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Remodeling Design Dilemma Kitchens

Kitchen expansion and remodel countertop dilema

6 years ago

About to start a much dreamt about kitchen expansion after raising our family in two homes both with galley kitchens! We are knocking down a wall a doubling our existing kitchen to allow a large 10 foot island in the center. White Shaker Flush frame cabinets, wood/butcher block island top, wood floors, probably a cast iron farmhouse sink...and cannot decide on the countertops! Initially planned on marble but have learned all the woes from staining to etching which don't make sense as I will be cooking and using my kitchen! My DH has always loved granite but I don't want a "new" kitchen to look like I did it 10 years ago! Quartzite has been known to chip. And Quartz has a more muted vein look (looking at Ceasarstone London Grey) but afraid it'll look dated soon...Am drawn to the classic white cabinet dark countertops (Virginia Mist Granite) but have heard they are bad for crumbs and dust! Help!! <:) We have a smaller home that I am embracing as a cottage (2800 sq ft) after remodel and we love the beach so am thinking of a soft beach feel. Wood bead board ceiling and possibly sea glass 2 x 8 or 3 x 7 tiles for backsplash or white handmade subway tile. Would so appreciate any thoughts and opinions! Thank you so much! :)

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Milly Rey

6 years ago

I will never do a dark shiny counter again. Ever. Ever ever ever.

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Comments (15)

Susan Davis
6 years ago
Do a simple white quartz or veined quartz for a fresh coastal feel.
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Pictures of Quartz or Man made Counter Tops....please.
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Thynes! Thanks so much for giving me the exact name and number for your tile. I had seen your expanded kitchen post and couldn't find the exact tile. You have such a lovely kitchen, so warm and welcoming and the tile really makes a statement. I also see they only have one USA distributor. Your tile in your kitchen looks totally different than on the website..were you able to get a sample or see the tile in a store? I've sent Saltillo an email as well..so we shall see. Thanks again for the information. This post was edited by harleysbud on Sun, Mar 31, 13 at 15:25
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teapotmissy - Your kitchen is already beautiful. Are your floors going to be wood or something else? I love the look of wood in a kitchen, especially a white kitchen, it really warms up the look. I can see why you want to have the marble on the perimeter - it would really work well and compliment the back splash you have chosen. And a wood topped white island would be striking. That said the reverse would be lovely too - there is not much nicer than a huge expanse of marble in my book. The wood perimeter would "ground" the white cabinets, but might not be as complimentary to the backsplash. But you can put a sample to it and judge - the colors look like the could look nice with wood - just not give you that light feeling the marble and iridescent glass would. I don't think there is a mistake to made in the two options you have, just what is your preference. If you are putting in a wood floor, I think that will add warmth as well. Let us know what you decide.
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Well, maybe I exaggerated a "little" there. I do use the kitchen also, & sometimes we team up. But I've learned a whole lot from this one thread. Next kitchen will have a prep sink in the island whether he wants one or not. Will also have deeper counters on other cabinets. I have no idea why I didn't think to have that done anyway. There was plenty of room to move the lower cabinets out at least 2 inches, probably 3. It just never occurred to me. Makes great sense. This won't be our last kitchen. It's probably our 2nd to last, though. I don't believe in buying turn-key houses any more than I believe in driving new cars off the lot. Neither of us do. Never have. We've helped friends build houses from scratch, but we've never done it. It is a possibility that our final house (the one we live in the rest of our lives) might be one we build, but I doubt it. We simply love finding diamonds in the rough, with good bones & all that "character" stuff going on, ya know? Then making it our own. Thank you ALL for the illuminating advice & ideas. I was going to post some ideas for the overhang support here per Joseph Corlett, but think I need to begin a new thread for that. So, I just went and did it here: http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/3354407/m=23/15-granite-counter-overhang-supports. Thanks again, friends.
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Comments (10)
the soapstone will be fine. you don't have to oil it if you prefer to keep it a 'duller' dark gray color. do a light backsplash and make sure you have the best lighting, and it will be fine. it won't make the area look like a cave. lack of light does that. there is a quartzite out there that would look beautiful w/blue/gray cabs. this is leathered Cielo Blue. leathered or honed would give it this matte looking finish. Fantasy Brown would be another choice you could go with. and there is always the Virginia Mist granite, honed,,,,similar to soapstone but w/the durability of granite.
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Brian Edward
6 years ago

