Posted by jsexton – January 1, 2007 9:41 PM
We chose granite countertops for the area that surrounds the kitchen sink and refrigerator. It is called Mahogany Blue Eyes and we purchased it from Home Depot. It is a mottled cocoa brown, with flecks of iridescent blue.
All the countertops we have had in the past have been your basic laminate variety. So we're excited to work with granite. It is beautiful and, well, hard as a rock. You have to be a little careful when setting breakable items on it.
One of the pluses with granite is you can set hot pots and pans on it. Gretchen claims you can also cut on it. I'm not so sure about that one. I think you can, but in the process you can also harm the finish.
What is your experience with granite? Any tips on living with it, caring for it, etc.?
The backsplash tiles are square with a pewter look. The tiles are made from a resin rather than ceramic, which makes it lighter. In the right light, it has a little metallic glint to it which picks up on the stainless steel island countertop, the fridge and the sink. The backsplash also has bronze colored rods inserted at the bottom (where it meets the granite) and a few rows up. This is a decorative touch that creates a border between the backsplash and the granite, and adds visual interest in the form of a horizontal line.
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i'm glad to c nu entries...if this was posted on 1.1.07, y is the foto dated 1.28.07? ;}
i cant w8 2 c the final kitchen. thanx 4 all ur posts. its gr8 reading all ur experiences and emotions!
jazz
Posted by jasmine – January 29, 2007 7:26 AM
very nice!
I'm a desinger and i would sugest a color on the wall such as a cream.
Posted by jk4t – February 3, 2007 7:56 PM
I can't say enough great things about the granite. It looks great. We just finished a kitchen remodel and we chose the Hawaiian Green for our counter tops. I love it for the same reason you do. We have dark cherry cabinets and brushed nickel hardware and the corner uppper cabinet has the seeded glass door front. Our backsplash is a cream colored tumbled marble with green accent tiles. I love my new kithen. I wish you happy cooking in you gorgeous new kitchen!!!
Posted by micky murphy – February 4, 2007 1:38 PM
We chose Galleano Venezianon ( I believe that's what it's called) for our granite. We have to pick out the tile backsplash. That will have to wait until our tax refund because I need the 750 dolars for the deductible on my insurance because I damaged the front end of my car last week and its in the shop.
I would also sugges painting the walls a color other then white.
Posted by Jay – February 5, 2007 5:31 PM
How do you like your granite counter tops by now? I am getting ready to redo my kitchen and I am thinking I will not like them because of all the upkeep. I am having trouble conviencing myself they will be worth all the polishing that goes into them.
Posted by Debbie – February 6, 2007 8:54 AM
Your backspalsh is great! i love it. it looks really good with the countertop! you should paint the walls off white color. it would look good.
Posted by brooke – February 6, 2007 5:27 PM
So far we are still loving the granite countertops. We've had them for two months and have only done the basic cleanup-- with a wet sponge. For those of you who have had granite longer-- what kind of maintenance do you do?
Posted by Jim (the blog author) – February 6, 2007 7:56 PM
We're also remodeling kitchen/baths and are considering silestone vs. granite. Any input re: silestone that can be shared will be appreciated.
Posted by Mary Ann – February 8, 2007 9:21 AM
You can cut on your granite countertops but why would you...it will kill your knives...there are only a few things harder than granite...topaz, sapphire and diamonds. Also very heat resistant but also prone to thermal shock...hot to cold and vice versa...i always wonder why people who have babied there previous laminate countertops do not take the same precautions when they've INVESTED in granite. I love Mahogany Blue Eyes...Great choice.
Posted by Suzanne – February 10, 2007 11:40 PM
Great look! I love the backsplash tile. Can you tell me more about it and where you got it. I think your look is great. I hope to have granite some day soon as well, but I could also live with that tile - I love that pewter look.
Posted by Gayla – February 11, 2007 10:13 PM
I am having a difficult time deciding between granite and a Silestone type product called CaesarStone. The Granite we narrowed it down to is St. Cecilia. The Ceasarstone choice is a honed cream colored surface that resembles limestone - quite indestructible, I'm told! I love the look of honed marble and this seems to be quite close but I have not been able to see a large piece or a kitchen that used it. Granite just seems so 'busy' and I worry that it is too much a matter of taste and could be a resale issue. Any observations would be appreciated.
Posted by Carolyn – February 12, 2007 11:46 AM
Thanks for posting the picture of the backsplash - it's given me an idea for our new backsplash. The horizontal rods add a finished look without being busy at all. Love it.
Posted by Kelly – February 20, 2007 3:12 PM
Jim, I was told never to use water on the granite counter. I bought this stuff at Home Depot which is for the countertop. It is pretty good but I am going to go to a speciality store and find out what the best stuff to use for the counter.
