Dark countertops (soapstone) in a small, windowless kitchen? Bad idea?
julieste
2 years ago
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Will dark countertops make an 8' ceiling room look small & dark?
Comments (31)Janice, you're kitchen doesn't look dark at all, even with the dark backsplash and dark paint. Thanks. Plllog, I see what you are saying about competing with the fruit bowl. Here are 3 backsplash ideas, tell me which is best: The first idea is to use the monochromatic matte white fruit bowl large decorative tile with matching monochromatic matte white frame, then the rest of the backsplash with glossy white field tile with slightly darker than normal grout to make the grout lines stand out. The second idea is to use the monochromatic matte white fruit bowl large decorative tile with either matching monochromatic matte white frame or marble frame with grey veins. Then the rest of the backsplash with marble tile with grey veins and grout lines that would match color of the marble and disappear. A third idea is to have the rest of the kitchen in either glossy white field tile with slightly darker than normal grout or marble with grey veins and matching grout lines that disappear. Then in the area under the hood bounded by the windows have the monochromatic matte white fruit bowl large decorative tile surrounded by black tile taking up the rest of the space to add high contrast (such as tantrum 1 inch or black marble or black granite field tiles). (There is barely enough room for a 1 inch pencil or a 1 inch field tile like tantrum between a 1 inch frame and decorative fruit bowl and that would bring it to the 30" boundary line exactly with the tiniest of grout lines. I could also use a smaller fruit bowl decorative tile and have a larger space around it to work with. I am not sure what color or material would enhance the design or if the design is better with or without a pencil in between.)...See MoreWhite kitchen with dark island -- help with countertops.
Comments (10)I am still thinking about white perimetere cabinets with a painted (probably light turquoise) island. I'm still debating about countertops, but I'm leaning towards the Mint Ice Corian or butcher block, for the perimeter countertops and a marble (or granite/quartzite that looks like marble) for the island counter. As far as two different kitchens, I don't think it will look like that...but I've always wanted my island to look like a work table. I also have a wooden dining table, on the other side of the island...so that's one reason I'm undecided about the butcher block. It's pretty, but I don't want too many wood tones (wood looking vinyl floor, too). As for what's going to be 'in' or 'out' in the next year or two...probably lots of things. I'm certainly no expert, but a lot of bright colored countertops seem to be gaining popularity (I might do the Corian, despite this new trend, rather than because of it) and I think that's a natural reaction, after all the neutral wood and stone. People get tired of seeing the same thing in the magazines, and want something 'new' in their kitchen. My advice, don't worry about what's popular (which changes so fast) but get what you like and you know you'll be happy with for the next ten to twenty years. Whatever that may be (whether it's popular or not) will make you smile, every time you walk into your new kitchen :)...See MoreSoapstone in a small galley kitchen
Comments (11)A piece of information for you to factor in: If you're looking at the big national places to install, make sure they will come to your house to do a small job. I'm working my way through this now. For example, M. Tex will only go something like 250 miles, and only to install 30 sq ft or more. Less than that and they'll fabricate, but you have to template and install. But they have the greatest variety of stone. So it's a bit aggravating. Other DO install small projects far away. Just make it a question you ask up front, if that's what you're looking for, not after a 20-minute conversation about types of stones or something. It is true that, for things like glasses, when they tip over, you also have to worry about them breaking on the SIDES of the sink. Not insurmountable, but something to consider....See MoreSoapstone...The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
Comments (59)I got samples of soapstone when we were deciding what countertops to get. My favorite one looked just like your light gray with dramatic veins. But, the testing I did on the sample with mustards, oils, etc. made me decide that variety was not for me. I still wanted soapstone, but couldn't afford it at the $120 sf installed price here in St. Louis. And they only had one variety. We ended up with Black Pearl granite which I like and it's been easy maintenance. We went to a remnant sale in April and they had one slab of a harder variety soapstone that we bought for our island countertop at a fraction of the price. It'll be installed in two weeks. I sure hope I like it. If not, at least I didn't pay $120 sf. :-) Too bad you can't reuse it in some way; i.e., table top, fireplace surround. If not, clean it up and sell it....See Morejulieste
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