hmm. gonna try the picture again.

Isabel- I'm so sorry for your loss. I can see why it's been difficult, especially when you're used to bouncing ideas off another person. I hope you will find all the help you need on the forum :)

I'm not that familiar with your granite, but it sounds like a nice choice. Do you have any pictures of the granite?

The range is beautiful and I can see why you'd want to keep it! Are you keeping the brick, too...they look very nice together.

You seem to be very comfortable with blue, white/cream and brown...so I think your kitchen will reflect your style, quite well :)

Thank you lavender! And that is exactly my problem! I am just so undecided because I am the only one making the decision. So my contractor was just here and I gave him the deposit to order the cabinets and my new picture window! I am so excited/nervous but glad to finally have the ball rolling.

This is the granite and the cabinets...

With white cabinetry, I don't think the Labrador would darken the kitchen that much.

However, you may want to let the color of that blue range really shine and go with a light countertop.

This one came to mind: Silestone's Dali. I have no idea if this is in your budget because quartz can be less expensive or more expensive than granite based upon your location, the grade of granite and the grade of quartz. I also don't know if it goes with the white shade of cabinetry, I am just throwing it out as a general idea.

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hi inspire...

I really like your choices..the granite and the cabinets....go with your gut. I think your home is charming.

KA:)

Isabel- I like the granite! The blue specks are perfect and will look great with the range.

I'm so glad you've decided to move forward! Please let us know how things progress :)

The granite with the stove and the cabinets look stunning.And the brick with the cabinets I think will look great as well. Do you have a sample piece of the granite to see how it will look with the brick? If it looks good then go for it. There doesn't seem to be a lot of blue in the granite - just enough to highlight the stove. Nice choice.

I think your choices will work great. I can't wait to see the finished pictures.

Hi Isabel,
Welcome to GW.

You need a hand held. And GW is a great place to visit.
I think your husband would be proud that you are going
ahead with the kitchen reno. It can be really scary doing
a reno alone but you are no longer alone, you found GW
and there are some kind folks here happy to give you
their ideas and share what worked for them. Don't be
afraid to ask.

Your cabinet choice is beautiful! And the granite will
work but it does not sound like you are in love with the
granite. I love elephants so the BLUE elephant (range) in
the room would be the star of the show. Make that range the
center of attention. Embrace the blue and enjoy it.
~boxer

Here are some ideas of Blue with cream to show you it
can be done and look amazing.

Waterfront homes Blue Granite

Viking Blue

Handmade Glass Blue

Bahia Blue

Blue Pearl granite

Not vintage but definitely blue

Are you worried about the granite being too blue or too brown?

I think your granite would go especially well with your scheme.
I agree about your stove being the centerpiece. That is a gorgeous "elephant" and one that should stand proud.

As for feeling nervous about starting, I was nervous as well and being married seemed to make it more pronounced because if something goes wrong, I will have to hear about it and also have to defer on choices to keep peace at times. It is like being a single parent, harder in many ways, but easier in others because you are more in charge.

I am so sorry for your loss and hope this is something that will make you feel good. Bringing your combined dream to life seems like such a good tribute and what your dh would have wanted for you.

Isabel- Another thing I love about your granite choice...the way the brown and blues bring together (not only your lovely range) but the brick wall behind it.

You have some nice brown accents, mixed in with your bricks. All the cream colors will really be a wonderful backdrop for such beautiful accent features :)

Isabel, so sorry for your loss. Sending big (((hugs))) your way as you forge ahead. Don't hesitate to ask any questions or share any concerns as many of us had to go through similar stages. This community is a great resource with many knowledgeable and caring people, so welcome.

Your home seems charming. I think your choices are wonderful and love your stove. The Labrador Antique will be perfect with your cabinets and will provide just the right acknowledgment of your stove. I've used Labrador Antique on a BR counter in a previous house. It should not read too dark, and is a warmer choice than many of the other blue iridescent granites. We've moved a bit so I've had a chance to live with a few granites that have blue iridescence: blue eyes which is great but will read cooler with its grey, brown & blue, a Brazilian blue which would not be a hard enough surface for kitchen use, and Volga Blue which is stunning but quite dark. As brown granites go, all the slabs of LA I've seen seem warm but not stark at all. You already fell in love with the stone, so go for it. I really think you'll like the LA once it's installed.

