Might be really wrong, but it's my understanding that tiled countertops are unsanitary. They're definitely a leftover from the '60s or so. I think new countertops - quartz - and certainly a new backsplash would look fresh and light and add more value to your home overall. Cabinets are very nice!

You will hate tile countertops way more than you hate the concrete. If nothing else, the grout will make you crazy because it will never look clean. Don't ask me how I know.

Your kitchen is beautiful. Definitely don't tile over the countertops. If you rip them out, put in light colored surface and it will lighten it up a lot. What sort of over head light do you have? Maybe some can light would also help?

i agree. sink is horrible. break out the concrete and that sink, and replace them w/something else.

all of these have farm house sinks which would take the place of what you have now.

if you tile on top of that cement, it's going to raise it by at least an inch. You'll have to redo the faucet and you will still have that horrid sink. Plus, you'd have to tile all around the sink, including the front portion. how bad would that look? No,,just rip it out.

why the hesitation over taking it out?

another option, call in a cement floor refinisher and see if he can do anything w/your counter. it would be messy, but perhaps he could grind it a bit and do a diff color. then he could seal it for you.

Can't hurt to ask.

(And Pam, tiled countertops are not unsanitary, at least not the tile itself. It's the grout that gets dirty. they have newer grouts on the market that don't allow germs and grime to build up in the pores. Plus, if you're a clean person, there's no reason why you can't stay on top of keeping the grout clean. you should never cut on the tile, so using cutting boards helps keep them free of yuk. sealing the grout also keeps out yuk)

Do not tile! I have tile in my kitchen that I am ready to rip out it's sooo awful. I don't even know if this is possible, but could you have the concrete stained until you are ready to replace?

If quartz or granite is out of the budget, go with laminate and Kohler makes a drop in stainless farm sink.I am not sure if it would work with laminate, but Joe would know. The only white drop in farm sink that I know of is the Ikea Havsen and I don't think it is long enough - the one I saw was only 25" and while IKea makes decent cabinets, I have seen a lot of complaints with their fireclay farm sinks.

I used the Kohler Whitehaven apron front sink, light quartz counters and cream subway tile backsplash for my wood kitchen and I am very happy with the results.

This is the Kohler 3942 dropped into a plastic laminate top. Had to shave a poo off that drawer.

I totally agree about replacing the sink.. said that above.. !!! thanks for the suggestions.. I so want a farm sink!!

Hate the back splash also.. :-(

Here is my kitchen with the changes:

https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~110720042

I have the "short apron" Kohler Whitehaven. I think Beth's first pic is also a "short apron" Whitehaven. There is also a "tall apron" style. Joe's pic also looks like a "short apron" style Kohler Vault. You will need to figure out how much space you have above your sink base cabinet doors to determine if you need a short or tall apron. A short apron goes on a standard kitchen sink base cabinet and a tall apron goes on a farm sink base cabinet - which usually has shorter doors. With the cement covering the front of the cabinet, you may have to get an apron front sink. The stainless Kohler Vault (Joe's pic) and the cast iron Whitehaven install a little differently then a traditional farm sink. Usually the install is easier, but a lot will depend on what is under the cement.

Your range vent is different too - can't see enough of it to really tell what it is like, but you will want to figure out if you are keeping it or replacing before doing a backsplash.

If you go with a laminate then try to get it without the 4" splash if you want a tile backsplash. It is best to start a backsplash at the counter, not above a 4" extension. If you do get a laminate with a 4" splash, just paint the backsplash area or do something like beadboard.

It is good to start getting ideas now and pricing items out so you can decide what is in your budget.

I don't think there is anything to stop you from cutting out the sink area to replace it with a different sink and to paint or restain the counters. You'd have to sand off the sealer and final finish and then apply a concrete paint or concrete stain.

When were these installed? What's the history? The cabinets are beautiful.

I can't imagine how those counters can be removed without damaging the cabinets.

you remove them just like you would a ceramic tile that has been set in mortar. Hopefully it's sitting on a plywood base. you would protect the cabs w/a heavy tarp and carefully sledge hammer away at the top.

