Replacing kitchen countertops

[Austina]

First off, I don't wish to offend anyone, but here in the U.K., people have got rid of their wood kitchens in favour of sleek, high gloss units.

I had granite, but when I had my kitchen completely gutted 3 years ago, I got rid of it because I wanted my units and island framed to break up the clinical look. I also took off all the tiles, as I have an induction hob in my island so don't need a splashback. I use granite pot stands to prevent damage to my work tops.

My DS lives in Texas and I was surprised that his kitchen units are such dark wood with knots and splits, and these were apparently an upgrade .




Looking at new houses there, the trend seems to be moving towards (what we consider) more modern and to our taste.

 

[azstonie]

Good to hear, Austina! And whence the UK goes, we in the US follow (!)so I'm glad to hear this because I've never liked woody-looking rooms (kitchen too) and I like high gloss!!! I wanted to put a high gloss kitchen in my house when we did some remodeling last year but I was afraid no one in our town would "get it" and would be put off my house when I go to sell in 4 years (DH retiring).

But I'm going ahead with what I want in our retirement home! The only place I used to find the high gloss kitchen units was Ikea...Anyone know of others?

 

[Austina]

Mine's a top of the range from Germany, made by robots so mm perfect (excuse the mess)

 

[azstonie]

AUSTINA, HOW IS MY DREAM KITCHEN IN YOUR HOUSE???

Please choose my next kitchen for me !!!!!!

Love the floors, tell us about them please!

The German company????

Beautiful!

2 ovens, YES PLEASE!

 

[marcy]

Austina your kitchen looks fabulous. I bet 2 ovens come in handy during the holidays or when you have company.

 

[t-c]

Good to hear, Austina! And whence the UK goes, we in the US follow (!)so I'm glad to hear this because I've never liked woody-looking rooms (kitchen too) and I like high gloss!!! I wanted to put a high gloss kitchen in my house when we did some remodeling last year but I was afraid no one in our town would "get it" and would be put off my house when I go to sell in 4 years (DH retiring).

But I'm going ahead with what I want in our retirement home! The only place I used to find the high gloss kitchen units was Ikea...Anyone know of others?

Bulthaup is famous for their sleek kitchens.

My old kitchen was by Scavolini. Our cabinets were custom color high gloss. Counters were white quartz.

My current kitchen is by Eggersman, cabinets (and ceiling) paneled in rough-hewn wood. Counter is Corian white with the sink seamlessly integrated. I like the combination because even though the cabinets are modern, the wood gives warmth. I love the Corian counter because it's impervious -- I easily remove stains with Magic Eraser. Best of all: no grouts (hate grouts) as all joints are seamless.

 

[Austina]

I can't remember the manufacturer's name off hand, but they're the largest in Europe. We chose the thickest carcasses as they're not all the same. We had a wood floor, but we took it up and replaced it with travertine, easy to steam mop and durable.

I didn't want a ceiling hung vent hood, so I've got a downdraft extractor, that rises from the island, and when not in use, sits flush. I wanted sleek, so my units are handleless too.

The best thing though is the instant hot tap, filtered hot and cold water, and 100 degs water at the touch of a button, all in one unit, and I can recommend the siligranite sink, which has a lifetime guarantee.

Met DS's friend has recently replaced his kitchen with units from IKEA and he said it looks pretty good.

I think with everything, if you get a really good contractor they make all the difference when it comes to installation.

These are the CADS

 

[PierreBear]

@Austina - Your kitchen is gorgeous!

 

[Kbell]

This is the kitchen in my new home. Part of the draw for us as buyers was the kitchen. In all honesty the functionality of it mattered more to us than if it were granite VS quartz as we cook at home a lot. Ours are granite. Houses with kitchens that didn't function for us were immediately dismissed regardless of counter type. Counters can be replaced easily. A complete kitchen redesign is much more costly.

 

[Kbell]

The counters in my old house: also granite...
Had multiple offers & went way over list. Honestly if you're in a hot market quartz vs granite isn't going to matter much.

