sorry about the sideways pictures.

Hi, nice kitchen!

Your floor and cabinets are similar in tone. So, here is what to do:

-decide if you want to go light or dark or medium. That will help narrow down choices.

-take one of your cabinet fronts off and bring it with you to the granite yard. Find one that blends well. Take photos with your cabinet next to the granite. Post them and we will comment.

Hope that helps.

I would stick to light to blend in with your cooktop.

When you install the granite, do NOT have them install the 6" backsplash you currently have, Instead, install a full backsplash from countertop to bottom of cabinets.

Good point, Karen. Are you keeping the white cooktop Johanna?

I think a dark granite would look best.

A busy granite looks best with a plain color backsplash, so when you are selecting your granite pay attention to any other colors in the stone ... those are the colors you will be using for a backsplash. i.e., if there are little blue flecks ... or little green flecks., etc.

no, the white cook top and sink will be replaced with stainless steel (the cook top is a stainless steel with natural gas) and is sitting in our garage.

Here is a granite that I think would go well with your kitchen. The names of granite changes from region to region and from distributor to distributor. So, you cannot go by name. Just showing example of color you might want to choose.

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Another note.....when it is in your budget, I would extend cabinets to ceiling. You prob don't have enough room for small cabinets above, but you could add crown molding.

You could also simply add crown, but to ceiling would make kitchen appear taller and of course eliminates the dust nightmare up there.

Johanna, I did not find any pics in your ideabook, so if you can give us some feedback on what you style is, what you trend toward, we can help you more.

i like the idea of crown molding but not in the budget right now. This go around we will do granite and maybe a backsplash if the granite isn't too $$$$.

cdrdesign....i'm not so sure i have any ideas yet. just want to know what will look good. I like subway tile as a back splash for sure. I want a granite that doesn't look cheesy and something that will stand the test of time yet still look modern.

If you are switching the cooktop and sink you now have lots of options. You don't have a busy cupboard in terms of grain, so you have lots of choices with your countertop. I would then look for some contrast from floors and cupboards and have your granite be the showpiece.

Karen, how do i find the contrast? Does that mean black granite? Does that mean a granite without any of that "maple" coloring? Should i go busy or solid? I tend to be more attracted to busy granite but that might not give enough of a contrast.

There are so many choices. I would take the advice of cdrdesign and take one of your cabinet doors with you as you shop around. You will see variety in price, colour and pattern, edging etc. Once you have selected your granite, then you can choose the backsplash.

Granite is a wonderful material, and if you choose a colour that is too close to the maple, the granite won't be a show piece. I would recommend bringing in a different colour, whatever range you like.

Hi.....2 things you said, to me are oppositional. You want modern, but you want busy.

Modern, to me would be no or little pattern.

Something that would stand the test of time would be black or white or cream, or charcoal with little pattern. You can always change your paint color and accents to switch things up.
I think that would be a wise choice for you. If I had to choose one for you, it would be cream or white.

Look at these photos. Which do you like best?

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Basically, think of it as a process of elimination.

Granite is a durable and great material for worktop, but it is also recomendable to check it in situ as it is a natural stone and it can change from slabs. I would recommend you to see the slabs first. Check for Baltic Brown or Labrador Antico if you want some movement and pattern. For plain options I personally love Absolut Black, and also Impala and Angola Black. I hope it helps.

Actually, i think i like the black granite best for contrast. i like the white granite a lot but am not so sure if it will stand out enough. What do you think? Ant specific blacks or creams that you especially like?

Yes, the black is more contrast. Actually, the photo above is charcoal in a matte finish.

Are you adding hardware? With the black, black hardware would look nice.

There are further options (sorry).......do you like the shiny finish? You can also get granite done in a matte finish. There is even a finish that looks more like leather. (more $).

Right now, shiny granite is actually trending out of style, which means in a few years it will be back in style (LOL). So, go with what you like. Don't worry about that.

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Different distributors use different names, so I would hate to give you a specific name. Also, actual slabs can vary from slab to slab, since granite is a natural material.

If you have narrowed down to black, take you cabinet to a granite place and place it next to slabs you like. Take photos and post.

You also can consider doing a white on island and black on the rest. That way, you can add a white backsplash and it will all look cohesive. (see 2-tone kitchen photo above).

.....or you can do all black and then do a silvery-white backsplash which I think would look awesome.

I have high gloss lacquered cabinets in a similar colour to yours. I have solid black granite counters and island. I have had it for approximately 15 years and it is still like new, current and I love it. Note however, I have recently heard that some granite costs have come down because some granites manufacturers are using dye to fill in colour. They also sometimes use thinner slabs and pressboard underneath to give the look of thickness. You mentioned the budget--this is not the place to skimp. Make sure you get quality stone or you are wasting your money. Like said above, see the untreated slab!

Not exact, but something like this

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Melinda, can you post a picture? I would love to see how that granite looks with maple. I could go either light or dark.

Well I would love too but my cabinets have not be refaced yet with the maple . I still have these hideous cabinets up. But you can probably find a pic somewhere here on houzz. I used my granite as the backsplash too because my kitchen is smaller and i didnt want things to get too busy. It's a clean smooth look - my kitchen and house style is transitional. I live in south florida. Less is more Going with more modern knobs on cabinetry also

Find pictures on houzz where the granite is continued as a back splash. You will like it

Stirking a Balance pic above shows black granite continued on backsplash.I don't normally recommnend it, but since you don't have a lot of backsplash area, it could work.

I am kind of sold on a subway tile backsplash.

I think subway tile is a better choice.

I think black granite would look good as your countertop

A dark granite would look best as it would be a nice contrast.

Black granite will show water spots.. Be careful on solid color choices. More color in the countertop the more forgiving it will be.
Be creative in the backsplash. It will be a statement in your kitchen..
if you want to have more definition in your cabinets as one posted suggested. It would be an inexpensive way to just go with one cabinet in the upper corner and make that one your Tallest cabinet. The end result looks good.