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Seeking opinions on walnut flooring and countertops

11 years ago

Really, I'm just a horrible decision maker and just when I think things are starting to turn around, I get a broken sink leading me right back to square one.

We have black walnut floors and countertops. Flooring is installed and finish is drying. I have no pictures to accurately portray the color. Two different trees were milled for the floor, one sat longer and is a deeper, more reddish hue, the second tree produced a more grey-brown colored wood. I'm mixing them together just because it seems wasteful not to, and I think once it's all dry and done, the color changes won't be as noticeable. Actually, I think I'm just hoping and praying that it won't look stupid or clash with the pink tones in the brick. At least there are a few red bricks in the mix, I guess. I had planned on staining the countertop darker than the floor, but am now having second thoughts and I love the color of the grey-brown walnut, which is what the entire countertop will be, that I'd like to leave it natural as well. So will the endless sea of black walnut be overwhelming for a kitchen? If it makes any difference, the grain of the island will run perpendicular to the floor. I guess my biggest concern is that I will lose the natural beauty of the walnut color if I go with a stain, and it will most likely bring out more red. Neither of which I want. I searched houzz but couldn't find any kitchens that looked like they had matching floors and countertops. I found some that had both but went darker on one or the other. I'm hoping that the white and almost black cabinets in between will break up the space and I can get by with it, plus it saves me time and energy that I'm running out of.

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Comments (8)

nini804
11 years ago
How much countertop are you talking here? I have wood floors (oak, not walnut, but they are stained brown -75% Jacobean with 25% dark walnut) and a largish island with walnut top. The floors and island top are different, but not way different and I think it looks fine. I wasn't trying to consciously match or not match the two of them together. My island base and my perimeter cabs are white, and I do think that helps. I think if your cabs are white it will be fine...the countertops will read as black and the floor will just be a wood floor, if that makes sense!

Good luck...do you have any pics yet?
remodelfla
11 years ago
I think this is black walnut with black walnut. It's only the island but may help with the visual:

[Tropical Kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/tropical-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2108) by Charleston Architect Christopher A Rose AIA, ASID
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Breezy, that kitchen of yours was key to the planning of my kitchen reno, although I did not use wood for my countertop. NOW , I am planning a reno for another small kitchen. Have been SO tempted to use black walnut butcher block, edge grain. Again your kitchen is an inspiration. I am reluctant to use along the sink run, due to the obvious issues of a wet surface and long term wear and maintenance issues. How does your osmo finish perform with water, white rings from glasses left on the counter? And the touch up you mention, is it akin to the oiling of a bb counter that has an oil finish? How frequently do you refresh the surface? The fact that you had runnels placed in the counter is encouraging, as I associate those with use as a drain board, obviously a very wet condition. Which osmo polyx product did you use? Natural/clear, I assume......
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There's another kitchen that I really love with wood counters. Sorry, it doesn't have a tile backsplash either, but since you mentioned you hadn't seen many inspiration photos with wood counters, I thought I'd post it. It's Pirula's kitchen and you can see it if you scroll down in the link below. Also, have you checked out the Finished Kitchens Blog and Houzz.com? You might find some photos there. Here is a link that might be useful: Pirula's Kitchen
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well it depends …... I look at the selections and it feels overly subdued. the tones of wood-[floor and the cherry ] say to me the complement of a green showing up in a granite...maybe with a bit of reddish brown or copper veining would really be a nice look. It just depends on what you like/feel comfortable/have access to..etc. What you show would be just fine.
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springroz
11 years ago
I think it will be LOVELY!! It has been a while, but what I can remember of your kitchen from previous, with the light brick and pretty trim.....natural, and beautiful!!

Nancy
mythreesonsnc
11 years ago
My opinion ---- I love this combo! I have it too with pretty big variation in the color of my walnut and that is what makes it so pretty! I tried to find a good picture, this is pretty dark, but you get the idea. I have walnut on the island and the floors, but I can completely imagine the walnut on other countertops as well. Go for it!
mrsmortarmixer
Original Author
11 years ago
It would be every countertop in the kitchen. Not just an island. The perimeters may change at some point in the future if I decide on something else, but nothing has really thrilled me for the kitchen as far as stone goes. The combination of brick, white, almost black, and walnut seems nearly impossible to match. Walnut was the easy way out, cheap, and we already had enough lumber for flooring, countertops, and shelves. I think having semi gloss on the floor and satin on the counters will help differentiate the two as well.

I will get pictures this evening when I get my mess cleaned up. Mr. MM is currently packing up the truck to take the girls to the lake this weekend to camp with his family. I'm staying behind this time to work on the kitchen. Funny how roles have reversed.

Nini- there is quite a bit of countertop, but mostly in the 7x3 island. The perimeters have almost none. Just 27" on each side of the sink and range.

mythreesonsnc- Your kitchen floors and counter are very similar to what I think ours will look like. More variation on the floor and the least variation in the countertops. My island cabinets are almost black, my perimeter cabs are an off-white/creamy color.
mrsmortarmixer
Original Author
11 years ago
Here is a very blurry cell phone picture after the first coat was put down to give a general idea. Colors are reasonably close. I just put down the final (I hope) coat tonight, so will take pictures tomorrow when it's dry and light outside.
eam44
11 years ago
It will be gorgeous either way. I vote for choosing a stain that's similar in depth of color to that on the floor.
williamsem
11 years ago
That floor is beautiful! With light cabs and walls I think all the walnut would be fine. You have a good amount of natural light so that will help too.

I saw some great pot racks with lights on Amazon and thought of you and your island. Certainly not as pretty as other options, but it might look at home and be easier to clean!

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