Bipolar Countertop Emergency!
Help! I'm having a bona fide design emergency. (WARNING: slightly melodramatic post to follow) After planning our kitchen remodel for more than a year, it's go-time. We need to officially officially order our new countertop material in the next 2 weeks. After originally wanting soapstone (way back in the dark ages of Spring 2012), I decided I was sure I wanted "marble" (or, in my case, Zodiaq Bianco Carrara quartz) for a "classic white kitchen" look.
Now, I am having nagging worries that I should go dark (probably a black granite) for contrast. The kitchen is open to the dining and living room and although it's across from french doors that lead to the deck, the kitchen itself lacks a window and is dim, which is part of the reason I wanted all white - to be as visually expansive as possible.
We'll have white cabinets, trim, doors, and ceiling and nickel hardware and either white subway tile or marble/glass mosaic blacksplash (something slightly shimmery, probably). Medium/dark wood floors, stainless appliances, light grey walls, white window treatments (shades and curtains), tan couch, medium/dark wood dining table and coffee table. The fireplace in the living room (which is visible from the kitchen and vice versa) will be tiled in slate. Our style is classic contemporary.
In the summer I like to incorporate polished coastal influences (white coral, capiz shells) and in winter, ski lodge (birch bark candles, fur throws). We spend more time in and looking at this room than any other so I am freaking out about making the right, very costly choice.
I know either option would look good, but I am paralyzed by fear that I'll make the wrong choice and regret it. Some inspiration images follow.
What should I do?
Now, I am having nagging worries that I should go dark (probably a black granite) for contrast. The kitchen is open to the dining and living room and although it's across from french doors that lead to the deck, the kitchen itself lacks a window and is dim, which is part of the reason I wanted all white - to be as visually expansive as possible.
We'll have white cabinets, trim, doors, and ceiling and nickel hardware and either white subway tile or marble/glass mosaic blacksplash (something slightly shimmery, probably). Medium/dark wood floors, stainless appliances, light grey walls, white window treatments (shades and curtains), tan couch, medium/dark wood dining table and coffee table. The fireplace in the living room (which is visible from the kitchen and vice versa) will be tiled in slate. Our style is classic contemporary.
In the summer I like to incorporate polished coastal influences (white coral, capiz shells) and in winter, ski lodge (birch bark candles, fur throws). We spend more time in and looking at this room than any other so I am freaking out about making the right, very costly choice.
I know either option would look good, but I am paralyzed by fear that I'll make the wrong choice and regret it. Some inspiration images follow.
What should I do?
Mt. Baker ·
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patriciarhall - Highland Hickory Pergo
http://www.homedepot.com/buy/pergo-xp-highland-hickory-10-mm-thick-x-4-7-8-in-wide-x-47-7-8-in-length-laminate-flooring-131-sq-ft---case--lf000317.html
More classic would be the black countertops, white is more contemporary, in my mind. Both will look great, which you already mentioned. What are other pro and cons?
Black might show fingerprints and watermarks more. Which one is more reasonable? Marble has to be resealed occasionally. What does your husband say? What does the rest of your house look like? I do believe black offers more contrast, but will swallow more light. Personally I would go with your first gut instinct, which was white. You sound(and look) fairly young and your inspiration shot to me looks somehow happy and hipper. It can be done with black, but will be a little harder to pull off...
How dark is your slate? You could do a compromise and do a lighter gray quartz if that is an option at all. Guess we are confusing you even more now...can you get larger samples back into your space and look at them again?
just go for Black Granite top.. or if BLUE PEARL marble is available in your country than its the best option.
Regards
Anish Motwani Associates
www.anishkmotwani.in
If I were in your shoes Anne, I'd go with the light. Particularly if you're looking at the quartz that's going to be lower maintenance. A couple things really influenced that. I read your description of how you decorate both summer and winter and what the area and view around the kitchen were like. When I put those things in context of the 1st photo, they felt right to me. When I put them into the last 2 photos, it just didn't seem to flow.
As they say, YMMV.
I think I'll bring home some darker samples- both black and grey- just to be sure, but after reading everyone's responses, I find myself clinging internally to the Bianco Carrara quartz. If it still feels out of sorts, I plan to heed designides4me's advice and look into professional help, with medication as a last resort. I hear they've made great strides in countertop medication lately.
Thanks all for your help!
(You can see what I'm talking about in your second inspiration photo)
Honed granites tend to give a visually softer effect, and quite often brings out different shades in the stone. Think of Brown Antique/Maron Cohiba: polished the stone is almost black with brown highlights. Honed it shows a dark chocolate brown with hints of red or blue. Same with the old standbys: Verde Peacock honed will show some lovely emerald greens and silver highlights. Black Pearl honed will turn a lovely charcoal gray with hints of silver an caramel.
Brushed (or satin or leather finished) granites will give a ouster with a soft texture. The texture could be quite pronounced or very subtle, depending on the hardness of the stone and the crystal structure. The color variations would hold the same for brushed stones and they are visually very appealing and awesomely touchable! A great brushed stone is Cambrian Black, a Canadian stone. It has small, finger shaped crystals and when brushed, displays some really lovely hints of copper.
None of the stones I mentioned here would require any maintenance other than just a wipe, and your fabricator may (or may not, depending) suggest a treatment of a color enhancer to deepen the colour.
Bottom line is to pick what you love and feel comfortable with.
Image source: http://www.replacementcounters.com/blog/post/Zodiaq-Bianco-Carrara.aspx
Another great light choice is Silestone Yukon Blanco in a leathered finish (basically honed). It looks much more natural than the Zodiaq Bianco Carrara in my opinion.
A good dark option is Angola Black in a leathered finish. The pictures attached are the Vermont White and Angola Black leathered from jobs we have done. Hope it helps!
Looking at it on line does not do it justice. I was very particular about the slab I chose for my kitchen, not a lot of movement (veins).
I have been asked many times "where did I get the black marble for my kitchen" I absolutely love the counter choice I made.