Not all quartzites are the same...some are fantastic, others are trouble.

That’s what has me worried.

So you’ve read the negative quartzite threads. I have too. Consider Soapstone.

Glad you're not doing all white, but mixing some brown here and there. If you've had no issues with granite, go with a quartzite you like, not too busy, but blending the two colors. That will give you tons of options for a backsplash- either subway or glass tiles in a solid color. Good luck!

What is the FLOORING? Grantite and quartzite are both a material and a stone. There are zillions of both. There are light dark, those with a lot of movement, and those with not a lot : ) They can be honed, or leathered, or glossy. ........some quartzite more susceptible to etching and staining than others.

You choose a top that works for you, the look and feel of the kitchen....

I would lose the corbels in that hood design right now, Before you worry on tops, and please consider a counter depth fridge as well. . jmho.

A backsplash is the last worry, choose it LAST after tops are installed.

@jan Moyer thank you for your input. Floors are oak, oak strip wood to be refinished—color not picked yet. I’m 97% sure I want something light in same tone as the uppers. I‘ve seen perla venata but didn’t have the door sample with me. Can you tell me why you feel strongly about the corbels?

*and the fridge is counter depth. :)

@jan Moyer, I hear you. I’m going to tell them to not order the corbels. If I can’t get them out of my head (unlikely), I can order them later. Picking that range hood was a torment. So many pictures with sleek stainless, but I just couldn’t love them and probably going overboard in the other direction.

Yes...............overboard : ) is the perfect answer. Can't stop you but. It tends to suggest the Mc Mansion thing from quite a while ago.

Taj Mahal below, . She might have gone overboard, initially......but didn't . it used to be a dark cherry and granite kitchen with all the goo that went with that. But it is your house and your happy buttons and your money as well.

Interior Design Work · More Info

Interior Design Work · More Info

Interior Design Work · More Info

Interior Design Work · More Info

Dining colors? The REASON for the Taj Mahal

@Jan Moyer Happy Buttons! I like that!

I love your cabinet color choices. Why not look at quartz?

@H G Your drawing is showing a space for the refrigerator being built that would accommodate a full depth refrigerator. If you want the space to ONLY accommodate a counter depth, then the refrigerator space side panels would at a maximum be flush with the edge of the countertop.

Having said that . . . here's something to consider:

Lots of folks on here always advise counter depth refrigerators. Doing so mimics the sleek, integrated, built in look of a sub-zero type refrigerator. From a design perspective, it's the way to go.

The challenge with stand alone counter depth refrigerators (i.e., LG, Samsung, Kitchenaid, etc.) is capacity. Their cubic foot capacity is on par with a 33" wide full depth. After redoing my kitchen and shopping for counter depth, I discovered that they had less capacity than my 25 year old 33" side by side. Why? Because my old refrigerator doesn't have ice or water. Many new ones do and that eats into storage capacity. I chose full depth even though a counter depth would have looked so much better and had my refrigerator space built to accommodate a full size as shown in your drawing.

Of course family size and lifestyle factors into it. Just some things to think about.

Not only the corbells are a 20-year-old design feature, but the raised panel doors. What is the style of your home? make sure the kitchen design doesn't look forced and not part of the overall design. You can still have an elegant kitchen without all the extra doo-dads, that can overwhelm a kitchen that isn't the size of a football field.

Raised panel can be great if you limit the number of doors/drawers in a small kitchen and don't get all fancy on other elements to make it transitional. I would do quartz, there's plenty of variety, and no fears of wine stains, etc. Cambria and other quartz manufacturers offer similar looks that will blow your mind. Just reach out to the manufacturer and show them a version of your quartzite and most have a pretty close substitute.

@beverlyFLAdeziner. The doors are my choice and ordered, partly because I have those square shaker doors in natural maple and I’m over it. The house is 20 yearly old and this kitchen is part of an open floor plan. In the same space (not shown) is octagon shaped bump out for eat in kitchen table . The corbels I’ll ditch. The cabinets go with the feel of dining room set I am absolutely keeping.

