countertops clash, everything clashes!!

5 years ago

So after searching and searching, I finally found countertops that I liked and finally, today they were installed. Problem is, they clash with everything! I always thought that my cabinets were white, now I now that they are more of an antique white. They look terrible and I don’t know how to fix it :( Please Help!! Is there any way to stain white quartzite to a more “beige color?” TIA!

Featured Answer

Emily

5 years ago

Your counters and cabinets work well together... what's not working is the peachy backsplash. If your tile pulled the grays out of the counters instead, it would work much better. Examples show original pics on the left.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (158)

Jo
5 years ago
Great Lily. Enjoy your beautiful kitchen.
traci_from_seattle
5 years ago
Very nice! I love how the backsplash turned out.
Related Discussions
Updating kitchen a little at a time due to finances - clashing?
Q
Comments (5)
This is what I would do...don't do anything untill you have a "for future" plan. By that I mean, do a floor plan with measurements that include changing the kitchen ( go to kitchen form for help) . Get the big picture first. From there you can still paint but all other monies with be spent on getting everything up to scratch with plumbing, electric, sliders or Windows, ceilings and removing ceiling sofits if they do not need to be there. Now tackle an area at a time. When the kitchen is done you can run the same flooring throughout the open plan. Pretend that you and sis could over extend and lose the condo. If you fix what's broken first ( and or update sliders/Windows you will always be able to pass inspections and sell well. However, on the flip side with fixing what's broken first each individual remodel portion will help keep you in budget with less surprises and at the end a very professional re-do. Edited: If you decide during the fix what's broken stage that you want to have that sofit thing above kitchen island checked to see if it is there for a reason ...if it's not, take that and upper island cabinets out. Put a pretty Craigslist cabinet on that near wall for temporary storage or add shelves on that island wall until the kitchen remodel. Hire someone to fix and blend ceiling . Doing that will make the future kitchen remodel less daunting . When prepping sons condo for future kitchen remodel and removing sofits/repairing ceiling ect...we bought this cheap IKEA Applaro shelf thingy for wall storage near the island. It can be modified to remove legs. Price, $50 It comes with two shelves but extras are only $10.
...See More
Kitchen Colors Clashing
Q
Comments (11)
VERY cool tone counter...backsplash is warm[khaki] ...I'd live w it for a while . Maybe in a year pull counter AND backsplash and redo. Do you have a lot of money invested in counter? if you take a breather for a while..... and the cost was not excessive just redo it all. Not right now. Its okay for a while. You have a working kitchen....so a little oversight was missing....don't worry about it.
...See More
Does backsplash clash with countertops?
Q
Comments (20)
Thank you, Debbie for your kind answer and encouraging words! That is a very good point about not caring what others think! And you're right, mxk3--I definitely should take those wise words to heart! Angel, I did bring home samples to see if they went well together, and I loved it at first. We did the renovation about two years ago, and it wasn't until about a week ago that I started questioning the combination.
...See More
Help with grays that clash!
Q
Comments (9)
Get textured throws that incorporate the colors of the sofa and coffee table (like the idea of khaki and smokey blues) - place one over the corner of sectional, and one on the side. You could also use a third color - maybe a rusty gold - to add some "umph" to the space. I would get pillows with with some with texture, including some that include you third accent color. Place textured items on the top of the coffee table - shallow baskets, a green plant, books, etc.
...See More
Ellen Tracy
5 years ago
Beautiful!
Pam A
5 years ago
Good for you! That looks so much nicer and the whole picture is a bright space that is warm (not cold). And you saved a lot of money compared to a replacement.
Hansen
5 years ago
Love a happy ending and love your space.
felizlady
5 years ago
Paint the cabinetry a true white to match the white of the quartz, or a light gray matching one color in the counter. The quartz is the most valuable element...don’t touch it!
judy1740
5 years ago
Hard to tell because the monitor changes the colour. I would get tile sample boards from the tile store and set them against the cupboards and quartz and see if anything draws it together. Stay away from anything busy. Try and draw from cabinet and counters. If tiles don’t work I would consult a designer because counter mistakes are expensive as you already found out. It will be beautiful in the end. I’m a little confused because one pic looks good with counter and one doesn’t.
GeorgiaPeach 1970
5 years ago
I'm so sorry you're stressing. It's still pretty. But good advice to step back,take a deep breath & live with it awhile.
You're overwhelmed right now.
Later on you change out the backsplash.