I WISH I had your big blue elephant!! That thing is gorgeous!

hi inspiredisabel,

That's a great name, btw. :) Everyone has said something more eloquent than I can, but I too am so sorry for your loss.

This is a wonderful place to bounce ideas for your kitchen.

I think all your choices are beautiful as well as your range! But as others have suggested, get a sample of everything and check how it looks in YOUR kitchen. The light really makes a difference, especially with white cabinets.

I wish you good luck with your kitchen. It WILL be beautiful. Hope to see you around. :)

Thanks so much everyone for the kind words. Finding a place to bounce ideas off of will really be helpful in reassuring me of my choices. And thanks so much to those who took the time to post some additional photos! I really like a couple of those granites as well, might have to take a look at them in person.

All in all - I still love my stove (purchased 6 yrs ago) but don't necessarily want to play up the blue. A big factor to redoing the kitchen is the matching fridge gave out so I had to purchase another one. I am also not thrilled with my Bosch dishwasher that has a matching panel so it too will be replaced.

This is an old picture - amazing how my tastes have changed!!

Since my husband passed away I have completed many home projects that we planned together, front porch (my favorite by far!), guest bath, garage (2nd favorite), breezeway, and exterior landscaping/gardening. All these things keep me busy and while so good to see the results, it's very bittersweet.

Thanks again for the warm welcome!

Thsts a shame that the fridge died so quickly, six years is not a long lifespan for such a pricy fridge.

The other rooms seem to have a softer palette than you started with in the kitchen, is that the general direction you are headed?

I really like your granite choice with the creamy cabs. I think the blue flecks will work nicely. If you look around, there are a ton of pictures with white/cream cabinets and soapstone, or black granites. I think the thing that keeps a kitchen light is the backsplash and vertical surfaces, so your backsplash should work nicely.

My kitchen was a former kitchen display that came with 3 large slabs of Baltic Brown granite. The cabinets are creamy/antique and the granite is dark brown with greenish spots. I'm still not 100% sure about the granite, mostly it's the pattern I don't love, not the color, but at this point I don't think I can afford to buy something else. I'll post the display picture. You'll notice the dark backsplash draws the eye and makes it appear darker. Bad lighting and a cell phone camera don't help either.

Gorgeous home!!!! I love that stove!

I too am doing a kitchen reno without my husband who passed away 5 years ago. I think the indecisiveness is all part of the process of learning to live without a spouse. We rarely agreed on the things we wanted to do around the house, so you'd think it would be easier without him! Anyway, I totally understand where you're coming from!

If you found a granite that you will love to look at every time you are in the kitchen, then it is probably a very good choice for you. You certainly need to be mindful of how various elements will go together, but If you absolutely love the granite, it can't be a bad choice.

Keep strong.

palimpsest - I have redone most other rooms in the house to have a more light, fresher feel. It's been cathartic but makes the house seems so much bigger!

I love the granite I just didn't know if visually it would cut the room in half making it seem smaller.

kathe - thanks so much for the picture and I see what you mean by having the dark backsplash. Your kitchen has the beautiful high ceilings that mine lacks. I will definitely be going with a light backsplash.

Thanks Mary!

Kerry - you are right! Thanks!

rocketscience - I love it! Now I am having trouble finding it! Might have to have it brought in from Canada as no local or surrounding states have it. : (

hi

I wanted to say I am sorry for your loss and welcome you to this web community which is extraordinary. We completely changed our kitchen layout following their advise. I will not offer advise because other people are a lot more expert than I am.

Inspiredisabel,

Not sure if you check back here at all, but I wonder now nearly two years later if you are happy with the quality and construction of your JSI Wheaten cabinetry? We plan to go with that EXACT cabinet - same color and all. My general contractor recommended it. I'd love to hear how it's holding up and how the painted color looks 2 years later...thanks!

Rebeccamom.. Hello! I just happened to be browsing through the forum again but haven't been on in such along time! I unfortunately moved out of that house about 10 months after my kitchen was finished so I can't really comment on the durability. It was beautiful when it was all done though!

I am including the best picture I could find.