Granite For A North-facing Kitchen
Dear Tom, I am looking to replace my countertops and am considering Antique Fantasy but need to know if there are any rules concerning color combinations and if there are any properties that I should know about this particular stone. Our kitchen has golden oak cabinets which are in excellent condition (although from the 80’s). Our appliances are white and the tile floors are light neutral with a slight pink tone. Our current tops are white formica which brightens up the room since the kitchen is on the northside and does not have much natural light. I originally thought of a light/white type of stone, however the ones I saw looked too cold for our country kitchen. The tops must also be able to withstand a busy household. If you have any thoughts on color/stone selection, I’d really appreciate your advice. Thank you, Elyse
Hello Elyse,
I usually lean toward the customers color choice because there is usually something about the granite choice that ‘moved’ the homeowner. However, I don’t like this stone for your kitchen as you described it. This granite is a more muted than I would suggest and will present a colder look that you would expect. Even though it has nice gold and brown tones, you really should consider a brighter granite like Madura Gold, Solaris or Golden Wave for a North side kitchen. At least take a look at them at your local granite supplier. Check www.GraniteStock.com for a supplier near you. These colors also go well with white appliances.
I am also not a big fan of Antique Fantasy Granite because of the many noticeable fissures it has. Fissure are one thing, but noticeable fissures is another! This is natural, but you need to decide if they bother you or not. They will not open up after installation, but sometimes they can look like cracks.
My number one pick for your arrangement is Madura Gold if you can find a really pretty selection. This granite varies a lot and some versions are too dark and dull. You will know a pretty one when you see it. Find a bright light gold selection or move on to Solaris Granite. Golden Wave is also very nice and has more movement and some gray/silver tones that make a more elegant statement. Your white cabinets will balance out the elegance with the warm family charm so the kitchen can handle a fancier stone.
For durability, just be sure you have it sealer after installation by a professional. See my article about sealing and cleaning. Let me know how it goes!
Best wishes,
Tom Cordova
