Countertop design: White quartz VS Taj Mahal/Tahitian cream quartzite
Hey guys! I'm going to replace my countertops. I originally had in mind a Calacatta quartz with gold veins, as the kitchen window has beautiful sunset view and rays I think would really resonate with the gold. but now considering a fancier option like taj mahal or tahitian cream quartzite as we plan to live here for 7-10 years at least. Marble is not an option due to maintenance
My worry is
1. Most of the online pics I see of taj mahal is in huge kitchens, is my kitchen too small for a non-white counter to look nice?
2. Most pics I see taj Mahaj with wood cabinets. Which makes sense as the warm tones resonate. I have white cabinets which I love and while I can paint them to a cream color, I don't want to replace them or paint a beige or darker color. Would my white cabinets work with non-white countertops?
3. My floors are dark hardwood, would a warm tone/beige colored countertop make the room too warm?
Thanks!
Comments (19)
last monthlast modified: last monthRelated Discussions
Complementary countertop for Taj Mahal?
Comments (5)I know you can't see this very well in this photo but it looks nice with the Taj on the island. It appears to be a solid surface in a taupe-y grey color on the perimeter. If you go with granite, you could have it honed to knock off the shine. You could try something like Caledonia just to check if that would look ok with it, it's a grey stone. One of the black honed granites would be a nice compliment as well as long as it were a more dusty black and honed I think it would be pretty with it or a solid surface off white may work well. Here are some photos, one has stainless steel by the stove. Good luck! [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/camelot-reserve-transitional-kitchen-phoenix-phvw-vp~6155960) [Transitional Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/transitional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2112) by Scottsdale General Contractors Camelot Homes [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/granite-and-marble-slabs-modern-kitchen-atlanta-phvw-vp~5632317) [Modern Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/modern-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2105) by Dallas Tile, Stone & Countertops Levantina USA [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/stanwich-road-traditional-new-york-phvw-vp~2995374) [Traditional Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by Mamaroneck Kitchen & Bath Designers Studio Dearborn [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/eclectic-kitchen-eclectic-kitchen-chicago-phvw-vp~186156) [Eclectic Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/eclectic-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2104) [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-townhouse-kitchen-transitional-kitchen-dc-metro-phvw-vp~799107) [Transitional Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/transitional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2112) by Falls Church General Contractors NVS Remodeling & Design [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/showplace-inset-cabinets-traditional-kitchen-phvw-vp~519279) [Traditional Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by Harrisburg Cabinets & Cabinetry Showplace Wood Products [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/a-showstopper-kitchen-traditional-kitchen-boston-phvw-vp~9214456) [Traditional Spaces[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-home-design-ideas-phbr1-bp~s_2107) by Wellesley Kitchen & Bath Designers Divine Kitchens LLC A couple of the pictures I just liked because the Taj was so pretty in them! A picture of your slab or similar is included. Click on the photos to see them larger....See MoreEquator Quartzite or Taj Mahal Quartzite Photos
Comments (65)@typeandrun, thank you for the response and feedback. Just out of curiosity, was honing an option when you were making your decision. This gives it the matte look but without the texture. We are going with a dark greenisland and warm white perimeter cabinets and I really like the Taj Mahal. I just want to make sure I get slabs that are more cream than beige. That's the toughest part b/c they look so different in the warehouses than they will in real life....See MoreQuartzite kitchen countertop Taj Mahal, Perla Venta or Cristallo? Sink
Comments (5)You can't use the Elkay ELXUFP362010PAO to which you linked becaust it has a full apron and requires a cabinet that accommodates a full apron sink. If you're not getting new cabinets, you'll have to use theElkay ELXUFP3620PAO to get the Parchment color you want. It's easily converted to a workstation sink by having your top fabricator leave a 1/2" rear reveal and having your handyman rabbet a cutting board which is much easier than having him alter your cabinet doors to be able to use the full apron sink. The Elkay ELXFDB3620BGRTO is a possible short apron workstation alternative, however, you'll have to get it in Ricotta which is bright white. Either sink is 36", so your refacer is going to have to leave you a left and a right side dummy drawer to butt to the apron and cover the remaining 6 " or so. It will look fine. I'd get the 3cm. "Is there an advantage to using an apron front and single bowl versus an undermount & double bowl?" Yes. An apron front sink can help greatly with seam placement and veining/movement matching because the only place the slabs touch is in the rear, mostly out of sight and the seam is half covered by the faucet and splash. 98% of my sink replacement customers go from a double full divide to a single bowl. 1% get low divides and 1% fully divided replacements. "Also should we try for a sink deck? Sink cabinets are 48 inches wide. 25 inches deep. We would like a large sink." If you want a 48" sink with an apron that fits perfectly without door alteration and has a faucet deck, you'll have to go custom stainless steel for 4K or so: Bars in islands are out of style right now. It isn't the difference in fabrication costs as much as it is in reworking the electrical, cabinet and wall alterations, etc. No matter what quartzite you choose, make your fabricator take you to the homes of jobs he's already done so you can verify he knows the properties of the stones he sells so bleeding adhesives and other catastrophies aren't an issue....See MoreTaj Mahal or Quartz? That is the Question...
