Did I make the right decision on granite?

13 years ago

So after weeks of looking at granite slabs, I finally was able to make a decision. Now, however, one week before install, I'm starting to doubt myself. My kitchen cabinets are being refaced in antique white, and my floor is a light grey/beige tile-look laminate. The granite I chose is called Ghiblee (aka toasted almond) with a lot of movement and orangey brown streaks. I was trying to tie in the oak trimmed window and pantry door into the color scheme, but now I'm doubting myself and thinking I should have gone with a more subtle and lighter or white granite. Does anyone have experience with antique white cabinets with ghiblee or ivory fantasy granite? I am so stressing out about this-I loved the slab when I saw it, but am afraid I won't like it in my kitchen!

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Comments (10)

EllenMel
Original Author
13 years ago
Here's a photo of the granite slabs I chose, along with my cabinet color (although it looks white, it's really a cream color) and my flooring.

Here is a link that might be useful: Ellen's ghiblee granite
athomesewing
13 years ago
I think they look great together!
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It's so hard to make these decisions! I can tell you how I made mine and why. For me, the countertop was the most important. I work a lot in my kitchen, the countertop is my work surface and what I am staring at for hours at a time while I am working in it. So I fit the cabinet colour to my stone choice and was very specific about my stone. That's not to minimize the importance of the cabinet's impact on the overall feel in the kitchen but there are a million colours of stain/paint for the cabinets, and I could find SO many that I would love in my kitchen. To me it seems a no brainer that the stone choice takes priority over the cabinet colour. But that's just me! You'll find lots of opinions that are the exact opposite so in the end it depends on what YOU like and want in your kitchen. There are also a multitude of different countertop choices out there, and I had several that I liked and that I know could have really looked great and performed well in my kitchen. So if you really want the caramel coloured maple I have no doubt you can find a stone to complement it well that you are really happy with if you have the time to look around a bit. But if the Bianco Antico is calling for you ...
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Jb1176--Black Diamond and Diamond Black, believe it or not, are not the same. I've seen Black Diamond, Black Pearl, Angola Black, etc. both online and in person and they are even lighter than the Andes. Diamond Black was considered a "rare exotic" but we both loved it so much that we were willing to pay the higher price. [Black Pearl, btw, was a lower price category then Diamond Black @ EXPO...another indication they are not the same.] BethesdaMom2008...actually, if you can get the Verde now it's very inexpensive. They got a great deal on it (they told me why, but I don't think I should repeat it online) and are passing it on to us, if we get it. I don't have the price, but I think they said it would be in price category 1 or 2 (1=least expensive, 7=most expensive)--I'm not positive the exact #. BUT, this is only for this lot. Normally, it's a 6 or 7. I know that at EXPO the Diamond Black was $79/sq ft (category D w/A=least expensive, E=most expensive) and Avanti told me this lot of the Verde was much cheaper than that. If you want the Verde, I would get it NOW and have your fabricator pick it up and save it for you. We've pretty much decided not to go with it...and as of Saturday they had 5 slabs left (including the 3 they set aside for us.) All, I appreciate everyone's suggestions for stoneyards and I am making a note of each place; but we are constrained by who EXPO deals with and right now I only know about Granite Source (Chantilly, VA), Avanti (Frederick, MD), and Universal (Catonsville, MD). But, keep those stoneyard & granite suggestions coming, b/c I'm going to talk to my KD Monday about these other places since Avanti did not have anything I'm in love with...I plan to check Universal next. I know they don't let you pick your slabs (only the lot), but as what I'm looking for is pretty uniform, I may be willing to go along w/that...plus I may talk to my KD about it. She appears to have some pull in a few places (like Avanti! They made an exception in our case b/c we weren't necessarily ready to make a final selection...but they let us come by Saturday anyway!) Avanti, BTW, was great! They were so helpful and friendly--especially Frank & Brian. I highly recommend them for those of you granite, marble, soapstone, and even engineered stone shopping! Note: They hold granite for up to 2 weeks...and they mean it as we looked at some that they told us was not available as it was on hold for someone. [We didn't want it, but it was nice to know that after all the horror stories I've been hearing lately!]
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Perhaps he was referring to the fact that the slab was impregnated with resin to stabilize it. Or he may be referring to a topical film forming sealer than was applied to the surface and sits there on top rather than an impregnating sealer that soaks into the stone. Topical sealers can peel off with use.
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lazydaisynot
13 years ago
What a beautiful granite. On my monitor it appears to have some really pretty gray/blue tones along with the warm caramel. The combination with your other finishes is lovely. I think it's a great choice (and would love to have it on my countertops!)
remodelfla
13 years ago
OH no no no... that's not a mistake. That is just a wonderful choice! It's not going to look too busy at all. Your instincts were right. Remember... laying as a countertop and as part of a whole, it will integrate into the rest of the kitchen. Light Blue/gray wall color with the grayish laminate floor?
dianalo
13 years ago
I can't really say without knowing what your other choice would be, what bs you are doing and what overall look you are trying to achieve. This one is nice, but seems a little safe. If that is your goal, then you hit it.
sallysue_2010
13 years ago
As a fellow traveler who worried more about busy than about safe, I think your choices will be beautiful. Not too busy, and not as safe as a white granite.
boxerpups
13 years ago
I think you made a wonderful choice. Even without seeing
all the elements the granite you are thinking about will
be stunning with antique white cabs and creamy floors with
a little orange oak details with window and pantry.

You are falling into the worry of 2nd guessing your choice.
It is sooooo easy to do. Spending money on granite is
scary. You are probably telling yourself, this is not
paint, what if???? What if it doesn't go??? I don't like
it??? What if I need to change it??? What if it is ugly???
If it were paint, with $100 you can fix it but with
granite it could be as high as $8000.

You are not alone in your worries. We all do this or have
see others 2nd guess.

I honestly think you are going to be pleasantly surprised
with how nice it does go. A dash of movement but subtle
and colors that really work with what you currently have.
I wish I had a picture of your granite with creamy cabs
and tile floor...I don't but I do have a few similar that
might help you sleep tonight and worry less.
~boxerpups
ellendi
13 years ago
Had to chime in since I am an Ellen (and my oldest DD is a Mel....) I have to agree that the granite looks great. You will have quite a few options with the BS. All this renovating is very emotional and no matter what we say here, you probably won't relax until it is finished. But, take it one step at a time and write in here as often as you need to. (((((moral support))))
EllenMel
Original Author
13 years ago
Thank you all so much for your encouragement-I really needed that! And thanks for the photos boxerpups...it's also very nice to know that my last minute "panic" is normal. This is such a wonderful forum and I'm grateful to all of you for helping to make my stomach stop hurting. :)
I'll be sure to post some pics when it's all said and done.
2christene
8 years ago
EllenMel

Did you post pics? Where can we see them?

Did I make the right decision on granite?

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EllenMel
Original Author

athomesewing

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Did I make the right decision on granite?

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EllenMelOriginal Author

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