skip to main content

dark cabinets and dark counter

13 years ago

We are creating a new kitchen in our bungalow. We will have quarter sawn oak cabinets with a dark finish and would like to have a dark honed counter in granite or quartz.

I am looking for pictures and comments on dark cabinets with dark counters.

We are planning on tile backsplash that will bring some color.

We have 7 windows and great lighting.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

malhgold
13 years ago
One cabinet run in my kitchen has black cabinets and black counters. Because I was having a contrasting island, I didn't want a contrasting counter on the black cabs. Personally, I like the monochromatic look. The backsplash(not seen in this pic) is white subway tile.
zelmar
13 years ago
You should take a look at cotehele's beautiful kitchen with quartersawn oak and dark counters. I tried looking for it in the FKB (Finished Kitchens Blog) but couldn't find it. Try doing a search on this site maybe.

We went with a similar look, only using mahogany. As our kitchen came together, it did seem dark despite having banks of windows facing North and South and one window facing East. We painted the wood window trim off white and that made all the difference for me (the rest of the window trim in the house is medium dark wood---similar to our cabinets.)

Facing South:
{{!gwi}}

Facing Northeast:
{{!gwi}}

And just in case you don't know about it, here is a link to finished kitchens. You can look through the Finished Kitchens, the Coming Soon Kitchens, and the In-Progress Kitchens

Here is a link that might be useful: Finished Kitchens Blog
Related Discussions
Dark cabinets - keep light countertops or go dark?
Q
Comments (3)
Welcome to the kitchen forum! About posting pictures -- have you seen the instructions in the "ReadMe" thread (link below)? The key is to understand that there is no photo hosting capability on this site; you can't "attach" photos the way you could in an email. You need a website like photobucket (or, my favorite, Google's picasa) where you can upload and store your photos. Then you can add in links to them in the messages you post here. About your countertop question: how much light is there in the kitchen? Are there multiple windows? If not, I'd be careful about going really dark with the counters... but that is a personal preference. It's not as if there are rules about how to make these choices. If only there were -- then it wouldn't be so hard to decide! Are you sticking with laminate for the counters, or considering other materials? Here is a link that might be useful: Read Me for GardenWeb kitchen forum
...See More
Help! Not sure if I want dark granite counter tops
Q
Comments (24)
There can be two reasons you're not receiving the emails: You didn't check the "Check here if you would like copies of follow-ups to your message emailed to you." box when you created/started the post You don't have the email option turned on in your profile. To turn the email option on: Go to "Your Profile" (see top of page, above GardenWeb banner) You will have to log in again Check to be sure the email address entered is the correct one Scroll down to bottom to shaded area. Check the box that says...Allow other users to send you email via forms at our site. Click the "Save Your Member Profile" button You're done! I don't know if it's retroactive for current posts, but all future posts should have replies emailed to you....assuming you checked the "Check here if you would like copies of follow-ups to your message emailed to you." box when you create a new post.
...See More
Dark Island or dark perimeter counter tops
Q
Comments (7)
I, too, am pondering the same! Soapstone and marble are on my wish list. We have maple cabinets with a cherry stain, & I wonder if the soapstone would be too dark on the perimeter, yet that is where it would work best functionally, i.e., wouldn't have to worry about staining, can put hot items directly on counter, etc. Yet would it be too dark? Perhaps a lot of under cabinet lighting would help, along with a light backsplash. A designer friend told me soapstone is too dark for my space; would work fine if I had white cabinets (which I can't justify since our current ones are in great shape). Yet I still pine for soapstone; I want to find a place for it (right now I have a soapstone spoon rest :). The soapstone on just the island could work, then marble or quartzite on the perimeter. I just don't know, and today I have soapstone samples on the counters trying to imagine it. I may look for a dark sheet or tablecloth to put on the counters to try and get a better feel for the look. I love the brown marbles, but I've read that etching is more noticeable with darker marbles, so something to consider. For now, I am hunting for a remnant to put on the small island; then I could figure out the perimeters later. Not ideal, but that would be a good "test" for us on the marble/soapstone. If it didn't work, we would repurpose it for vanity counters. With white cabinets, you have more options. I will be following this thread with much interest! Good luck! wags
...See More
Dark Hardwood Floors -- Trendy or Classic?
Q
Comments (48)
I hope that floor finishong techniques have progressed since the last time those pickled floors were "in"!!! We were home shopping during that time, and the finish on every floor we saw was horrible! I have had theseinexpensive hickory floors for 5 years now, complete with " cabin grade, (no warranty)" finish, and I cannot complain about them at all. Everyone who comes in comments on them, and my realtor cousin's FIRST comment was, "These floors alone would sell this house!"..... So maybe they are trendy....all I know is, I like them!
...See More
boxerpups
13 years ago
Here are a few images of flat honed finish counters
with darker mission, craftsman or dark oak kitchens.
I wish I could have found more quarter sawn oak but at
least you can get a visual of the dark honed looks.
Hope they help you.
~boxerpups

Jan Mitchell Designer

NBN News

Jet Mist and Cherry

Kitchen Designs Euro

Fresh Kitchens

Soapstone CA

Dovetail Kitchens

St. Louis Magazine

Noah Falls

Craftman home. com

Luxury Kitchens of NH backsplash

Jennifer Gilmer designs
boxerpups
13 years ago
bump
bungalowgalva
Original Author
13 years ago
Thank you for these pictures and suggestions.
We've narrowed down to one of these four options:
honed or antique uba tuba OR
honed or antique black pearl
with our quartersawn oak cabinets and a green subway tile....A work in progress.
Bungalow Gal

Related Stories

Come On Over To The Dark Side - Tips On Dark Kitchen Cabinetry!

KITCHEN DESIGN Cabinet Colors for Dark Appliances

By Lisa Frederick

See how to make your black kitchen appliances blend in and look great

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

BEFORE AND AFTERS Reader Project: California Kitchen Joins the Dark Side

By Mitchell Parker

Dark cabinets and countertops replace peeling and cracking all-white versions in this sleek update

KITCHEN DESIGN 3 Dark Kitchens, 6 Affordable Updates

By Jennifer Ott Design

Color advice: Three Houzzers get budget-friendly ideas to spruce up their kitchens with new paint, backsplashes and countertops

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen of the Week: A Dark Kitchen Brightens Up

By Mary Jo Bowling

A cooking space honors the past while embracing the present

DECORATING GUIDES What Goes With Dark Wood Floors?

By Laura Gaskill

Avoid a too-heavy look or losing your furniture in a sea of darkness with these ideas for decor pairings

COLOR 9 Dark Wall Colors to Suit Your Mood

By Becky Harris

Tired of light and airy? Try dark and moody for a change; you may be surprised by the moods these colors inspire

DECORATING GUIDES 9 Ways to Use Rich, Dark Paint

By Jason Ball Interior Design

See how deep colors — navy blue, charcoal, dark chocolate — can bring out your home's best details

DECORATING GUIDES 10 Ways to Go Dark in a Contemporary Kitchen

Moody is big news in kitchen design. Find inspiration with these interpretations

Sponsored

CHC & Family Developments

4 Reviews

Industry Leading General Contractors in Franklin County, Ohio

More Discussions

Does anyone have Medallion cabinets in Maple Biscotti?

7

Need help with kitchen remodel

1

contractor chooses kitchen

13

Two tier drawer in 3 stack

11

Removing Kitchen Backsplash

2