Getting paranoid:Why don't mag kitchens have interesting granite?

11 years ago

I've picked what I think is a gorgeous piece of Typhoon Green Bordeaux for my kitchen, with a fabulous piece for my island. It's got vibrant colors and beautiful movement, then complimented (I think) by my all cream cabinets and island with a bronze glaze (Fieldcrest) and then a taupe backsplash with a green glass border.

But I see NO kitchens in magazines with any interest in the granite or marble? It's all white/light stone or dark. Is that just because it photographs better or just not advisable?

I am willing to step out there and have my stone make a statement and my cabinets are neutral, but I don't actually think typhoon Bordeaux is that out there.

Getting paranoid? Thoughts?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (25)

akcorcoran
Original Author
11 years ago
Here it is with the backsplash tile and green patterned Tantrum glass border.
akcorcoran
Original Author
11 years ago
And three other tantrum glass colors for the backsplash feature by the stovetop only.
Related Discussions
An epiphany: I don't think I want granite. Now what?
Q
Comments (58)
I really don't like granite. It's too speckeldy, too pretentious, too cold, too ostentatious, too expensive. And maybe it's just me, but doesn't most of it just look like rust stains? I also researched all the other countertop choices. Throughout our homebuilding we've tried to remain focused on our twin goals, Durable and Low Maintenance. And so we've come back to granite. What I found out is that granite showrooms only have a tiny selection of slabs onsite for you to look at. And most of those are ugly speckled rust stains. BUT, when you've found a company you want to work with, they'll hook you up with the huge granite yards where you go to pick out a slab and they send it to the installer. In our case it's a two hour drive to a huge city where there are a half dozen granite yards and acres of slabs of granite to choose from. You walk around for a couple of hours dragging your husband (who really doesn't want to be there and doesn't like anything unless it's cobalt blue) and your kids (who are fighting over a piece of gravel they picked up in the parking lot) and suddenly you turn a corner and find The Perfect Slab. And you hear a heavenly chorus that swells to drown out the sound of the kids squabbling and the perky salesperson who doesn't have a clue what you're really looking for (you couldn't tell her because you weren't really sure either.) And tears of relief and joy spring to your eyes, your husband drops to his knees in shock when he hears the price, and then you're done. Then you get to choose a backsplash!
...See More
which granites don't need to be sealed?
Q
Comments (11)
and if a stone will absorb a sealer, it's a good idea to use it. Absolutely. However, many stones won't absorb it. The pearls for example-- Blue Pearl, Emerald Pearl, etc.-- or the black granites, such as Absolute Black or Black Galaxy-- none of those will absorb a sealer, and as a result end up looking like there's a haze on the surface. Another popular one is Ubatuba. Although there used to be some slabs that would take a sealer, 99.9% of the Ubatuba found today, won't. In the following link, at the top of the page, you'll find two other links-- one, A-L, and the other, M-Z. Both links will take you to a chart of the most popular granites from around the world. On those charts is a column for absorbsion rates. If the rate of your granite is .25% or less, it SHOULD NOT be sealed. If you have a granite that's not on the list, try the "sponge" test. Lay a sopping wet sponge or rag on the countertop. After a couple of minutes, remove it and then wipe up any water sitting on the surface. If the stone under where the sponge or rag was sitting darkened, then your stone needs to be sealed. Otherwise, you're okay to leave it as is. Here is a link that might be useful: World's Most Popular Granites
...See More
If you don't have a pantry, where do you put stuff?
Q
Comments (7)
Some things I want to keep but have no where to put them are the big Wilton novelty cake pans & cookie racks. If they're not too tall they could go into underbed boxes, either the kind on wheels or just the ordinary cardboard kind. I'm a big believer in using the wasted space under the bed! They also are unlikely to be harmed by attic heat. Otherwise, think really, REALLY hard about just how much are you going to use every one of these pans? Can you pare down your collection? Is making novelty cakes and cookies a frequent hobby or a small business, or are these the sorts of things you only do once in a while? I'm a cookery nut too and I found it hard as hell to weed down my collection of goodies and gadgets before our move last September but I'm not so good at bending the time-space continuum to create storage space where there isn't any. Trust me, it was a wrench to put those adorable