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acm commented on a discussion: HELP with picking bathroom floor
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acm

I actually like the striated one, but only if the floor is the star of the show. If you just want it to disappear, you sort of need to decide what color you want to paint the vanity too!

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RedRyder

*changes

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Tina

What type of faucet should I be looking at?

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acm likes a comment on a discussion: Creating Moody Rooms
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Kendrah

The answers depend on the degree of moodiness you desire: Moody accent, moody lite or full-on moody. Your new medium wood floors will reflect light up, and the openings to the bright white hallway will read as a "fifth" white wall in the rooms. This will make all of your choices less moody from the get go. Also, what times of day will you be using these rooms and what direction do they face?

Moody Accent - If you paint wainscoting white, the dark walls and ceilings are going to provide a moody accent color but will not make for a whole moody vibe at all.

Moody-lite - Paint the whole wall dark color including wainscoting, and ceilings white.

Full-on moody - Paint ceilings and entire walls a dark color and you'll have an actual mood in the room. It isn't going to be nearly as intense as some examples you see online because of the white hallway next door, but will be much more enveloping than with white ceilings.

Same ceiling treatment in different rooms - Using same dark color in both rooms --> treat the ceilings the same. Using two different colors in the rooms --> can treat ceilings differently or the same.

Your choice of window treatments, furniture, and other decor will also help lean the room more moody lite or full on moody.

Moody-lite Examples

All trim painted same dark color, white ceiling, white contiguous rooms, bright uplifting upholstery, frames, chandelier = moody lite.


Salem Townhouse Dining Room · More Info


Note difference between flat green paint above and this super glossy blue paint and how the blue reflects the light.


English Manor · More Info


Moody-lite = White hallway, ceiling,trim, chairs, and bright curtains combined with some darker furniture too.

90s Colonial Makeover · More Info


Full-on Moody Examples

This dark green with white ceiling still reads as full-on moody because of the dark wood trim, dark moody decor, dark rug covering much of the room, and dark views into other rooms. You will never achieve this dark of a mood with a white ceiling because the bright hallway next door. For you to get this moody, you'll need a dark ceiling too.

The Maryland - Masculine Moody · More Info



The Maryland · More Info


This blue-black opens on to white hallway, but looks full on moody because of dark ceiling and all trim painted dark. This is a good example for you if you want full on moody.

Eclectic Dining Room · More Info


More full-on moody with colored ceiling.


Moody Dining Room · More Info


Painted Wainscot

This is a good case for you painting your wainscoting and upper walls the same color. With a white ceiling the room is moody-light. Pic below shows this room opening up into a very white, light space.


Dining Room · More Info



Living Room · More Info


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acm commented on a discussion: Kitchen triangle layout?
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grewa002

Thank you Jennifer Hogan, that sounds like a great idea.


BTW, I welcome any comments re: the floor plan

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acm

I like the fridge on the family room side, but I still think I'd reconsider the wall ovens unless you are a really huge baker, as the working counter space is quite tight in this layout.

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acm likes 3 comments on a discussion: Dining Room Help
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jck910

With such narrow windows I would not have those panels. Having them hung so high just makes the windows look narrower. I would do a faux roman shade hung just above the window trim. Use a fabric with some color that you can repeat in the room.




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Patricia Colwell Consulting

IMO the B&B is too high so now any art work would aslo be too high in fact in a DR I often hang art even lower that in other spaces Maybe some really cool wallpaper .maybe something like this and then a really low long gold rectangula dish for a center piece


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nelliebean

I think a sideboard or a glass etagere would look nice between the two windows. Could you sweep the drapes to one side and have them swooped with a tie back. I normally really like chairs lined up like you have them but I think if you want to make the room look wider you might want to move a chair to either end of the table. I think a nice oriental rug with colour (any would work since your room is neutral) would bring life to the room. Your light is unique so you don't want to add to much to detract from it.

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acm likes 3 comments on a discussion: Skylight - light benefit vs. heat
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debrak6

We can only tell you what we know and our experiences, then you have to decide whether your desire for more light outweighs your fear of increased heat or needing to use a shade occasionally. I live in a hot place, our skylight is large and on a south-facing roof slope, it does not have a shade, and our kitchen doesn't heat up even when the sun is directly overhead and coming down through the shaft. It's also 20 years old and there are even more advanced sun-blocking glass options now. It's up to you, though.

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debrak6

I think you'll be glad you installed it and love the light!

