I love the idea of the BS with the mosaic border ... looks great!! I also think the right shade of green would look fantastic in your kitchen.

I think you have a smart, attractive, financially sound plan to renovate your kitchen. I love the green pain you've chosen. I prefer the mosaic in the backsplash because I love, love, love the blue-gray color that stands out in that particular piece. Good luck. I'm excited to see what you accomplish.

Thanks for the input. I am thinking of combining the diamond mosaic pattern with the slate mosaic. Of course I am going to have to return to Home Depot to confirm what I am thinking looks good. I would take the blue border from the diamond mosaic and bring it down to insert a row of slate mosaic tile above it. Then put in the diamond mosaic above that and then another row of the slate mosaic. Above those will be the other blue border to cap it off. That will be around 8 inches. I will have to forgo the cream colored tile just because I love the slate too much.

Grout: I am thinking we should use a grey/green grout, what do you think? Is there a preferred grout we should get and how easy is it to color?

As a side note, I have really fallen in love with indian slate. My entire house has a color scheme of blue and green. My living room/dining area is pale blue with a brick fireplace. At some point I would love to resurface the brick with Indian slate. The bedrooms are either green or blue and the hallway is green. Our exterior is green. I feel the slate brings in those colors as well as some warm golds, cream, greys, and browns.

Back to the kitchen. I was looking over your blog of finished kitchens and it really helped me solidify what I like and do not like. I am not a fan of shiny surfaces. The kitchens I was drawn to were the ones that had slate backsplashes. Without fail, kitchens with slate backsplashes got overwhelming praise.

I think what it is that I have a modest size kitchen an a lot of the remodels involved larger kitchens that could handle larger scale elements like granite.

Here is a link that might be useful: Vizualizing the New Tile Design

Denicast: I hauled about samples of Madras & Autumn Indian Slate laminate for months before I decided that they needed to be put into the "not for me" pile. Same with some real slate tiles of similar colors. We just had to go lighter. I know why you are attracted to these products--they're good looking and practical and affordable. I look forward to following your story.

I'm getting a Formica counter, too: Alaskan Slate (lighter, more green tones). I would say be careful putting real stone right next to it.

The Formica looks great for what it is, but when you have real stone right beside it, it's not going to fool the eye as much as if there were no point of comparison. I can't tell for sure how it looks via photos, but take a good look at everything in person and think about it.

What I plan to do is buy one diamond slate pattern and a sheet of the slate mosaic. I have also requested 4 5x7 samples of the laminate. For under 20 bucks I can tryout if I want to do this. I am pretty set on the laminate, because it was the only pattern after requesting oodles of samples from both Wilsonart and Formica.

Any ideas for the paint color?

Here is a link that might be useful: Visualizing the New Tile Design

Janet, I brought the 2x3 honed sample to put against the tile and they looked surprisingly good. Lighter counters tend to wash out the kitchen since we have light maple cabinets . Even the Autumn Indian Slate was too light for me.

florantha, what did you end up getting?

Right now we have cream counters and the kitchen is very boring. I like color. I love greens and blues. In one of my fantasy houses i would be surrounded by greens. This house will be in the family for a long time so we don't have to keep it neutral.

I just need to figure out the paint color.

I love your backsplash design. I had a hard time visualizing what you meant, but it looked really nice in your picture. However, now I have concerns about the paint color. I think it needs to be more olive-y and a little deeper than the one you've chosen. Bon chance!

You mean something like this?

Here is a link that might be useful: Vizualizing the New Tile Design

I love the combo you've posted. I love the BS design and the counter top - might have to order a sample of that myself... is the blue a real blue or more of a turquoise? I don't like blue so much but i love turquoise.

I don't think there is turquoise. The blues are more grayish slate blue. There is a lighter slate blue that has golden hues in it that might seem like turquoise.

Today I am going to Home Depot to pickup the tile samples and more paint samples along with sandpaper to prep the kitchen walls. I am also waiting for those multiple 5x7 samples of the counter.

We finally decided to break all previous resolutions, got a mixed light/dark faux granite with a sparkly finish: Antique Mascarello by Formica. Cream & ivory & mild brown & black & lots of gray. It was just installed, am getting used to it right now. We have a lot of old silver and glass that just seemed more at home with the palette; also have to admit that I've fallen in love with a hunk of fabric that has much too much power over my decorating decisions.
There...I've admitted it. Are you happy, DH?

Well it looks like I am at square one. Hubby vetoed it because it was too dark. Now I have to find a new palette that is light enough for my husband that includes green and blue. No slate for me, sad.

Here is a link that might be useful: Back to Square One

I'm sorry that your hubby didn't see your vision. That's always frustrating. I had to laugh when I read he thought the counters looked like vomit. I had never thought of it, but I see what he means. lol Compromise is difficult, but you usually end up with something better that would not have occurred to you otherwise. That's how I got my very fab travertine bathroom that began as a vintage inspired subway tile bath. Keep looking and keep up posted. :)

I know it is not terribly original, but I could see a soft green backsplash. I went to see if the tile I used came in a soft green, ut it's coming across more beige on my monitor. I did see some interesting things though. I could see the Modern Mythology Griffin under the cabinets (but not sure I'd want to clean it by the cooktop), but what first caught my eye was the Building Blox City Garden or Urban Fabric in Ice with the idea of a grey counter.