heart-shaped miniature springform pans in the donation box because I remembered the expressions of delight when I produced miniature heart-shaped cheesecakes for someone, but we just didn't use them enough to justify the space they occupied. Do you use all three ice chests so often that you need to keep three of them on hand at all times, or is there someone you could give, say, two of them to who would let you borrow them back when you need them? The ironing board. Right now it is behind my bedroom door. We had another ironing board - one of those short over the door things in a closet. Slide it flat underneath a bed or hang it neatly behind the door on the wall on an ironing board rack, or move the over-the-door one to the back of a bedroom door. There are also attractive ironing board cabinets that mount onto or even recess into the wall between the studs, and some can even be electrified so you can plug the iron in right there. I am assuming you prefer to iron in the bedroom instead of in the laundry room (you couldn't FIT an ironing board in our laundry room anyway!). The upright vacuum. This is a necessary thing and I won't be putting it in the attic. I just don't have anywhere to put it except a closet shoved between the hanging clothes. A closet is fine but organize the closet floor (shoe storage, blah blah) so that you can slip it into a corner rather than just shoving it in the middle of the clothes. If you've got a spare $400 floating around (BWAHAHAHAHAHA - who does?) the Dyson DC24 upright vacuum does compact down quite small although in this house the jury's still out as to whether it really stands up to all the hype. The printer for my laptop. Right now it's in the kitchen next to the peninsula where I usually do my work. Is there a chance of a wireless connection between laptop and printer? There are SO many gadgets now that let you print without being physically connected to the printer, and then you can put the printer wherever you can conveniently tuck it away (say an end table with a door where you could drill a small hole in the back for the power cord) without worrying about having to be able to hitch up that printer cable. If you're not technologically adept, there are any number of "rent-a-geek" services to help you. Luggage. Right now in the floor of the closet, but I'd like to keep stuff off the floor so it's easier to vacuum and looks bigger. Attic. Get bags of cedar shavings from the pet department at Walmart or whatever, punch a bunch of holes in each bag, and put them into old pillowcases, then put THAT into each suitcase. The cedar shavings will keep bugs and critters from taking up residence in them, absorb any moisture to prevent mold, and keep them from smelling musty. Or under beds if they'll fit, in which case you can fill them with other things. Make the adult kids (if they're old enough for apartments, furnished or no, they're adults in my book) responsible for their belongings - you are not running a storage facility or dumping ground for their stuff, you have enough stuff of your own. Maybe they can pool their funds for a storage unit; I could see their weeding out their belongings, selling some on CL, eBay, or at a yard sale to raise the money to pay at least part of the storage fees on the things they absolutely cannot part with. I downsized by 40% last year and had to be absolutely brutal about what came along with us and what had to go. We took several station-wagon-loads to Goodwill, and then about six months after we moved we had another "WHY did we move this?" purge and took another two station-wagon-loads out. You have to be kind of heartless... most of what we got rid of was stuff that other people had given us and we - okay, I - had to get over a good bit of guilt about giving it the heave-ho.
...See More
Kitchen update... thought I knew what I was doing... I DON’T
Q
Comments (110)
Vastly better, although I think the hood and cabs should be the same height. The window looks 100% better without those two narrow cabs flanking it, too. BTW, I would swap the fridge and the tall pantry cabinet so that your fridge doesn't open into that wall (and so the pantry cabinet isn't between your fridge and your landing space for prep items).
...See More
breezygirl
11 years ago
I think the current aesthetic is for cleaner lines and colors with simpler patterns. I know that appeals to me more in crazier times of my life. I think I read somewhere that with the economy in the toilet, design in general shifted to quieter, more subtle theory.
weissman
11 years ago
That granite is gorgeous - who cares what magazines think. They tend to always push new trends to encourage people to remodel and spend more money!
tempe110
11 years ago
I think it's beautiful, and that cabinet door is gorgeous too.
EATREALFOOD
11 years ago
simple explanation: "They tend to always push new trends to encourage people to remodel and spend more money!"
I agree with weissman.

