Seems like it could work to me.

I'm curious about why you chose black for the baking counter? At first thought, it seems heavy and dark compared to the other choices. But that might make it work better as a 4th surface...since it won't compete with the rest in the lighter shades.

Rhome- Thanks for the response! I have been thinking about marble, since day one...but with the marble table, I can still have marble and use something a little more indestuctible for the baking area...which is also the microwave/snack area.

I've been wondering if using the marble in that area, with my husband and his friends, would be 'setting them up to fail' when they're microwaving snacks or baking a pizza! LOL This way, the black will be easier for everyone to use, still look good with the bunnies and be a safe surface for hot pans and plates, coming out of the microwave.

I'd have similar worries about the marble table, now that you mention it... Have you thought about a marble-looking granite that might be more forgiving?

I agree with Rhome about the marble table. An etched marble counter really isn't bad, especially if it's just one area, but and etched table might not look so nice. How about swapping them?

I don't mind etching, especially at the table. If it gets too bad, I can get it refinished...since it won't be attached to a cabinet. I am more worried about stains on the marble countertop...like pizza sauce, BBQ sauce, etc. when they're cooking.

I doubt the guys will sit much at a 'marble table' so I think they'll move to the dining table, which will be wood and sealed...or take the snacks down to the rec room (under this space) where they'll have a big bar area. Not that I'm being at all devious about this :)

Too many.

What about the nieces and nephews? SOMEone will use that table besides careful adult ladies, I assume?

I'm with Cheri in thinking that a work surface can look a little 'worked on, ' but the table, on display in the center of the room, should look nicer. But that's our opinion. How would you 'refinish' the marble? You mean resurfaced? Is that an affordable type of process? I have no idea, so am just asking, not challenging the idea.

It seems like a lot but maybe it could work. Hard for me to picture. Just wanted to throw out there that most say marble staining isn't an issue if it's sealed. I've put lots of stuff on my sealed sample and it has only etched... Of course, all marble is different but just my 2cents as you would say : )

Krycek- How have you been? I haven't seen you for a while...how's the garden? Have you decided what to do with your other house? I'm just full of questions :)

Rhome- Oh, I wouldn't say the ladies are careful...but we don't leave beers sitting on tables, for hours at a time. I'm no marble expert, I just read on GW that if it gets really bad you can have it refinished...I thought it meant that it was sanded down and resealed...if it had been sealed, before.

Fishies- Good point about sealing the marble. I'd like to use an old marble table...where ever we end up using it. There are some neat old marble tables in our area (I don't think marble counters have really caught on yet, here) and I was hoping to find something that looks great and at a good price. MamaGoose is my idol, when it comes to shopping for the kitchen! :)

If marble was really durable, it might work on the counter and the table...but I'd like to use it at the table, for sure. Is marble as heat resistant as black granite? Does absolute black granite have to be sealed? I see conflicting opinions on this, every time there's a marble or granite post.

I don't think the marble table is probably the most practical, but it also seems to be something you really want. I think the granite is practical, but the shiny black seems s little out of place for me in your French country theme. I know you like blue, but I don't think those tiles work with the granite, nor do most people look at them as being a great worksurface. I think you should stick with one surface for the perimeter and another for the table. I would maybe look at inlaying marble at the end of the maple table so that it can serve several functions.

I think marble, wood, and the tile would go well together... or marble, wood, granite, but adding the 4th seems to throw it off a bit IMO. (no expert)
I don't think you said the granite would be shiny so perhaps honed.

Doing well lavendar. We are eventually moving back to the old house after a few minor renovations, I think. I'll enjoy the land. The garden at this house is excellent...just won't stop growing!

If I were you, I'd avoid any granite in your kitchen. Just doesn't fit right, would look out of place and odd.

Have you thought of soapstone? Would look good in a kitchen like that. And I don't see a huge problem with the marble table if properly sealed...marble has stood the test of time in many an old building. Wont look perfect after a while, but that's not a big deal to me.

I like the idea of the ceramic tiles. If laid and sealed properly, they arent bad. Just make sure the grout is sealed well.

Four surfaces is too many tho.

Btw, I would personally seal all granite regardless of type...it doesn't take long at all'

Thank you all for taking the time, to give me your input :)

It sounds like the granite is not as popular...and I just decided to try that today, so I'm not really convinced, myself. Marble at the baking area...and the table, would look great!

What do you all think about the cabinets? I like some wood, but I think all wood (with a wood floor) will be too much. Do you like white on the perimeter cabinets, green on the island...and the light wood cabinets for the baking area and shelves, by the fireplace? I'm thinking it would look good with the marble!

