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Countertop options with talavera/portuguese-style tile backsplash

9 years ago

Hi all,

I'm wondering if anyone has suggestions of places to look for countertops for this combination. I've mostly looked at quartz options but could be open to other materials.

Here's the deal:

We plan on installing shaker-style cabinet doors painted in a pale blue (something like the second pic here: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/blue-gray-green-a-gallery-of-kitchens-in-the-coolest-new-hues-214141), with stainless appliances, and would like to use a backsplash of painted portuguese or mexican talavera tile (along the lines of this: http://www.lafuente.com/Tile/Talavera-Tile/Blue-and-White-Designs/8150/). I'm trying to figure out a countertop that would be light (it's a long galley kitchen without a lot of natural light, and the cabs will be painted) and would look good with the tile and cabinets. My problem is I don't like the solid white countertop options because they look too cold/artificial/modern. They also may not look great next to the more off-white of the tile.

I'd like *some* texture. But between the painted cabinets and painted tile, I'm worried a veining/specs will make the whole thing too busy.

Butcher block would be nice but too high maintenance.

Any suggestions?

Thanks GW'ers!

Featured Answer

nosoccermom

9 years ago

I'd look for a light, maybe off white quartz with minimal pattern, maybe CS Organic White; or perhaps something like CS Buttermilk. Defintely something that doesn't compete with your blue and especially the tiles.

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Comments (8)

ediblekitchen
9 years ago
I love that tile!

f you like the low maintenance of quartz, then what about picking a color other than white? Maybe one that has the appearance of limestone or something subtle in a creamy or off white color that works with your tile. Or visit a stone yard and take a look at natural stone.
jlc712
9 years ago
I like your choices. It's going to look great. What about Caesarstone Blue Lagos? It's not blue, it's kind of a brown gray neutral, so it would be warmer than white. I think it's very pretty and neutral, and would show off your tiles. It may be darker than what you want. Here's a couple pics-

NW Contemporary Kitchen · More Info

This Old House - West Newton Hill Kitchen · More Info

Porter Ranch Kitchen Remodel · More Info
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diymom79
9 years ago

Here are a few pics I found. You could do a gray, black, or soapstone.
Fori
9 years ago
Copper?
eam44
9 years ago
Un-oiled soapstone might work for you. Just chose a variety that has little veining. This one is Green Mountain soapstone from quadesl's kitchen.
Oaktown
9 years ago
Stainless steel or concrete?

Love the idea of copper but the marks would drive me nuts.
red_argyle
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks for the responses. This is is such a great resource of info and opinions.

ediblekitchen - it's not so much that we don't white, it's just not a super-modern clean white. i guess looking for some texture/patina. but do want polished/shiny/bright to lighten things up.

If we were doing white cabinets, I would love a countertop that looks like the backsplash in this pic:

http://bigcottage.com/houses/winchelsea-white-cabin/gallery/#jp-carousel-7777

jlc712 - i do like that, but yes, looking for brighter/whiter given the painted cabinets

dlyanmom - thanks for the pics, it is always helpful to try to find inspiration like that. all of those are beautiful, but i did notice they all had much more solid backsplashes - white or grey.

fori - i had never even heard of copper counters, thanks for giving me a new obsession! but they've got to be super-expensive and kind of high-maintenance right? i would love to see what green cabinets with copper countertops would look like, that would be awesome.

eam44 - wouldn't soapstone be much matte-er? it's not very light or reflective right? and gets darker over time? i do love them with white cabinets though

nosoccermom - these seem like good options (i've looked at silestone colors--and I sort of like Yukon, Lagoon, and would like Bianco River with more subtle veining perhaps; Mont Blanc is nice with specks of color, some blue that might hint at the cabs, but I haven't see a slab and I suspect it would be too busy with the painted cabs and patterned tile).

I am going to try to see some of the CS samples somewhere.

Other suggestions for something low-maintenance, light, reflective, with SOME subtle texture but not too busy?

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