I think it is too similar and may look accidental. Two countertop materials seem to work best when they are quite different from each other

Hmm..I hadn't thought of that, and it is a good point. Thanks.

Any one else?

I don't think most people will notice until you point it out. I haven't seen the two finishes, but you have good reason for doing them different.
Maybe go with a black or something on the island.

Here is a link that might be useful: granite countertops

granite-girl - She's asking about laminate and you've posted a link about granite. I hope that's not your company, because that's a no-no.

Maureenmind -

I don't think Granite Girl saw the laminate references -
she prolly saw the Quar STONE thingy and the texture references
and got down... I would have done the SAME THING.....

Besides - Granite Girl is a 150% TOTAL Class Act - I think she likes the site link
she put up there for it's reference value - I am pretty sure she does not work
there....

Just my .02 cents - but I will ALWAYS have Granite Girl's "6"

kevin

At one point I was going to do that very thing, for the reasons you express. I wanted the island smooth for writing and for dough rolling, but loved the textured finish for the rest. (I was looking at honed Labrador granite and the smoothier, shinier Etchings finish, but it'd be the same kind of difference you're talking about.) I think it would look cool...Like a pair of shoes that has smooth leather and patent...The same color, but the texture gives it different depth and impact. I have the Riverwash finish in our laundry room and love it, but wouldn't want to roll pie crust on it. ;-)

Kevin - that IS her home page! click on her "my page". I clicked on it because I thought is was about the subject at hand. You don't do that yourself, neither does petra granite.

I don't think people should be putting links in to promote their own businesses. Or add links to their blogs (with advertising), unless it concerns the subject!

Sorry quietlife3!

maureeninmd - it's okay.

rhome410 - I'm glad to have a vote in favor of the idea! I also appreciate hearing of your experience with the riverwash finish. My dh really liked the texture, but I am envisioning dimples in all my dough!

granite girl, if you read the business terms (which you see every time you post) you will see that your link is in violation of those terms and considered spam. Your thoughts may have great value, and it's nice to see another professional share their experiences but no in the form of SPAM and not at the cost of violating GW's rules. Other posters have lost access to GW for the same thing.

Now back to the real topic...No, I wouldn't do the same counter top in two different finishes. As Palimp says (a professional as well so she might even know something heh heh) it's most likely going to look like an accident or just really bad design. I certainly understand what you're trying to accomplish, but if you're going to use different surface types, I'd do a totally different color as well so it looks like a good design plan, verses a bad one.

I agree that doing two different colors in the two different finishes would look best, but as was pointed out...it probably wouldn't be that noticeable if you did do the same color. But if I bought your house some day, I'd probably think it was a mistake. I'd consider making it all the same again if you ever do decide to sell.

The two finishes are very noticably different from each other. It would most definately look like a mistake and not intentional if you used the same color. If there were two different colors in two different finishes, that would look intentional. It would also complement the kitchen to have a different color on the island so the whole piece looks deliberately different.

As far as the two finishes go, the radiance has a depth of color that the riverwash does not. It's also a lot more durable and scratch resistant. The riverwash is better suited to light usage environment.

quietlife3 - About 10 years ago I installed laminate countertops with a textured surface. It looks wonderful, but after several years, the surface lost its texture and became smooth in areas that get a lot of use. It is not noticeable to the eye - just touch. Linda

Well, I think I'll go with the majority here. I am going to have a different countertop material on a bar area in the kitchen, so I don't know about introducing a third on the island. I'll have to give it some thought.

live_wire_oak - thanks for the helpful info on the durability of the two finishes. That is an important consideration, so good to know.

riverhouse_designs - interesting about losing the texture...gives me something else to think about.

Thanks again to everyone! I am leaning toward the radiance finish. I saw it again in the store today and still do like it. I'm ordering tomorrow so I guess I have a few more hours to mull it over.

hey,

just one caveat about bumpy textured formica. there are differnet levels of bumpiness...but the bumpy one my mother replaced her smooth one with, is, counter-intuitively, more slippery. for instance, wine glasses tend to fall over more easily because they seem to slip and slide more easily on that surface. just something to be alert for.

Maureenmind:

That's an interesting piece of info you posted..... Hmmmm

could there be The REAL Granite Girl... and an someone else
trying to come across as the "original" ? .... Unless there has been
some drastic change of events - since January 2009.....
the REAL Granite Girl is NOT in Indiana..... This is interesting....

As for the OT - I would vote for the more bumpy surface - as I would
think it will hide finger prints and other dirt - regardless of the material
that it is......

kevin

My Mom has the Riverwash finish and is really happy with it. I did scratch test a sample and didn't find it that soft (I can't really compare it relative to other finishes though becuase of the high low finishing it should hide minor scratches quite well). She has only had it for 3 months so can't offer anything definitive but it definitely isn't slippery and it is wonderful at hiding dirt and fingerprints. My Mom isn't a big one for pies but on those very special occasions she uses a pastry cloth so the texture won't be an issue.

It was the matte quality of the finish that was big attraction (excuse the grout haze this was taken just after the backsplash went in):

With just the under cabinet lights on:

It is very different in appearance from the standard version of "Iron Rust".

I think a textured laminate from years ago may have a different durability level than one from today. My parents bought a dbl wide mobile with textured laminate counters. They're similar to an orange peel, hold dirt and grime in the creases/low spots, and are gross. But they are nothing like my Riverwash, either in texture or in cleanability. I love how streaks and fingerprints show so much less on the matte and barely textured surfaces. Yes, the color depth will look different from one to the other...Just like antique granite vs polished. I wouldn't think having both of those in one kitchen would look like a mistake, either, as long as the areas were naturally separate...Like one for the island and one for the perimeter. It's just a tone-on-tone, or monochromatic choice vs a contrast.