The most unsanitary thing is that tiled sink.

Photo under sink? I'm really curious about what the tile sink looks like underneath. It would show if the tiles are stuck to a regular sink or if someone cast the whole kit and kaboodle from concrete, countertop included, at the same time.

Believe it or not but tiled counter tops are starting to make their way back in. But let's forget about those 6x6 tiles with 1/4" grout joints. Most people are looking for large format rectified tiles for their counter tops. Large as in 20x20 or 24x24 tiles. Rectified tiles allow the tile mechanic to get a nice tight 1/32" grout joint...or they might be able to butt the tiles side by side! Really depends on how good the mechanic is.

As for the sink...yea I agree about tearing it out.

OMG that sink. Definitely gotta go!

"I don't think there is anything to stop you from cutting out the sink area to replace it with a different sink and to paint or restain the counters."

I replace sinks for a living. The only tool of mine touching that top and sink is a sledgehammer.

Joseph, I wish you would be more precise! lol, just kidding. Had to laugh, but sure do agree. Looks like you are going to be on the road, fixing several of these dilemma situations!

I go on the road for the right money, but so far very few have paid it.

Too bad because your work is impeccable! Love learning from you Joseph!

THE TILE SINK .. .is leaving !! It is tiled over a cement sink that cracked... should have just pulled it out then but... hindsight is wonderful..

I would try painting them with PPG's Breakthrough paint if you're not going to tear them out.

I just installed Porcelanosa 20x20” rectified porcelain tiles as my new kitchen floor and ended up with fairly wide grout lines. Why? Unless your surface is perfectly level, you need wider grout to make the floor flat. My building was built in 1906. And large tiles are more prone to break, per my phenomenal installer. I think using them on counters is a bad idea.

Also, I installed white quartz counters and, if I had to do it over again, I might pick Corian. While Quartz is almost impossible to stain, the resin used to bind the quartz isn’t -something no one talks about with very light colors. I have stained it by putting my black nylon grocery tote, damp with condensation. I stained it by dropping a bag of frozen fruit. I got most of it out, but feel that I need to be much more careful than I assume. This stains almost as easily as my 37 year old worn laminate countertops did before they were replaced.

These are the tiles I used.

Find an artist to paint the counter top with colorful arts, and change the sink. :-)

The tile floor and splash are the worst things there other than the sink. Did you tile that sink? i wonder if a drop-in stainless basin could be found to fit (after Dr Frankenstein's tiles are chiseled out). I love concrete counters, including these, but there is way too much going on with the dowdy tile and forget about the sink. And yes you could certainly have it stained, black would be your best bet. Check out the advice and comments on Cheng concrete's website. And start looking for a solution for that sink and new floors and splash!

Honestly the countertops are my favorite thing in that kitchen and probably by far the most expensive. What is that on the hood? More tile, a studded belt? i would hire a concrete counter specialist (maybe even the one who made this) and have them stain it (although personally I like the color just not with your floor or backsplash) and chisel out, repair and skim coat what was once probably a gorgeous custom sink.

I live in Central Mexico in the Mountains.. Tried the concrete counters but they have been nothing but a problem... so change is coming... FLOOR is here to stay.. orginal of the old Hacienda style!!

Corian countertops might be worth a look.

victoria, I love those terra cotta floors. If you want to do a bit more spanish style, then pick something like the talavera tiles or something in the blues or greens for the new backsplash. I'd do a plain white or black countertop if going that route.

this is one of my faves. you could do a black or white (or a a cream) quartz countertop with black and white talavera tiles for your splash, and a copper farmhouse sink.

tiled countertops are also very common w/mexican style kitchen.

As are the brightly colored islands or cabinets.

I really like this one too. the turquoise and aqua shades compliment the terra cotta color perfectly. (this countertop is actually cement! but it's been polished and sealed in a nice, light gray)

you could even do a ceramic tile backsplash in a solid turquoise shade

or one of the greens. w/the copper sink. this countertop is recycled glass in a green. (I actually have one in my bathroom)

Ooh original floors-nice. I like butcher block with these.