Oh, I never even thought of it possibly being shiny... I hope not. I imagined a soapstone type of look, but in granite?

If honed, I still think that as unfitted look, it could work...especially if the baking area has a hutch-styling, so a reason to be different. No one would've told me my 4 cabinet finishes and 3 countertops were a good idea ('cept Lascatx), so sometimes you have to trust your own vision.

I wouldn't put more than 3 surfaces in a kitchen. Just my preference. I have two different Corian patterns and like that a lot.

Krycek- The garden sounds beautiful! I think you'll enjoy the land, too. I hope you'll post pictures, when you're finished with the renovations :)

I think the shiny black is the odd one out...soapstone-ish or slate-ish would be better, but they all have to work with each other and individually with their particular case piece (cabinet). I also think that the tile skews contemporary because of its size and mottled surface...So I don't think three or four are necessarily too many, but they have to work well enough that you don't NOTICE that there are three or four, they all have to look natural in their spot.

I have three cabinet finishes in a very small space but it's not something anyone has really commented on. One is wallcolor, the base cabinets match the soapstone (and the fireplaces) and the fridge is Maple, which matches something else--so each has their context.

So white cabs on the L with the blue tile countertop , and then a green island with light wood top, right?

Did I say shiny granite? No, it would have been honed...but you're all convincing me to go with the marble, instead :)

Pal- That's good advice..thank you!

Senator- Sorry I missed your post...I do like the marble! I don't want to put the ceramic tile on the baking area...partly because I think it's too much blue and I really want to have a smoother stone surface, there. Thank you for the ideas about the island!

Fishies- Yes, white with blue, green with wood and light wood cabinets with marble. I would like to add a little black (isn't every room supposed to have some?) but instead of the granite, I might add it to the table legs...and maybe the chandelier over the dining table. I've always liked this marble table, but in the half oval shape :) {{gwi:1422939}}From Fairy tale cottage

I love that photo! So pretty!!

It sounds like a lot going on to me (with the blue and green) but I'm not very schooled in unfitted kitchens. : )

I agree that black granite was the odd one out, and not only because of shine or modernity. The light blue, light brown, light green, bunny tile, and even the white counter have something very important in common that will help them blend harmoniously, rather than contrast--they share the same general color value, i.e., in your case they're all light, pastel. That black counter in this room would not only not blend or settle back, but I suspect it would specifically pull the eye to its large area of strong contrast.

That black table frame in your picture is nice in that blue and white room. Similarly, the delicacy of the black accents in your bunny tile might be a good guideline to copy for the rest of the room. If there's dark brown in it, that too would make a good contrast color.

Rhome -- LOL. If I could go back to my few posts before we started our kitchen, I think we'd find the same results when I was choosing 3 cabinet finishes and 2 counter tops. I think I was the only one who said do it. :D

Lavender, with everything as light as you are going, I wouldn't do the black. I think duplicating the marble there and on the table would be great. I could see stainless or copper working with your choices, and I can see black in small wrought iron touches (or not), but I can't see a slab of black. Maybe, maybe, if it was the top of an island or hutch that looked like an antique piece.

Have you lived with tile counters before? I've had them several times, and while I like the durability and heat resistance, I hate the grout. They also tend to make cutting boards wobble and slide. That's the counter you will have the most of and it is next to your clean up sink and cooktop -- the two places where I found grout lines to be the worst for cleaning. I understand there may be better products and sealers now, but I don't think I could ever choose a tile counter for a kitchen (and I love marble-- go figure! LOL). Make sure you do your homework there and will be happy with it. Even get a sample installed on a piece of plywood and test the grout and sealer with coffee grounds, ketchup, mustard, wine, fruit juices -- whatever you might throw at it. Scrub, scrub, scrub and repeat to replicate longer term kitchen wear. If you still love it, go for it.

I think I agree with the others - 4 is too many but 3 is okay. I'd do the perimeter in the same thing all the way around. I also want to bring up the tile as a counter top issue - are you set on that b/c it makes it country feeling and that is just what you know you want and love? If so, disregard my comments but yet everything lascatx said. Tiles make a wobbly prep surface and the grout is a pain to keep clean. Could you do a different counter top material (corian?) but still in the country blue?

White cabinets with blue counter tops and a green island with a wood counter top doesn't bother me in the least. But you got to make sure you pick the right green. I loved my painted green cabinets before we renovated. It was rejuvenate by Behr. Here's a pic - oh look, I forgot, we had blue laminate at the time too (didn't love that though.)

