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Kitchens Design Dilemma Appliances

The new “slate” stainless steel in my kitchen and an island colour?

6 years ago

Hi all, per usual, my go to for questions on my Reno! I have a new kitchen going in. White perimeter cabinets, Silestone Calacatta Gold quartz countertops, a floor that is a medium toned brown gray. Cabinet pulls will be an antique copper.
Our ceilings are low at 8 feet and we have a beautiful ocean view. Trying to choose an island colour. Any ideas? Also I’m putting in the new dark stainless fridge and wall ovens. Well, maybe.....does anyone think that will be too dark and dramatic a difference with all that white going on? I do like it better than regular stainless, but not if it’s going to throw that farmhouse white and wood look out the door! Thanks!!

Featured Answer

PRO

Sina Sadeddin Architectural Design

6 years ago

I'm not a fan of dark or black stainless steel. The issue with it besides it being a light sucker is that there are no consistent colors between brands and if it ever breaks there's a risk you won't be able to find a match again. SS, on the other hand, has a universal color, reflects light, and acts as a neutral. My vote is always SS but to each their own.

As for the island color, you can always just match it to the perimeter cabinets. If you want a color, maybe a sage green or a navy blue.

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Comments (16)

Lauren Bomhof
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks Sina, I never thought of that! I just assumed, silly me, that the dark would all be the same and clean easier. Darn!
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homechef59
6 years ago
Just buy regular stainless. This way you can mix and match. Appliance manufacturers offer these changes in hopes of forcing you select all of their appliances. What it really does is create a nightmare when someone has to replace one. Stainless is like black and white, it's a basic color. If you need to do something to express your individuality, buy an appliance that needs a custom panel that matches your cabinets. Short answer: I wouldn't do it.
Lauren Bomhof
Original Author
6 years ago
I also just read about the scratching! Changed my mind on the finish for sure!
PRO
Jodie White Designs
6 years ago

Incorporating nature like elements inside could be painting island blue or island of natural wood. What is your back splash?
acm
6 years ago
It's not necessary to have your island a different color. If you want that, you could maybe take a medium gray to help play up the counter veining, but that would also depend a bit on your backsplash choice (I like a pale gray there for the same reason, in which case white island).

Otherwise, maybe a farmish color like a cornflower blue or a mint green would be nice.

Here are some white, just so you can see...
Lauren Bomhof
Original Author
6 years ago
That’s another uncertainty! I originally thought of just continuing the Calacatta, but now I’m thinking a light gray tile?
Lauren Bomhof
Original Author
6 years ago
I really like the first, second and fifth of your photos, thank you! It’s incredibly difficult for me to choose all this. I was thinking of the standard revere pewter for the walls. Not that there is very many walls. Mostly windows. I decided I needed some colour in the island instead of just white. It feels just too white for me. My daughter was suggesting zinc because it’s so neutral as well, but maybe too dark? If you have the names of the colours in those photos, I’d love it. Thanks so much!
quadesl
6 years ago
As much as there are differences in black stainless steel appliances between vendors, I see the same with regular stainless steel. Samsung, LG, Kitchen Aid, Frigidaire all look different to me and I would no sooner mix and match them as I would their Black Stainless counterparts.
chloebud
6 years ago
Go with stainless steel. The ss appliances in our kitchen are different brands and the finishes all match.
K Laurence
6 years ago
Each to their own, but I too have a beautiful ocean view, have kept the colors & finishes to a minimum so as to not compete with Mother Nature:). But I prefer things rather understated...
Lauren Bomhof
Original Author
6 years ago
Hahaha, K, can you send me some photos? That’s just what I’m looking for!
K Laurence
6 years ago
Hi Lauren... I’m away from home for the holidays ( Palm Desert) right now, but all my cabinets & island are the same, although I think a color would be nice too for the island, my countertops & backsplash are all the same light quartz & my hardware is very unobtrusive brushed nickel, but like I said I prefer things very understated... it’s not for everyone though.
Lauren Bomhof
Original Author
6 years ago
Sounds wonderful! I’m just getting to the end of my rope I think. Need to choose something!
jt fields
6 years ago
We did a polished white macaubas granite as our main counter tops which looks almost identical to your calcatta. Our cabinets are a brown (no reds) wood finish, dark but not too dark. The island is a silver pearl granite (which is actually a black granite) with a leather finish and white cabinets.
Lauren Bomhof
Original Author
6 years ago
Sounds lovely!

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