skip to main content

Please: pics of your granite with espresso cabs!

10 years ago

I am feeling defeated tonight.....my husband and I went about 2 weeks ago to the design studio of our builder to pic out our finishes ( including everything for the kitchen). Long story short, we had selected white shaker cabinets, absolute black granite with white subway tile backsplash. Well, we just got our pricing back and we are way, way over! We knew picking out the cabinets and granite, what the cost would be but there were some structural changes we needed to make to the house and they pretty much whacked us on that, which we were not expecting to be as high. We decided tonight to rethink our selections as this home is not our "forever home". The cabinets were a huge upgrade so now we are thinking of going with the builder grade which are basic espresso colored cabs. The problem is, I need to pick out a granite and I am not sure which one to go with. I would like something that is contrasting....maybe mostly white/cream with browns or taupe? By the way, the granite that comes with the home is a level 1 granite ( Santa Cecilia) but I'm not so sure about that? I would like to try to keep the subway tile we had selected as it will lighten up the dark cabs. Our floors are a light hickory engineered hardwood.
Could I please see your counters with espresso cabs! Any suggestions would be helpful too as this is our first home building ( and my first home) experience. Thank you so much!!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

CEFreeman
10 years ago
I feel your exhaustion.
I can't get good pictures with my cell. It just causes glare.
However, I have Shaker espresso maple cabs in my MBR and used Emperdor Dark in mine, with chrome (shiney silver) fixtures. My sinks are very light/white cream.

I love my bathroom.
The floor is a tile with lighter and darker browns in it, but my dark oak flooring is very visible from the bathroom area. I think it's beautiful.

Don't dispair.
There's also a lighter Emperdor (I'm not sure I'm spelling that right.). This is marble, so you'll have to go through all the hoo-ha about whether or not you should/shouldn't put marble in a kitchen. However, it remains your choice.

There's also no reason you couldn't put a butcher block counter top in there, and before it's sealed, rub very, very watered cream or white paint into it and wipe it off immediately. Then seal. It would give you a beautiful wash and a lighter look. This would probably help your costs immensely in your not-forever home.
attofarad
10 years ago
More like black than espresso, but here is a shot of my bar area, nearly done. The island is the same near-black, and the other cabinets a light cream. Glass backsplash, mostly glossy, with 1/8 matte through in at random.

Search the web for Santa Cecilia granite, for lots of photos.

or

http://www.houzz.com/santa-cecilia-granite-espresso

Here is a link that might be useful: Santa Cecilia with dark cabinets

This post was edited by attofarad on Thu, May 2, 13 at 14:52
Related Discussions
Did you paint your cab espresso?
Q
Comments (1)
Hi, I have added a cross post in Home decorating with some photos of my room and some of the paint chips, please click through and add over there if you can weigh in. thanks, Colorfast Here is a link that might be useful: Home Dec Cross Post: Espresso colored paint? Help!
...See More
please show me your granite against the wall..pic included
Q
Comments (4)
I want to validate your concerns, that is a terrible job, and you should not have to live with that. I don't think the contractor should have used white caulk to fill it in. If your home is older I can understand where they may be some small gaps along the top of the 4 inch piece if the wall isn't straight, but on the edges, it should fit snug against the wall. I don't know what they did wrong, but would like to suggest that you cross post your concerns and pictures in the kitchen forum. There are several granite professionals that hang out over there and they can and will tell you 1. if your job was done correctly 2. confirm what caulking should have been used (clear) 3. And what you can possibly do to make it better. I'm really sorry you're having so many problems. Granite is not a cheap investment and it sucks when it's not fabricated or installed correctly. Good luck!
...See More
pics: which granite w/these white cabs? opinions needed.
Q
Comments (46)
All are beautiful. I just wish I had 17 kitchens to use all the stone I love. But, I would go with number 2. I love the gray/taupe colors personally, but it is more than that. Number one does nothing for the white cabinet -- it doesn't have the stark contrast of a soapstone or AB and doesn't have any white to play off of. The cabinets just look flat. On the island, #1 would blend with the color of the cabinet, brown on brown, versus the compliment that #2 would do for both cabinet colors. Number three is really blush - I would stay away from that - it doesn't do anything for either cabinet color. Again, you are picking from three beautiful natural stones, so you can't go wrong. Which one do you love first thing in the morning, which one will you love in 10 years, not always the same... :)
...See More
Pictures of white cabs with black perimeter counters and espresso
Q
Comments (4)
Maybe try Black Galaxy or a Bronzo granite that's alittle calmer next to the Biaco Antico. I think the combination would be beautiful. The Bronzo is a dark brown that looks alittle like leather. The Black Galaxy has lovely gold sparkles in it but otherwise is a quiet granite. I think your idea of the light cabinets around the perimeter is a good idea if you're concerned with it not being too dark. The contrast should be awesome. Good Luck!Here s a link to the bronzo. http://pic.stonecontact.com/picture/20117/66724/Bronzo-Granite-Slabs-P132853B.jpg
...See More
modern_mom35
10 years ago
we went with quartz rather than granite, and chose to contrast the espresso with white. we are very happy with it.

Related Stories

KITCHEN DESIGN What Goes With Granite Counters?

By Laura Gaskill

Coordinate your kitchen finishes beautifully by choosing colors that complement granite’s natural tones

KITCHEN DESIGN 5 Favorite Granites for Gorgeous Kitchen Countertops

By Charmean Neithart Interiors

See granite types from white to black in action, and learn which cabinet finishes and fixture materials pair best with each

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen Sinks: Granite Composite Offers Superior Durability

By Rachel Grace

It beats out quartz composite for strength and scratch resistance. Could this kitchen sink material be right for you?

KITCHEN DESIGN Are You Ready for a Dark and Sophisticated Kitchen?

By Scheer & Co. Interior Design

Black kitchen cabinets have a rich, timeless look. Get ideas for your next cabs — and how to paint the ones you have

DECORATING GUIDES Ask an Expert: How to Decorate a Long, Narrow Room

Distract attention away from an awkward room shape and create a pleasing design using these pro tips

GREEN Color Guide: How to Work With Chartreuse

By Samantha Schoech

As earthy or electric as you please, this yellow-green hue brings the zing or just freshness to homes from traditional to modern

COLOR Colorful Cabinets

By Becky Harris

SMALL KITCHENS Kitchen of the Week: A Small Galley With Maximum Style and Efficiency

By Becky Harris

An architect makes the most of her family’s modest kitchen, creating a continuous flow with the rest of the living space

INSIDE HOUZZ A New Houzz Survey Reveals What You Really Want in Your Kitchen

By Mitchell Parker

Discover what Houzzers are planning for their new kitchens and which features are falling off the design radar

KITCHEN DESIGN Love to Cook? We Want to See Your Kitchen

By Sheila Schmitz

Houzz Call: Show us a photo of your great home kitchen and tell us how you’ve made it work for you

Sponsored

More Discussions

fantasy brown counters/ need backsplash. finished basement bar.

2

Everest quartz and black veining issue

13

Kitchen Layout Help

0

charging station corner

0

Shiloh rift sawn white oak cabinets in Straw

1