Kitchen counters, granite, quartzite or porcelain?

last month

Remodeling kitchen partially. Keeping cabs which are in great shape, inset and cream with brown glaze in a Tuscany style. I actually dislike them and thought about painting them but don't think the paint will hold up to the current 20 year old factory finish that is unmarred. So replacing stained island with another same size island, same configuration just less Tuscany trim on it and only one appliance, a MW. Hoping a more transitional/traditional style in lights, crown and backsplash will tone down the cabs.

Replacing all counter tops and considering backsplash in same material. I like natural stone, want some movement and dislike the quartz fake grain. So if using as counter and backsplash I understand I have to be aware of thickness as the backsplash will force the counter forward due to depth of stone.This will affect how it looks with current cab profile ie how it juts beyond cab at back wall. Any advice here?

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Comments (4)

darbuka
last month
Photos of your kitchen would help us help you. We cannot give advice in a vacuum.
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JAN MOYER
last month
You have no pictures of the current kitchen. The kitchen with cabinets you "dislike" and it is 20 years old.

Show the existing kitchen in every angle, day light, and in JPEGS, Do not use screen shots.

Put all of those in a comment box, below.

Using a solid surface ;back drop, does not "force" the counter forward, it reduces depth of the counter top minimally as just as with a tile.......it is installed l.a.s.t.

Add the pictures: )

Be sure to include the flooring in these
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chicagoans
last month
Pictures will help others help you. Based on the description alone (cream with brown glaze) you could consider Taj Mahal - a beautiful and durable choice. But it's hard to advise without pictures. Taj, like all natural stones, will have variation in pattern and color. So you will want to bring one of your cabinet doors to stoneyards with you, and then bring samples home to view in your own light.

If you do the same stone on the backsplash - yes, that needs to be considered when you choose your slabs. You also need to be aware of corners and how any veining will work on both the counters and the splash. Otherwise if you decide to do a tile backsplash, wait until your counters are in.

I agree with you on the veining of some quartz patterns looking very fake, and I also like natural stone.

Regarding porcelain: do some searches here on Neolith and Dekton. Some have had no issues and love the counters; others have experienced chipping and cracks. Definitely make sure your fabricator has worked with whatever material you choose.
raebutt
Original Author
last month
Thank you chicagoans, that was helpfull!

My post was about the stone and its qualities for how I wanted to use it. I am not asking for kitchen design help.

Jan Moyer: My point was that a thick backsplash will sit forward of where the current cabinet meets the back wall, so not even with current tile which is even with cabs. I would not like that look. For some reason I thought porcelain would be thinner and maybe the same depth as the current custom tiles. The need for all the pics in different lights is not something I want to do. My cabs , layout and floor have no bearing on the question. I am simply asking about those stones qualities in backsplash and countertops near a stove.