Look up sixtyohno's beautiful rainforest green(serpentine?) counters, just beautiful.
Your counters will look gorgeous and I like the glass accent tiles.
palimpsest
11 years ago
I think it depends what kind of magazines you look at, too. Fine Homebuilding "Houses" and "Kitchens" editions usually have houses that are outside the editorial norm of many magazines, for example. Also some of the Trends magazines seem to have more variety. Regional magazines for the Pacific Northwest also seem to have more "organic" looking kitchens.
kaysd
11 years ago
Personally, I love dramatic stones with lots of movement for counters. The slab you picked looks gorgeous. You are pairing it with quiet, neutral cabinets that will let the stone be the star. I say go for it. (I got so tired of looking at hundreds of "neutral" kitchens with boring granite when we were house shopping.)
allison0704
11 years ago
I selected a gorgeous dark green granite with some small dark berry highlights for our last house. Very fluid pattern. Loved it while we were there. Your granite is beautiful! Don't second guess your choices!!
ginny20
11 years ago
I love your choices. The other finishes are lovely with that gorgeous stone. I take it you're not doing this to try to flip the house, right? So you should get what you love.

If it were me, I wouldn't get tired of that granite because I'd find something new and pretty in it every time I looked.
akcorcoran
Original Author
11 years ago
Oh, thank you to all of you.

I really stopped in my tracks when I saw that piece of granite and the taped area is my island (the square is the prep sink.) I thought it has coloring that are all trad'l colors, but swirled together in that moving vein.

The kitchen is off of a long room so next to the island is a wood table & chandelier, then a hearth room with a seating group of a couch (thinking bordeaux colored) and chairs and a fireplace. So, I wanted the kitchen to hold its own.

I also have two kids 10 and under so it looked like it would hide all sins over our lifetime. :-)

After this reno, my hubby says we're here for life or at least 25 years, so... yep, it's for me and my family! If someone wants the house later, the cabinets are neutral but at least they'll be something noticeable in the kitchen!

Now, I'm just debating the lighting... too many decisions!

(Sorry, I didn't realize the photos posted sideways b/c I was on my phone! Here's another view with the backsplash. The bottom row of 4x4s is straight, then the border on top of that and then the rest of the 4x4s to the top of the cabinet will be on the diagonal. Just didn't have a way to hold them like that! :-)
kellienoelle
11 years ago
I think it is gorgeous! And if you are staying for 25 years, then you should certainly go with what appeals to you. While I appreciate the both the ultra modern streamlined kitchens with solid quartz counters and slab doors and the white cabinets/white marble/white subway tiles look, it wasn't what would have worked for me or my house. Your choices will certainly blend well with your 2 children.

By the way, LOVE that tantrum tile. I almost got that for my backsplash and it is just so pretty in person!
smiling
11 years ago
Beautiful combinations! Your granite looks wonderful, both in the back-away shots and in the closeups. It will be interesting to look at from anywhere in your kitchen. I'd go for it!
drbeanie2000
11 years ago
Maybe the magazines don't want you to focus one one item, that some people might hate, and not look at anything else in the picture. People might not see what in the kitchen works for them, they are too busy looking at the granite?

I LOVE your choice. My choice is even zanier. But if you look at the same granite in THIS place (linked), you can barely see it!

It's good to have something stand out - hope you love it!

Here is a link that might be useful: {{!gwi}}
bostonpam
11 years ago
I have had typhoon bordeaux for 3 years now and still love it. It's great hiding everything since we don't always clean up after partes. In fact, if I want it really clean I have to run my hand over the granite because it does a great job hiding almost everything :) Your slab looks gorgeous! Get what you love and your heart will sing every time you walk into the kitchen.
AlyB
11 years ago
I think your slab is gorgeous! I was totally in love with a bunch of the bordeaux granites while looking -- just couldn't find exactly the right one. Don't worry about what the magazines are showing. Your kitchen is going to be beautiful and one-of-a-kind with that magnificent stone! Love the backsplash you've picked too. All my favorite colors!
akcorcoran
Original Author
11 years ago
I love ALL of you! Thank you! Bostonpam describes it best - after looking at granites for a full year (yep, a long remodel!) I couldn't find anything I love, love, loved. The day I saw this I was gleeful - and my heart has been singing ever since and I can't WAIT to get it in my kitchen! I just was looking at those mags - and houzz, even - and so many are white, neutral, white that I started to freak out.

I am struggling with lighting for over the island though - the island is small (51" wide with granite by 64" long) and perpendicular to the room (vs horizontal like most) so I was thinking round but can't decide between:

(All of these sort of pick up the backsplash tile in some way... Sorry they don't link live, you'll have to copy and paste if interested. )

- Open weave metal (I get nervous that the granite is so busy but keep forgetting that the granite is flat - and I have cream cabinets)
http://www.efirdsinteriors.com/search_individual_result.asp?current=358674&cart=Y

- Shaded with some interest (not sure I can afford this - one large or two smaller pendants)
http://www.circalighting.com/details.aspx?pid=3415

- Combo weave and shade (too matchy matchy though?)
Pendants here - https://www.houzz.com/photos/ellen-grasso-inc-traditional-kitchen-dallas-phvw-vp~646722-Grasso-Inc-traditional-kitchen-dallas
One large round here - http://www.horchow.com/product.jsp?itemId=cprod72450015&ecid=HCBHOZDSNone&csdartid=42118357_71729536_&cssiteid=1153842

Or industrial? I can't seem to get my heart into industrial... but a copper would look really nice with it? And I know everyone is way into that look?

Any votes are welcome - and thank you again for your encouragement of my choice. It really means a lot. I'll post photos when it's all finished!

