Once I saw the fabric and the two accent colors, I could see how it will all come together. You might need to bring in one more element in a creamy color to complement the Buttermilk counters, but I think it will all be beautiful together. I think your true "ah ha" moment will be when they bring in the cabinets. Just having the cabinet sample is different than seeing them in your space, w/your natural light.

I truly do feel your pain - I spent the entire day walking through the four largest stone yards in Dallas, thinking I'd have no problem finding 1) the granite I saw at a tiny place in OKC last week, and 2) the perfect marble for my dark-cabineted (?) bathroom. Nada on both counts. SSOOO frustrating!

I understand why you'd be afraid you're second-guessing yourself too harshly ... you had the perfect kitchen in your head, and got derailed trying to make "perfect" fit into the restrictions your husband put on the marble you wanted. (Yes, you have my blessing to harm him; might wanna keep him around in the long haul, tho.) ;)

My husband HATES that I want pure white Caesarstone on espresso cabinets in my contemporary kitchen (actually, hates that I want marble in the bath, too, but too bad.)

I know it's in every magazine, I know I'm easily swayed by "what's in style today", but at this point in time, I think it's beautiful and ME. Five years ago, you couldn't have swayed me from my very dark Lab Antique countertops and Arts&Crafts-style cabinets that mixed three diff colors of wood, so ...?????

You can't plan too far down the road, and you have to be ready to accept the fact that it might not be PERFECT. You're already making a huge leap by turning your back on the carerra tiles, and I applaud you for that. (Not just because I might be the perfect buyer, should you actually choose to sell them!)

Did you have something in the pictures showing your new plan for a backsplash and I missed it? That's your biggest opportunity to either 1) tie in the buttermilk counters w/the white even more fully, or 2) have your "break in the white storm", should you decide you must have white counters. We all know that backsplashes can be the single most effective decor choice in a kitchen!

This is my only concrete suggestion, and I hope I don't further muddy the waters: did you consider a blue-gray Caesarstone rather than buttermilk? I know you want to keep things warm, but like you've said ... it is SO white. If the Buttermilk is giving you pause, consider that you truly aren't sure that you're getting enough of a "break in the storm," as you said; that these counters could look too "off" or dingy w/all that white. I can see that being a worry.

You've chosen two really beautiful accent colors ... did you look at any Caesarstone that falls into those color groups? Can there be a "warm white" that isn't so yellow, that's warmed up w/red? Other than pink, I mean!

Reading back, I feel like I haven't helped much. I honestly think your choices will be gorgeous as they are, because you've gotten so many of the elements you really wanted for your kitchen. Is there any kind of "oops, I changed my mind" clause for changing out the counters if you just absolutely can't live w/them?

If not, my gut tells me I'd go w/the white I wanted from the beginning. Nothing says you have to break up the white at all, and you've got great fabric, lighting, other paint colors, etc. Go w/your instincts, sweetie - and bring back pics!

WHY did you talk yourself out of white/white/white????? All I hear is how much you want WHITE but then you talk yourself into tiles you've received and don't want, so you're going to get white and you're talking yourself into off white.

Can you honestly say, "I LOVE buttermilk and it's going to be the most wonderful counter!!!"? People here mortgage their dogs to get the counter that really really makes them happy. I can see going for the Caesarstone instead of the marble. That's a materials question. Between Blizzard, Pure White and Organic White, surely you can find one that goes with your cabinets.

There is nothing wrong with white/white/white if that's what you love. If you really want contrast, get contrast. Get Jerusalem Sand, Gold Abyss, Marrone or Copper Canyon. Or get WHITE.

I'm all about the contrast and the color, so please understand when I say that Buttermilk seems like a total cop out. There are all sorts of ways to rock the pure white.

A cobalt glass butterdish

...or a red glass vase:

An indoor herb garden:

...or your favorite art:

So, okay, you lost your heart to a bad boy named "Carrera" and your husband hates him. But you can love someone who isn't going to get into as much trouble. Really. That doesn't mean you have to choose the one about whom the mom sitting in your ear says is such a nice boy. You don't have to have bland and wimpy. Buttermilk in someone else's kitchen could so easily be hunky, strong and reliable, and a total good match. In your kitchen, won't he just be bored and boring?

Thank you for taking the time to look at my photos and for the encouragement!

You are right about the cabinets coming in - that will certainly help. I think I am also going to take my big Buttermilk sample to the lighting showroom and see just what this will all look like under the lights that are coming in...(can someone please explain why the lights are one of the last thing in??? My GC said something about switches and tile but - jeez - the whole combo looks completely different depending on the lighting)

I don't have any backsplash tiles in my album because I was out looking today. Some advised me to go with a creamy white but I am inclined to go with a starker white so there is some contrast - that was the whole point of the Buttermilk.

I did look at the grey Ceasarstone colors...I really don't love the greys or the browns. I would love to see their new Ocean Blue but can't seem to find it anywhere.

My kitchen is so small - the main cooking area is 9X11 or so - I just want to keep it light. Maybe I will reconsider the Blizzard or Organic White. Oh, I just don't know!!!

And, yes, I do need to sell that marble...just let me know if you are interested...

Thanks again for your thoughtful reply!

pillog:

You cut straight to the heart of what I was TRYING to say, and did so in a wonderfully witty way!

Good on ya!

Thanks for the pep talk. I was so happy today because I thought I was done, done, done. I am afraid of the wall of subway tiles and the wall of white cabinets. Before we ripped it all out I had white/white/white but I had a soffet and some color. A fabulous green that I loved. Now ... not so much wall to paint.