 

[t-c]

I forgot to say you should check out Henrybuilt. I don't have any experience with them (or know anyone who does); I just really like how they look.

https://henrybuilt.com/page/image-archive

 

[Tekate]

Your sister's kitchen is considered a typical Texas kitchen imho. I lived in Austin for almost 18 years, and the more upper end homes all have dark with, granite and tile floors. Texas is known for it's pecan wood. Wood is considered 'warm' . What is "IN" right now is white/gray (or grey ) sleek, it's been in before, early 80s.. dark wood has been around for decades. Me personally I like 'lighter wood'. I do not like man made quartz or corian because of its shine, almost a plastic look.

I read an article that stated women today don't want their mom's dark wood kitchens.. I understand that, the white kitchens of today remind me of my grandmother/great grandmother's homes, all white, my parents house back i the 50s was all white when we moved in but my mother had it all redone in a rich dark honey stained wood, it's beautiful (of course in those days she the most modern formica!) and she had linoleum tile floor, very modern for the time.

It all goes down to what a person wants.

I have a LOT of wood in my house as I live in New England and wood abounds. It's natural and it's calming and inviting, when I look at white/grey kitchens I see hospital rooms. As I said, I understand why younger people trend to this, it's modern and sleek. Amish style cabinets are huge where I live, I find them stark but younger people find them 'new!'

Here's my house - I had this sweetheart of lady do some changes and help me find what I was looking for! These pictures of my house after she got the furniture etc.. I have changed out the pendant lights to something more modern. I plan to change out the dining room and foyer light also just been lazy.

https://www.houzz.com/projects/1480504/scarborough-home

Here is the new pendant light.



I like the white kitchens somewhat, but I love the warmth of wood and how I feel more part of nature, I like greens, and browns.. I date myself as the 'natural woodstock' generation!

There is rustic style wood that I don't really have a fondness for, but it's great in summer homes, chalets etc.

My mother always said to me and I believe: "Something is in style if YOU like it" "It doesn't matter what others think if it's what you want".. She was a smart Irish lady

First off, I don't wish to offend anyone, but here in the U.K., people have got rid of their wood kitchens in favour of sleek, high gloss units.

I had granite, but when I had my kitchen completely gutted 3 years ago, I got rid of it because I wanted my units and island framed to break up the clinical look. I also took off all the tiles, as I have an induction hob in my island so don't need a splashback. I use granite pot stands to prevent damage to my work tops.

My DS lives in Texas and I was surprised that his kitchen units are such dark wood with knots and splits, and these were apparently an upgrade .




Looking at new houses there, the trend seems to be moving towards (what we consider) more modern and to our taste.

it

 

[Tekate]

a listing for a 2million+ home in Austin. You will see white kitchens/grey but wood is very popular there also.

https://www.trulia.com/property/3275786049-805-River-Rd-Austin-TX-78734

Limestone is very very popular in Texas.

First off, I don't wish to offend anyone, but here in the U.K., people have got rid of their wood kitchens in favour of sleek, high gloss units.

I had granite, but when I had my kitchen completely gutted 3 years ago, I got rid of it because I wanted my units and island framed to break up the clinical look. I also took off all the tiles, as I have an induction hob in my island so don't need a splashback. I use granite pot stands to prevent damage to my work tops.

My DS lives in Texas and I was surprised that his kitchen units are such dark wood with knots and splits, and these were apparently an upgrade .




Looking at new houses there, the trend seems to be moving towards (what we consider) more modern and to our taste.

 

[Austina]

I don't mind white in a dull finish, but I agree, it can look rather clinical in high gloss, which is why I went for a warm cream.

We have looked (online) at thousands of houses in Austin, and at numerous new housing developments in person, and there's definitely a shift towards (what we consider) more modern kitchens . We're not fans of the rustic look, especially when the wood is 'patchy' or knotty. If we end up with a wood kitchen, I'll definitely have it replaced or at the very least painted.

I don't necessarily think it's an age thing, as we're definitely not young

 

[Tekate]

I recommend NW Austin, I loved living there, Westlake is nice but more expensive.