Comments (34)I needed about 94 sq. ft. For the kitchen only. I would have had to buy 3 slabs. The bill after fabrication was a little over $17k. But, that would have included a lot of wasted material that I was paying for, too. I decided against the Taj Mahal. I went with a level 3 granite, Istanbul. Because I selected the lesser expensive granite, I was able to have enough material left over to do the laundry room counters, too. That project ended up being 112 sq. ft. Doing the math, the Taj Mahal would have cost around $180 per sq. ft. and no laundry counters. The Istanbul granite cost me $80 per sq. ft. and I got an additional 18.50 sq. ft. of laundry room, too. Essentially, it's more than twice as much for the Taj Mahal as the Level III Istanbul. I could have purchased a MSI quartz for the same price as the Istanbul granite. I decided to try to stay within my budget and get other upgrades, such as better appliances, nicer lighting fixtures and hardware with all the extra money I saved by being flexible in my choice....See MoreRelated Professionals
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last monthlast modified: last monthBeautiful view out of the window!
What color paint is on your walls/trim/ceiling - or did you use multiple shades of white for those areas?
I don't think that your wood floors + a taj counter = a kitchen that is too warm or dark. Your wood floors appear to be a nice medium tone of brown and very pretty.
There are many different looking slabs of Taj - I've seen some very warm ones + I've also seen some that lean cooler. For example, TM can lean beige/taupe/gray - the best way to tell is by taking one of your doors with you when looking at slabs.As long as your cabinets are not painted a white that has blue (very stark) undertones, it seems like Taj works with many different white paints.
This photo is from an OP who was trying to find a backsplash that would work with her Taj and white cabinets:
White cabinets with a wood island and Taj (I don't think this kitchen is huge - there is an eat in dining space over to the right):
These cabinets below appear to be a nice white - and they have Taj countertops and ran it up the wall for their backsplash:
A smaller kitchen with white cabinets and Taj:
Taj was also used in this kitchen with a smaller footprint (I think it was a lake house?):
Many people are fans of Carla Aston (designer) - this is one of her projects (updated kitchen by filling in space between top of cabinets and ceiling). She didn't name the paint color - but it's not a creamy one and it's not stark (with a blue undertone):
So. . . no, you don't have to only use Taj in a big kitchen + you can pair it with white cabinets. Just bring a door with you when you go look at slabs. You may have to visit several stone yards to find a slab of Taj that you love + works with your cabinet color. Have fun!!- last month
Your worries are unfounded!
I do have a large kitchen, but Taj Mahal with white cabinets and wood floors works in any size kitchen. My cabinets are quite white, BM Chantilly Lace and my wood floors are a medium warm brown.In my previous house I also used Taj Mahal, but I used stained cabinets in that kitchen.
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Pam, the hardware is from TopKnobs, Davenport pulls and knobs, in Honey bronze.
Kendrah, I used a Jeffrey Court marble mosaic with my Taj Mahal and white cabinets. The brown marble ties into the stained beams and wood floors.
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This the same mosaic collection I used, but in a different pattern, also in a white kitchen with what looks to be Taj Mahal.
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- 22 days ago
Ended up going with the Taj mahal! Here's my slab, it's 2cm.
What do y'all recommend for the edges? I'm thinking mitered edge for the island but not sure what is recommendable for the L-counters?
- 22 days ago
Also here is the template for the seams. Is that pretty standard for where the seams go?
- 21 days ago
Just do the same edge all around.
In my previous house with 2 cm slabs, I just had my fabricator laminate the edges to build it up and do an eased profile to reduce chance of chipping. I had teens in the house.
I did the same edge on perimeter and island.
Here is a photo of the edge with 2 cm Taj Mahal slabs.
- 21 days ago
@chispa I think yours is mitered? My contractor said with laminated we can see the lamination line. Mitered is more like a L shape fold like yours.
See pic
- 21 days ago
- 21 days agolast modified: 21 days ago
Found one! You can see the horizontal seam here in a close up. No one ever noticed or mentioned it. I never noticed again after we started to use the kitchen. My fabricator was great, so most areas have a really good pattern seam match.
- 21 days ago
millworkman