@missenigma the fridge is kitchen aide counter depth and drawn based on the specs. Yes they have lower capacity but there is a butlers pantry with another fridge. :) so capacity is less of a problem. I don’t have room or money for a subzero.

@H G In the artists rendering, that is not a counter depth enclosure for a refrigerator. Here's a picture from Maytag's site showing a counter depth refrigerator install. Compare the depth of the side panels in the picture to what's shown in your drawing.

If your drawing is wrong, that's fine. Just be sure the panels will be cut to the proper depth.

@missenigma just confirmed on my appliance receipt that fridge is definitely counter depth. I appreciate the comments and I emailed the kitchen planner to double check the drawing etc. the side panels could be trimmed but not that upper cabinet. better safe than sorry.

This factors into the counter-depth confusion: several manufacturers label their fridges as counter-depth when they are more than 25" deep. So your order will say counter-depth, but the specs say, for example, 27" deep. Then you have air space, space for the plug, etc., so it sticks out a bit further.

The true counter-depth models are often taller, and do not have door dispensers.

Let the cabinet maker know your make and model
of fridge so they can look up the physical dimensions and plan accordingly.

@H G Never hurts to double check to avoid surprises. There won't be any problems with the upper cabinet. It's typical to order them at a 24" depth and install them anywhere from flush to wall or pulled out as needed to align with the side panels.

MAKE CERTAIN he has the specs for the fridge. . Period. The door is proud of the cabinet enclosure, ( unless integrated ) or it won't open. the sides should be fully covered. In order to do that? give him the full page of specand install instructions.

@Jan Moyer The full specs were all provided to the kitchen designer. I went to their recommended appliance vendor (after shopping they gave me the best price ) i am certain they have it all. .I bought a kitchenaid counter depth, French door platinum stainless. I will triple check what’s up with the drawing to make sure it’s correct. I also got in touch with my feelings since reading your comments and I’m going to switch to a stainless hood, simplify the crown molding, and (probably) kill the grills on the two glass doors. I will also take your advice and pick and install the countertops before I do anything with tile.

That is a VERY good call, on all.!! Design is editing.....

Tip on the "grills"? The shelves. If you love them? Fine! The issue with a full grid on the door? Is the line up of Shelf. IT NEVER COMES OUT RIGHT. There is nothing worse than the look of a mismatch horizontal grid/shelf behind. The only way to avoid is custom drill holes last to match up the shelving to the grid. Never happens : )

Interesting thread. How about Fusion Quartzite? Colors may work but I don't know anything about the staining issues.
I love the looks of quartzite much more that quartz but need one that won't bite you later!
I think you need to bring your doors to a stone yard.

@ljptwt7 i searched images of that Fusion quartzite. Wow, those colors would work and it looks like wild Mother Nature. Stunning but too busy for what I’m going for.

@Jan Moyer, I love the backsplash on the picture that you showed. If you know what it is do you mind sharing?

@jan Moyer I had my meeting and killed corbels and the wood hood, the grills and simpler crown. I still had to get an exhaust insert but that budget will go towards the stainless hood. I still love the over all
Plan. The best news is I’m saving almost $5k. You rock.

Hmm, with such a traditional kitchen based on door selection I think the SS hood may be a bit too modern for it? Corbell and grills gone, good choice but the wood hood... and pick out the counter after the cabinets are installed. Many times what looks good now in the showroom, doesn't work as well after the cabinets are in and you get a real feel for it.

@tedbixby i looked at so many pictures at this point and most do seem to use the wood but there are examples with stainless and that will match the appliances. When you enter the kitchen area, the stove wall is not the main focal point. There is also a fireplace on the other end of the room and the opposite wall has quite a few windows looking out to a well landscaped yard.

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I wouldn't select a hood because of it matching the appliances. If everyone did that, there would never be any wood hoods. Did you originally come up with wanting the wood for the hood or was it something the Designer suggested? We can offer good advise here but you also have to take into consideration what you want and you know the space and look of what you want to achieve. And the stove wall doesn't have to be a focal point to have a particular hood. It just matters what is selected works with everything else. One other thought is that if you go with a wood hood after-all, maybe redesign it to something simpler as I think even loosing the corbels it is still too busy and does look a bit dated.

