Granite Template Tomorrow, Advice Appreciated

16 years ago

OK. After driving everyone in my home crazy, I have come down to a final decision for my countertop. I have chosen Brazilian Black granite.

I had first chosen Absolute Black at Expo. I took it home and played with it, and couldn't believe the smudges. I then started to read and got scared. I then became interested in soapstone. I will always love the way it feels and the look, but I have decided it probably isn't right for my kitchen. I fell in love with it seeing it in others' kitchens, but the color I wanted was a softer variety and not quite right for our home. I saw the Brazilian Black at a display at Lowe's right next to an Absolute Black display. The Brazilian Black didn't show the smudges like the other.

I have them coming out tomorrow to template for the granite. What do I need to look out for? They said that they were going to put a seam at the sink because they like to have the smallest seam possible. I saw a picture of a kitchen here one day, and I thought that it was very noticable there, because that's where your eye is drawn. I have decided on a standard edge. What about the undermount sink? He recommended a 1/8 of an inch overlap on the sink. Is that a good idea? I know that it helps with seeing the place where the sink meets the granite but will it be more likely to chip there?

Any other help before my meeting is sooooo appreciated. My mini kitchen remodel is small compared to many here, but it means the world to me!

This is a picture of my kitchen for reference. I bought the Tricor S305

http://www.galaxytoolsupply.com/product_p/s305.htm

Because of our shutters, I had to have a low profile faucet. I decided on the Grohe Alira in Stainless Steel

http://www.lowcostplumbing.com/store3/grohe-alira-2spray-pullout-steel-32999sd0-p-1239.html

I'm going to wait to get the granite in, and then decide what to do with the doors and the backsplash. I'm thinking of some sort of stainless sheet or tiles for the backsplash.

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Comments (6)

kristenfl
Original Author
16 years ago
Oh, I forgot. I have a soap dispenser on the countertop. Do you all recommend a soap dispenser hole? I remember reading about someone getting an inexpensive one from HD that looked great with their expensive faucet. Anyone???
kangell_gw
16 years ago
Based on your picture, I'm not sure this applies in your case. I wished I had taken a closer look at the overhangs, etc on my existing countertops before they tore them out. I have an L shaped bar area and when the templater came in (different guy) he had the short leg only about 6 inches wide. My previous had been about 10 inches. I adjusted, but wished I could really remember what the previous was. If that makes sense.

I too wondered about the soap dispenser but I love it, so glad I did it!
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kristenfl
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks for the advice. Keep it coming, guys. I'm in panic mode!
glad
16 years ago
good luck today, kristen! do a search here for "template". i know there are two recent threads (within last two weeks - when i was doing mine!)
pippil
16 years ago
What a great house you have! Contemporary and stylish yet cozy - love those shutters. A touch of a warm red or orangish-red here and there might spice things up.

Have you considered satin nickel for the faucet finish? It's usually a little more expensive than chrome but it's more subtle. We love our "built in" soap dispenser. It's one less thing cluttering the countertop.

Back splash idea - floor tile turned sideways to make a diamond pattern, perhaps with small (1 inch) decorative pieces inset where the corners from 4 tiles come together. (Wordy - sorry. Haven't had my coffee yet!)

A couple questions: Are you getting a black sink to tie in with your dark counter tops? I didn't understand - are you replacing your cabinet doors?

Does your countertop extend a little bit in to the room with the wood floors? If it extended 8 or 9 inches from the wall underneath the coutertop and had a bar stool, it would make a great "perch" for using a laptop or watching the "chef" make dinner.
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My two cents on templating - be sure to go to the fabricator when they place the templates on the stone. Wear old sneakers because it's usually messy.

Best wishes! Pippi L.
kristenfl
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks for the advice.

I will have a stainless steel sink and a stainless steel Grohe faucet. My counter does hang over into the family room by the pool table. We have bar stools there. It's just enough for two, but truthfully, we only use them when we play. I'll have to take more pictures, but the near end of my kitchen starts with a pantry and laundry room, then a door, and then a counter to the right and breakfast nook to the left. You can see it down the hall through where the fireplace is. Beyond that is what you see in the first picture.

Man, I really need to do something with that garbage can. I told my DH that and he said, yeah, like people don't think we make garbage. So understanding.

The templating went great. I could tell the guy was impressed with my questions, and he was eager to please. He was careful, and has done templates in many homes including his bossed beautiful home that I had seen the day before. He said he has templated homes on the beach in Naples to mobile homes. Each he does with care. I was impressed.

Now if I can just convince the DH that we "need" a soap dispenser and Never MT. Again, any cheap recommendations to go with the Grohe faucet in stainless steel?

Granite Template Tomorrow, Advice Appreciated

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Granite Template Tomorrow, Advice Appreciated

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