Granite For An Earthy Cabin Feel
Hi Tom,
Our kitchen has light oak cabinets (with a ’sorta’ orange undertone). We recently laid porcelain tile in varying shades, ranging from very red to brown (that we love). We want to go for an “earthy” feel (like a cabin in the Rockies). We have painted the walls Benjamin Moore Lilly Pad (light green) and have stainless steel appliances, but I’m really stumped on the granite color. I thought I wanted to go with one in the brown family, but with the floors so varying, I’m thinking of staying in the cream/white family (we currently have white Formica) or something in the green family to complement the red in the floor. Please help!
Kiera
Hi Kiera,
I love what you are trying to accomplish with the natural cabin look and you could definitely blow the whole décor by choosing the wrong granite color.
The toughest part about what you have to work with is the orange tint on the oak cabinets. My guess is that the cabinets are somewhat older as it common for medium glaze on oak cabinets to get a little more orange in time. After you are all done with you kitchen, you might decide to tune up the cabinets with a appropriate rejuvenating cleaner that will reduce the orange tint.
Regarding the granite, I want to make a few good suggestions. At the top of the list is Caramelo Granite. This is a granite color that you will have to see in person to appreciate the subtle greenish cast mixed in with the blacks, beiges and grays. I completed a kitchen design near a lake in a cabin filled residential area last year with a very similar pallet to yours. The Caramelo granite was perfect. It also properly introduces natural ‘rock’ colors into the natural setting.
Secondly, Green Marinace or RainForest Green would clearly compliment the décor and bring the outdoors in to your home. Green Marinace is one that you will love or hate. It will work well with all the colors in your kitchen for sure, but some folks think it is a little busy. It might be a little busy with your floor, so that is why it is my second choice for you.
Lastly, Rain Forest Green would be an exotic (yet still natural choice).
[You can see a kitchen done in this granite color on the Granite Kitchen Gallery page of www.HomeGranite.com.] This granite color will present a darker and richer kitchen while still connecting with the floor colors perfectly. The only draw back with this stone is that it is not truly a granite. Granite has at least 65% quartz, which makes it harder than a knife. Rain Forest Green is a natural stone from India but the composition is more of a mix of Orthoclase and softer minerals. You can still use it but you must use a cutting board and the granite should be properly sealed at least once a year with a high quality sealer. Personally, I feel this is very small maintenance to consider if you love the stone. Because of the maintenance and the more exotic look, it is my third best choice for you. In addition, if you choose Rainforest Green, also look at its counterpart, Rainforest Brown. You might like that even better.
Follow my Home Owner’s Checklist on the blog when looking at slabs.
My very best wishes to you and thank you for supporting the Rock Blog’s World Vision kids!