The Buttermilk just seemed so warm and ....happy today in the kitchen showroom where they have a nice counter of it. I just don't want it to look like Organic White that has been soaked by tea bags!

I'd love to get a look at that showroom that had the organic white with the marble...where did you see that?

I love the green and blue colors that you're including and I honestly think you could do white cabinets and a white caesarstone and those colors alone would break up the white. If you did a backsplash that had some texture or sparkle (even if it was white too) it would add dimension which would take the white to another level. Throw in some great accessories like p1llog suggested and it will all look great!

I'm not into sparkle or much in the way of texture...I'm pretty much a subway gal. What about a beveled subway? I saw those today - they are in stock and cheeeeep - at least compared to everything else.

Can I do a beveled sub in this tiny kitchen?

BTW - the showroom is in SoCal - Culver City -APD. I bought everything from them - they are amazing.

Here is a bevel I am considering for backsplash with Blizzard or Buttermilk counters...
{{gwi:1958157}}From amac's kitchen

I think the buttermilk may look a little drab with your other choices. Have you considered a light green counter by any chance? Green might be a little warmer without heading into a beige.

Is there another line of counters you'd consider other than Caesarstone since you don't seem in love with any particular one of theirs?

I think the beveled subways are quite nice.

Does anyone have pics of a ceiling to countertop wall with beveled white tiles?

So...if I go back to Blizzard (OMG) or Organic White - do I do a warm or cool white tile?

I seriously need Kitchen Therapy...

I love your fabric! The green, blue and red looks wonderful together.

The marble is pretty, but I agree, it's all wrong for your kitchen. I'm not sure about the counters, either. They're pretty, but what's wrong with copying that all white kitchen that you really love? The one with the really white counters? I really like that, too!

With those shades of green and blue, it is easy to bring out different tones, depending on what you put next to them. If you want to soften them, then a cream tone is nice...if you want to gray them down a bit, go with the marble....but if you really want them to pop and stay true to the shade, I would go with bright white. Same thing with that nice red.

Just my two cents worth :)

OK, so many of you are saying the Buttermillk is not right...I am rethinking my rethinking...

If I do Blizzard - which I have always loved but the marble did not work with (by the way...marble is SO out of the equation now - it is just too cold for me) it is a nice warm white - will totally go with the cabinets. Do I jump to a cooler white tile to give some contrast and tie in with the blues I am using?

Floor: warm
Cabinets: warm
Counters: warm (Blizzard) or warm (Buttermilk) or coolish (Organic White)
Backsplash: warm or cool white?
Walls: cool (f&B Skyling)
Fabric: mix but mostly warm
inside glass cabinets - on one side of kitchen where bay window is: cool
Range/Hood: cool (brushed stainless)

In other part of kitchen...

Peninsula: warm (wood top) and cool (green legs)
Pendants: warm (red)
Stools: I have no idea

So...counters cool or warm? If warm, which one?

Thank you my GW friends!

I am so not going to help, but had to chime in - I love the Organic with your backsplash tiles - I think it looks classic and totally supports your colorway/fabric with all of its fabulous colors. Honestly, I would be afraid the Buttermilk would read too beige or muddy with the other colors. I would be more confident in the marble and clean whites, knowing that I can bring warmth (esp with wood floors), color and texture with all of the other elements that are coming in. BTW, that table is to die for!

Thanks for your thoughts...it just goes to show there are lots of ways to do this kitchen. I do really like that tile with Organic White but too cold overall for me...and I don't love it with the fabric but my designer does.

She fired me today.

She is frustrated because she is "not getting to design". I chose not to bring up the fact that since day one I have been saying I want a white kitchen and ever since that she has been trying to talk me out of it. She also hates my farm table - says it's "been done". She wants me to do an industrial table - (IMHO, also "been done" ) and I did flirt with the whole marble/industrial look but in the end, not for me. Ooops, wrong person to guide me.

So the moral of this story seems to be..."To Thyself be True"...but don't do it with Buttermilk Ceasarstone. I think everyone is right - it will look dirty with the white - I am now thinking Organic White or Blizzard -the two whites I loved from the beginning. I am going to find a tile that I can get quickly. Yes, forgive my former designer, a white tile.

Then, after a few less painless decisions, (hardware, stools...), before I get my kitchen back, I will get my life back.

Can't wait!

amac514, if you put that stunning tile on ebay, please let us know when!

Are you totally stuck on Caesarstone? There are so many quartz manufacturers -- surely there are other options out there that could work???

I have Dove White cabinets and they appear very white in my kitchen. Not so in the show room which does not get the light that I do. I think it is great that you are trying to have all three elements in place, but I caution you that this might change when you see the Dove White in your kitchen. I agree with the posters who feel the Buttermilk might not be the best choice. Also most kitchen have one "star". What will be your WOW factor?

Good point about seeing the cabinets in the space - I may be able to swing that before I commit to a countertop color. I am not going to do the Buttermilk but instead a white ...yes, dash3108 is right, there are plenty of players in the Quartz game. If I look at anymore options my head might spin off. I don't want a faux granite looking top - more serene. Silestone has some interesting options but I do like CS Blizzard and Organic White alot.

Good to know the BM dove white looks white - the designers in the showroom told me I could not do the marble/org white with that color of cabinet. Sigh.

I think my star will be the fabric and colors it brings in...color behind glass cabinets, pendants, fabulous farm table. Oh, and the hood - that beautiful hood from Modernaire. I don't know that I have one star - perhaps it is an ensemble cast for my kitchen.

If I don't unload the tile to one of the two people who have inquired I will let everyone know when it goes on Ebay.

Thanks everyone - it is so great to hear your thoughts!