Need countertop suggestions to warm up my kitchen

16 years ago

My total gut remodel will begin in April - yipee! I will be ordering my cabinets this weekend. But, I'm not sure what to do about the counter tops.

My cabinets will be white bead board style. I will have white subway tile backsplash and ceramic tile floors (haven't picked those out yet - want something reddish but not dark). My dream was to have butcher block counters, but my island will be a bit big (4' x 8') so that might be too much wood there. (It will house the sink and dishwasher). DH is wary of the whole wood idea - he likes Corian for it's practicality. I'm open to Corian too. My dilemma is that I really want to keep the kitchen "warm" and country feeling.

1) Should I have all three counter tops (I have a straight kitchen with 3 parallel surfaces (island in the middle) the same?

2) Do I change the cabinetry for the island to a medium wood color? (paint is not an option). What about the top?

3) While I don't like the coldness of granite, I like the heat resistance of it (the island is the middle point between the oven and range, so it would be nice to be able to plop down baking sheets on it). So, which color would you suggest if I were to do granite on the island and either corian or wood on the outer counters?

I would love to hear anyone's ideas how I should mix this up, or not at all!

Thanks!

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Comments (4)

caligirl_cottage
16 years ago
I would definitely do the butcher block you like on the outer counters and have the island be something different like a quartz or granite. Corian just doesn't send me and will detract from all the nice finishes you have. If you want to save money on the butcher block, IKEA has counters at pretty reasonable prices, but I think they're going to be standard, and might not fit your island. Yes, I'd consider having a different color on the island cabinets as well, it will give it a "furniture" look and that's very traditional.
remodelfla
16 years ago
First I have to ask whether you like contrast between your cabinets and countertops or prefer it to blend (light with light, dark stain with dark countertops). I might suggest looking in the FKB to see which looks appeal to you and then we can give you more appropriate advice. There are so many beautiful kitchens out there with many different kinds of looks. Each are wonderful in their own way. You just have to find which one is you and then the best suggestions can be made. Good luck!
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One way of being warm is by using warm colors. Sounds obvious, but the difference can be really striking. You didn't say what color the glass tile backsplash will be. Or what color you were thinking of for the range. Bluestar number 8023 and 8004 are very warm without being primary, and most of the colors under 5000 are also warm. If you coordinate your backsplash tiles with one of them, the kitchen can't help but have a warm feeling, even if you painted the cabinets ice blue :) On the other hand, icy, wintry colors are going to give you that cold look that you don't want, so stay away from pale blues and purples, greys, browns and blacks. You can also warm up the room with bright, cozy accents, in warm colors, like a cookie jar, fun clock, or bright colored small appliances. The trick to making it not look industrial is first to have a few things out, rather than all put away like you would in a sterile environment, and then to be sure the things you do display are broken up in color, rather than monotone. I chose to post the items below because they show the principle of broken up color. Whatever your taste is you can do this, except if it's "clean, industrial", since that's what you're trying to get away from. Basically a "warm" look is opposite to a "clean" look.
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raehelen
16 years ago
There are some gorgeous granites with reddish tones in them. May be easier to pick a granite first and then find a ceramic tile for your floor to match.

Sort of paradoxical that you want Corian for practicality, but are considering butcherblock- I like wood, but think butcherblock would not be an easy counter to maintain. I don't think I have the personality that could live with the inevitable nicks and blemishes and stains a wood counter would get.

So many decisions... have you seen kitchens that mix corian and granite?
iramos
Original Author
16 years ago
Hmmm. all good questions and suggestions. DH is also worried about wood maintenance. I want to talk with a distributor about that. I was thinking the counter DH and most everyones else uses could be completely sealed/varnished and perhaps the one by the range (that I would use most) be oiled. I don't know if it's too noticeable to look at. If so, I could varnish all of it too.

If it's out of my budget (we're still working on that), then what should I do about the sides if I go with granite on the island? Wood costs about the same, I think as granite. Ugh, I'm great at making lots of decisions but then I can get fixated on one detail!

Need countertop suggestions to warm up my kitchen

Comments (4)

caligirl_cottage

remodelfla

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Need countertop suggestions to warm up my kitchen

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caligirl_cottage

remodelfla

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