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Help me choose my countertops and backsplash!!

16 years ago

I would definitely appreciate help with choosing my countertops (colour and material), backsplash and flooring. Here's what I know we want for sure: Wooden cabinetry which is painted white around the perimeter, and dark stained for the island and pantry/desk area. We also want beige travertine floors or porcelain flooring that looks like travertine, depending on budget.

Although I love how our cabinetry is two different colours, it somewhat stumps me on what type of countertops and backsplash to do. I would appreciate any and all advice!!

Here are our rough plans which indicate where the white vs dark wood will go.

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Here is our cabinetry and flooring colours:

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There are two backsplash options. Which do you prefer? I know it also depends on the busy-ness of the countertops we choose.

1) Tumbled marble in a really neat pattern:

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2) Tumbled marble 2x2 in a checkered pattern:

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I also narrowed it down to 3 countertop combinations. I'm torn between the light countertop with light cabinetry, dark countertop with dark cabinetry look. Or the other option is go light countertops all around, but put the Bianco Antico on the island which has both light and dark elements.

1) Beige corian with the white cabinetry, Bianco Antico granite for the island, a dark wood top for the pantry/desk area.

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2) White galaxy granite with the white cabinetry, Cafe Imperial granite for the island, a dark wood top for the pantry/desk area.

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3) White galaxy granite OR some type of white corian with the white cabinetry, Bianco Antico granite for the island, a dark wood top for the pantry/desk area..

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4) Some other combo that you can suggest!

Thanks in advance!!! I'm so confused. =)

Comments (6)

auchmedden
16 years ago
I love the tumbled marble backsplash in the cool pattern. the other one looks boring in comparison. I would probably go with the white galaxy on both the perimeter and the island. I like the idea of the dark wood on the pantry/desk area.

Alku used a beautiful white granite with her dark cabinets and it looks fantastic. I can't remember the name off the top of my head. Maybe someone else remembers.

Bianco antico would be my second choice of your three options. The cafe imperial comes across as kind of a dead color. It may just be the photograph.
terible
16 years ago
Hi, all your choices are nice, however the beige backsplash would leave me wanting a little bling or shine or color. Have you looked around in the FKG? Do you have any pictures of the rest of your house and style? Does your kitchen open into any rooms?
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If budget was a consideration for the Eco Cosentino Iron Ore, it will probably be a factor with a real blue granite. Besides, if you want your bs to stand out, I'd let it be the one strong blue element in the room. I'd like the Blue Volga or Blue Pearl because the blues in those are subtle and won't shout for attention. If you have the blue granite picked first, I'd want a calm bs. If you try to have too many stars in the room, then it gets noisy. We have Corian in their Rain Cloud pattern and it has a marble like vibe but it also has some small amount of taupe-ish beige. You would have to see if its soft white works with your cab's paint color. Here is a mellow pic of our counters. There is more color to them IRL but from the distance, they do look like a soft white. I am posting pix of this and linking to another one below to give you an idea of the color range to go with your tiles. You could find the equivalent in stone, but we are happy with the Corian. (try to find the seam.. even blown up big it is well done) I could also see a counter with an orange beige tone in it. That would work with the wood look floor and still pair with your cabs and bs. Here is a link that might be useful: Corian Saffron
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redroze
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks auchmedden! White galaxy wasn't something I considered until I held all the pieces up. The Cafe Imperial looks much nicer in person. It's a dark chocolate brown with sparkly flakes in it. Here are some better images from the Internet:

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Keep the opinions coming!
ali440
16 years ago
here is Beleza Soapstone form Dorado Soapstone in Texas with white cabinets
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redroze
Original Author
16 years ago
Terible (I feel funny writing that name ;-) ) - We wanted the bling to come in through the granite. That's why either Bianco Antico or Cafe Imperial appeals to me - they have sparkle. I was also considering mini crystal chandeliers as pendants for a more luxurious aspect.

The kitchen opens up to the family room which we are redecorating (new furniture, paint, carpet, etc) when we redo the kitchen.

Family room:
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Here's some other pics of rooms in our home, to give you an idea of our style. Most of our rooms still need more furniture and accessories. We're also lacking colour which we'll eventually add through artwork and accesories. I'm a minimalist but not THAT much of a minimalist!!

Dining room:
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Master bedroom:
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Powder room:
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Living room:
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terible
16 years ago
Wow that was fast! Your home is very nice and I see you favor a monochromatic look, that will be very helpful for these wonderful gals here on the forum. I think it would look nice to do a leathered or honed countertop and a glossy glazed tile backsplash with the mini chandeliers for a simple Glam/luxurious feel.

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