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la_la Girl

love the skylight in our master bath - 12+ years, no issues - you will love the natural light!

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acm likes 2 comments on a discussion: Exterior window and door selection question
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millworkman

" I just don’t know what to do and am getting pushed to submit the order. Any thoughts would be appreciated. "


Start over with a brand other that S/P and or Quaker would be my suggestion. Personally I would look at Marvin or Kolbe. And do not allow anyone to push you to place the order until you are ready.

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JAN MOYER

You don't submit an order for ANY windows until you have certainty of all the elevations.

We can't help, and we aren't seeing the elevations, either.


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chloebud

“There’s nothing at all wrong with a loved display in an entry. You explained well why it’s the best spot.”

Agree!

Your post reminded me of this photo I came across online not long ago.


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acm likes 2 comments on a discussion: small water closet or wall
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Patricia Colwell Consulting

I think toilet rooms are silly no one should be using the toilet while someone else is in the bathroom. My hubby and I have gotten ready together for 60 yrs and never needed to have a toiulet room you just organize your time or do what the Europeans do and have the toilet and a sink outside the actual bathroom . I find tiny toilet rooms really claustrophbic too. To me the bad design is the closet accessed through the bathroom that is never a good idea.

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Karenseb

After seeing Jan's idea, I had the same thoughts as Mrs Pete.



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acm likes 3 comments on a discussion: How to design asymmetrical built ins around fireplace
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housegal200

You could have closed cabinets built to size (or maybe find some that happen to fit the space). These below have panels that echo the fireplace surround style with open shelves up above.

Barrington Farm House · More Info


Another version of same idea. I hope with your elegant grand piano within view that you put art above your fireplace.

Modern Farmhouse | 2019 Dry Creek Parade · More Info


You could do just white shelving on the left and a console cabinet on the right with shelves above.

Cosmetic updates on 1980s home · More Info


Park Slope Brownstone · More Info


Model Home · More Info


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RappArchitecture

Both of the above are good ideas. I don't think you need to mask the differences or "fool the eye". Assymetry is much more interesting visually than symmetry.

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Kendrah

Are the built-ins for practical storage and books or more as a decorative element? I cannot imagine built-ins that stop that far from the ceiling and have sconces above them. It seems like they will be boxed into a recess. Can you tape out your sizes and where the shelves and cabinets would be with blue tape in the space and post a pic?


If book storage is not your goal, I might put a chest on either size with artwork between the chest and sconces.


What are you hanging above the fireplace?



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acm likes a comment on a discussion: Breakfast Nook to Coffee/Tea/Bar/Pantry?
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kandrewspa

I would straighten out the closet to create more of a real entry. Line up the closet with the fireplace. See if you will have to fill in flooring gaps before starting so you're prepared if you need to be. Definitely put cabinets along the wall in the eating area since that's what you need. Because there is a slider there I don't see anything wrong with leaving that space open. Friends of ours had a kitchen like this. They never put a table in front of the slider. They were in and out of that door frequently and had an adjacent dining room like you do, so it made more sense to leave it open. Do what works for you. If the next people who own the house wanted to put a small table there they still could.

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acm commented on a discussion: Lakehouse - front landscape sprucing up
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acm

There's a reason it's all gravel, and that reason is shade! Agree that for staging, a mix of evergree with annuals is the way to go, especially if you can move them out into the sun occasionally between visitors!

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Kendrah

If you want to play up the more modern look of the home go with black planters. If you want to go more country then use terra cotta or burgundy glazed.


How much sun or shade to you get there at different times of day? What is you location (weather this time of year) and for how long do you need these plants to last? Are you staging or sale or an event?

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P.D. Schlitz

Some good ideas given for containers- I’d probably do a larger container in the gravel off the right corner of the deck (to the right of front door). 1 or 2 hanging baskets on the porch could look nice as well.

It looks like the area to the left of the wraparound porch might get enough sun for black eyed susans or a sun-loving wildflower patch. In the shady corner to the right of the porch, you could try some native wildflowers that will do ok in shade, ie Joe Pye Weed, goatsbeard, coral bells or similar. Not sure where you are, but these are all hardy and native to much of the eastern half of the US.

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acm likes 3 comments on a discussion: Opinion needed on front porch renovation!
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Patricia Colwell Consulting

IMO a cedar anything on that home would be all wrong stained or not. The white is ideal and just get the structure right then go back to the original idea for the porch. IMO shutters do not improve the look of the house it has already many elelnets that are a bit much.

