Granite to go with Red Paint?
Based on the useful responses to the other questions on your site, you definitely seem to be the person to turn to for sound advice when it comes to picking granite. We need some help in choosing the best colour for our kitchen countertops. Our kitchen appliances are black, the walls painted in Benjamin Moore (Canada) “Laurentian Red” (CC152). Our backsplash & floor ceramic tiles are a blue/gray (”French Quarter”). Cabinets are oak w/ a cinnamon (orange undertone) type stain. The kitchen is open onto the dining area that has honey oak hardwood.
We have a rather large island w/breakfast bar in the middle of the kitchen that, along with the counters adjacent the stove, will be done in granite, thus there will be a large amount of area covered.
We are looking strictly for resale value as we are renovating the home to prepare for a move. A colour we had considered was “Absolute Black” however I am beginning to think that with the black appliances, dark red paint, and large center island that the black will be too overwhelming and dark.
Natural light is “okay” - we are in an interior attached townhome w/neighbours on either side, thus we only have natural light coming from the North and South (kitchen is on the South end).
Any help would be much appreciated! (I can send a picture of the room if that would be useful).
Robyn
Hello Robyn,
Definitely do not go with Absolute Black Granite for several reasons. It will be far too cold and flat with the CC152 paint. Also, the blue/gray tiles combined with the black will fight with the warm oak floors and your paint color. Personally, I think the floor really conflicts with the paint color but most buyers don’t really notice kitchen floors. Also, Black Granite is not a good color for resale. It could easily drive the top paying buyer away. You can also search ‘Black Granite’ on my blog and see my other important comments about using this color.
You need to use a mainstream granite color that has highlights which will pull from the Luarentian Red paint. Movement in the granite would help and add some character and interest over the large breakfast bar area. My best suggestion is Juparana Columbo because it even contains some blue/gray veins which will provide continuity with the floor. However, this granite is pretty wild and you might not see the best quality or color selection in your local market. Check it out and you will either love it or hate it.
Therefore, I also want to suggest that you consider Tan Brown Granite or Autumn Brown Granite. You can see swatches of these on www.GraniteStock.com. These two would work well with black appliances, as well as your floor tile and the paint. They are also probably the best color choices for resale as long as your kitchen is not too small.
My best wishes to you!
Tom