I'm not saying this hood is "it" but this one is wood but still gives you the simplicity look of a stainless.

raised panel kitchen cabinets with stainless steel hood - Google Search · More Info

All stainless will blend. ALLLLLL OF IT.. That said, you CAN simplify a cabinet match for the hood and insert. This is the differenc3e between cabinet seller and designer that is rearing its head ? Yes, possibly.

The backsplash posted in my clients home with the Taj Mahal was Alyse Edwards "Tongue in Chic" collection ( 2.5 inches x 10 inches ) in color......mmmmmmm "Don't Bisque it" comes to mind: ) ? Was either that, or or "Don't be a Shell Out"

Both are colors within the ccollection

I had a glass or two at dinner.........: )

@tedbixby i totally understand what you are saying. I’ve been back and forth over this and right now the wood hood is out of the order. If I change my mind AGAIN i can put it back. I actually cook in my kitchen and stainless is checking a box for me.

Back to the original question.

If you want the Taj Mahal? Lose the mushroom color for cabinetry. Go whiter. Please go whiter. I think your real struggle here is refining what you WANT. Super traditional, a bit traditional more TRANS- itional.

You can simplify the hood and crown. If you cook a lot? It is no lie that stainless hood is easiest to lean. Even well vented, grease rises.

In other words, if you are getting a new kitchen, get a new kitchen. there are also variations on shaker faces, that land squarely between raised cabinetry, and hard core shaker. Put a little bead of trim in there

Just don't buy yourself a dated kitchen is all anyone is saying, and that includes me.

The cabinets are ordered. You would use a lighter counter top? There are lighter slabs

@H G Depending upon their process and where your order is in production, some manufacturers allow you to change paint color after the order is placed. Just a thought in case it comes to that.

The thing is I really love these colors. I don’t want to change them, whether I could or not. 🙂

Then lose the Taj Mahal. And you will have a harder time if you want a light top. A granite maybe.......back to the stone shop. Not Taj.

I think you should post some pics of adjacent rooms. I also think you are at a ppint where you need an interior DESIGNER to tie your various conflicting wants together. Just trust me.....Taj Mahal isn't your answer.

ALSO...... when you choose mushroom? Plan right now where that mushroom crown molding will die or tie into other trim in your home. Which is now WHAT?

NOT ONE THING LIVES IN TOTAL ISOLATION.

HG- Is it possible to wait to decide on the counter top till your cabinets are installed? It is so much easier to figure out a counter top after the cabinets are installed as you get to see the whole picture, cabinets and flooring together, and how everything is reacting to your lighting and not the store's or the stone yards. And by the time the cabinets are installed you'll have fresh eyes again to start the search and a better feel for the direction you want to go.

It is possible to wait. I’m also going to get some in person advice. I’ve never asked a question like this on an open forum before. The original question was about quartzite as a material. I wasn’t expecting the diversion. 🤪

LOL. It's the internet. But a good designer will be asking you same, and asking questions...............that don't lead you to a jumble of looks. Design is always gets and give ups. It is always editing and refining. That is where people get hung up, and how designers help them AVOID the hang up result. or shoulda woulda coulda's

Ha-ha HG... the day that this forum answers the original question only is the day Houzz no longer exist -lol.. at least most of those asking questions do listen to us old people who have had a life time of mistakes - I mean experience-lol...

And you've already estimated that Jan saved you about $5K.

Definitely on the savings. I still don’t know what to do about picking a range hood or the countertops though 😂 Usually I am very sure of what i want and this pushed me out of my comfort zone. For now I don’t think I’ll be posting more pictures. I am a Libra and my scales are already swinging like crazy!

Come back when your cabinets are installed and we can go from there. Your brain is on overload right now and you just need to step away from it for a bit. Which I think you can do at this point since your cabinets are ordered? ⚖

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