Ideas for kitchen counters?

[downtoearth]

So if you had shelves similar to the ones below...(yes, I know not everyone loves open shelves) and white cabinets on the bottom like the second picture (shaker style, I think?), what counters and floor would you go with?  I'd like something smooth and one color for the counters - not a busy granite, but need some ideas.

Any suggestions on counters/floor? 

Shelf style...

or
 

Cabinets (lowers) like this...

[niknik]

Caesarstone Lagos Blue (it's not blue). We used Caesarstone Misty Carrera in our kitchen which is a really light gray.

[InBetweenDays]

I'd probably do butcherblock, or some solid color stone like Paperstone, soapstone, or those phenolic resin countertops they use in chem labs. We have matte black Paperstone countertops and love them.

[munkii]

Paperstone or quartz for the counters (greencountertopsdirect.com for paperstone direct from the mfg).

Floors, no idea. Something like a warm-stained wood or something completely different like black or black-brown tile? IDK.

[InBetweenDays]

Here are some photos of the Paperstone just so you get an idea what it looks like. Not everyone's cup of tea but we like them.

[minniebee]

I think something dark would look good. What about Cambria Bristol Blue? Or maybe Durham - it's a charcoal gray color, and not too busy. Sussex might be nice if you want something with a warmer tone.

Here's a link to all the Cambria options ... if you're interested in quartz:

www.cambriausa.com/our-collection/design-palette/

I like the look of butcher block, but I'm not sure I'd want to deal with the maintenance needed to keep them looking nice. 

[salliekate]

We have honed Uba Tuba, and I really like it. It has enough going on to keep it interesting, but it's still pretty plain. It's a little soapstone-ish, IMO. I'll try to get a picture and post it in a minute.

[downtoearth]

Thanks everyone, I'm looking up these options now. These are good ideas and I didn't know about paperstone before. I like the honed (matte) look now that you guys mention it.

InBetweenDays - can you give me an idea on costs for paperstone?

salliekate - is your honed uba tuba with a leather finish? I keep looking online and I think I like that look of a leather finish, but I wonder if it's very smooth.

As for floors, we have some sort of linoleum tile (floating style - weird) and have oak floors in the rest of the house and it's original, so I think it might be hard to match for the kitchen. It would be nice if we could continue in there, but it would be much more expensive. I guess we can tile, but I don't love tile in the kitchen - so hard on your feet when standing there all the time.

I guess I just am not sure what color to go with in the floors with warm shelves, black/grey counters and white cabinets. I think I need some more pictures.

[munkii]

What about sheet vinyl for the floor, then? It has improved vastly over the years, and there is something available for every price point and finish. That's what we're laying in our kitchen (Tarkett fiber floor, specifically).

ETA: Let me know if you are curious about a specific color(s) in the paperstone since my sample chain set should be on my porch when I get home; I'll PIP whatever you want.

[bunnymendelbaum]

We have epoxy resin counters (what they use now in labs instead of soapstone) and I freaking love them. Zero maintenance, resists acids, can set hot pans right on them. They do scratch, but it hasn't been an issue.

It's a very even matte look that I love. We were going to do paperstone, but all the samples I saw had a slight 'pattern'.

[InBetweenDays]

Apr 9, 2013 10:26:32 GMT -5 downtoearth said:

Thanks everyone, I'm looking up these options now. These are good ideas and I didn't know about paperstone before. I like the honed (matte) look now that you guys mention it.

InBetweenDays - can you give me an idea on costs for paperstone?

salliekate - is your honed uba tuba with a leather finish? I keep looking online and I think I like that look of a leather finish, but I wonder if it's very smooth.

As for floors, we have some sort of linoleum tile (floating style - weird) and have oak floors in the rest of the house and it's original, so I think it might be hard to match for the kitchen. It would be nice if we could continue in there, but it would be much more expensive. I guess we can tile, but I don't love tile in the kitchen - so hard on your feet when standing there all the time.

I guess I just am not sure what color to go with in the floors with warm shelves, black/grey counters and white cabinets. I think I need some more pictures.

I'll take a look at what we spent when I get home. Paperstone is fabricated here though so I know we saved money since they didn't have to really be transported. 

[salliekate]

No, ours aren't the leather finish. Just honed. Here's a pic (if I PIPd correctly!):

[SusanBAnthony]

salliekate, my parents are putting in your exact granite and finish. I have seen it in my neighbor's house (although hers is shiny) and it looks really nice.

I like the honed but hate the leather finish. Ick.