i don't have any pics but think it will look great! we are going to go with a cherry cab and carrera tops. can't wait to see the pics

Here is a link that might be useful: my blog/not related so much to this post

Hi parsuzi - I don't have pictures of this yet, but will in another six weeks or so! I'm having natural walnut cabinets (so medium to dark brown) and white counters. I'm probably doing either Quartzite bianca or a marble called Cipollino. Our back up option is white quartz, probably Caesarstone organic white. I'm not sure about the worry about getting tired about it, aside from the fact that there is always a danger of getting tired of anything. Pairing light cabs and dark counters or dark with light seems pretty common.

I can't wait to see your finished kitchen. I love cherry cabinets.

We had a vanity made for one of our bathrooms in an espresso stained walnut and the sinktop is white porcelain. They look terrific together. We loved how it turned out so much, that we ordered the same sinks (smaller size) and had two more dark vanities made (both cherry--one stained bordeaux and the other stained black) for the other two bathrooms.

Reese's kitchen is one that pops into mind--dark cabs white/light counters. It looks awesome!

I think anything will eventually look "of a certain age" or time-frame if you will. Who can truly and accurately predict what's coming down the pike? If it's a look you really like, and keep coming back to it in your head, then that's the right choice (at least one you can make in the here and now).

Good luck!

Here's a pic of our bathroom vanity with the white sinktop:

Here's a pic of my cinnamon cherry cabs, which are a little lighter than your autumn blush. My counter is not white, but a corian color called Linen, which is a very light beige with little specks of white and light brown. When it went in, I thought it looked very stark and really wasn't happy, but I am starting to get used to it and starting to like it. Having a big expanse of counter is definitely different than looking at a tiny sample.
Hope this helps you visualize.

BTW, Catmom, that is really great looking!

Thanks for the pictures! It does help visualize. Here are a few pics of what we're (well really, I'm) thinking

Note the teeny tiny sample of quartz....

Any comments on backspash choices would be really appreciated. My first choice was the darker. It really picks up the flecks in the counter. HOWEVER, on a large expanse, I know the counter will 'read' as solid white....which makes me think the lighter sample would be better. HOWEVER, I'm concerned that the lighter one looks too 'bathroom-y'. And I think the darker one picks up on the cab color...

What do you all think?

Suzi

I like the second backsplash--the darker one. With such a large expanse of white, in the countertops, it will add a punch. Looks great!

Thanks squigs! (We used the border tile from the shower as the backsplash over the sink)

My vote is for the darker one.

I LIKE it. A LOT. Actually, I really love the darker tile. It will tie the light counter you love and rich cabinets together.

I don't think the light tile is 'bathroomy' at all, but think it will join with the counter to look in higher contrast to the cabinets, separating the lights from the darker, instead of creating a whole ensemble like the darker tile will. JMO

cat_mom - would you mind posting a pic of your shower? I like the tile detail, too, and I'd love to see the shower...

Merry Christmas, everyone

parsuzi--don't want to hijack the thread, so here's a link to the thread on the bathroom forum with pics of the entire guest bathroom:

Here is a link that might be useful: cat_mom's bathroom link

This is exactly how we're designing our new kitchen which is under construction now. Medium cherry (harvest) stain on the perimeter cabinets with Silestone White North. Island is cherry with a dark chocolate stain and Silestone olive green. I like white counters over granite. If I had granite, I'd always be wondering if I missed wiping up a huge chunk of chicken or sauce puddle. I prefer my food to have the excitement, not the counter. Just a preference.

Here is a link that might be useful: countertop Stain Tests: Bye Bye Tiny Sad Kitchen Blog

Festusbodine - thanks for the link to your blog. Wowzers! You've got a BIG project on your hands! I won't complain about my humble kitchen remodel anymore....