I think you are all right about the black. I'd like to have a little in the kitchen, but more delicate touches are a good idea.

As for the tile, the flatter tiles and easy to clean grout should be fine...and more heat resistant than laminate...which was my first choice. And, they discontinued my blue that I did like. The others are all too gray or aqua.

I don't want to have blue on all three sides, because I think that would be too much blue (even for me) and I want the baking area to fell like a separate unit...so a bit more unfitted look.

The green island will look good with the butcher block and I like that it's a soft, plant green...not too gray or blue. I think the 'sunnier' pastels all blend well with the wood tones and creamy whites. Too cold or gray...and they seem to suck the light, out of the room. Oh, and the walls will be a soft gold...so french blue, plant green, soft gold, honey colored wood, and creamy white...not to mention the rose/red brick and some lavender (the herb) since it is a french kitchen! LOL Here's a picture that has all the colors, except the bricks and the lavender. Maybe this will make more sense :) {{gwi:1821568}}From Lavender Lass farmhouse pictures

I understand wanting your surface to be durable, but tile may not be the way to go. My aunt had tile for many years, and the counters had a LOT of chips in them when they were ripped out. It doesn't take much to chip them (one time we did it with a butter knife that slipped from our hands as we were loading the diswasher). I would urge you to consider one of the other surface options instead and skip the tile, unless you are set on that as a surface and you have found the perfect blue.

I'm not sure where that leaves you on the tile. Are you still looking? You say it is discontinued, so I don't know if that means you are looking or can't get more of it.

Lascatx- I really like the idea of tile, but it would be nice to try it out, first. Your sample board is a great idea! As for the backsplash (bunny) tile...the artist passed away some time ago. I found the tile online and want to use it as my 'inspiration tile' for having a few painted, for the backsplash. Not every area would have bunnies, but it would be fun to put a few here and there! Mainly vines and a few birds.

Senator- I have seen that some tiles do not hold up well, over time. Others look good, from 1930s kitchens! I'm hoping to get that type of tile, which is flat, hard and not very wide grout lines. Not only are there more blues available, but I like the 'vintage vibe' and that they're not the 50's look of formica/laminates. And, with the marble, I don't want another stone on that area...or stone look.

So, now that I know what we want to do with the countertops...what do you think about the wood and white cabinets? I do want the island to be green...and the bookcase by the fireplace to be the light wood. Do you think all the baking area cabinetry should be wood and the L-shaped perimeter white...or should I mix it up a bit?

I've noticed a lot of my 'inspiration pictures' show a mixture of wood and white cabinets. And the appliances will be white. So, would it be better to have the oven cabinets white and the rest of the baking area wood? Should the pantry (left of fridge) be wood and maybe the plate rack...or the vent over the range...with the rest white?

Thanks for any other ideas...and for all your help on this already! :)

"Do you like white on the perimeter cabinets, green on the island...and the light wood cabinets for the baking area and shelves, by the fireplace?"
Yes !!!!

EAT- Thanks for the vote, yes! :)

I think you can go wither way in the baking area. Doing it in wood will define it as a different area more -- white will tie it in with the rest of the kitchen cabinets.

Are you saying white cabinets, green cabinets in island, and some wood cabinets / shelves? With 3-4 different countertops. That's alot of variation, which is fine if its what you really want. As an outsider looking in, may I suggest that perhaps you are trying to squeeze in a little of everything you love?

Your inspirations pics do not have as much variety. GW knows you have planned, but if the blue counters and green cabinets were not exactly as you invision, the end result could possibly end up being haphazzard. Since you seem set on the blue tile counters, why not let your accessories pick up the green tones you want to add instead of the permanent / pricey kitchen esentials like cabs and ct's.

I love your plan! Just make sure the variations don't take away from the vision you are trying to achieve.

On a separate note - did you see the pot rack light fixture at Lowes? I don't see it online. Maybe its new.

Maybe I missed this - how much bunny tile do you have?

Lascatx- Thank you...that is what it boils down to, isn't it? Do I want a separate, unfitted look to the baking area, or maybe mix the white and wood up, throughout the perimeter.

Dilly- The blue and green doesn't worry me, since they're my favorite home colors. My favorite color is purple, but I don't care for it as a main color in the living space...probably because I wear so much of it! LOL I guess I want to look good, in my room :)

I like white cabinets...that would be my first choice...but by moving the kitchen into this space, all white just doesn't work anymore. It's too light and airy for the big brick fireplace and other wood features. So, I'm trying to add more wood, but I think all wood on the perimeters, might be too dark.