Have fun looking. All the head banging makes it feel that much better when you finally find what you are looking for.

Here is a link that might be useful: Crossville residential produccts

It has to be light, light, light. A lot of the light laminates had to be rejected but Metal Ocean was deemed acceptable. It was the first pattern I liked, but rejected it for a darker color. Baby, I am back. So I am going for the light green and blue artsy kitchen.

I am also considering Seagrass Strand by Formica which is more modern, but would look good with the tile. If I went with the Seagrass I would have to go with various shades of green I guess.

Metal Ocean would give me more color choices though.

What do you think?

Here is a link that might be useful: New Color Scheme

Update: Found better backsplash tile -- Verde Laguna 5/8 tumbled marble and decided to only have tile backsplash on the 25 inch wall for the peninsula where people will actually see it. This is to save money. I decided to get Wilsonart Crystalline Iris since it goes better with tile. The wall color is Benjamin Moore "Spring Bud" and "Dried Parsley" for the trim.
Questions:
1. Do I only replace the peninsula counter and leave the other counter with the sink and overhead cabinets off-white/bone color? Will it look weird not to have both counters Crystalline Iris? It is 200-300 difference. The counter looks okay, but the wood underneath has been crumbling a bit.
2. What do you think of the colors?
3. Anyone have recommendations on tumbled marble enhancer/sealer?
4. Any opinions on Crystalline Iris?

Here is a link that might be useful: Plan B for the Kitchen

Personally, I prefer to metal ocean over the crystalline iris because metal ocean has more color variation and I feel like you will have more flexibility in decorating and changing if you grow tired of what you have. I feel the crystalline iris with the backsplash locks you into a green kitchen with less choices. However, I do think the crystalline iris has more of the characteristics of the slate that you loved so I understand why you would lean toward that counter. Good luck. Whatever you choose will be lovely.

Oh and I love, love, love the backsplash tile and paint. Did I mention I love it?

I thought I posted a reply to the new colors last night. Not sure what happened to that. Hmmm... Anyway, I personally do not like the latest combination. They are too similar for me, and I think it detracts from the tile that you like so much rather than emphasizing it. But I also like more color variation and contrast than it looks like you want to work with. I'd probably go with the Seagrass Strand and use the mosaic as an accent if you want to cut the tile budget. If the tile could be upset with a later remodel, I'd probably forgo the tile all together at this point and just work with paint for the time being.

Given my love and comfort with the color green, it wouldn't be a bad thing to be stuck with a green kitchen. My worry with the Seagrass Strand and the Metal Ocean is that they would be too washed out. I am ordering some larger samples of Seagrass Strand to see how it will look. I have kinda fallen for the Crystalline Iris despite it being more shiny than I like. Given the level it will be and the level of light we have in the kitchen it won't be a problem.

I did decide only to have the tile on the peninsula wall which is 25 inches long. Since we use our other counters so much no one would be able to see the tile anyway except by the sink. Since it is only 25 inches long it is no biggie if it can't be saved. I am limiting the amount of tile not only for the budget but to limit how much we may have to destroy for a total remodel (10-20 years). There is a good chance we would be able to save it and replace the counters since it is just 25 inches. The tile budget is 30.00 plus installation.

I noticed that Metal Ocean may come in the Crystal finish and I am going to ask if Seagrass Strand comes in a different finish other than matte.

Essentially I am down to those 3 possible countertops.

Here is a link that might be useful: Countertops Reconsidered

Seeing the photo, I much prefer the Seagrass Strand over the other. I have nothing against laminate, but I like the solids and patterns that either look more natural or that look like laminate not trying to be something that it isn't. The Metal Ocean and the Crystalline Iris both have a fakey look to me and the more I look at them and looking at the larger photo of the Metal Ocean, the more I feel that. The shiny surface and stronger colors of the Cr Iris are even more so to me, but I'm not crazy about a lot of polished stones either.

To me the Seagreass Strand has a soft texture that is light, subtle and more sophisticated. It doesn't call out for attention, but it will be a nice backdrop for whatever you put with it. It won't be so strong that if you want to do some funky drawer pulls it would be too much. If you put in some accents like the mosaic and a few special pulls, they can stand out along with any counter accessories. If everything is a strong feature, the room may be a visual battleground. Pick what you love, but make sure everything plays well together.

Just found out that Metal Ocean and Seagrass Strand come only in Matte finish. Is the Matte finish going to be boring? They will be less expensive than the Crystalline Iris which is the top of the line Wilsonart, while Metal Ocean and Seagrass Strand is the bottom of the Formica. I really wish that they had a texture. What I liked about Madras Indian Slate is that it was honed. Crystalline Iris has texture to it and has a deeper more interesting pattern.

The thing is I LOVE the tile. Everyone loves the tile and I haven't found any other tile that I like as much.

Here is a link that might be useful: Countertops Reconsidered

Thank you, lascatx and everyone for your smorgasborg for thought.