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Jennifer Hogan

The posts look proportional to the home in the first picture, 2nd picture they are too bulky.

Decorative shutters are sometimes appropriately added to homes that are very bland. In your case more isn't better. You have enough visual interest without the shutters and too much with the shutters.

Breaking up the monotony of the railing is brilliant. All the little white stripes is too much.

But I am not sure I love the new style in white. and I am not in love with everything being dark.


I might do white posts and wrought iron railing or a dark stained railing with a matching dark stained front door.









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Joseph Corlett, LLC

The before picture is nicer than the after.

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acm commented on a discussion: Design help plz
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btydrvn

Hanging plants would be pretty but with kids or dogs …anything on the floor…. or that they can reach can be dangerous if knocked over or pulled down…

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acm

Side tables and lamps.

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Joseph Corlett, LLC

I'm assuming you owe your contractor a balance? Give them a punchlist and a reasonable deadline for completion. If they fail, hire the punchlist out and take it off their bill.

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acm commented on a discussion: Front outside entry - Overhang ideas?
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acm

Just an idea: could you move the doors deeper into the entrance? They currently stand forward from the windows above, which is part of why the roof overhang doesn't shadow them, so maybe it's easier to "sink" the doorway than to extend the roof??

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HALLETT & Co.

Weird but clever thought ACM. Yes that would cost much less if it could work on the inside. No foundation or roof changes…

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Patricia Colwell Consulting

For me the shutters need to go for sure and the door is iMO not the right look for the house whay not look at a wrought iron door with some glass in it .Then no need to refinish all the time .

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acm likes 3 comments on a discussion: how does this crown look on cabinets?
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chispa

The scale of it is a bit large, but more importantly, it isn't installed correctly and cut too big for the size of the cabinet.

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bry911



Edit: please take the picture in the spirit it is meant (a good natured jest). I realize that you may be stressed and I am not making light of that.

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Jessica Tonjes

I do not know how to individually respond but all of your suggestions, advice, jokes, and photos are SOOOOO appreciated! I agree that it does in fact look ridiculous lol! 🤣🤣 very happy we caught it early on. Lesson learned :)

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acm likes 2 comments on a discussion: Decor for Lake House Bedroom
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P Banos

Yes, rotate the bed to the other wall. Use all off-white bedding. Hang mirror on wall across from one of the windows. Turn on the bedside lamps, it's easy to add plug in outlets with a remote control. Get a light color cushion for the chair seat, maybe with off white/green/brown in the pattern.

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latifolia

So you're planning to cram three people - and a pooch - into that dark bedroom? I'm sure it's a nice lake, but realistically this isn't ideal.


Bite the bullet and hire a painter to repaint in a high LRV creamy off-white.

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acm likes a comment on a discussion: Advice on Slab backsplash
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chispa

There are "cleaner" ways to do this. The LED lights have gotten even smaller and no "bulbs" reflecting on the counter.

Here is my plugmold and under cabinet lighting.


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kandrewspa

How much space do you have to work with? If you had two sinks would you use them, or are you only concerned with resale value?

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acm commented on a discussion: Kitchen Lighting Layout
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acm

seems pretty good. what is the sink question? you definitely want a light there, and it seems like a pendant would be nice since there aren't any over the island, but a can would work.

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Muriel Moreno

kosoom pendant lamps for sale

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JAN MOYER

No to six inch recessed, as they are dated, and look like flying saucers/swiss cheese large. Four inch is your limit. No clue why you are not lighting the middle of the island?

I would want some decorative lighting over a dining table or your island - it's the jewelry in a kitchen.

Pendant over sink makes no sense.....use a recessed, especially since you plan nothing decorative elsewhere

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acm likes a comment on a discussion: put railing back up or leave it off?
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littlebug Zone 5 Missouri

We can’t tell how high the dropoff is - there are rules about whether you must have a safety railing.

If it’s not a safety concern (you don’t have toddlers nor elders that might be unsteady on their feet), for purely aesthetic reasons I’d go without. It doesn’t look that high.

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acm commented on a discussion: I need help w/my exterior!!!
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acm

No shutters. There are probably paint colors that go better with your brick than the current one, and/or you could stain the brick. But this house seems ok to me -- do you have examples of what you like or are trying to get closer to? You can't really make it something it isn't... As for the front door, given that it's darkened by the overhang, I think I'd go with a bright color to make it visible. But that's just me.

