This could be fun!

[butterfly 17]

Date: 11/3/2008 9:05:51 PM
Author: Italiahaircolor

Do you have the full backsplash or quater?

We went with a full backsplash...and its been pretty awesome!

Skippy...we needed 2 slabs too...I was nervous about the two blending perfectly..it looked good in the end tho.

Hi Italia!

I actually have both. The counter areas, like behind the sink and stove, etc. are full . I even have a window ledge above the kitchen sink that is granite as well. I think you can see it in the picture. It is thinner than the counter granite and I was just telling my husband the other day that it''s cute because even though it''s thinner, they followed the same edging, which I love.

The island area only has a small backsplash, about 6 inches up the wall. But I don''t cook on it, so it''s probably not necessary to have.

I have two slabs as well and they meet right where my kitchen sink is! Yikes! I guess I can''t complain though, it really doesn''t look bad and I didn''t have to pay for it myself, but I am a perfectionist so it bugs me a little!

 

[Lynn B]

Timely thread for me! THANKS!!!

I am in the process of kitchen planning for an upcoming remodel and am getting analysis paralysis from all the myriads of choices and options out there!

I have been leaning towards granite (currently have ceramic tile that came with the house) because I always thought it was impervious... but the kitchen designer yesterday told me that you shouldn''t put hot pots/pans on it because it can cause a fissure and a BREAK (unrepairable!

) in the granite. Said it''s not as uncommon as you''d think!!! ACK!

In these uncertain economic times, I am really RETHINKING the whole project anyway... although at this point, I plan to go through with it. BUT, containing costs has become paramount... and what I am thinking of doing is a kind of TWO PHASE project. Get the cabinets and the appliances and the new floor/lighting *now* but having ceramic tile counter tops put in (my husband can do that for the price of the tile) and re-using my sink and faucet (both fairly new and still quite nice).

THEN, in a few years... changing to granite countertops and putting in a new undermount sink and faucet.

If I did that, I could put a little more money into the cabinets NOW, and that would be nice. And I *KNOW* that ceramic tile is virtually impervious... and if worse comes to worse, a chipped or broken tile can be replaced.

What do you guys think of this plan?

 

[Italiahaircolor]

Date: 11/4/2008 12:54:35 PM
Author: Lynn B
Timely thread for me! THANKS!!!

I am in the process of kitchen planning for an upcoming remodel and am getting analysis paralysis from all the myriads of choices and options out there!

I have been leaning towards granite (currently have ceramic tile that came with the house) because I always thought it was impervious... but the kitchen designer yesterday told me that you shouldn''t put hot pots/pans on it because it can cause a fissure and a BREAK (unrepairable!

) in the granite. Said it''s not as uncommon as you''d think!!! ACK!

In these uncertain economic times, I am really RETHINKING the whole project anyway... although at this point, I plan to go through with it. BUT, containing costs has become paramount... and what I am thinking of doing is a kind of TWO PHASE project. Get the cabinets and the appliances and the new floor/lighting *now* but having ceramic tile counter tops put in (my husband can do that for the price of the tile) and re-using my sink and faucet (both fairly new and still quite nice).

THEN, in a few years... changing to granite countertops and putting in a new undermount sink and faucet.

If I did that, I could put a little more money into the cabinets NOW, and that would be nice. And I *KNOW* that ceramic tile is virtually impervious... and if worse comes to worse, a chipped or broken tile can be replaced.

What do you guys think of this plan?

I love my granite...and I dont have the need to put hot things on it...so, it works for me.

What additional things would you do with the cabnetry for the money? Is it worth it?

 

[sap483]

Date: 11/3/2008 8:54:46 PM
Author: Haven
I love that recycled glass counter!

When we add on to the house and redo the kitchen we're going to do wood counter tops, I'm thinking mahogany. I love the granite look, but I fear that it will look dated in a number of years. (Every newer or updated home that we saw when house hunting had granite counters, stainless steel appliances, and cherry cabinets.) Hubby's family is in the furniture business, and they specialize in kitchens, so his father is always on trend alert; maybe I've just let him taint my views, though, because granite is gorgeous.

The mahoghany countertops sound gorgeous. Even ebony or teak countertops would look so warm and classically elegant. I'm not surprised that you're leaning towards that Haven- it's very you, classically elegant!

We are currently re-doing our dining room (we bought the house with really ugly dark paneling last year) and next up is our kitchen. While granite is a safe choice and beautiful, I'd like to explore other options too- especially ones that won't look dated so quickly, so this thread is very helpful. I hadn't thought about using hardwoods other than the traditional butcher block which I don't like at all. Thanks Haven!

 

[absolut_blonde]

My parents have a deep green-black granite and it is very pretty - I like it a lot in their house.

We will be putting concrete countertops in our new home (soon!). Marbled concrete, to be more specific - they will be a brownish tan shade. They will be sealed, of course, so they will be quite durable and relatively low-maintenence.

