Countertops for 1940’s Kitchen

[ny96]

We need to put in new countertops and I’m struggling to figure out a material that would not look out of place. We have an original O’Keefe and Merritt stove, and we’re getting a Smeg Fridge. This photo is very similar to what we have now, only our tile is not in great condition which is why we need to replace it. I’ve been looking online and the suggestions for these kitchens are laminate, but I hate laminate and we need a higher grade material for what we would hope to sell the house for at some point. All of our cabinets are original and look very similar to these.

[bee20]

Are the cabinets in good shape? If they're not I'd expect the next person might rip them out, and I'd hate to see the waste of new solid surface counters for just a few months.

I've seen butcher block counters look really good with white cabinets, and they're fairly timeless. I also don't have a problem with laminate but understand that can affect appraisals. Around here the builders used to put in granite tile because it still counted in appraisals as "granite counters" but I haven't seen that as much lately. I'd personally prefer laminate or butcher block to any kind of tile.

[RockNVoll]

Quartz is the first thing that comes to mind.

[bee20]

ny96, If you are in an expensive area then it basically has to be solid surface. In that case I agree with RockNVoll that Quartz is what I'm seeing in new renovations. Is the refinish to white or will it be wood-tone?

Depending on your flooring and cabinet colors I'd try a light grey or a white with some grey marbling. Honed looks a little better with vintage in my mind vs high gloss and is pretty popular. Looking at examples online something like Calcatta Vicenza or Carrara Grigio but those may be tied to brands. You can get a big board with several options to take home from a big box store to try in your lighting. The key thing for me would be making sure it doesn't look dingy with the lighting in an older kitchen. Also think about if you'd want to replace the sink then (maybe an apron sink) or backsplash, but understand you're just trying to get it sold.

[orval]

Google tells me soapstone is a good retro countertop material. It also mentioned stainless steel and the butcher block. www.oldhouseonline.com/kitchens-and-baths-articles/kitchen-appliances/best-countertop-choices-old-house-kitchens/

I might consider a mix of something like soapstone and a butcher block section.

[darby]

Are you keeping or changing the backsplash? I would probably choose butcher block. While I love quartz, I think it would look out of place if you’re keeping so many other elements. I think soapstone or paperstone would also look really good. And if you’re changing the backsplash, I think back painted glass would look really great & keep it from looking too farmhouse, as it doesn’t sound like that fits your esthetic. Also jealous of your Smeg fridge!

[nicolewi]

I vote soapstone (but be aware of various quirks I've only read about as we do not have soapstone)! Or a very plain quartz.

[memenee]

Soapstone! Although not actual soapstone because it’s a pain to maintain but there is leathered granite that looks just like it!! Google it! GL!!

[libbygrl109]

Either granite that looks like soapstone or butcher block. Or maybe even stainless steel, since a lot of counters were linoleum with the metal edge. My grandmother's was like that, and was built in the early 1940s.

[af1212]

This is amazing!! Exact copy of my grandmothers kitchen except her counter doesn’t have the black edge.

[Doggy Mommy]

I could see a matte quartz like this fitting in well, maybe with a simple subway tile backsplash:
easternsurfaces.com/matte-quartz-countertops/

I also think any kind of simple white or black quartz or granite (matte/leathered or not) would look great.

[cuadrado]

Since you mentioned selling your house in the future, I would ask your realtor. That's what they're there for!

[ny96]

Jul 26, 2022 11:19:52 GMT -5 cuadrado said:

Since you mentioned selling your house in the future, I would ask your realtor. That's what they're there for!

Our realtor is good at selling homes, but not a kitchen designer. My husband is a designer and has picked colors, but we are still trying to figure out materials.

[cuadrado]

Jul 26, 2022 11:37:41 GMT -5 ny96 said:

Jul 26, 2022 11:19:52 GMT -5 cuadrado said:

Since you mentioned selling your house in the future, I would ask your realtor. That's what they're there for!

Our realtor is good at selling homes, but not a kitchen designer. My husband is a designer and has picked colors, but we are still trying to figure out materials.

I did not mean in terms of kitchen design. I meant more making a decision that would make sense for resale. 

[ny96]

Jul 26, 2022 12:34:10 GMT -5 cuadrado said:

Jul 26, 2022 11:37:41 GMT -5 ny96 said:

Our realtor is good at selling homes, but not a kitchen designer. My husband is a designer and has picked colors, but we are still trying to figure out materials.

I did not mean in terms of kitchen design. I meant more making a decision that would make sense for resale. 

I get that. We’ve consulted him a few times and sometimes he has some good ideas like letting us know that we shouldn’t spend 10k on a stove, but when it comes to the counters or other things that fall more into the category of design choices, I don’t believe he’d be that helpful.

I should add too, I’m a little sensitive about this in regards to our realtor because he’s been trying to micromanage some repairs and updates, but failing. For example he told us that we should use his window guy rather than one we had been talking to. He scheduled this guy to come to our house at 7:45am on a Saturday and when he arrived we found out that not only did this guy not know how to fix windows, but our realtor didn’t know him, he was a friend of a window guy that had been recommended to our realtor.

We are working with our realtor because he is well connected and we’re confident he can sell our house quickly, but that’s about it.

[simpsongal]

For resale, quartz. For style, soapstone would be lovely (I'm guessing it's $$$).

[winecat]

ny96- I've gotten screwed by a realtor's referral. Turns out they had been recommending people to keep up with the required referrals for a business networking group (BNI.)

I think a matte, solid color surface with metal edging (https://www.newyorkmetal.com/c-66-1950s-retro-kitchen-table-trim.aspx) would look good and period appropriate. I was just poking around and saw this material that I hadn't heard of: icestoneusa.com/paperstone/. I think it would look good with the metal edging in your kitchen.

[k3am]

If you're selling the house soon and keeping the cabinets, I'd do butcher block and call it a day. And I'd only do that because the existing tile is in bad condition. If you can repair the damaged tiles and not have to put a ton of effort in, I'd do that.

While there are people who appreciate a 1940's kitchen, I don't think the overwhelming amount of people would love it.

[ellipses84]

I love the idea of soapstone. If it’s too much $$$ you could just find something like quartz or solid surface with a solid matte look.

Marble is also period appropriate but not super common for retro kitchen counters, plus it’s $$$ and not maintenance free.

[stemmie]

My great-grandfather was a builder (mostly commercial, a lot of military housing during WWII) he did 3 kitchens for family right after the war.

His house and his partner's kitchens both had linoleum with metal capping and strips. His house was red (my cousin had that until he flipped the house a few years ago) and the partner's beach house (which he later bought) was white. He also did a "modern" kitchen for his oldest daughter that was all stainless cabinets and countertops.

[darby]

Jul 27, 2022 12:08:53 GMT -5 k3am said:

If you're selling the house soon and keeping the cabinets, I'd do butcher block and call it a day. And I'd only do that because the existing tile is in bad condition. If you can repair the damaged tiles and not have to put a ton of effort in, I'd do that.

While there are people who appreciate a 1940's kitchen, I don't think the overwhelming amount of people would love it.

I’m a Realtor & I agree with this.

[bhnumbers]

Jul 23, 2022 14:30:18 GMT -5 Doggy Mommy said:

I could see a matte quartz like this fitting in well, maybe with a simple subway tile backsplash:
easternsurfaces.com/matte-quartz-countertops/

I also think any kind of simple white or black quartz or granite (matte/leathered or not) would look great.

yep, I was going to suggested some kind of stone counter but with a honed finish rather than polished.