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silver pearl granite - antiqued

counterquestion

13 years ago

I have to make a decision on my countertop very soon. My cabinets are off-white (BM November Rain) and I want a flat finish countertop. I have considered and rejected soapstone and am now trying to decide between Black Absolute honed or Silver Pearl antiqued. I've seen lots of discussion on the honed black absolute but very little on antiqued silver pearl. Has anyone installed antiqued silver pearl or even antiqued black pearl. If so, do you like it? What are the upkeep issues you've found? From the samples, the antiqued silver pearl didn't seem to show as many fingerprints as the others. Any viewpoints would be appreciated. Thanks.

Featured Answer

rookie_2010

13 years ago

Hi.
I'd recommend any dark granite in a leathered/antiqued finish if you've ruled out soapstone. I had the exact same decision to make after my husband vetoed the soapstone. I researched honed AB and the majority of owners were complaining about fingerprints and constant wiping. I went with leathered cambrian and it's bullet proof and lends a similar matte finish as soapstone.

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Comments (9)

jrueter
13 years ago
I agree with rookie - I have a leathered Marron Cohiba with these crazy white veins that looks a lot like oiledsoapstone from a little distance, but up close has much more granite character. It is not perfectly matte - it does have some sheen to it, but definitely not glossy. I love it. Super easy maintenance, doesn't show every fingerprint or smudge and totally gorgeous. One thing I wasn't sure about was if the texture was going to be too much for rolling cookies or pastry, but I have rolled fondant and pie crust right on the counter and it did great. I say find antiqued/leathered slabs you love and go for it.
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Thanks Ginad and Mamabear! The island is 4x6, the ceilings are 9', the pendants are 17Hx8w. I don't find the marble to be difficult but I do wipe up spills immediately or as soon as I notice them (with 409 Stone Cleaner). I limited it to the island because I chose the leathered/antiqued granite (bulletproof!) for the perimeter so I do have plenty of space that I don't worry over at all. I use mine for food prep mostly. If you're not sure, get a sample and see what you think after beating it up. Honed marble that is sealed will etch but not stain easily. Polished marble shows etching much more than honed. Etches on honed marble are subtle. Polished granite, especially black, can show finger prints and streaks more than other colors or finishes will. It's still a super classy look and I don't think you can go wrong with it. Honed black granite can also be difficult to keep fingerprint and streak free. Leathered granite is a slightly textured finish with a slight sheen. It shows very little streaks, fingerprints, etc. I really love it. Most of the info I have comes from this site and the opinions of many of the users. However, you'll never know how something will work for you until you get a sample and start using it. Sounds like you're going to have a lovely kitchen!
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Thank you for all of your advice. I talked to my husband and we are going to look into having the hardwood extended through out the house. There is a small toilet closet off the remodeled kitchen, but we will just leave the old tile alone in that room (obviously it has a door because it is a toilet room). That way that room does not have to be part of the renovation. The contractor told me that I did not have to pick the backsplash until after the cabinets and countertop are in; we will have a better idea of all the tones for the paint and backsplash and don't have to worry about a clashing floor tile. I had wanted tile for the spills, and the combination of wanting the right look and being concerned about how the tiles would affect my bad feet (and the fact that it seems like tile patterns become dated much more quickly than wood floors) all seemed to push me to hardwood. I don't want this blue on the walls but I do think that countertop, floors and cabinets work on this kitchen: [houzz=https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-traditional-kitchen-dc-metro-phvw-vp~87227] I thought this backsplash really complemented the blue pearl: [houzz=https://www.houzz.com/photos/kitchen-webster-traditional-kitchen-new-york-phvw-vp~2370442] I think this may be too modern, but if the marble is not the right thing after it is installed this frosted icicle tile also linked stunning with the countertop sample: https://www.msistone.com/glass-tiles-8mm/frosted-icicle-glass-subway-tile-3x9/
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rookie_2010
13 years ago
Ooooh, I've never seen leathered Marron Cohiba before. In the pic (beautiful kitchen!), it looks like oiled soapstone! When I was browsing stone yards, the only leathered I came across was cambrian. I'm probably better off, made the decision really easy but I chose it as the next best thing to soapstone so I'm really drooling over your countertop jrueter....
counterquestion
Original Author
13 years ago
I've never heard of Marron Cohiba before either, but it's beautiful, as is the rest of your kitchen. Will have to see if it's available at a local stoneyard. I'm glad to hear that there are positive experiences out there with leathered/antiqued finishes. Thanks very much for sharing.
jsweenc
13 years ago
Marron Cohiba is also known as Antique Brown. jrueter is in CA and I am in NC and they had the same name both here and there, so it's not a regional thing. I guess it depends on where it is quarried. (Marron = brown in Spanish, but I don't think Cohiba = Antique.) I agree with rookie and jrueter about the leathered/antiqued finish. I looked at honed AB and ruled it out because it was not predictable; one slab kept fingerprints, another didn't, but I didn't want to risk it. Leathered has been a great choice for us.
julie94062
13 years ago
My "tied-for-first" choice was Silver Pearl "satin", which I believe was just my slab warehouse's name for it. I think it would be comparable to "antiqued". I chose something else, but still have regrets about the Silver Pearl. The texture and color were really nice, and more "me".

Go with your gut feeling!
elba1
13 years ago
Bumping this thread. I also like the look of soapstone but am afraid of chips & scratches. Was just given a piece of silver pearl antique today. Was told it is more durable than honed granite. It is textured and warm looking in it's natural state, and not too dark. Did anyone here ever get this granite?
francoise47
13 years ago
Hi all, I just saw a beautiful slab of Steel Gray, a.k.a Silver Pearl granite today. For those who want gray counters that are lighter than oiled soapstone, it seems like a possibility.

Elba1, what did you end up choosing for your counters?
supadad33
12 years ago
Does anyone have any photos to share of Silver Pearl granite installed in their kitchen? My wife and I are almost set on picking it (over the more expensive Antique Brown)... Thanks!

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