Hi Tom, I am remodeling and am having a hard time putting things together. I have redone my kitchen with natural cherry cabinets and have an existing jatoba floor. I really love the Kashmir white granite and have already picked out a slab. Is this a good choice ( I know it is porous and I don’t mind the upkeep.)? I’ve seen you say that it would look good with a white porcelain sink, which is what I have but then on another run of cabinets I do have a stainless oven and frig which I went with so there was not this drastic variation in color from the floor? The dishwasher next to the sink has a cabinet panel on it. I wanted a lighter granite because the kitchen, eating area, and family room are a little dark due to the floors and northeast lighting but there are quite a few windows. Also, I prefer the lighter color granite. So, I still have time to pick out a different slab of granite if that is what you recommend. Also, you mentioned being careful of heavily fractured garnets… Can you explain more. I just picked out the slab that I thought was most beautiful?? Any recommendations a color palette that would work best to pull these rooms together? And lastly, I know this is a lot, what would you recommend for faucet, pulls and granite edge. I have a farmhouse sink and I love a casual feel. Thanks so much for your time and advice!!

Susan and Carl

Hello Susan and Carl!

As you may have read, Kashmir White Granite is one of my favorite granite colors. It is the color in my own kitchen. My wife loves it too.

Kashmir White is not high maintenance after it has been properly sealed. Usually I suggest that homeowners simply seal granite themselves but this is one color that requires a couple applications to get to a level of low maintenance; therefore, some sealing experience is required. All you are trying to accomplish with the sealer it blocking the absorption of contaminates like juice and wine. This granite color is still very durable and you can put hot pans right on it. Because there is a little less quartz in this granite and the molecular structure is more ‘loose’ it is more absorbent. Some like to say it is softer, but that is not really an appropriate word to use.

Reading your entire post really helped. I was worried until I read that the white sink was farm house style. I could never recommend a white sink with a stainless refrigerator unless the sink was a farm house style. Farm house sinks should be white used with stainless refrigerators.

The mineral colors in Kashmir White are perfect for your décor. The silver wavy grain structure will compliment the stainless well. Check for any lose garnet specks that you can literally pick off with your fingernail. If you find some of these lose garnets you have to make a decision on how much you like the slab. It does not mean the slab will fall apart, it just means that you have to live with some small pitting. In my opinion, it is not that bad but you need to decide this for yourself.

Natural cherry cabinets with Jatoba flooring make for a very rich, formal and romantic atmosphere. In a kitchen, this is wonderfully subdued to homey, warm and modest by adding the granite color of Kashmir White. The garnets really pull it together but they are subtle. The silver gray with the bluish white background is inviting and tells others that you want them to come into the kitchen. A darker color would say, “I’ve got a cook by myself.”

I would consider going full height with the granite on the splash to light the room even more and appreciate the granite from the vertical position.

Go fancy with the edge detail if you want to a more formal kitchen. I think you need to at least go with a Roman OG edge. You can see edge details swatches at www.HomeGranite.com or www.GraniteStock.com.

Lastly, use pulls that match your faucet and refrigerator. Go with stainless or brushed metal of a similar color. Remember, the sink is a piece of furniture now and should stand on it own so don’t go with a white faucet.

Best wishes!

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