Lauren's New Home Part II

Today is a continuation of my last post- on Lauren's new home. Lauren wants to replace her counters and backsplash.

First of all- you have a challenge here- and that challenge is blending the floors with the cabinets. It is not your most expected combination. Generally, tile floors like yours would be paired with wood cabinets- or a darker painted cabinet. This is not to say that we can't make it work though- the fact that you are replacing your counters is a great opportunity. Think of your counters as a "marriage." We want to marry your floors and cabinets. We need a unifier. You didn't give me a close-up of the deco tile in your floors- but it looks to me like it is a classic hand painted saltillo- probably with blue and white in it. If you love blue and want to use it in your decorating- that is one way to go- or you could downplay the blue.

At the top of the post is a travertine that would look really great- it is "Siena Silver"- One of the things I really like about it is the white in it. The gray tones are a terrific compliment to the terra cotta. Travertine is not a good kitchen counter material- as it is fairly porous- but you could pair it with a coordinating Silestone- and use the travertine on the backsplash.

This tile above is a great combination of neutral colors. It is Zapala by Walker Zanger. In addition to herringbone- it comes in a lot of different patterns. I like the beauty and neutrality of it. It pulls out the terra cotta color without being too terra cotta.

If you like the tile and deco look- I found a few that did a good "marriage job"- as they brought the white together with the terracotta and blue.

I like the idea of using them with a white handmade tile like the one above- and go with a terra cotta colored granite on the counter.

What do you think? Do you have any ideas for Lauren?

The Counter Offer

Hi Christine,

I saw your blog and thought I would send in my question:

I am having a kitchen renovation working with a kitchen designer. She didn't mention that my 11' 2" span would be too long for a seamless granite top when we started.

We have already paid for and installed the Uba Tuba on the island but for the 11' 2'' periphery we will be limited by the size of slabs available. She suggested using absolute black on the periphery (our periphery cabinets are bronze cherry and the island is soft white with a bronze glaze- the island will remain uba tuba granite). The other option is to have the uba tuba installed on the periphery as well with one seam. I am so afraid of the seam but I don't know about using absolute black and uba tuba since the cabinets are different colors too. I don't want it to look like a kitchen display room. Our floors are travertine and the walls are a muted gold. The hardware is ORB.

Thanks,

Lynn

Hi Lynn,

Seams are going to be noticeable- whatever the type of granite. Of course- with some- they will be more so than others. Uba tuba is one where I think the seam wouldn't be so bad. In fact the pattern might hide the seam better than the absolute black.

If it is not too late- you can look to have a height change in your counter- this makes for a very natural change in surface that you might be happier with. For example- a "baking center" will generally have a lower counter for a more ideal height for rolling dough- and usually has a marble surface. You could also have a separate lower counter area with a butcher block surface for chopping.

You can also consider a different surface other than granite- like a concrete counter. I personally, wouldn't be so concerned about the seam. I have seen many seams in counters and the only ones that I didn't like were with granites that had a very strong, very definite swooshing pattern that had abrupt changes in the pattern because of the seam. Uba tuba doesn't have that. However, I do respect that what bothers one person will not bother another - etc.

I think a lot of times those are the type of thing that we stew over- but once it is installed, and life starts, it is not such a big deal. From a design standpoint- when going with a different finish on the island- I like to change the counter on the island. I feel like the whole idea is to have the island look more like a free standing piece of furniture. There- now I just told you to go with uba tuba- and then to not go with uba tuba. That should help you out. :)

Worry less- You are looking at only good options.

Thanks for writing in,
Christine

Photos from Elle Decor