Tempest Black Quartzite - counter and backsplash??

7 months ago

Hello Houzz Friends,

We are redoing our kitchen. We were out today looking at slabs for counters. We found this slab - which we both like - Leathered Tempest Black Quartzite. We put a deposit down on the slabs.

I had originally thought I would like to do a slab backsplash - and I was looking a dolomite or marble - something white background with minimal grey veining.

The stone place helped us look at options but we didn't find anything that really made us fall in love for backsplash choice.

But they also said they recommend we use the Tempest Black quartzite for the backsplash as well.

I'm a little unsure. And I thought I could easily come home and look up photos on Houzz and find pictures of a kitchen done with this quartzite but it is proving quite difficult. I can't find photos - it may be a naming thing. But I don't see other quartzites with similar look that have a different name.

Here is the slab (we've paid a deposit on 2 slabs).

The cupboards will be BM Chantilly Lace.

Stainless steel appliances.

We have a south facing large bay window in the kitchen so we get lots of light.

Friends, would you wrap this quartzite up onto the backsplash? Or would you recommend a tile backsplash. Because of the window, we have very little backsplash area.

Here is a chatgpt mockup picture using my current kitchen. My current cupboards are cherry wood and we have ugly spotty granite.

I'm just not sure about using the stone as backsplash as well.

Please share your opinion and even better if you have used this stone - could you share pictures of what you used for backsplash - did you use the same as backsplash or did you choose a tile?

thank you in advance.

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Comments (5)

PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
7 months ago
There are at least 25 quartzite horror stories here on Houzz. I suggest you peruse them before proceeding.
M V thanked Joseph Corlett, LLC
PRO
Jill Nelson Design Service
7 months ago
I would opt for a tile backsplash. The quartzite is very dark, heavy. Your cabinets are light, bright. A tile backsplash could be a nice transition between the two.
M V thanked Jill Nelson Design Service
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la_la Girl
7 months ago
last modified: 7 months ago
How much counter will you have? I think it could look crisp and classic or it could look overwhelming, a lot depends on the space

I think the slab will look cleaner than tile around the window but you will need to think about how to treat your window trim
M V
Original Author
7 months ago
Thank you Joseph. I've read a lot of posts about quartzite on Houzz and I see that you are a regular commenter on many of them. It seems to me, based on what I've read that the lighter coloured quartzites have trouble with staining and absorption. Do you agree? Do you have specific concerns that you can share and do you think this darker quartzite may also have similar issues with staining etc? I appreciate your knowledge and expertise and this is why I came to Houzz to ask some questions before we fully commit.
M V
Original Author
7 months ago
@la_la Girl. Thank you for your comment. We will be redoing the window trim for sure - so we will ensure that the edges around the window are well detailed and built out as necessary to make the new trim cover the edges etc.

We have one run of counter under the bay window and then a shorter, narrower run of counter opposite that at a sitting area with a pass through. Lots of light in the kitchen, both natural and pot lights, under cabinet lighting.

I think as well that we will rethinking the Chantilly lace colour - I think it is too stark white. Looking at BM White Dove as an option and will speak to the cabinet company to get their input as well. They are custom so we can choose our paint colour and not worry about stock colours.

@Jill Nelson Design Service - Thank you and I tend to agree. As noted just above - I think we will choose a less bright white for the cupboards. If you look at the photo of the slab - I would like to use the darker more consistent part for the counters and the part with the lighter coloured "burling" look for the backsplash. Because of the window we have very little backsplash. Behind the stove and above the bar seating area with a very small strip under the window. I appreciate your feedback.