It definitely seems the culprit. Not a too expensive fix. Good luck
GeorgiaPeach 1970
5 years ago
I feel silly! Didnt realize this was an old post.
I felt so sad for Lily.
Yay! It looks beautiful.
aak4
5 years ago
Looks awesome!
Nicole R Dsp
5 years ago
Chalk paint huh? Never would've thought that would suffice, but wow that worked out so well! Well done, how's it holding up?
beadsnsew
5 years ago
But Lily, the photos DO do it justice! :) It’s all beautiful!! Glad you found a solution - you did a great job! Thanks for coming back to post pics :)
PRO
Flo Mangan
5 years ago
Awesome! Thanks for sharing! I can hear the excitement in your voice and congratulations on finding a great solution! Well done!
jkt107
5 years ago
What an improvement. Looks great! Would you mind telling me the color of your kitchen walls?
orec3
5 years ago
Love it! Your kitchen is gorgeous. Very smart fix!
artemis_ma
5 years ago
Neat. I like your save!!!
Lily
Original Author
5 years ago
Thank you all for the kind comments :)
Yes, chalk paint worked and it’s holding up very well. In case somebody else ever wants to do this, it’s important to know that I mixed it with water, I did a small section at a time and cleaned the grout In that section before moving on. I tried just the paint on a sample and it looked terrible! For some reason in the photos it looks like it has a pinkish hue but in person it doesn’t.
Lily
Original Author
5 years ago
The paint color on the wall is called silver strand by SW. It’s very pretty. It looks like plain gray in the swatch but turns out a pretty silver color.
Lily
Original Author
5 years ago
Per your advice, I did go and found some accessories that were more my style and put them on the counter tops and they do take your eyes off of the counter. I also purchased a natural gas stove top and I think that once it’s installed, it’s going to bring everything together even more! I’m just happy I didn’t have to spend 20K on new countertops or even a couple of thousand on changing the backsplash. Eventually I do still want to change the countertops on the perimeter maybe for a solid darker color but this works for now!!
Lily
Original Author
5 years ago
Another suggestion that worked tremendously was changing ALL the lightbulbs to “day light” bulbs, big, big difference!
Zalco/bring back Sophie!
5 years ago
It’s perfect! I love your floors. Do you mind sharing what you have? Also, did you say you were getting a gas stovetop? So you’ll remove the induction?
Lily
Original Author
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Yes, Zalco, only two burners work in the induction that I have so I’m going to take the opportunity and get a natural gas stove top instead.
These are white oak wide planks, somebody called it Rubio color.
crystalpea
5 years ago
Oh no! What brand/model of induction did you get?
Val B
5 years ago
Looks really great! And now you know what color tile to get for the backsplash if the paint starts to chip or get worn.
kulrn
5 years ago
It looks beautiful!
Lily
Original Author
5 years ago
The induction was part of the builder’s package. I think it’s a GE it’s 4 yo.
perky_2
5 years ago
Wow - what a recovery! Nice job.
Rita / Bring Back Sophie 4 Real
5 years ago
What a brilliant job you did! Your kitchen was gorgeous to begin with and you found the perfect way to smooth over a little hiccup. Bravissima!
lindag70
5 years ago
The backsplash looks incredible; the entire space looks unifed -- very happy for you! Could you possibly share a bit more about the chalk paint process. Which brand chalk paint was used, did you 50/50 with the paint/water or other split, did you only paint the tiles and not the grout lines, and what was the application method (paint brush, sponge, rag, etc). Any other info or tips would be so much appreciated. Thank you!
houssaon
5 years ago
I am so happy for you. It looks great!
lbmccarthy418
5 years ago
Great paint job in the backsplash! It looks beautiful, and the countertop is just gorgeous. Great save!
Lily
Original Author
5 years ago
Thank you!
I used the chalk paint from Lowe’s (they only sell one brand that you can customize) And I had them make it the same color as the paint that I used for my house walls.
As for the mixing ratio, I wish I would have measured but I didn’t, I just kept adding water until I was happy with the consistency. I wanted a white-wash effect so it was pretty watered down.
I used a regular water spray bottle to apply it and after I sprayed it, wiped it with a rag.
I did small sections at a time and I cleaned the grout quickly before moving on. It is important that you are consistent with the application and don’t apply twice in the same spot because you will create darker spots where it overlaps.
After you’re done with everything and it’s dry, you start all over again... do as many coats as you need until you’re happy!
lindag70
5 years ago
Thank you so very much for taking the time to respond and sharing detailed instructions. I appreciate it! Kind regards.
ram123
5 years ago
Turned out beautiful!! I know it was a difficult process but you should be very proud to creat such a great fix!! I think everyone could understand how upsetting this was, so glad you found the perfect solution!!
abb_ann
5 years ago
Backsplash does not work.
Julie D
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago

Lily--I need to white wash my travertine backsplash--here

is a picture. I love the idea of chalk paint. Any tips? Is it holding up OK and how is it to clean it. Thank you.
Grey Owl
5 years ago
Just change the backsplash
Grey Owl
5 years ago
Sorry I just read your update..looks beautiful
everdebz
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Your thread showed up - I love the tumbled look, and if you like it better with absorbed chalk paint, even better!

With stainless steel, I think a grey-ish element [counter] blends with them: "light warm and light cool."
Julie D
4 years ago

in reference to my backsplash question
PRO
Beth H. :
4 years ago
Julie, she used the lowes chalk paint that matched her cabinet color tone? In your case I would use an antique white or aged white. bright white will be too white.

just mix it w/water until it's thinned out enough to do a 'wash'. practice on a spare piece first. work in small sections, have a rag ready to wipe and go for it. I will add that if your travertine is sealed, it may not absorb like unsealed stone. Hard to say without trying it on both.

Lily, yours is the first 'painted' stone I've seen that actually looks good.
felizlady
4 years ago
Your biggest expense was the countertops....so they stay. Paint the cabinets (not YOU, a professional) and replace the backsplash (another professional).
These kinds of mistakes happen when a person makes choices without having samples of the real materials. Decorating is not guesswork...it is planned, verified, sample-checked and re-checked. Take your samples wherever you go, even if it requires a suitcase on wheels. Look at your samples in your house and outside in the natural light. Store lighting is often bad.
everdebz
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Seems but in person ? that the flooring has quite a blend with backsplash. Might help that the islands are dark - the contrast seems to draw attention, and some away from the lighter parts... if that helps.
Hearth Room · More Info
everdebz
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
With time on my hands, I'm posting a similar look: beige and polished steel, for entry or dining - nice if house has a romantic sofa or chair in softened lilac / lavender imo.
Contemporary Opaleen Chandelier · More Info

Layers Landscape Art (35352) · More Info

https://www.houzz.com/products/uttermost-layers-landscape-art-prvw-vr~106523143

https://www.houzz.com/products/contemporary-opaleen-chandelier-prvw-vr~46922648
everdebz
4 years ago
This has drama with 2 deep colors -
PRO
Beth H. :
4 years ago
everdebz, any idea where that deep blue throw is from? love it. That off-center artwork would drive me batty. Needs to be turned horizontally
everdebz
4 years ago
lol.... and what a royal blue.... idk where, not that one. Searched royal blue, but not with that burnout-type...
BOON Rabbit Jumbo Fur Throw and Pillow, 3-Piece Set, Navy Blue · More Info

https://www.houzz.com/products/rabbit-faux-fur-throw-blanket-with-2-pillows-royal-blue-prvw-vr~80239672
PRO
Beth H. :
4 years ago
close,! I like that other one because it has deep violet tones. almost an ultramarine blue. my fave, fave color!
Stacy
last year
Old post with an update question. How is your travertine holding up with chalk paint?? I want to do this to mine which are the same color as yours.

Love your spacious kitchen!
hitchy_
last year
Would love to know how this is holding up as well. I need to whitewash or limewash my travertine backsplash and I love the look of your finished product with chalk paint! We're your tiles sealed before whitewashing? Did you apply sealant after whitewashing?