A Green Granite to Complement Dark Cherry Cabinets
Tom,
We are replacing counter tops with granite and after looking at many slabs think we like granite in the green family, the two frontrunners right now being Rainforest Green and Verde Tropical (also sometimes referred to as Verde Hawaii). Costa Esmeralda also a possibility if we can find a dark enough shade. The kitchen gets a lot of light, has dark cherry cabinets, lighter oak floor, Biscuit tile backsplash. Range top is stainless but looks mostly black with the grates. Another question is what sink to use. We don’t really like stainless (the new avocado) and would use either a biscuit or anthracite color. The anthracite would probably be more edgy but more risky. What do you think on granite and sink color?
Clay
Hello Clay,
Sticking with green is a great plan. The darker the better for dark cherry cabinets. I highly recommend staying away from Verde Tropical if it is the one from India. This stone is very deceiving and loves to fracture upon impact from fabrication or bending stress. I have studied this granite in detail because it really is quite beautiful but problematic. I found that the crystal structure, although quite opalescent and refined, is also very weakly bonded. Surface tension will cause stress fractures and be unappealing.
Rainforest Green is another story in itself. This stone is not true granite and is quite softer than the .6 on the Mohs Scale as required to be classified as a granite. Because it is in higher in Orthoclase and softer minerals, you need to use a cutting board or else you will scratch it with a knife. It is also more porous than most granites, so be sure to have it professionally sealer. If you can handle those two maintenance issues, then I would say this is a great choice for cherry cabinets. I attached a nice photo of this stone.
A dark or medium Costa Esmeralda granite would be the best choice. This is gorgeous granite which is high in quartz minerals and very low maintenance.
As you may already know, it is quite expensive, but it is worth it. Don’t be worried about the white veins, they are great accents to brighten the room and match the towels.
Regarding the sink, certainly stainless works very well but the deep dark anthracite sink, like the one sold at Home Depot, would look amazing with any of these colors. If you like that look, go for it. It would be very classy for sure. You could match the same color for the faucet or even use a gun metal color.
Best wishes on your kitchen, Clay. Thank you for supporting the kids!
August 14th, 2008 at 6:23 pm
Looking for advice:
looking to support a 67″ wide x 18″ deep granite slab (shelf) with 4 cast iron corbels (brackets), which I’ll probably overlay with 1/2″ plywood.
The iron corbels are 12″ deep and 14″ high. I plan on cutting the plywood to about 12-14″ deep. From what I read the 4-6″ overhang should not be a problem, but was unsure if the size and strenght of the cast iron corbels were enough. Are four 14″ high corbels enough to support the 18″ deep shelf?
March 3rd, 2009 at 11:13 am
Dear Tom,
I have purchased a home with naturally stained cherry cabinets in a mission style. The cabinets are in excellent condition and are high quality so I will be keeping them. I would like to install a travertine look porcelain tile on the floor. The overall feeling I would like in the kitchen is one of soothing and calm elegance. I am looking for a granite in either the light brown, gold or green family but I am open to all suggestions. Could you please direct me?
Thank you,
Connie
March 8th, 2009 at 9:14 am
Tom,
It was as if you were responding to the questions my wife and I had upon leaving the granite warehouse yesterday. We were totally impressed with the Costa Esmeralda against our Bordeaux Cherry cabinet. The house is a mid century ranch and the kitchen style is clean line shaker door cabinets, stainless appliances and transitional hardware.
The Coast Esmeralda granite stuck in our mind as a counter option to seriously consider. Having read your response, I believe we were looking at afairly light slab and will hunt for other slabs to feel out a slightly darker option.
To take this a bit futher, with the above, what FLOOR color options do you feel would best complement the dark wine cabinets and green counter color combination we are discussing?
Thank you for reading both our minds …and this response.
All the best,
John and Mariluz Liammari
Hastings on Hidson, NY
May 24th, 2009 at 2:41 pm
Tom
We are in the process of a kitchen remodel and are having custom cherry cabinets installed but we cannot decide on the floor. Go lighter than the cabinets or darker? We have stainless appliances. Also we are considering a counter top by Staron Surfaces in the color called “Coffee Bean”. Your advice would be greatly appreciated!
October 21st, 2009 at 12:39 pm
Hi – we just moved into our new house and have updated the lighting in the kitchen and painted it a light (mint) green. Now it’s time to update the countertops & backsplash. We’re looking for ideas for color combinations. Our cabinets are oak with brushed nickel hardware, floors are brazillian cherry, appliances are stainless. I don’t think I want anything too dark. Do you have any suggestions for color on the granite and what to do with the backsplash?
Thanks.
October 29th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
I have natural cherry cabinets in my kitchen which is quite dark. I’ve been looking for a granite for several months now and haven’t been able to find a stone that is light to compliment the cherry. I’ve finally realized that a light green is probably my best choice. What do you think about Wild West Green and Hawaiian Green?
