make a decision off a small square but I was fortunate it turned out great.

    You'll hear, 'the only way you can pick countertops is to see a slab,' which is the best way, but not everyone has access to a slab. Think about everyone making decisions from a cross-country or, or overseas, or what if you just don't have great eyesight. And if I didn't know about Houzz, I wouldn't know to go find pictures of it. 

    One thing I've learned is that you do have to wait until it comes all together with the backsplash, your cabinets and decor to make sure you really do hate it.

  • 4 years ago

    Nicole - I feel for you. I had to make a decision off a small square but I was fortunate it turned out great.

    You'll hear, 'the only way you can pick countertops is to see a slab,' which is the best way, but not everyone has access to a slab. Think about everyone making decisions from a cross-country or, or overseas, or what if you just don't have great eyesight. And if I didn't know about Houzz, I wouldn't know to go find pictures of it. 

    One thing I've learned is that you do have to wait until it comes all together with the backsplash, your cabinets and decor to make sure you really do hate it.

  • 4 years ago

    I don't see yellow, so check if you can get a cooler lightbulb color.

    What are your fixtures like? Are you going with a sleek look? Or more industrial? Or farmhouse? I think the color is nice with your cabinets.

  • 4 years ago

    They look like what they are suppose to look like.

  • 4 years ago

    you picked "rugged concrete" I think yours looks better than the sample if yours is the L shaped piece above. the variations in shades is better dispersed on your piece. Go back to your inspiration..you picked "rugged concrete" a very accepting theme w uneveness/ surpises embedded. Once everything is together this is just part of the whole. You'll be fine. get some rugged hardware/faucet/etc some other details??? we cant see the space.

    Santa Barbara Rustic · More Info


    Contemporary Kitchen · More Info


    Bend, Remodel, 2020 · More Info


    Modern Rustic Renovation · More Info


    Photo Gallery · More Info


    Projects · More Info


  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    where's the sample?

    you never went and saw the slab you picked prior to fabrication? I don't know why homeowners don't insist on seeing the entire slab first. You can't pick anything from a small sample becuase it's not going to show all the variations.

    and you never looked on line to see what the finished product looks like? I find that a little odd.



    If it means anything, I think the countertop looks great. what brand is it?


    This is Ceasarstone, and I think it looks like yours.


    this is a concrete look quartz from one of my stone places


    once everything is in, you'll like it better. (I hope, because it looks great!)

    concrete is supposed to look exactly like what you have.

    If you wanted a smooth gray, you should have picked Silestone Eternal Serena

  • 4 years ago

    I too think it looks fabulous. Please come back once everything is in and show us some pictures!

  • 4 years ago

    Your counter material is on 'Flip or Flop' tonight. Looks good. I agree with the variation being valuable once the rest is in.

  • PRO
    4 years ago

    That vanity bowl should have been pulled another 3" forward. I hate fat front rails.

  • 2 years ago

    All these people saying Nicole should have looked at the slab first. Well excuse me but I tried this repeatedly and the store would not allow me to do so. What then?

  • 2 years ago
    last modified: 2 years ago

    @Ramses, go to a different supplier and/or try to find as many photos online to give you a good idea of what it might look like.

    Call all the fabricators and slab yards within a 100 mile radius and ask if they have any of those quartz slabs in stock. Drive out there and take a look. I have driven 2-3 hours to look at products I am considering. Well worth the time and gas for something I have to live with for the next 10 or 20 years.

  • 2 years ago

    This thread is almost a year old. I would love to see photos of the finished space. I bet it looks fabulous! OP, could you share a picture?