I have thought about mixing them (which is popular right now) but I don't know how well that would work, over time. If these cabients were warm white (not glazed) this might be nice... {{gwi:1907055}}From Pink kitchen

Drbeanie- I have no bunny tile. There actually is no bunny tile. The artist passed away...but I am using it for inspiration, to have my very talented friend paint some, for me. I might even be able to practice enough to do some of the vine work (maybe) but the good news is, we can pick any shades of blue and green to work with the blue tile and green island.

I love the combinations you have picked, white cabinets with blue counters, green island with wood countertop, baking center wood cabinets with marble, wood near the fire place. I would, however, not start mixing them. Think of it as working with colour blocks, separate yet all working together.

HTH, Petra

Petra- Thank you...I'm sitting here thinking the same thing! If I want an 'unfitted' look, the last thing I need to do is start mixing things up too much. LOL

I think you're right...white with blue, green with wood and wood with marble...thanks again :)

When I was considering my baking wall, I tried mixing the burgundy with some fir cabinets. It just ends up looking busy and piece-y. I would keep the oven and baking cabinets all in wood.

On your perimeter, I think you could get away with the shelves above the fridge and the plate rack in wood, or just the plate rack. I wouldn't do any more than that or it just gets too contrived.

Rhome- I think you're right...I have enough going on, I probably don't need too many accent pieces! The pine plate rack looks great with white plates, but knowing me, I'll get new 'colorful' plates, anyway :)

I'm not a fan of contrasting plate racks of pieces within a run of cabinets. I've seen way more done where they don't add or even detract than I do ones where they actually add interest. To me, unfitted means pieces working together rather than mixed up pieces. Does that make sense? I'm not having a great day and am worn out, but I hope it makes sense.

I agree with Lascatx, and what it sounds like you're now planning... Was just giving the maximum of what I'd think I could stand to have mixed in. What I know I don't like is the white cabinet, wood cabinet, white cabinet, wood cabinet thing, and prefer blocks/sections of color that make some kind of sense.

Thank you both so much! It's really helping me 'visualize' the kitchen. I found this picture and think it's very similar to what I want to do with the baking area.
{{gwi:1907056}}From Lavender Lass farmhouse pictures

I love that and could totally see that in your space : ) I agree with the last few posts -- mixing materials-- in a well thought out way. "blocks/sections of color that make some sense" as rhome said.

Thanks, Fishies :)

I saw this blog post to day and thought of you...the whole house could be yours, for a mere $1.79 mil :) (And we would be almost neighbors)

The kitchen is very much your style, I think. And the hearth room/keeping room, too. But what REALLY made me think of you was the peek of tile counter tops you can see on the island in this photo:

I think she also has it in her BS, behind the cooktop. It's your blue, right, but in a pattern rather than solid. Her perimeters appear to be plain white tile.

Sure looks loverly :)

Here is a link that might be useful: farmhouse photos

LL--I think your planning is coming along SO well. I love all of the pictues you post.

This is off topic, but I am so curious--I am always attracted to photos like the first one you posted in this thread, and then the one you posted just a few posts back. The quality of the wood looks beautiful, and to me it looks unfinished. Do you think it is oiled? How is this achieved and is it practical in a kitchen? I am so much attracted to this simple, bare quality than ANY of the stains or finishes that I've seen.

Home4all6- Thank you for the picture and the link! I remember seeing this keeping room, when it was in the magazine...especially this picture :)
{{gwi:1907059}}From Lavender Lass farmhouse pictures

The yellow walls and the blue fabrics, look great with the wood furniture and those tile floors. That's almost the color of my brick fireplace. If they had some green plants and a bit of lavender, it would be perfect! LOL

Did you notice though...how the kitchen looks a little colder than the keeping room. Love the tile (especially on the island) and the floors, but all that white is just too bright and new (IMHO) to go with the older/collected feel of the keeping room. I think antique (rather than shiny) brass would help...but some wood cabinets and maybe a warmer white would make a big difference.

Thank you so much, again, for the pictures and it would be fun to be neighbors! (LOL) But, I don't think that would be enough land for my horses...they eat a lot and need a really big pasture.

Mike- I'm glad you like the pictures! I really like that finish, too. It's not too glossy and does look more like a natural finish. My guess (and it's just that) is maybe they have a satin finish on them and aren't stained. A good finish should protect them...and again, guessing, but probably several coats, sanded in between.

If you want to use these pictures, please feel free to post them and ask if anyone can give you more info. How goes your kitchen remodel and what did you decide to do with your hearth? Sorry, if I missed a post...but I've been wondering how you were doing. It's going to be such a great kitchen!