I think concrete will complement our antiqued white cabinetry and tumbled stone backsplash nicely. Granite would've seemed too fancy or too... modern, somehow. Our cabinetry is pretty nice, I almost feel like granite would've taken attention away from it.

I also find granite's getting a bit overdone. No offense intended, because I DO still like it. But if I were going for a natural stone countertop, I would probably go with quartz or something else a bit less common.

 

[Lynn B]

Date: 11/4/2008 12:57:57 PM
Author: Italiahaircolor
I love my granite...and I dont have the need to put hot things on it...so, it works for me.

What additional things would you do with the cabnetry for the money? Is it worth it?

I would upgrade all the cabinetry to the higher level, which has a few nice features... for example: heavier duty drawers w/ full extension, whisper (soft) close, etc. Or maybe even get a door style in a higher price range. Unsure, exactly... just feeling the need to be as practical as possible with a project that is mostly frivolous to begin with (if THAT makes much sense!!!!

)

 

[Italiahaircolor]

Date: 11/4/2008 7:21:16 PM
Author: Lynn B

Date: 11/4/2008 12:57:57 PM
Author: Italiahaircolor
I love my granite...and I dont have the need to put hot things on it...so, it works for me.

What additional things would you do with the cabnetry for the money? Is it worth it?

I would upgrade all the cabinetry to the higher level, which has a few nice features... for example: heavier duty drawers w/ full extension, whisper (soft) close, etc. Or maybe even get a door style in a higher price range. Unsure, exactly... just feeling the need to be as practical as possible with a project that is mostly frivolous to begin with (if THAT makes much sense!!!!

)

I love the whisper drawers...we have fun faux slamming them! Money well spent!

 

[~*Alexis*~]

We have corian and its great! I love the look and it does not wash out everything else we have in the kitchen, since we have black appliances and we have a cooktop and not a stove. We have a double oven and I LOVE IT!
I will take a pic and post it if I can get a decent one.....

 

[Lynn B]

Date: 11/3/2008 8:26:06 PM
Author: Skippy123
We have granite and I love it; we chose our slabs (we needed 2 slabs). I agree you need to see the slab not just a square.
I do love that recycled glass look though.
This picture was taken before we put in the faucet and window treatment.

OH. MY. WORD. SKIPPY!!!

Your granite is TO DIE FOR!!!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!!

Do you know the name of it? What level it is (price-wise)? Any info at all that you can share would be sooooo appreciated! Yum, sooooo swoonworthy!

I showed DH and he said, "WOW!"

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 11/5/2008 1:01:52 PM
Author: Lynn B

Date: 11/3/2008 8:26:06 PM
Author: Skippy123
We have granite and I love it; we chose our slabs (we needed 2 slabs). I agree you need to see the slab not just a square.
I do love that recycled glass look though.
This picture was taken before we put in the faucet and window treatment.

OH. MY. WORD. SKIPPY!!!

Your granite is TO DIE FOR!!!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!!

Do you know the name of it? What level it is (price-wise)? Any info at all that you can share would be sooooo appreciated! Yum, sooooo swoonworthy!

I showed DH and he said, 'WOW!'

Thank you, you are so sweet; it is called Golden Sun. Well, I know it was for 2 slabs it was approx $8k. We bought it 2 yrs ago so I don't know what the pricing is at currently. It is close to maderna gold, but with more character to it. Do you want the granite website? I can take more pictures if that would help??

 

[Lynn B]

Date: 11/5/2008 5:55:41 PM
Author: Skippy123

Thank you, you are so sweet; it is called Golden Sun. Well, I know it was for 2 slabs it was approx $8k. We bought it 2 yrs ago so I don''t know what the pricing is at currently. It is close to maderna gold, but with more character to it. Do you want the granite website? I can take more pictures if that would help

Oh, Skippy! Thanks for the reply and the info! *kiss!*

I would LOOOOVE the granite website and more pics, too, if it isn''t any trouble!
What I LOVE about it is the huge variations in the *pattern*... to me, that''s what says

GRANITE

. If I wanted a little, teeny, predictable *repeat* pattern, I''d buy any number of the other man-made surfaces.

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 11/5/2008 6:06:37 PM
Author: Lynn B

Date: 11/5/2008 5:55:41 PM
Author: Skippy123

Thank you, you are so sweet; it is called Golden Sun. Well, I know it was for 2 slabs it was approx $8k. We bought it 2 yrs ago so I don't know what the pricing is at currently. It is close to maderna gold, but with more character to it. Do you want the granite website? I can take more pictures if that would help

Oh, Skippy! Thanks for the reply and the info! *kiss!*

I would LOOOOVE the granite website and more pics, too, if it isn't any trouble!
What I LOVE about it is the huge variations in the *pattern*... to me, that's what says

GRANITE

. If I wanted a little, teeny, predictable *repeat* pattern, I'd buy any number of the other man-made surfaces.