Our counter is dark granite and we put this magnificent stone for the back of the counters. We bought all new appliances from Home Depot. Stainless steel which are all in the same family by GE. Really nice. We are now looking for a floor to put down. I really wanted wood flooring but everyone is telling me because I have wood cabinetry, I should get something else for the floor like ceramic tile or slate because they are saying it would be too much wood in the kitchen, which is an eat in kitchen but it isn't huge.
Maybe you can advise me.
Thanks
Posted by Glo – March 9, 2007 12:17 PM
Hi Glo,
There are other recommendations at other places on the blog, but I thought I'd add my 2 cents worth here...We prefer wood because it is nicer to things when they fall down (...tile will always have a breakable item broken). That and we like the feel and warmth that wood brings to a home. For us the issue was light and dark. As long as we varied the colors then it wasn't an issue for us: i.e. light floors, dark or white cabinets to contrast. We love it!
Posted by Gretchen – March 13, 2007 10:36 AM
Has anyone used concrete countertops? I am researching it for a kitchen renovation, but cannot find anyone who has first hand experience with it.
Posted by Jill – March 13, 2007 4:13 PM
Your kitchen is lovely and I was inspired by the backsplash for my own home. Would you please advise where you purchased the the resin tiles and bronze-colored rods?
Posted by MBL – March 14, 2007 8:34 AM
Granite is not the all around counter the salespeople tell you it is there is alot of up keep to granite. When installed it is not normally sealed and needs to be asap. Then this process has to be done every 6 months I was told by my supplier. Hot pots can discolor it's not recommended to sit hot items right on the granite it's self.These sales people sell it like it's indistructable but it's not.My choice would be Quartz it's harder, no sealing required and you can cut on it.
Posted by lisa – March 14, 2007 6:01 PM
Hello Jill, this is Angelique Medow, designer of this kitchen for the Sexton family.
I haven't installed a concrete countertop yet, but would in a heartbeat. Love the durability, feel, colors and patterns available. Have used the colored concrete floors/home footings and clients are very happy with them.
MBL- all backsplash tiles were purchased at Home Depot.
angeliquemedow@aim.com
Posted by ANGELIQUE MEDOW – March 15, 2007 12:00 AM
Would you suggest getting a professional to advise on colors and materials? We are moving in a couple of months and want to update countertops and floors. I want a mediterranean feel in the kitchen. The cabinets are a medium oak and the ceiling is a vaulted creamy yellow paint on wood planks.
Posted by kathy – March 19, 2007 7:29 PM
man at home show said we should not consider wood because we have dogs what do you think is it too risky should we stick to tile of some sort. thanks pat
Posted by patricia sadowski – March 21, 2007 2:05 AM
Hello Kathy, this is Angelique Medow.
If you do not feel completely confident in your choices, using a professional designer can help to guide you through the laborious selection process. There is more info. to read about "how to choose a designer" in one of the earlier blog entries. Be sure to take your time and be selective. Mmmmmm, Mediterranean kitchens can be so delightful. Have fun!
Hello Patricia,
Dogs and hardwoods can go together, but be sure you check the density rating on the wood. The harder(more dense) the wood, the lower the chance of doggie-nail scratches into the hardwood. Personally, I like to see a few pits and digs, it gives the wood some character.
Posted by ANGELIQUE MEDOW – March 23, 2007 1:27 PM
Has anyone heard of a material called "EOS". I would be interested in getting any opinions on it versus granite. I understand the cost is much less than granite or Corian but I am concerned about the quality and look.
Posted by Lisa B – March 26, 2007 2:31 PM
No white or off white walls! Pick out a light coffee with milk color (more milk than coffee) but not too pale. Green and blue accents (kitchen towels, plates, napkins, etc) to match your backsplash tile and blue of the counter. It's only paint, if you dont like it, it can be redone. Do not be afraid of color!
Posted by Nicole M – April 2, 2007 2:01 PM
I'm renovating my kitchen and am having a very difficult time deciding on a backsplash. We have medium color wood floors, white cabinets, stainless steel appliances and black hardware. The counters are New Venetian Gold granite. Although we like tumbled marble, we want to do something different and more modern. Any advice would be extremely helpful. Thanks!
Posted by Nicole – April 26, 2007 10:59 AM
Hello Nicole,
You want different and modern? You could try quilted stainless to coordinate with your appliances(order from a metal fabrication shop) or bronze finish over composite tile from Home Depot, which would pick up on the Venetian Gold veining in your granite. Check this link to see the quilted stainless. http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/rm_walls_other/article/0,1797,HGTV_3805_1376140,00.html
Angelique Medow, Designer for this blog Kitchen.
Posted by ANGELIQUE MEDOW – May 8, 2007 9:05 AM
We are putting in new granite counter tips in Viera Gold.....off white cabinets with a caramel stain around raised panel of cabinet doors. Floor is white....what can we do for a backsplash that doesn't compete against the granite? thank you.....
Posted by Nancy Booth – May 10, 2007 12:07 PM
