Counters & Backsplash Poll

[k3am]

We need to make decisions and it's been a PITA. The designer suggested a couple quartz countertops, said that granite isn't very popular, etc (we've always had granite and we like granite). We figured we'd go with one of those that we both agreed was "fine" and have had a nightmare trying to figure out a backsplash. 

The quartz is LG Lumina:



Of all the tiles they showed us, that I ordered, and that we looked at in person, we liked this:


The tile is ~$50/sq foot, and there's a lot of real estate that needs to be covered. (It's honestly the only thing I have a cost for right now)

Permitting is taking FOREVER, and DH and I keep going back and forth on some design choices. We looked at every quartz and granite option at a local place, and then finally drove 45 mins to Cambria Quartz, and they have some counters that we LOVED. 

Option 1, that I think we (in theory) like the best, is Portrush, which is creamy white with navy, gray & black veins with very fine bits gold/copper: 



Option 2 Windsor Brass, which is a little warmer with pretty heavy trails of brass, that (we think) opens the door for more options for backsplashes.





Both of them are pretty bold (but honestly, so are DH and I in terms of some design choices, with him bolder than I am). Either one of these counters have enough going on visually that we could get a really simple backsplash - either white picket, glass subway, or fishscale tile. 

I don't have pricing on either. Houzz posts seem to imply that LG and Cambria will be roughly the same, with Cambria having a better warranty. The veining on either of the Cambria quartz could be an issue to match up at seams and would require an excellent fabricator and/or cost to ensure the seams match up nicely. We do not have an island that would be included, so seams would likely just be for length and corner turns.

Which would you prefer? 
A) neutral countertop, more detailed backsplash, overall "safer" design choice. 
B) bold countertop, subtle backsplash, over all more "fun" design. 

[momin2013]

I said ‘safer’ mostly because that’s what we did in our new build (8 years old now) and I’m very happy with it. We have quite a bit of countertop space so I like that it’s simpler because it’s a cleaner look, IMO. Ours is Quartzite in Carrera (white marble with a very fine grey vein).

All that said, we still don’t have a backsplash because I haven’t found one I love. 🤷‍♀️

[deadwing]

Reading the poll questions, my gut feeling was neutral counters and bold backslash... After seeing the photos, my opinion has changed. I prefer the Potrush, but both options are beautiful.

[origami]

I was expecting something really out there but your bold choices I think are still reserved! It’s hard to tell though without looking at a slab or a kitchen with it installed. Even a great general pattern could look weird if the slab isn’t right. I like the more detailed veining because that hides crumbs and gives a kitchen personality if the rest of it is super neutral

[lolalolalola]

I love the Portrush. It is amazing. Pick that !

[mrspez07]

I like the tile and the Windsor, so bold and bold??

[dr.girlfriend]

Yeah, I don't think the poll really asks the right question. I think the question you are really asking is "Do I want a counter I feel 'meh' about or a counter I love?" and the counter you love is still pretty neutral, although relatively boldly patterned, so I would say definitely go with that. I don't see the point in doing either of the ones you like less, since the one you like still has lots of options for backsplashes. I would suggest a backsplash in more of the grey range of colors, though. I think you could find a hex tile in shades of grey.

[mrsukyankee]

(pic before kitchen was entirely finished)
Our counter and backsplash are the same (we carried it up a bit but didn't want to cover the brick in our kitchen entirely). I've seen a few decorating shows that carry the material all the way up to the bottom of the cabinets and I think it looks cool in some circumstances.

[k3am]

mrsukyankee I’ve seen a ton of examples of them running the quartz up the wall as a backsplash and I actually love it. Just not the price that I’m sure comes along with it! We have a lot of real Testate that will need backsplash, but definitely considering doing a portion, perhaps behind the stove.

[nicolewi]

You’ve got to figure out what you really like best! I know it’s hard. I think your new options are pretty cool, and you should pick something you are excited about.

My parents have quartz similar to your first one… Very light and neutral. They went with a wavy, kind of shiny white subway tile for the backsplash, and it looks really nice. But it’s definitely a clean, more neutral look. If you want something more bold and funky, go for it!

[simpsongal]

Agree w/OPs, pick the thing you love and design around that. Don't feel boxed in. I wasn't exactly sure what combo we'd do for our kitchen and our counter people had a really cool piece of quartzite in their shop - it's black w/huge green, tan, gold veining. That became my design point - it's on the island and I did the perimeter of the kitchen in a more subtle quartz (white w/gold veining). Given the nature of our open space and the amount of backsplash relative to the windows, I went w/a subtle glass tile for backsplash.

btw beware, I don't know who keeps saying quartz is so indestructible b/c I know several people that have had to deal w/staining. Plus the heat concerns - I'll take my old granite and quartzite over the quartz any day. I do like how it's less prone to cracking though which was another plus for using it on the perimeter b/c we have a 39" sink.

[nicolewi]

PS I had also heard that granite was out and everyone was going with quartz, but as of recently online I've been hearing that granite is coming back. So if you love granite, that's still an option.

[lavenderblue]

My preference is for them both to be "safe" ie not bold choices. I prefer to keep fixtures and things like paint color and trim all fairly neutral and then bring in color and bold design choices with things that are less permanent.

