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Need help with counter top selection

14 years ago

This is my first post here--I am new but I have been a "lurker" for the past month or so.

We are in the process of building our first home. It is almost time for us to pick our counter tops and we just can't seem to make up our minds. Because this is a Habitat Home, our only option for countertops (for now) is Laminate.

I have looked at several samples both online and in stores, and I really like the Wilsonart HD Line. I just can't seem to decide on one though. My husband and I have been going round and round over this--he wants dark (the color he picked was Bahia Granite by Wilsonart) and I just don't like it. I want something maybe a bit lighter, and I want it to have depth, and interest and I HATE that flat, matte finish that is so characteristic of laminate. (Which is why I really like the HD line.)

The cabinet color we chose is called "Java Oak". It looks like the 3rd color from the left of this picture:

{{!gwi}}

There's not a whole lot of light in the Kitchen, and just one window so it's not very bright. I like the look of a darker countertop, but I don't want it to look too dark and dreary.

I would welcome any suggestions, advice, ideas, pictures, etc. that you all may have. I am going a bit nuts trying to figure it all out.

Thanks!

~Michelle

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Comments (5)

plllog
14 years ago
Hi Michelle,

Welcome to the Forum and out of lurkerdom, and congratulations on the new house.

The colors of your surfaces and their ability to reflect light become very important when there isn't a lot of light. Light horizontal surfaces with darker cabinets generally look lighter than dark horizontals with light cabinets. I'm not getting which color you meant in the cabinet picture. Is it the middle one between the white looking one and the maple looking one? Medium brown with dark cracks?

If so this is a nice medium light with just that touch of dark to bring up the color. To help make things look lighter, while having the color depth you want, I'd suggest one of the Crystallines. The Crystalline Pearl would be a great choice. It's not as dramatic as the Shell or Dune, but those are medium browns as are your cabinets, and you probably want more contrast.

On the other hand, since your husband likes dark, and so do you, you could choose something dark that you both love and make up for it with really good, energy efficient lighting. Are you going to put in undercabinet lighting?

Good luck!

JC
tabteacher
14 years ago
Have you checked out the Formica Radiance Collection? I was amazed when I saw them. They would be worth checking out in person I think, if you haven't already.
I am not so good @ choosing colors for someone else, but there are lot to choose from.
I really like your door style & color.
Good luck!

Here is a link that might be useful: Formica Radiance Collection
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oilpainter
14 years ago
If your cabinets are light you can go with a dark counter color. I don't particularily like your husband's choice. It is too dark for a kitchen with low light. There are others which are dark but also have a little color that will lighten up a dark kitchen. Have your husband pick out 3 or 4 and you do the same and see what you come up with. Maybe there is one you both will pick
nesting12
14 years ago
A dark cabinet with one of the light colors would also look really good. Since the top-most light in the kitchen is hitting (and reflecting off) the counter, it really brightens things up to have a light (even white) counter. I got white-ish counters in my small kitchen and it makes a huge difference in terms of how bright the place feels.
lady_iles
Original Author
14 years ago
Oh, rats, I apparently don't know my left from my right! Doh! In the picture, our cabinet color is the 3rd from the RIGHT. So sorry about that. >.

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