Ella by cambria or brittancia
M VanAm thanked Brian Edward
M VanAm
Original Author
6 years ago
Thank you Milley, Susan and Brian. So is there a feeling that Quartz is here to stay? Unlike Corian? As we love natural stone, I am also afraid of walking into the kitchen someday in the future and regretting the man made feel?? Although I've also been reading about London Sky by Zodiaq.... I think we prefer a more muted veining and not quite as linear as the Ella or Brittanicca?
DrB477
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Check LG muse, I posted pics here

[https://www.houzz.com/discussions/lg-viatera-muse-and-karis-quartz-dsvw-vd~4766904?n=110[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/lg-viatera-muse-and-karis-quartz-dsvw-vd~4766904?n=110)

London sky is nice too

I think you'll be fine if you go with a muted veining in a random'ish pattern.

You could also look at soapstone.
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Milly Rey
6 years ago
I have no idea. Lol.
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PRO
Brunswick Design
6 years ago
Caesarstone's Atlantic Salt Quartz will give your kitchen that beach look and feel. It's beautiful and won't be dated anytime soon. Actually, this beach look is timeless. Another great option is Ocean Foam, a consistent quartz material sprinkled with small black speckles. If you want a softer look, Dreamy Marfil is all creamy and gentle looking. You can find any look you want among quartz countertops. I agree, marble is timeless and perfect, but there are other options. There are also some white granites that are not too busy like River White granite.
M VanAm thanked Brunswick Design
PRO
Anglophilia
6 years ago
Corian is here to stay, as well! In fact, it's enjoying a revival!
PRO
Beth H. :
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
if you like the Mist, get it leathered. you won't see fingerprints. of course crumbs will be an issue on anything without veining.
Cosmos is another one that looks good w/a leathered finish. and this would go well w/the butcher block

If you did Absolute Black (genuine Absolute) you could have the sink integrated like this:

AB is a true granite. It will not take a sealer because it's so dense. (other granites are actually different types of igneous /metamorphic rock and not true granite). So this choice would be perfect for the sink because it won't stain

if you like the marble look, half a zillion quartz counters to choose from:

or do something different and install some of these beautiful slabs
bianco lasa vecchia marble/ for this, I would use trivets. it's beautiful,,,I mean, Hello?
and the flip side is Black Horse Granite

Santorini granite or maybe quartzite. this one would make your walnut butcher block look amazing.

and actually quartzite is stronger than granite. you just make sure that your edges aren't cut into large quartzite deposits in the stone.

I love this Silestone. expensive. but gorgeous. these are a few of the new ones in the Suede texture. the charcoal soapstone is stunning. look it up.
M VanAm thanked Beth H. :
Milly Rey
6 years ago
Absolutely black is evil. Source: me, foolish owner of absolute black. Bomb proof but looks awful all the time.
M VanAm thanked Milly Rey
PRO
Beth H. :
6 years ago
lol Milly,,yes, that's why I mentioned getting it leathered or honed. polished black is impossible to keep clean.
M VanAm thanked Beth H. :
Milly Rey
6 years ago
Good choice!
M VanAm
Original Author
6 years ago
Thank you so much especially to Beth H for your time and input! Am leaning a bit more toward a honed Virginia Mist as it looks most like soapstone without the softness, has some soft movement without the typical granite busyness? With white cabinets it seems to have a classic look...The absolute black sink is cool...have been thinking farmhouse. Met with a decorator who was trying to talk me out of the butcher block island but I still like it for the warmth factor. I realized I always wanted a bigger kitchen, double ovens and a stove with a low simmer...did not dream much about the details! LOL
kimbydewolf
6 years ago
Why is she trying to talk you out of butcher block? I am close to having to decide my finishes....what did you go with? Id love not see pics! I was thinking butcher block island also!
M Vanam
6 years ago
Kimbydewolf, I ended up with Black Silk/Black Vermont/New Cardona honed black granite for the perimeter and still going forward with the butcher block for the island....After reading many of the threads here on Houzz its apparent that there is a huge component that love their BB but it does require some oiling and can stain from heat or spills if just treated with the mineral oil. Many have said any stains can be sanded and oiled away. <:) So I am going for the warmth factor that natural wood brings and most likely going with maple. It is a long island (10 ft) with bar stool seating on one end....have seen that some companies recommend finger joints to assure no warping and don't like that look so still looking into it! :)

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