February 23rd, 2010 at 4:03 pm
HI Tom,
We are finishing our basement and in the process putting in a new bar. I am trying to figure out what granite might look best with a dark cherry wine cabinet. I would like to go with a darker granite – more towards grays and blacks, but not sure that would work. What is your recommendation on the countertops and bar top?
Thanks!
Karen
April 17th, 2010 at 7:50 pm
Hi Clay got problem I have ITa Verde Granite if you don’t its green and black color and its old.I also have stainess steel appliances and light cabinets and light for I need a back splash I’m sure what to go with I like your help on the back splash so I go tiles or granite tiles what color? Thank you I have been trying to fix this for 2 years.
Tank you Judy
June 3rd, 2010 at 8:07 pm
Tom,
We are trying to decide on which granite to use for our dream kitchen countertops. We really like Wild West Green, but one retailer said she stopped carrying it due to an unusually high number of defects. We went to a different warehouse and rejected 3 of 6 slabs due to cracks. Should we risk this granite, assuming we can find 4 acceptable slabs?
Thanks,
Linda
September 22nd, 2010 at 6:10 am
I am remodeling my bathroom and thinkg of putting wild west granite for the vanity and porcellana derocca timeless stone crema marfil for the shower but want something different for floor….any suggestions.
January 23rd, 2011 at 5:46 pm
Hi
I need help!! I am remodeling my kitchen and I am terrible with colors. We have been saving forever to do this. So this is so overwhelming for me. Our new cabinets are cherry wood with a med dark red stain called Cabernet. They are kraftmaid cabinets. Our appliances will be stainless. We have chosen Brazilian Cherry flooring. I need help with a granite color. Others have suggested light Santa Cecilia, Costa Esmerallda, Verde Maritaka, Silver Sea Green, Uba Tuba or Bianco Romano. Green is my favorite color but don’t know if it will go with the cherry. Do I need something with white for contrast like light Santa Cecilia or Bianco Romano. My least favorite color is gold. I was thinking of antique nickel for cabinet hardware and have no Idea for a paint color or back splash tile. Help
April 26th, 2011 at 5:03 pm
Hello.
What are you thoughts on Seafoam Granite? Durability, cost, what color as it varies from light with gold specks to deep green. What cherry cabinet color would work well with it? Is it an expensive stone? Is it of quality?
Thank you.
May 29th, 2011 at 6:12 pm
We are installing cherry cabinets with a medium dark finish–darker than natural but definitely not a “dark” cherry. We keep hearing how cherry will darken over time–which sound fine to us, but we still want to keep plenty of contrast with the granite countertops. I have looked at many greens–including nambia, mermaid green and emerald pearl. I know I want to keep the backsplash fairly neutral with a travertine primary and Oceanside accents–mostly complimenting our planned moss/plum color scheme. Any thoughts on which “green” granite would work best?
June 8th, 2011 at 7:17 pm
hi
need desperate help with colors ….. chosen hawaiian green granite with dark cherry cabinets. Need paint color and floor, hardwood or tile (suggest a color) … backsplash is art slate in autumn
thanx much, terry
July 13th, 2011 at 3:40 am
Hi–
I am redoing my kitchen and have chosen Costa Esmeralda granite for the countertops. I am wondering if this will go with cream colored cabinets that also have some brown accents in them? My second question is related to the backsplash. I like a tumbled look but am having a hard time finding a neat tile that matches. Any recommendations?
DeeDee
August 27th, 2011 at 8:07 am
Tom -
I am looking for ideas for a backsplash that will go well with my rainforest green granite counter. I have cherry cabinets (medium shade) and white walls and white sink. I have to cover 18 sg ft of space — not large. The floors are hardwood. I didn’t go up the wall with granite. Stainless steel appliances.
Thank you for any suggestions you can offer.
May 8th, 2012 at 5:15 pm
Dear Tom,
We are looking for back splash ideas. Our cabinets are shaker style natural cherry and the counter top is Aqua Verde granite from Brazil and is a green tone with gray, brown and red flecks. The floor is a natural maple.
We are looking at glass tiles in 2 inch plus sizes but aren’t sure. Could you supply us with a bit of sage guidance in making our decisionfor colour and size.
Thanks,
Bob
August 13th, 2012 at 8:13 am
Hi Tom, we’re remodeling our kitchen , our new cabinets are cherry wood with a med red stain called Autumn Blush. They are kraftmaid cabinets. Our appliances will be stainless, we have chosen costa esmeralda for the countertops any suggestions about the floors, I like porcelain tile, would the Versaille pattern be too busy?What color would you suggest? How about the counter backsplash, should we do granite or tile ? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
February 10th, 2013 at 9:41 am
Could you help me identify a stone supposed to be granite called bella verde. I am considering it for my counter tops but now have second thoughts. I t will scratch easly and i can only find 1 place that has it. I have checked places that have 3 thousand plus samples and they do not list it . Does it have another name? Also any info on hardness rating flexural, and anything else you have. Do you recommend it or should I get another granite/ I want something very hard and that is the most scratch resistant. Thanks for your help Art Farnsworth