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Need advice on countertop color - please!

14 years ago

Hello all! We've decided to change the look of our countertop and I've been looking at so many samples I'm afraid I'm on overload!

We've decided on laminate counters...our cabinets are natural oak and our appliances are white.

I have a lot of black throughout the kitchen (cabinet hardware, light fixtures, bar stools) and the table and chairs in my breakfast nook are black.

Given those parameters, I thought I'd look for a laminate that contains some black. I don't want to go with solid or mostly black counters because I think the white appliances would be too jarring. I've been looking at Wilsonart Desert Spring or Granite (although I'm not fond of the glossy finish). I've also looked at Milano Quartz, but I'm not sure if that's the right combination either.

Is there anyone brave enough to help? Any ideas/suggestions on the colors I listed? Do you have other suggestions for me? Can you save me from myself -- I don't want to spend another restless night, tossing and turning, worrying about countertop choices. Thanks in advance for the hep!!

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Comments (5)

rhome410
14 years ago
How about Formica 180FX Antique Mascarello (see in brochure linked below), or something like Formica Perlato Granite?

http://formica.com/publish/site/na/us/en/index/laminate/collection/etchings_finish.popup.Specifications.0001.3522.LargeImage.html

The 180FX line is discussed in this recent thread (some great photos, too):
http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg1209363517485.html

Here is a link that might be useful: Formica 180FX brochure
plllog
14 years ago
Wow! I like Rhome's suggestion. I haven't seen that one before. It should tie all your colors together beautifully!
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I just had to post here...OMG...the lady that wrote Laminate and luxurious in the same sentence.."NO". I hope I never have to meet someone like you in my lifetime. What a bunch of snobby, snarky..people! I am sorry..I think you can have a beautiful, luxurious kitchen without paying for granite, quartz, soapstone...etc. My goodness. I am building a house now and get to hear from our subs about all of the snooty women that they have to deal with...literally walking out of a house because the closets aren't big enough... What kind of country have we become? I say..if you want to buy high end appliances...beautiful cabinets..and put it all in a laminate kitchen. I think it can be stunning! Don't listen to all of these snooty fruities.....do what YOU want..and the people that matter...won't walk into your kitchen and take a mental note of your laminate..I would think it was beautiful! And for those of you who think that I must be some low life...my husband is a doctor! There....rant over! :-)
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I think Stephanie brings up a good point. She LOVES grey. If you love gray (and I mean not because it's the in color right now but you've always been drawn to shades of gray) then I say go for it. Especially if you have no plans of moving in the next 10 years. However if you are choosing the gray because it's what is being seen all around (like in RH which started the trend), and you've become "accustomed" to it, sort of like in the 60's we became accustomed to nehru suits and avocado green appliances, then I'd say go instead with something more neutral and bring in the grays in the other areas. Also, it may be the photo, but Stephanie's floors have a hint of gray but look more like a natural floor than one that was stained with gray. Beautiful kitchen btw!
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oopsie913
14 years ago
rhome's 'dah man'!! you definitely need a counter that ties it all in together. Your white appliances are going to make it more difficult. Dont forget though, a fun splashy print above the counters in backsplash are will help tie things together too and some white and black accents (toile plates, etc)
oopsie913
14 years ago
ps: wilsonart luna series is really cool looking too. It has a 3 D look to it. I know you said you dont want shiny but we had a gloss formica and did an edge that made it look like granite and it was gorgeous. many thought it was granite. The luna series is shiny but has a texture to it which might add a bit of depth to the black/oak and white look and balance it all out? they have a black, but they also have a really pretty white called luna frost I think. It ends up looking like leathered granite.
felix64
Original Author
14 years ago
Ooohhhh Rhome - that's gorgeous! I also like your suggestion of the Perlato Granite. I was afraid that too much black in the pattern wouldn't look good with my white appliances, but I can see how it will all tie together.

Oopsie, thanks for the suggestion on the wilsonart luna....I'm going to go look that up right now. You mentioned a "fun backspash" -- got any ideas for me? :)

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