Seems as though you either LOVE the idea of light counters w/ dark cabs or HATE it. I received a comment on another thread I started about our adventures in cabinetland...I mentioned the counters/backsplash and also asked for honest opinions. One person (OK, several...) strongly encouraged me to rethink the light/dark combo - and consider a darker counter (such as soapstone). I LOVE soapstone! (LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!) But, I'm concerned my galley west-facing kitchen will be dark most of the day if we go w/dark counters...(Lighting should be more than adequate - pendants over windows, lots of recessed lights, undercabinet lights)...but still concerned and don't want a dark kitchen....(We originally wanted a white Christopher Peacock-like kitchen, but that wasn't in the cards.)

I like the contrast. I don't like the busy-ness of granite.

For about a minute, we considered Formica 180FX, but I think their samples are WAAAAAY too busy....I like the simple white counter with a little activity (if you get close). I think it looks contemporary and clean without totally committing to a contemporary look.

Wow. I need more coffee this morning, as this post seems rather confusing....

Suzanne

Hi Parsuzi,
Strechad has a similar request so I attached the link.
These are pics I have and am happy to share.
Hope your Christmas was wonderful.
~boxerpups

Christopher Peacock

Cambria image

Soffit Cab up to ceiling image from Google

Bosch Kitchen

Corridor kitchens

Thomasville Cabs

Decorpad

google images

Here is a link that might be useful: Darks cabs light counters

I vote for the darker backsplash as well.

Boxerpups, great pictures. Those pics are making me reconsider my white(ish) marble or quartzite counter in favour of white quartz counters! Such a tough decision, I have about two weeks max to decide.

Suzanne, please keep me posted on your decision. A darker counter would be so much easier (it seems), but I love the contrast and I also don't want a dark kitchen. Good luck!

Boxerpups - THANK YOU for taking the time to post the pics and the link. I have trouble visualizing, and you never let us down. Had a great Christmas. We'll call it "the year of the crockpot Christmas dinner" - actually my boys (19 and 22) were very complimentary of the pulled beef and corned beef that came from crockpots this year. (Typically, they tease me about my lack of cooking skills...I always am doing 6 things at once and end up messing something up...hard to do w/ a crockpot) The holiday was quite peaceful, actually. I think this had something to do w/ the kitchen being incomplete and not being able to do anything about that. One less thing to worry about (all the baking, prep, etc.?) Hope your holiday was good.

Of course, I'm totally convinced that I want the light counters, now. However....I'm concerned about the backsplash choice. Do you think a traditional white subway would be better with the counter?

Please help.

Did you go with the darker tiles? Do you mind me asking who it is made by and if you got it online. I think DD2 would like that in her new home. TIA

Allison0704 - the tiles are made by Sonoma Tilemakers - Vihara style. Color of the darker is Minka, the lighter one is called Puka.

We didn't decide which one we're using yet. I was all set on the darker, they looked at more magazines and am seeing similar tiles (but 1x1, not 1x2) in the lighter color. I am now scared of committing to a "color" - thinking that if we go w/ the lighter one, it may stay in style longer?

Luckily, we have some time. We did commit to the light quartz. The counter is due to arrive on 1/11. I almost want to wait until it's installed before deciding on the backsplash.

Suzanne

Here is a link that might be useful: Sonoma Tilemakers

Thanks! I understand. Color tile would be a commitment! I put accents in our last kitchen only a few years before we sold. I was tired of them after a short while and glad we were moving. lol

I think DD2 needs to see these in person. Thanks for the info. I'm loving Karuna on the monitor, but don't think it will be right for her kitchen. Saybrook Sage walls. Will look for local showroom. Thanks again.

I love the kitchen by Christopher Peacock. I love that lighter counter with some style so it is not boring with the Cherry Island.

I like both backsplashes so it is your choice. If I had a strong preference, I would let you know.

That Peacock kitchen is the Kip's Bay kitchen. The island is walnut, not cherry. It was the first room in which we used some overlay doors, with refrigerator handles.

You in KC metro, those samples look familiar.

{{!gwi}}