I agree that houses in Atown are starting to use more white/grey, face it, that decorator from Waco is a local and she always uses shiplap etc. I just think it's the trend, as the trend for years was dark dark cabinets and dark granite with silver appliances.

When I first moved to Austin in 1997 many of the model homes had white kitchen cabinets and there wasn't much if any silver appliances, my house was upgraded and it had white everything. I chose my favorite cabinets and wish I had them here, light stained wood.. I have had that type of wood in 2 of my 5 houses that I have owned.. had DARK cherry in my first home, medium cherry in my Raleigh house, Austin was light stained wood and here it's cherry stained - I would love to change out my grante and cabinets and tile, but money! Maine tends to have white kitchens with black granite.. everyone has it. except me

I don't like white or grey as it's cold to me, in Maine I love the warmth of brown, etc. is inviting.. but I understand trends, if you are older you can probably remember the 1980s Euro style kitchens..

My dream kitchen would be lightly stained maple cabinets like I had in Austin.. a rich medium high end brown and colored granite (with burgundy) glass tile on the backsplash (something really popping) but not gonna get it as I have to get a new dishwasher now!

Austin is a wonderful place to live, traffic is ugh.. but the people are very nice. Best of luck.


my ktchen now

my dream kitchen.

I don't mind white in a dull finish, but I agree, it can look rather clinical in high gloss, which is why I went for a warm cream.

We have looked (online) at thousands of houses in Austin, and at numerous new housing developments in person, and there's definitely a shift towards (what we consider) more modern kitchens . We're not fans of the rustic look, especially when the wood is 'patchy' or knotty. If we end up with a wood kitchen, I'll definitely have it replaced or at the very least painted.

I don't necessarily think it's an age thing, as we're definitely not young

 

[Austina]

Our son lives in Bee Cave, so we will be looking around that area, some nice new developments underway, but you have to be careful, as his side of the highway, the property tax is a lot less than the other side, and we don't want to pay anymore PT than we have to

 

[Tekate]

Bee Cave is nice. Is one side Westlake? The taxes in that part of TX are high but less than in New England. Schools are very good. What about Dripping Sprngs?

Our son lives in Bee Cave, so we will be looking around that area, some nice new developments underway, but you have to be careful, as his side of the highway, the property tax is a lot less than the other side, and we don't want to pay anymore PT than we have to

 

[Tekate]

What about Steiner Ranch, I lived near there... it's got everything!

Our son lives in Bee Cave, so we will be looking around that area, some nice new developments underway, but you have to be careful, as his side of the highway, the property tax is a lot less than the other side, and we don't want to pay anymore PT than we have to

 

[Austina]

Wrong side of the river @Tekate , one of the realtors told us it's murder getting out of there in the rush hour now. The plan is to live as close to our son as possible so that when we're old(er) and feeble, it'll be easy for him to come and check on us. We really like the Bee Cave/Lakeway/Dripping Springs area, so that's going to be our primary search point. We visit often, and are getting to know the area and like what we see, plus it's very convenient for The Galleria, shops and facilities.

 

[Tekate]

I love the Galleria.. there's a really good pizza place (or was ) there. My husband used to go there on team outings - movies, za etc)...

Lakeway is great, very good friends of ous live in a gorgeous subdivision across from the high school.. views of Balcones Canyonland... it's quite beautiful all around there.. You will be quite happy!!!

all the best to you and yours.

Wrong side of the river @Tekate , one of the realtors told us it's murder getting out of there in the rush hour now. The plan is to live as close to our son as possible so that when we're old(er) and feeble, it'll be easy for him to come and check on us. We really like the Bee Cave/Lakeway/Dripping Springs area, so that's going to be our primary search point. We visit often, and are getting to know the area and like what we see, plus it's very convenient for The Galleria, shops and facilities.

 

[Brandon Moore]

If you are located in North or South Carolina or Missouri (I think they have a store there) East Coast Granite is a great all in one stop. They did our kitchen and we love it! And they have great customer service which is always a plus.


Their site:
www.ecgranite.com