That said, pick whatever you love. What I would pick for my own house in no way should influence how any one else makes their own design choices.

[k3am]

Sept 11, 2024 7:37:20 GMT -5 nicolewi said:

PS I had also heard that granite was out and everyone was going with quartz, but as of recently online I've been hearing that granite is coming back. So if you love granite, that's still an option.

We must have found the same article! It's one of the reasons we went shopping on our own. We looked at all the options at a local place (quartz, quartzite, and granite) and didn't find a granite that we really liked for this kitchen. The low/no maintenance of quartz is definitely a plus. 

We sent a laundry list of items to the designer (including concerns on the whole process, not design specific) and requested that they order the samples and haven't heard a peep back yet. 

[sandandsea]

Portrush is amazing. I vote that.

[darby]

Both of your bold/metallic quarts options are gorgeous! I vote for one of those with picket tile. I’m really looking forward to seeing your “after” photos.

[k3am]

Sept 14, 2024 9:13:03 GMT -5 darby said:

Both of your bold/metallic quarts options are gorgeous! I vote for one of those with picket tile. I’m really looking forward to seeing your “after” photos.

At this rate, you may be 78 before after photos are posted. It’s slow going. We’ve been in the planning stages for a year now. But there is a glimmer of hope - the city says out plan is approved to be approved - we just need to finalize a contractor selection and have them resubmit the application (ours is too dated, apparently) and can hopefully start. Eventually. Fingers crossed.

[libbygrl109]

My brother just had Portrush installed in his kitchen. It is gorgeous.

[k3am]

Sept 18, 2024 21:25:59 GMT -5 libbygrl109 said:

My brother just had Portrush installed in his kitchen. It is gorgeous.

Tell him an internet stranger would love to see photos, especially of any seams and the backsplash they chose. That’s not weird, right?

[libbygrl109]

Sept 19, 2024 17:05:51 GMT -5 k3am said:

Sept 18, 2024 21:25:59 GMT -5 libbygrl109 said:

My brother just had Portrush installed in his kitchen. It is gorgeous.

Tell him an internet stranger would love to see photos, especially of any seams and the backsplash they chose. That’s not weird, right?

LOL - Here you go! Took me a while to find the ones my SIL sent to me when they were first installed. I am in love with the texture.

[cuadrado]

I'm a fan of keeping both the countertop and the backsplash simple. These are 2 of the things that are hardest the change if you get tired of them. There are so many ways you can add character and color into a kitchen - furniture, window treatments, countertop decor, etc.

[sandandsea]

I’ve been thinking about this more and really go with what you love. Which one makes you happiest when you see it?

1. All kitchens look dated after 15+ years. Ours was done in 2012 (not by us) and it looks dated with the dark mahogany/cherry toned cabinets and granite countertop. Styles change constantly and nothing is actually timeless.

2. Who cares what a future buyer may or may not, you have to live with it really and replacing a countertop is a tiny fraction of the homes value so they could always get something different if they really hate it. It won’t stop a sale. We’ve never liked the countertop in our house but it’s not so awful we care to change it.

3. You have to look at it everyday. Choose something that brings you joy when you look at it.

4. There’s a lot of value in low maintenance around my house because we don’t have time to sleep let alone resurface/ reseal/etc countertops or recall as often as recommended.

[k3am]

I’ve had them sitting on the counter for a few days now and I think we’ll probably go for the second, the Windsor Brass, assuming cost isn’t prohibitive.. If it is, the designer has another brand that has blue veining, warm tones. and some faint specks of brass in it that would be “ okay” enough that we like more than their original choice. Still no decision on backsplash though.

We’re currently interviewing contractors and getting bids, so things should be getting real soon. Looks like potentially starting in November and ballpark estimates of 4-6 months. So I’ll have to figure out what to do with me and the dog during that time period..

The only things we’ve actually finalized is the appliances, fireplace and built ins.

[maudefindlay]

k3am, I know it will look great, please share photos as things come along. I love before and after photos.

[treedimensional]

I prefer a dark countertop in a material that doesn't stain with coffee, red wine, or beets. I prefer backsplash that joins directly to the countertop, as opposed to a 4" tall strip of countertop material. Those are my 2 big criteria.

[k3am]

We're 90% sure we're going with Windsor Brass.

Backsplash will either be Cloe in white or the first one in the thread.. the Cloe does a nice job blending the grays and warmed tones together, is more cost effective (~$8/sq foot), but very boring. We're still not decided. 

We've narrowed it down to two contractors, one who can start next week (which is too soon), and one who can start within a couple of weeks. Both come highly recommended by the designer, have had former clients tell us they were happy, and we're scheduling some time to see finished and in process jobs. I think we'll be fine using either, so I'll let DH make the end decision. 

I'm terrified to start but also ready. It's been a long time coming.

[pinkly]

Not sure how to actually answer the poll but we just did Cambria Bellingham and I love it so much. We chose a backsplash of a creamy off shiny off white that’s kind of shaded. With darker grout. I am so so happy with it.

[k3am]

pinkly, just looked it up that is gorgeous!