Lynn, you know what, that is exactly what hubby said, the veining says granite. I wanted something more uniform but he and the granite guy and hubby said it wouldn't say granite so I understand. Lynn, I think you need to actually see the slabs in real life though because it varies; more character (veining) or less, etc. Okay, I will be happy to take pictures tomorrow in the daylight since it isn't sunny right now. Here is there website but they don't list Golden Sun anymore; I will double check our invoice to make sure but I am almost positive that is what it was called.

http://rockymountainstoneinc.com/showroom/granite3.html eta: this one is close, Juparana Golden Sunset

eta: thank you, SDL, kind of like tigers huh?!

 

[Kaleigh]

Oh Skippy,
Your granite is gorgeous!!!!

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 11/5/2008 6:21:25 PM
Author: Kaleigh
Oh Skippy,
Your granite is gorgeous!!!!

Thank you Miss Kaleigh.

 

[Lynn B]

Skippy,
Thanks for the additional info and I''ll look forward to a few more photos. Oh, YUM-O!!!

And thanks, too, for the tip about seeing the slabs in person, too. We actually have a few granite yards within a few hours of us... so one of these days, DH and I will definitely take a "field trip"!!!

 

[justjulia]

Forgive me Lynn if someone already said this, but... one time we chose to put down 12 x 12 granite tiles with thin grout lines as an alternative to the more costly big slab. It was beautiful. A few years later we changed it for slab. Now we've moved again and I'm not sure what I want (renovating). I'm going to have to wait for this economy to settle a bit...

 

[Miranda]

Beautiful kitchens everyone!

I love my granite! That said, sometimes I would like to change the color. But, that''s only because I''m easily bored. My granite is Giallo Santo. We picked it because it is neutral and had dark flecks in it to match the floor. The only thing I would consider doing differently is installing black granite. It is such a classic look. And maybe using someting other than tan for the backsplash. I love subway tiles, but, sometimes wish they were green or brown. Ah well, all in all I love my kitchen! Here are a few pics from right after we moved in. Pardon the undecorated sparse look!

And the backsplash

 

[Linda W]

Skippy: I LOVE your granite. DH and I want to redo our kitchen too. Yours is just lovely.


Miranda: What a beautiful kitchen you have. Looks just like a model home

 

[pennquaker09]

Date: 11/3/2008 8:26:06 PM
Author: Skippy123
We have granite and I love it; we chose our slabs (we needed 2 slabs). I agree you need to see the slab not just a square.

I do love that recycled glass look though.

Hey skippy are those hickory cabinets?

 

[pennquaker09]

I voted that mine was just okay. I like granite, but I don''t like the very busy looking varieties. I don''t even know what the one I have it called, here is a picture if anyone knows.

The next house is going to have marble, soapstone, or quartz. Maybe even a mixture. I really love Carrara marble.

 

[Miranda]

Thanks Linda! you are such a sweetie!

Penn - Your kitchen (and entire house) is gorgeous!

 

[butterfly 17]

Skippy, your kitchen is awesome!!

Miranda, I absolutely love your kitchen. If I were designing a kitchen, I would love to have white cabinets or cream. I think it really brightens up the room. We didn''t really have much choice as we got the house this way with cherry cabinets, but if I were building....

Penn, I love your new house!!! Where in NJ did you move to? I was talking with my husband about possibly moving there after he retires. Two weeks ago we drove to Hillsborough, NJ to look at homes by a company called Toll Bros. and they were so beautiful and so big compared to what we could get by staying in NY.
I don''t know about you, but I love your kitchen as well!!!

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Penn - beyond gorgeous! I love your chandeliers!


Granite is very pretty and sleek, but I''m not sure I''d ever want it for a kitchen countertop. . .seems too high-maintainance. For bathrooms, yes, but not for a surface where plates and dishes are being piled up and clanked around.

The recycled glass countertop is a cool idea! I''ve never seen that finish in person.

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 11/6/2008 5:31:20 AM
Author: pennquaker09

Date: 11/3/2008 8:26:06 PM
Author: Skippy123
We have granite and I love it; we chose our slabs (we needed 2 slabs). I agree you need to see the slab not just a square.

I do love that recycled glass look though.

Hey skippy are those hickory cabinets?

Gosh, I must have gone to sleep because I didn't see these posts until now. No, they are cherry, for some reason they have that variation on just the pull out cabinets, the rest are more uniform. I love your kitchen Penn!!! Those chandeliers are amazing! I love all the red accents, gorgeous!!

 

[Skippy123]

Miranda, you know, I wanted a white kitchen but hubby and I compromised on cherry. I love white kitchens, they feel fresh and clean and I love the look!

Linda, thank you! How fun to redo your kitchen; I can't wait to see it!!!!

Butterfly, you are always so sweet! I love your kitchen; I like the color of granite! Wouldn't it be fun if we could get different granite every year!?!?!? I would go for so many different colors! Yours is a color I love!

Elmorton and Tuckins, awesome granite!


eta: LYNN B, I put some pictures for you in your thread paging me.

 

[Lynn B]

Gottem. Thanks.

(I just now came to!

) Gorgeous, gorgeous granite. Oh. My. Word!!!