Here is a link that might be useful: Open basket weave
suzanne_sl
11 years ago
drbeanie2000 - I love your stone!!!
akcorcoran
Original Author
11 years ago
Forgot to add that - ditto to drbeanie2000 - I've never seen anything like that stone. What is it called? Gorgeous!
akcorcoran
Original Author
11 years ago
Oh, on pendants - forgot to add that if I had all the $ I could dream of, I love the Fitzjames line from Currey & Co:

Lantern:
http://www.curreycodealers.com/Product_details.aspx?OID=1770387#_top

Ceiling Mount Pendant (but on a chain)
http://www.curreycodealers.com/Product_details.aspx?OID=1770831#_top

And, just to show you my insanity, here's the industrial pendants I was looking at if I went that route - in antique copper:
http://www.landmarklightinglights.com/product/landmark-lighting-chadwick-pendant-66148-1.html

or - all the $ in the world -
http://www.circalighting.com/details.aspx?pid=819

Sigh, decisions... Thanks for helping me stick with my granite. That's the most important! :-)

Here is a link that might be useful: Fitzjames pendant

This post was edited by akcorcoran on Fri, Mar 15, 13 at 0:48
Nancy in Mich
11 years ago
I really like that the tall Troy Lighting Sausalito pendant has the same "petal" in the metal work as your liner has on the embossed flower pattern.

I am worried that the accordion folds of the "GROSVENOR LARGE SINGLE PENDANT" will make it to hard to clean for a kitchen light.
gone_south
11 years ago
Definitely go for it! That granite is beautiful and the little square glass accent tiles are absolutely outstanding with it. We went with a bold granite and are thankful every day that it one out over the more conservative runner-up.
beekeeperswife
11 years ago
The granite you love is very beautiful. You love it, and that is really what matters. If it makes your heart sing, then go for it!

I think magazine editors are just looking for something new and fresh. The darker stones and travertine tile sort of remind me of Tuscan colors. They have already covered that look. Currently the editors are passing on white kitchens and white backsplashes. Remember they are shooting for next (2014) Spring and Summer issues right now. They are looking for kitchens with more color, white cabinets with colored backsplashes; blue cabinetry; yellow cabinetry; etc. Even more gray cabinetry. I've been given a sneak peek at some of the kitchens that they are working on right now and really, lots more fun colors.

Can't wait to see your project!
eam44
11 years ago
Magazine editors often have themes in mind (the farm house kitchen, the modern kitchen, how to choose the right sink...) and ad space to sell. Still, they know more about visual balance than most folks.

Speaking of balance, might you consider another bs tile in place of the 4" x 4" tiles you show? I think a greater uniformity in finish would compliment your stone better, look less travertine-y, and look less dated over time. Also, you might want to lay it out in a diamond pattern if sticking to the 4" x 4" format, or choose a rectangle and lay out in a herringbone pattern.

This is vitrail handmade tile by Fireclay.

Maple Sugar
{{!gwi}}

Kiwi
{{!gwi}}

Silver Haze
{{!gwi}}
akcorcoran
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks for the suggestions. So many factors go into the choice, including time and budget along with the aesthetics, but I've sent them to my "tile design guy" because the backsplash isn't yet set in stone (pun intended!) :-)

Regardless, I think it got lost in the above that the 4x4s are definitely not straight laid. They are one row parallel to counter, then the green glass border, then diagonal all the way up.

Thanks for joining on though - I think all opinions, experience and expertise help make the design so much better!

Getting paranoid:Why don't mag kitchens have interesting granite?

Comments (25)

akcorcoran
Original Author

akcorcoran
Original Author

Related Discussions

breezygirl

weissman

tempe110

EATREALFOOD

palimpsest

kaysd

allison0704

ginny20

akcorcoran
Original Author

kellienoelle

smiling

drbeanie2000

bostonpam

AlyB

akcorcoran
Original Author

suzanne_sl

akcorcoran
Original Author

akcorcoran
Original Author

Nancy in Mich

gone_south

beekeeperswife

eam44

akcorcoran
Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Getting paranoid:Why don't mag kitchens have interesting granite?

Comments (25)

akcorcoranOriginal Author

akcorcoranOriginal Author

Related Discussions

akcorcoranOriginal Author

akcorcoranOriginal Author

akcorcoranOriginal Author

akcorcoranOriginal Author

akcorcoranOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

akcorcoran
Original Author

akcorcoran
Original Author

akcorcoran
Original Author

akcorcoran
Original Author

akcorcoran
Original Author

akcorcoran
Original Author

akcorcoran
Original Author