I think that what concerns me about the Seagrass Strand is that it seems more modern and my cabinet doors are more traditional than modern. What edge would work with it? It seems I would be limited to a more flat polish rather than rounded. On the positive side,it is more sophisticated and would elongate the counters. I have a similar lining called Grasscloth for the cabinets.

I have not seen it in person. so I'm just going off what I see on your blog and I like what I think the color is and the clean, light feel of it. The simplicity of it. Looks like it could go into a bit of that art deco poster you like. I am seeing white and a soft sage green -- is that right?

I haven't looked at laminate in a long time and haven't considered the edges, but I'd probably do a rounded edge like it appears you have now -- simple but not squared. The squared edge looks more contemporary, so keep it softer and more classic.

I'm no expert, but what I can see would make me think your kitchen is transitional which means (to me at least) a somewhat updated traditional that gives you some playing room ro be a bit eclectic. Just make sure everything works together and you have them together for a reason.

I would consider using that mosaic as a liner and use a solid ceramic tile for the main part of your splash. Someone posted about their favorite thing being 23 cent subway tiles -- you could do those or a square tile (white or they may even have a light, soft green) with maybe 2 or 3 rows of the darker mosaic tile all the way around your kitchen -- maybe not using any more than the one small area but maybe getting more impact from it. Play up the feature you love and get the most out of it.

What I read above was you like honed and matte surfaces and the first two laminates fit that. The last one is a 180 away from that. Just an observation.

I think the metal ocean one would work too -- it's just not one I would gravitate towards.

I do prefer matte surfaces as long as there is texture. I purposely overlooked the shininess in the Crystalline Iris because it had this very cool green that matched the tile I love.

Judging from the 2x3 tile of Seagrass Strand I saw at Home Depot it was pale green on off-white.

Last night, I took another look at the Metal Ocean and it does have a lot to recommend it. Not only is there green, but blue and tan/gold. It also goes well with stainless steel which is good because the cooktop (the McGuffin in this whole project) is stainless steel. Metal Ocean also picks up the pale blue that we have in the bordering living room/dining room.

Now I found some of the same tile but in 1 inch rather than 5/8 inch that is significantly cheaper. Can I have larger size tile of the same material on the facing wall from the peninsula?

Have samples of Seagrass Strand in the mail. I just have to see it and live with it before I can say no to it.

The larger mosaic tile would be less -- there area about half as many cuts to deal with. I would probably use one or the other, but it would depend on whether there is enough difference to justify the change and how they would line up, etc. You might want to consider just doing the larger one and having the budget to enjoy more of it if you want.

I think either of the matte counters can get you to a good place. I would be concerned that the darker, glossy one would not look as good because of the lack of contrast and that you might not like it in the room when you have a slab of gloss you tried to "overlook" before. You are going to live with this for a long time. Get things that make you happy, not something you have to overlook -- especially for a major element. Compromise and balance are one thing and often help make choices, but when you are overlooking something you don't like -- that doesn't sound like a great plan to me. There are a ton of choices out there and you have to sometimes sift through most of them before you find the best bet.

Keep in mind that you can pull more green or blue in with your wall color and accessories if you have the lighter counters, whether those colors are in the counter material itself or if they just go together. They don't have to match and may be more interesting and pleasing if they don't match.

Hi Deni
First off - where did you find that frog cabinet knob?
You and I must be the same kind of weird because I just loved it. We raised spring peepers from tadpoles this yr and they are so tiny.

2nd - maybe you would find some green inspiration from the kitchen we are just finishing
http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d25/alyrics/

sorry I don't know how to open that album to you.
See my post from today entitled What We Did in 3 Weeks

Alyrics,

There are plenty of frog knobs and pulls at Hardware Hut. One of the users on GW turned me on to them. Search on "frogs" on my blog and you will get an idea how much I dig frogs. We raised tadpoles to froglets from our local creek. They are so amazing.

You have my cabinets! You have the exact cabinets I have. My jaw dropped. You guys did a great job. I hope ours goes as well.

We are getting closer to making decisions on the kitchen. As soon as we have everything ordered and received we can make a date with our contractor. Check out my latest blog update.

Here is a link that might be useful: My Green Kitchen

I like that picture of what I think is the Metal Ocean better than what Id seen before. You are looking at the real thing so I'm sure you'll pick the right one. Good luck and have fun.

Okay it is down to two laminates, after looking at countless samples.

It is Metal Ocean vs. Seagrass Strand.

My worry is how they would interact with my kitchen floor. Seagrass Strand is like wood and I wonder if the grain of this wood-like pattern would clash with the floors or is complimentary. Is Metal Ocean different enough not to clash with the floors?

Another worry is that Seagrass might lock me into an Asian theme. Would it allow a French theme? I really like Seagrass Strand as it is very pretty and has a very clean lines. It is very sophisticated.

I like Metal Ocean because like my son said today, "It is like a painting" It is like an impressionistic abstract painting.

Check out the new photos and let me know what you think. Thank you.

Here is a link that might be useful: Metal Ocean vs. Seagrass Strand