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acm

Also, I don't see the copper shingles. The natural green patina that you'd have by year two seems disconnected here.

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Norwood Architects

We use a lot of painted brick in our designs but in the case of your house I rather like the brick and stucco combination. In agreement with you about replacing the garage door. Would suggest that you include lites (windows) somewhere in the door. Nothing opens up a flat garage fascade like adding windows. A definite yes to replacing the current post supporting the portico roof. Would suggest you replace with columns that are much more substantial - perhaps even have a pair of columns on each side. Would also suggest placing those columns on brick bases using the same brick as on your house.

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cat_ky

I would not paint the brick. The house really looks good just the way it is. I would add posts to the portico. They would add something. Not skinny ones though, get some nice bigger ones. If you are in a hurricane area, then, I would think the hurricane shutters are probably necessary. Mostly what your house needs, is some much nicer landscaping, and a bit of color in some accessories, like pots, or flowers.

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acm commented on a discussion: wall decor suggestions
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acm

I would do something horizontal and centered over the couch/end table combination. Then I'd get a taller floor lamp to stand closer behind the armchair to balance the wall a bit.




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Jeannie Morris

Thank you. What dimensions of the wall art?

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freedomplace1

You can also drape a throw over some of the brown chair, so that the chair blends a bit into the wall.




ETA:





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acm likes 3 comments on a discussion: Kitchen Layout Question
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anj_p

And you can't have someone sitting at an island where there's a dishwasher.

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JAN MOYER

Lose the dumb pantry, and four stools do not fit on seven feet




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anj_p

https://www.hansonbuilders.com/property-list/14506-kingsview-lane-n

Your floorplan is very similar to my neighbor's house. See the link above.


ETA: focal points aren't created by geometry.

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acm likes 3 comments on a discussion: how to hide shelf brackets
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AnnKH

Perhaps they won't be so noticeable once you put things on the shelves?

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palimpsest

I don't think it's a matter of whether one likes open shelves, marble shelves, brass brackets, if it's a trend that's had its day or whatever. It doesn't matter if it was trendier 5 years ago and its past it's peak, the people who did it 5 years ago aren't remodeling their kitchens already, so this detail will be around for a long time. There is a thread about someone hating the ubiquitous 2024 white kitchen, and I went and searched and I found two threads about people being tired of white kitchens in 2012.

The issue is what to do with the open shelves in this particular scenario, if the OP wants open shelves.

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JAN MOYER

It is far MORE to do with if she wants true floating shelves. She has shelves supported by a bracket. Different thing, entirely.

It can be resolved with the hardware that was left in place, and white wood floating shelves.

It can be resolved with a rip of the wall, beefier and thicker more proportionate to their length marble floating shelves and just two in both those scenarios, which would look better in either case.

Or.......A bistro look, which is still an issue with the wall behind, and not enough support for what she has in place. Rather pointless as it seems not the look she really wants, given she's trying to hide the brackets

.

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acm likes 3 comments on a discussion: Need to block a flood light
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cninghm71

I bought plexiglass mirrors and lined the back of my trellises with the reflective surface facing them. Spray painted side facing me with camo spray paint.

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May Jane

A good neighbor will shield and redirect the light. A bad neighbor will flood your yard with their lights after you have asked them to shield/move/redirect their light as it ruins your yard, house, etc.

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Deb S

You’re right! This problem initially was solved by shielding the light with a metal shield. My neighbor begrudgingly put this up at the insistence of the property manager, but he left that darn light on 24/7/365. They sold their home last year and I contacted the new property manager to discuss fixing the problem before he was allowed to get his estoppel for closing. She made sure he removed the floodlight permanently. All is well that ends well!

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acm likes a comment on a discussion: please help me balance this space…
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chispa

Lots of unnecessary "architectural" elements in this space. I'm bothered more by the two "doorways" they created on either side of the TV niche. I would be doing some research to see if I could remove some of those partial walls.

Is this a condo or apartment? Looks like they had to use soffits to run hvac?

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acm likes 2 comments on a discussion: Quartz Backsplash
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millworkman

Get the backguard that is made for your stove and you will be ok. Otherwise it is not fading that will happen, it is scorching or burning the quartz.

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Debbi Washburn

Do a search - there are many posters who had issues with scorched backsplashes.


It seems to happen with stoves that have that vent in the back of it.

It happens with tile as well


I have not seen a picture of this happening with and electric top/range. But I could be very wrong.

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